11. The Shifter Next Door

The Shifter Next Door

M y work as a scientist keeps me pretty busy most of the time and up until the late hours of the night. It didn't matter when the lab was located in a big city, but now that they asked me to lead the experiments in the small town of Nightshade Falls I'm a little weary. The town is said to be hosting a lot of paranormal entities, but I don't believe in such things.

I lock up my lab and say goodbye to the security guy. He always walks me to my car and makes sure to send me off properly. The car I have right now is a rental and it's a little run down. I'm only a few blocks from my home when the engine stalls and the car stops working. I look around and see nothing but shadows.

This area of the town is not as well lit as other neighborhoods and I'm starting to get a little freaked out. I bring out my phone and find that, of course, I have no service. I won't be able to call anyone to help me, even if I had someone to call. I don't. I really need to get the emergency numbers for the town on my phone.

With a defeated sigh, I grab my purse and briefcase and get out of the car. The sooner I start walking, the sooner I'll get home. I lock the rental and start walking. I swear, each step is like that of an elephant, announcing to everyone in the vicinity that there's a defenseless woman here, ripe for the taking.

I hear leaves being crushed and look back, but it's so dark, I can't make out if there's someone there. I start walking faster, who cares about being stealthy at a time like this, right? I don't run because this isn't a late-night movie. There are no monsters here. Except they say Nightshade Falls is full of them.

The gap between where I am and my house is getting smaller and I start to feel relieved. But then I hear noise again from behind and before I know it someone is grabbing my purse and briefcase and trying to get away with them. I put up a fight, because that's what the women do in the movies – the silly ones – and the person hits me in the face.

All of a sudden, my ears are ringing, and I let go of my possessions. He can have them. That's when I hear an animal snarl and when I look up I see this gorgeous wolf throw himself at my attacker. The person tries to keep the dog away from their neck, but the animal is relentless. I'm dizzy from the blow I received and start to fall down.

That's when the dog lets the intruder go and comes to cushion my fall. I grab his fur as I reach the floor. He looks at me and I'm able to see his beautiful eyes, shining like diamonds. I've never seen anything as beautiful as this creature. I let go of him and show him my fist. He sniffs it, then licks it.

"Oh, you're such a good boy, aren't you?"

I scratch him behind the ear, and he closes his eyes in delight. Now that I get to see him at close range I appreciate how big he is. I think he really must be part wolf. I'm so entranced by the creature that I forgot the robber was still around. I start looking for him and see him holding his arm and gasping for air.

When he catches me looking at him, my wolf growls at him. That's all he needs to get up and take off running towards the shadows. When we see the last of him, he turns back to me and starts licking my face. I lower my face against the side of his head, letting the soft fur soothe my senses.

"Thank you. Wolfie."

I try to get up, but I can't seem to do it. Wolfie pushes against me and I guess it's worth a try and see if I can get up with his help. I grab his fur again and sort of climb up against him. Once I'm up, I don't let go of him because I feel shaky. My head is throbbing. I lean down to grab my stuff and the pain becomes a consistent thump.

My wolf is really big and his head goes up to my chest. He doesn't scare me, though. I feel safer than I ever have in my life. I trace his snout with my finger, contemplating his calm demeanor around me.

"Will you walk with me? My house is just another block and a half away."

I know I'm being silly, talking to him like this. But he whimpers and grabs my hand with his open mouth. It startles me and I think he's going to bite me, but he just pulls me forward towards my house. He lets go when I start walking, but I keep grabbing the fur on his back as reassurance. The night is no longer as eerily quiet as it was before I got attacked.

When my house is in view, I let out a breath of relief.

"We're almost there, Wolfie."

He just looks at me, his tongue lolling to the side, and keeps walking. At the door, I start looking inside my purse for the keys. I pull them out and open the door. I eye my wolf and he seems interested in coming in. I guess the least I can do is give him some food and water.

"Come on, boy. I'll feed you before you go back to wherever you came from."

He follows me and sits down in a corner in the kitchen as I find something to give him. There are some hot dogs and I warm them up and cut them into little pieces. I'm sure he could literally wolf them down but I'm feeling motherly towards him. I put the plate in front of him and he devours everything.

I give him some water as well, but he doesn't seem interested.

"Well, I don't want to put you out, but it's bedtime for me."

I go to the front door and open the door, but he sits in front of the hallway that goes towards my bedroom. After a bit I realize my new friend is not budging, so I close and lock the door. I go towards my room and get my pajamas out. I want to take a bath. When I turn to go inside the bathroom, Wolfie starts to follow.

"Nope, not happening. You can stand guard at the door if you want, but this is my alone time."

