Burn: Dragon Shifter Romance

by Ava Frost

  Alan spoke again, "Just back away and you won't be hurt."

  "Mommy?" Ty asked in a shaky voice, "Mommy, I feel it coming."

  "Ty, take deep breaths. Close your eyes. Calm your body and tell bear to go away," Brynn said to him, her own body shaking.

  "These freaks are hiding out here, thinking no one will catch on to where they are. They're running around the woods attacking people, killing innocent bystanders -"

  "NO ONE has been killed. You need to leave my property right... now...or," Brynn was convulsing and struggling to hold it together, "Everyone... back... away."

  Jenna grabbed Ty and stepped back from the porch, "Stay calm, Ty. Okay? Just keep breathing in an out."

  Ty nodded and breathed as slowly as he could. He said in small voice, "Please don't hurt my mommy."

  "We're gonna hurt both of you, little freak," Alan said as he came closer. Brynn lost control at that point and shifted. It was just as horrible to see as watching Luke return to human form. Skin ripped, bones cracked and Brynn screamed in pain until her voice changed and all they could hear were roars. Alan shot at them as he and his father backed up.

  Norm pushed Alan behind him and shot at Brynn. She lunged at them and ripped into Norm. Jenna shielded Ty's eyes and he held tightly to her. Norm was bleeding profusely and had stopped moving. Brynn lunged at Alan. He bellowed.

  "You killed him, you monster, you killed him," Alan screamed. Brynn roared. He looked around wildly, seeing no way out and ran the way he came, "You'll pay for this!"

  Brynn began the painful transformation to revert to her human form. Jenna looked away and held Ty close. They took deep breaths together as the boy calmed down. Once Brynn had shifted fully, Jenna wrapped her in a blanket that had been hanging on a chair on the porch.

  "Are you all right?" Jenna asked. Brynn shook her head.

  "I... killed him," She looked shell shocked.

  "No, Brynn - you defended your son. I'll report this as an animal attack," Jenna said. She pulled out her walkie talkie, "In the meantime, get dressed and grab whatever you need for a few days. We've gotta find Luke and then get you both somewhere safe."

  "Ok... ok. Thanks, Jenna," Brynn got up shakily, wrapping the blanket tightly around her, "Ty, grab your bag for Uncle Luke's."

  Chapter 7

  The small group got to Luke's cabin about an hour later. He sat outside the cabin and looked panicked as they walked up.

  "Oh thank god," Luke said as he jogged towards them. He swept Ty up in a hug and pulled Brynn close to him, "Are you guys ok? Rangers went through about 30 minutes ago, wouldn't let me follow them. Said there had been an animal attack... I thought you guys were-"

  "Luke, we're ok. Let me get Ty inside and we'll tell you the whole story."

  "I'm sorry, Brynn, I don't think that's a good idea," Jenna said, "That man knows where Luke lives and has connected us all to each other. We need to get out of here."

  The three adults looked at each other for a moment, fear etched on their faces.

  "I have a friend who lives way out in the middle of nowhere. It'll be a hike to get there, but she's out of town and we'll be safe there," Jenna said. Brynn and Luke nodded.

  "Okay, what're waiting for?" Luke asked, forcing a cheerfulness he wasn't showing, "Let's get out of dodge."

  ---

  The cabin was tucked away in the woods, about 10 miles off the road and up a steep climb. When the small group got to the cabin, they were exhausted. Brynn tucked Ty away into one of the bedrooms to sleep and Jenna insisted she take the other to get some sleep. She didn't argue and was asleep not long after, leaving Luke and Jenna alone. Jenna busied herself making a salad with what she could find in the refrigerator. Luke poured two glasses of wine and handed one off to her.

  "Jen, what you did for my family... there are no words," Luke said to her.

  "I wouldn't let anything happen to them. I'm sorry the hunters found them at all - I'm afraid that's my fault."

  "No, don't think like that. You couldn't have known. If you weren't there, who know what would have happened. Brynn said you kept Ty calm. That means everything. If he'd hurt those men or been shot, I don't know what we would do."

  "I was glad to help. I felt like I should. No, that's not what I mean. I truly wanted to help, but it felt like I was supposed to. Like, they were people I should take care of, people who were important to me... because... because they're important to you," Jenna blushed and looked down at the salad. Luke put down his wine glass and moved around the kitchen island. He placed his finger under her chin and tilted her lips toward his.

