The Salem Shifters: Complete Series Books 1-3 Read online

  The Salem Shifter Series

  Meredith Clarke

  The Salem Shifter Series (Formerly part of Discovery/ Summer in Salem)

  Published By Laurelis Press

  Copyright © 2015 Laurelis Press

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places or events are entirely the work of the author. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or places is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please purchase only authorized editions and do not participate in piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Cover art by Cover Up Designs

  The Luck of the Bear

  Salem Shifter One

  Meredith Clarke

  Prologue

  “Ladies and gentlemen, feel the pencil between your fingers, watch the edges of his form and use subtle strokes. Shading is also a key technique in figure drawing. Make sure you focus on every detail of his body, this is the only day we have our male model.”

  I tried to steady my hand as I looked over my drawing pad to make eye contact with the beautiful model in front of me. His gorgeous short blonde hair and dark blue eyes were magnetic. I allowed my eyes travel down his neck and shoulders all the way to his hips where a piece of white cloth covered his manhood. Figure drawing was the hardest, but it was also my favorite class. It was difficult but my professor, Dr. Yeng, was a very well-known artist and an excellent teacher so she made it interesting. I also liked pulling the story out of a person just from the look of their eyes. My eyes moved back up his naked body, eventually settling upon the model’s blue eyes once more. The hard thing about this model was that I knew his story. There was an arrogant smile upon his face but I knew that he was calm and sweet and loving. The model was my boyfriend.

  Nick and I had been dating for almost two years, and we met in a class much like this. Were both taking sculpture at the time and although I was terrible with my hands, he was completely brilliant. He would tutor me and show me his skills, and from then on we were inseparable. As the class began to wrap up, people thanked the model and everyone cleared out besides me. Nick lay there as the sun began to set and I watched the rise and fall of his bare chest, continuing to shade in his muscles, completely immersed in my drawing.

  “Miss Matthews, I think our model has had quite enough for the evening.” Nick smiled back at Dr. Yeng, he was quite the charmer.

  “No, it’s fine, I would like to see her finish.”

  She nodded, her thick gray curls shaking around her face, “Very well then. Miss Matthews be sure to lock up when you’re finished. Good night.”

  I waved at her as she slowly closed the door to the studio. I walked over to the stereo and turned on some soft jazz music to accompany me while I worked. I knew Nick would start talking now though, he couldn’t keep quiet when it was just me and him.

  “Great class, huh?”

  “Mmmhmm,” I agreed still focused on my work.

  “When you’re done, do you want to get something to eat?”

  “I don’t think I can. I have that huge test coming up in Art History on Monday, damn Renaissance. I swear to God, I don’t know anything about it.”

  “Oh come on,” he teased, “I’ll study with you next week.” He began to pull the single sheet of fabric down just a little further so that I could now see the shape of his hip and the paler skin moving along his thigh. I rolled my eyes at him, smiling.

  “You stop that. You know I can’t say no.”

  He stood up and walked over to me, now completely exposed. “Then don’t.”

  I looked around me to make sure no one would find out. He took advantage of my exposed neck and began kissing down the right side of my body. I closed my eyes in ecstasy feeling helpless to my emotions. Sitting on my stool drawing his naked figure all night had put my sex drive into overload. I wanted every piece of Nick, every inch of his skin to touch my own. His light kisses felt like a dream, I dropped my drawing pad and pencil, turning my body so that I could wrap my legs around him. He quickly removed my loose sweatshirt so that we were skin to skin. He was warm to the touch and he made me feel alive. When his lips touched mine I felt the way I did every time he kissed me, like the world around me just fell away. Nick was my everything.

  He pulled away from me and took my hand to lead me over to the platform he had been posing on. He laid back, his head resting on a pillow. He was so relaxed when it was just the two of us. No false pretenses to be had, he didn’t have to keep up the lifestyle or attitude his family expected. I took off my leggings before climbing on top of him. I loved feeling him underneath me. I loved him, every part of him.

  Lazily he threw his arm above his head, knocking a can of paintbrushes over in the process.

  “Shh Nick. What if someone comes back in here?”

  “Doesn’t that make this all that more exciting?” He smirked.

  He grabbed my ass as he swiftly lifted me further onto him. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he crushed my mouth with his lips. I could already feel my excitement growing as he ran his hands through my hair.

  “Grab on to me,” he grunted.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and tightened my legs. He picked me up again and moved me to the ornate Victorian lounge chair used for figure drawing on the other side of the room. He laid me down gently and I couldn’t help but revel in his naked beauty. I let out a slight giggle as I felt his lips brush against my thighs and laid back onto the chair letting as he moved up pushing his hips into mine. I could see his hardness and wanted nothing more for him to be inside me.

  As he started to kiss my neck I felt goosebumps spread down my body. I arched my back up pressing my chest against his and slowly rolled my hips underneath him. Nick grabbed the back of the lounge chair for support as he grinded himself on top of me.

