Full Moon-Appalachian Shifters

Chapter Eleven Caleb

Imprinting was a b***h, especially when you have imprinted on someone you hardly knew and they knew nothing about you.

I came to Pennsylvania because my granny told me my mate was here. I have been here for the longest time and I finally found her.

However, when she was born I felt her in my bones but I still did not know who she was. We did this delicate waltz where I hovered on the outskirts aware of her, never knowing her exact location.

Never knowing who she was until the great god saw fit. They teased me and taunted me, there were hints and glimpses of her until I thought I would go mad. I have lived for far too long and I was starting to grow weary of the games.

Then I saw her for the first time when I walked into the store. She was cute when she stared at me, the slight flush to her skin that was a perfect compliment to her fiery hair. She was immediately attracted to me.

I am glad I am not a pup, it took every ounce of restraint not to claim her as my mate and tie with her. I could tell she knew nothing about the world of shifters, witches, and anything that is “fantasy” as I have heard us referred to.

I also knew I was not her only mate. I did not want to share her but the fates were tricky and they liked to play with us. We are all merely existing for their amusement. I am sort of bitter about the situation.

I followed her and could sense her worry. There was another, a twin soul to her that was missing and it left a black hollow in her aura. When she went to the police and pleaded for them to help her, they merely laughed at her.

My blood boiled when I heard the two cops outside the station talking about her and what they would do to her body. My coyote was more sensible than the human part of me and lucky Talon and Tawny were there to keep me from attacking the men.

It was gnawing at me that I had to remain hidden, why couldn’t I just show myself to her and explain everything about our world, Talon said it was not time. As one of my Beta’s, he was correct.

We followed her to another man’s place, it was in the middle of the woods and it was not the type of place that she should be left alone in. The man knew her and then he started pawing her and I barely held it together.

When he groped her, I lost it and sunk my teeth into his meaty calf. She was in distress and I could tell that Tawny was disgusted with me for blowing our cover. I had enough, how dare this man do that to my mate!

“IF THAT COYOTE DOESN’T RIP YOUR NUTS OFF I WILL WHAT THE HELL BOBBY!?” Her agitation was making it difficult to maintain my animal form.

“That is very interesting. I’m sorry revered one.” The man performed the ritualistic gesture of greeting and I could care less. He had his hands on my mate’s breast!

“Why are you apologizing to him? I’m the one you were feeling up!” I shifted into human form and I could feel her pulse skip and her eyes burning into my back. I glared at the man and heard Tawny and Talon cursing me from the woods.

“Because he groped my mate.” I was gritting my teeth so hard I could feel the pain in my jaw. Panic was coming from my mate and I wanted to hold her in my arms and reassure her that everything would be all right.

“What the hell are you talking about? How did you turn into a person? Why were you at my store? FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!” Tawny and Talon emerged from the woods and I knew Tawny was irritated by all this stupidity.

“I did not think someone who worked in a weed store would be so uptight.” I shot Tawny an annoyed glance and she shrugged.

“Tawny, be nice. Not everyone is used to just seeing an animal go from cute fuzzy puppy to a hunk of a muscle man.” Talon was ever the peacekeeper, his sister was the muscle and the fighter, and he was the one who kept us all balanced.

“Ah I am blessed, please all of you come in and feel free to raid my refrigerator and take what you need.” The man, Bobby Jean, was practically groveling. I was slightly impressed that he knew what we were.

I finally followed Talon and Tawny into the bunker and heard Jolene ask the man why we didn’t have to undergo a rigorous check. I wanted to find clothes and make her more comfortable. There was so much she needed to know.

I disappeared into the warren of tunnels and rooms and found some clothes that fit me. Part of me was terrified that she would not be able to accept me as her mate. That she would look at me as if I were some monster.

I sat on the bunk and ran a hand through my hair. I could have handled this situation much better, but after waiting for so long to finally meet the one who completes my soul. I just jumped the gun and now I run the risk of her forsaking me.

I decided to listen to the conversation between her and the man named Bobby. At some point, there was the sound of flesh meeting flesh and I knew she punched him. Pride swelled in me as I realized she was a fighter.

I was also annoyed that Talon was flirting with her. Closing my eyes I calmed myself and reminded myself that Talon flirted with everyone but liked men and not women. Sighing I had to get a handle on my emotions.

I was being a coward but it was better to see why she was here. I could have found her sister if she had just asked me. I would have moved the stars for her.

Putting my head in my hands I groaned and realized I was a stupid man and messed this whole situation up. I just hoped I could repair what has been broken.