Dragon's Choice

by Juniper Hart

  Oh, my God! I’m going to—!

  “Like that,” Courtney mumbled, not entirely realizing she was speaking aloud. “Like that, just like… like—!”

  Never had she experienced an orgasm while being taken in such a feral way, but when she finally released, it was like no climax she had ever had.

  Beau’s fist became a vice in her hair as his body stiffened behind her. He groaned loudly as Courtney’s hands curled into the floor, her nails breaking beneath the pressure.

  Beau pushed into her, his shaft pulsating inside her, filling her with his warmth.

  Very slowly, he let her go, and she allowed her head to fall onto the floor, her rear still firmly pressed against him. Small spasms coursed through both their bodies as they expelled the last of their wanting. It was minutes before they could move.

  When Beau withdrew from her, Courtney suddenly felt as if a weight had been shaken from her shoulders. She flipped onto her back and stared up at him, a small smile on her face.

  “You are incredible,” she told him, and she meant it.

  It was more than his vigor and attractiveness; she was drawn to him inexplicably.

  “Where did you come from?” she asked, their gazes locking. “And why were you at the church?”

  A wry smile formed on Beau’s mouth. “I’ve been around these parts for centuries. And, I was at the church looking for you. I sensed your presence. I planned to approach you after your event,” he said with a small laugh.

  Courtney cheeks flushed at the embarrassment that he knew she was there for a speed-dating event.

  “You sensed me? How?”

  “You’re my mate, Courtney. I needed to find you.”

  The idea seemed preposterous. His mate? Courtney’s mind fluttered back to Sylvie’s words, and it seemed to make sense.

  “How do you know?” she asked, excited by the thought of spending more time with the mysterious stranger.

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he replied, shaking his head.

  “Try me,” Courtney insisted, but Beau only grinned.

  “You’ll have to buy me a drink first,” he joked.

  Courtney looked up at him and nodded. “It’s a deal,” she agreed.

  They moved to collect their clothes when the apartment door opened, and Cassie entered. She froze in the kitchen doorway as she realized what she had walked in on.

  “Oh,” she muttered, her face turning red with embarrassment. “Oh, I’m so—I’m so sorry!”

  She spun to leave, but Courtney called out to her, unfazed by the interruption.

  “Cassie?”

  “Yes?” her roommate replied, her back still to the half-dressed couple.

  “Thank you for taking me there tonight. You’re a good friend.”

  Cassie spun around and gaped at her, having apparently forgotten her embarrassment.

  “Seriously?” she cried. “You left and screwed up the entire rotation!”

  Courtney chuckled and shrugged, glancing at Beau. “Sorry,” she replied nonchalantly. “But maybe sometimes order is meant to be shaken up.”

  Cassie’s jaw dropped even further, and Courtney choked back a smile. She realized how strange those words must have sounded coming from her lips. After all, she was a control freak, wasn’t she?

  “Are you all right?” Cassie gasped, eyeing Beau. “Are you on something?”

  Courtney laughed and shook her head.

  She had never felt like her mind was clearer in her life.

  “Maybe,” she answered, again casting Beau a look. Perhaps Beau has me under some sort of Lycanthropic spell.

  She only hoped it would never expire.

  THE END

  Click Here to Read the Entire Shifter Pursuit Series

  5

  Shifter Pursuit: Deserted

  Molly reached into the cooler, pulling out another beer.

  May as well, she thought. If Jess isn’t here by now, she’s not going to be here tonight, no matter what she’s claiming.

  The beer was helping her foul mood, but Molly should have been used to Jessica’s incessant propensity for lateness—which, in this case, was a full day behind.

  She’ll be here tomorrow, and we can meet up with the others like we planned. We’ll just drive through the night. Nothing we haven’t done before.