  I ran hand down his hard chest to his hips. He took a sharp intake of breath when I slipped my hand down and started to caress him. He pulled his hips off of mine to allow me to have more access to run my hand slowly over him. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

  “Like that, huh?” I asked.

  “You know I love it when you touch me,” he said.

  He moved back to stand up and I bit my lip as I trailed my eyes over his hard muscles. He leaned back over me and slowly ran his fingers between my legs over my lace panties. A shudder ran through my body when he touched me and I heard him chuckle in approval.

  He continued to run his fingers slowly up and down my slit making my back arch up in response. He started to tease me by slowly running his fingers across my pantie lines. With each movement he slightly moved underneath the fabric making the anticipation of his touch build inside me.

  Nick’s fingers pushed farther under the fabric, slightly grazing my clit and a loud moan escaped my lips. He used his left hand to push my panties aside and started to trail his fingers up and down my slit again.

  “You are so wet,” he said. All I could do was nod as he slowly pushed his fingers inside me. I felt my whole body shiver as he slowly started to move his hand back and forth.

  I rolled my hips in response and bit my lip to stop my orgasm from building too quickly. He pushed his fingers back inside me and moved them up so he was pressing up against my g-spot. Knowing that this would push me over the edge he took his free hand and gently rubbed m
y clit as he pushed up a bit harder.

  I felt a shiver run through my body as the pressure inside me boiled over. I pushed my hips onto to his hands and I cried out as my orgasm took over. Nick smiled as he watched me come. When the pleasure subsided he removed his hands he leaned down over me and started to tease me with the tip of his cock. I felt my body shake from sensitivity but I craved more of his touch.

  He slowly ran himself up and down like he did with his fingers which caused me tighten my legs around his waist.

  “Nick, I need you inside me,” I moaned.

  “But I like teasing you,” he smirked.

  He moved his tip to my clit and started to rub a little harder than before. As he moved himself down again, I knew I couldn’t take it any longer. I grabbed onto his hips and pulled him inside me. He grunted as he pushed himself deeper allowing me to feel him completely.

  I started to slowly grind my hips as he used the back of the lounge chair for support. He pulled out slowly about to tease me again but I wouldn’t allow it. I quickly pulled him back down on top of me.

  I pushed my hips up to meet his as he started to pump in and out. He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me up so I was now straddling his lap. I grabbed the back of the chair and I grinded onto of him. He ran his hands up my back quickly unlatching my bra and pulled me forward, holding my back so my chest was pressed up to his face. I leaned my head back as his tongue ran across my hard nipple making me move my hips faster. I felt the tension inside me mounting and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer. He lightly started to run his teeth across my nipple as his left hand lightly tugged on my other one.

  My hands clamped down on the back of the chair as I moved my hips faster. He pushed his hips up into mine and leaned his head back. I continued to ride him until the tension exploded my body shiver in ecstasy. He thrusted his hips up as he let go as well and I came harder feeling him come inside me.

  *****

  I stayed up late studying for my test and found myself waking up with my face in my book the next morning. I promised Nick, at the end of our night together, that we would meet up for lunch today. I trudged downstairs to make myself some coffee in order to wake up before taking a shower and getting ready to meet him. The house was quiet, eerily still. On a Friday morning my home was usually bustling with energy as my parents prepared for work. I typically stayed in my apartment, but it was so close to certain distractions that I chose to stay at home after class in order to study in peace. But when I arrived downstairs I found my parents both sitting at the kitchen table. My mom had her head in her hands and she was touching the back of her neck at the point of her pixie cut.

  “Guys, what's wrong?”

  My mother lifted her head, her eyes were swollen and puffy.

  “Mom, what's the matter? Are you okay?”

  She shook her head and more tears started streaming down her face. My father stood up and put his arm around my shoulders. “Paige, you should sit down.”

  I shook my head at him, confused, “Why? Just tell me what's going on.”

  He stared at me, as if he couldn't get the words out. He looked at my mother for support but she had turned into a sobbing mess, unable to help him tell the news. “Paige, something terrible has happened.”

  I began to sit down next to my mother, she continued to cry quietly. “It is Gran?”

  Mom shook her head, “No honey. It's Nick.”

  My heart sank into my stomach. The color drained from my face. I couldn't get my body to move, I could only get the words out. “What happened?”

  My mother chewed on her bottom lip and turned away, not being able to tell me. Dad rubbed his forehead with his hands and sat down across from me, taking my hands in his. “After you two left the studio last night I guess he decided to go out with some friends. They left the bar around one and no one's heard from him since. They found his car this morning, floating in the lake. Paige, I am so sorry.”

  I could hardly breathe. I didn't even cry, I couldn't. “This isn't happening,” I said as I shook my head. “This isn't happening!”

