Unbound (Shifter Night Book 2) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  About the Author

  Also by Charlene Hartnady

  Excerpt

  Unbound

  Shifter Night: Book 2

  Charlene Hartnady

  Copyright © December 2017, Charlene Hartnady

  Cover Art by Melody Simmons

  Copy Edited by KR

  Website and VA: Simplicity

  Proofread by [email protected]

  Produced in South Africa

  [email protected]

  Unbound is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  About the Author

  Also by Charlene Hartnady

  Excerpt

  1

  “I dare you.” Meredith cocked a hip. It was a skinny-ass hip. The kind of hip Alice used to dream of having. She had long since given up on that dream though since a diet of leaves wasn't her thing.

  Then she realized what the little witch had just said. “Excuse me?” Alice narrowed her eyes, trying to throw daggers at Meredith.

  “You heard me.” Her salon’s best stylist looked at her from under long lashes and threw her a cocky smile. “I dare you to come with us tonight.”

  Alice had to fight not to return the smile. Forget it! “What?” She gave a quick shake of the head and frowned. “Are we twelve or something? You’re daring me?”

  “We’re certainly not twelve.” Meredith giggled. “If we were that young, I would never dare you to go to a place like this. And yes, I’m most definitely daring you to come with us.”

  “I should hope not and forget about it.” She turned back to her client ‒ or rather, the back of her client’s damp head ‒ and glanced up.

  Mrs. Kellerman’s reflection grinned back at her in the mirror. “I have to say that I agree with that young lady.” She gestured to where Meredith was still standing. Still staring at her. Still smiling like a naughty child.

  “What harm can it do?” Mrs. Kellerman went on. “All you do is work, work, work. You are always at the salon. You’ve never once mentioned a personal life.”

  Ouch! Sad but true. “This place is open six days a week. I order all the supplies and catch up on the admin on my one day off. I don’t have time to go traipsing around pick-up bars.”

  “Firstly—” Meredith put up a beautifully manicured finger.

  “Is that the new pink nail polish that just came in?”

  Meredith nodded. “Yep, it’s the new watermelon pink. Isn’t it pretty?” She held up her whole hand. “Don’t answer that. Good try at changing the subject though. Firstly,” the one finger went back up, “the salon is closed at night. Secondly, you keep saying you have no time for a relationship, so a pick-up bar is perfect for you.” She winked at Alice, who couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

  “If I were ten years younger I’d go for sure.” The older woman blushed as she spoke.

  “You should come anyway, Mrs. Kellerman. Just because you go, does not mean that you have to take one of them home. Go for the eye candy.” Meredith gave an eye-roll of her own. This one had a different connotation altogether. “Those shifters sure are fine. It’s not easy to snag one though. The competition is fierce.”

  “Seriously? It doesn’t sound like any kind of fun. These guys are so used to women throwing themselves at them. They might be good-looking, but I’m sure they’re a bunch of arrogant assholes. If I went, it would only be so I could turn one down and see the look on his face. I’m sure that’s never happened before.” Alice snickered at the thought.

  “You would be right.” Meredith’s eyes were wide. “No-one in their right mind would turn one of them down.” She shook her head. “It just wouldn’t happen. I know I would jump at the chance. You would too, mark my words.” Her whole demeanor turned serious.

  “Wait just a minute,” Alice turned to Meredith, “I thought you said you’ve been to Shifter Night a few times.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been every Saturday night for the last couple of weeks, barring one when my folks were in town for the weekend.” Meredith had moved to Sweetwater a couple of years ago and moved in with a local guy she’d met in college. They’d since broken up but Meredith had stayed in town. She’d said that her life was here now.

  “And?” Alice asked when Meredith didn’t add anything.

  “And,” she shrugged, “despite going a couple of times, I’ve had no luck.”

  Alice felt her mouth fall open. As in, ‘snap-dragon, catching flies’ wide open. Meredith was a stunner. Slim, trim and as cute as a button. She jogged several miles every morning. She drank protein shakes instead of eating actual food for lunch. She was perfect, or as close as a woman could get to perfect. Alice envied her skinny jeans and perky little breasts. No bra necessary for those babies. “You’re kidding me,” she finally blurted.

  Meredith removed some non-existent lint from her cutsie tank top and sighed. “Nope, no luck yet. Like I said, competition is fierce. There’s even a company organizing Shifter Night tours. There are women who come to town just to take part. It’s really become a thing. Tourism in Sweetwater is booming, especially on the weekends. Haven’t you noticed how many B&Bs have suddenly popped up, and a hotel? The thing has six floors.”

  “Shifter Night tours? That’s nuts!”

