Taken by a Beast: True Mates, #2

By C. Sunrise

He thinks women can't be trusted. She thinks mates aren't all they're cracked up to be.

But when Zach meets his true mate, Bianca, he can't resist the need to haul her home with him, taking her away from everyone and everything she knows. Everything goes downhill from there.

Bianca's only ever known life with humans and now she's forced to live in a remote community full of shifters — as their alpha female. She struggles to adjust to her new life with a sexy mate who wants nothing to do with her. But she's not one to back down from a challenge, and by the time she's done, the pack will be hers and the alpha will be begging her to claim him.

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Book 2 of the True Mates series.

Welcome to the True Mates series — a trilogy of connected stories filled with supernatural beasts, action, suspense, romance, mystery, drama, and spice. Taken by a Beast is the second story (short novel) in this series. Each story in this series focuses on two unique characters and their journey to finding their true mate. Like most journeys, some are easier than others, but all face bumps in the road along the way. Some characters you'll love, and others you'll love to hate (and maybe learn to like in the end).

 

This book is the bumpiest ride on the journey to happily ever after in this series, but this couple eventually gets to their destination. Taken by a Beast ends on a cliff-hanger with everything wrapped up in the next/final book in this series (Hunted by a Beast).

 

⚠️ This is not a series for children. These stories contain graphic and mature content. Taken with a Beast includes scenes with violence and death. For content notes, please see the series introduction page in the book preview or visit the author's website. The books in this series were updated in October 2023 (v2) with new covers, interior formatting, and layout, and minor content changes.

 

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C. Sunrise is a Canadian author who spends too much time in the great Canadian outdoors and takes way too many pictures of her dogs (and the beautiful scenery, of course). She hasn't spotted a werewolf, bear shifter, or sasquatch... yet. Until then, she'll keep adventuring and writing fictional stories about fantastical creatures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wolf Moon Publishing
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781777369088

C. Sunrise

C. Sunrise is is a Canadian author who spends too much of her "spare" time in the great Canadian outdoors and takes way too many pictures of her dogs and wildlife (and the beautiful scenery, of course). She claims she hasn't spotted a werewolf, bear shifter, or Sasquatch... yet. After many years of melting her brain with copious amounts of non-fiction research and writing, she rediscovered the joy of reading and writing for entertainment purposes. Now she writes stories filled with fantastical creatures and realms, romance (with a dash of spice), and unique journeys to happily ever after. Happy reading! _____ *She also writes fantasy / paranormal romance under the pen name C.S. Knight.

Book preview

1

Twirling for the seventh time in front of the mirror, I admire how good I look in the little booty shorts. I might be showing up at the party alone, but there’s a good chance I won’t be leaving that way.

Ow ow owwww, Caroline howls as she walks into the room and looks me up and down. You look hot.

My family lived out of city limits, forcing me to get up almost two hours earlier than my classmates to take the bus to school when I was younger. But being out there meant I got to spend a lot of time in my wolf form. I preferred it over my human form. Then I met Caroline Emerton the Third, and my whole life turned upside down.

Caroline is… I guess the polite way to say it would be to call her a socialite. We met in university and she was the girl on every committee, brown nosing every professor, batting her eyelashes, and throwing around her father’s name every chance she got. Her father, Baron Emerton, is a top lawyer in North America who’s known globally. Their family also claims to be some sort of royalty, but aside from copious amounts of money and possessions, I have yet to see proof of that.

Caroline found my back country ways amusing and felt a need to save me from that life. At first, I found her efforts annoying and a bit condescending, but after a while she grew on me. Regardless of how many people followed her around like puppies, she was lonely. None of them were truly her friends, they were just using her for one thing or another.

She learned from an early age to not trust people to be genuine because she was rich, so she mastered the art of having lots of acquaintances and no real friends. I think she sensed my lack of interest in her money and way of life, and that was what made her trust me. She’s also more relaxed with me, often ridding herself of her pretentious facade.

Caroline. I chuckle, shaking my head at my friend. You look amazing, of course.

She shrugs off my compliment, but I notice the smile playing on her lips. Unlike her swarm of fake friends, she knows I mean everything I say. I’ve been nothing but honest with her since the first day we met, something that still surprises her. There were a few moments of honesty where I thought she was either going to swat me with her diamond encrusted purse or die from lack of oxygen as she seemed to forget to breathe again after gasping. Fortunately, neither has happened… yet.

"You ready to end your dry spell? Your outfit screams yes." She wiggles her eyebrows and wolf whistles.

