Remote in the Shadows: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Read online

  "Parker. I'm only a human. How can I be your soul mate?"

  "Honey, there are no boundaries or rules when it comes to your soul mate." Parker huffs out a quick breath. "I had another mate and she died many years ago, she was carrying our unborn daughter at the time. Hailey was in her fourth month and she was walking in the woods, blowing off some steam over an argument we had earlier. She was a badger shifter and it was easy to rile her up. She tripped over something, landed on her belly, and hit her head on a rock." Parker's looking to their enjoined fingers and keeps going. "I felt the stab of pain in my head when she fell, but didn't quite know where she was. I ran as fast I could and when I found her, she was unconscious. I picked her up and ran as fast as my human legs could carry her but she died minutes after I got her back here."

  Addison releases her hand from his and she wipes away a stray tear from his cheek. "I'm so sorry, Parker. I didn't know."

  "I didn't tell you because I didn't think it mattered. Hailey was my mate, but you are my soul mate. There is no breaking us once we bond. Addison, I love you and would do anything to protect you and London. She can be my daughter, as well. I love her already." Parker looks at Addison and smiles.

  He's such a handsome man. It catches her breath. His blue eyes, dark hair and full physique, so powerful and strong. Now she can see the strength in him. He's her protector. She can now fully understand why she was feeling like there was a darkness in him from the beginning.

  Addison takes her hand touching his cheek, soothing him, from his cheek to his jaw. "I think I love you, too, Parker, but I'm afraid of Derek and what he will do if he knows you and I are together." She looks to their fingers again. "When can you turn into a leopard? Is it anytime or when you get mad? Or…"

  "I can change whenever. It happens faster if I'm angry or agitated," he explains.

  "So, does it explode out of you or how does it happen?" She interested now and wants to know more, which is good.

  "I'll have to show you sometime soon. I'm going to fight Derek and kill him, Addison. He won't be bothering you ever again. But there's something about him. Do you know if Derek is a shifter?" Parker asks.

  "Derek? A shifter? I have no idea. He's never said anything to me. But when he's mad, there have been a few times I thought I've seen his eye glow, or shine or something. But that could have been me. Not seeing things when I was being hit around. Or it could have just been him being angry." Addison just plays it off, as if it's no big deal now for her to have been beaten.

  "When I scent him, smell him, there's always something off about him. I don't know if he's using something to hide the shifter scent in him or if he just has that scent about him."

  "I don't know, Parker. Sorry, I can't be any more help to you there." Addison leans into Parker's chest, resting her palm over his heart.

  Parker leans back into the couch and pulls Addison with him and she lies on his chest. She listens to his heart beating and a low rumble within his chest.

  She looks up to Parker's face and he smirks, "You can hear that?" a slight blush coming over his cheeks.

  "Yes, what is that? Is your leopard purring?" she giggles.

  "Yes, sorry about that. He really likes you." He chuckles.

  "Well, tell him I really like him, too, and I can't wait to meet him soon." She leans up and kisses Parker on the lips.

  Parker captures her head in between his hands, not allowing her to escape the kiss she started. The kiss he'll end, when he's ready.

  He pulls Addison up over him, his hands under her arms, as he lies back on the couch. She's lying on his body, chest to feet. He presses his knees together, having her legs fall to the outside of his, straddling him.

  Parker keeps the kisses soft, sensual, hot. He admitted that he loved her, and she said it as well. He wants to explain to her about the mating and make sure she's comfortable with it. It's very sexually exciting and will continue to be after they're mated as a couple.

  The first sexual encounter of the mating ritual is the connecting of the bond between him and Addison and he'll have to make sure she's good and ready for it. He's been through the mating but never a soul mate mating. He's not sure if it's the same, or more intense. And it sure isn't going to be on the couch.

  Parker pulls his lips from Addison's, slowly, still nibbling and licking hers. Teasing her for what's more to come. Addison sits up, her over-heated core on top of his very hard, and ready to go, erection.

