Natalie
It was a warm summer morning the day it happened.
Natalie was standing at the kitchen sink of the ranch house washing out Micah’s breakfast dishes when the shrieks and giggles of the kids playing in the front yard were suddenly punctuated by several sharp, dog-like yips, followed by a high-pitched howl.
Looking up, Natalie almost dropped the glass she was rinsing.
Faith, her strawberry blonde hair shining in the sun, was still visible in the garden, and next to her was her cousin Poppy, Heath and Daphne’s daughter. But Micah… Micah was gone.
Dropping the glass into the sink, Natalie dashed outside, her heart in her throat.
“Micah!”
Slamming open the front door, Natalie ran to where the two girls were still playing.
“Micah! Where are you?” Natalie called again, running through the garden.
I only looked down for a second… where could he have gone?
She only noticed that both Poppy and Faith were looking at her with quizzical expressions on their faces when she stopped for breath, her hand pressed against her forehead.
“But Aunty Natalie… Micah’s right here,” Faith said impatiently, pointing into one of the garden beds. It was thick and overgrown, badly in need of pruning after the busy spring they’d had. In the wild tangle of plants, Natalie couldn’t see a thing.
Natalie knelt down. “Micah, come out of there – you gave me a horrible fright!”
The bushes rustled in response – but instead of Micah coming crawling out toward her, the only thing that emerged was a small gray wolf pup.
As Natalie stared, open-mouthed, it yipped again, bouncing up on legs that seemed made of elastic, and licking her face with a rough pink tongue.
Shock made Natalie freeze, her brain unable to comprehend what she was seeing.
But… but that’s not Micah…
“Aunty Natalie, Micah shifted! He had his first shift!” Poppy was jumping up and down on the spot, clapping her hands in glee. “Now we can play as our animals!”
Before Natalie could begin to put the pieces together, both Poppy and Faith had taken on their lion forms and were growling playfully, tails whirling, bouncing across the lawn and between the garden beds.
The wolf pup – Micah – let out an overjoyed bark, before wriggling free of her grasp and bounding over to them, his fluffy tail wagging wildly.
Natalie could only raise her hands to her lips, as finally, what had happened began to sink in.
He shifted. Micah… he can shift.
She had never considered that that might be a possibility. Of course, she had found out that Ken was half shifter, but she knew he hadn’t been able to shift himself. She knew there was some doubt as to whether cubs like Faith, Poppy and Link, with one shifter and one human parent, would have the ability. She had always just assumed that Micah, being only a quarter shifter, had had no chance of inheriting his paternal grandmother’s ability.
But it seemed she had been mistaken.
She watched as the three children cavorted together, two lions and one wolf, rolling over each other on the grass and nipping playfully at ears and tails.
And slowly, she found her lips twitching into a smile.
Well, he did ask me once if he’d be able to turn into a lion one day.
She supposed that Micah still couldn’t turn into a lion. But she hoped a wolf would be just as good.
Still fumbling a little in her shock, she managed to pull her cell phone from her pocket, and sent a text to Casey: when you can, meet me in the front garden. I have sth to show you.
Whatever work Casey had been doing, he’d apparently decided that meeting her was a more tempting prospect, because he walked around the corner of the house not fifteen minutes later.
“What’s up?” he asked, smiling – and Natalie felt her insides melt all over again at the sight of him. He was as tall and broad as ever, all his gorgeously cut muscle shown off to perfection in the sleeveless shirt he wore, his jeans hugging the thickness of his thighs. It was a hot day, and his skin glistened with sweat, his hair tangled, with a hint of stubble on his angular jaw.
He was, in a word, perfect.
“Just look over there,” she said, winding her arm around his back and pointing to where Micah, Poppy and Faith were playing.
At first, Casey frowned, as if he wasn’t quite sure what he was seeing – but then, understanding bloomed across his face like a sunrise. “That’s – that’s Micah! He can shift!”
Natalie squeezed herself against his side. “I just came out now, and there he was – a little wolf,” she murmured, watching him as he leapt into a tangle of overgrown bushes before bursting out the other side. “I had no idea… I mean, isn’t it very unlikely that…?”
Casey nodded, blinking in surprise. “I thought so. I mean, it’s only sometimes that half shifters get the ability.” He looked down at her. “Maybe you have some shifter blood you don’t know about, and that tipped the balance.”
