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  Fated Attraction

  Werebears Of The Everglades

  Meg Ripley

  Copyright © 2018 by Meg Ripley

  www.redlilypublishing.com

  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quoted passages left in an online review. This book is a fictional story. All characters, names, and situations are of the author’s creation. Any resemblances to actual situations or to persons who are alive or dead are purely coincidental.

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; this copy is not available for resale or to give to another reader aside from any transaction through Amazon’s e-book lending program.

  Disclaimer

  This book is intended for readers age 18 and over. It contains mature situations and language that may be objectionable to some readers.

  Contents

  Fated Attraction

  Steamy Shifter Romance Extras From Meg

  Sneak Peek of Alpha’s Second Chance

  Sneak Peek of Holden’s Mate

  Fated Attraction

  Werebears Of The Everglades

  Fated Attraction

  Britt’s life as a panther shifter is simple: shift, hunt, repeat. This tough-as-nails Gladeswoman doesn’t want any man in her life; he’d only get in her way. So, needless to say, when an obnoxious bear shifter claims her kill while she’s hunting one day, she’s not exactly thrilled. Worse yet, he keeps randomly crossing her path. She just wants him to get lost, but something about his scent is undeniably irresistible.

  Ezra can’t understand why this backwoods panther chick hates him so much. He didn’t mean to go after her kill; he even left it for her, so what’s her deal? He can’t stand her, yet he can’t stop thinking about her, either. She’s driving him insane—and wild at the same time.

  But when a Florida panther is found dead in Everglades National Park—the result of an obvious murder—Britt has no choice but to turn to Ezra. As a ranger in the park, it’s his job to protect all wildlife. They’re forced to work together to find the killer, and Britt’s life is in danger, whether she’ll admit it or not.

  Will they tolerate each other long enough to find the murderer? Or will their common goal prove to be the catalyst that brings them together?

  1

  Britt

  The swampland of the Everglades National Park stretched out before me as I ran, enjoying the feeling of my long leg muscles contracting and expanding with the motion. Early morning was the best time for a run. Everything still quiet and sleepy, and no one was poking around. The sun hadn’t come up just yet, though I could tell it wanted to. The sky had that pinky-orange look about it just over the horizon, so I knew the sun would be peeking up before long.

  I paused for a moment to listen and sniff the morning air. I licked my thick paws, tasting the ground. I could sense there was an animal nearby; I would find it and kill it. My stomach growled and I wanted to let out a mighty roar, too, but that would scare away whatever lurked nearby. I crept through a patch of brush just tall enough to hide my crouching panther form, and the dim light helped hide me. That time of year, the end of summer, the grass had dried up, making it a perfect hiding spot for my tan coat. The critter would never know a panther was sneaking up on it, and I intended to keep it that way.

  A flash of movement caught my eye and I knew I had it: a deer, drinking from a stream, not paying attention to its surroundings whatsoever. Stupid animal, I snickered inwardly. You’re all mine.

  I moved in closer, slinking silently until I was in pouncing range. This was my favorite game. How close could I get before it smelled me, heard me, or saw me? Deer were so slow-witted, it wouldn’t matter. The instant I was spotted, I’d be on it and that bastard would be mine. I licked my lips in anticipation, thinking about my breakfast.

  I was close enough now. I stepped closer, almost laughing at how easy it was going to be. But a moment later, the deer jerked its head up. It didn’t look my way, though; it looked in the opposite direction, toward the east.

  I’d been so focused on my prey, I hadn’t been on guard. Dumb move, Britt. Something huge came bounding along, and as I saw a flash of black before my eyes, I smelled the bear, and rage tore through my thick chest.

  I leapt and the bear sailed under me, taking the deer down, sliding them both about three feet forward with the motion—just enough that I landed hard on the ground instead of on top of my target.

  The bear sank his teeth into the deer’s neck, and as the creature cried out, the bear sat back, pleased with itself.

  But this wasn’t just any bear. If it were any random black bear, I couldn’t have been too upset; it was just following its instincts, after all.

  Nope. This bear was a shifter, like me.

  And that meant a human was behind this.

  A human male.

  An asshole human male.

  I drew in a long breath of him; I wanted to remember this scent. If I ever came across this arrogant prick again, I’d get my payback. When his scent hit me, though, it sent shockwaves right to my core. The instinct stirred in me, and my hormones were screaming, “Mate! Mate!”

  But with this jerk face? No way. My body would just have to chill and deal with not getting any for right now. Business was more important.

  I narrowed my eyes and jumped again, this time landing on the bear. My front paws hit his chest with a hard thud and he fell back. The idiot wasn’t even paying attention to what was around him, so I bit him. Not hard enough to break skin or anything. Just hard enough to let him know I was pissed he stole my kill.

  He actually looked surprised by my presence. I rolled my golden eyes at him and whacked him hard with my tail.

