Out of the Shadows by Bethany Shaw (Paranormal Romance) Tour Dates: 11/14/13 – 11/21/13
Lark opened her eyes, taking in the pitch black hotel room, illuminated only by the moonlight. Sweat beaded around her neck and brow. Hair stuck to the nape of her neck. She sat up and looked around at the barely visible furniture. Movement by the window caught her eye.
Devon stood at the window arms crossed over his chest. His broad shoulders accented by the bright white of the moon. Lark stared at the fine plains of his bare back. She licked her lips taking him all in. Her body shuddered recalling the way he’d felt pressed against her – the way his lips had caressed hers a day ago.
Lark blinked the images away. Thankful for the darkness that hid the heat creeping across her face. Her throat parched, she pushed the covers back to get a drink of water from the sink.
The cool water alleviated some of the heat, and glided down her parched throat. She pushed the wet strands out of her face and walked to the window. Devon hadn’t moved. Preston and the three other guys lay sound asleep on the floor. They’d been kind enough to give her the only bed.
“Do you not sleep?” Lark joined him at the window. Her eyes glued to the door across the street. To think, her sister was in that room. Lark wondered if Sarah was okay. Was she sleeping? In pain? Would they hurt her? The list went on and on.
“It’s my turn to keep watch. Daniel said they wouldn’t leave till morning, but I don’t want to risk it.” Devon looked over at her for a moment his eyes slipped down to take in her plaid pants before he turned back to the window.
She’d gone with Preston to the store earlier to pick up a few things. They’d both needed the distraction. She normally slept in boy-shorts, but after her run in with Devon the other morning, and considering she was sharing a room with five guys, she had thought better.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you guys were keeping watch. I can keep a look out if you want to rest.”
“It’s okay. Preston will take over in another half hour.” Devon shrugged. “I’m used to the late nights; it’s actually been a little bit of shell shock to get used to days. As an EMT I worked the twelve hour night shift. Most incidents happen at night, you get used to being up all night. My nights off I usually spent out too. Vincent likes to party. I went along for something to do and keep him out of trouble.”
“I can see that about Vincent. I bet you’ve seen some interesting things on your job?”
Devon smiled, the moonlight lit his hazel eyes. “People never cease to amaze you. I’ve seen the traumatic to the dramatic.”
Lark laughed. “I can imagine. You see stories on the news every so often, where someone calls 911 for a cheeseburger, or something ridiculous like that.”
“Those are the people who don’t understand the absorbent bill they get in the mail for our services either,” Devon chuckled.
The smile lit his entire face. It gave her a rare glimpse of him. Lark wondered what had happened in his past to make him so distant. Slowly, he seemed to be opening up to her. She hoped he continued to do so.
“I’m sure you get interesting characters in The Cookie Jar.”
“Yeah, about half my customers are regulars. It’s kind of nice getting to talk to everyone. You’d be amazed what people tell you though. I’ve heard so many things that I really didn’t want to know.” Lark placed her hands on the windowsill, leaning forward. She peered out the sheer curtains.
Her thoughts drifted back to Sarah and Emily; at least they had each other.
“They won’t hurt her.”
Lark looked up at him surprised, taking a moment to register his words. She nodded and sighed, eyes darting back to the door across the street. The street seemed to stretch endlessly. It felt like miles separated them instead of mere feet. She would feel better once she could hold Sarah in her arms again.
“Have you ever thought about becoming a doctor or a nurse? You know taking your training to the next level?” Lark needed a distraction and she was curious about Devon.
“My bedside manner sucks.”
Lark met his smile. “But would you?”
Devon leaned forward before rocking back on his heels. “I don’t know. I never really thought about it.”
Lark nodded. “I always enjoyed baking. I never in my life thought I’d own my own bakery. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
“I do like the blueberry muffins.”
“You guys do seem to have a sweet tooth. Well, actually, I’ve noticed you guys eat just about anything.”
Devon laughed. “It’s our metabolism. Especially when we shift a lot; it makes us hungry.”
“I can tell.” Lark looked over at him. “Do you do it often? Shift I mean?”
“I try to once a day; some days, like when I worked, I couldn’t. The wolf is a part of who we are. Shifting is important for our mental well being. As a rule, we try to shift three to four times a week. The only exception is when women are pregnant. The shift is harmful to the fetus since the body transforms from a human into a wolf.”
“Does it hurt when you change?” Lark couldn’t stop herself from asking.
“It’s a pleasure pain.”
“I imagine it’s exhilarating.”
“You really are genuinely interested aren’t you?” Devon turned to her eyes locked on hers.
Lark swallowed at the intensity of his gaze and lowered her eyes to the floor.
“I…I’m not trying to be rude.”
“I know.” Devon’s fingers grazed her chin, tilting it back up. “I’ve never met someone who’s been so understanding – who’s wanted to learn more.”
His thumb cupped her chin softly eyes glued to hers. She licked her lips in anticipation.
Slowly his face inched toward hers, their breath mingled. Her heart raced, and body scorched with arousal. His woodsy scent filled her nostrils. Eyes closed, his lips grazed against hers. Devon’s stubble scratched her chin; his lips so soft against hers.
Book 2 in the Werewolf Wars Series
is
Into the Unknown Coming Jan. 2014
Excerpt 2
UNEDITED, from Into the Unknown
Natalia leapt over the log, her paws sinking into the wet earth as she landed in the clearing where she’d left her clothes. Inhaling the dank leaves and rain one last time she looked around the area. Satisfied she was alone; she closed her eyes and focused on her transformation.
Wincing as her bones began to snap, Natalia gritted her teeth. Her black fur was sucked inward as her pink wolf flesh was replaced with honeyed skin. Long brown hair fell in her face as her bones continued to crack, realigning themselves. After several long painful moments, the transition was complete. Panting heavily, Natalia sat back on her bottom, trying to regain control of her breathing. Shaking, she rocked back and forth waiting for the dizziness and pain to ebb away.