  "Addison, you're my soul mate and I'm not going to take you and make you my mate on this couch. Not tonight. But I will, soon. London can have her own room upstairs, when you're ready for her to. Then when you're ready, truly ready for me, I'll take you and make you mine. Forever," Parker says to her in a low, sexual voice, almost a growl. He pulls back a wayward strand of her hair and tucks it behind her ear. Letting his fingertips linger there around the shell of her ear.

  Parker sits up more on the couch and he can hear his inner cat highly protest what he just told Addison. His cat wants to mate her now, and is fighting with Parker to get out and do so.

  Parker eases from underneath Addison and she looks confused by his moving away from her. "It's not you, honey. I have another voice telling me to do things to you and now is not the time." He smiles at her, easing the sting.

  Parker checks the time and it's already after eleven. He pulls Addison off the couch and into his arms. Her arms wrap around his neck and she rests her head on his upper chest. He knows she can hear his heart beating, and a low purr resonating from it.

  "You know, I thought I could hear that before but wasn't sure what it was. Now, I know. It's your cat. He's content with me, isn't he?"

  "Oh, Addy. He's way more than content with you." He chuckles and then they shut off the lights, and he follows her to the master bedroom.

  He shuts the door behind him and Addison checks on London in her crib. Her little diaper butt is in the air and she's asleep on her tummy. Addison rubs her back and then turns to Parker.

  "She's something, isn't she? I don't know who or what I would be right now without her in my life. I love her so much, Parker."

  "Yeah, Addy. She's something all right. She's a beautiful little girl. I just haven't figured out if she's a shifter yet. I can't scent anything. If Derek is a shifter, normally cubs don't shift until after their first birthday. When is it again? August, isn't it?" Parker inquires.

  "Yes, her birthday is August first. Why?"

  "She should have her first shift soon after if she has any shifter blood in her. So, I've been told, anywhere between twelve to eighteen months is when they have the first shift. When they're walking and running around, steady on their feet."

  "I'm nervous and scared for that. To find out about that. What if Derek is a shifter? I ran from him. Do you think that maybe this is another reason he didn't want London, or any baby? He didn't want the responsibility of one?" Clearly Addison's brain is working now and fueling her questions.

  "I'm not sure what he's thinking, Addy. And that's what has me on edge. I don't know what to expect from him. I do know he is going to come back."

  "I'm not afraid of him anymore, Parker. I know you'll protect me from him. I'm waiting for him and I know we'll be ready when he does come for me. Because he'll have to go through you first." Addison's getting braver and Parker can see her true self, the one she's hidden away for so long, finally come out. And he likes what he sees in her.

  They both slip into bed and Parker pulls Addison closer to him, turns her over and spoons behind her back.

  He can tell she feels his hardness behind her when she wiggles just a bit. Parker's hand on her hip stops her and she giggles.

  "Go to sleep, Addy. We have a big day tomorrow. I love you, babe. So much already." He sits up and kisses her temple then lies back down behind her.

  "I love you, too, Parker. Goodnight."

  Parker can feel Addy's body slip into slumber, and he holds her closer. He drifts to sleep soon after.

  Chapter Tw
elve

  The next morning, Parker is up with the morning sun peeking over the horizon. He didn't sleep very well, knowing he was going to have to take a life, the life of Derek. Parker needs to protect them, though. Addison and London's life are in his hands.

  He can scent Max and his bear family in the woods around his home and a few miles out. They lead up to the road, where he first saw Derek's truck parked and then they lead back to the house.

  He knew he could count on Max. He's been a good friend over the years. Even after Hailey died, Max made sure they kept in contact.

  Now, as Parker does a quick run in his leopard form, he can scent bear all around him. Not marking territory, just traveling through. He's glad he has his shifter friends to talk to.

  He'd called Max early this morning and asked him meet him in the woods, so Parker knew he'd be there. Quickly, he shifts into human form when he hears him coming closer.

  "Max, it's me," Parker announces.

