Turn of the Moon

Book 1: A Royal Shifters novel

by L.P. Dover

Genres: Paranormal; Romantic Fantasy; Paranormal Romance; Shifters; Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

*~* A seductively hot, shifter romantic suspense novel by NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, L.P. DOVER. NO CLIFFHANGER *~*

One girl.
Two wolves.
Promised to one.
Destined for the other.

To escape the cruel, overbearing, Kade, the Yukon Pack alpha she's been promised to, Bailey Whitehill flees her home in search of a new life, one of freedom where she can make her own choices. However, Kade will stop at nothing to make her his and begins the hunt.

As Bailey starts her new life, everything she's known to be true, is not. Time is of the essence and choices have to be made or consequences suffered. Not only does Bailey fear Kade, but another danger lurks deep in the recesses of the forest. Unbeknownst to her, that danger is what she's been searching for all along. At the turn of the moon, her fate hangs in the balance . . . and it's up to her to make the right choice.

Release date: August 23, 2015

Publisher: Books by L.P. Dover LLC

Print pages: 331

Sample

 

Chapter One

Bailey

“I’m sorry but there’s no other way, Bailey. We gave you a whole extra year to come to terms with this,” my father grumbled.

I quickened my pace toward the meadow, my jaw aching from clenching too hard. “I was hoping you’d come to your senses, but obviously not. I can’t believe you did this to me! I’m not going to agree to this . . . I won’t.”

“You have no choice, Bailey. We did what we thought would keep you safe. You’re of age now, and mating with Kade will keep you safe and pass on our bloodline.”

Actually, I did have a choice. My father was alpha of our pack, but my loyalties remained my own. I didn’t feel the pull that everyone else did when it came to following orders. While they had to follow them; I didn’t. Growing up, I had often wondered if there was something wrong with me. But as I got older, it all began to make sense. I had a gift—I was a rare female alpha—and it needed to stay hidden.

“Keep me safe? You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve kept myself safe my entire life. Maybe I should’ve left when I had the chance.” They both tensed and hung back while I took the lead.

They were angry, yet it was almost as if they were scared of fighting against me, afraid I would leave and never return. I wanted to do what was best for our pack, I really did. But mating with Kade wasn’t the answer. I was basically being given away like a mail-order bride.

There was a time when I lived for the pack, when I would do anything to save my people. The white wolves were slowly reducing in number, and now everyone was desperate, struggling to make ends meet before we were wiped into extinction. I was twenty-four years old, and a daughter of the Northern pack alpha. It was my duty to continue my lineage. The only problem was, there were no other unmated alphas around other than my best friend, Sebastian, and the supreme douche, Kade Whitemore.

There was no way in hell I was going to alliance myself with that rat bastard. He was alpha of the Yukon pack, violent, and an overbearing ass who’d rather see me on my back with my legs spread open than being his equal. I’d rather die than be forced to be his mate for all eternity. Why couldn’t I mate with Sebastian? Thinking of fucking him gave me the willies, but anything was better than Kade.

Anger racked my body and I sat there, seething . . . until I felt him. He was coming for me; I could sense him drawing near. The closer we got to the meadow, the more I could smell Kade and his excitement—his lust. Hopefully, he could smell the rage and disgust coming from me.

Wolves mated for life; it was a sacred union. It wasn’t like a human marriage where you could end it by signing a piece of paper. Our unions weren’t something you did lightly. It was also not a decision I was going to let my parents make for me. The only way to escape would be to kill him, and the last thing I wanted to do was start a war between packs. There had to be another way.

Up ahead, in wolf form, Kade kept his stare dialed in on me. He was large—like all alpha males tended to be—but I wasn’t impressed. He could smell my indifference and in return growled low, challenging me. I glared straight at him, not backing down, nor lowering my head. No one would ever make me submit.

Shifters needed the magic of the moon to change into their wolf form, but the strongest of our kind could transform at any time of the day. Most of the wolves in our pack had that advantage, except on the nights of the new moon. Only alphas had the ability to change on those nights. Tonight, there was no moon, so being the arrogant jackass he was, Kade decided to show up as his wolf. Figures.

