Evernight: The Shifter Chronicles

By Michelle Areaux

For Elle, she thought the day she learned she was a Shifter was the most frustrating day of her life. Well, that was until she found herself in the middle of a war between her best friend and boyfriend. 

Now, everything is about to change for this trio as a known Witch in Shady Oaks has decided to wage a war against the Shifters and Otherworldly Creatures. This time, Elle may find herself battling with new powers and without her trusted best friend, Maddox. Discover how hearts are broken and mended in this exciting third installment of the Shifter Chronicles, Evernight.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Areaux
• Release date: Sep 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540175182

Book preview

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I want to thank my amazing family for their unconditional love and support through my crazy writing journey. They have never stopped encouraging and motivating me to continue following my dream as an author.

I can’t forget about my partner in crime, chaos coordinator in publishing, and event co-host; CK Green. She once saved me from a terrible publishing situation and together, we created Kingston Publishing Company.

Amanda Lindsey, PA you have promoted my books for the last few years, bringing me new readers and attention and I can’t thank you enough. You have been honest with me with my writing and have made me a better writer because of it. I can’t wait to road trip to St. Louis in September!

Finally, I can’t forget my amazing readers who have continued to support me and read the words I write. Without your belief in me as a writer, I wouldn’t be able to continue writing or traveling as I attend book signing events.

Each and everyone of you are amazing and hold a specical place in my heart. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Prologue

I gave them my all.

Every ounce of my life drained out of me as I fought to save the ones who would have died for me. It was my role, part of my destiny to become one with the evil that threatened to end my life. Before, evil and death snuck upon us in waves, I had lived a once peaceful life. However, as the darkness began to take over, my life was placed in their hands as they tempted to render us helpless only, we were bigger, stronger, and faster. However, their destruction lingered in our hearts and minds; preparing us for the next battle we would face.

Only, this time, the battle upon us wasn’t one we ever could have prepared for. As I struggled with my own internal demons tearing at my heart, I also found myself in the middle of a storm none of us saw brewing.

My only goal: survive and conquer or die in the hands of my captor.

Chapter 1

I was blinded.

The merciless sunlight was shining down on me, its rays taking all of my energy and soul with it. My body was hot to the touch, like a burning coal and I felt as though if I didn’t get shelter soon, I may not make it another day.

It’s so hot, I yawned, as I struggled to find water nearby.

Stop complaining, Elle, my mom said as she handed me a bottle of water from the cooler. We are at the beach, what did you expect? she asked with a wink.

Rolling my eyes, I flipped over on my large, pineapple decorated beach towel and took a large sip from the water bottle she had handed me from our cooler. The ice-cold drops of water cascaded down my arm and it felt refreshing and cooling on my almost sunburnt skin.

I’m not complaining, I said. I was just stating the obvious, I added trying to hide a smile. I dug my toes into the soft sand which felt like tiny little fingers messaging my feet. The further my feet sank into the sand, the cooler the sand felt against my skin.

Sitting up, I began to scan the scenery around me. The emerald blue water sparkled under the vivid rays of the afternoon sunlight which looked like tiny diamonds dancing off the white waves of the ever-moving ocean. Sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline had lulled me to sleep earlier, acting like a gentle lullaby. The warm air baked my skin and sounds of laughter mixed with the waves were like a peaceful tranquility only to be found in tropical paradises such as this. I had felt like I could stay here forever, in our safe oasis, but that was until the heat took over and replaced my happiness with irritation. I had drifted off into a deep sleep, only to be awoken by the burning of a sunburn beginning on my back. The beach was super crowded today, as it was the last Saturday of Spring Break. We had escaped for a week-long family vacation to our favorite destination; Shell Beach. To say this vacation was needed would be an understatement. After the last few months, my family and I desperately needed to get away from our lives; even if for a little bit.

After learning I was a shifter my world had completely flipped upside down. A group of Hunters had come for me and my pack and thankfully we had stopped them from exposing and ending shifters forever. However, our battle didn’t end there. Only three short months ago, a Huntress, had arrived in my hometown of Shady Oaks, with one mission; to end Shifters and Vampires. While that wasn’t insane enough, learning my boyfriend was a vampire and I possessed a strange power to morph into other beings and objects, made my world seem like it was beginning to implode on me.

When Spring Break arrived and we were given the opportunity to leave Shady Oaks, we jumped at the chance.

Now, as I sit in this tropical paradise, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness come over me.

Asher.

Maddox

My friends.

I missed them all desperately.

Reaching for my phone, I glanced at the screen to find several missed text messages and phone calls.

Asher: I miss you, Elle. When are you returning?

Maddox: At some point, you have to talk to me

Melanie: I am so mad at you right now. You went to the beach without me! You better bring me back something pretty.

Laura: Why didn’t you tell us you were leaving town?

I also had about ten missed calls from each of my friends too. When my family and I decided to leave town, we made a promise not to tell anyone until we were gone. We needed this escape and to leave without causing any attention. When our plane had landed in Shell Beach, I had sent a text to my friends explaining that we were gone for the week. I hadn’t returned any of their calls yet, and I was dreading those conversations. The only person who I had verbally spoken to was Mrs. Allan, the owner of the coffee shop where I worked. Thankfully, she was more than happy to accommodate my work schedule and gave me the week off.  Sighing, I scrolled through my social media pages too, trying to see how everyone else was spending their Spring Break.

