Shift: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance Page 7

  I yanked it from him and rushed to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I slid to the floor as the tears pooled and dripped from my lashes.

  “Where are you, Case?” I whispered.

  I stared at the bag. My fingers shook as I fumbled with the zipper. I touched the crystal beads intricately covering white satin.

  This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t imagine how I’d possibly force myself into that dress. I should be marrying Case. I should be exchanging vows with him. Pledging my life and my love to him. To raise our children together. To be by his side as he ruled. That’s what I should be doing.

  I picked myself up off the floor.

  These babies deserved a mother who was strong. Someone who would do whatever it took to survive. I pulled off my T-shirt and jeans.

  I could lie through a set of vows. I could put on a stupid dress if it meant my children would live. I stepped one leg and then the other into the satin. I pulled the zipper along my side. I swore my stomach already looked swollen. Another seemingly impossibility turned reality.

  My breasts spilled over the top like milky white mounds. There was no question Hayden was a breast man. Everything he’d chosen for me was low cut and tight.

  I ran my hands over my body, feeling new sensations shooting through me. I tingled with something I’d only felt when Case looked at me. I was on fire with sensitivity. Every time I moved my hands my skin felt heat. I closed my eyes. It was the damn hormones. I was horny as hell. In this desperate, hopeless time my body was alive with impulse and a craving to be touched.

  I squeezed my eyes closed. I had to push it aside. I needed something to take my attention away from how my nipples tingled as they strained against the fabric. I almost whimpered, adjusting the top of the dress.

  This was insane. This afternoon I refused to believe that Daphne was even close to being right and now all I could think about was sex. I gripped the counter. My sexual appetite had suddenly been awakened. Oh God.

  “You ok in there?” Anthony tapped on the door. “We need to get going. The ceremony starts at midnight.”

  “Give me a minute,” I eked.

  I panted, feeling the hormones rush through me. I didn’t feel like myself. I felt hot and sinfully seductive. My body was screaming for Case. I scolded myself, it was Case I wanted, not anyone else.

  I pulled my shoulders back and opened the door.

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  Anthony’s eyes bulged from his face. “Wow. You look amazing.”

  He handed me the bouquet of white roses.

  I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to admit what his stare did to me. I was already a hot horny mess.

  I stepped into the matching shoes. “I just want it over.”

  He nodded. “Hayden is a lucky man.”

  I shot him the evilest glare I could muster. “He is an asshole. And I am not willingly going through with the ceremony.”

  “He will treat you like a queen.”

  “I’m already treated like a queen. I have a mate.” I didn’t know why I bothered arguing with Anthony. He was a soldier.

  “Let’s go.” He held out his arm.

  As I touched the sleeve of his jacket a little thrill ran through me when I felt how strong and solid his bicep was. Damn hormones.

  He turned off the light and walked me toward my new mate.

  19

  Case

  We kept low to the ground. I didn’t know how many acres were between the canal and the place where Litchfield was holding Cadence.

  I held up my finger to the Tribe. “I need to call Dare and warn her.”

  They waited while I dialed her number.

  “Hey,” she answered.

  “You need to get out of town.”

  “I’m working a lead with Bey.”

  “I know, but you’re one of the targets, kitty. I need you to leave. But don’t go back to Sullen’s Grove until I know it’s safe.”

  “What?”

  I knew she’d be stubborn about it. “Just trust me. If you want to help, get out of here before I have to rescue your ass too.”

  She growled. “Fine. But I don’t like it. I don’t like leaving like this.”

  “Me either. But you’re on the Litchfield hit list. Hayden is after you next.”

  “I can take care of myself. I’m not h—” She stopped.

  “You’re not human.” I sighed. “Just go, kitty. Be safe. I’ll call you when this is over. Grab your husband on your way west.”

  “He would probably like that. Thanks for the heads up.”

  I hung up and rejoined the Tribe.

  “How’d the queen take that?” Noah asked.

  “Defiant as always.” I rolled my eyes. “Let’s keep moving.”

  We crept forward, heading west. The Tribe flanked me on either side. Once we broke through the path I spotted the house.

  “Holy shit,” Ronan whispered.

  It was a mansion. A full-fledged historic plantation that had been renovated to look as if time had stood still.

  “She’s in there,” I growled.

  But from here it looked as if the place had at least fifty rooms. I didn’t know where to lead the attack or where to start.

  She could be in a basement or one of the out buildings.

  “Look.” Eli pointed ahead.

  The front doors opened and two of the jaguars walked onto the wraparound porch. They had on tuxedos. What the hell?

  We crouched to the ground, crawling on our bellies. There was a candlelight in the windows. This didn’t look like a kidnapping scene. Since when did guards wear formal attire.

  Noah glanced at me. “What do you want to do? Should we call in the others? Josh and Drew are in the city.”

  I heard the slow rise of the sounds of violins drifting through the door. I noticed the rose petals sprinkled on the porch.

  “Is that … is there a ceremony?” Eli croaked.

  Fuck.

  I jumped to my feet.