        Everyone backed away except me and my father. Kade sidled up to us and brushed his body against mine, marking me. Next, he pushed his nose between my legs and sniffed. Anger consumed me and I was close to shifting, but held back. “You do that shit again and I’ll have me a nice, white fur coat for the winter.”

His lips pulled back in a wolfish grin before he transformed into his naked, human self. “I was only getting a taste of what’s mine.”

Most white wolves had similar traits—light colored hair and blue eyes, with the occasional exception of green. My parents both had the bright blonde hair and had passed it down to me, along with their crystal blue eyes and immaculate strength. However, their strength wasn’t with them today which made me wary. My father didn’t even attempt to defend my honor.

Raking my gaze over Kade, he had platinum blond hair, striking blue eyes, and a body that even I hadn’t seen on the men in my pack. He was much larger, in more ways than one, and one of the youngest alphas in the country, most likely in his late twenties by the looks of him. Fortunately, when his gaze found mine, I didn’t see my future mate in those eyes.

            Crossing my arms at my chest, I stood stock-still, waiting on my father to get done talking to him. I only wished he’d take heed of my loathing and leave. I wasn’t going to go with him. Everyone else got the choice of who they mated with and I’ll be damned if I didn’t get the same luxury.

Back and forth the men conversed heatedly, the tension filling the cool night air. The moment my father’s blue eyes met mine, I knew something was wrong. Please, don’t let it be so. He clutched my face in his hands and kissed me on the head. “Say goodbye to the pack. By sunrise, you’ll be on your way with Kade to your new home.”

“What?” I shouted, pulling away. “You’re supposed to be our alpha! Are you really so spineless?”

Our pack sucked in a collective breath at my daring words. Kade smirked and I made sure he could feel every ounce of my hatred. I pushed my power so hard at him, he stumbled back.

My dad was working hard on biting his tongue. “To ensure the survival of our packs, and to keep you safe, there’s no other way. We have to honor our promise.”

“Fuck your promise, and fuck you,” I hissed. “It was yours, not mine.”

“It was the packs, Bailey. There’s no way around it.”

There’s a way around everything. My power roiled but I couldn’t unleash it . . . yet. It wasn’t the right time. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and huffed. “I’d like to speak to my intended for a moment, alone. I’ll say my goodbyes to everyone once we’re done.”

My father nodded in agreement and walked away, looking back at me once before turning his back. My pack followed close behind him, along with my mother who had tears streaming down her cheeks. The Yukon pack, however . . .

“Your people need to go,” I demanded.

Glancing over his shoulder, Kade nodded to his second in command and they disappeared through the trees.

When they were out of earshot, I pursed my lips and spat, “Out of every single pack in the world, you came to this one to claim me. Surely you could find someone who’d be glad to take you.”

“True, but I wanted you.”

“What makes you think I’m going to leave with you tomorrow?”

Kade laughed and sauntered over, leaning close so he could smell me; I stood my ground and didn’t waver, even when he brushed up against me. I could rip his heart out in the blink of an eye. He moaned and grew hard between his legs. “You’re mine, Bailey,” he growled, circling around behind me. “You were promised to me, and I’m not leaving without you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

Pushing his cock against my ass, he reached around and placed his large hands on my thighs, holding me to him. Wolves were physical creatures and we loved touch, but I didn’t want him touching me.

“So help me God, if you don’t back up, I’m going to rip out your goddamned throat.”

Instead of letting me go, he held me tighter and chuckled in my ear, rubbing his scent all over my body. His hands gripped my breasts, and then one slid down into my pants so he could cup me with his palm. “I’d like to see you try, sweetheart. I love a good fight. The more you resist, the harder I’m going to fuck you.”

His pheromones were extremely high, choking me, and with that I could smell his need to mate, to claim me. I needed to do something fast without unleashing my power. I struggled in his hold, but the more I moved against him, the wilder his scent grew. He wanted the fight, and I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

Taking a deep breath, I swallowed back the bile and leaned into his touch, putting one of my hands over the one he had down my pants. I had to make him believe I didn’t want to fight. All I needed was a little bit of time.

Rubbing my ass against his cock, I took hold of his fingers and pushed one inside me, and then another. I gasped as his growl deepened and he bit down hard on my neck, drawing blood. Fucking bastard. Biting your mate was an intimate act only to be done when you’re actually mated.