  "I love that you feel that way," he said softly and then kissed her. Jenna turned fully towards him and put her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Luke wrapped his arms around her waist and lift her up, resting her on the kitchen counter. He leaned in to her, pressing his body firmly against hers.

  Jenna wrapped her legs around him, pulling him tighter. They made out like this for what felt like hours to Jenna. When she couldn't take it any longer, she reached for his belt. Luke swatted her hand away and chuckled.

  "What's your hurry, Ranger?"

  "I need you. I need to feel you now," Jenna said breathlessly, between kisses, "Now, Luke."

  "Your wish is my command," Luke said laughing. He undid her pants and slid them down. Jenna unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants to the floor. Still on the counter, Jenna reached for him, letting the length of him slide through her tight grip. He groaned.

  "I'm going to lose it right now."

  "Then what're you waiting for?" Jenna asked with a grin.

  "Nothing, darling," Luke said. And with that, he plunged inside of her. She moaned loudly, held falling back.

  "Sh, sh-shh. The kid's asleep," Luke said to her, kissing her neck, "You gotta be quiet."

  "Shh. Quiet," Jenna agreed. She wrapped her arms around him and he began a steady rhythm. The silence only intensified things. She could feel every inch of him pushing in and out of her, stretching her to accommodate him. They bent their heads together, foreheads touching and Jenna met each plunge. Jenna could feel that familiar coil in her stomach as Luke continued to pound in to her. She dug her fingers into his back, trying to pull herself closer to him.

  "Harder," she whispered. Luke obliged, upping the pace. As the intensity grew, Jenna felt ready to explode. Luke gently licked and then bit down on her neck. Jenna screamed in ecstasy as the orgasm came crashing down on her. Luke lightly covered her mouth with his hand.

  "Shh, sh, love," he whispered. Her walls clamped down on him as she lost herself in the throes of her orgasm. After one more thrust, Luke fell over the edge, too. They stilled and rested against each other for a long moment.

  "You are amazing," Jenna said.

  "I could do that every day for the rest of my life," Luke answered, before catching himself, "I mean, that was great sex. Who wouldn't want that every day?"

  "Right. I get it," Jenna shook her head, smiling lightly, "What do you say we get some sleep? I should head to work in the morning and make sure things are ok."

  "Deal."

  They made their way over to the couch. Luke laid down first, on his side and patted the empty spot in front of him. Jenna curled into his arms, pressing her back against him. They fell asleep, breathing in rhythm.

  Chapter 8

  Jenna opened the Ranger's Station the next day. She was on edge, she jumped at every little noise and she felt shaky.

  "Get yourself together, Jenna," She said to herself and got up to stock the souvenirs in the small gift shop. The room started spinning and her vision was blurry. She was crouched down filling the rack of postcards when she heard Samantha shout hello from the back of the station.

  Jenna stood to greet her and the room spun even more. She blacked out and fell, knocking down a tall turning rack filled with key chains. Samantha came running up at the noise and found Jenna laying on the floor, alive but unresponsive. She called the paramedics and paced nervously until they go
there.

  In the woods surrounding the station, Alan watched through binoculars as Jenna was taken away in an ambulance. He was still watching when Luke showed up a few minutes later, obviously distraught. He and Samantha headed off in the same direction of the ambulance.

  Alan headed towards where he hid his car. Now that he knew someone else was important to the shifters, someone who couldn't shift and attack him, Alan would be able to trap Luke and the others. This would be too easy.

  ---

  "What's going on... who are you?" Jenna came to as a nurse was taking her pulse, "What happened?"

  "Hi Jenna, I'm Nurse Bradley. You fainted at work and you're in the hospital. You are ok, just a little bruised. You'll be glad to know, the baby's ok, too."

  "B-baby? No, you must be mistaken," Jenna said to the nurse.

  "No mistake. Based on the ultra sound, you appear to be about 6 weeks along," Nurse Bradley said. Jenna was stunned in to silence. The nurse looked at her, concern written across her features, "Was the baby not planned, dear?"

  "Baby?" Luke and Samantha stood in the door way. Samantha looked from Luke to Jenna and then smiled at the nurse.