Transitioning shouldn’t be this hard, she knew that. Most wolves did it within seconds – how, she had no idea. Perhaps it was because she was part human or maybe there was a trick to it. She couldn’t be sure.
Natalia stiffened, shooting to her feet she scurried to get her clothes. Grabbing her panties first, she slid into them as the sound of footsteps drew closer. Throwing on her jeans next, followed by her bra, her trembling fingers fought to fasten the back as Gene came into view.
“Go away,” Natalia hissed snatching her shirt up and covering herself with it.
“I’m sorry,” Gene said quickly turning his back to her.
Fumbling with her bra, she finally hooked it and threw her shirt on. “What are you doing out here?” she demanded, her face and ears burning.
Gene turned around, one eyebrow quirked up, a smile on his face. “This is my home. I was going for a run,” he said, indicating the open woods.
Natalia drew in a deep breath, her eyes inadvertently wandering to his bare, toned chest. The moon hit his tanned skin just right, illuminating the scars on his side. Claw marks. Even with the blemish, he was perfect. The grey running shorts he wore fit snugly, showing off his muscular thighs. Taking him all in, she veered up toward Gene’s face. His chiseled jaw and brown eyes stared at her intently.
He’s watching you while you are ogling him!
“I didn’t realize anyone else ran at this time,” she said entwining her hands together to control the shaking. Now she would have to find a new time to run. Apparently, it was too much to ask to have time to herself.
Gene shrugged and took a step toward her. “I run when I can. One of the downfalls to being alpha. I have very little time to myself.”
“Great,” Natalia mumbled as she bent over to pick up her sneakers.
Another bout of dizziness over took her and she stumbled forward the earth reached up to grab her when warm hands caught her under her arms.
“You okay?”
Natalia pulled away, tripping over herself before finding her footing. Brushing a long lock of hair from her face, she replied, “I am fine.”
“You are shaking,” Gene said, grasping her hand in his.
Natalia tried to wrench her hand free of his calloused grip, but couldn’t. She placed her other hand on his chest pushing him. Gene immediately dropped her hand.
Warmth pulsated into her hand where it still lay across his smooth skin. Goose bumps erupted on her flesh as she shivered from the contact. Confused she quickly yanked her hand away.
“Are you hurt?” Gene asked reaching out for her again but stopping himself.
“I am fine,” she repeated.
Gene frowned, watching her. “This happened when you turned?”
Natalia opened her mouth to lie but thought better of it. The problem was getting worse with each shift. Looking down at her feet, she nodded. As much as she didn’t want anyone’s help, she couldn’t let anything happen to herself. She needed to be there for Adrian.
“How long has this been going on?”
Natalia didn’t answer. Shifts had always been horrible. They were much worse now though.
“This isn’t normal, Natalia. Are you hurt or sick?”
“It is nothing new. My transitions have always been rough. I do not need you worrying over me,” Natalia said.
“No one ever showed you how to do it properly?” Gene asked stepping in front of her as she went to move off.
“I taught myself.”
Gene frowned. “You are hurting yourself the way you’re doing it. I can help you.”
“Why?” Natalia scoffed, moving around him.
“I’m sure it’s very painful for you. Our transformation should be enjoyable. A pleasure pain. Not a burden,” Gene said.
Natalia glared at him as he fell in step beside her. She did enjoy the freedom once she was the wolf but the transition was excruciating.
“And what do you want in return for helping me?” Natalia growled. There was always something with wolves.
“I only wish to help you.”
Natalia stopped and jabbed her finger out at him. “Do not lie to me. I know you are all the same. I sensed your arousal earlier. You say you will allow me to be free but I doubt it. You are just like the fake alpha and Juarez. Your intentions for me are not pure.” Heat scorched her face as her ears burned from the realization. Even more frightening, a small part of her – the wolf in her – was attracted to him.
Gene sighed and ran a hand through his brown hair. “You are a beautiful young woman and an alpha female. That doesn’t mean I would go back on my word. Help me defeat your grandfather and you will be free. I promise.”
“I don’t believe you are any different,” Natalia said. Her bottom lip trembled. Clenching it between her teeth, she met his eyes defiantly. She would not be a prisoner.
“Perhaps I can give you a sign of good faith. Would you like to call your alpha in Cabo San Lucas?”
“There is no alpha there. No wolves live there to my knowledge.”
“You and your mother were lone wolves?” Gene asked, his chocolate eyes widening.
“When my mother found out what a monster my father and grandfather were, she ran as far away as she could. She raised me and taught me what she knew about werewolves.” Sniffling she looked away, tears pricked her eyes as she thought of her mother.
“Then perhaps we can call her. Bring her here. I’m sure-“
“She’s dead,” Natalia snapped. “They killed her when they took me a year ago.”
A traitorous tear slid down her face, tickling her nose as it pooled on her lip. She could not appear weak in front of Gene. Swiping the tear away, she met his eyes. “I want Juarez to pay for what he did to my family. I will tell you everything I know about him.”
Taking a step forward, she stared Gene down. “One way or another, when this is over, I will be leaving your pack. There is nothing you can say or do to stop me.” Turning on her heel, she stomped away from him. Adrian was the only family she had left and she would do anything to protect her son. If she had to play nice with this alpha for the time being, she would, but freedom for her, and Adrian was her first priority.
Amazon Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Shadows-Werewolf-Wars-Novel-ebook/dp/B00ES2GX3O/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384674775&sr=1-3&keywords=out+of+the+shadows
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18375048-out-of-the-shadows?ac=1
About the Author
Reading Writing and Book Reviews 
Recent Comments