Natalie looked away as she considered it. She supposed it was a possibility – she herself had been raised by a single mother, and she’d never known much about her mom’s family, and nothing at all about her father’s. Could there have been a shifter in the mix?
She honestly wasn’t sure.
“That’s possible,” she said slowly. “I mean… it would have to be that, wouldn’t it? That I have some shifter heritage?”
Casey nodded. “Can’t see how it could work out, otherwise.” He grinned down at her. “But this is amazing, Natalie! Micah can shift!”
Smiling, Natalie looked over to where the kids were all still playing. “I know he wanted to be able to. It must’ve been hard, watching Faith and Poppy with these amazing abilities…”
Casey slid his arm around her waist. “But even if things hadn’t happened this way, you know that he’s part of the family. Just like you are. And Charity, Faye, Sasha and Daphne. You’re our pride. No matter what.”
Natalie felt warmth flowing into her heart at Casey’s words. Of course she knew that – she always had. But her heart overflowed with happiness too that Micah would be able to share in all the athletic leaping and bounding that Faith was able to achieve in her shifter form.
He was thriving at the small Cedar Hill Elementary School as well. Ms. James had even suggested that he might skip a grade – he was bright, and the work in his current class was no challenge for him. He’d been introduced all round by Faith, who had made sure he’d made friends quickly. He wasn’t as outgoing as she was, but he’d found one or two of his own special friends to sit with quietly at lunch, which was all he seemed to need.
“Coming here was the best decision I ever made,” Natalie said suddenly, resting her head against Casey’s chest and listening to the beat of his heart. “I never imagined… I mean, when I sent off my resume, I didn’t even think I’d hear back. It was a total whim – just wishful thinking. But it’s been better than I ever could have dreamed.”
Casey’s arm curled around her shoulder, and he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
My mate, Natalie thought. It was amazing how quickly she’d come to think of him in those terms: not as a boyfriend or a lover, but as her mate.
It was the only word for it. Their connection was unlike anything else she had ever experienced before. And she knew already that it would be forever.
“Aunty Natalie!! Aunty Natalie!!”
She was jerked out of her reverie by the sound of Poppy’s raised voice.
“What is it, honey?” she asked, crossing over to where the three kids were still sitting. Faith and Poppy had shifted back into their human forms, but Micah still remained as a wolf between them.
“It’s Micah.” Poppy’s forehead was creased in concern. “I don’t think he can change back.”
Natalie’s breath caught in her throat as she knelt down in front of her son.
“Micah? What’s wrong?”
The pup yipped, pawing at the ground and rolling over. He obviously wanted something, but Natalie wasn’t sure what. He let out a long, high-pitched howl that was obviously distressed. Alarmed, Natalie glanced up at Casey.
Calmly, he knelt down beside her. “It’s okay. This happens sometimes. It’s nothing to worry about.” He reached out, rubbing his thumb over the pup’s muzzle in a comforting gesture. “It’s okay, little man. It’s okay. Just close your eyes, and think about your human form. Just picture it in your head. Everything is fine. You know what to do.”
Natalie held her breath as Casey spoke. The little pup seemed to shiver in fear for a moment – but then, all at once, he transformed, his gray fur becoming skin once more, his paws becoming hands and feet.
For a moment, Micah lay sprawled on the ground between them, blinking up at them in shock.
Then he grinned.
“Mommy, I shifted! I’m a shifter, like Casey!” He hurled himself forward into her arms, clinging to her and giggling with joy. “I turned into a wolf!”
Silently, Natalie clasped her son to her. Then, she looked up at Casey. He was smiling gently at the two of them, his golden-flecked eyes warm.
Thank you, Natalie mouthed at him, feeling tears coming to her eyes.
She wouldn’t have had the first idea of what to do if Micah’s abilities had shown themselves when she’d been alone – but then, without other shifters to show him it was possible, perhaps Micah himself would never have figured out what he was.
But it was yet another way in which Casey was wonderful: he was always patient, gentle and kind with Micah – and Micah, in return, adored him.
It had been amazing watching them grow their relationship over the past few months. Micah had always been shy, but with Casey, he blossomed. Casey had borrowed a small pony from one of their neighbors, and was teaching Micah to ride – though Natalie had been wary after hearing about how many times Casey had fallen off as a child, but Micah had so obviously loved the lessons that she hadn’t been able to say no.
Anyway, Casey had told her. Micah’s a lot smarter than me. I’m sure he’ll pick it up a lot faster than I did.
