Hard Landing: Santa Cruz Shifters, #2

By Marie Booth

Caden, the son of a prime alpha wolf, wants the tiger who saved his life to take him up on his offer.

 

Caden: My father, the alpha of our pack, was murdered, only I'm not alpha material no matter what my family thinks. Half Moon Territory gave me and the vulnerable members of my old pack a home, so now I spend my time working on cars and lusting after the most beautiful tiger who ever walked the coastline. Rav could have abandoned me, but instead he made sure I got the medical help I needed, even when depression kicked me in the gut.

 

Only Rav has turned into a bull headed hermit who wants nothing to do with me. He let it slip it's because I'm a wolf, but I'm not buying that. He may have his secrets, but my wolf and I intend to claim him, no matter how many times he pushes me away.

 

Rav wants to tend his orchard in peace and forget about the wolves who haunt his dreams, especially the hot one who won't stop stalking him.

 

Rav: Caden is going to be the death of me. My tiger has already set his part of our heart on Caden's wolf, no matter how many times I explain that wolves and tigers will never fit together. Not after what was done to me and my clan. Or after what I did in return.

 

My clan's businesses are strong, our secrets have held, and no one in Half Moon needs to know about our past. If only the stubborn wolf wouldn't keep showing up, nudging his way into my life, getting under my skin in every way but the way my body really desires. I tell myself wolves can't be trusted, but day by day, Caden weakens my resolve. If I tell him the truth he'll run and the bits of hope I've managed to gather will shatter. I'm not sure I'd survive, so it's better to stay strong.

 

Marie Booth is an award winning author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy: (Santa Cruz Shifter Series, Steamy Bites Series, Theta Series) and contemporary romance: (Gate Series) Coming next is the RomCom m/m angel/vampire Santa Cruz Vampire Series. She also writes sweeter paranormal romance as Gayle Parness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Booth
• Release date: Jun 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781733278430

Book preview

HARD LANDING

SANTA CRUZ SHIFTERS 2

A gay paranormal romance dedicated to the readers who believe love is for everyone.

Thank you.

1

RAV

When the unexpected shadow passed near the left front bumper of the jeep, I automatically slammed on the brakes and veered to the right. An alarm I’d hoped never to hear beeped loudly as I cursed and tried to unsuccessfully wrench control of the wheel from the clutches of a hopefully capable vehicle safety system. As the vehicle fishtailed on the rain slick road, the windshield’s protective layer activated, my harness tightened, and I was suddenly surrounded by a clear padded bubble.

An ancient oak loomed ahead, its branches reaching out to embrace me. Left with no other option, I covered my head before impact, surprised when the crack of breaking branches and the crunch of damaged glass and metal sounded muffled. The actual jolt had been minor, most of it absorbed by the harness and head shield.

I checked for injuries. Nothing. The bubble had protected more than my ears. It also explained why so many of the residents of Half Moon drove these curvy, treacherous roads in the same model military jeep I’d just managed to smash up.

I struggled to unlock the restraints so I could get out and survey the damage, but the Advanced Collision Control System had other ideas. The release had jammed.

My hands trembled as memories from my past turned protective straps into thick chains.

I breathed deeply, falling into the training that kept me sane. Restraints of any kind brought nightmares and sleepless nights, but I wouldn’t fall down that hole. Not today. Not here. Not ever again.

The harness ripped apart under my claws, leaving only shreds. The primary need to be free always took precedence, even though repair bills loomed in my future. I quickly located the release button for the cushioned bubble and winced as it assaulted my ears with a squeaky whine as it deflated. A turn of the wiper switch retracted the protective windshield film and for the first time, I viewed the deep dent the jeep had made in the oak tree.

The bloody jeep would look worse.

I groaned out loud, leaning my forehead against the steering wheel in exasperation. Better not to dwell on the call I’d have to make to the Half Moon garage owners. Ramona Serrano was a tough nut who’d want to charge me for every little scratch, new or old. Not that she, Rose, and Ramon weren’t excellent mechanics. It’s that they were the only mechanics in the area. Towing the jeep to Santa Cruz for repairs would end up costing much more.

I gathered my courage and jumped down, walking around the rear of the car to the opposite side. The right side had sustained the worst of the damage.

A branch was now a backseat passenger, having punched through the side window, sending shards of glass all over the shoulder and muddy verge as well as onto the seat and floor. It would have badly injured or killed anyone in the backseat, and if the branch had angled forward, the bubble I’d mocked earlier might have saved my life.

Are you okay? I heard the crash and came back.

That voice. It couldn’t be Caden. Please, not Caden.

I turned slowly and my fears were confirmed. Bad enough to have to clean up the mess, make my way home, and confront the bobcat family regarding the accident. On top of all that, Caden had to be the one to find me here.