  Noah raced after me. I took off for the back of the house. I didn’t know how much time we had, but there was no way I’d wait another second. Hayden was planning a wedding with my mate. He had stolen her from my house. Right under the noses of my army. He had taken her and my baby. And he was trying to make her his. Bastard.

  “Wait,” Eli hissed. “We don’t want to sound an alarm.”

  I halted in my tracks. He was right.

  “We have to move quickly,” I insisted. “I don’t know how far things have gotten.”

  Noah and Ronan caught up to us. “They are walking inside. It might be starting.”

  “No mercy,” I growled. “Take them out. All of them. And whoever sees Cadence first get her out of the house.”

  They nodded.

  We moved toward the house.

  All hell was about to break loose.

  20

  Cadence

  I was doing my best to not think about what was happening, to hide away into the deepest recesses of my mind. To turn myself on auto-pilot. I didn’t want to remember a single second of this. How could I say the words? How could I pledge myself in a ceremony when my heart and soul belonged to someone else?

  I gripped Anthony’s arm so I didn’t trip on the long layers of my dress as we walked down the stairs.

  I felt the heat of his body and my spine shivered from the contact. I knew I wasn’t attracted to this jag. I felt nothing for him, but for the first time in my life I wasn’t sure I could trust my body. If he stopped and kissed me on the stairs, I might just go for it. I was out of control under my skin.

  I wanted to scold the cubs, but they had no idea what the pregnancy was doing to me.

  I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs. “I don’t want to go in there, Anthony.”

  He turned toward me. “It’s a simple ceremony. Hayden will guide you through it.”

  I tugged on the cuff of his sleeve. “I can’t. I can’t marry another man.”

  “
What choice do you have?” I heard the resignation in his voice. He didn’t think I had a choice. Why should I?

  And then I felt the hormones surge. The will of my body leading me somewhere I’d never gone. I turned my pouty lips toward him.

  “Take me somewhere, Anthony.” I pressed my body close to his and sighed. “Take me anywhere you want.” My lips parted slightly.

  I heard the low growl rise from his chest.

  “You’re beautiful, Cadence.” He locked onto my eyes.

  My pulse quickened. “Please. We could run away.”

  His grin was wicked. “And what? You offering me something?”

  Was I? Was I getting ready to trade sex for my freedom? Was that even freedom? As soon as I thought about sex, my body prickled with desire. I could do it, I thought. To get out of the ceremony I could do anything.

  I nodded. “Yes. A trade.”

  His eyes glimmered green in the dark hallway. His thumb brushed over my lips. I closed my eyes. I was close to getting what I wanted. He was going to cave.

  His hand traced my jawbone and the line of my throat.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered.

  Freedom was only seconds away. I could feel it. He would whisk me out of here and I would find another way to get out of the next part. I’d keep lying and cheating until I was back in Case’s arms. Until my babies were safe.

  My eyes lifted. He was taking too long to explore my skin. Too long to make a decision.

  “I would love to make you mine,” he admitted. “But I’d never betray my king. Never,” he whispered.

  I startled back to reality.

  “What?”

  “He’s waiting.”

  I tried to step back. “But—we could run away.”

  He wrapped a strong arm around my waist. “And he’d kill me without a second thought. No girl is worth that. Come on.”

  He lifted me from the floor and my toes drifted over the hardwoods as Anthony deposited me at a pair of doors I didn’t recognize.

  “What room is this?”

  “The ballroom.” He pushed open the door.

  I froze as the guests rose from their seats and the musicians began to play the Wedding March. There had to be at least a hundred people in there.

  There was a little shove as Anthony pushed me into the aisle. He walked around the side and took his place next to Hayden.

  All eyes were on me.

  I clutched my bouquet. I looked over my shoulder, but there were three jaguars standing guard. The only way to go was forward. I stepped hesitantly.

  Hayden’s eyes landed on me and he smiled.

  I hated him. Hated him with everything I had. I took another step.

  The violins echoed a crescendo.

  Daphne was in the front aisle, grinning at me. I wondered if she had known about the wedding when we spoke earlier. She looked like a beaming mother of the bride in a cream satin dress. It made my stomach turn.

  I made it to the end of the aisle. Hayden offered his hand to me.

  “Love.” He stepped forward.

  My palm slid against his. I cringed. How would I ever explain this to Case? How would I ever look in his eyes again and tell him how much I loved him?

  A tear slipped from the corner of my eye.

  “Don’t cry, love,” Hayden whispered in my ear. “This is a beautiful night. You are exquisite. A woman has never looked more beautiful than you do.”

  I was standing in a room with shifters. Shifters who were either friends or allies of Hayden. This was not the time to retaliate or protest. My chance to flee with Anthony had passed.

  “I promise tonight will be special.”

  He took my hand and I faced the officiant.

  Hayden’s words scared me in a way that darkened my soul and my heart. In that moment I finally found it. I found the way to turn off my emotions and lock away the little part of me that I had left.

  I nodded. “Of course it will. Very special.”

  He kissed me on the cheek and I prepared to say my vows.

