Shadow State

By Isabel Roman

Fighting to prevent the Nazi’s from gaining a wehrwölfe army, Christoph and Elsa tread a serpentine path between an ambitious party man and their primal need for each other.

Hidden for centuries in the German countryside, the Arminius Clan has amassed power, wealth, and respect. All that changes when the Nazis come to power. Christoph von Berangar, Alpha, makes his way to Berlin to claim his mate. But then one of his wölfes is captured, and experimented on by the Nazis.

Elsa von Skyler, leader of one of the Arminius Packs, is forced to experiment on the captured wölfe. Along with her father, an esteemed doctor at the Charité Hospital, they do this only to facilitate the wölfe’s escape. Together, she and Christoph form a plan to rescue their fellow wölfe, but when things go awry, will Elsa survive? Or will Christoph’s fervor to protect his mate compromise them all?

5 Tombstones! This was a fast-read filled with adventure and thrills but not overdone. Be prepared to devote all your time to completing this one – it was hard to put down!
~Elizabeth B. from Bitten by Books

5 Stars Top Reviewer Pick from Night Owl Romance

Originally published in the anthology Taming of the Wolf.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Isabel Roman
• Release date: Jul 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452499208

Isabel Roman

I write romance. I read romance. I talk, tweet, blog, and email romance. I don't sleep romance because even my brain needs to shut off now and then. If you suffer from this affliction, join in the discussion!

Book preview

Shadow State

Isabel Roman

Published by Isabel Roman at Smashwords.com

Copyright 2011 by Isabel Roman, LLC

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts in connection with a review.

Originally published by The Wild Rose Press in the Got Wolf 2 Anthology: Taming of the Wolf

Cover design by Isabel Roman, LLC

Smashwords Edition August 2011

Contents

Also By Isabel Roman

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Excerpt from Paranormal Investigations

Also by Isabel Roman:

Dark Desires of the Druids series:

The Tryst

Murder & Magick

Sex & Subterfuge

Desert & Destiny

Temptations & Treachery

Free short story!

Kiss of Scandal

Short historical stories available here

I write romance. I read romance. I talk, tweet, blog, and email romance. I don't sleep romance because even my brain needs to shut off now and then. If you suffer from this affliction, join in the discussion!

www.isabelroman.com

Chapter One

Near the Teutoburg Forest

Osnabrück Lower Saxony, Germany

August 20, 1934

The darkness posed no challenge to Christoph von Berangar’s eyes, he could see as clear as if the sun burned bright overhead. He gazed at the property through the glass-paned garden doors of his manor house. In the distance, he saw Peter. His friend and advisor ran near the riverbed, wild and free in his natural wölfe form. A part of Christoph envied the wildness Peter reveled in daily.

Yet for most of his twenty-seven years, he’d remained in human form, living as they did not as his ancestors had.

The clatter of dishes slammed onto his desk, an obvious attempt to disturb him. But the noise did not faze him. Margaret always made her presence known when something bothered her. The scarred surface of his ancient mahogany desk was witness to her efforts. Another few mars wouldn’t be noticed.

Well? The familiar sharp tone cut through his treasured silence. Did you make a decision? Are we going to Berlin?

He said nothing, as he hadn’t the last dozen times she’d cornered him.

That’s it! Margaret stated in her usual dramatic fashion.

The reflection of her hands in the window flung into the air, one clutching a letter.

"I’m going to torch the nursery…No! I’m going to divest the entire house of its contents, linens, china, clothing. Why do we need it? I’ll get rid of it all. That’ll force you into the wild. Force you to become your wölfe again, so maybe, maybe you’ll find some of your mating instincts. I’m tired of these games, Christoph," she shouted now, and her tone warned him of her seriousness.

Enough is enough, she said, implacable. Marriage is a serious prospect. We must plan for our future. The time has come to take action.

Expressionless, he turned to see the tall woman, her stark white hair peppered with black strands. Her hands crossed resolutely above the apron of her uniform, a frown creased her prematurely aged face, her glare fierce.

I presume, he drawled, the letter is for me?

Without waiting for her answer, he strode the short distance between them. Leaning down, he took the letter and kissed her cheek. Stop worrying so, he whispered.

Meet the girl, she wheedled.

Margaret was correct, in that at least. The time had come to take action regarding his feelings for a woman he’d yet to lay eyes on. His only connections to her were the bimonthly Pack reports and more frequent personal correspondence. Through these mundane matters, a closeness had developed between them. A creature of instinct, he could not dismiss the intellectual aspect of her.

Alpha Females needed to be both strong and smart to lead their Clan.

Still, Christoph was impatient to explore their connection in person. Unbeknownst to Margaret, his initial plan stymied due to a medical conference. His woman traveled with her father for these past weeks. By the messenger’s mark on this letter, she’d returned to Berlin.

He hadn’t questioned the letter was from Elsa. The intoxicating scent of her permeated his senses.

I’ve never known you to hesitate when it’s something you wanted…Until now, Margaret stated with a flat tone.

I do not hesitate. He only just refrained from snapping at her. As Alpha, I have too many responsibilities to leave the estate unattended. I shall meet her soon enough, he promised.

More from habit than any real need, he flicked on the desk lamp. Silver letter opener in hand, a sardonic gift from his father if ever there was one, he watched his housekeeper and one-time nurse bustle about the office. She ignored his pointed look.

Do you think your mother would’ve approved of this? she scolded. The pillow she plumped threatened to burst. Breaks my heart I say, breaks my heart. This Alpha line will soon die out if you do not start procreating this century!

Patiently, he watched her continue about the room. He didn’t remember his mother, could recall her only through photos his father had lovingly preserved. It was a poor argument. He expected better from Margaret, who showed no signs of stopping her tirade or leaving him to his letter. He seriously worried for the pillow, too.

No girl in Lower Saxony interests you. I don’t care if this child has hooves and a snout. Margaret paused, head tiled to one side and added in a philosophically, Well she does have a snout when she transforms, I suppose. Doesn’t matter! Marry her!

Christoph gazed at her with warm chocolate eyes. She meant well despite her tendency to nag. That was Margaret, always consistent. I gather, he said with a sly grin, tapping the letter on the desktop. You have completed plans for a trip to Berlin?

Yes, she responded halfheartedly before