Squeezing her son to her chest, Natalie smiled at her mate, feeling tears welling in her eyes. Never in her life had she imagined she would be so happy.
And yet, she was.
***
Family dinners at the Whittaker table were always loud, raucous affairs, and Natalie had never known anything like them.
It had always just been her and Micah – well, and sometimes Ken, when he had deigned to grace them with his presence before eleven o’clock at night, when he’d usually staggered in reeking of booze and cigarettes.
But here, the whole family sat together around the enormous, rough-hewn dinner table, talking and laughing, sharing news and eating their fill of the amazing food that seemed to flow out of the kitchen without end.
Looking around, Natalie could scarcely believe it.
Mason was sitting across from her, still in his sheriff’s uniform, little Faith sitting in his lap and stuffing her face full of baked potatoes topped with bacon and cheese. Mason was chatting animatedly with his cousin, Heath, who was down from the city with his mate, Daphne.
Heath seemed just as gregarious and outgoing as Mason was – a real charmer, by Natalie’s estimates, but it was clear that he utterly adored Daphne and their daughter Poppy. She and Daphne had spent some time chatting when they had first arrived, and Natalie had discovered that she and Heath had met when he was acting as her bodyguard, which hadn’t surprised her. Heath was just as tall and broad as his cousins, and he’d make the perfect man to protect a woman in need.
Daphne herself was just as welcoming of Natalie as Charity, Sasha and Faye had been. Natalie gathered from a couple of things she had said that her parents were somebodies – but Daphne herself showed no sign of snobbishness due to her privileged upbringing. There was no fleet of nannies trailing after them, and she and Heath looked after Poppy themselves, just like the rest of them.
Joe, with his quiet, gentle eyes and soft-spoken manner was engaged in some close discussion with his father about ranch business – which was clearly both his job and his passion. He shared the work of looking after the cattle and the land with his mate, Sasha, who was a true outdoorswoman if ever Natalie had seen one. She could match Joe in the saddle and do hours of physical labor. Whenever she and Joe wanted some alone time, they’d often take to the forests for hunting trips, and leave Lincoln and Casey to look after things in their absence.
And then there was Faye and Lincoln. Natalie found their story touching – they’d been childhood sweethearts, until bad luck and misfortunes had separated them. It had taken decades, but they’d eventually found their way back to one another, life giving them a second chance at happiness. To see them together now, with Lincoln gently touching Faye’s hand, and Faye looking at Lincoln with so much love in her eyes, Natalie never would have guessed they had ever been apart.
They were a family.
No – more than that.
They were a pride.
And she was a part of it.
Some days, she woke up so happy she honestly thought she was still in a dream.
“Who wants more pork chops?”
Charity’s voice rang out from the kitchen, where she’d been cooking all day, with Sasha and Daphne’s help.
Micah’s hand shot up at once. “Me! Me! Me!”
He’d been eating up a storm since his unexpected shift earlier that day, and Casey had explained that it was all just part of being a shifter. It took a lot of energy to change forms like that, and as a result shifters tended to have enormous appetites.
“Honey, you should finish what’s on your plate, first,” Natalie said to him, leaning over to push together some of his buttered green beans and cheesy baked potatoes. “You still have a lot here.”
Micah pouted for a moment, but then he dutifully picked up his fork. “Okay, Mom.”
He shoveled the food into his mouth, but his eyes never left the pork chops, golden brown and cooked with butter and thyme, that Charity had placed in the middle of the table.
Natalie had to admit that even though she was stuffed full, they were still tempting. Charity’s food was always amazing – from spicy chili to fried chicken, from red velvet cake to huckleberry pie, there didn’t seem to be a single thing she couldn’t do. She’d run a diner for years, but even that didn’t account for her wizardry in the kitchen.
Natalie had never tasted such delicious food – and luckily for her, Charity loved to feed them all. She was always experimenting and asking them to try something new. Many had been the times she’d come back from a day of work at the B&B to find six bowls of chili lined up on the kitchen counter, with Charity asking her to try them and rate which one she liked best.
Natalie was always only too happy to oblige.
Life was good.
Eventually, the conversation at the table drifted into quiet. It had been a long day for all of them. Part of living with the pride meant working hard to ensure its prosperity, and they were all tired. Faith was dropping off on Mason’s lap, her head drooping, while Poppy had already gone to sleep in Daphne’s arms. Link had been put down hours ago, and was sleeping peacefully in the next room.
