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    Shadowlife-Hybrid
    Shadowlife-Hybrid
    Shadowlife-Hybrid
    Ebook340 pages5 hours

    Shadowlife-Hybrid

    By Claudy Conn

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Chase MacAdams is a hybrid with extraordinary abilities...
    Roxie is an Indian beauty--a shapeshifter on her mother’s side, and hales from a little known tribe in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Her father is an immortal—Scottish by choice and time.
    Thus, a friend, Nikki Walker thinks and rightly so, that Roxie will help in the fight against WB and his vampire clan. They need help because the vicious vampire now has Count Dracula on their side and all of Europe is in danger.
    However, they have given Roxie a difficult task. The team wants her to visit with Chase in the highlands of Scotland and convince him to join in the fight. He has already refused them, but Nikki doesn’t think he will refuse Roxie MacBran. And for all the wrong reasons he doesn’t...

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherClaudy Conn
    Release dateMar 18, 2012
    ISBN9781452462615
    Shadowlife-Hybrid
    Author

    Claudy Conn

    New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Claudy Conn is a multi published author who got her start with her bestselling historical/regency romances.She tells us that she fell in love with the fantasy/paranormal genre and created a world of paranormal.She hopes you will read and enjoy and join her on her facebook where she loves to interact with her readers.page.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

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      Book preview

      Shadowlife-Hybrid - Claudy Conn

      Just as she wanted to tear off his clothes and have him,

      he was the one who pulled away

      She knew he was three hundred years old—talk about messing with an older man—however, it was difficult to keep that in mind when he looked to be in his late twenties. In spite of the fact that she liked doing things for herself, she felt a certain flutter of pleasure as he helped her out of the car and saw her to the beautifully arched oak door.

      A moment later he had opened the door and stood aside for her to enter first. She had to brush up against him in order to pass inside. A sensation rushed through her body, and a wave of heat infiltrated her loins. He made her feel hot, wet, and ready …

      She had to get control. What was happening to her? She took in a deep breath and turned to him to say good night. Her mouth opened and stayed that way, but nothing came out.

      All at once he scooped her into his arms, wrapping her in an embrace that left her breathless and wanting more. She knew she should object—damn, she knew she should run. Object, she told herself, but instead, her traitorous body pressed against his as he bent his head to hers and touched his mouth—oh, that sensuous mouth—to hers.

      Her mouth was already open and ready for his kiss, and when that meeting took place, she lost herself to him. His touch vibrated wildly through her body as his tongue introduced itself to hers.

      Run! her brain demanded. Run now … but how could she when rockets were blasting away any route of escape? Hunger real and overwhelming eclipsed all logic, all other considerations. She was hungry for this … no … for this from him, from this bold and feral man. Stop! her mind hissed. This is only because you haven’t been with a man in so long, she told herself … stop.

      His kiss turned into two and three, and then suddenly, just as she wanted to tear off his clothes and have him, he was the one who pulled away.

      And when he spoke he sounded as though he were panting—no, wait. She was the one who was panting.

      He said, "Forgive me," turned on his heel, and was gone.

      She stood but reached for the wall to steady herself.

      Holy shit! What was that?

      Other books by Claudy Conn

      Legend Series

      Spellbound—Legend

      Shee Willow—Legend

      Trapped—Legend

      Free Falling—Legend

      Catch & Hold—Legend

      Prince in the Mist (Novella)

      Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)

      ~

      Shadow Series

      ShadowLove—Stalkers

      ShadowHeart—Slayer

      ~

      Spicy Regencies

      Myriah Fire

      Oh, Cherry Ripe

      ~

      DarkLove (published by Wild Rose Press)

      Written as Claudette Williams

      After the Storm

      Blades of Passion

      Cassandra

      Cherry Ripe

      Cotillion for Mandy

      Courting Christina

      A Daring Deceit

      Desert Rose, English Moon

      Fire and Desire

      Heart of Fancy

      Lady Barbara

      Lady Bell

      Lady Madcap

      Lady Magic

      Lady Runaway

      Lady Sunshine

      Lady Velvet

      Lord Wildfire

      Masquerade Waltz

      Myriah

      Passion’s Pride

      A Rake’s Folly

      Regency Star

      Sassy

      Song of Silkie

      Spring Gambit

      Sunday’s Child

      The Convenient Romance

      Jewelene

      Lacey

      Naughty Lady Ness

      Mary, Sweet Mary

      Lady Brandy

      Hotspur & Taffeta

      Sweet Disorder

      What reviewers are saying

      about Claudy’s books

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is filled with steaming action and dramatic tension … Claudy delicately plants the seeds for future development and characters without distracting from the excitement and romance of Stalkers. The result is that she has a paranormal, vampire series, of romance novels, which carries her own unique and spicy aroma.

