Chapter 1 – *Shifter Romance*

I’ve decided to let you read chapter 1 of my latest story (because i’m sure i’ll finish it at some point (hopefully sometime soon.)) Be warned there is some swearing and coarse language!!

So here it is:

 

Kaitlin Mahone shifted on her perch—a branch half way up an old oak tree—and watched the sleek black car, that had just rumbled underneath her position, turn into the compound further up the street.

Four men got out, dressed in tight jeans and t-shirts. Judging from their muscular builds she’d reckon they were fighters. They looked around, their eyes glinting amber in the street light, and seemed to sniff the air. Luckily the steady breeze was blowing towards her so her scent wouldn’t indicate her presence.

She frowned for a second. What were the wolves doing meeting the bears? They were supposed to be enemies. Like the cat clans were with the wolves—dogs and cats and all that.

With her enhanced hearing she heard the door set into the compound open and the men turned to be greeted by the dozen or so bears. Except one, who was staring at the oak tree she was in with a fierce intensity. Kaitlin held her breath. Wolves’ hearing and sight was just as good as hers, a puma, and she couldn’t afford to be seen. After what seemed like an eternity but was probably mere seconds, he turned away and joined his brethren in greeting the bears.

Turning her attention to the cat clans supposed allies she saw that at the head of the group was Tito, the second in command and her on/off lover. Her jaw clenched hard at his deceit. She’d only seen him earlier this evening and he hadn’t said anything to her. A snarl left her lips as she watched the group of men enter the large brick building.

Only three things made her shift: anger, pain and her will. She was angry enough now but she forced herself to relax. She needed to stay in control because if she changed, the animal took charge and even ten years after making her first shift at the age of thirteen, she still wasn’t completely in control of the wild animal inside her.

The heavy metal gates clunked shut behind them and she took in a quick breath before she started to climb down from her thirty-foot high branch. She jumped down to the next branch, about five feet below, and landed with prefect balance in the centre. Luckily for her, cats had a good sense of distance and balance and the traits had ingrained themselves in her too. Kaitlin quickly lowered herself to the bottom branch; it was still about nine feet off the ground and she dropped off into thin air. She landed on all fours with only the tiniest sound and glanced around, hoping she hadn’t drawn attention to herself from any shifter in the vicinity.

She didn’t hear anything.

Rising to her feet she set off in the opposite direction to the compound, going to the black motorcycle she’d hidden in the corn field that ran the length of the street.  Reaching into the under-seat storage she pulled out her mobile and sent a message to her friend, telling her where she was and that if she wasn’t back by morning to let her parents know. They’d come looking for her, she was sure.

Putting the phone back she walked back up to the street and moved towards the compound. The walls must have been fifteen-foot high; no problem for her at all, and topped with sharp spikes.

She needed to get inside and see what was going on.

Bending her knees, she pushed up quickly and flew up into the air. A puma could jump eighteen feet upwards in one bound but Kaitlin didn’t want to jump that far. Grabbing two spikes she stealthily pulled herself upwards and crouched on the wall top as she scanned her surroundings.

There were several watchmen about. They must be guarding the meeting between the two supposed enemies. Anger clawed at her again, wanting out. She forced it down.

Kaitlin counted six men below her, too close together to attack undetected. Her gaze darted across to the rooftop of the building. It wasn’t far, maybe ten feet. She could easily make it, but where did she go from there? She scoured the rooftop looking for steps, a hatch, a door, anything that might indicate she could get into the building.

There! She could see the outline of a roof hatch at the far end.

Kaitlin took a steadying breath and stood. A gust of wind pushed against her but she stayed steady. Her gaze locked on the roof edge as she bent her knees…and leapt. She made it easily and crouched low to lessen the sound of impact, her leathers squeaking in protest of the movement. She forgot to breathe for a second.

No-one seemed aware of her presence. Good.