  She glanced wistfully at her Harley, wishing she had gone for a ride before she’d had too much to drink, but the time for that was gone. Evening had fallen, and Molly looked reluctantly at the unlit fire pit, slightly too comfortable in her folding chair to act. She hadn’t brought enough food for a two-night camping trip, anyway. There was no point in lighting a fire.

  I’ll have to find somewhere to eat, she realized, reluctantly standing up from her seat. She had seen a biker bar on her way into the Santa Fe Lake Camp Ground. It would be in their best interest to serve food. It would be bad business—not to mention madness—to serve beer to a bunch of men that size without anything else to counter it.

  Molly knew that the bar was within walking distance, and given her state of mind, it was best that she was in stumbling distance to her tent.

  Next year, I don’t come alone, she vowed, snatching her leather jacket from the back of her chair and grabbing her purse from the ground. The only problem was that she had no real way to secure her cooler, so she simply slipped it in the tent and hoped for the best. Not that she had anything to worry about in Williams, Arizona.

  It wasn’t the danger Molly was afraid of; it was boredom.

  The campground near Santa Fe Lake was filled with families. There was not an unattached man over the age of eighteen in sight, let alone one who could possibly appeal to her.

  If Molly had known she would be waiting two days for Jessica, she might have gone for a hotel, but it was too late now. She had already paid for her site, and her tent was set up. She wasn’t going anywhere, except to collect some food and maybe have another beer.

  She cast one last look around the quiet area and spun to walk away, eyeing her motorcycle.

  No one will dare touch it, Molly assured herself. Not if they know what’s good for them.

  As her father had always told her, “Molly Magee, the only two things you should pay for in life are your education and your wheels. Take pride in both.”

  Molly had heeded the advice like gospel, and she had only spent her own money in her education and in her Hog.

  Whenever she was home for the summer, she ensured she got as much use as she could out of the vehicle. Or, at least, she tried to.

  Molly cast aside her negative thoughts.

  Tomorrow is another day, she thought, decided not to curse Jessica for her lateness anymore. We still have time to catch up with the rest of the crew in Phoenix… if Jess ever gets here.

  They had communicated via text, and her childhood friend had assured her that she would be there the following day, if not that same night, come hell or high water.

  More likely hell will claim her before the great flood, Molly thought, giggling to herself.

  Her black Dr. Martens kicked up the dirt as she strolled purposefully from the campground. Although it was nearly eighty-five degrees, she slipped on her leather jacket over her plain black t-shirt and reached for a packet of gum from the inside pocket. Popping a piece in her mouth, Molly continued toward the bar she had seen on the edge of town.

  She quickly found the run-down roadhouse, and Molly’s heart skipped a beat in anticipation. More than a dozen people stood outside the establishment, smoking cigarettes and laughing as she approached.

  Loud country music was twanging through the open windows, and Molly could hear more chuckling from inside the walls.

  A smile broke out over her pixie-like face, and she nodded to herself.

  Now this is more like it, she thought happily.

  “Well, hot damn!” one drunken fool catcalled Molly as she sauntered toward the building. “What’s your name, baby?”

  Molly flashed him a
dry smile as he nudged his friends, licking his lips.

  “They got food in this joint?” she asked instead.

  The man broke away from the crowd and stumbled toward her, grinning charmingly. “Baby, I’ll take you somewhere real classy to eat.”

  His friends laughed as Molly rolled her eyes and left him in the parking lot.

  “Hey, wait!” he bellowed after her, but Molly paid him no mind. She wasn’t looking forward to making friends that evening.

  Inside, the din was almost deafening, between the boisterous conversation and the music piping through a beat-up juke box in the corner. Not many people were inside, though the noise indicated otherwise.

  Molly made her way up to the bar and slid onto a stool, catching the bartender’s attention right away.

  “You’re not from around here, are ya, kid?” the older man growled.

  Molly grinned disarmingly. “Do I seem that out of place?” she asked innocently, but the bartender did not return her smile.

  “This is no place for a little girl,” he told her flatly. “There are more places up the road. You’ll have more luck there.”

