The Choice (Shifting Passions - Volume 5): Shifting Passions, #5

By Ana Vela

Eva’s got a problem. She’s smart, beautiful, and a werewolf shapeshifter…but she’s fallen for a regular, normal human. And to make matters worse, her brother is the Alpha of the pack and will definitely not approve.

Eva has faced down plenty of monsters in her time, but this one might do her in...

When Eva is summoned to Mickey's bar, she has no idea what she's going to face. She's seen quite a bit of evil in her day, but facing down an inconsolable mother, while things with her and Gav seem to have broken entirely?

It might be more than even Eva can take...Can she fix it all?

Note: Parts of Shifting Passions were previously published as Eva’s Secret.

Also includes Sneak Peeks at some upcoming novels!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roja Publishing
• Release date: Nov 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540135933

Book preview

~Volume Five – The Choice~

Eva’s got a problem. She’s smart, beautiful, and a werewolf shapeshifter...but she’s fallen for a regular, normal human. And to make matters worse, her brother is the Alpha of the pack and will definitely not approve.

Eva has faced down plenty of monsters in her time, but this one might do her in...

When Eva is summoned to Mickey's bar, she has no idea what she's going to face. She's seen quite a bit of evil in her day, but facing down an inconsolable mother, while things with her and Gav seem to have broken entirely?

It might be more than even Eva can take...Can she fix it all?

––––––––

Note: Parts of Shifting Passions were previously published as Eva’s Secret.

Also includes Sneak Peeks at some upcoming novels!

~Volume Five – The Choice~

I charged into Mickey’s bar like the cavalry, with no idea what to expect. It was very possible that I’d find half the pups of my pack, the ones who had left with Ben, at the throat of some visiting weres, or some kid fighting the change his first time out and tearing the place apart. Maybe even someone who had some kind of a break, and who was holding a hostage with a gun. For any of those things, Mickey was more likely to call me than the cops. For one thing, the cops would just get themselves hurt. Bulletproof armor didn’t stand up to knives, and it didn’t stand up to claws and teeth either. There was a chance that I’d be able to talk down someone who was angry, or raging, or stop anything other than an all-out war. So I was nervous as I ran in—but I thought I could handle pretty much anything that came in front of me, especially since Gav was hot on my heels.

The reality I found as I ran into Mickey’s dim bar, dim even at brunch time, the smells of steak and fried eggs heavy on the air, was worse. Infinitely worse.

The woman was wearing a peach skirt suit and pearls. The man, Dockers and a Polo shirt. A real one, with the little horse and the tastefully vibrant color, not some unfortunately neon department store knockoff. She had her head in her hands, her perfect French manicure ruined by one chipped nail, and her overall image wrecked by her hysterical sobbing. He patted her shoulder, condescending and superior, but he wasn’t glaring at her; he was glaring at Ben. Mother, I realized. Mother and father. Ben for his part looked like he was holding up well. His cheeks and ears were red, and his arms were crossed defensively over his chest, but he wasn’t crying, and he was still looking straight at them. Johnny was there, his hand on the small of Ben’s back, a quiet show of support.

The other patrons, however, looked scared. One woman was twisting her napkin in her hands; another looked one sharp sound away from dropping on her knees and praying. No wonder Mickey had called me. He didn’t do irate families. I’d never found out what happened to his; some stories you just didn’t ask about.

They made you like this, Ben’s mother shrieked. These wolf-people. They turned my little boy into a—a—

She couldn’t get the word out, and his father’s patting increased in speed, as if his frantic movement would somehow settle her down instead of winding her up further.

Ben kept silent; he didn’t look like this tirade was anything new, although the venue was definitely a first timer. He looked like he was waiting for his mother to run out of steam; I didn’t have that luxury, however. Mickey had fixed his eyes on me as soon as I’d walked in, and if I didn’t save his brunch reputation, he’d never serve me again. That would be a true tragedy.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to be the pack ambassador, yet again.