  I heard him growl as he began to shift back to his human form and sat on my haunches to watch. Here we go… Admittedly, he wasn’t too bad to look at. Bears had their weight and height going for them, but they were usually wimps when it came down to it. Not a one of them could outrun me, but I loved to see them get cocky and try.

  This one, though… The scent of him still made me tingly, but I did my damnedest to ignore the sensation as much as I could. I wasn’t about to give in to him. He stole my kill, and I wouldn’t stand for it.

  He held up his hands, palms facing me, and made an apologetic face. “Hey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even see you. I didn’t mean to. It’s yours. Totally.”

  He backed away, and I made it a point to not break eye contact, challenging him with my stare. I hoped it would make him uncomfortable. But if he was so obviously unobservant, maybe he didn’t even notice I was a female.

  “Okay?” he continued. “Are we cool?” He looked at me expectantly.

  If he thought I’d be shifting to talk to him, he needed to get over that idea real fast. I was hungry, and surely, there was another deer around. I just had to find it. He wasn’t doing anything interesting anyway, so I ran off.

  After ten minutes of hunting, I couldn’t sense other deer in the immediate area, so I circled around and came back to check on my original target. Hot anger flared once more as I realized that asshole hadn’t even eaten it! Instead, there was a collection of small flowers. Tiny, white elderberry flowers arranged in a way that spelled out a word.

  “Sorry.”

  What the hell?

  Well, whatever. It was there, and I sure as h
ell wasn’t going to let it go to waste. I sank my teeth into its neck, but the taste of my loss made it bitter. I ate until my belly was full, then swiped my back paws over the flowers, scattering the bear’s apology into the deer’s remains. I hope he’d come back and see what I thought of his “sorry” ass.

  2

  Ezra

  Man. I yawned and it bled into my thoughts as I mentally reached out to my clan. This is why I don’t get up early. Not worth it.

  Mason picked up on my signal and shot back, What’s going on, Ez?

  Panther.

  Yeah? What about it?

  I was just hunting, minding my own business. I found a deer. Score, right? So, I did my thing and took it down. Only there was a panther standing there. She jumped on me, dude! Bit my neck. I guess she was there first, but I don’t know. I didn’t see her.

  You didn’t smell her, man?

  Nah, I was too busy chasing after the deer. So, I shifted back to be like, hey, sorry, I didn’t know. But she just sat there all prissy and watched me.

  Mason laughed. Fuck, man. So, what did you do?

  She ran off. I spelled out “sorry” in some flowers right by the carcass hoping she might see it if she came back.

  Aww, aren’t you sweet?

  I huffed in my mind. Well, hey. I really didn’t see her. I wouldn’t have done that. I’m not that much of a dick.

  Mason chuckled. Sure, sure.

  I officially vow never to wake before noon again. Too much competition.

  Ez, I was shocked to hear from you this early, to be honest. Or haven’t you been to bed yet?

  No, I did. Just woke up and couldn’t fall back asleep. My stomach rumbled, so I got up and hunted. Next time, I’ll chew on a leftover slice of pizza. What are you up to anyway? I’m still running. Guess I need to find a new kill.

  Almost home. Heading to work.

  Bummer. A minute or two passed, but I could sense him still there, running. Hey Mas?

  Yeah?

  You ever… get a thing for a panther?

  Uh, not that I recall. Why? She hot?

  She didn’t shift. But man, her scent. I whistled in my head and brought the scent to my mind so he could sample the essence of it.

  Maybe you should go find her.

  Meh. I’m too tired right now. Think I need a nap before I do anything crazy like that.

  Alright, man…well, I’m home now, so I’m gonna let you go.

  Kay. Oh hey, wait. Want to meet up tonight? Owen is coming out and we can probably drag Conner along.

  Sure, sounds good. See you later, Sunshine Boy.

  Yeah. Catch you around.

  I yawned again. Five hours of sleep was definitely not enough. Who in their right mind would get up that early to hunt? Too much competition, with shifters or otherwise. Next time, I’d wait until it was later and hotter. Most shifters didn’t run then, so the kills would be all mine. Just one more advantage of my California upbringing: I didn’t mind the heat one bit. The Everglades were cool and breezy compared to Death Valley.

  If we’d be going out that night, I’d definitely need a few more hours to snooze. It was my day off; I’d been nuts to drag my ass out of my warm bed.

  I bounded up to the forest patch outside my apartment building and shifted back as I ran. My stash of clothing was well hidden in a large tree stump hole. I pulled out shorts and a shirt and yanked them on before heading up to my apartment, where I flopped down onto my bed face first.

  At any other time, I’d fall asleep instantly. My mother had always complained because I’d be sitting at dinner, and then boom! I’d be asleep in my Cheerios. I could sleep like the dead, she’d say. But in that moment, all I could smell was that panther. The scent of her massive paws lingered on my chest, so I bent my neck forward, closing my eyes as I drew in a long, deep whiff.