  A combination of indignation and concern coursed through Molly. Before she could protest, the man from outside slid beside her on the stool.

  “Get the lady a drink, Mario!” he yelled, drunkenly slapping the counter.

  Mario seemed taken aback by the order, and Molly stared at him to see what he would do.

  “What are you waiting for?” the young man shouted. “I said, get her a drink!”

  “Sure, Caden,” muttered the barkeep, and Molly’s dark eyebrows rose in surprise. “What’ll it be?” the bartender asked begrudgingly.

  “A Bud, if you have it,” she answered.

  Mario grunted and turned away to oblige, leaving Molly somewhat stunned by the exchange.

  Why would that guy take orders from this inebriated ass? she wondered, turning to offer Caden an appreciative smile.

  “What’s your name, sweetie?” Caden slurred. “You sure are beautiful!”

  “Thank you,” she said, offering her hand for a shake. “I’m Molly.”

  Maybe I didn’t come here to make friends, she thought, but it looks like I shouldn’t be too hasty. Mario would have thrown me out of here if it wasn’t for this guy.

  “Caden,” he introduced himself, although Molly already knew that. “Wow. I cannot believe how beautiful you are!”

  Molly stifled a sigh. She was starting to reconsider her own advice.

  He’s already starting to annoy me, she thought. I hope he’s on his way home.

  But she had a bad feeling she was going to be stuck with him for a while. Maybe she should’ve listened to Mario and gotten the hell out of there while she could have.

  The bartender dropped a bottle in front of her, turning leave.

  “Hey! You got any food here?” she demanded.

  Mario sneered at her. “Does this look like a McDonald’s, girl? I told you, there are better places up the road.”

  “Don’t talk to her that way!” Caden cried, jumping from his stool and waving his fist at the server. “She’s staying here with me as my guest!”

  “Caden,” Mario said in a low voice. “There is no need to get upset…”

  But Caden seemed incensed.

  Molly was immediately on guard. “I’m just gonna go,” she said, rising from her stool.

  “No!” Caden objected. He turned back to Mario. “See what you’ve done? You’ve upset the beautiful girl! Say you’re sorry to her, Mario!”

  Molly had heard enough, and she fumbled through her purse for a five to drop on the bar. She was painfully aware that all eyes were on her as she turned to leave.

  Well, this is awkward, she thought grimly, annoyed at Caden and his overreacting.

  “Where are you going now?” the guy howled, and Molly was becoming nonplussed. When she tried to smile, the gesture came across as a grimace of disgust.

  “I’m going to find something to eat,” she informed him, walking toward the door, hoping he wouldn’t follow her. Of course, her silent wish went unanswered, and as she walked into the parking lot, she felt Caden grab her arm.

  “I told you, baby,” he growled, “I’ll take you somewhere to eat.”

  Molly wretched her arm away from him. “No, thanks,” she said tightly.

  The people outside paused to watch the scene unfolding, but, to Molly’s surprise, no one interceded as Caden tightened his grip on her.

  “Hey!” he snapped. “No one walks away from me!”

  Nervousness filled Molly.

  “Let go of me!” she cried, trying to wrest herself free. His hold only seemed to grow tighter. Molly knew there was going to be a bruise despite the leather jacket between his hand and her flesh.

  She looked helplessly around at the group, but everyone seemed to simultaneously look away.

  Molly was shocked. Are they seriously just going to let him grab at me like this?

  It seemed unlike the bikers she had known, but still, no one made any move to assist her.

  “Come on!” Caden insisted. “My bike is right here.” He gestured at his Harley. Despite Molly’s apprehension, she let out a stunned laugh.

  “I’m not getting on a bike with you!” she snapped. “You’re drunk!”

  Caden’s hazel eyes narrowed dangerously. “What did you say?” he spat.

  Molly heard the group of bikers around them collectively inhale, as if she had just spouted blasphemy.