Hi, Mr. and Mrs... and I froze up, for the first time ever.

I couldn’t remember Ben’s surname—honestly, there weren’t so many of us that they tended to be necessary—and if Nathan had ever told it to me, I’d forgotten it.

Ben is a good kid, and he has a home with us here. We are doing our absolute best to take good care of him.

It wasn’t my strongest start ever, but I’d done worse, in the beginning.

She turned on me, her eyes flashing.

By turning him into one of those—people—that you see on the news?

I had to admit, this was honestly a first for me. Usually, I got accused of biting someone’s poor precious widdle munchkin; being accused of turning them queer was strange and new. My usual speeches, about how we had recorded history back several thousand years, and mythology, and more humanity than they assumed. I had barely slept in days, and Gav was standing at my back like a silent wall. A really reassuring wall, in case this woman decided to use her manicure to try and carve her name into my face, but honestly, a little help wouldn’t go amiss at this point.

In the end, Ben actually saved the day. He finally sighed, and spoke in a tone quiet and tired and exasperated.

Mom, we’ve had this conversation a dozen times. I’ve known I was gay since I was 9 years old. This wolf thing, this is new, and I get that it’s scary to you, but the two things are unrelated. You need to deal with this.

He looked directly at his mother as he said it, and my stomach warmed with pride. She’d raised such a good son, and she didn’t even know it.

I think, I said, my tone pitched quiet and soft, my hands out, palms down, every inch of me exuding calm and peace, that we might do the owner of this fine establishment a favor and sit down to eat a meal together. Talk, and get to know one another a little bit better.

It was the father who turned to me, his eyes raging; I hadn’t expected that.

I don’t see any need for us to get to know any of you. We’re here to try one more time to rescue Ben from this life, and then we’re gone. We won’t bother him again.

The wife laid her hand on his arm, and he shrugged her off.

Dad, Ben said, but he wilted when his father turned those angry eyes on him.

Do not speak to me, he said, not unless you’re going to apologize for everything you’ve put your mother and I through in the past few years.

Excuse me, I said, losing my patience, "but what about what you’ve put him through?"

Ben’s father threw his hands up in the air, but his mother turned to me, her brow furrowed and her eyes more attentive.

What do you mean?

I saw the only way forward, and I grabbed for it with both hands.

What I mean is that your son has been broken-hearted over the way things were left with you and your husband. He’s cried, and he’s railed, and he’s tried to figure out how to fix things. And over and over again, he’s concluded that there’s no way for him to resume contact with the two of you in a healthy way. I’m no therapist, but I can’t figure there’s anything healthy or good about that.

Who are you? she asked, her voice quieter and less accusatory than it had been.

"I’m a friend. I’m someone in the pack who tries to help kids, people who are having a rough time with family, friends—anything, really. When my help isn’t enough, I help them to find more in the community.

And Ben—he thought of us? Now and then?

I smiled, and on instinct, I reached out and took her hands. When she let me, I felt Gav’s bulk behind me relax, felt Mickey step down, felt even Ben’s father take a deep breath and force something away from his heart.

Of course. You’re his mother. Even when he didn’t talk to you, he thought of you. He hoped you were well, and he wished there was a way to change things so that you were proud of him.

Her eyes glistened, and she turned from me to wrap her arms around her boy.

Oh, Benny, I’ve always been proud of you, I was just worried about—

I know, Mom. I know. I get why you’re worried. And we can talk about that. Just—let’s sit down and eat something. Mickey makes one hell of a steak and eggs combo. If you ask nicely, he’ll even grill a blueberry muffin.

We left as quietly as we could, to let them make their own peace. Johnny had my number; either he or Mickey would get in touch if things got upsetting again. And my house wasn’t that far away.

We’d taken Gav’s car into the city; it was a foreign sports job, and he could cut through traffic like a maniac. He’d parked at an angle, and we’d just flat out run through the front door. Now, it seemed almost silly that we’d raced through the city for a couple of stressed out conservatives who were having it out with their kid, but we’d had no idea what we might be facing. I found myself grinning for no reason, and when Gav noticed, he reached out and slipped his fingers into mine. Surprise—and maybe hope—flickered through me. I squeezed his fingers, sure I’d never let go again.

