Caught in a Lycan's Protection: Caught with a Lycan, #2

By Stephanie R. Lowell

When Meaghan witnesses the murder of her neighbour and flees for her life, she goes to the police station only to find out, she is in more trouble than she thought. When she realizes that the killer knows her identity, she looks for help and finds Calder.

Calder owns a security firm and there are times that he will go above and beyond for his clients, especially if it is in the world of the paranormal.

The more they find out about the man who is hunting her, the more Meaghan finds out about herself and how nothing in her world is as she thought

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie R. Lowell
• Release date: Nov 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781718615670

Stephanie R. Lowell

I love to write!!! I write poems, songs and I am working on a couple other books. As much as I love writing I also love making people laugh, usually at great risk to my own dignity. I am "that girl" who if you laugh at my jokes I will keep going, spiralling and escalating until boundaries are crossed or people stop laughing... usually both. Above all else I hope you read my stuff and even more than that, I hope you like it!!!

Book preview

Chapter One  Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Two  Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Three  Chapter Nineteen 

Chapter Four  Chapter Twenty

Chapter Five  Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

I would like to thank both of my wonderful parents for helping with my novels. My dad is a wonderful photographer and it is his pictures I often use on my covers.

To the readers!!!

If you enjoy this book, it would be very much appreciated if you would leave me a rating or review. Thanks!!!

Chapter One (Meaghan)

It has been a long day for me. I make wooden figurines, creating them from a block of wood and then painting them. I have even opened up my own store for selling them. This is something I am deeply passionate about, so when I was finally able to open up Delightfully Crafted Things, I was more than thrilled. I have had it up and running for almost a year and so far it has been a success.

It’s getting late when I finally close up my store in Vancouver. It’s nine o’clock when I lock up and make my way home. After a twenty minute drive to my apartment on busy streets, I get into the parking lot outside of my building and am relieved to finally be home. I am just about up the stairs when I hear two people shouting at each other. I debate going up any further but my home is up there and it’s ridiculous to sit on the stairs until their fight is over.

I am just reaching the top when I hear a soft puh of a silenced gun go off and I pause at the top of the stairs as I watch my neighbour Tom fall to the floor. The shooter turns around and his smile is filled with malicious intent. I turn back down the stairs and run as fast as I can. I can hear him running down the stairs behind me but I don’t look back.

Luckily I make it to my car and manage to turn on the ignition with shaking hands. Terror overflows my veins. I hit the gas pedal and fly out of the parking lot while trying to breathe as I drive knowing that now isn’t a good time to be passing out.  I drive around the city aimlessly for a good hour before I finally have the courage to stop. I decide to go to the police department.

The department looks relatively calm. I go to a desk where an officer is working, when he looks up at me.

Um, hi I start off saying. I would like to report a shooting in my building.

What’s the address? he asks.

I run off the address for him and tell him what I saw. I describe the man to the best of my ability but all I remember is the evil emanating off of him. That’s it.

We will get someone to go out there right away!

I turn to leave when am comes officer in. He looks up at me and I am staring into cold blue eyes and a familiar evil energy is wafting off of him. My heart beats a mile per second in my chest as I race out of the building. I am so screwed. He’s a cop, of course he is and now he will get all my information that I just willingly gave up.

I go to my car but now I have nowhere to go. I can’t go back to my place because he will most definitely find me. I decide to stop at an Inn that is both far enough from my place and the department that I feel relatively safe.

The place looks as run down on the inside as it does on the outside. I go to the desk where an older man is working.

Can I get a room? I ask him.

Sure, is it just you staying for the night?

Yes it is! It is just me all alone and I have nowhere to go.

I get to my room and I take a deep breath. Think Meaghan think! There has to be something you can do to save your own hide. I look at the bed that looks like it might be a little lumpy and decide I probably won’t be able to sleep anyway. Even though I know it will do me no good, I decide to crawl into the bed fully clothed and try to get some sleep because tomorrow is going to be a very long day.

I tossed and turned all night long. Even though it was only six in the morning, I might as well get up and make some coffee in the pot in my room. I turn on the television as I wait for my coffee to brew.

Last night some vandals threw a rock through the window of Delightfully Crafted Things and tore the place apart. I look at the television where they are showing my little store and the destruction that was wreaked. My heart beats faster and my hands become clammy, he figured out who I am. I have no doubt that this police officer who shot my neighbour is the one to blame for this vandalism. I am startled when I hear the beeping from the coffee maker indicating that it’s done brewing.

I pour myself a cup of coffee while lost in a daze, knowing that this guy is going to find me eventually, it’s just a matter of time. I need to find someone who can help me. Okay I can’t go back to the station and tell them that one of their own is dirty. Even if they did believe me there is a good chance they could be working with him. Even if they aren’t, there is no way they will believe my word over his. Looks like I’m going to have to find another way. I look at my cell phone and think about what to do next. I decide to google other options. Lyall Security pops up. I click on the link and see that it is a security firm, maybe they will be able to help me.  

I rush over to the address stated on the webpage. I get to the address and it’s a pretty suave looking place. Inside is clean and polished. Anything that’s upholstered is white and so are the curtains and the front desk. The floor is a polished hardwood. Very classy. When I make my way to the front desk, a beautiful young woman is there approximately my age which is twenty six. She is manicured, has blonde highlights in her dark brown hair and has dark brown eyes. She smiles at me which shows there isn’t a flaw on this woman. How can I help you? she asks in a friendly tone.