“Now everyone will know you’re mine,” he whispered gruffly in my ear. “I'm going to fuck you until you scream. I’ve waited long enough to get you, and now that I have you, there’s no escape.”

 “I tell you what,” I rasped, slowly trying to pull away, “why don’t I go tell my family goodbye, and then you can do whatever you want with me.”

Gripping my arms, he turned me around and ripped my shirt off my body, making me gasp. He lowered his mouth to one of my nipples and sucked hard while pushing his fingers back inside of me. “Actually, I have a better idea. How about you put that mouth of yours around my cock and then you can say goodbye. You need to start acting like my mate and do as I say.”

Gripping me around the waist, he forced my pants down and knocked me backward onto the ground. The breath whooshed out of my lungs and I choked, struggling to suck in a breath as he put his weight on top of me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, you’ll enjoy it.”

Immediately, I could feel my fangs lengthen behind my lips and my body temperature rise. I was so close to shifting. As alpha, my fangs were longer, sharper. I could be in human form and still rip someone to shreds with my teeth.

I refused to be a victim for the sake of my pack.

“Kade,” I moaned, opening my legs for him. “Take me now.” All I needed was a clear shot to his neck. I had been with human men before, but never another wolf. I’d heard it was the best sex ever, and I planned on experiencing it one day . . . but not yet.

Chuckling, Kade lifted his head and I hid my fangs behind my closed lips. “Begging me already? I’m disappointed, little wolf. I thought you would put up more of a fight.”

When he lowered his mouth to my breasts, I could feel the tip of his cock pushing on my opening. The tension in his body elevated and I knew I needed to act fast. Before he could thrust inside, I opened my mouth wide and locked them on the inside of his neck. In one quick move, I ripped out as much flesh as I could. His blood ran warm down my throat, making me gag. I spit it out, along with a giant mound of flesh from his body.

Falling over to the side, he grabbed his throat and gurgled, choking on his own blood. I refused to be a slave to him when I was more powerful. Holding the wound on his neck, he growled as his eyes started to change into that of his wolf. He tried to shift, but it wasn’t working.

As I jumped to my feet, Kade grabbed a hold of my ankle and I fell to the ground.

“You’re going . . . to pay . . . bitch.”

I needed to get away before the packs could hear our struggle. Luckily, I wriggled out of his hold and kicked his hand away. Knowing he would be dead in a matter of minutes, I summoned my magic and let the force shimmer around my body. Kade’s eyes went wide in disbelief. Letting the magic overtake me, I shifted into my wolf form and took off. I never once looked back. I didn’t want to leave everyone behind, but they left me no choice.

I would never see my family again.

 

Chapter Two

Bailey

For days, I traveled through the wilderness, keeping to the forests as I crossed the border from Canada to the United States. I had never been that far south, and I didn’t know where to go or what to do, considering I had no clothes or money. I would rather be a lone wolf than spend the rest of my eternity with an abusive jackass. I’d never seen any of our male wolves treat their mates like that, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let anyone be that way to me.

Once I made it to the mountains in Wyoming, I was beyond exhausted. Thankfully, Kade’s scent had worn off to where I couldn’t smell him anymore. My paws hurt, I was filthy, and I was so hungry I could eat a whole deer—if I wasn’t too tired to hunt one. I could survive as a wolf for as long as I needed to, but I missed the amenities of everyday life. A nice, hot shower would’ve felt great.

It was then a smell of a crisp, clean lake floated past my face. It was just up ahead. Making my way there, I noticed it was mostly frozen and nestled in a small valley between snow-capped mountains. Luckily, there were still parts of it that weren’t frozen, which reflected the moon’s light. The water was way below freezing, but being an Arctic wolf I could withstand those temperatures with no problems at all.

Looking around, I knew there was nothing close by other than a couple of smaller animals and a bear that was about a mile away. I wanted to make sure it was safe before shifting. Once Kade’s pack started looking for me, I’d be a hunted wolf. I didn’t want to run for the rest of my life, but I had no choice.

Stepping into the water, I walked down the rocky slope and shifted. Holding my breath, I completely submerged myself, letting the cool, fresh water cleanse me. I ran my hands over my body and through my hair to make sure every place Kade touched had been washed thoroughly. He’d made me feel dirty from the inside out.