Can we go to your house? I’d like to talk for a bit, if that’s okay.

Sure, I said, squashing my nerves as best as I could. I’d like that. At least, I hoped that I would.

He had to let go of my hand once we got to the car, but once we were both seated and buckled in, he put his hand on my thigh, just above the knee. I put my hand over his, and he curled his fingers under, catching my fingertips in his. It was lovely. It felt like peace and contentment and forever and right now.

We drove to my house, and outside of the car, I took his hand and led him inside. He paused in the entryway, his hands stuffed into his pockets. I watched him for a moment, waiting to see what happened next.

I owe you an apology, he said, finally. I didn’t realize until I saw you today, talking to Ben’s mother. It’s not that I’m unimportant to you, it’s that we’re all important to you. The pack. It’s not just PR. You love every single one of them. Of us.

The sigh of relief came from somewhere down near my toes.

Yes, I breathed.

He came to me, then, wrapping me up in his arms and his strength, and pressing his mouth against mine. I let him hold me, let him take me in.

I don’t have to be the first thing you think of in the morning, he whispered into my ear, because I am part of the first thing you think of in the morning. I am part of the most important thing in my life.

I love you, Gav, I whispered back. You’ve saved me, over and over again. I love you.

He picked me up like I weighed nothing and spun us in a circle, laughing to the sky.

I want to make love to you, he whispered. I don’t know if we’ve ever made love before.

Don’t go romantic on me now, Gavin. I wrapped my legs around his waist and nipped along his jawline. We can be lovely and still be hot.

He growled for me.

Is it romantic if I fling you down on the bed and pin you down and fuck you until you scream? I’m going to make you mine, Eva, and I will be yours. For the rest of our lives.

Yes, actually, that sounds quite romantic.

When did my voice get so breathy, my heart racing so fast?

In fact, if you don’t stop talking and start acting, I’m going to get impatient with you.

I ground my hips into his, and he hissed in a pleasant way. I ran my tongue over the tendons in his neck as he carried me with ease up to the bedroom and tossed me on the bed, laughing as I bounced, limbs flying.

And then his body covered mine, as he leaned down over me. HIs mouth explored me like I was a brand new thing. He took his time unbuttoning my blouse, gracing each new inch of skin with the attentions of his hand, his teeth, his tongue. I had slowly unbuttoned my blouse, caressing each new inch of skin with his tongue and lips. When he uncovered my breasts, he lifted them with his hands, tracing over my nipples with the rough surface of his thumbs until I arched beneath him, and then kissing his way over the undersides, finding a nipple with his mouth and suckling hard. Heat rushed through me, burning me up, and I lost patience with his softness.

Please, I murmured, please.

I slid my hand down to his cock, already hard inside his jeans, and stroked him. He caught my hand and pushed it away.

I can’t think of any better way to torture you than this, he said. And if you can’t be good, I will tie you down.

I thought back to those silver bracelets and my hips rolled against him without my permission.

Another night. Yes. But tonight—no, I’ll be good. I promise I’ll be good.

He nodded, and went back to slowly undressing me, worshiping every inch of my skin. I was naked before him, and he’d shed his shirt, his jeans. His erection was clear through his jersey boxer briefs, but I hadn’t tried to touch him since the first time he’d pushed my hand away.

I was used to seeing him in moonlight, but here in the sun, the bright light coming through the window reflected off the bronzed planes of his chest, showing the lean muscle that he’d developed over the years as my brother’s enforcer. He moved with complete efficiency, nothing wasted, nothing taken for granted. I writhed under him, enjoying his fierce movements as he worked to pleasure me. He brought me to the cusp over and over, but I wasn’t quite ready. Never quite ready.