Like he understands what I'm saying, he lies on a spot just outside the bathroom and puts his head down on his paws. I reach down to pat him on the head and then start to draw my bath. Forty five minutes later, I come out relaxed and with my favorite pajamas on – snoopy print if you must know – and go to the bed.

I lift the covers and get inside the warm bed. My face hurts and I struggle to find a position where I can get to sleep. Wolfie comes towards me and sits down next to the bed. He whines a little bit and gives me the sad puppy eyes.

"Okay, you can come up, but only on top of the covers."

He jumps up and snuggles against my back. His warmth and comfort lull me to sleep in no time and I'm treated to a deep, dreamless sleep unlike any I've ever had. When I wake up in the morning, he's gone. I look everywhere in the house, to no avail. Was it all a dream? I touch my face and the pain tells me it was definitely not a dream.

I get dressed for work and then start making breakfast. I sort of miss Wolfie now. I could use the company in this lonely house. When I finish breakfast, there's a knock on the door. I hurry to answer, not knowing what to expect. I don't know anyone in town. I open the door and a gorgeous specimen of mankind is standing there.

"Hello? How can I help you?"

"You were attacked last night, weren't you?" The man says in a gruff tone.

"How…how do you know that?"

"That's not important. You can't stay late at work anymore. This town is full of danger at night."

The arrogant way he's saying these things is starting to get me angry. I cross my arms in front of me and put on the sternest look I can on my face.

"And exactly who are you?"

My tone and demeanor seem to make him think twice about how he's talking to me.

"I'm your next door neighbor."

Polite person that I am, I extend my hand in greeting. When his large hand covers mine, I feel a buzz of electricity where our hands touch. Our eyes meet and he seems as surprised as I am. I chalk it up to shock when he gets closer to me than appropriate and leans down to sniff me. I step back immediately, even though I've never been more attracted to a man in my life.

"Did you just sniff me?"

He hasn't let go of my hand and I try and pull it away. He won't let me. I don't know how it happens, but one moment I'm at the door talking to him and the next the door is closed and he's standing in the middle of the house with me in his arms, bride style. I don't move a muscle, because I'm right where I want to be. In his arms.

As if he knows where my room is, he takes me there and sets me next to the bed. Then he kisses me and any doubt I had that I wanted this man is gone from my mind. His lips are warm and firm and when his tongue invades my mouth, I can taste the maple syrup he probably had with his breakfast.

I get lost in the kiss and when I pull him closer to me I can feel his hard cock against my belly. That turns me on so much that I let a moan out. He seems startled by it and stops what he's doing. He grabs me gently by the arms and steps back a little from me.

"I know that it feels like if we don't join our bodies together we'll die, but you can say no to me. If you don't want this, this is the moment to stop, because I won't be able to stop once our clothes are off."

"How do you know how I'm feeling? That's exactly what I was thinking, that I'd die if you didn't touch me intimately."

"Just trust me, little one."

He brushes his hand gently over my face and I don't think I can say no to whatever is going to happen between us. I follow my instincts and start taking off my blouse. When he sees me undoing the buttons, he grabs my blouse and tears it open. Buttons go flying everywhere and his eagerness makes me laugh.

Pretty soon I'm completely naked in front of him. I go to cover myself but he stills my hands.

"Never hide yourself from me, little one."

The need to do something with my hands is overwhelming, so I grab his t-shirt and lift it off his body. Once that's done, I signal for his pants and after he opens the button, unzips and lowers his jeans and boxers I stare with my mouth wide open at his huge dick. Thank god my pussy is already dripping, otherwise I'll be walking funny after this.

"Do you want this, little one?"

"Yes, please."

He pulls the covers off my bed and guides me until I'm laying on my back, gazing hungrily after him. I feel this heat between us and he has only kissed me. When he kneels between my legs, I'm overcome with desire and I reach for him, touching his hard as steel abs and lowering my hand to that delicious dick. There's already pre-cum dripping from the small slit and I'm starving for a taste.

Seeing my intent, he grabs my hand and places it on his back.

"There'll be time for that later, little one. Right now, I need to be inside you. To possess you."

There's nothing more for me to do that open my legs shamelessly and pull him on top of me. I expect him to thrust inside me immediately but he surprises me by placing soft kisses all over my face and then goes down my neck. My body responds to his attention and I pull him closer to me. My efforts seem useless as he is completely in control of what's happening between us.

He focuses his attention on my breasts for the longest time. The feelings are so intense I come close to coming several times. He knows what he's doing, though, and eases off whenever I'm close to the edge. It's as if we are in sync. I've never felt this connected to anyone else in my entire life. Finally, I resort to begging.