  I ran from the kitchen, grabbing the keys on my way out the door to go to Nick’s apartment. This was all just a misunderstanding. I would prove it to them. He would be there, sitting on his sofa, completely unaware of the chaos around him. I heard my father yell to me but I continued to run. When I opened my parents’ front door, I was shocked to see reporters all turn their eyes on me, yelling my name. “Paige! Paige Matthews, how do you feel about your boyfriend's disappearance?” Nick was the son of a political family, but I never realized they had this much impact on the local community. I stood in the doorway, tears streaming down my face when my father pulled me back and shut the door on them. But it didn’t matter. I had already shut the door on the world.

  For weeks I checked my phone every few minutes to see if he had called or texted me. They put out a nationwide search and scoured the lake for a body but it was never found. Nick was gone. He was my everything, and my everything was lost.

  Natalia

  Natalia stroked her new lover's hair as it fell onto his face while lying comfortably on a leather sofa. She could feel the tension in his body and tried to use her powers to alleviate some of his stress. Emotions had always been her strong point, persuading people to make them believe anything she wanted them to. Her favorite emotion to instill was fear.

  The boy shifted uncomfortably as Natalia used some of her power to push her love into him. She only needed him for one reason and then she would dispose of him, as she had done the others. They didn't call her the Black Widow for nothing. She had used so many men to get what she wanted in life. And then they all had to be taken care of. When they escaped, she would try to wipe their memory if she could catch them, or give them some type of disease that would cause them to die fairly quickly. This didn't drain much of her energy. However, when they escaped in the middle of the night and she had to use her connection with them to cause an accident or to make them commit suicide, she would feel off for weeks. She wouldn't have to do that with this one, he was cute and he satisfied her needs. However, she felt concerned that he hadn’t made good on his promise, yet.

  “How are you so sure that she'll come here?” he asked her, turning around and staring into her fiery gaze.

  She threw her head back to laugh and took her finger, drawing it across his chin. “There's no need to worry dear. I always know where they are. I've been watching her, just as my parents watched her when she was a child. I know she's here.”

  Her pet sat up and looked at her expectantly. “Then why didn't they just kill her?”

  She sighed, “She had someone protecting her. That's how we should've known that the girl we found in the park was not her. She had little protection on her, such a pity. Regular humans should not have to die in our fight. If we kill them all there will be none left to enslave.”

  His eyes grew wide for a moment. “Enslave? I didn't know that was the goal.” Her human lovers had always had an issue with that part of her plan. It was such a burden for her.

  Natalia had grown up within the walls of the castle that had protected her family and kept out their enemies and differing opinions. She had supported their intentions for many years, but did not often share her own views with the pets that she brought home. They were her goals and for the most part, she knew better than to trust anyone with them beside herself. She had a small group of three or four men that followed her wherever she went, constantly falling in love with her. They would risk their lives for her and for her goals, but those were the only people she trusted. People she could control.

  Her parents had put their trust into others, that’s how they got themselves killed and she was left an orphan. It was this girl’s coven that had taken out her family and it was her turn to push her own ideals onto other covens. The groups had been at war since the beginning of time and they had been successful hundreds of years ago during what the humans called the Witch Trials. But things wer
e falling apart and if this girl came into her full powers there was no telling if Natalia’s side would survive. Her plan was to kill the girl and the rest of the coven, and then make all the humans bow to her so that she would never want for anything. Their love would fill her like a drug and she would be constantly appeased. No more running or not having a roof over her head, she would find a real life in the destruction of this girl.

  Natalia stood up quickly causing her man servant to fall further into the dark leather. He sighed heavily at her dramatics. This caused her to become outraged. None of her other lovers had ever asked as many questions as this one did. It caused her great distress and she knew that if she stood close to him now her anger could kill him. And they needed him, as he was their only connection to her. The reason they had been able to find her after all these years. She took deep cleansing breaths and approached the boy again, who looked at her, longing for her touch. “My plans and this Covens’ plans may be two separate ideas, but we all have the same goal. If we kill her, we’ll be free. Don't you want to be free with me?” Her tone was sweet but demanding and he once again fell victim to his mistress.

  “Of course! I'll do anything to be with you Natalia, anything.”

  “Good.” She turned and walked away, her black boots making clicking sounds against the stone floor. Before reaching the door she turned back and looked at her lovesick pet and said, “Then find her.”

  He nodded as fast as he could and she understood his urgency to find the girl. She had trained him well.

  1

  It was late on a Tuesday night when we got the phone call. Gran had fallen, again. This time she bruised her hip bone. Last time it was a broken kneecap. I could hear Mom and Dad arguing from my room. I crept down the hall and took my seat at the top of the steps. I always sat there when they argued, ever since I was a child. Mom was using the same facts she always did. “She can’t live alone. That big house is too much for her. She just can’t handle it anymore.”