Shiftr: Swipe Left For Love (Nash) BBW Wolf Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 10)

by Ariana Hawkes

  “Dad, the town is in such bad shape that anything that alters its appearance is an improvement.”

  “There is no room for improvement in this town! It is how it is! And haven’t you heard those announcements too? Invading the very air we breathe.”

  “Oh, the circus! Isn’t that a good thing?” He glared at her, clenching and unclenching his fists.

  “We don’t need any circus here! Everything’s fine the way it is!” She put down her wooden spoon and glared at him.

  “Dad! Nothing’s fine. You’re all in a circus of your own, with your constant grumpiness and gloomy moods, and none of the younger generation know what’s going on!”

  There was a big commotion outside. Harlow opened the door and went out. People were yelling and waving sheets of paper. And the tree was no longer sparkling, but was glowing bright orange. It was alight with flames.

  “They’ve set fire to the tree!” she gasped.

  “Good,” her father said over her shoulder. “I’m glad someone’s taken the initiative.”

  She started running toward the square, pushing through throngs of people. She’d never seen so many people out in the street at the same time before, and they were all chanting something. She couldn’t pick out the words, but they sounded dark and menacing.

  When she reached the edge of the square, she stopped dead. The tree had become a blazing inferno. There was a stench of gasoline. Someone had doused it and set it alight. She clamped her hand over her mouth. Why? How could they hate Christmas so much that they’d set fire to a gift, lights and all? It was so lacking in humanity. Suddenly, she felt like she didn't know her own people at all.

  “Good riddance!” Her father said from somewhere behind her. She whirled around.

  “This tree was something beautiful, dad. The only beautiful thing that the town is known in my entire lifetime. What is wrong with our people? Why does everyone want to kill anything good and kind?” As she scowled at her father, his lips started working, but no sound came out. She made a sound of disgust. “You don't even know, do you?”

  Suddenly, four tall, hooded figures came rushing past them. She caught the panic in their eyes. Before she had time to think, she took off after them.

  “Follow me!” she yelled.

  “They've got guns!” Sawyer shouted.

  “What?” She put on a burst of speed, and sprinted up to her front door. “Come in! You'll be safe here.”

  As soon as the four of them had come through the door, she closed it and bolted it behind them. They pulled their hoods down, breathing hard.

  “What the hell happened out there?”

  “Guess they didn't like that gift after all,” Sawyer said with a wry grin.

  “We started putting the posters up in public areas, and people soon started noticing us – wanting to know what we were doing there, following us around,” Melina said, talking fast, her words tumbling over each other. “And then a couple of people were trying to set fire to the tree with lighters. And when that didn’t work, someone popped up with a whole can of gasoline and threw it on the tree. And, whoosh! It just went up. Then people really started to get mad. Two guys appeared with guns, and we knew we had to get the hell out of there. I think they actually want to kill us.” Her face was pale, and it has lost its customary mocking expression. The others looked equally shell-shocked.

  “They won’t kill you,” Harlow said. “I’ll protect you.” Sawyer frowned.

  “It could be dangerous for you to have us here.” She shook her head.

  “They’ll never do anything to our house or to me. They respect my father too much. And I’m sure this commotion will die down fast. They must think you’ve left already. And once the tree’s all burned out, what they think of as normality will be restored.” There was a knock on the door and everyone jumped. Sawyer stepped over to the window and peered through a gap in the curtain.

  “It’s an older guy, frizzy gray hair. Uh, kind of angry face.” Harlow groaned, yanked the door open and hauled her father in by the arm. As he took in the four strangers, his eyes bulged, and his forehead furrowed.

  “Dad, don’t say a word. These are good people. They’ve tried to do something nice for the town, and they don’t mean any harm to anyone. They’re just going to stay here until the storm blows over.”

  “Why can’t you just leave us in peace?” he muttered, then stumbled over to his usual chair and sat down, cursing all the while. She took his whisky out from under the sink, poured a large glass, and slapped it on the table beside him. It seemed to have the desired effect, and he took to silently glaring at each of the strangers in turn. But as he took in Sawyer’s face, his eyes opened wide. He raised his hand and jabbed his index finger in his direction.

  “You!” he said. “You’ve come back.” Everyone’s heads snapped in Sawyer’s direction.

  “What do you mean?” Sawyer asked in confusion.

