Shifters and Spice: A Shifter Romance Box Set Read online

  “I don’t understand, why wasn’t Olivia charged?”

  “As I said, at the time she wasn’t even suspected. She was so young and kept out of view from the rest of us, much like yourself. The offspring of the alphas are kept secret until they fully come into their own powers so no attempts on their lives are made. Hell, no one even knew you existed other than our pack.”

  This did not surprise her as much as one would think. As a child she remembered only her parents, she never went to school or had friends.

  “If my mother was so powerful how could a twelve-year-old kill her and my father?”

  Adam laughed bitterly. “Oh, it was far from easy. There were many attempts on your mother’s life that she brushed off as mere annoyance and nothing more. It wasn’t until Olivia came to work with a sorceress that she was able to tap into an ancient form of magick that went back to the original shapeshifter’s. Dark magick.”

  Sara rubbed her temples, feeling as if she’d walked into a darker version of Twilight. How in the world could this be reality? And yet she’d seen it with her own eyes. Her husband was not human.

  “Are you doing okay?” he asked.

  “Not really,” she answered honestly. “My head feels like it’s going to explode. How are there supernatural creatures just roaming the earth and no one knows? Shifters, sorceress, government involvement?”

  Adam smiled. “Sara, we are not of this Earth.”

  “What does that even mean?” she practically yelled. Oh dear god, now he was talking about aliens too?

  “We come from another star system. Originally we came to help a planet that was falling apart and once we arrived we were stuck in the same wheel of karma that the humans have to deal with. We couldn’t leave if we wanted. So we choose to live in secrecy. The last thing we want is to draw attention to ourselves.”

  “Can we get back to the part where my parents were killed? I’ll deal with the rest of this later, with more alcohol.”

  Adam ran his thumb across her hand, comforting. “Dark magick is what killed your parents. How Olivia got the sorceress to agree to go along with her plan has never been determined. There were several human sacrifices to conjure the magick needed to strip your parents of their ability to shift. Because they couldn’t shift or access their own magick they were easy prey.”

  Sara flinched at the phrase.

  “Thank goodness no one other than our clan knew of your birth. Youwere shielded, hidden from the rest of the world, or you would have been killed along with them.”

  “Why?” Sara asked, perplexed.

  “It’s not uncommon. You were next in line. Your blood line is of the original linage of the shifters on your mother’s side, and power is passed through the women, so it was expected that you would exceed your mother and be the strongest to walk the Earth.

  “Then how was I cursed to not shift? Or have children?”

  “It was added into the curse placed on your family line. It was just a precaution. Like I said, hidden family members were not unheard of so it made sense they would want to cross all the t’s and dot the i’s just in case offspring had been born.”

  “But how did you find me? If I was hidden?”

  A sad smile crossed Adam’s face. “I never lost you. I followed you your whole childhood, made sure I went to the same college, signed up for the same classes. I was in the background the whole time. Our bond is strong. I could never lose your scent.”

  Sara recoiled. “That’s more than creepy, Adam.”

  He shrugged. “I couldn’t do anything else. You have no idea the compulsion I have toward you. Even though you were stripped of your powers, our bond was there. I couldn’t have picked anyone else even if I wanted to. It’s always been just you.”

  Anger welled up inside of her. “Why did you try so hard to have a child if you knew it wasn’t possible?”

  “In the beginning I didn’t know that was part of the curse. No one did. When I’m away from you it’s not because I’m out fucking someone else, I’m out trying to find a way to reverse the curse. I’ve never given up hope that we’ll have children and you’ll take your rightful place.”

  For years she’d hardened her heart to the man before her. Now, her heart started to crack. There was a softening, and it was both painful and blissful.

  Adam reached over and swiped away tears she hadn’t been aware of.

  Taking a deep breath, Sara nodded. “I believe you.”