I gave him a head to toe, then wished I hadn’t. Where are your clothes? The rain was warm but had grown heavier. Caden stood across from me soaking wet and completely naked.

I was running back from Santa Cruz in wolf form. Didn’t you see me pass a few minutes ago? Jeez, this probably happened right after.

I forced my gaze back to the branch, saying the mantra I repeated in my mind whenever Caden and his beautiful body tempted me.

Wolves can’t be trusted.

Wait, what had he said about passing me? I frowned. Did you pass me on the left?

Yeah.

You were running in the middle of the road? Close to the jeep?

He leaned back a bit, my irritated tone keying him in to my mood. Uh, yeah. I didn’t want to get hit by some oncoming driver taking one of the curves too fast.

Well, thanks to you, I now have a broken window, a deep groove along the side of the car, and a branch that’s taken residence in the backseat. I didn’t mention the shredded harness. That was on me.

Wait. You think this happened because I ran past you? Caden spread his arms in a helpless gesture. I ran alongside you for maybe ten seconds.

You passed me in the middle of the road where the only thing that should be passing my vehicle is another vehicle with their headlights on. Your wolf is large and grey. Visibility was poor.

I’d moved closer to make my point, only the sight of Caden’s beautiful naked body, slick from the rain, had me backtracking to where the jeep partially blocked my view.

Caden arched a brow, his lip curling up. He’d noticed my cowardly retreat. The ground is soggy on the right. I didn’t want to show up back at Half Moon covered in mud.

But showing up naked is not a problem?

Shifters who shift are always showing up somewhere naked. He smiled his seductive smile, and my traitorous body responded the way it always did, my stomach tensing, my cock firming despite my resolve.

Caden stepped sideways so my view was no longer obstructed. I narrowed my eyes and prepared a warning growl, but when he grinned at my reaction, I could not force myself to look away.

Raindrops snaked down his firm, lean body in fascinating ways. His reddish-brown hair dripped onto his chest, some messy clumps hiding one eye. The other wolf amber iris had focused on me, scanning my body as rain made my white button-down cling to my chest. Thoughts of rolling around naked in the mud with this beautiful, irritating male were making it hard to breathe.

I grunted and turned toward the rear of the car. I have sweatpants in the back.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen you shift into your tiger. Caden crouched as if to pounce. Want to play in the woods? I’m pretty fast.

Was he kidding? Are you twelve? I’ve just had an accident with the car. This isn’t the time to run around in the woods.

Fine. But I’d love to see you smile once in a while. That’s all I’m saying.

The tree was also injured. I pointed toward the trunk. It’s lived a long time. A shame.

C’mon. It’s a tree.

Have you forgotten I own an orchard? I opened the back of the jeep.

Caden lowered his tone. Your fuzzy peaches are to die for.

I threw a pair of sweatpants at his face, but he caught them easily. Caden was young and

horny, and for some incomprehensible reason, he wanted me. The hermit. The recluse. The male only my family paid any attention to.

He pulled on the pants, then the boots that followed. I’ll help you with the branch. His confidence surprised me.

We examined the smashed right front headlight and the deep groove cut into the right side of the car by the branch. The bobcat sisters would be purring with pleasure to see me back at Half Moon with a damaged jeep. I should just buy the damn thing, but I needed it so rarely. We already owned a van that we used for deliveries, but my cousins were using it this week.

Caden squatted beside me and examined the dent. I closed my eyes and took in his scent. Sweat, rain, musk, and wolf, the combination a heady mix for a horny tiger who had no business reacting this way.

I opened my eyes, meaning to stand, but this close, my gaze strayed to the burn scars on Caden’s arms, face and back, evidence of his torture on the night of the battle. The night his father had been murdered.

A part of me that rarely came to life wanted to kiss and lick and nuzzle his wounds. But Caden was an immature, reckless wolf. And I was responsible for the protection of my clan as well as my own peace of mind. Bringing a wolf into our lives was out of the question.

Wolves can’t be trusted.

Caden stood and wiped his hands on his pants. I can fix the damage.

You know vehicles? That sort of work didn’t strike me as typical for the son of a powerful alpha wolf.

Sure. My pack had six or seven jeeps. I used to love hangin’ out in the garage. Drove my dad nuts, along with a million other things about me. He frowned.

Your father didn’t see your truth. When he opened his mouth to respond I changed the subject. What price for the repair?

No price. You saved my life at the battle with Joey and his lowlife cronies.

Dex planned the mission. I only carried you back to Half Moon.

He met my gaze, his expression turning serious. You stayed with me during the worst part.