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT … and yes, I am blushing.

      ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

      Five Cups and a CTTR (Coffee Time Reviewer’s Recommend) Award

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is a story that immediately hooks the reader. It reminds me of a roller coaster just beginning, only to plunge into speed, drawing the reader into non-stop action. Intense and spellbinding, this paranormal romance kept this reader engrossed until the conclusion. I loved the passion and chemistry between the main characters. With tremendous action and well thought out characters, this fantastic read sizzles and sparks like a firecracker.

      ~ Coffee Time Romance & More

      Trapped Legend has my pulse skyrocketing!

      A clever, fast paced, unpredictable blend of action, adventure, mystery, magic and steamy hot loving … I picked it up and couldn't tear myself away from it until I read the last page.

      I highly recommend each book in Claudy's Legend series. You're seriously missing out on some wonderful adventures if you haven't read the previous stories. It's by far one of the most exceptionally crafted, enchanting Fae series I've ever read.

      ~ Candice Stauffer, author

      Five Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer

      This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a standalone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

      This is another one I couldn’t put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.

      ~ Wild About Bones on GoodReads

      One hot and thrilling book

      I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound—Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.

      ~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

      5 out of 5 stars

      Fanning the flames of Myriah Fire!

      What was once an innocent, if rollicking, regency romance has exploded with passion as Claudy Conn revisits Myriah Fire to turn up the heat.

      The addition of unbridled sexual passion to Myriah Fire’s strong story brings dimensions of maturity and depth to the struggles faced by Myriah and Kit, without diminishing any of the innocence, joy or charm found in the original story. This revised version of Myriah Fire allows Claudy’s regency followers to appreciate what her paranormal romance fans have discovered—mind-bending eroticism.

      A truly captivating tale with a blast of added sizzle, Myriah Fire will kindle the flames of your heart and burn up the night.

      ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

      Love, love, love Myriah Fire!

      It’s a brilliant, fast-paced, and ‘true to its title’, ‘going to catch you on fire’ romance. Looking forward to more! Hoping Claudy Conn plans to share more of her historical treasures with us.

      ~ Candice Stauffer, author

      Myriah has always been my favorite

      This is a sweet, funny, charming romance. The characters are likeable and the story is well told. I loved all of the Claudette Williams (now Claudy Conn) books, but this one has always been my favorite. I hope she will put out more of her backlist.

      ~ lmjolicoeur on Smashwords

      ShadowLife

      Hybrid

      By

      Claudy Conn

      ShadowLife—Hybrid

      By Claudy Conn

      http://www.claudyconn.com

      Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

      Edited by: Karen Babcock

      Cover Artist: Kendra Egert

      All rights reserved

      Smashwords Edition

      March 2012

      Excerpt of ShadowLove—Stalkers

      Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

      Excerpt of ShadowHeart—Slayer

      Copyright © 2011 by Claudy Conn

      Excerpt of Myriah Fire

      Copyright © 2011 by Claudy Conn

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

      Discover other titles by Claudy Conn at Smashwords.com:

      Spellbound—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96103

      Shee Willow—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/103389

      Trapped—Legend – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/112028

      Free Falling—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/92368

      Catch & Hold—Legend – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/124602

      Prince in the Mist – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/104045

      Aaibhe—Shee Queen – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/110252

      ShadowLove—Stalkers – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/63037

      ShadowHeart—Slayer – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84350

      Myriah Fire – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109011

      Oh, Cherry Ripe – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/135532

      Dedication

      To my life support in all things, Dawn and Bill,

      with great love and downright devotion.

      Contents

      ShadowLife—Hybrid

      Preview: ShadowLove—Stalkers

      Preview: ShadowHeart—Slayer

      Preview: Myriah Fire

      About Claudy Conn

      ShadowLife—Hybrid

      "No matter how much you feed the wolf, he keeps

      Looking at the Forest."