I cross my left foot over the right and bow, flicking my pink and blue pigtails over my shoulders with my hands. Harley Quinn is my favourite character, and with my long, slender frame and platinum blonde hair, it’s the perfect character to dress up as for the Halloween party we’re going to.

After well over three years of forced quarantines and lockdowns due to a massive viral outbreak, this is the first time they’ve completely lifted the restrictions, letting us finally get together and celebrate.

There were several times over the past few years where I was reminded of post-apocalyptic movies. Bustling city streets were reduced to the occasional vehicle and random masked pedestrians. There were some advantages though, such as visibly cleaner air and the ability to see the stars on cloud-free nights.

Even though shifters are immune to the virus, we had to follow the same protocols as humans; otherwise, we would’ve roused suspicions and exposed our kind. You’d occasionally catch sight of a figure slinking in the shadows without a mask, knowing it was likely one of our kind giving in to their beast’s need to get outside. Not many shifters deal with being trapped in small areas for long periods of time.

To make up for lost time, university students have been catching up on all their missed parties and events over the last two weeks. That’s why we’re having a Halloween party at the end of the school year instead of in October. The warm spring weather is much appreciated when your costume consists of little more than a tiny pair of shorts and a child-sized shirt.

So… Caroline’s smile drops as her voice trails off, a slight grimace on her face. I didn’t want to tell you this until we were there, but I thought you deserved to know. She reaches a hand up and twirls a chunk of ruler-straight raven hair around her fingers, something she only does when she’s nervous.

She pauses and I cross my arms over my chest. Care, I say in a low warning tone, addressing my friend by her nickname we only use in private.

She exhales heavily. Vinny is going to be there tonight, but not until later so it should be easy to avoid him and have fun.

Vincent Romano, or Vinny, is my ex-boyfriend for many reasons. The main reason being that he’s an asshole with a capital A. He started off as a nice, smooth talker who weaselled his way into my life despite how many times I declined his offers to go out on a date with him. He persisted for years before I finally gave in.

You know when you look at someone and you just know they’re no good? Well, that’s Vinny and his whole shady family. There are rumours as to why their family is rich and after spending almost a year with him and his family, I’m not sure how far off the rumours are. But my primal side was intrigued by the danger. Deep down I found it exhilarating.

He slowly let his true colours shine through after a few months of us being together, but it wasn’t until I broke up with him that I realized the bullet I dodged — figuratively and perhaps literally too.

It’s fine, Care. I smile widely at my friend as she observes me carefully through squinted eyes. Seriously. I’m not worried about him anymore. Especially when I’ve got that with me. I point at the baseball bat I plan on bringing as part of my costume. Besides, last I heard he’s dating an exotic dancer, who I think was named something like Jessica Rubsit or something that’s supposed to be some twisted version of Jessica Rabbit.

I smirk as Caroline stares at me with furrowed brows. Living in the country with only my brother and parents around for miles, we spent a lot of time watching movies and reading books. Walking over to my desk, I grab my cel phone and search the internet for Jessica Rabbit before handing the phone to Caroline.

Her mouth drops open as she stares at the screen. "Okay, now I want to watch this movie AND meet this woman."

I laugh and nod. Maybe she’ll make an appearance tonight and you can check one of those off your list.

We continue chatting while we finish getting ready, chuckling at the odd pair we are: a crazed, colourful psychiatrist and the most seductive and expensive looking Cleopatra I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t be surprised if Caroline told me she’s wearing Cleopatras actual jewelry.

Rich people.

Although, it’s probably an accurate representation of how people see us everyday. One is a socially refined, proper woman who is admired and sought after by all, and the other is a misunderstood, often avoided, nearly feral woman who is deathly devoted to those in her life.

It took an hour for the party to liven up. I was a bit concerned when it started off looking like a high school dance with boys huddled on one side of the room and girls huddled on the other side. But after everyone had a few drinks and mingled, it looked more like a university party.

The best part about Halloween parties is that everyone attends. It isn’t just a party for the rich people, the frats, the jocks and cheerleaders, etcetera. It’s was a party for everyone. The costumes provide a sense of anonymity and help remove social barriers. We’re all just a bunch of young adults trying to have a good time.

After a bit of arm twisting, I finally convince Caroline to play a game of beer pong with me. We both hate beer, but it’s more about the experience and having a good time. We lose to a couple dressed up as nun and a priest, just to add insult to injury. And we lose bad. But we had fun doing it.