Micah was fighting a valiant battle against his eyelids, but Natalie could see it was too much for him. He’d had an exciting day, after all.
“Come on, little man,” she murmured, stroking his soft brown hair. “Let’s get you into bed.”
“But I wanna – I’m not –” he began to say, before he was interrupted by a massive yawn.
“Come on,” Casey said with a grin, reaching over to help Micah off his chair. “Too much excitement for one day. And just think – the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner you can wake up and try shifting again.” He paused, glancing up at Natalie. “If you like, we can go out for a run in the front paddock. Get you used to it. But you’ll have the hang of it in no time.”
“Yeah!” Micah said, eyes shining as he turned to look at her. “I wanna go out with Casey! Can I, Mom? Pleeeeeeeeease?”
Natalie laughed. “Of course you can – but tomorrow. Right now, it’s way past someone’s bed time, and they better get to bed before they drop off at the table.”
Micah looked at her like he might be about to dispute that, but was interrupted by yet another huge yawn.
“Come on,” she laughed. “Let’s get you into your pajamas.”
Micah went off to bed without any further argument. Clearly, Casey’s suggestion that the quicker he went to sleep the quicker he could wake up and try shifting again had left an impression.
He was in his pajamas and fast asleep not ten minutes later. Natalie looked down at his peaceful face, and felt her heart swelling with love and pride. My son. My little shifter son.
Casey, standing by her side, put his arm around her. “He’ll be fine, Natalie. I’ll teach him what he needs to know. I might not be a wolf, but…”
Natalie laughed softly, standing on tip-toes to kiss him. “I know you will. I trust you. More than anyone else.”
It was true.
Natalie could not imagine a more caring man to help her raise her son.
As they left Micah’s bedroom, closing the door softly behind them, they kissed again – and this time, there was heat behind it.
Natalie responded to him just as powerfully as she did every other time they touched. Warmth immediately began building in her core, flowing all throughout her body. The spark of desire between them was strong and irresistible.
“Casey,” she whispered, breaking off with a gasp. “Shouldn’t we say goodnight to –”
“Hell no,” Casey said, pressing his lips to hers again. “I’ve been talking to them all night. Now, I only want you.”
They stumbled down the hall together, lips and hands everywhere, until finally they found their way to their bedroom. No sooner had the door closed behind them than Natalie found herself swept onto the bed, with Casey’s arms around her.
Leaning over, he captured her lips in a kiss. His mouth was open and hungry on hers, his desire for her almost palpable, his tongue seeking hers.
Natalie groaned, raising her arms to pull him even closer to her, pressing her breasts against the hard muscle of his chest. His arms around her felt perfect – like they had been made to hold her.
But they were, she told herself as she opened her mouth, her tongue sliding against his. We’re mates. We were made for each other.
She knew he could already sense the desperate thrum of her desire for him spreading through her body. It was always like this – she could never resist him. Pleasure jolted through her core as he lay her back on the bed, his hands on her waist, his knees either side of her hips.
“God, Natalie…” he whispered, and sent a shiver of desire all the way along her spine.
His mouth dipped down, kissing her jaw, her neck, her collarbone where it peeked out of the top of her shirt. His tongue rasped softly over the sensitive skin of her throat and she whimpered, arching up beneath him, her heart pounding in her chest.
She closed her eyes as he began to undress her, pulling her shirt up over her head and tossing it into a corner of the room, forgotten. His head immediately fell to her breasts, swift fingers unclipping her bra as he rolled his tongue over the sensitive buds of her nipples. Natalie cried out as he teased her with lips and tongue, sending sparks of pleasure all along her veins.
“Casey…!”
His head dipped lower, mouthing down over her soft, rounded belly, over her ticklish sides, making her giggle.
“Stop that!” she laughed, batting at him playfully. “No tickling!”
Casey laughed, low and husky, looking at her with eyes that were hooded with lust.
God, if he keeps looking at me like that, he can do anything he wants… Natalie thought as her eyes slid shut, and Casey’s fingers went to the waistband of her jeans.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as he slowly pulled them off, taking her soaked panties with them, and kissing his way down her thighs as he went. She squirmed as his lips brushed over the sensitive skin between her legs, gasping and writhing under his touch.
“Oh God, Casey, I swear, if you make me wait…”
Casey laughed again, and the sound made her heart beat even faster in her chest. “Impatient, are we?”
