A Taste of Shifter Geekdom: Shifter Romance (Vanguard Elite Book 2)

by Annie Nicholas

  The vampire whistled loud and shrill enough to make every shifter wolves’ ears want to bleed. The shooting stopped and the pack turned to their task master. “I have some news to share.” He scanned the group as if searching for someone to punish. “Our petition as a registered pack has been accepted.”

  A spatter of applauds followed the announcement. Dark circles surrounded most of the shifters’ eyes—shoulders drooped, a few dragged their rifles instead of cradling them. Everyone was exhausted and lacked the energy to be enthusiastic. Pallas gave them eight hours to sleep during the day, but a lot were having a hard time with the transition of being night owls. The vampire also provided plenty of food, but not electricity, which meant firewood needed chopping and fires needed tending. It also meant cold showers and hand laundered clothes. They basically had no free time.

  “The local town of Alberg is holding a harvest festival tomorrow night. You’ve all worked hard these last few weeks and since we’re legal citizens of the county now, I think we will attend.”

  Silence settled over the field.

  “What?” Pallas scanned the crowd. “I expected shouts of joy. You would rather stay home and do more water training?”

  “That’s not it.” Darrell replied. No more water training, please. “The town has made it clear we’re not welcome.”

  “And in response you want to hide here with your tails tucked between your legs?” The vampire bared his teeth. “We are the creatures of the night, the things that give them nightmares.”

  “Yeah, so crashing their family fun night doesn’t seem like the right thing to do,” Luke, another of the shifters, spoke out.

  “I didn’t say we were going to massacre them.” Pallas appeared genuinely perplexed. “I was told that there was supposed to be a peace between humans and supernatural. Was that an error?”

  “Some places are more tolerant than others. Alberg isn’t one of those places.” Darrell shifted his feet among the fallen leaves of the ground.

  “I’m not expecting open arms when we arrive, but damn it, for the first time since I’ve been a vampire I can attend something as myself. This might show them they have nothing to fear. We’re fucking going.” He gave them a curt nod, shutting down all objections. “Repeat after me. No killing.”

  A few mumbled the words. Darrell not included. This was silly. A country fair?

  “What did I hear? You want to run five miles backwards with a bucket of water balanced on your head? Again? I thought you hated it the first time.”

  “No killing.” Everyone shouted in unison. Anything was better than repeating that exercise, even enraged townspeople. What’s the worst that could happen? They try to burn down the manor again?

  “Have fun,” Pallas continued.

  “Have fun,” they responded.

  “No shifting.”

  They repeated it.

  “Back to practice.” Pallas waved them away.

  Darrell took a deep breath and stretched the knot in his neck before facing Julia. His wolf was just below the surface, pushing him to touch her more. “Do you know anything about your firearm?” In his book, you should know what you’re handling.

  Julia ran her hand over the stock. “This, my sexy instructor, is an AK-47.”

  Heat flooded his cheeks. She found him sexy? And the way she stroked the weapon had Darrell’s full attention.

  She continued. “The AK-47 is a selective 39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova.”

  He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. If she kept this up, he was going to have to marry her. “It is also known as Kalashnikov, AK, or in Russian slang, Kalash. Show me your stance.” He mentally beat his wolf back with a stick. Enough.

  She sighed as if she’d been asked this too many times. “I’m told it’s not my stance.” She moved into shooting position and was right. Her stance was good for an amateur who hadn’t hit a target yet.

  He circled her. Strong legs rooted to the ground, the curve of her ass would fill his hands giving him something to use as leverage, her full breasts strained against her sweater as she held her rifle high. Those too would fill his hands and mouth. If pressed together they’d pillow his—whoa, he tugged his jeans to loosen their grip on his thickening cock. He should soak in that ice cold pond. “Your stance is fine.” So very fine, he had trouble prying his gaze off it.

  As if picking up his thoughts, she glanced at him. “Maybe you should show me yours since I’ve shown you mine.” She handed him the rifle, keeping a grip on the butt until he pulled it free.