  “You shouldn’t have come. It’ll only stir up trouble, son. You shouldn’t have brought the circus here. I’m warning you – get away from this place as fast as you can.”

  “Dad. Speak in normal sentences,” Harlow cut in. “What are you trying to say? How do you know him?”

  “Get out! Get out of this place now!” her father bellowed. Harlow laid her hand on his shoulder, but he flung it off and got to his feet.

  “Go! Get out of my house!”

  Harlow’s eyes darted from him to the front door.

  “Okay, so this isn’t such a safe place after all.” She rushed over to the window and Sawyer was behind her, his hand on her hip, his warm breath close to her ear.

  “I think the tree’s all burned out,” he said.

  “I think they’ve gone. For once I’m glad that the weather’s so damn inhospitable out there.”

  “Let’s go.” He nodded to the others. They came to the door as well, then he unbolted it and they all slipped out.

  Harlow turned and looked at her father, glowering with the glass of whisky in his hand. Then she snatched up her coat, opened the door and ran after them.

  At first she couldn’t make them out in the darkness, and then she saw something that made her skid to a stop: they were all shifting. Two naked men and two naked women were expanding in size and rapidly growing fur, tufts of dark brown and yellow breaking out all over their bodies. Then they fell forward on all fours, transforming into two lithe leopards, and two huge brown bears. As they swept up their clothes in their teeth, Harlow called out softly. The larger of the bears turned his head, and then his jaws parted, displaying two rows of razor-sharp teeth. He tossed his head up sharply, in the direction of his back. She understood. Running over, she vaulted onto his back, clutching at his impossibly thick, soft fur, and they all started to run.

  They made it across the town and up the bank in a flash. Harlow looked anxiously around the whole time, but no-one seemed to have seen them. When they reached the higher ground, they slowed to an easy lope. Now Harlow had gotten over the strangeness of riding on Sawyer’s broad back, she began to enjoy it, feeling his powerful shoulders rippling beneath her chest, the warmth of his fur tickling her face. It was a protective, safe feeling.

  When they arrived at the big top, he hunkered down and she slid to the ground. And then they all shifted again. Harlow caught a flash of bare flesh and she dropped her eyes to the ground. They got dressed again at a leisurely pace. Sawyer was only a couple of feet away from her, and it took a superhuman effort not to steal a look at him. It’s not like he’d mind anyway, she thought. She knew enough about shifters to know that they weren’t prudish about nudity. Although, that wasn’t to say that anyone in her town wandered around naked. As they’d lost the ability to shift, they’d gained inhibitions and assumed more human habits.

  “Harlow?” She turned her head toward Sawyer and gaped. Holy shit, he’s still shirtless. He was standing in his jeans, shaking out the sleeves of his hoodie, and his torso was bare, and off-the-scale gorgeous. It was stacked with huge,
dense muscle, and a good proportion of it was adorned with tattoos.

  “Nice inks,” she said, gazing at them admiringly, which gave her an opportunity to stare openly at his body. His skin was tanned and he had beautiful flat brown nipples, which she just longed to take between her teeth.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Thanks for the ride. I’ve never ridden on a bear before. But it was kind of cool.” He smirked.

  “Anytime.”

  “I’m sorry my house didn’t turn out to be a safe place, and we had to make such an abrupt exit.”

  “No, don’t worry. I’m glad to get back here. I was worried about leaving the clan unprotected.”

  “You don’t think the townspeople are going to come up here?” He shot her a look.

  “Do you?”

  “A few hours ago, I wouldn’t have thought they’d firebomb Christmas trees, or try to shoot up visitors, but I feel like I don’t know anything now.”

  “I think we need to keep an eye out.”

  “I agree,” Flint cut in. “One of us should stay on sentry duty all night.”

  “Okay. I’ll take the first shift. You guys should go and relax. It’s been a long day.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Harlow said immediately.

  “You’ve been working all day. You must be tired.”

  “No. I want to. I know everyone in the town. And I’m pretty sure that they wouldn’t dare do anything if I’m here.”

  “If you insist,” he said, and slid her a quick, private smile.

  “I’ll take second shift,” Flint said.

  “I guess I can keep you company,” Reziah said.

  “Maybe Vince can take the third. He sleeps enough as it is. It won’t kill him to miss a few hours. Make sure you all get enough rest before tomorrow night though. I need you all fresh.”