  "Ma'am, would you mind answering some questions for me out here?" The nurse nodded and followed Samantha out in to the hall. Luke rushed to the Jenna's side.

  "You're pregnant."

  "Luke, how is this possible? I just had my period 5 days ago and you're the only man I've been with... and this just isn't possible -"

  "It's my fault. Shifters... come to term faster. It's been a day since we first made love, it's completely possible, Jenna."

  "Oh. My. God... Luke, I ... Oh my god," Jenna was shocked, "Would you get me some hot tea? Give me a minute to process this, alone."

  "Of course," Luke kissed the top of her head and left. The nurse and Samantha were in the hall, "If we could give her a few minutes to process things. She asked for tea, is that alright?"

  The nurse nodded, "Of course. I'll get her some."

  "No, it's ok. I'll go. Samantha, walk with me?"

  "Of course."

  Chapter 9

  Jenna's mind was racing. Her eyes were closed and she was trying to steady her breathing. Her door opened and she opened her eyes to see who came in. She let out a shriek as Alan's hand covered her mouth.

  "I really hit the jackpot with you, Ranger Lawton. First I find the bitch and her cub thanks to you and then it turns out the big one is in love you and you're carrying his cub. I'll take the whole damn family out - it'll teach shifters not to mess with us. If you talk, I'll shoot you."

  Alan maneuvered Jenna into a wheelchair. Jenna fought, knocking over the IV and managing to clip Alan in the shoulder with her elbow. He pushed her into the chair roughly and showed her his gun before placing it against her back and pushing the wheelchair with the other hand. He wheeled Jenna through the hospital and out the back ambulance entry. He tied her hands together and shoved her in the back seat of his car. He rolled down a window, lit a cigarette and pulled out.

  ---

  Samantha and Luke walked into the hospital room, laughing at a joke. Luke stopped short when he saw the bed empty. He turned to Samantha, "Where'd she go?"

  "I see signs of a struggle, Luke," Samantha said as she pointed to the IV. Luke's eyes flared as he looked around the room. He sniffed the air.

  "Samantha, I know who took her. Townsend," Luke said.

  "Wait, the hunter whose father died yesterday?"

  "Yes. For reasons that are hard to explain, they were hunting my family. I can... I can smell him in here."

  "You can smell him?" Samantha asked incredulously.

  "Yeah. Look, I can find Jen and I can find the hunter, but it's going to be pretty unorthodox. Can you trust me?"

  "Yeah, Luke. I can trust you. Let's just find Jenna."

  "Ok, here's what we're going to do. I'm going to track the hunter and you'll follow behind me with back up. Just remember to stay far back, no matter what you see, until we find the hunter and Jenna. Okay?"

  "Okay," Samantha nodded, "Let me call for back up and you get tracking."

  Samantha was on the phone with the main ranger station as Luke followed the trail to the back. He came back in the room.

  "Ok, they went out the back. They're in a car, he was smoking. I can find them. Are you ready?"

  "Yeah, you lead the way and we'll follow you. The rangers will meet us around back."

  "I need you to come with me and have the rangers stay back until you give word."

  "Give word when?"

  "Oh, you'll know when," Luke and Samantha headed out back, "Step back Sam."

  Luke began the painful process of shifting. Samantha watched in horror as Luke's body ripped and cracked and transformed into a giant grizzly bear. He roared when he was done and ran off on all fours in the direction Alan took Jenna. Samantha stood in shock for a minute as the rangers she'd called for backup ran around the corner.

  "Ma'am, ma'am, are you alright? Was that a bear?"

  "Yes, guys. That was a bear and we're going to follow it. Roll out," Sam ordered. The rangers loaded into off road jeeps and followed the bear they didn't know was Luke.

  Chapter 10

  Jenna struggled in the chair Alan had tied her in. She was terrified and Alan was furious, stomping around the cabin and throwing things. Alan had brought Jenna to the cabin Brynn and Ty used to live in. The cabin where his father was killed. Jenna's mind was reeling, racing through ways to get out of this situation. They heard a roar sound in the distance.

  "Looks like your furry lover is coming for you, Ranger," Alan said, leaning into Jenna. Jenna spit in his face and Alan slapped her, "You won't be so feisty when I kill your boyfriend, bitch."

  "Don't touch him," Jenna said, practically spitting in anger.