Natalie was about to ask him if he was going to tease her all night, when she shuddered, arching up off the bed as his lips found her soaking wet pussy.
“Casey…!”
Natalie gasped, losing all power of speech as Casey pressed two fingers against her entrance, slipping them inside her easily. She spread her legs, moaning, as his lips and tongue moved against her clit, his fingers sliding in and out of her body in a relentless rhythm.
She writhed up, sparks bursting behind her eyelids, her fingers curling against the fabric of the sheets. Everything he did only served to send her higher and higher into pure bliss.
“You taste so good,” he said, pulling back for a moment. “God, Natalie, you’re perfect.”
Natalie could only moan in response as his lips returned to her, teasing her, his tongue finding her effortlessly. Pleasure spiraled through her, her body spinning beyond her control, racing towards climax – until, gasping and squirming, she came, her back arching, her toes curled, and a hoarse cry on her lips.
Natalie lay on the bed, trembling from the force of her climax as Casey slowly kissed his way back up her body.
“Mmm,” Natalie murmured as he kissed her lips. She could taste herself in his mouth, but she didn’t care. In fact, it was kind of a turn-on – knowing that he had done this, and he had loved every second of it. “Casey, that was… my God, Casey… every time you do that it only gets better.”
Casey grinned down at her, in a way that was almost boyish. “I plan on getting a lot more practice yet,” he said.
Natalie could only laugh at that. “Something which I thoroughly endorse. Though I’d say you’re already pretty much perfect.”
“We’ll see,” Casey said, his voice low and rich, sending a thrill of desire straight to her belly.
“You’re wearing way too many clothes, by the way,” she murmured as she leaned in to kiss him again, tugging at the bottom of his shirt.
He obligingly pulled it off, before yanking off his jeans with the same speed. As he lay down beside her she could feel the hot steel of his erection against her thigh, and shuddered.
“I want you so badly,” she murmured, pulling him to her, running her hands over the hard, flat plains of his muscles.
He was… magnificent.
There was no other word for it. And every perfect inch of him was hers.
Reaching down, she caressed the huge length of his erection where it jutted up between his thighs. Casey groaned, throwing his head back, the sinew of his neck standing out starkly against his skin. He filled her palm completely, too big for her to fully wrap her fingers around. She teased him lightly, her thumb sliding over the head, glorying in the way he gasped and shuddered at her touch.
“Natalie… my God…” His voice was strained, every muscle tightly clenched.
But Natalie knew she wouldn’t be able to tease him for long. She wanted him too badly for that – and her patience was already at its limits.
It seemed that Casey had had the same thought, thankfully. His eyes snapped open, and Natalie shuddered at the look of pure desire in them.
He swept her up in his arms, his mouth on hers, and lust raced through her like wildfire.
“Please, Casey,” she whimpered, arching beneath him, pressing herself against him. “I want you so much… I need you…”
Casey didn’t answer her with words. Instead, he simply shifted his hips a little, pressing the thick head of his shaft against her wet entrance, before sliding inside.
Natalie cried out as he sheathed himself within her in one stroke. She was so wet, so ready for him that even with all his length and girth he buried himself in her easily. He filled her perfectly, stretching her just right, white-hot pleasure surging through her veins.
Natalie groaned as he pulled back slightly before plunging forward again, drawing a throaty cry from her lips. She raised her legs, resting her calves on the slight jut of his hips, wanting him to go harder, go faster, to give her more, more, more…
She could already feel the uncontrollable surge of her climax building within her. Natalie knew she was crying out, but it was as if she was hearing herself from a very long way away, senseless as she was to everything but the movement of his body as he drove into her again and again, driving her higher and higher into the arms of utter bliss.
Natalie threw her head back, his name on her lips as she felt every muscle in her body clench with pure, white-hot ecstasy. She heard him cry out himself, repeating her name like a prayer, his fingers curled in her hair, his lips finding hers, his tongue plundering her mouth.
At last, with one final stroke, he carried her over the edge, sending pleasure cascading over her, shaking her down to her very core. They came together, their bodies tangled together, crying out each other’s names.
Natalie wasn’t sure how long it took her to become aware of the world outside her body again. She had been lying in a haze of post-orgasmic pleasure, every limb limp and relaxed with utter satisfaction. Casey still lay on top of her – apparently, he had been too utterly blissed-out to remember to move.