  Even though what he was saying was the stuff of fantasy novels, in her soul she knew he spoke the truth. A part of her even felt sorry for him. What must it be like to love someone knowing that you can never be what you were meant to be? The realization came over her. “You were supposed to be Alpha?”

  The side of his mouth quirked. “In my mind I’m Alpha, but you’re right, the next in line had to step in and take my place.”

  Fierce anger came over Sara, startling her. How dare that woman take her parents from her, her lineage, her own power? Her husband’s place?

  “Why does she still live?” Sara asked, her voice full of hate.

  “She’s very well protected. As you saw tonight, she’s always flanked by shifters of great power. Not only has she gained control of her pack, but she has managed to merge other species. They follow her blindly.”

  “What is Jonathan’s part in all of this?”

  One of Adam’s shoulders lifted. “I have no idea if he’s in league with her or if he is trapped, paired to a madwoman. But he knew who you were. I don’t know how, but he knew.” Adam drummed his fingers on the table. “The question is, did he tell his wife?”

  “When you were circling each other, you were talking?”

  “Yes.” Adam glanced away.

  “What were you saying?”

  Adam’s voice hardened. “I told him if I found out he’d mated with you, I would kill him and every wolf in their pack.”

  It was clear from the tone of his voice and the intensity in his eyes that he spoke the truth. This was a side of her husband she’d never seen, it frightened her more than a little.

  “Jonathan told me that you knew him, that you’d even attended his parties.”

  “Oh, I know him alright. I have to deal with him on a regular basis. Even though I lost my place as Alpha, I’m in charge of keeping the peace between the clans.”

  “What?” Sara’s back straightened. How could such a thing be asked of him?

  “It’s not like we’re friends. Far from it, but clans have always had to work together.”

  “Even after my parent’s death?”

  “It was never proven she was the one pulling the strings. The sorceress was killed, but we had no proof it was Olivia. Just a gut feeling.”

  This was getting more complex by the moment. “So you don’t know for sure it was her? What if it wasn’t?”

  “Honestly, I wasn’t one hundred percent sure until I saw you tonight with Jonathan. One look into his eyes and I knew, he knew who you were. I wanted to kill him for even looking at you, let alone touching you.”

  “Adam, if what you say is true about our bond, why was I attracted to Jonathan? I’ve never felt that kind of pull for another besides you.”

  He gave a short, bitter laugh. “Vampires aren’t the only ones that can use compulsion. He used his power over you, made you think things you wouldn’t have normally thought. Feel things that were conjured by his command. He could have made you do anything.”

  She froze at his words, and yet she could feel the truth in them. She hadn’t acted like herself. She’d written it off as an attempt to be spontaneous, but that bastard was leading her the whole way.

  “What would have happened if I’d had sex with him?” Sara asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

  Adam closed his eyes, when he spoke his words came out broken. “He would have claimed you for his own and there would be no way to break the curse.”

  What. The. Fuck? Why would he want to do something so spiteful? “
I don’t understand why he would do that. For his wife? I really don’t think she knew who I was, she didn’t seem all that interested in me.”

  “That’s what we need to figure out. What the hell is he up to? He’s playing with fire and I will scorch his ass and everyone he’s ever loved.”

  Frowning, Sara asked, “Why did you leave me there?”

  “I didn’t leave you. I was there the whole time, watching, seething. I knew you weren’t ready to know it was me who’d attacked, and truthfully, I was crushed. Jonathan had agreed to back away, for now. And had he made any moves to seduce you, I’d have killed him on the spot.”

  That explains why Jonathan’d gone ice cold on her.

  Sara closed her eyes, ashamed. “I’m sorry, Adam. I don’t know what came over me. I was caught up in the moment. I thought for sure all these years you’d been unfaithful. I know it’s not an excuse—”

  Adam rose to his feet and reached out for her hands, he pulled her into his arms. “I should have been a better husband. I promise you, Sara, from this day forward you’re going to be by my side. Together we will search for a way to reverse the curse.”