Standing, Kaitlin set off for the roof-hatch. It squealed and she grit her teeth as she eased it open, trying to do it as quietly as possible. She stuck her head through the gap, listening for approaching “allies” and enemies alike.

Nothing.

She ran down the stairs, silent as possible in her biker boots, and followed the long corridor until she found the steps leading downstairs. Casting one last glance around, she slowly descended.

Voices carried to her through the corridors as she reached the second level. She wasn’t close enough to hear the words but it helped her locate them. Creeping down the corridor she listened intently for a wolf shifter coming towards her or for the groups’ whereabouts. The group were easy to find, they were in a large office at the end of the corridor and their voices carried easily in the otherwise deserted building.

“You want an alliance with the bears?” Tito asked.

“We do,” a deep voice rumbled.

There was a short pause. “You do understand that we are aligned with the cats?”

“Oh, we know. We also know that you’re fucking one of the council member’s daughters.”

Her hands balled into fists at her sides.

“Mahone? Yeah, she’s a wildcat in the sack.” He laughed and everyone else joined in.

Kaitlin’s stomach lurched and she pressed her hand to her mouth.

“I’m only doing it in the hopes of getting in her daddies good books and getting my own seat on the council.”

“We hear she’s a looker?” Tito murmured his agreement. “Makes it easier to fuck a hot girl than an ugly one I guess.”

“She’s likes it rough, too.” Tito added.

Mortification ran through her. He was telling them about private matters like they were old friends. She didn’t want to hear any more, she knew the basics of the matter and would report back to the council about it.

Kaitlin backed up and headed back down the corridor she’d come. Her thoughts were a jumble and she didn’t hear the light footsteps heading her way until it was too late and she was face to chest with a six-foot-four wolf shifter.

They both moved into a fighting stance at the same time and stood glaring at each other. He was built like every other wolf, tall and muscular. They tended to be attractive but this one was more than that. He was gorgeous; mesmerising with his golden amber eyes. She saw his nose twitch and knew he was scenting the air.

“Cat,” he breathed.

Her fists clenched tight. She didn’t have time for this! Inching to the side he mirrored her, like she knew he would, keeping the same distance between them. She needed to get out of here before all hell broke loose.

“You’re the same cat who was watching us when we arrived.” His voice was still soft, barely audible, and she frowned across at him as she continued to slowly circle.

Why hadn’t he called for back-up?

His hands dropped and he lost the fighting stance—totally confusing her and spurring her into action. Dropping low, she swung her left leg and made contact with both of his, toppling him to the floor before she ran as fast as she could, up the corridor and the stairs to the third floor and escape.

Kaitlin had made it to the roof before a hand fastened around her wrist and swung her around. Her fist came up and connected with his cheek. Pain radiated up her arm and she gritted her teeth against it. Adrenaline flooded her system and stopped most of the pain as she readied herself for a fight.

She heard him swear under his breath as he grabbed for her. She swung again but she wasn’t quick enough.

“Cat!” He growled angrily as he captured her struggling arms against her body with an arm around her waist and the closeness of his body. His other hand tangled in her dark blonde hair and tugged until she met his gaze defiantly. “You fight well for a woman,” he complimented in a low velvety voice.

A low hiss left her and he chuckled. “Not going to work on me, sweetheart. I’ve been up against much worse.” His eyes dropped to her leather clad body, “Much worse,” he repeated softly.

Kaitlin tried to ignore how good his voice sounded; all warm and velvety soft. The way he’d looked at her only a moment ago, like she was something he wanted to ravage. Her breathing quickened at the thought of them together. She could feel every ridge of muscle in his body and she shuddered. He felt amazing. Before she realised she was wriggling against him and he growled low in his throat as his gaze glinted gold in the street-light.

Wolf!

Just like that reality returned and she pushed him away, causing him to stumble backwards. She watched him with wide eyes for a second before turning on her heel and jumping from the roof, over the wall and into the darkness beyond.

His heated curse followed her.

Leanne Crabtree © 2012

It stills needs quite a bit of work before it’s complete…