Elle, put your phone away. Life will still be in Shady Oaks when we return. Enjoy your last few minutes of peace and solace, my dad stated as he stood from his beach chair. I am going to go for a swim, he announced.

Maybe he will decide to shift into a shark and terrify everyone, I teased as I watched him head for the shore.

Elle, my mom snapped. Even though she tried to frown, I could see her trying to fight back a laugh at my statement. It was true, my dad could shift into practically any dangerous animal he wanted to. His strength and agility as one of the pack leaders gave him an advantage on dry land. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the thought of him using his shifting abilities in the ocean. He might give Jaws a run for his money.

Sorry, but you have to admit it is a little funny, I teased, as I placed my phone back into my bag.

My dad was right, the real world would still be there later. I could read my texts from everyone when I returned home. For now, I should enjoy my last few minutes of vacation because, in my life, there was always one thing I could rely on.

Nothing ever stayed calm for long.

CHAPTER 2

Our plane landed in Lexington around seven in the evening. The sun was still dimly lit in the evening sky as we soared above the heart of the Bluegrass. I looked out the tiny window at the rolling green hills of the horse farms below. While I had enjoyed my vacation, I was relieved to be back in my hometown. Shifting in places where there are few wooded areas proves to be a very difficult task. We made do though, shifting in a nearby state park at night when everyone was long gone.

Once we retrieved our baggage, we headed to my dad’s SUV parked in the airport parking garage. It would only be around thirty minutes until we left the city of Lexington and made our way back to home; Shady Oaks.

I could feel my heart swelling at the thought of being home again. Dorothy knew what she was talking about when she said, There’s no place like home.

As we drove out of the busy city streets and into the small town of Shady Oaks, my heart became full again. Large skyscrapers were replaced with towering trees so old, they had ancient stories to share. Turning onto the small, one lane road that led to my house, I could feel the excitement rising in me. I also felt a flutter of butterflies dance in my belly. I knew that once we came into view of my house, there would be an image I had longed to see. I could feel sparks in my veins as a connection I had grew so strong, I could sense his presence.

Pulling the SUV into our driveway, I spotted Asher standing on the front steps of my front porch. Seeing his black hair slicked back and his blue eyes following the SUV, I almost jumped out of the vehicle before my dad pulled it to a stop.

Rushing to the house, I leaped into Asher’s arms as he lifted me off the ground and pulled me in for a tight hug. Placing a soft kiss on my cheek, he nuzzled his nose into my hair. Elle, I have missed you fiercely, he whispered.

Returning the kiss, I pulled back so I could look at his beautiful face that I had missed so much it had hurt.

I’m so sorry that I left without telling you but... I had to, I said as I stared into his eyes, willing him to forgive me.

Smiling, Asher flashed his perfect teeth at me and I couldn’t help but smile back. I have to admit, I was upset at first, but I understand your need to get away, he said. I just wish I would have known I was going to have to survive a week without you. I would have prepared better, he said.

Prepared? I questioned, raising my brow at him.

Yes, I would have spent double the time with you, he smirked.

Hey, Romeo and Juliet, why don’t you help us unload the car, my dad yelled at us as he smiled.

Sorry, dad, I laughed, as I let go of Asher.

Asher rushed to the car with lightning speed. He grabbed my suitcase and then before I could blink, he was in the house and up the stairs.

I guess that’s one advantage to having a vampire for a boyfriend, I laughed, looking at my parents before going into the house to look for Asher.

He was laying my suitcase on the bed when I entered my room. Well, that was helpful, I smiled.

Sauntering toward me, Asher grabbed my hands and pulled me against him. I couldn’t stand the thought of another second coming between us. I just used my abilities to my advantage, he said with a smile.

Hugging him tightly, I inhaled his sweet scent of vanilla and spice. I wanted nothing more than to commit that scent to memory to have forever.

Forever.

That word was something I had also escaped from. Asher and I had discussed the idea of him changing me; turning me into a vampire or hybrid, as we had recently learned I would be called. That word was still looming in my mind. I still had time to consider spending eternity with the love of my life, but there were other factors to be considered, too.

As Asher held me, my eyes drifted to my bedroom window which overlooked Maddox’s house. I hadn’t spoken to Maddox since New Year's Eve when he had confessed his love to me in front of Asher.  I had avoided him at all costs and it was starting to destroy me internally. While I had Asher to fill my heart with love and joy, Maddox filled another part of me too. He was ingrained in my soul and I needed him in my life too. I just wasn’t sure how to make it work, now.

Noticing my distant stare, Asher’s eyes traveled to where mine were. Sighing, he shook his head.

Have you talked to him? he asked.

No, I replied.

You need to. No one dislikes Maddox as much as I do, but he is your best friend and a member of your Evershade pack. You two need to talk and figure out how to handle this, Asher said. I saw him wince as he mentioned Asher’s name.

It was no secret that Asher and Maddox hated one another. It had been that way ever since Asher arrived in Shady Oaks. Now, sadly, I understood why Maddox hated Asher.

I know I do, I replied.

When are you going to talk to him? Asher asked, a touch of disdain lacing his voice.

Sighing, I shook my head. I need to just get it over with. I know exactly where I can find him, I said as I noticed the garage where Maddox could usually be found was empty. There was only one other place where Maddox would be.

***

I pulled up at the empty ballfield and parked