After a few extra seconds submerged under the water, I lifted my head and took in a deep, ragged breath. I always wanted freedom, but running for the rest of my life wasn’t what I considered being free. Slowly, I started out of the lake but came to a halt.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

The wind had blown the scent of a nearby wolf in my direction and it wasn’t just any type of wolf. It was an Arctic, just like me. He wasn’t one of Kade’s pack or mine, but it was still dangerous being out in the woods alone without my pack’s support.

Quickly rushing out of the water, I crouched behind a set of bushes. I breathed in again, hoping I was just being paranoid. But there was definitely another wolf around and it was an unmated alpha male. He was about half a mile away and moving closer by the second. Closing my eyes, I transformed into my wolf and darted out of the bushes and away from the lake. From the vibrations on the ground, he faltered for a second and stopped before picking up his pace. I was tired and weak, hoping like hell I could outrun him.

The answer came swiftly enough when I heard his growls behind me, only a few feet away. Don’t look back, I chanted over and over in my mind. My muscles burned and started to shake, but I had to keep going. After only another couple of minutes of racing through the forest, I came to a complete halt when the mysterious white wolf lunged and landed on my back. My body gave out and my legs buckled underneath.

When I recovered from the fall, I was pinned to the ground, the other wolf staring curiously at me with his glowing emerald eyes. There was no hostility or any indication he wanted to hurt me, yet when I smelled other wolves approaching, all I could think about was fleeing. Slipping out from under his hold, I bolted through the trees but didn’t get very far.

The last thing I saw before everything went black were those emerald green eyes staring down at me. Except this time they weren’t coming from a wolf, they were from the most handsome face I’d ever seen.

They were almost familiar . . .

 

Chapter Three

Ryker

            “Is that really her? What the hell is she doing all the way down here?” Cedric asked.

            Bailey had turned back into her human self almost immediately after subduing her. She was too weak to keep hold of her magic, which was why she was limp in my arms as I carried her through the woods to the ranch. The rest of the pack followed closely behind in wolf form. “I don’t know. The last I checked she was still in her territory.”

             “What are you going to do with her?” he asked.

            “Hell if I know. She looks at me like she has no fucking clue who I am. I don’t get it.”

            “Are you going to tell her?”

            “When she wakes up.”

            “Why do you not sound happy about that? All the guys in the pack would give their left nut to find their mate.”

            I snorted. “You don’t know Bailey. She’s an alpha female. Need I say more?”

            “Have the visions started yet? You drew blood when you bit her.”

And I could still taste her on my lips. Even if I didn’t know she was my mate, her blood would’ve been answer enough. “No, they haven’t, but I can feel the connection. Her mind is starting to open up.”

“What’s going on in there?” he asked, excitement in his voice.

“Not that I would actually tell you, but right now it’s nothing but quick flashes. I can’t tell what they are.”

“Man, I bet she’s going to be pissed when she wakes up.”

            “I have no doubt.” I was going to have my hands full. Even when I met her years ago, she was a spitfire.

Cedric slapped me on the shoulder and laughed. “Better you than me, bro. I doubt she’ll put up a fight for long though.”

            “I wouldn’t bet on it,” I grumbled. We finally reached the ranch and I made sure the pack kept their distance.

            “Do you want me to get the council together? They’ll want to know what’s going on.” The council was simply the alphas of each pack in the surrounding areas—my allies.

            I looked down at Bailey. “Send word. It shouldn’t take long for them to arrive. They’ll want to know if trouble’s coming. I have no doubt Bailey’s pack will come looking for her.”

            “And what if they attack?”

            Stopping at the door, I sighed. If they came looking for her, they’d fight to get her back. “I’ll kill them.”

            I carried Bailey inside and went straight to my bedroom to lay her down. Now that I’d drank her blood, I could get in her head. I wanted to know what made her run from her pack, but all that was showing in her mind were flashes of me and the woods. It was strange seeing myself through her eyes.

            Tucking her platinum blonde hair behind her ear, I leaned down close, breathing her in. “Bailey, wake up.”

She stirred with my touch but her eyes stayed closed. One of the first things about the bond was that we could see visions of our future. I thought it would’ve happened as soon as I’d tasted her blood, but it hadn’t yet.

