Hunting Rayce: The Hunting Series, #3

By Elizabeth St. John

The adult paranormal romance reading world just got a little more interesting with Hunting Rayce. As Jessica struggles with what she has done, Rayce remains the moral support she needs, even if it means accepting something neither of them wanted. Immerse yourself in the shadows once again and follow your favorite couple through the heart-wrenching change of their reality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth St.John
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223428510

Elizabeth St. John

This International Bestselling author began writing her first book in 2011. Though paranormal romance was the beginning of her journey, her true passion lies in horror and thriller based stories. Elizabeth's unique ability for storytelling has expanded to script writing, producing two screenplays. Over time, readers have described her style as twisted, intriguing, suspenseful, and captivating.

Book preview

Hunting Rayce

Changing the Shadows

Book 3

The Hunting Series

By

Elizabeth St.John

COPYRIGHT 2018

PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH ST.JOHN

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This eBook may not be re-sold.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ELECTRONIC EDITION 2018

Title: Hunting Rayce: Changing the Shadows – The Hunting Series

Author: Elizabeth St.John

WARNING!

This book is highly addictive. The following side effects may occur during the reading of this book.

Sleep deprivation, tired eyes, and chills. Other ailments may include, but are not limited to, character attachment, speech impairment, and even uncontrollable emotional outbursts.

Seek help immediately by leaving your review.

(WINK)

Enjoy!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Change

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Epilogue

The Change

Iexperienced my first shift at the prime age of eleven when my adolescent body began to thrust me directly into puberty. I knew it would come. After the first initial shock and pain of it, my hormones raged. Aside from my mother and immediate family, it was impossible for me to be around anyone of the female sex without an embarrassing erection making itself known for all to see. Being a young man was hard enough without the need to breed with every female hellhound I came in contact with.

Luckily, after my change, I was fortunate enough to be kept home from public school. Of course, I didn’t get the same education some normal boys my age would. During the day, I had my nose in the books, but by night, I was training to be who I was born to be. The title of Pack Master weighed heavily on my shoulders after my twin brother disappeared. I would have preferred my father show me the ropes, but his depression over the loss of Chayce had consumed him. Convinced that vampires had murdered him, he was hell-bent on hunting every last one down.

My physical education was decided by my uncle. I loved my parents but their idea of love was overshadowed by their grief. Understandably so. I didn’t know him, but the natural connection I had with Chayce was inexplicable. There was no way to describe the way I felt after he vanished. It was as if my arm had been ripped from my body. Something was missing. While my connection with my parents drifted further away, my cousin Gage loomed closer, like a phantom in the night. He had no desire to be around me as a young man. Once I had my first shift, his and my uncle’s version of training began. It was more comparable to physical torture. It didn’t matter how many blows I landed, Gage’s strength never faltered. Having large claws slash into your skin was enough to put anyone down, but not him. I witnessed his wounds heal almost instantly when mine would bleed for days and leave horrible scars. His advantage existed in the vampire blood he consumed.

My entire family had always been blood drinkers. I made the choice not to consume it as I knew what it could do to me. I would be lost in its powerful clutches. I would turn on anyone in order to keep the supply. Vampire blood has been known to do some crazy things to the mind of a hellhound.

Years passed, and though I had gained the skills of being a proper hellhound, my family’s thirst for blood increased. My father’s desire for vengeance ate at him like a virus, causing him, my mother, my aunt, and uncle to grow even more vengeful. It only took one fateful night to change my life forever.

My family gathered in order to strategize on the next vampire attack. I was sixteen and it would be my first hunt. I insisted I was ready to hunt along with them but I was shot down. My father, my pack master, commanded my cousin Jayson to watch over me. I never thought they were only trying to protect me from danger. Their loss of my brother had instilled an even stronger need to protect me. I know that now.