  The roaring came closer. Cocky, Alan swung open the door to the cabin. He held up the rifle and aimed toward the grizzly lumbering toward them. Alan fired the rifle, missing the bear, but scaring Jenna.

  "Please don't hurt him," she yelled. Alan turned towards her, rifle still up.

  "Shut up, bitch," he hissed. As he turned back toward the door, Luke lunged at him. The rifle when flying and the bear started to tear in to the hunter.

  "Luke, stop, please. Don't kill him. We'll make him pay some other way, but don't do this please," Jenna begged him. The bear turned to her and growled softly.

  "Please, Luke," Jenna begged again. The bear roared in Alan's face and backed away. He painfully shifted back to his human form. He stood, shaky, and punched Alan once, twice. The man fell to the floor. Luke ran to untie Jenna, kissing her deeply.

  "You saved me, Luke. You saved me."

  "I'll always save you, Jenna. Always."

  The off road vehicle carrying the rangers came skidding to a stop and they all ran in to the cabin. Samantha ran to Jenna and hugged her.

  "Oh, thank god you're ok, Jen," Samantha hugged her tighter and turned to the ranger she’d brought with her, "Guys, restrain Mr. Townsend and get him in the car. Luke, put on some clothes."

  ---

  Jenna folded the paper. The story had a satisfying conclusion. Alan Townsend had been arrested on 2 counts of kidnapping (thanks to the baby!), felony assault and attempted murder. Things didn't look good for Townsend, but they looked good for Jenna.

  Her life had changed seemingly overnight. She was the equivalent of 30 weeks along now and knew they were having a girl. She was moving in with Luke this afternoon, in fact Luke, Brynn and Ty were on their way to help her at the end of her shift. Samantha walked into the office and patted Jenna on the arm.

  "Jen, some people are out front for you."

  "Okay, thanks," Jenna got up and headed out of the office, Samantha trailing behind. The sight in the front of the station was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Bunches of wildflowers were laid out all over the counter. Brynn and Ty stood off to one side, Ty holding a small, stuffed brown bear. In the center of the room, Luke was down on one knee, a ring
box open in his hands.

  "Luke!"

  "Jenna, you're the best thing that ever happened to me. You're beautiful, tough, smart and my family loves you. I LOVE you. Jenna, will you make the happiest man in the world and be my wife?"

  "Yes, Luke! Oh my god, yes!" Jenna ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. "I'll marry you a hundred times over. You guys... we're gonna have a wedding!!"

  Everyone ran to Jenna and Luke, hugging each other in turn. Ty nervously tugged on Jenna's arm.

  "Are you going to be my Auntie now?"

  "Yeah, baby, I am," Jenna said smiling.

  "Good. I like you. I got this for you and the baby. Mama says she'll be my cousin," Ty held out the small stuffed bear. Tears sprang to her eyes.

  "Yeah, Ty, she'll be your cousin. And she'll love this."

  "Yeah, cause it's a bear... like us," Jenna swept Ty up in a hug and gave him kisses all over his cheeks and the top of his head. Luke ruffled the top of his head.

  "Yeah, buddy. Like us," Luke pulled Jenna in to him and kissed her passionately.

  Yeah, things sure did look good for her.

  THE END

  Tame Me

  Chapter 1

  I clutched my phone in my hand so tight that my fingertips were white. The robotic voice of my GPS has just informed me that I had arrived at my destination but...no...this couldn't be right.

  I'd spent the better part of the past month scouring the weirder corners of the internet looking for information on, God help me, shifters. A shifter is a person who can transform into an animal either at will or at predetermined times and they are a thing that I had only heard about in fiction until that point, but recent events had led me to believe that maybe, just maybe, they were real.

  And maybe, just maybe, I was one.

  My breaths came in quick shallow gasps as I climbed the many steps leading up to the enormous mansion. A mansion was not at all what I had expected to be the den of a clan of shifters. A hidden compound deep in the forest, maybe. Or an underground network of caves. But a mansion? In the middle of a quiet, wealthy suburb? It didn't really have the earthy aesthetic I'd been preparing myself for. This was, I thought, much worse. The air of authority that emanated from the building sent a shiver down my spine. I felt somewhat like I was arriving unannounced at the white house to have a chat with the president.