“Hey. Hey, you,” Natalie whispered in his ear, tapping his back with her fingers. “As much as I want you to stay there all night, I need to breathe.”
Casey groaned as he rolled away from her, his cock slipping from her body. She regretted the loss of contact immediately, but she contented herself with snuggling into his chest, burying her face in the side of his throat.
“Wow, Natalie, that was…”
Natalie laughed. “You don’t have to tell me.”
Drenched in sweat, they lay together, breathing peacefully. Exhaustion tugged at her – it had been a long day, and she knew she needed to sleep.
Just as she began to drift off, she heard his voice close to her ear.
“I love you, Natalie,” Casey murmured, his lips pressing against the side of her head. “Forever. Always. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said sleepily, tightening her embrace around his chest.
As if there had ever been any doubt of that.
The only thought in her mind before she drifted into peaceful, untroubled sleep was that he was hers, and she was his.
Forever.
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Page down to read a special sneak preview of Lawman Lion, the first in the Cedar Hill Lions series.
The cover of Protector Lion was designed by Isabelle Arden.
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(Bears of Pinerock County # 4). A mountain man with a tragic past + a curvy amnesiac + two deadly secrets = one explosive romance!
. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 1) A BBW in search of adventure + a dragon shifter in search of a mate + a mishap on a mountainside = one sparkling and sexy story!
(Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 2) A BBW who's new in town + a dragon shifter who's new to being human + a very confused dog named Mouse = one sexy fairy tale romance!
(Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters #3) A curvy newlywed wife + a dragon shifter mayor + a small town Christmas celebration = one snowy, sexy holiday romance!
. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 4) A BBW in a small town + twin dragon shifters in need of a mate to share + the most hotly contested mayoral election Gray's Hollow has ever seen = one sexy story that's a win/win/win!
(Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 5) A curvy social worker in need of a break + a carefree dragon shifter + a baby dragon who needs her father = one hot and heartwarming romance!
(Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters #6) One curvy cop who's devoted her life to fighting evil dragons + one dragon who's sure he's a monster + a challenge he can't refuse = a fiery romance that starts with a bang!
A BBW shop owner in a bind + a sexy jaguar shifter returned to town + the threat of a ruthless loan shark = a love story that will be sure to make a wave!
A curvy reporter looking for a story + a billionaire jaguar shifter looking for his mate = a romance that’ll make headlines!
A BBW bunny shifter with a pony farm + a lonely bear shifter hunting a dangerous werewolf + a criminal werewolf pack causing trouble = one steamy springtime romance!
A brave woman in deadly danger + a bear shifter police detective who will protect her with his life + a frightening foe = one thrilling romance!
A lonely BBW who can't shift, on vacation with her shifter family + a billionaire tiger shifter looking for a family + a kidnapping plot that threatens to rip them apart = one sexy and dangerous weekend getaway!
A lonely bear shifter + a workaholic conservationist + a sudden storm = one wet and wild mountain adventure!
A BBW recovering from a bad break-up + a sexy saber tooth tiger shifter + a sinister stalker and a deadly duel = one heart-pounding romance!
Rescued by the Jaguar. A curvy Mexican billionaire whose money can't buy her love + a powerfully masculine American jaguar shifter firefighter + a world trying to tear these fated mates apart = one fiery romance!
A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
. (Upson Downs # 1) A BBW artist + an amnesiac bear shifter + a mysterious murder plot = an explosive blockbuster romance!
(Upson Downs # 2) A BBW cat shifter who's turned her back on love + a handsome werewolf stranger who comes to town + a very special Valentine's Day = a hot and heart-warming romance!
. A BBW who's alone at Christmas + a lonely bear shifter searching for his mate + a crowded house full of relatives = a snowy yet sizzling holiday romance!
. A frightened but determined BBW + a sexy lion shifter martial artist + a dangerous enemy = one unforgettable romance!
. (Hollywood Shifters # 1) A BBW stuntwoman + a movie director bear shifter + Hollywood hijinks = one blockbuster romance!
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(Werewolf Marines # 2), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.
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Lawman Lion
by Zoe Chant
Special Sneak Preview
Just as she’d known he would, Mason had immediately driven out from the sheriff’s office as soon as she’d called him.
Don’t go anywhere, he’d told her. I’ll be right there.
She hadn’t told him everything Jessup had said to her – just that he’d come to the diner, and that he’d told her he wanted to buy it. That had been enough. Mason had told her to sit tight, and he’d be there as soon as possible. She’d sent Bob and Sherri home, over their protests – but she wasn’t having them here to be in danger in case things got ugly.