Any shifter would have done the same. He’d been beaten and burned and hadn’t been in any shape to get himself to Half Moon’s clinic. It was true I’d stayed, but he’d been unconscious and not healing properly. Shifter healing should have kicked in as soon as his body stabilized. Caden hadn’t been in any shape to shift to his animal, which would have speeded up the process, but even so, he should have been healing.

Why did you care what happened to me? I was the prime alpha’s son.

I turned away. You were a kid.

Ducking under the branch, I walked to the back of the jeep and reopened the hatch. Someone from Half Moon would have to pick us up, so I felt around in my backpack for my comm unit. No luck. When had I used it last? I’d tossed it into the jeep so I could load the seedlings and… Shit. I peered thought the back window.

Crushed by the branch, my only connection to Half Moon was now a cracked and mangled mess.

I don’t suppose you have your comm unit stuffed up your ass.

Caden laughed. I’ve been known to talk out of my ass, but I can’t blame those times on a comm unit.

My claws pushed on the inside of my fingertips, the tiger in me dying to rip his sweats off and enjoy that body properly. In my early days I might have bent him over the hood and fucked him senseless, but that was before. Before the shifter wars. Before the virus. Before the capture.

These days, I was more in the mood for some bear or puma to fuck me senseless. To lose myself in pleasure and turn all responsibilities over to someone else.

A tiger could dream.

I checked on the seedlings I’d purchased at the nursery and was relieved to see they’d survived the spinout. Opening the tool and weapons kit Ramona Seranno insisted on adding to every vehicle she rented out, I removed a rope, a small saw, and two pairs of work gloves from the kit. My night vision was excellent, as was the wolf’s. No flashlight was necessary.

I pulled on the gloves and walked to where Caden stood near the tree branch. You’ll help me with this? I passed him the second pair, but he shook his head.

First I’ll try putting the jeep in reverse and backing away.

You think the car will start?

What’s under the hood seemed to have survived, as did the tires. Guess we’ll find out. He held out his hand, palm up. I’ll drive.

No, that’s—

I’ll drive.

He’d lowered his tone, a bit of a growl mixed in. Caden’s alpha side rarely made an appearance around me, mostly because I was equally dominant. Someone would have to submit, and unless the couple was crazy in love, it could turn into an ongoing battle. If I were creating a Reasons Not to Get Involved with Caden list, I’d also have add in the fact I was twelve years older and twice as mature.

But tonight, my tiger ignored our age difference and thought the growly voice was hot. So did my prick. They usually disagreed, my tiger being predictably particular, but they were always in agreement when it came to Caden. Clouds had parted on cue and his bare chest glistened under the light of the now visible moon. He’d locked his amber gaze on mine, angled his chin to give himself a stubborn air, and thinned his usually sensual mouth in determination.

This was the Caden who lived inside the injured young male. The alpha who’d had to remain hidden for most of his life.

But fuck. He was a damn wolf, the only fact that truly mattered. I met his gaze with a determined one of my own. You’ll pay for the damage.

He deflated and glanced down at the ground, then back at my face. Look…

Now I felt bad. He’d had a rough time bouncing back after the battle. He only worked random part time jobs and couldn’t have saved up many credits. You can work it off in my orchard or we can find another job that suits.

I tossed Caden the keys, ignored his smile, and moved to the jeep’s hatch. I slammed the door three times, but it still wouldn’t close securely. You could only repair an old vehicle a certain number of times before it disintegrated into a rusty heap or cracked into brittle shards.

Kind of like me.

Caden followed me and with a slight adjustment and a steady hand, was able to close the door. I’m willing to work to repay you, but I may be able to repair the jeep for nothing.

Let’s see if it starts.

He climbed into the driver’s seat, and I returned to the troublesome branch, giving Caden the signal to start the car. It turned over immediately and I huffed out a breath of relief. Last thing I wanted was to spend more time alone on the side of a dark road with this too young, too beautiful, too smart for his own good wolf. Only I’d just given the too young, too beautiful, too smart for his own good wolf a promise to help him find a job. Maybe I could blame my offer on a head injury from the accident.

Caden expertly maneuvered the jeep and his idea worked like a dream.

When I signaled for him to scoot into the passenger seat, Caden clutched at the wheel. I’m good driving to Half Moon. It’s only another twenty minutes.

I grunted. The passenger seat was comfortable. Why argue?

The road’s still wet. Take it easy.

His grin made me close my eyes and silently recite a different mantra in my head. One that mentioned peace and patience and a plea to stay strong around a certain wolf’s beautiful smile.

2

CADEN

The tiger beside me was way too quiet.