  Max quickly shifts into human and they discuss the issue with Derek. Parker's concerns are if Derek is full human or shifter. The scent he's picked up could be shifter, but he could be hiding it, somehow.

  "I can walk around town and see if I can scent him, flush him out if he's a true shifter. If he's human, then he just stinks," Max says.

  Parker chuckles, wishing it was that easy. "He's never told or hinted to Addison that he was one. But, she's also never knew that shifters existed before I told her last night."

  "You've told her you're a leopard shifter, then? How'd she take that and have you shown her yet?" Max asks cautiously.

  "She was asking a lot of questions. She's a big reader and she's read shifter books before. So she's read on some of the customs from that. As for showing her, no, I haven't shown her yet," Parker tells him.

  "You plan on showing her soon?"

  "Yeah, soon. Hopefully before that asshat comes back. I don't want to scare her if I have to shift quickly to protect her, ya know?"

  "Yeah, I know. It would definitely scare her if she witnesses a man blowing up into a black leopard," Max chuckles.

  "So, you have Derek's scent, then, and you're going to try to track him down? I don't want to be gone from the house too long in case he comes sniffing around while I'm out running," Parker tells him.

  "We got this, Parker. We'll get him. I'll check in with you in a few hours and let you know where he is. I already have two scouts in town looking for him." Max is confident in his scouts.

  "Okay, thanks, Max. I knew I could count on you to help. You've been a good friend to me. I appreciate it."

  Max and Parker give a quick man hug and back away from reach other.

  "We've been friends since we were cubs, man. I'll always be here for you, and I know you've got my back as well. I've got your hide on this one. We've got this. Relax and go snuggle with that woman of yours."

  "Okay, but just let me finish him off." Parker lets out a low growl. "If it comes down to it, I might have your woman come meet with Addison, give her someone to talk to and distract her, if need be. It might be a good thing anyway."

  "No problem. He's all yours. I'll text you in a few hours, man, and I'm sure Shannon would love to come meet and visit with your new mate to be." Max chuckles and shifts into his bear. Parker shifts into his leopard, and they both lumber back to Parker's home together.

  Upon returning, with the sun still low in the sky, Parker shifts into his human form and Max, still in his bear, lumbers towards his own home to the west. With a nod to each other, they go their separate ways.

  Parker enters the house, using his key, through the back door. He opens it with a soft click and shuts and locks it behind him. It's only about six in the morning, so he slips out of his clothes into bed only wearing his boxers, snuggling up behind Addison's sleeping form.

  An hour later and he's still awake. Addy had flipped over when he first got into bed, throwing her arm and leg over his body and resting her head on his chest. Doesn't take much for this woman to give him an erection.

  Knowing he can't do anything about it, London's in the room and will be waking up soon, he wills his cock down. Down boy. Soon, very soon.

  You need to mate with her. Derek will be back to try to take her away. She won't be able to protect herself. His leopard is angry.

  Calm down. Derek won't take her. And since when are you such a Debbie Downer suddenly? You can see how Addy has changed. She's more her normal self, or what I would think would be her normal self. I like what I see every day. I'll mate with her when I think she's ready. This is all new to her. Parker tries to calm his cat.

  I know. I just want her to be safe. His cat settles back down.

  I know. I do too, Parker replies, snuggling into Addison and pulling her in tighter.

  ***

  A few hours later, when breakfast has been consumed, dishes done, and London's bath is over, Parker leads the girls into the woods on the trail.

  "We won't go far, but it's a beautiful day out and I figured we could go for a walk," Parker says.

  "Maybe we could buy a stroller for London until she gets bigger. Is the trail pretty good for one?" Addision asks.

  "Most of it is even. We could go buy a stroller tomorrow morning and then come for a walk. I really want to show you my land. The wild animals, the flowers in the summertime, just the all around beauty of nature around here."

  "I bet it gives your leopard room to run." Addison looks to the ground and then peeks up to Parker as she asks.

  Parker stops walking with London in his arms, and pulls Addison closer to him in a tight embrace, kissing her lips. "Yes. It gives him plenty of running room." He chuckles and they continue to walk, holding hands.