As soon as possible had turned out to be very soon indeed. Mason had come into the diner as if he expected Jessup to still be there, his fists clenched, eyes narrowed, scanning the room for any hint of a threat.
“Mason,” Charity said, walking toward him. “It’s okay – I’m pretty sure he really left after I told him to.”
Mason seemed to let out a long breath, trying to release the tension from his muscles. “I didn’t see his bike outside, so I guess you’re right,” he said. Finally, he looked down at her, and Charity watched as his face softened. “I’m sorry. I just – the thought of him, here, threatening you –”
“He didn’t threaten me outright,” Charity said. “But he certainly implied it. But he said some other things too – things I think we ought to discuss.”
She started to lead him toward a booth, but Mason’s next words pulled her up short.
“Did he tell you the Reapers are almost all shifters?” he asked, catching her up to walk beside her.
Charity looked up at him, a little surprised. “He did. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Let’s sit down,” Mason said.
Charity nodded, sliding herself into the booth seat. Mason sat down across from her, placing his wide-brimmed hat down on the table.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it right away,” Mason said. “I should have – especially seeing as it was the other reason I decided to run for sheriff, George Atwood being such a useless ass aside. I knew the Reapers were shifters from the moment they started moving in here. We’d heard about a gang of them, troublemakers, and I knew that there was no way for human law enforcement to really deal with them. The only authority they’ll listen to is another shifter – but even then…”
Charity looked into Mason’s gray-green eyes, feeling her heart thumping. “I understand,” she said, and it was true. She hadn’t honestly doubted that Mason had noble motives for what he’d done, and she certainly didn’t think he’d meant to deceive her by not telling her the Reapers were shifters. “But he said something else too – something I didn’t really get. He said that – he said that you’d be brought to heel,” Charity said, repeating Jessup’s phrasing.
Looking at Mason’s broad shoulders and biceps that bulged out of the short sleeves of his sheriff’s uniform, Charity had a hard time imagining the person who could do any such thing. But still, she had to know what he’d meant.
Mason narrowed his eyes, cocking his head a little. “Jessup said that?” he asked, and Charity nodded.
Mason looked away, blowing air between his gritted teeth. “Well, that just goes to show what an ass he is,” he said, after a moment. “I’m not going to skirt the truth about it – my uncle Lincoln wasn’t exactly happy about me running for sheriff. But it’s what I wanted to do, and what I knew was the right thing to do. Lincoln might be the alpha of the pride, but he won’t stand for cruelty or anything like it. Plus, I’m my own man, and I do what I want. Jessup’s deluded if he thinks I can be brought to heel – especially when it comes to anything to do with you.”
Mason reached across the table, his massive hand covering Charity’s. His palm was warm against her, and Charity shivered, her skin tingling.
“I never doubted that for a second,” she said softly. Perhaps she’d simply needed to hear Mason say it out loud – but as soon as he had, she realized it was true. She and Mason were mates, in every sense of the word. She trusted him, more than she’d ever trusted anyone. They belonged together.
“We’ll figure this out,” Mason said, squeezing her hand, looking into her eyes. “But whatever we do, we’ll do it together. I won’t leave you. I’ll protect you, no matter what. Jessup can’t hurt you, I promise – I’ll make sure of it.”
Charity blinked at Mason’s last words, biting her lip a little as his voice became a low growl. She couldn’t suppress a shiver, feeling warmth pooling in her belly. The sheer protectiveness in his voice sent a thrill down her spine. No one had ever looked after her like this before – made her feel so safe or protected.
She’d always resisted the idea that she needed to rely on anyone else. She’d thought it would make her weak. But now, she realized that relying Mason wasn't a sign of weakness at all – they were partners. But in this, she needed his help – his protection.
And from the edge of anger in Mason’s voice, she had no doubt he had the power to back up what he said. For the first time, Charity truly began to think about what it meant to be mated to this man – a man who could, in the blink of an eye, turn into a massive, powerful lion.
She hadn’t seen it, but if Mason’s lion form was anywhere near as impressive as his human one, Charity couldn’t imagine Jessup or anyone in his gang being able to put up much of a fight against him.
“Will you show me?” she suddenly blurted, without thinking about what she was saying.
Mason cocked his head. “Show you?”