A few hours later, I could hear a couple of the other alphas approaching. Sliding off the bed, I grabbed a T-shirt and jeans out of my closet and threw them on before making my way out to the living room. Thankfully, with the bond, I didn’t have to worry about Bailey trying to escape.

There were five alphas, including myself, but only two had shown up, Ian and Tate. The others had a longer distance to travel. Cedric nodded and disappeared out the door to stand guard.

“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” I greeted as they entered.

            The Northwestern pack alpha, Ian Randale, came forward and shook my hand. He was my age and an unmated gray wolf who was tall with light brown hair and green eyes. In fact, all of the alphas in the council were unmated. Ian, however, was one of the youngest alphas to ever receive the title. He defeated the original alpha at only fifteen years old, through combat no less. The alpha before him had been a fucking Machiavellian douchebag. We were all ready to see him go.

“No worries.” He bent his head in greeting. “I’m here to help.”

            “Me as well,” the other alpha agreed, shaking my hand. His name was Tate Grayson, leader of the Great Plains pack. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes; the exact imitation of his father who had stepped down as alpha and made him their pack’s leader.

My story was different; I was chosen by the entire pack.

“Thank you. And you know I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important.”

Ian’s brows furrowed. “What’s going on?”

I glanced at them both. “I found my mate.”

Their eyes went wide. “But no one has found their true mate in years,” Tate remarked.

“Until now. I’ve known who mine was for years. I could just never get to her because of her pack. Now she’s here.”

“I’m happy for you . . . but what does that have to do with us?” Ian asked.

I blew out a heavy sigh. “I’m pretty sure her pack is going to start looking for her. There could be other wolves coming into your territories asking about her. I want you to be ready.”

His muscles tensed. “Are we talking a simple formality, or war?”

“There won’t be a war unless they come here demanding her. If they do, I can handle them on my own. I just want you both to be prepared.” They both nodded and it was a huge relief.

Out of nowhere, visions from Bailey’s mind blasted into my head. They were vivid and not the simple flashes from before. Not only were they full-on dreams, but in them I was claiming her. I could hear her screams and feel her nails down my back as I plunged in deep. It was as if I was actually there experiencing it. Holy fuck, I was about to explode.

“You okay, brother?” Tate asked, zapping me out of my thoughts.

No, I wasn’t okay. I had a raging hard on. Clearing my throat, I put my hands in my pockets to cover the bulge. “I’m fine. The visions seem to be starting up.”

They both chuckled, knowing very well what I was referring to. Ian spoke first, “I know what that means. My grandfather told me stories. He said he couldn’t leave the house without jacking off at least twice during the bonding phase. But you know, that was when they were made to wait until the full moon to bond.”

“I doubt she’ll want anything to do with me at the moment. I only got a taste of her blood during a fight. She wasn’t exactly willing.”

Smirking, Tate shook his head. “Something tells me you wanted to bite her though. Am I right?”

As much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. She bore my mark and every male who got near her would know she was mine, mated or not. “What can I say?”

Ian patted me on the shoulder. “Good luck with your hand tonight.”

“Thanks,” I grumbled.

He started for the door with Tate behind him. “Oh, and if her pack does come for her, I’ll stand behind you.”

I gave my appreciation and then glanced at Tate who nodded.

“My pack will too. I never thought I’d see the day when the magic returned to our people. Maybe I’ll even get lucky one day.”

Once they were out the door, I headed back upstairs and it took every ounce of strength I had not to get on the bed with Bailey. “Fuck me,” I groaned, salivating over her smooth, naked skin. All I wanted to do was spread her wide and fuck her senseless. I’d wanted to do that every day since I saw her in college. It enraged me to see her around human men. I didn’t like them touching her or breathing around her, but there was nothing I could do at the time.

The blankets over Bailey’s body slid all the way down to her waist when she moved. Moaning, she arched her back off the bed, her nipples inviting me to taste them. In her mind, I had my mouth wrapped around them, sucking hard while I pushed inside her. It was like a fucking porno movie in my mind. There was only one thing I could do.

Unzipping my jeans, I pulled my cock out and wrapped my hand around it. It was going to be one hell of a night.