He laid back and pulled me over him, capturing my mouth with his. I groaned into him as he rolled beneath me, cursing that thin layer of jersey that kept him away from me.

I want you, I said. I need you in me.

He pressed my hips down and thrust up against me.

Not yet, he said, tweaking my nipples so that I arched above him, ready to scream with frustrated lust. You don’t want me badly enough yet.

I beg to differ.

Keep begging. I like that.

The intensity in his voice almost brought me over the edge right there. I thrust against him, and if he had been able to slip within me, I think he would have, and ended it for us right then and there. His eyes closed tight and his fingers dug into my hips, tight and needy. When his eyes opened again, he was full of wolf, and so was I, the beast filling us both, possessing us as we possessed each other.

He rolled us so that I was beneath him, his mouth and fingers trailing fire down my body, singeing my skin and burning my flesh. I experienced him without thought, beyond coherency, nothing but a black hole of need pulling him in to me. He circled my belly, the divot there in my stomach, his fingers tracing up my inner thighs. I arched up for him again and again, begging with my body, and after an eternity, after the world had ended and been reborn, he caught my eyes and flashed a smile at me before taking me in his mouth. His tongue washed over my clit once, twice, and then he filled me with his tongue, fucking me with his mouth as his thumb, his rough thumb, stroked over my clit. The waves of electricity burst over me, and I came again and again, flashing higher with each wave, nothing but explosions and white light and star stuff as I screamed.

When I could breathe again, his chin was resting on my lower belly, and he was watching me with a goofy smile.

What?

Embarrassment. He’d never seen me like that, so full, so needy. I’d always held something in reserve before with him. I’d never known it before today, but I’d always held back. Always been careful with him. Just in case he left. Because everyone left.

Only maybe not Gav. Or maybe, even if he left, being with him until he did would be worth it. And not just because of what he could do with his tongue, but because of the way he held me together afterwards, gathering up the pieces and showing me where the broken edges fit together.

You told me you loved me, he said.

Well, I do. I’d said it before, but I’d never meant it this much before.

I know. I always knew. But I didn’t think you knew.

I laughed at him, and I leaned down to pull him up to me, my hand going to his cock. He brushed it away before I could stoke him more than once.

I don’t need anything right now, he said. I have everything I need in my arms.

Your body says differently, I traced my thumb over the head of him again, the pool of moisture on his boxer briefs, and watched his eyes roll with delight and want.

My body’s an idiot. I just want to hold you.

I want to hold you, too, I said, moving my hips against him again. I want to hold you inside of me, feel you move in me, watch you as you come. I want to feel you shake and shudder and know that I’m doing that to you, I’m what you want and what you need.

His pupils dilated wildly, and he kissed me again, our tongues tangling, his fingers twisting my nipple savagely as I gasped under him. I’d hate to refuse you. If that’s really what you want.

Yes, I whispered.

There was a pause while he got a condom, and then he was over me again. In one smooth motion, he pinned my arms above my head. I sighed as he teased the opening of me; I was wet, I was open, and I shifted my hips to give him access, but still he teased. He lifted my leg, kissing his way from my ankle to my knee, nipping the inside of my thigh, and then leaving my leg stretched over his shoulder as he pressed into me. He moved slowly inside of me, inch by penetrating inch, until I was wrapped all the way around him. His eyes were half closed, seeing nothing but feeling everything, and I arched for him, leading him into me and out of me as he concentrated on feeling.

The pressure against my hands increased, the angle of my leg deeper, and he began to move more quickly, pounding into me with an intenseness that I’d never felt from him before. It was more than I’d ever seen or felt, more than I had imagined was within him.

He slammed into me, and he was whispering something, words I just caught at the edge of my hearing.

Mine. No matter how many others you have, no matter who I share you with, this moment, this second, this is mine.

Yes, I whispered back. Yours. All yours. We’re together, you and I. This is us. We’re in this together. Always together.

He let my leg down and sat back, pulling me up into his lap. He bit and licked along my collarbone, and his hands showed me the rhythm he