As the morning sun broke over the eastern ridge, the rumble of Cyrus’s truck echoed through the valley. The engine hummed through the trees, silencing the warblers hunting for their breakfast. During the night, Esmerelda had shifted into her human form on her own, probably unknowingly, while in deep sleep. My control was practiced for over a decade. My wolf and I had built trust and were excellent partners.Esme heard the truck, too, but failed to move. Her breathing became irregular as Cyrus approached us, carrying clothes and a sheet. She stayed curled in a fetal position while I quickly dressed in sweats. “Thanks, man.” I took the sheet from him and wrapped my mate, scooping her up and carrying her close to my chest. “How did you find us?”“Gunnar took a phone in his mouth and followed your scents. He called us when he found you asleep.”“His shadow skills are improving.”“I think you were a little distracted.” Cyrus led the way toward the truck, opening the back door for me to cli
Condemnation was slow to form. I took my mate without her consent. She sank into my grasp as our orgasms retreated. We were floating outside our bodies in pleasure.“Ghost.” My name on her lips so reverently gave me hope. “What was that?” She purred at me.“I marked you as my mate.” The strength of my conviction waned as she tightened against me.“You bit me?” Her hand went to her throat to find the evidence. Fingers grazed over the four punctures, marring her beautiful skin. “Why did you do that?”Before I could answer, her hands gripped her stomach as it lurched. She looked at me in horror. “What did you do to me?” She shrieked in terror and jumped off me in time to vomit in a shrub.“What’s happening?” Her body shook and forced her onto all fours. “Ghost! Jake! What’s happening to me?” Pain and fear edged her words as I stood in my own shocked despair.Bones broke as they rearranged themselves for the first time. Esmerelda screamed and cried through the transformation process. Shif
The next month, I was happy playing house with my little witch. We still hadn’t discussed everything the Doc disclosed about her genetics or mine. She didn’t know shifters existed in the world. I had a suspicion she was aware of her abilities, even if just subconsciously.Our routine was firm. She slept through most of the morning while I worked until lunchtime in my office. We would have a long leisurely lunch, and afterward, Esme would spread her schoolwork out on the table and work until dinner. Short strolls around the property triggered her hunger, and we spent the night cooking and eating together. We slept entwined around each other all night.Her Friday and Saturday night shifts at the bar were the only deviations from our routine. Despite her insistence that she could handle the effort, I couldn’t help but worry. I sat at the bar, my eyes never leaving my girl all night.The school allowed her to finish Statistics and Psychology online, but she had to go in two afternoons to
Dr. Sawyer had Adam moved to his own room so we could have our privacy. Esmerelda was still under observation for her injuries. My body enveloped hers as we slept together on the small hospital bed. My mind raced from all the information I had learned. Witches were a lore I didn’t know truly existed. I began to wonder what other enhanced creatures there were in the world.For Dr. Sawyer’s research, I allowed him to take a sample of our blood. I trusted the information would stay safe since he and his son were also participants. I’ll have to meet with Cyrus tomorrow to update him on everything and my speculation about the shifter murders in the valley.“Ghost.”“I’m here, baby girl.”“I’m hungry.”“Cheeseburgers?”“Yes, please.”Deisal was still positioned outside the room. I shot him a text giving him our order. He sent back a thumbs up.“Deisal’s on it.” She turned in my hold to face me. Her mouth pressed on my neck, making me shiver. Soft kisses trailed toward my mouth. Our proper g
Gunnar and Deisel stood guard outside Esmerelda’s hospital room. My panic never calmed as I sped by them, giving a quick nod. My skills allowed me to skip the reception desk and the nurses’ station since my Deisel texted me her room number. I needed to see and touch her before I went insane. I could assess her condition better than any doctor.The door flew open, banging against the wall. My strength could not be contained. The sight of my mate lying in a hospital bed hooked up to beeping monitors released a menacing roar from my throat.The boy in the other bed woke, startled and scared. Esmerelda stayed asleep, partially unconscious. The guilt that I had left her unprotected was making me irrational and sick. I knelt in prayer beside her bed and took her hand in mine. The warmth of her flesh and the rhythm of the blood pumping through her veins began to settle me. I kissed her hand and placed it against my forehead.“She saved me.” The boy’s voice was stronger than I thought his thi
Ghost had only been gone a couple of days before the ache I felt for him overwhelmed me. I was edgy and unsettled. My tolerance for others was being irrationally challenged. I even snapped at Clara and Adam without real cause. I missed Ghost when he was away and pouted about it.The MCs were taking turns escorting me to and from school. Magnus or Deisel would bring me, and Gunnar dutifully waited to take me home. They acted friendly and supportive, but I felt like an added chore, adding to my vexation.My grumpiness didn’t deter Adam’s friendship. “We have our anatomy mid-term coming up. Do you want to come over and study?” He asked while searching for something on the ground.“What did you lose?”“An amulet my father gave me. I feel angsty without it.”“Maybe it’s back in the classroom? I’ll help you look.”“It’s fine. So you are coming?”“That would be great. Thanks, Adam.”“Thank you. My father would love to meet you. I don’t think he thinks you’re real.”“How so?” Adam looked away