  Nice one. Real smooth. Lifting the AK-47 to his shoulder with an expert’s ease, he took aim. “Point the barrel only at what you're willing to shoot, never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to pull it, and always keep your weapon pointed down range.” He shot off three rounds. They made contact with the vampire scarecrow’s head, one after the other. He relaxed and nodded at the target. “It’s a good night to practice. The wind isn’t strong and the moon is full. Couldn’t ask for better conditions.” He shrugged. “At night.”

  “At night,” she repeated, her voice sounded distant.

  He shot her a glance.

  She was pale.

  “Are you all right?” He supported her elbow afraid she’d faint.

  She jerked out of his hold. “A perfect night? I can’t even hit the target on a perfect fucking night. No, I’m not okay. I’m so far from okay that if okay was a person, they’d be hanging out in China.”

  He clicked his jaw shut. “Okay.” He flinched at his response. Scanning the area for Pallas, he noticed his neighbors were very, very focused on their shooting, not willing to make eye contact. He was on his own. She just needed to practice, but he suspected she’d bludgeon him with the rifle if he said this out loud. Not everyone picked up shooting easily. She could be suffering from many forms of blocks. The more she shot and the less she complained, the better she’d become. “Why don’t we try a different stance? Maybe on your stomach where you can use the ground as leverage and stability.”

  Her shoulders slumped. Tears welled in her eyes.

  No, no, no.

  Darrell’s heart dropped. No crying. This wasn’t allowed in boot camp, right? There had to be some unwritten law about tears.

  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Sorry, it’s just so frustrating seeing how easy it is for you.”

  He hugged her to his chest before his mind registered what his wolf had made him do. What now fur ball? They were in the middle of fire range practice with Pallas watching. His wolf would get him kicked out of boot camp if he didn’t get it under control. He took a slow breath and stepped away, letting her go. The cold night air stole what warmth he taken from her. “It’s easy for me because I grew up with a gun in my hand. I learned to shoot before learning to ride a bike.”

  She flashed him a quick smile and blinked her tears away. “We’re definitely from different packs.”

  Desire spread through him like wild fire. “Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” Bet he reeked of lies. He’d dated a few shifter girls, even a few humans. Julia outclassed them all. There was more to her than she let on and he wanted to get to know the whole package. He held out the rifle.

  “Nope, it doesn’t.” She accepted the gun. “I need more practice than Pallas is allotting or I’ll never pass the test.” She met his stare, looking deep into his soul. “I don’t want to go home.”

  No, her going home would be bad. She had to stay with him. His wolf rose so close to the surface, he sensed his eyes change. Shit, exhaustion made control harder. He blinked, trying to shift his eyes back. Stupid wolf was thinking was their dick again. He crossed his arms, hoping she hadn’t noticed. “First we change your attitude.”

  She circled around him, not giving any sign that she noticed his slip.

  “We still have the rest of the night to work on your aim. I have faith in you.’

  “Darrell.�
� She raised her gun, pulled the trigger and missed. “Not only do I have to hit the target, I have to hit the specific points Pallas calls out.”

  “Trust me. Everyone is struggling.”

  “Yeah and we’ll all be sent home once we fail.” She repeated her shot.

  He stood behind her, cheek to cheek, and checked her sight. Her scent coiled around him.

  She flinched. “What are you doing?”

  He held her within his arms, his hands controlling where she pointed the barrel. Nervous nellies and guns didn’t mix. She needed to find a center of calm. “Easy, sweetheart. We’re going to shoot together.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. Darrell didn’t recall her jumping when Pallas had taken the same position earlier.

  He wanted to pull her close. Breathe in her scent deep and slow. See if she smelled attracted to him. He couldn’t resist her anymore. He was one come-hither look from tossing her over his shoulder and finding a secluded spot in the woods, cold fall weather and all.

  “What do you think about going to the festival tomorrow night?’ she asked.

  He leaned forward to see her face better. If he’d been in wolf form, his ears would have been up and forward. “Together?”

  She slowly turned her head. “I meant as a pack.”

  “Oh.” He cleared his throat and gave her some space. “I think blood might be spilled. Most likely ours.”