  The other three dispersed, leaving Harlow and Sawyer standing together. As Melina left them, Harlow caught the look of pure envy plastered across her feline face.

  “If anyone comes it’s going to be from this direction,” Sawyer said. “Unless there’s another way in?”

  “I guess they could sneak in via the parking lot. But I really don’t think they’re that creative.”

  “Let’s patrol right around the site, just to be sure.”

  They began to walk a slow circle, Harlow gazing anxiously into the darkness all the way. She still couldn’t quite believe what had happened.

  “You’re quiet,” he said.

  “I’m sorry. Just in shock I guess. This town is rotten. I’m sorry to say it of my own town, and I’m sorry that this is where you decided to run your Christmas season, but that’s the truth. My people have black hearts.” He reached out and laid his arm lightly across her shoulder. She eased toward him, until her body was pressing against his. It felt good. More than good. Right now, she wanted him to take her into his arms and put them both on a magic carpet and fly far, far away from this place.

  “I guess they feel scared and threatened. They’re nervous about what it might mean to challenge their beliefs.”

  “There’s an old lady in the town. She’s kind of crazy. She always talks a lot of mumbo jumbo and casts spells on people and suchlike. But she said something very weird to me today – that there used to be a circus here and that the town is the way it is because of the circus. I’ve no idea what she meant, I tried to get her to explain, but she wouldn’t.” Sawyer’s hand tightened on her shoulder and suddenly she remembered something that had slipped out of her mind because of all the stress of the past hours.

  “Sawyer.” She stopped walking and stood directly in front of him. “Why did my dad act like he knew you?” He blew out a long breath through his nostrils.

  “I’m not sure, but I suspect that he knew me as a small child.” Harlow’s lips parted.

  “But how?”

  “It’s a long story. And I’m only piecing it together myself now.”

  “Tell me what you’ve figured out.”

  “Okay. But let’s keep walking.” He slipped her beneath his arm again, as naturally as if we were a mated couple, she thought.

  “Ever since I took control of the circus, years ago, I’ve been trying desperately to find my family. I always make bookings at small towns, because I believe that’s where they’ll be. But I also make sure that the small towns are good places for the circus to be, because I have a responsibility towards my people, and I take that very seriously. The clan has been my family for as long as I remember, and I love them dearly. But my adoptive parents took me from my real parents when I was small. They always told me that I was a gift. They died in an accident when I was ten, and the whole clan brought me up ever since. But no-one will tell me the truth about what happened, which is why sometimes I think that my parents must have stolen me. I know they loved me, and if they did steal me, I’m sure they had a very good reason. They weren’t people who’d ever hurt anyone. But I just need to know where I come from. It’s a yearning I’ve felt deep in my bones. I want to know where I get my blue eyes from. Whether both my parents are brown bears. And to know what’s happened to them. I get those nightmares about a small town, and a fire, and a lot of shouting people but I can’t ever remember being in a situation like that. But it’s a recurring nightmare, and I wake up so agitated afterwards that I’m never able to go back to sleep again. So, sometimes I think it must have been real. Maybe it’s something I experienced as a small child.”

  “I’m sorry, Sawyer. You’ve been through a lot,” Harlow murmured, catching his hand in hers and squeezing it.

  “It’s okay. I’ve had a lot of love too. Now I just want to see my parents again, and hopefully finally make sense of everything.”

  “And, so now you think that they’re from Windy Hollow?”

  “I do. When I arrived here, I felt something. It’s hard to put it into words. Maybe I recognized it from my earliest memories, or maybe it’s more of an instinct, but I think I came from here. And I have a suspicion that the circus the old lady was telling you about must have been my own circus. And if the circus was really the reason this town became the way it is, then maybe it’s all connected somehow.”

  “I guess you’re right or otherwise it’s a very big coincidence.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  “Neither do I. Plus, my dad recognizes you.” Harlow’s eyes widened and she stared at Sawyer. “Oh my God, Sawyer! I know nothing about my family! Is it possible that we’re related!?” He made a sound, half way between a laugh and a sigh.

  “No, it’s not possible, Harlow. If you were my sister, or even my cousin, I would’ve smelled it on you right away.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe, we’re only half related or something.”

  “I’m perfectly sure. And I wouldn’t desire you if you were my relative. My bear would block it.” She turned her face up to him and bit her lower lip.