  A few times Parker sets London down and holds her hands in his, helping her walk. Letting her see things from her point of view.

  On their way back, Parker can scent Max not too far from where they are, and he's concerned about Addison's reaction if he makes himself known. The wind shifts and Parker can tell Max is leaving and is relieved that he didn't have to explain that one.

  When they near the house, Parker stops, and smells the air. Just checking. Nothing different. Addison notices and asks him, concerned, "What's wrong, everything okay?"

  "Yeah, just checking. All's clear. I wanted to let you know that I have some shifter friends out in the woods until we can get rid of Derek. They're helping patrol and they'll let me know if anything happens."

  "Patrol?"

  "Yes, checking to see where the as…ah…Donkey face is at." He smiles and catches his words before saying them in front of London.

  "Okay, so now you have other people involved, Parker. I don't want them getting hurt, either." She expresses concern.

  "Addy, listen to me. They're all shifters, too. I just wanted you to know in case you saw a few bears, wolves, or other animals around. Still, don't go out to them, it might be a wild animal, but I want you to know," Parker tells her, guiding his palm over her cheek.

  "Okay, Parker. I'll be careful."

  "Let's go get London a stroller so I can take you back to the river and streams. It'll be easier for us to maneuver her around."

  "Sounds good to me, Parker."

  They head back to the house and Addison goes in to grab London a bag and Parker buckles her into her car seat. Addy jumps in the truck a minute later.

  When they arrive in town, Parker parks in the baby store lot and shuts off the truck. He turns to Addison and cups her cheek in his palm.

  "I'm buying her the stroller today. No arguments, okay?" Parker tells her.

  "Parker, you've bought everything for her so far. I can buy her things. I have my own money," Addy informs him.

  "I know you do. But I like buying her things. I want to buy you things, too. Will you let me? I've noticed you're low on clothes and I want to make sure you have what you need."

  Addison looks at Parker, gazing into his eyes, and breathes out, heavily. "Fine, if it'll make you happy." Not too happy herself
.

  He gets that she wants to be independent, on her own. Not wanting to depend on Parker like she was forced to with Derek. He chose to buy her what he thought she needed. She likes the care Parker has given her and London so far, but she needs to know that she's her own separate identity. She's her own woman.

  "I need clothes. I only grabbed a few things I had to have. I grabbed most of London's things."

  "Addy, is there anything at Derek's place that you would like to have back? I'm asking because after this is all over, we can go back and clear out the house and take what's yours and bring it back here," Parker suggests to her.

  "Yes, I have a lot of things there I would like to get. I have personal things there. London has things there from her birth and growing up so far. Photos of her after when she was a newborn baby. I even took pictures of me pregnant each month. Minus any bruises," Addison adds.

  "Okay then, as soon as this is over, we're going there," Parker says sternly.

  Parker grabs her hand, kissing the back of and then grabs the keys. He helps her down from the passenger side and then picks London out of her carseat.

  Occasionally, he can smell a faint scent from London. Shifter? But it's so faint he's not sure. It could just be because she's Derek's blood and she picked that up from him.

  Hopefully, we'll find out soon, his leopard whispers.

  Yes, very soon. Stop whatever you're doing, you're making me dizzy. Are you pacing? Parker asks.

  If I would be able to pace, yes. Then I'm pacing. Sorry, I'll try to relax, the cat replies, and settles down.

  ***

  Parker guides Addison and London into the baby store and they walk right over to the strollers. He shows Addy a stroller with three wheels. He's seen some women who run use these strollers. It has bigger wheels and looks to be lightweight but sturdy.

  Addison agrees and they buckle London in for a test drive. Parker zooms the little girl up and down a few isles of the store, jogging slowly. London is laughing and giggling in glee and clapping her hands together, kicking her feet.

  They make the purchase and put it in the back of the truck bed, Parker locking it up. Next stop is a clothing store for Addison, and just maybe a few things for London since they are already out and about.