After that we head to the main living area and dance. Life is good. A few guys ask me to dance, but none of them spark any interest.

Caroline rolls her eyes at me each time I hug my dance partner and then walk away without so much as a flirty giggle. She, on the other hand, spends a good half an hour getting frisky with a tall man wearing a fancy masked prince costume.

Of course she’d find her way to a prince and the richest looking person in the room. Classic Caroline.

I wink at her and walk to the kitchen, hoping to refill my drink. I don’t make it half way through the room before a large hand grips my upper arm and spins me around.

What the hell! I glare at the person at the end of the hand. What the fuck are you doing, Vinny? Get your dirty hands off me!

He pulls me closer, his breath like acid on my cheek as he speaks lowly in my ear, "I’ll do whatever I want to you. You may think you broke up with me, but I own you, Bianca. You’re mine to do with as I please."

A loud hysterical laugh leaves my lips as I yank my arm from his grip, wishing I hadn’t put my baseball bat down by the couch while I danced. I hadn’t shifted into my wolf in years, for unknown reasons, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my beasts strength, speed, and recovery to use at my disposal, not to mention my claws and teeth if need be. It’s the reason I never truly feared Vinny. My only concern had been that I’d expose our kind to him… just before tearing out his throat with my teeth.

I’m guessing it’s the alcohol combined with the rush of adrenaline that’s making me particularly reactive, my upper lip twitching and flashing a slightly elongated canine. Confusion washes over his face briefly but he shakes his head, likely thinking he’s imaging things.

You think this is funny? Maybe I should take you upstairs and teach you a lesson in respect. He reaches for me and I slap his hand away, causing visible fury to burn in his eyes.

"I do think this is funny. And anything you have to show me upstairs would no doubt make me laugh harder. My laugh be the only big and hard thing in the room." I roll my eyes and turn to walk away, needing a new drink more with every passing second.

My eyes pan to the other side of the room, where Caroline stopped making out with her prince, worry etched in her face. I smile and shake my head when she makes eye contact with me, letting her know I’ve got this situation under control.

However, I was wrong.

Taking advantage of my distraction, Vinny’s hand shoots out and wraps around my neck, grabbing my throat and squeezing tight as he pulls me back, pressing me tight against his body. The entire room freezes, no one brave enough to step against Vinny and his four goons who are always standing right behind him.

I choke and sputter, considering my options being in a room full of humans, some of whom are taking the opportunity to record this interaction on their phones. I’m nowhere near my bat and it would raise suspicions if a woman of my size were able to drag a man of his size across a room with his fingers wrapped around my throat. Partially shifting and removing his hand with my claws would also be a big no-no. I’d no doubt survive his futile attack, but The Shifter Council would kill me for exposing our kind to humans.

You’re going to regret that. I’m going to have my way with every part of your body and maybe then you’ll learn to respect me. I took your virginity and now I’m going to take everything else. He growls in my ear as he steps forward, wrapping his arm tight against my waist and walking us towards the stairs.

Vinny is a complete ass, but even this is extreme for him. I was expecting some nasty words and failed attempts at making me jealous by throwing his new sex toy, Jessica, in my face, but nothing physical like this. Especially not in front of all these people.

He was slightly physical with me in the past and had gotten aggressive during sex, which my primal side enjoyed and I often gave back with as equal enthusiasm. My human side knew it was a slippery slope from pulling me from a restaurant by my arm because I smiled at the waiter to him teaching me a lesson with his fists. So I left before he had the chance and before I had a chance to teach him a lesson in return.

Black spots mar my vision and the faint, muffled sound of Caroline calling to me hits my ears. I slow my breathing, trying to calm myself. I can take Vinny out when we’re alone upstairs… if I can just hold out that long.

Did you just threaten to rape that woman? A deep, calm voice crosses the room, sparking a strange sensation in my core.

Vinny stops moving and tightens his grip on my throat. I gasp in response, automatically and frantically reaching up to pull on his fingers as my vision continues to fade, the black spots expanding and consuming the room.

That’s none of your business, Vinny growls and continues walking to the stairs, his grip still tight as I claw and scratch at his hand with my relatively weak human fingers.

Hurry up and get upstairs, so I can end this!

Oh, I assure you, it is my business. The huskiness of his voice has my body responding in a confusing way again and I hope my brain doesn’t associate near-death choking with pleasure in the future. I enjoy intimate choking, but this is a step too far for me. I think.

Vinny pauses again, turning slightly and nodding at his goons. A silent order to take care of the man who dare question him. He doesn’t wait