As I watched them leave the sanctuary of our home, I had a distinct ache in my stomach. Natural instinct, a sixth sense, I’m not sure, but I knew that would be the last time I would see them alive. My fears were confirmed when Gage returned hours later. He was covered in blood and the scent of smoke clung to his clothing. As he approached the Tate Estate, he attempted to keep his energy solemn, but there was something in his eyes. When the tale of my family’s demise began to spill out of his mouth, I knew he was lying.

In an instant, my life naturally shifted into another conundrum. My family was gone and I was presented with the one thing I was sure I wasn’t prepared for. Leadership. With my father gone, I was the next in line for pack master. My world was spinning out of control. The thought of stepping in and taking the lead scared me, and though Jayson insisted he would support me, I wasn’t ready. Without a second thought, I passed the title off to the next in line. Gage was more than eager for the role. I still remember the smile which spread across his face. It was one of pure accomplishment. Jayson pled with me not to do it. He insisted he would walk me through but I couldn’t. I didn’t want it.

What was once a thriving unit had turned dysfunctional and broken almost overnight. Even Jay had allowed the blood of vampires to invade his being. He was hopelessly addicted and though we had put together an exceptional business, he was consumed. Gage had become something my father never was. Yes, he was guilt-stricken, but he never treated his people like the scum on his boots. My cousin made a point to assert his command, even toward me. I had been broken and beaten down for so long, I had no desire to fight him. My world was that of darkness, despair, and misery. I lost everything I held dear. I was on auto-pilot from that day forward. It wasn’t until Jessica stepped into my life that I could finally see hope.

Jay rescued her from a vampire attack. She possessed a natural will to fight and he offered her a job in the vampire extermination business we owned. Of course, he did this without discussing it with me first. I do own half the business and we didn’t make it a habit to hire humans. Dawn was the first. The fact that she was his girlfriend at one time had a lot to do with that decision.

When I met Jessica, her dark-auburn hair was cut short to her ears and though she kept her magnificent smile on her lips, I could tell she had also been scared, simply by life. I wasn’t sure of what exactly had battered her inner spirit, but I knew she was the one for me. I didn’t think I was the one to fix her. She didn’t need fixing, but I did know I could make her life better. After our first meeting, I laid claim on her. Unfortunately, the moment the words passed my lips, Gage gave the order. His alpha position gave him immediate claim. I was never to be with her. He then made it his mission to flaunt her in front of me. The power of his command held strong but couldn’t detour me from being around her. I took every chance I got in order to hunt with her. Though I longed to build a bond with her, Gage was always watching, causing more tension in my life.

Jessica was oblivious, of course. I tried my hardest not to speak to her, but the lure of her scent had already bonded to my animal side. I waited in the shadows for three years, only watching. I would do my best to flirt with her when he wasn’t looking but I never advanced further than that. Gage had her in his sights and I couldn’t stop him from laying claim. He lied to her in order to gain access to her home. He toyed with the shattered edges of her heart as he slunk his way into her bed. I was sickened, but his actions pushed me forward.

Every ounce of his command lifted off my shoulders as I denied it. Against my cousin’s command, I thrust myself into Jessica’s life. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I couldn’t watch her suffer. I hated myself for allowing him to get so far. One night during a pack meeting which Jessica would attend, I invited Gage’s side chick, Jade. The plan worked out perfectly. Jade was all over my cousin, like a tick on a dog. Gage had fooled her long enough. She needed to see who he truly was. Her trust was betrayed and when she stormed out, I took the opportunity to catch her if she fell. I am not ashamed of what I had to do in order to get Jessica away from my sadistic cousin. That was the first night she and I had a full conversation. I never expected to bond with her so quickly, but there was no rejecting it.

1

Rayce

S omebody better be dead or dying, Jay complained as he yawned.

Dude, you’re still sleeping? I snickered and looked at my watch, It’s three o’clock in the afternoon, I teased. Like him, I was exhausted from the night before. I worked at T&J and then