  “You’re telling me! That’s why I’m inviting you right now; if you come to the Dark Horse on a Saturday night and manage to snag the interest of one of those gorgeous men ‒ or should I say shifters ‒ you will not be able to turn him down. That much I guarantee you.”

  “I most certainly would. Especially if he was an arrogant ass, and I suspect they all are. They have to be with all that attention thrown their way.” She widened her eyes. “Shifter Night tours.” She shook her head in disbelief.

  “Well then …” Meredith folded her arms. Alice didn’t like the look that had appeared on her face. “Why not prove it and come along? My dare still stands. In
fact, I’ll work your shift tomorrow if you come. Mrs. Kellerman is right, you never take a day for yourself. You never indulge in anything, for that matter.”

  “Go! What do you have to lose?” Mrs. Kellerman flapped her hands, looking excited. “It’ll be fun.”

  The thought of a day off was appealing. Especially a Sunday. She’d sleep in and stay in her pajamas the whole day. She’d order pizza and binge-watch Game of Thrones.

  “I can see you want to,” Meredith spoke in a sing-song voice. “Come on, you have nothing to lose. Who knows …” she bobbed her eyebrows, “you might even need that day off to recuperate.”

  “Now that’s not going to happen, but yes, if you work my Sunday shift I’ll go with you to the Dark Horse tonight.”

  Meredith jumped up and down while clapping her hands.

  2

  Another person bumped into her. A woman. Of course it was. There were at least ten women to every man in this place.

  “What did I tell you?” Meredith bumped her elbow against Alice’s arm.

  “You were right, there’s an obscene amount of people in here. That tour company must be making a small fortune.”

  “No, silly!” Meredith frowned. “Not about how many people are here, but about how sexy these guys are. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

  “Never.” It was the truth. The guys were exactly what she had expected. Okay, maybe not exactly. They were taller and more built. They were better dressed and groomed than she had expected. Quite a few of them even wore button-down shirts. But the way they strutted their stuff and the way they carried themselves was exactly as she had expected. They were arrogant and full of it. These men had women throwing themselves at them at every turn, so all she had to do was find herself a quiet spot to ‘people watch’ and she’d be all set. A couple of drinks and then she’d be home free. A whole Sunday to herself; she could hardly wait.

  “You don’t look in the least bit interested,” Bella, one of Meredith’s friends, commented.

  “I’m not.” Alice shook her head.

  “You have got to be kidding me. Are you carved from ice or something?”

  Alice shrugged. She’d long since stopped admiring guys like this. The big guys, the built guys, the ultra-cute ones, the ones even the pretty girls got themselves into a tangle over. The players. No thanks! It wasn’t worth the heartache. “Something like that,” she mumbled.

  Meredith gave her arm a squeeze. “It’s been a couple of years.”

  Alice regretted confiding in Meredith. It was a moment of weakness. “I’m fine. I’m enjoying my drink.” She held up her glass. It was a vodka, lime, and soda. It was her second, and last, of the evening. After this ‒ if she stayed that long, she gave an internal sigh ‒ she would move on to drinking water. There was no way she was spending tomorrow hungover.

  “Let’s go and dance.” Bella gripped Meredith by the arm and looked at Alice questioningly.

  Alice shook her head.

  “Oh, come on.” Meredith gripped her arm in a stronghold. “You’re coming.” She widened her eyes. “And you’re having fun … do you hear me?”

  Alice smiled at Meredith. It was weird how working such long hours with a person would make you friends despite your backgrounds. Despite everything. In many ways, Alice admired Meredith. She had ultra-rich parents who wanted nothing more than for her to marry rich and organize charity functions for a living. Yet Meredith chose to stand on her own two feet. Or, mostly on her own two feet, since they had bought her a gorgeous apartment and a convertible.

  “Okay,” she forced a smile, “sounds good.”

  A catchy tune was playing, so why the hell not? She may as well have fun while she was there. Bella and Meredith downed their drinks, setting the glasses on a nearby table. It wasn’t like Alice planned on busting out any moves, so she held onto her own glass and made her way to the overcrowded dance floor.

  An hour later, she finished the last of her drink. Dancing was thirsty work.

  “I’ll go and get us another round!” Meredith yelled above the music, motioning at Alice’s empty glass, that was still in her hand.

  “I’ll go with you!” Bella yelled, looking at Meredith, who shook her head.

  “You guys carry on dancing. I might be a while.”

  “There was a cute guy at the bar,” Bella said, her eyes filled with excitement. “I was hoping to …” She widened her eyes.

  Meredith turned to her.

  “You guys go ahead.” Alice waved a hand. “I’m tired, I wouldn’t mind finding a chair somewhere over there.” She gestured to the rear of the bar.