  A wave of heat radiated throughout her body. Once again, sensual energy emerged from her very being. As soon as she locked eyes with Adam she knew he was feeling the same.

  “Upstairs.” His gazed darkened as he rose to his feet. He was still nude from their earlier encounter, and Sara drank in his body with her gaze. his cock was ready and her own body taunt with desire.

  Without another word, she turned and ran up the stairs with him close behind her.

  Chapter 10

  Before she even made it through their bedroom doorway, she felt his breath on her neck. With the turn of his hand she spun around, facing him.

  “Knees,” he demanded.

  Without hesitating, she dropped to her knees. This was a side of Adam she’d always longed for in the back of her mind, but he’d never shown. After a brief hesitation, she slowly eased her mouth around the fullness of him. Adam ran his hands through her hair and guided her head back and forth over his long, thick cock. There were times before when this task had always seemed a chore, but now she found herself eager and willing. She couldn’t get enough. After several moments, he tugged at her hair. With a sigh she relaxed her mouth before he pulled her up to her feet.

  “I need to be inside of you.” His voice was hoarse. “Hands and knees, now,” he said with a stinging slap.

  Stunned, but excited, she dropped onto the bed, her ass in the air. Feeling very exposed, Sara couldn’t believe how turned on she was.

  Adam’s hand touched her ankle. Slowly, he traced his hand up the inside of her thigh. Her legs trembled as he made his way up, his fingertips like fire on her bare skin. “Spread your legs wider.”

  She spread her legs as wide as they would go. “That’s nice,” he murmured, bending his body over hers, his breath on her ear. He reached around and grabbed her breast and began lightly rubbing her nipples. “Do you like that?”

  “God, yes.” She could feel the tip of his cock nudging, but not entering. The feeling was maddening.

  “What about this?” He pinched harder, one of his hands dropping down, reaching around her body, spreading her fold. His thumb rubbed her clit with just enough pressure before he drove his fingers into her wetness. She rocked her hips back and forth, groaning.

  “You didn’t answer my question. Do you like this?” He drove his fingers deeper. His voice was practically a growl.

  “Yes!”

  She could feel his hard cock pressed against her ass. “Please,” she begged.

  “Please what?”

  “I want you inside of me. I can’t take this much longer.” Her head fell back, her body rocked, begging him to enter her.

  “What do you want inside of you Sara? My fingers aren’t enough?”

  “I need your cock inside of me. Please,” she whimpered.

  Adam took the tip of his cock and rubbed it back and forth before putting just the tip in. “Is this what you wanted?”

  “No.” Her breathing was ragged and her pulse racing.

  “You must tell me what you want.”

  “I want you to fuck me.” Her voice was hoarse with need.

  “Much better.” He plunged his cock deep inside of her as he dug his fingers into her waist.

  Grabbing her hair, he pulled back, bringing her body almost upright. She was very uncomfortable as he continued to fuck her hard from behind at the weird angle but she didn’t care, it was the most pleasure her body had received in years. He released her hair and leaned his body on hers and whispered in her ear as he played with her nipples. “Do you like this, Sara?” He continued to slowly slide his cock out and then quickly thrust it back into her. She screamed out in pleasure, which encouraged him to fuck her harder. “Yes, yes, I fucking love it.”

  Her body throbbed all over.

  “Me too.” He pulled out of her, leaving her feeling very empty and alone.

  She pouted, her body sagging forward. “Why did you do that?” she demanded, but when she turned around she knew why. He was fighting the shift. His eyes pale, his breathing ragged.

  “Just give me a minute.” He turned and walked toward the window.

  Overcome with curiosity, Sara held back her questions. What would happen if he did shift? If she was able to shift, would they shift at the same time and continue in their wolf form? What would it feel like to make love as a wild animal?

  Adam chuckled. “That’s a good question, I’ve never mated in my true form.”