Charity smiled a little. “Sorry, I was following my own train of thought there.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I meant, will you show me your lion? I’d… I’d really like to see. If you wouldn't mind showing me.”
For a moment, Mason looked searchingly into her eyes, before he nodded. “Of course, Charity. Now?”
Charity nodded. “If you don’t mind.” She didn’t know if it was impolite to ask him if she could see him shift, though she had a feeling that Mason wouldn’t say no. “We could go around to the back – it’s private there.”
“Then let’s go.”
Mason stood, keeping Charity’s hand enclosed in his own. She felt a little light-headed as he led her through the diner, toward the back door. Was this really going to happen? She didn’t doubt for a moment that Mason really was a shifter, but it would be the first time she’d ever seen anyone do this. There had been rumors for so long that shifters existed, but she’d never imagined she’d meet one, much less be mated to one. Excitement thrilled through her.
They emerged together into the soft afternoon sunlight, and Mason released her hand.
“I don’t want to shred up my sheriff’s uniform,” he said, smiling, his hands going to the buttons of his shirt. “Would you mind holding onto it for me?”
Charity watched as his fingers slowly made their way down the front of his chest, opening the buttons, revealing his white undershirt beneath. His pectoral muscles showed clearly through the cotton fabric, while his abs were a series of hard ridges. She swallowed. It was taking all her self-control not to simply go to him and run her hands over his body – but she knew she shouldn’t. If she did that, she didn’t think she’d have the willpower to stop.
“Does that happen often?” she asked, as Mason handed her his shirt. “Your clothes getting all torn up?”
Mason flickered her a heated glance, before he pulled his cotton undershirt up over his head. “Sometimes,” he said, before handing it to her. “If I don’t think before I shift.”
Charity swallowed. Hard. It wasn’t just Mason standing in all his shirtless glory before her, the deep golden sunlight playing over his tanned skin – it was the thought of the raw power and strength that skin was wrapped around. And the knowledge that all that power, all that strength, would be used to protect her.
Mason unzipped his fly, pulling down his pants, taking his boxer briefs with them. Charity found that she wasn’t at all constrained by ideas of modesty as he stood up again – she wanted to look at him. His cock was large where it rested against his muscular thighs, and he didn’t seem at all concerned with her stare.
“See something you like?” he joked as he stood before her.
Charity almost couldn’t answer, her desire roiling up from between her legs, pooling in her stomach and making her tongue feel thick and heavy in her mouth. She wished she could go to him and run it over the sharp V of his hipbones, feel his muscles shifting beneath her hands…
“Come on,” she finally said, yanking her gaze back to his face and smiling. “You better do this, before I lose control of myself.”
Mason laughed a little – that low, deep chuckle in his throat that drove her wild.
But then, he started to change.
Where there had once been tanned skin, there was now golden fur – his hands spread out and became massive paws. A huge black and gold mane sprouted from his head and neck, and his eyes, gray-green in his human form, became a deep yellow.
It all happened so quickly that Charity barely had time to take it in. Almost before she knew it, it wasn’t Mason standing before her, but the largest and most majestic lion she had ever seen.
No, she quickly corrected herself. It was still Mason. Despite the fact that there was a massive lion standing in front of her, Charity could still, somehow, tell it was him. It was something about the way he looked at her – and the knowledge that despite the fact that he was now a fearsome creature, he would never hurt her. The massive muscles in his shoulders and haunches would only ever be used to protect her, and keep away anyone or anything that could bring her harm. The sharp, white teeth in his mouth would only ever come out against Jessup and his crew.
Charity had never felt so safe in all her life.
She’d only ever seen lions – or any kind of big cat – on nature documentaries, and she was mildly surprised at the size of him. But then again, Mason was big in his human body, so it made sense he’d probably be an especially big lion as well.
Reaching out, she stared down into his eyes. Mason stepped forward, nuzzling against the palm of her hand with his velvety nose. It tickled, and Charity felt a smile tugging at her lips.
“You’re just a big pussycat, really, aren’t you?” she whispered, raising her hand to bury her fingers in the thick fur of his mane. It was a little coarse against her hand, but she worked her way down through it until the tips of her fingers found the warmth of his skin, and she skritched him behind his ear.
Mason responded immediately, his eyes half-closing, and a deep, booming purr emanated from his chest.
Charity laughed. “Yep, just as I thought – a pussycat.”
To keep reading Lawman Lion, please .