      —Ilse Lehiste

      ~ Prelude ~

      Present day

      Grampian Mountains, Scottish Highlands

      HE FEELS the weight of his tongue hanging hot and wet between his sharp canines, teeth that can crush through a man’s bones, as he races with precision through the trees. The wolf in him takes the scent from the earth and then lifts his head to the breeze to confirm the distance—a wolf can detect its prey in this manner almost two miles away.

      The cold wind whips at his thick and beautiful black fur; he loves the sensation it tracks through his body. The last of the winter snow is beginning to melt beneath his huge paws, and he revels in the freedom of the run.

      He is at home in these woods. The scent of the sweet-smelling tall pines mingled with the rays of the new morning’s sun has a soothing effect on his frazzled nerves—as does the hunt. He has abstained long enough.

      The early scent of spring fills his nostrils as he reaches the precipice where he can look over his valley. There he shifts into human and lands naked on two feet.

      He stands a huge, muscular man, with his black, shiny hair blowing freely in the morning breeze. The intricate tattoos on his chest and arms catch the sun’s rays as his muscles flex and he raises his head to catch the scent of the deer off the wind, the old stag he has been tracking. His cock is at full attention from the excitement of the hunt.

      These woods have belonged to his family for centuries—MacAdams’ Foothills they are called. He and his father, nearly lost to him, are the last of his clan. They are neither man, wolf, or vampire, but all three.

      * * *

      He was alone and apart from all but at peace in his solitary existence. He was alone by his own will, alone because society and humans no longer appealed, alone after the murder of his dear mother.

      He hadn’t even bothered going into the village for more than a few errands: mail, supplies … now and then a piece of ass. And today that particular craving made him feel heady. He needed a woman, and the need was pushing him in that direction, if only for a night, perhaps this night? He thought of Anna—a pliable and alluring playmate, ever ready and willing and nearly (though not quite) able to satisfy his unrelenting lust.

      He was a hybrid, able to change at will because he had been born that way centuries ago. Going wolf always cleared his head and heart, but feeding—that was quite another thing; he hadn’t fed in the wild for so long because, contrary to the wolf in him, the human detested killing.

      He was immune to the weather’s biting cold against his skin. He could feel it, for it stayed cold in the Highlands until late spring, but it didn’t chill the human in him as he stood patiently awaiting the right moment, his heart pumping exuberantly with the thrill of the hunt.

      He didn’t have to hunt, as he had a fully stocked cellar at his home, but the need—the almost overwhelming primal need—drove him at times like this.

      He crunched for his lethal jump as he heard the old stag in the distance approach. He had chosen this particular buck because the twelve-pointer was aged and showing signs of decline. He would honor it by bringing its life full circle. He would make its death quick and purposeful. In spite of his reluctance to kill, he experienced pleasure in the act that was difficult to admit to himself, but it wasn’t for sport …

      The stag had not picked up his scent and slowly wandered into range. The man transformed once more into wolf and waited with infinite patience. He wanted a clean kill, one that would be as painless as he could achieve.

      All at once and with precision, he was on the stag, bringing him down. A wolf could overpower even something ten times its size. A hybrid had the strength of many wolves.

      He made a quick, clean kill, tearing the stag’s throat to accomplish the kill in the instant.

      He needed the fresh blood for the vampire so much a part of who he was, and he wanted the fresh raw meat for the wolf. The human honored the old stag with an ancient Indian prayer.

      The human … Chase MacAdams was a hybrid extraordinaire, billionaire, and recluse, but he thought himself a pitiful being, alone and disillusioned with his lot in life. With all the power he held, with all the power his father held, they had not seen that his beautiful mother had a stalker and had been in mortal danger that fateful afternoon. They had arrived on the scene too late to save her. Her murderer had been an ancient force, one they had tracked until they hit a dead end. Her murderer had been the prime evil, Count Dracula. With all the blood force that beat in their broken hearts, Chase and his father meant to bide their time until they could annihilate him.

      His mother had whispered in her last moments that she had not given up her dear friend’s secret. She had not told Dracula what he wanted to know …

      And then she had closed her eyes, and his mother, who had been made a hybrid by his father and should have been invincible, died.

      Dracula had used the only weapon that could kill an immortal hybrid. Chase had made up his mind that one day, someday, he would take that weapon and plunge it into Dracula’s eyes … first one and then the next.