  “Good luck with that,” Meredith snorted. She quickly turned serious. “Are you sure you don’t want to come along?”

  Alice shook her head. Just the thought of going back to that ridiculously crowded bar area had her cringing. “I’ll wait over there.”

  Meredith nodded. Alice gripped her friend’s arm. “Oh, please get me a water, I’m pretty thirsty.”

  “Come on. Don’t be a party pooper!” Meredith narrowed her eyes at her. “You don’t get out much … live a little.”

  “Fine,” Alice huffed, sounding frustrated. She shook her head, smiling. “I’ll have another vodka, lime, and soda but it’s my last one.” She raised her brows.

  “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Alice laughed. A bit? She would be more like in an hour and a half … at least. The crowds were ridiculous. Another woman brushed past, almost falling off of her stiletto heels. She looked down at her own outfit. Even though there were all types here, Alice still didn’t feel like she fit in. She wasn’t dressed up enough. Wasn’t showing nearly enough skin.

  The female was different. She stared more at the other females than at the males in the room. She hadn’t tried to approach anyone. That, in itself, wasn’t abnormal. Some females were shy. Especially human females. Those were certainly the type he was attracted to. Shy and curvy, now that was a perfect combination. The curvier, the better. This female was lush. Seriously fucking lush.

  “Hey, honey.” Someone smelling of a sickly floral scent gripped his arm. Ash looked down. The female had talons painted in a dark red. Her dress was short and tight. “Would you like to buy me a drink?”

  “Not particularly.” Ash shook his head.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Okay, well, maybe I can buy you a drink then?”

  “Thanks, but no.” He shrugged past her, noticing how her mouth dropped open.

  He almost ran into Hunter as he strode away. The male was smirking at him, arm draped around a female who looked just like the one who had just propositioned him.

  Hunter rolled his eyes. “Still as picky as ever.”

  Ash shrugged. “Still as easy as ever.” He grinned at the male, who barked out a laugh.

  The female on his arm raised her brows. “Hey!” She moaned the word like she was affronted by his remark. Ash didn’t hang around to hear anything else she had to say. He kept on moving towards …

  Where was she?

  Where the hell? Ash scanned the crowd. The female might be curvy, but she was tiny. Five foot three maybe. She’d been on the dance floor shaking that gorgeous ass of hers just minutes ago. His gaze moved through the crowd. Oh, there. He pushed out a breath. She had her back to the wall, her eyes tracking the various groups of people with interest. Her friends were nowhere in sight.

  Perfect.

  Ash walked right on over. He ignored the stares that other females were giving him. One of them even made a grab at him, but he ducked out of her clutches. His stare fixed on the dark-haired beauty. Her eyes were just as dark, her lashes thick. Ash strode straight up to her, looking down at all of those sweet curves. She was wrapped up in a black dress that went clear down to her knees. The sleeves stopped at her elbows. The high ‘V’ of the neck hinted at cleavage which, by the deep curves, was sure to be abundant.

  He sucked in a deep breath. Aside from the bar’s smell of sweat, alcohol and fried food, he caught the e
dge of her amazing scent of honeyed apples. The green, tart kind. The crisp kind that crunched when you bit into them. There was definitely a sweet edge though. Honey, he sniffed again, his favorite for sure. The kind that was still on the comb. Sticky and dripping. It made his mouth water for a taste.

  “Are you sniffing me?” Her eyes were wide, her mouth set in a grimace.

  Fuck, but she was perfection. She cocked a lush hip, one of her hands clasping there.

  “Would it be a problem if I was?” He lifted his gaze to meet hers, stepped in a little closer so that she would hear him above the noise.

  “If it was only that, no, but since your eyes were all over my boobs while you were doing it, yes, it’s a problem.”

  Maybe he should turn around and walk away, right now, because he was liable to fall in love with this female and quickly. His chest tightened, along with his jaw. Not a fuck! Not even close. The only things he was falling in love with were those curves and the honeypot nestled between those thighs. Or, maybe her lips, which were soft looking.

  Ash suppressed a grin. “I couldn’t help but admire …”

  “Thanks, but no thanks.”

  He choked out a laugh. This was a first for him. “I haven’t offered anything … yet,” he let the word hang between them, “but—”

  “Thanks, but no,” she repeated. “No buts, ifs or maybes about it. I’m not here for … well … for that.”

  “That?” He raised his brows.

  “Yes, that.” She widened her eyes at him. “I know it might be hard for you to believe. I’m sure you’ve never been turned down before, but no thank you.” She gave a resolute shake of the head, which was just about the cutest damned thing he had ever seen.