I got that he was pissed off about the damage, but it wasn’t the end of the world. I mean, I’d promised to fix the jeep so he wouldn’t have to pay the Seranno Clan. Yet he sat there ignoring me. Not that we ever hung around town shootin’ the breeze like buds, but we should have been able to find something to talk about that didn’t end in an argument. As usual, Rav had something up his butt about me he wasn’t sharing, and this was a great opportunity to do some digging.

Rav had closed his large dark eyes and folded his muscular arms, his fingers tapping out a nervous rhythm beside his elbows. Was it our proximity or was he still angry about the jeep? The curvy section of road had opened to a long, straight stretch. Traffic was practically nonexistent, so I took the opportunity to glance at Rav’s stoic expression and tensed muscles. A hint of claw had become visible. Other, smarter shifters would take the sight as a Disturb Resting Tiger at Your Own Risk sign.

I ignored it.

Rav would never hurt me. He’d saved my life, and like a key meant for a custom lock, we’d connected. Or at least our animals had. I mean, my human half was totally on board and open for whatever might come next, but Rav’s snubs and scowls and unwillingness to talk was wearing my patience thin.

Because I couldn’t be wrong. This powerful, stubborn, incredible male was mine. He just needed convincing.

It didn’t hurt that he was also sizzling hot. Nope. Didn’t hurt one bit.

Unlike my skin, a pale tone that had people asking if I was sick, his was a warmer darker shade, as if he’d spent most of his life in a sunny location and not in London or Liverpool or some other rainy British town. Not that I cared where he’d grown up. His deep tone and what I thought of as his Cambridge cadence only added to his broody sexiness.

His eyes were a crystal blue when he shifted to white tiger but changed back to a yummy dark chocolate in standard shifter form. When he’d rescued me, I’d seen the change close-up, a seemingly magical transformation. The eyes of most wolf breeds generally changed in shades of hazels, ambers, and golds, but Rav’s dramatic shift had drawn me in soul deep. His arms had been solid and safe, his body warm, his hair long enough to weave my fingers through and hold him still while I kissed him.

Only my chances of kissing this male were thin. Didn’t mean I was giving up. When it came to Rav, I was laser focused.

I sighed.

No reaction.

I sighed louder.

Nothing.

Tried a cough. His eyebrows scrunched together.

Turned up the volume and coughed again.

Rav’s mouth twisted down as he opened his eyes. Are you ill?

Even stridently annoyed, Rav’s voice sent tingles up and down my body. I pointed to my throat. Just a tickle. Before he could close his eyes again, I kept talking. Do you think the bobcats will let me use their garage to make the repairs?

He huffed a laugh. You were serious about that?

Yeah. I like working on cars and trucks, even farm equipment. Sometimes it’s a simple problem like with this beauty. I rubbed the dashboard. She had a few dents and a shattered window, but her engine was purring. Most importantly, she’d kept my tiger safe. Other vehicles are a puzzle I enjoy working out.

I’m…surprised.

I like getting my hands dirty. I grinned. Do you get off on dirty? I slid my hand closer to his thigh, brushing it with my knuckles.

He pushed it away. You don’t want me. I’m old enough to be your father. Stop the ridiculous flirting. He stared out the passenger window. The woods were dark. Not much to see.

I twisted my mouth in a frown. You’re only thirty-two-ish and I’m old enough to know exactly what I want. What’s a twelve-year difference for creatures who live to be two hundred plus?

I’m thirty-three.

Yeah, but the age thingy isn’t really the reason, right? No answer. Let me guess. I’m too immature and we have nothing in common.

Don’t put words in my mouth.

Then what is it? I pounded on the wheel for emphasis. Are my scars—

You can stop right there. Those are wounds earned in battle. They only make you more attractive.

I couldn’t hold back my smile. So, I’m attractive?

I refuse to feed your lupine ego.

I laughed. Says the stuck-up tiger.

He huffed. If you’d take the time to analyze your feelings, you’ll find you are confusing gratitude with attraction.

I am grateful. I’m grateful to Joan, Dex, Tyler, and a lot of shifters for taking me, my family, and all the other survivors from the old pack into Half Moon. For giving us a home. But I don’t want to see them naked or kiss their pretty lips or touch them in fun places. I winked, hoping my words broadcast playfully seductive and not desperately yearning.

What happened to the shy wolf I brought back to Half Moon two years ago?

He grew up. I took a few seconds to gather my courage. I know you want me.

I’ve never said I didn’t find you attractive. I’m a gay male. You’re a good-looking gay male. Your flirting is relentless. I’d have to be dead not to react physically. He shifted a bit in the seat and caught me staring at his groin. Keep your eyes on the road. I’d rather not have a second accident.

I was finally getting to the meat of the matter. According to town gossips, you don’t have a significant other.

I have an orchard and a clan to care for.

You deserve a little care. Everyone does.

"It will never work between us. We’d be the proverbial