  Startled, she said, “You can hear my thoughts?”

  “Of course.” He turned back toward her. “You have no idea how hard it has been all these years to hear how much you despised being married to me. Your thoughts of me being unfaithful. That was another reason I’ve stayed away so much. Your thoughts tore me apart.”

  “I wish you had told me,” Sara said, her voice quiet now.

  “You weren’t ready or willing to accept it. I guess I should thank Anna for bringing you to that party. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to talk to you about all of this.”

  Sara sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. “That has been bothering me. Why didn’t Anna tell me she knew you? Does she know who, what you are?”

  “Yes, she knows. She is a regular at those parties. There are groups of humans that like to live on the edge. You have to have an open mind but there are many that are open to the occult, the supernatural.”

  That did sound like Anna. It still hurt that she hadn’t come clean with Sara. Maybe she thought it was something she had to learn on her own. “Why does she hate you so much?”

  Adam shrugged. “She’s sort of a personal pet of Olivia’s. I’m sure it’s just bled over from the animosity between the clans.”

  Sara was definitely going to have a long talk with her friend—sooner rather than later.

  “Enough about that, get over here and kiss me.”

  With a smile, Sara padded across the room. He pulled her into his arms, lowering his head. When their lips met, Sara sighed. The thrill of knowing who her husband was, who she had the potential to become, was intoxicating. Once again their bodies merged. They didn’t even make it the few steps back to the bed.

  Sara eased down to the ground, Adam’s body eagerly covering her own. She trembled beneath his touch, and the way he spoke her name sent a quiver throughout her body as he sank deep inside of her. Her need for him was wild and intense. Their reconnection was exhilarating, and she felt connected to him in a way that she’d never felt before, not even in their earlier days of falling in love.

  As he continued to thrust, Sara wrapped her body around him, locking her ankles around his back pulling him in deeper. They couldn’t get close enough. Lost in a sensual haze, they rediscovered each other, touching and exploring as if it were their first time.

  Whenever she would feel the tension in his body, he would still himself. She’d run her fing
ers through his hair, and they’d wait for the urge to pass before he continued. She didn’t know how long they spent with their bodies locked together in a myriad of positions. When he finally shuddered in her arms as he climaxed again, Sara cried out along with him. Never in her life had she known such pleasure, and she knew this was just the beginning.

  Chapter 11

  Emotions swirled through Sara as she listened to the beat of Adam’s heart, her head on his chest. “This is going to get messy isn’t it?”

  “Oh yeah,” Adam said, a tinge of regret in his voice. “I will not stop until your power is restored as well as your place with the pack. I can feel it in my bones, Sara, it’s so close.”

  Despite herself, Sara felt the same. How absurd was it that only yesterday she was clueless to her heritage, to the supernatural world in general, and now she was immersed. She found herself eager to learn more, to find out about her parents, learn more about what it meant to be a shifter.

  “Does the rest of the pack know who I am?”

  Adam grinned as he rose to his feet and reached out his hand. Sara grabbed it, her legs feeling like jello. “Oh yeah, they give me shit all the time about being married to a human, but they know within you lies more power than they could ever hope to possess.”

  Sara dropped into the bed, propping herself by a pillow. “You said earlier that my mother was stronger than most. Why is that? What made her so special?”

  “The pendant on your neck,” Adam said as the side of his mouth quirked up.

  Sara reached down and held the silver pendant between her fingers. “What does Diana have to do with my mother?”

  “Let’s just say she’s a distant relative and her blood flows in your veins.”

  Shock rippled throughout Sara’s body. She was literally shaking. “What? Are you serious? The Roman goddess—goddess of the hunt, the moon and nature—is my relative?”

  He nodded. “Do you remember how you got the pendant?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’ve just always had it as long as I could remember. I knew it came from my old life, before my parents were killed. I didn’t even know who the deity was until I was in college and took a class on mythology.”