  What the hell is wrong with these people? she asked herself. Why are they acting like this kid is king?

  “Caden, let her go.”

  Molly’s head whipped around, and she slowly exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as a man stood behind her, glowering at Caden.

  “Mind your own damned business, Victor,” Caden rasped, pulling Molly closer. She was surprised at the strength he possessed, considering his seemingly small size.

  The stranger stepped forward, his dark eyes flashing with anger. “Let her go,” he said again, but there was a stoic tone to his voice, almost as if he was bored with the situation. “You’re making an ass out of yourself—again.”

  Caden’s mouth dropped open.

  The door to the bar opened, and Molly watched most of the men who had been inside spill out, whispering in hushed tones as they watched on.

  “What did you just say to me?” Caden hissed, suddenly dropping Molly’s arm.

  She stumbled back, sensing something dark was about to unfold right in front of her.

  They men stared each other down, eyes locking in an unspoken power struggle, but Molly’s money was on Victor. He was twice as big as Caden, and despite his seemingly calm exterior, she could feel the animus radiating from of him.

  “You heard me,” Victor retorted. Molly could not tear her eyes away from his face, and he appeared to grow larger before her eyes.

  “Victor!” someone hissed from the group. “Get back! What are you doing?”

  But the larger man ignored him and advanced toward Caden.

  “Go home and sleep it off,” Victor continued.

  His almost black eyes shifted toward Molly. His gaze was so intense that it was like he was trying to tell her something. Like he was trying to send her a message: move away as far as you can.

  Inherently, Molly understood his silent words, and she scurried backward, her eyes still fixated on what seemed to be an impending fight.

  Suddenly, Caden released a feral, terrifying howl, and he dropped onto all fours and raised his head towards the night sky.

  What the hell…?

  A hand flew to Molly’s mouth as she watched, in horrified fascination, how Caden transformed into a wolf-like beast: claws emerging from his fingers, fur covering his body, and his gleaming canines bared, advancing towards Victor.

  Molly wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

  “You don’t want to do this,” Victor calmly told him, but the words wer
e barely out of his mouth when Caden pounced.

  Victor seemed ready for the assault, and just as Molly thought things could not get more bizarre, the bigger man also transformed into an animal, the exact same way Caden had suddenly gone from being a human man to a wolf-like creature.

  Victor ducked out of the way, and amusement lit his brown eyes as he stared at Caden stumbling drunkenly into the group.

  “Victor, no!” someone else yelled. “Get out of here before it gets worse!”

  But Victor ignored the warning, and Molly continued to step back, watching the two animals faced off.

  It was clear there was no match: Victor obviously had the upper hand in size and strength, even though Caden was incensed and inebriated.

  They did not speak out loud, but Molly felt like they were somehow communicating silently.

  What did I walk into here? she thought in amazement.

  Werewolves were real. What she had been told before leaving school, inside MJ’s room, was true. Werewolves were actually real—and two were fighting over her.

  Caden lunged once more, but again, Victor danced away to the side like he was an animal matador, taunting the clearly angry Caden.

  Seeing the two beasts made Molly realize that this fight was because of her; she was the cause of this ridiculousness.

  “Stop!” she screamed. “Just stop it!”

  “Stand back, girl!” one woman yelled, her eyes glimmering a yellowish hue. Molly noticed the entire group surrounding them was shifting into Lycan-esque creatures, and she was washed with a sudden sense of dread.

  Oh, my God! Molly thought, horrified. They are all going to attack Victor!

  “Stop this!” she yelled again, jumping toward them. “I’m leaving! There is no need for this stupidity!”

  Caden released a roar of discontent, and one of his paws reached up and swiped her out of the way, making her stumble back and lose her footing.

  It was then that Victor lost his composure. He lunged at Caden, and the two were swept up in a mass of fur and snarls.

  The others drew around the duelling duo in a circle, and Molly realized that when Victor won his current tussle with Caden, he would still be encased among the others.