"Please, I need you inside me."

I drag my nails up his back to let him know how badly in need I am. He responds with a feral growl that makes me tremble with pleasure. I hug him tightly, wishing I never had to let him go. He lifts himself up in his forearms and looks into my eyes. His diamond eyes look like they are glowing and they remind me of Wolfie. What a silly thought to have.

"There's no going back after this, little one."

"I know. I want to be yours."

I can't believe the words I'm saying. Is it just the heat of the moment? But, no. They feel real. I see the acceptance of my words in his face and he lowers his face to mine to give me another scorching hot kiss. I close my eyes and revel in the feeling of being in the presence of this man. Then, I feel the head of his cock right at my entrance and I almost stop breathing. That is what I want. I want it badly.

My lover doesn't wait any longer, and he thrusts his huge cock inside me, filling me completely. I feel full and completely owned. Our bodies are intimately connected and all I can scent is his male muskiness and, for some reason, he also smells like the outdoors. He's not moving yet and I'm thankful because this is overwhelming for me.

"I'm going to go slow, but things might get a little wild later. Promise me you'll tell me if something doesn't feel right for you. You are all that matters to me, little one."

I nod and feeling brave, I grab his perfect round ass and pull him even deeper inside me. I gasp when his cock rubs up inside me. That's when he starts moving. He promised me slow, but this is pure torture. I wrap my legs around his waist to trap him with me. I want him to know how much my body craves his.

Even though it's a cool day, our bodies start to drip sweat. I know it's the heat between us that is causing it, but I can't make it stop, even if I wanted to. His head is nestled in the crook of my neck and all I hear are softs words of love and caring. He's calling me endearments and making me feel loved and accepted.

His movements start to increase in speed and I know it's time for me to hold on for dear life. Every thrust pushes me up the bed and I worry we might break the furniture. It doesn't matter, I'll pay for a replacement. What matters is the intensity of our joining. His growls are getting louder and if I didn't know any better I'd think he was a wild animal.

My body starts to feel ready to shatter, and I have the crazy desire for him to bite me. I don't know where that idea came from, but it's all I can think about.

"Bite me, mark me, I need it."

He lifts his head up and looks deep into my eyes as if looking for approval. Didn't I just give it to him? All I know to do is move my head to the side to give him access to my shoulder. Before I know it I feel sharp pain in that spot, but at the same time an overwhelming orgasm takes over my body. The mixture of pleasure and pain is a new experience for me, but the pleasure wins out and I scream with my release.

I grab him tightly to me. I don't want this moment to end. My pussy is clenching his hard length as if trying to milk him. I don't want to lose the connection, but for some reason I crave his seed. I get close to his ear and whisper my need.

"Fill me up with your cum, please."

That makes him go a little bit feral. He lifts me up as if I weigh nothing and drives into me with all his might. The intensity of our joining is unbearable and a second orgasm takes over me, shattering me and all my senses. I almost faint in his arms as I feel him pumping harder and groaning his own release.

He gets us back onto the bed and pulls me into his arms. I put my hand over his hairy chest and feel the heartbeat going a mile a minute in there. I'm a little woozy and my eyelids start to droop, but before I lose consciousness I feel his warm lips on my forehead and I hear him saying "you're mine now, little one."

I wake up from my slumber. It's not the first time I've waken up. Every time I get some rest, he devours me again and tires me out. But now it's evening and I'm hungry for some food. Going to the bathroom, I take a quick shower and get changed. When I pass the mirror, I see the bite mark he gave me, but it's in a weird shape. It looks like a wolf.

When I go into the kitchen, I see he's making food for us. He takes my hand and leads me to a chair.

"How are you feeling?"

"It's weird. I should be tired, but am energized."

He kisses me softly on the lips and I sigh into his embrace.

"Why did I want you to bite me? The urge was overwhelming."

"We're mates. It means I marked you as mine. We belong together."

I laugh in his face, but his features remain severe, almost like I insulted him.

"Wait, you're not serious, are you?"

He grabs my hands into his and looks deeply into my eyes.

"Nightshade Falls is home to many different creatures. I am one of them. A wolf shifter."

He then steps back and after a bright light flashes all I see is my Wolfie in front of me.

"Oh my god, Wolfie! You're my savior from the other night?"

I hug him and give him tons of kisses until he licks my face. Then the bright light appears again, and he is a gorgeous piece of man.

"Oh no, am I going to have puppies?"

"You'll be fine."

"Does this mean you belong to me now?"

"Forever."

I guess that means Nightshade Falls is now my home.