The Phantom Butcher (Shadow Crawlers Book 1)

The isolated wooden cabin sat deep inside the forest. The creature of the dark stood watching the murky structure, illuminated by a dim porch light. He stayed hidden behind the bushes nearby the swamp for the past hour, listening to the sounds from inside.

The chilly wind brushed against his pale skin, making the leaves rustle. Not that it bothered the creature. He was used to extreme weather conditions that cold or heat didn’t bother him anymore.

It had recently rained and the rich, fertile scent of earth held no appeal for him. He’d chosen the moonless night for only one purpose. The cabin belonged to a werewolf named Asher Vaughan, the most feared Alpha in the town, and the creature waited patiently for the right moment to attack.

The merry chirps of the crickets and the mating calls of the frogs annoyed the hell out of him, testing his mostly non-existent patience.

Long, clawed fingers tapped rhythmically on the tree trunk. Its fangs elongated as the soft moans drifted off from the cabin—a natural reaction to such things. It scrunched its nose as it smelled the sexual pheromones in the air.

The werewolf seemed to have a real good time inside. He would let his victim one last night of pleasure before he had his fun. He would make Asher beg before he ends his life. The woman sounded like a perfect bonus. Maybe he’d carve her first and make him watch.

That thought alone made his mouth water.

Wonderful.

“Enjoy your last night Asher,” he whispered maliciously, his long fangs gleaming even into the darkness of the night. “Tomorrow the town will have one less werewolf.”

***

The cabin was luxurious inside, unlike the exterior. While the exterior looked like a haunted shack in most of the horror movies, the interior was posh, with a rustic and rural style, including  a touch of natural elements. From the dark-colored carpet to the wooden sofas and silver utensils, everything was the best money could buy.

Yellow lights flooded the small living room, complete with a small fireplace, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Sienna arched with a moan as Asher thrust into her. Her legs slipped from where she had wrapped them around his lean, yet muscled hips. Sweat coated their naked bodies. A few drops dripped from his forehead onto her shoulder.

The door to their small bedroom was left ajar. Light from the living room fell over him. He was just so handsome and his tan skin seemed to be glowing golden. His strong muscles flexed with each thrust and he had his teeth sunken into his bottom lip, head thrown back and eyes closed.

“Kiss me,” she demanded breathlessly.

Asher obeyed immediately, falling forward to capture her lips in a passionate kiss as his thumb slid between their bodies to circle the most sensitive flesh of her body, making her moan louder.

Asher swallowed her moans as his tongue swirled with hers. Her body arched more and her groomed nails raked along his biceps, making him go wild. He loved the way she reacted to his touch. She nipped at his lower lip slightly, making him growl from deep within his chest, the rumble so mild that she didn’t notice the slight tremor it send all over her sweaty body.

Heat churned in her belly with the familiar pleasure building on her nerves. It didn’t take long before she was coming with a shout of his name on her lips.

Asher soon followed with a dozen or so urgent thrusts exploding inside her. He ground his hips, riding out his orgasm before slumping over her. They kissed languidly. Sienna sighed into the kiss with a smile of contentment spreading across her lips.

It was such a beautiful night. Asher had taken her away from the city to spend the weekend in his cabin. The evening started with a romantic dinner, followed by a movie and mind-blowing sex. It was one of the best nights after a couple of hectic months they both had.

She wrapped her hands around her boyfriend, playing with his hair at his nape as they both came down from their high. Asher suddenly lifted himself by his elbows, gazing into her eyes.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you,” he said.

Sienna smiled at him, focusing on the random pattern he was drawing over her hipbone. He was still hard inside of her. His stamina was admirable, and she knew the night was far from over. She even looked forward to it.  

“What is it?” she inquired with a soft exhale.

His eyes flicked to her breasts, and he licked his lips. She felt the tingle in her nipples and bit her lips in response.

Asher trailed his hand over the length of her body to cup her breast, tweaking her sensitive nipple.

“Marry me, Sienna,” he asked, in a seductive rumble that made her toes curl. His nostrils flared, inhaling the heady scent, his eyes drooped slightly as if he was still drunk in her beauty.

She froze, blinking up at him as some of the haze cleared from her brain. “M-Marry?”

“This isn’t how I planned to ask,” he replied with a chuckle, ducking his head to kiss along her jaw. “I was supposed to ask you after the movie.”

But they’d gotten distracted, and he’d taken her to the bedroom instead.

“I love you so much. You complete me. I want to come home to you every day. I love it when I fall asleep with you and wake up beside you. I love your soft smiles and every small thing you do and want more of it. Will you make me the happiest man alive by saying yes?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I will marry you, Asher.”

A satisfied grin lit up his handsome face. “Let me get the ring.”

He tried to pull out, but she wrapped her legs tightly around his hips. “Make love to me again.”

He smiled. “I love you, Sienna. You are my soul mate and I will cherish you forever,” he whispered, kissing her passionately.

Sienna moaned again as he withdrew and thrust into her with all the love and passion he felt for her.

***

A phone call at midnight woke Asher. Sienna was soundly asleep beside him, her legs tangled with his under the sheets. A soft puff of her breath fanned over his neck.

He kissed her temple before getting out of her soft grip and up from the bed upon hearing an approaching vehicle, the gentle hum of the engine so familiar to him. Only a few knew about this cabin—he came here when he needed an escape from all the pressing matters.