  21

  Case

  We slipped in through the kitchen door. The chef was busy preparing for the wedding dinner. I pointed at Eli.

  He pounced, ripping into the chef’s throat before he had time to scream for help. We stepped over his body and into the hallway.

  We listened for sounds from the ceremony. I strained to hear Cadence’s voice.

  Noah stopped. “I hear too many heart beats.”

  He had exceptional hearing. The kind of quality I hoped for in my soldiers.

  “How many?” I asked.

  “Too many to count.” I saw the worry on his face.

  “We can take them,” I argued.

  Noah shook his head. “It will be a massacre.”

  “Are you saying you won’t go on my orders?”

  He lowered his head. “I would never say that. But I don’t want you to die. I don’t want any of my brothers to die.”

  “We can’t sit here and do nothing while she pledges herself to him.”

  I felt Eli’s hand on my shoulder. “It may be the only way to save her.”

  “Then we take her when she’s alone. After the ceremony.” I hated the words as soon as I said them.

  Noah agreed. “If we walk into a room with over a hundred shifters there is no way to protect her.”

  “I know,” I growled.

  “Then we wait.” Eli leaned against the wall.

  “We wait.”

  “What about him?” Ronan pointed at the chef we had slaughtered.

  “Shit,” I muttered. “We have to clean this up before they get out of there.”

  “We’ve got it,” Ronan volunteered. They hustled to the kitchen and removed the chef through the back steps.

  I noticed the catering coats hanging on the back wall of the pantry. I tossed one to each of the guys. “Put these on. We’re going to hide in plain sight.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I nodded. “I know my way around the kitchen.” Cadence had taught me a lot in only a few months. I watched her cook and bake. I loved how she hummed to herself when she rolled out dough. How she would stay up all night preparing one of my favorite meals for the next day.

  I tied the apron behind my back. This would work.

  The chef had been topping a kale salad with sesame sprinkles. I picked up the canister and began to douse the rest of the salads.

  “We have to get these finished.”

  Somewhere in this house my mate was in a ceremony with a man determined to steal everything I had. Truth was he could take the damn land. He could have the Charleston territory. I’d sit down and negotiate with him if it meant getting Cadence and the baby back.

  But we were past that point. We were already in the midst of a battle. The war had been waged.

  I handed a platter of salads to Noah. “Find the dining room.”

  He nodded. “And if they figure out who I am?”

  “Fight like hell.”

  “Got it.”

  I turned and prepared the next serving of salads.

  22

  Cadence

  It happened in a blur. Maybe a nightmare. Hayden’s lips crashed against mine as the ballroom erupted in cheers. The vows had been exchanged. I was now officially Hayden’s mate. Except for one small detail.

  He lifted my hand in the air as if we had just completed something victorious.

  There were more cheers. Daphne smiled lovingly.

  Hayden whisked me down the aisle and into the hallway. The guards greeted us outside the door.

  “Wait a minute.” He held up a hand toward them, and then his eyes set on mine.

  He grinned before taking my lips softly. It was a gentle kiss. A tender kiss. His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me against his chiseled body.

  “You are mine, my love.”

  I tried to find air in the small space between us. The guards waited patiently.

  “I assume there is so
me sort of reception?” I asked. I had no idea what to expect next.

  “Yes. Your introduction to the Litchfield clan. Most of them have traveled from Florida. My sisters would love to meet their new sister-in-law.”

  “And then?”

  “We have dinner. There is dancing. And then you and I leave for our honeymoon.”

  “Honeymoon?”

  He grinned. “My favorite part.”

  My knees buckled. I had to get through one obstacle at a time. I had survived this long. I would find a way out of consummating our bond. First, I needed to make it through the reception.

  “Shall we?” He extended his hand. The guards flanked us on all sides.

  We strolled through the hallway to the parlor. The doors were open to the adjoining drawing room.

  “We have a small cocktail hour before dinner will be served. I did make sure to order lots of non-alcoholic bubbly for you.”

  “How thoughtful.”

  “Of course, no need to mention that to the guests. We’ll announce your pregnancy as soon as we return from Greece.”

  “Greece?”

  Hayden plucked a tall champagne flute as one of the waitresses walked past us. “Yes, I have an estate there. You can relax once we’re there. The ocean views are beautiful.”

  “I’m sure. But it seems like an extravagant trip.” I sniffed one of the drinks. I smelled like strong apples.

  “Nothing is too extravagant for you, love.”

  I took a sip. I was immediately cloaked in the slender arms of two beautiful women.

  “Oh, Cadence. It was such a beautiful ceremony.”

  I tried to break free.

  “Girls,” Hayden cleared his throat. “Do not suffocate my bride.”

  They giggled. “So sorry. I’m Sylvie. And this is my sister Harley.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  They were stunning. Green eyes and long dark hair. Sylvie was slightly taller than Harley. I could see the family resemblance between the three siblings.

  “I couldn’t believe it when Hayden told us he was getting married.” Harley looked up at her brother. “I think it’s going to be a wonderful marriage.”