  Man, was she intoxicating. Mason wondered if she was hot in her human form—and so did I. How could any female smell so delicious and even be average looking? I pictured a tall, curvy blonde at the beach. Hair down her back as she stood in the sun, her bronzed skin glistening as she came out of the water rocking a bright pink bikini.

  I closed my eyes and grinned as I began to grow hard. It was a good image to fall asleep to, no doubt.

  Maybe Mason was right: maybe I should try to find her. I couldn’t stop thinking about our encounter, and I did feel bad. How many shifters didn’t pick up on another shifter’s scent until it was too late? Maybe I could explain that I was tired and out of my element, not paying attention. Maybe she’d forgive me and wrap her slender arms around my neck and kiss me and tell me I could take her kill anytime.

  The grin spread. Okay, dude. Get your ass to sleep or you’ll be toast tonight. Stop thinking about that panther. But the more I tried to not think about her, the more she overtook my thoughts. Frustrated, I stormed off to the bathroom and stepped into the shower. It would take a lot of cold water to get her scent and image out of my mind.

  3

  Britt

  I pulled on my boots and brushed the specks of dirt off my camo pants before I hopped on my motorcycle to head to the bar where I would meet Dezi and Kat. God, this place had better not be busy, I groaned to myself. I didn’t hang with those two often, but since they were the only other panthers in the area—and Gladeswomen, like me—they were about the only people I could tolerate for any period of time.

  I guess these women were technically my clan, but we didn’t act like it much. Sure, if something came up or some jerk in town was giving one of us crap, we’d have each other’s backs. That was a no brainer. We did have the mental link that came with being in a clan, but we didn’t use it much. There wasn’t even an Alpha in our little tribe. We used to have a fourth member, but she was killed years ago. After that, we kind of distanced ourselves some; it would limit the number of people whose deaths would hurt us.

  We did make life easier for each other at times, and that’s what made our clan work. Dezi was a fisherwoman and often traded me fish for rabbits or whatever else I hunted up to eat that struck her fancy. Kat had the gator farm and she’d throw me one every now and then, but she was good at telling me where to find clusters of animals who came around, since she had the boat and lots of land. When a pack of something nasty was messing with her gators, she’d call on me to help hunt them all down.

  Beyond that, we got together for a beer about once a month or so. Sometimes, life out there could be lonely. Mostly that was the point and main benefit of it, but every now and again, it was nice to see a friendly face, kick back and shoot the shit.

  That night was Dezi’s birthday, and I had a fresh osprey wrapped up for her that I’d hunted that day. She had a thing for flying creatures. Me? I’d hunt anything that moved, as long as it wouldn’t bring the wardens sniffing around my place. Some things were protected, like sea turtles, and for the most part, we all kept to the restrictions. It was about preserving the land, after all, and none of us wanted to see some big shift in the wildlife because too much of whatever had been hunted out. But if something was causing trouble, protected or not, it would have to go—either by means of hunting, or a forced relocation.

  I parked the bike amongst a cluster of others. Crap. This place is damn near packed, I thought. That joint was our best bet, though. Shady’s had the only decent grub in the area, and they actually knew how to pour a beer. Every time we went to that place further in town, we got nothing but foam and hassle. But Shady’s attracted the type of people we were used to and was usually good for entertainment. Someone was always pissing someone else off at Shady’s, and that was part of the draw.

  I walked in and spotted Kat, then Dezi at a table, and a pitcher sat between them, sweating and half empty. One unattended pint sat full and untouched. I walked over and tapped them each on the arm with my fist, then downed half of my beer in two gulps.

  “Ladies,” I said, taking my seat.

  “About time you showed up,” Dezi complained.

  Kat jer
ked her thumb at her, “She’s getting impatient in her later years.”

  “What are you now, forty?” I chuckled.

  She smacked my arm. “Bitch, thirty is still far off from that.”

  “Not too far, though.” I raised my glass to hers and we tapped them together.

  “Watch it, there,” Kat said. “I think you’re pushing thirty, too, aren’t you, Britt?”

  “I’ve got six months left and I intend to enjoy them fully.”

  “Now that you’re thirty,” Kat said like it was a dirty word, “do you have any plans for the next decade?”

  “Yup. Fish more.” Dezi nodded once and poured more beer. “Maybe go north for a trip. Catch something different for a change.”

  “But no settling down?” Kat wondered.

  “Nah.”

  Kat was the only one of us who bothered to marry. She had a few little cubs running around, who kept her busy when the gators didn’t. Usually, her husband was the one out wrangling them when they acted up, though. She handled the business end of things when it came to selling the critters off.

  We ordered some wings and they’d barely hit the table before we tore into them. With their crispy skin and hot, tangy sauce, they hit the spot just right. As I finished off the last drumette and picked the bone clean with my teeth, I sat back to give my stomach room to digest.

  People had been coming and going the whole time we’d been there. I hadn’t paid much attention, since that was just the nature of Shady’s. People were always coming and going.