      Unable to locate Dracula, Chase’s father had gone off alone to grieve. Chase had remained at their home. Needing to escape from the misery of his disillusionment, the grief over his loss, and the guilt he felt about being unable to avenge his mother’s murder at Dracula’s hands, he’d retreated into seclusion. For the past year, his thoughts and heart treated each other with self-pity while he plotted a course to find and destroy the ancient immortal.

      Chase MacAdams was powerful beyond measure and equipped with skills that made him far more deadly than his gentle mother. He was also a dissatisfied man and an alpha wolf in desperate need of something he could not, would not name to himself … a mate.

      He had not in all his three hundred years imprinted on a female—and he had never really fallen in love.

      He raised his head, and his dark gold wolf eyes surveyed the craggy hillside as he released a long, soulful howl, one picked up by a nearby pack of wolves and returned with encouragement. Wolves have a deep and caring social order, and he had been accepted by the local pack a very long time ago.

      He fed now, fulfilling his physical needs, and left the remains for the stray wildlife that would surely visit when he was gone. Then he was moving again with grace and speed, a wolf reveling in the success of his hunt and the beauty of his forest.

      In the distance he could see the ruins of Strathmore Castle, a local tourist haunt. Just below halfway down the foothill, not yet visible, stood his home, a mansion of stone and logs …

      He was so tired of living this existence, for it was no more than that. He wanted more, but there never would be more for him. He could not allow himself to love, for no doubt she would be human and live a human life; when she discovered what he was, she would be repulsed.

      Or just when he thought life had everything to offer with a mate in his arms, he would lose her as his father had lost his mate to some unexpected horror …

      So Chase ran to escape his loneliness, but it was always there waiting for him, around the bend, in the mirror … in the family home that he loved …

      And then he saw it—a strange car in the bluestone gravel courtyard of his mansion. Why was it there, and who was the beautiful, black-haired young woman knocking at his big oak front door …?

      "The gaze of the wolf reaches into our soul …"

      —Barry Lopez

      ~ Prologue ~

      HER LONG, SILKY black hair was a gift from her mother. In her stocking feet she stood at five-five, but with her heeled boots she was a good deal taller. She rubbed her cold hands against her jeans. She shouldn’t feel the cold … she wasn’t supposed to feel the cold, but somehow she did—perhaps it was because she had turned her back on what she was, suppressed everything she had inside into virtual non-existence.

      Her eyes were often described by young men attempting to seduce her as exotic, but it was more than a line. It was the truth. Her eyes were almond-shaped, large and green like a deep, dark lake, also from her mother, but if you looked closely and deeply you would see the glitter of gold—and that she got from her mysterious Scottish father. At the moment her eyes held a wary expression and her body was tense with the anticipation of the unknown. She was about to do something she had never done before—seduce a man with a lie.

      Her dark gray rental car was parked in the gravel courtyard, and although she had been knocking for a few moments, it seemed as though no one was home. The separate garage was of the same lovely design of stone and logs, and she walked over to it, her heels twisting a bit in the gravel. Peering inside with her hand over her forehead she saw three cars inside the spacious building. One was a silver Jag, another a jeep, and the other a truck. She smiled because it was a Ford 250—American made, in the Highlands. Who would have thought?

      She sighed and wondered if Chase MacAdams was out walking his foothills. Where would he be? She grimaced—he only owned one thousand acres …

      She returned to the front oak door and peered through its long, wood-paned side window. She put her hands on her jean-covered hips and turned to look down the long, winding driveway.

      Well, she told the wind, no one home … so I guess I’ll leave it for another day. As she walked towards her rental, she fished in her pocket for her keys. Then she stopped as she heard a sound in the woods that flanked and stretched upwards along the driveway.

      * * *

      Chase licked his lips as he watched her. She stirred a sudden, strong desire in his loins. She was a beauty, and he liked the way her hips swayed as her provocative body moved gracefully, almost stealthily when she walked. He watched her as she went to his garage, and with the accuracy of his vampire vision he saw her delicate dark brows draw together. Who the hell was she?

      He hurried the remainder of the way and entered his home through the back door, threw on a pair of jeans and a black T, and slipped into his Gucci boots, smiling to himself at the look he presented in his mirror. Oh yeah, style it up for the lady.

      He opened his door wide. Her back was to him as she still stood by her rental and scanned the driveway. He said, May I help ye?

      She turned, and he sucked in air. She was breathtaking. At a distance he had seen she was beautiful, but now, close up, her good looks simply blew him away. The wind picked up and took a strand of her black, silky hair and sprayed it across her face. She brushed it away and smiled at him.