  “Why do you think he’s pushing us to go then?” She bit her bottom lip before pulling the trigger.

  Miss…she pulled her lip, stretching the plump flesh before it popped free of her teeth.

  Darrell took a needed breath, he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “The best defense is an offense. If we don’t act scared, they might think twice before attacking again.”

  “But one of us might get hurt.”

  Darrell rubbed his arm the humans had broken a few weeks ago. “Not if I can help it.” He mumbled under his breath. He’d lost his roommate, Jake, to a house fire the humans had set. No more losses. His gaze traveled back to Julia, so pretty and innocent looking. Human men would be drawn to her. A growl rolled in his chest at the idea. “We will go together.”

  She set her gun down. “Like a date?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sounds like you’re not giving me much of a choice.”

  “You can say no. I’d protect you better than anyone else here.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “Is that your best excuse?”

  “No.” He pulled her into his arms and slid his mouth over hers. She melted against him. Her bottom lip was soft and swollen. He sucked on it tenderly like he’d been fantasizing.

  She moaned and let the rifle hit the ground. It went off.

  They jumped apart.

  No one seemed to notice due to all the noise. Darrell snatched the weapon and scanned the direction it had shot. “Hey, you hit the target!”

  Chapter Four

  The next evening, Darrell scanned all the shirts and sweaters he owned laid out on his bunk. His one dress shirt was missing two buttons, his sweaters were hand-me-downs with pulled threads and worn elbows.

  Blain sat on Ian’s bunk across the small room. “They’re going to leave without us.”

  “Everything I packed is work clothes. I don’t think I’m going.”

  Dropping his head in his hands, Blain moaned. “You never cared about your clothes before.”

  “Julia agreed to be my date.” He could hear Blain come to attention behind him. Darrell smirked then glimpsed his dismal choices of clothes. It was one thing to wear this during practice, but not on a date. He wanted to impress her, not embarrass her.

  “I’ll lend you something.”

  Darrell gritted his teeth. What choice did he have? Would Julia care he was dirt poor? He wanted her to get to know him before telling her the state of his pack.

  Blain pulled out his duffel bag. The rooms were too small for any other furniture but the bunk beds. “Here.” He tossed Darrell a soft black sweater. “I expect it back in the same condition. It’s cashmere.”

  Darrell rubbed it against his face. “Nice.” It probably cost more money than Darrell owned. He pulled it over his head, covering his bare chest. He ran his hands through his hair. Taming the mess was impossible. “Ready.”

  “About time.” Blain made it to the bedroom door first. “I’m ready to stuff myself until I burst.”

  “Can I ask a favor?” Darrell shoved his hands in his jean pockets. They’d gotten baggy.

  “Another one?” Blain maneuvered down the center of the hall. Not a feat of great skill for the average person, but Blain was legally blind. Even he somehow managed to hit the fucking target with the gun when Pallas placed a bell on the scarecrow.

  “Can you hang around with us?”

  “Like a chaperone?”

  Darrell had to laugh at Blain’s incredulous tone. “Yeah.”

  “Sure?” He hesitated at the top of the stairs. “If you don’t like her then why’d you ask her out?”

  “That’s not it. I like her too much. Like wolf like-like her.”

  “I’ll pretend I understood that.”

  Darrell grabbed Blain’s upper arm to stop him from descending to the foyer. “I don’t want to fuck it up by yanking her behind some tent and rip her panties off. I—I want—”

  “—to be a gentleman.” Blain had gone serious. Sometimes the wolf got the better of them when it came to females and sex. Humans didn’t understand this instinctive drive. They had it easy. Good thing Blain was a red-blooded wolf shifter with the same hormonal imbalances to deal with. “Fine, but I’m drawing the line at tackling you. After that you’re on your own.”

  “Thanks man.” He clapped Blain on the back and propelled him down the stairs. Darrell’s grandma had taught him to be a respectful of females. Not the easiest thing to drill into a young male shifter’s head.

  Outside the manor, a school bus was parked on the front lawn. Blain scratched his chin. “Do I smell a bus?”