Hi, I’m Meaghan Greene! I say nervously. I think I saw something I shouldn’t have and am in a lot of trouble because of it I rush out. Her smile falters.

Okay, I’ll see if Calder can talk to you right away and you can give him the details. Then she scurry’s off.

When she comes back, she is with a man so gorgeous that my tongue almost lulls out of my mouth. He is tall with dark hair and blue eyes.

Hello there, he says holding out his hand. I’m Calder! His smile causes me to melt inside.

H-hi, I’m Meaghan! I stutter out and his smile widens. Does he know what an Adonis he is? I hope he doesn’t notice that I can’t speak coherently at the moment.

Come with me Meaghan and you can tell me why you need my help.

We get into his office and I sit down in a black upholster chair that looks like it might be pleather. I was walking home from work last night, when I got to my floor and there was a man shooting my neighbour. I look up at him and he is no longer smiling but waving his hand for me to continue. He noticed me there and chased me out of my building, and I drove around for a while. I decided to leave a statement at the police station and as I was leaving, the shooter came in wearing his uniform. The man is a cop. Now he is wearing a scowl. My business which is called Delightfully Crafted Things was vandalized this morning and I think it was him. He knows who I am and it’s only a matter of time before he kills me. He looks angry now.

There is a dirty cop out there using his equipment to take out people and any witnesses? he asks, almost seething.

It would appear so. I say.

Okay, I am going to help you. We fill figure out a way to take this guy down and keep you safe. He confirms sternly.

Th-thank you! I deflate with relief that I won’t have to deal with this horrid situation alone.

Where are you staying? he asks me.

I’m staying at an Inn right now. I look at the floor shamefully.

I have an extra room at my place if you are willing to stay with a stranger. I can tell by the look on his face, the offer wasn’t intended.

I wouldn’t want to be a burden! and I definitely don’t think I can be alone with you and keep a functioning equilibrium.

You wouldn’t be a burden and I know you would be safe there.

I sigh not knowing how to answer that.

It’s a big house! he adds to his argument against me.

Fine! I finally agree. I don’t have anywhere else to go anyway.

Oh, he says as an afterthought. Turn off your cell phone and don’t use your credit cards anywhere. At my confused look he says, They can track you that way. They probably tracked you to this neighbourhood but I have a device that will scramble the signal, but that’s only while you’re here. He tilts his head to the side before adding, And at my house.

So uh, where should I meet you so that you can take me over there?

I can take you over there now. He says as he grabs his keys off the table.

Now? I squeak.

Yeah, is that a problem? He sounds so serious.

No, I guess not! but the butterflies in my stomach are telling me something different.

His drive is about fifteen minutes outside the city limits where it was much quieter. Finally he turns into a driveway where a huge three story grey brick house lies. It’s a quiet neighbourhood and the houses are well spaced.

Whoa! I say looking at the house. You weren’t kidding about it being huge were you? I look back at him and he winks at me with a smile on his face. A smile that could make any woman swoon. Damn him and his good looks.

You can stay in whatever room you would like to. There are three on the top floor and two on the second. He smiles mischievously. I am in the master bedroom on the second floor.

Umm, I’ll take the third floor? I didn’t mean it as a question.

His smile widens. Whichever you prefer."

He leads the way to his house. I really wish I could have brought a change of clothes! I groan as I walk in without any luggage.

We couldn’t stop by your place in case someone is watching for you.

I know, I know. It just would have been nice to have something to wear to bed.

He looks over at me, I might have an old shirt you could wear.

I blush at the idea of wearing anything of his. It’s okay.

Feel free to sleep naked if you want to! he says and this time I think he is trying to make me blush. I look away from him and around the inside of the house. It definitely looks like a man lives here. Large flat screen T.V.? Check! Reclining chair? Check! Large sectional couch strategically placed so you can see the television no-matter where you sit? Check.

This way! he points to the stairs. When we finally get to the top floor he points to a room. I think you will like this one the best. He opens the door and the place is practically a bachelor apartment. There is no kitchen though. The king sized bed takes up most of one side of the room. There is a couch and television set that looks similar to that in living room.

Where shall I eat? I ask a little shyly.

You can eat with me if you wish or use the kitchen whenever you need to. It’s on the first floor. Make yourself at home. He says as he turns around, presumably to go back to work.

––––––––

(Calder)

What have I gotten myself into? Inviting a strange girl home so I can protect her. What’s with the frumpy clothes anyway? A long skirt and a baggy shirt that hides all her assets. I must say though, with dark brown hair tied back in a messy bun and light brown almost hazel eyes, she is very cute. Especially when she blushes.

The first thing I do when I get back to my apartment is look up Meaghan Greene in our data base. She is clean as a whistle which really isn’t a surprise since she seems to be on the straight and narrow. I find her apartment number and see a man was killed on the same floor last night. Bingo! Tom Winslow. Thirty three, no wife, no kids. Works as a lawyer but hasn’t made a huge name for himself yet. Nothing that says why anyone would want to kill him. Well other than being a lawyer that is.

I look into the police data base for all the people on the force in this area. I print off a bunch of pictures so she can point out the shooter.  My mind strays back to the cute little thing that will be staying in my home. Whatever made me offer her a place to stay is beyond me. Hopefully we don’t get in each other’s way.

I get home to a dark quiet house and my heart jumps