The security camera revealed a well-acquainted face. Logan, his second in the command and a close friend, stood outside. His face was grim as he waved at the camera, demanding him to go out immediately.

Asher’s phone had a missed call and a message from Logan. The two words sent chills down his spine, and not in a good way. 

Logan: Vampire attack.

“Sienna, my love, wake up.”

Sienna stirred and looked at him with her sleepy eyes.

“Is it morning already?” She yawned, looking exquisite with her lips slightly parted and he took a moment, admiring the way her chest rose and fell with each breath she took.

“Something important has come up,” he informed softly as he helped her up, his sharp eyes softening further. He handed her the dress, along with her innerwear. “We need to leave.”

Sienna, a human by birth, didn’t know what he was and who he was. She believed he worked for a private detective firm. He wanted to tell her tonight before he popped the question, but it looked like fate had other plans. Telling her would have to wait.

“Okay,” she mumbled in a sleepy tone as she got up and pulled the dress over her head.

Asher quickly dressed and pulled his leather jacket over his broad shoulders. The ring he meant to give her that night nestled deep in his pocket. His fingers traced the square velvet box. He’d been too busy making love to her that he’d forgotten to give it to her sooner.

He noticed her fixing her hair and decided he would give it later. He wanted to savor the moment he slipped that ring on her finger and etch the memory into his brain forever. Now wasn’t the time for that. With a sigh, he pushed the ring back. There was always tomorrow.

***

Still disoriented from sleep, Sienna dressed as fast as she could and ran her fingers through her hair to tame it. He held her jacket and shoes for her as he waited by the door.

Once ready, they both left the cabin, and her eyebrows knitted in confusion when she noticed Logan. The man was as tall as Asher, with broad shoulders and short, cropped hair. His expression was serious with his jaw clenched tight.

Her boyfriend worked for a private detective firm, specialized in serious crimes. Foreboding churned her belly. Something must be wrong for Logan to show up personally to their cabin at this time.

“Hey Logan,” she greeted with a smile, which he returned with a smile of his own.

“Hey, Sienna.” He stepped forward to greet her with a brief hug and a soft pat. “I’m sorry to cut your weekend short.”

“It’s fine.” She smiled as he pulled back.

Then they were staring at each other’s eyes for a moment and it appeared as if they were in a deep conversation, only their lips weren’t moving. Asher’s expression turned grim, causing Sienna to frown in confusion. She noticed two more people inside Logan’s car. Asher had once introduced them to her as his colleagues, though she couldn’t recall their names.

They were talking in hushed tones and Logan tensed when one man called his name, handing the phone to him. Asher led her to his car as Logan got in his vehicle, still talking over the phone, his expression furious.

“Is everything okay?” she asked once Asher has revived the engine and pulled the car out of the driveway. He worked for some detective agency in Warlington County, Linnesse. Being accustomed to the midnight calls he received occasionally, she knew well about these calls.

Asher’s steely expression didn’t give out much, and he only nodded once, trying his best to assure her she had nothing to worry about. She squeezed his hands gently, and he visibly relaxed. Sienna knew he didn’t like to discuss his work, so she didn’t push him further.

They talked very little after that. His phone kept buzzing, and he received two more calls before he dropped her into her apartment on the way.

When she waved at him, she could only wish it were solved sooner. However, she knew it wasn’t that easy. With a sigh, she walked into her apartment complex.

***

The silhouette sank deep into the shadows at the sight of more werewolves. He had masked his scent, so there was no way they would find him now.

It took all of his strength to suppress the displeased growl that rumbled inside his chest. He clenched his clawed hand so tight that it drew blood.

He was so close to attack when the werewolves showed up, spoiling his plans. Now, he must wait.

Or maybe he didn’t have to wait for long. A cold smile spread across his lips as his eyes landed on his new target.

***

“Sienna, stay safe and do not open the door unless it’s me,” Asher told her as their vehicle came to a halt in front of her apartment. He pulled a set of keys he always kept on his dashboard to use in situations like this, handing it to her.

“I’ll be fine, Asher,” Sienna assured with her signature smile which always brightened up his sour mood.

She walked towards her building when Asher got out of the vehicle and pulled her towards him.

“I love you,” he whispered, kissing her deeply.

“I love you too, baby. Good night and watch your back,” she whispered before turning and entering her building. He usually walked her to her door, but his work demanded he leaves immediately. A vampire killed a group of human teens and they had to act before the vampire attacked again.

The security nodded lazily at her before continuing with his disrupted slumber. He looked around, his nostrils flared as he inhaled, analyzing the different scents that sifted through his senses. Nothing seemed or felt out-of-place.

Asher watched her retreating form until she got inside the elevator before driving off in his car. His phone blared again, this time it was from Neil. The Shadow Crawlers agency’s director didn’t call unless it was a matter of life and death.

He answered the call, putting it on hands-free mode, and listened carefully to whatever was being said on the other end, a sense of foreboding filling him with every word, squeezing his heart painfully. His free hand reached and gently massaged the area over his heart, trying to ease the feeling.

Asher wanted to call Sienna again to confirm she was safely tucked in her bed. However, another call distracted him and he cursed mentally at the caller before stepping on the gas, breaking multiple traffic rules as he drove through the night.