  “Yep, not what I was expecting either.” Darrell scanned the area for Julia but couldn’t spot her.

  Clare joined them. “Did you expect us to walk?”

  “Yes,” he answered.

  Ian followed Clare. “I’m driving it.” Their alpha looked like a kid at Christmas.

  “He’s going to crash and kill us all,” he whispered to Blain.

  “But it will be a hell of a ride.” The blind wolf clapped him on the shoulder as he followed Ian.

  Penny caught up to him and led Blain aboard the bus.

  Darrell hesitated and searched the crowd again. Had Julia changed her mind? Pallas wasn’t making the trip mandatory for everyone. Some of the shifters volunteered to guard the manor.

  To the vampire’s delight, the days had grown shorter and it was already dark by six PM. The harvest festival would be in full swing by now. A cold wind blew the fall leaves over Darrell’s wore running shoes. It would be a good night for body heat. Now if he only had someone to hold… Hell, he’d go in the manor and carry her out. He spun and stalled on his first step toward the burnt front porch.

  Julia exited the manor wearing a tight pink sweater that clung to her form and jeans that clung to her well-shaped ass. Every sway of her hips drew his attention until he his vision narrowed on just her. He’d spend the night knocking out other male’s teeth with her looking so sexy, but it would be worth the swollen knuckles. She waved to him and skipped across the lawn.

  Darrell wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. One date, get her out of his system and refocus on training. After tonight, she’d probably lose interest in him. Females always did. “You look nice.” He cleared his throat.

  “Thanks, so do you.” She entwined her fingers with his and tugged him to the bus. “I’ve never been to a festival before.”

  “They don’t have any where you’re from?” He followed her onto the bus, eyes riveted to her ass as she climbed aboard. Down boy.

  She took the first availab
le bench and scooted over for him to join her. “They probably do, but my family wouldn’t attend things like a festival. They’re more balls and events type of people.”

  “Oh.” His gut felt hollow. His family had never been invited to a ball, let alone attended one. He tried to picture his grandma in a gown with her shotgun in her back sheath. She grinned at him without her dentures. He chuckled at the image.

  “What’s so funny?” Her smile faded.

  “Nothing, just thinking about my family.” He leaned his arm over the back of the bench. “These kinds of festivals are a nice way to get out before winter hits. It also gives back to the community.” Not that Darrell had much to give. He had his last forty bucks in his pocket. After this there would be no more dates.

  “I never thought of it that way.’ She fell against him as the bus lurched forward and he circled his arm around her shoulders.

  “Sorry,” Ian shouted from the driver’s seat not sounding repentant at all. Yeah, they were all going to die, but Darrell had an angel in his arms so that meant he’d go straight to heaven, right?

  The ride to town was less eventful than Darrell expected. Besides the rough start, they sailed to the festival smoothly.

  “I thought Pallas would be attending.” Penny and Blain sat behind them. The omega gazed around the bus as she spoke. “He gave me the impression he’d be here to supervise.” She chewed her bottom lip.

  “He’ll be here.” Blain patted her hand.

  “You stick with us, Penny. We won’t let anything happen to you.” Like let some teenage snot hit her with a baseball bat. Darrell still couldn’t believe the level of stupidity some humans could reach. Some idiots had attacked him, Penny, and Blain on the road leading from the manor as they were jogging. He had stepped in front of Penny to take the hit and they had broken his arm. After that night, Pallas insisted they run in the woods on his property where the humans would have to follow pack law if they were stupid enough to trespass.

  Omegas were harmless yet played an essential role in a pack. Some shifters wondered why Pallas allowed Penny to stay. Darrell understood. They needed someone to protect, someone who didn’t care about pack hierarchy, and who would tend to more dominant shifters. In Darrell’s opinion, the camp could use a few more omegas. If not for Penny, he and Ian would have come to blows instead of finding a truce. Her need for protection had them putting aside their differences when the humans had attacked the manor. It had also given Darrell perspective. He was a dominate wolf but didn’t care to lead. Not yet.