  “You desire me?” He traced a finger across her cheek.

  “Very much so.” He bent his head to her lips and kissed her. She put both arms around his neck and drew him close, until her breasts pushed up against his chest. His mouth tasted sweet and spicy and his tongue was like velvet. A slender flame lit inside her, heating her all the way through.

  “You’re so beautiful, and perfect,” he breathed.

  At last they drew apart and began walking again. He held her more tightly, enveloping her in his arms.

  “Now you know what the town’s like, are you sure you still want to find your parents?”

  “That exact thought has been swirling around my mind all day. But I’ve come so far that I need to know.”

  “Yeah –”

  “What is it?”

  “I’m thinking that it’s just all so strange. How can your circus have something to do with all the darkness of the town. This place is so rotten, it must have been through a lot of grief. But how can a circus cause that. I just don’t understand.”

  “You’re right.”
>
  “And I know who can explain! My dad must know the answer. I should go speak to him now.”

  “No – don’t go. It can wait.” His voice was low, like a caress. “Stay here with me. There’s no rush now.”

  “Okay,” she said, grinning. “Tomorrow can wait.”

  They patrolled for several hours. Half way through, a sweet, skittish woman named Mildred brought them a plate of vegetarian food.

  “She’s a rabbit shifter,” he explained. I usually grab something from the barbecue too. A man’s gotta have his protein.” At last, Flint and Reziah relieved them.

  “All quiet so far,” Sawyer said. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen tonight.”

  He and Harlow said goodnight and stepped away from the other two.

  “Shall I walk you home –?” he began.

  “Yes. Uh, no. I mean, you can walk me to Rebecca’s place. I’ll stay with her tonight, I think my dad needs a little more time to cool off,” she said, before he’d even finished his sentence.

  “Oh. You can also stay here if you want? It’s quite late already, and you don’t need to wake up your friend.” She looked at him, unable to keep the grin from spreading across her face.

  “Are you sure?” she whispered.

  “Absolutely!”

  As they approached the steps to the trailer, he swept her right off her feet.

  “Come inside, my beautiful little bear.”

  6

  Sawyer carried her through a bright, tidy kitchen, a comfortable seating area, and into a cozy bedroom, with wood-paneled walls, soft lighting, and a fluffy white comforter. He kept the place looking nice, regardless of whether he had anyone to share his bed with – and for a real long time, he hadn’t.

  “This is so – nice,” she said, as he laid her on the bed and flung himself down beside her.

  “What do you think I am – an uncivilized beast?” She laughed, pulling off her coat and throwing it to the bottom of the bed. His breath caught in his throat. He’d caught a glimpse of her body when they were all in her house, but the lights had been very dim. And there had been a distraction or two. Now he had an unobstructed view of her voluptuous form. She looked even better than he’d dreamed. She was wearing a stretchy gray, button down cardigan, with a v-neck that plunged all the way to her creamy, full cleavage, and black jeans that clung to the luscious curves of her hips and thighs. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on. And she wanted to mate him. He could see the raw hunger in her eyes, the red tinge to her sweet cherry lips. She was kneeling beside him, and he pulled her down for a kiss. She laid her hands on his shoulders, and her tongue probed his mouth, sighs of appreciation escaping her lips. The feel of her drove him crazy, and he had to hold himself back, restrain his animal urge to tear all her clothes off and take her. With one hand, he unfastened the buttons of her cardigan, revealing one delicious inch of her cleavage at a time. Soon it was open all the way, and he slipped it from her shoulders, leaving her in a black silky bra. Her hands went to his shirt, fumbling the buttons. Impatiently, he stripped it off, closely followed by his jeans. Then he eased her jeans over her hips and she shucked them off, before pulling her back on top of him. Her skin was so silky against his, the crotch of her panties so hot and damp as she ground on his hip. As her hand closed on his cock, which strained against his boxers, a deep growl erupted from his throat and he flipped her onto her back, pushing himself between her legs, her thighs spread wide around his body. They kissed hard, hungrily, teeth nipping and tongues lashing as he unfastened her bra, releasing her beautiful full breasts. Her nipples were caramel colored and turned to swollen peaks as he sucked them into his mouth, circling the sensitive areolas with the tip of his tongue, and drawing deep moans from her.