      His hard-on throbbed in his jeans, making him damned uncomfortable. Then she spoke, and the sound of her voice sent shivers through his body.

      "Oh, you are here …"

      So I am, he said in his Old World Scottish accent and had the satisfaction of watching her eyes look him over with what he thought was sure appreciation. Och aye, this was going to be a good day. Aye, then … he said and stood aside as he inclined his head and offered, Would ye like to come in out of the cold, lass?

      She laughed and said, Yes, thank you. It is cold—I didn’t realize it would be quite this cold in your Highlands, and I don’t think this little jacket is doing the trick.

      He looked at the little brown, waist-length soft leather jacket and noticed the fullness of her breasts as his eyelids half closed. He asked, American, are ye … a long way from home?

      Yup, that’s me … American … Native American in fact, on my mother’s side. She had spanned the distance between them and stepped into the central hall. A quick glance showed her a modern ‘log cabin—mansion-styled’ home. Everything was in rich wood and stone, and it was warm and inviting. She put out her hand and said, Hi … I’m Roxie MacBran—your solicitor said you would be expecting me? She tilted her head.

      Tom said that? He frowned and turned to the round table sitting in the middle of the hallway where a stack of mail he had picked up still reposed unread. He went to it and sorted through until he found what he was looking for and slapped it across his hand. Ah … He smiled at her. Save us some time, Miss MacBran. Why are ye here?

      To fill the position of gatekeeper, she answered with self-assurance.

      He stopped, looked at her for a long pause, and shook his head. Noo … oh … I don’t think so.

      But you haven’t even looked at my references … they should be in that envelope. She pointed to the letter he was still holding.

      I was looking for a man, he answered roundly.

      I am fully qualified. I have a gun license, and I know how to use one. I am a black belt and—

      Just what do ye think being a gatekeeper involves? I don’t need protection or that kind of a guard. I just need someone to man—the key word being ‘man’—my gate at the beginning of my drive. People have a habit driving right up to the gate and parking along it on both sides, thinking I am away … or whatever. They’ve been using my woods for camping, especially during the spring and summer months. I need it to stop.

      If that is all you really need, an automatic gate would do you, she suggested softly. But I think you need more than that.

      As I said, they park outside the gate and find a way in along the border and then tramp on up … He shook his head. No … a woman couldn’t stop—

      "Then I am the one for the job. No one will tramp on up while I am on duty, she interjected. As I said, I own a gun and I know how to use one … and I’m black belt trained."

      Yes, but—

      But what—no room there for a but. You need a gatekeeper … here I am.

      Why would ye want the job? It will be lonely here for ye, lass, in the Highlands.

      You have a village nearby where I’m sure I can find a pub and make some friends, and there is Inverness on my days off.

      He frowned, circled around her, came right up to her, and leaned in close. As his six-foot-something towered over her, he said, I doona think it is a good idea for a woman to live alone … up here away from … the world.

      As I said, she answered softly.

      He was drawn to her and those luscious green-gold eyes of hers—so unique. He was on fire suddenly with desire, and his wolf was beating a drum in his head. His heart pounded in a hard, quick staccato, and he thought she might hear it beating between them. He shook his head at her, unable to speak.

      She said, I know how to take care of myself, and I need this job.

      Why? Why do ye need this job?

      The pay is more than I could presently make in the States. Economy not so good just now, and I’m working on my first novel.

      I don’t have Internet set up in the gatehouse, he said firmly.

      Ah, but I looked into getting satellite for both TV and Internet—no problem. If you give me the job I can have that all set up tomorrow.

      I doona like this, he answered, moving another step closer to her.

      She moved into him and looked long into his warm, gold eyes. Why? It all fits. I came all the way here. Do you mean to turn me away?

      I doona think ye are right for the job. He frowned darkly at her.

      Give me a chance, and if it doesn’t work out for you, well, you can always fire me, boss, she said and gave him a look that blew all his resolve out the door. She put out her hand. Deal? I need to hurry and get someone out to the house to install the dish, and I need to go shopping …

      He studied her for a long moment and admitted to himself that he’d decided to give her the job the moment he realized it was what she wanted. He gave her his hand; when their hands clasped he felt a bolt of lightning shoot through his arm and aim directly at his brain, scalding all logical thought as it continued and found a path straight to his dick. The problem was that his wolf had decided he had to

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