Page 49 of Shifter and the Succubus (The Pack #1)

Tropical sun warmed Sabrina’s bare skin at the same time the sea air cooled her. She rolled over on the chaise lounge when a roar sounded beside her. Jason stalked across the beach toward her with a grin, fangs flashing and water dripping from his fur. You look good enough to eat.

She was still getting used to hearing his voice inside her head when he shifted to animal form. Jason said he could also feel her emotions as well, which was off putting, especially since she had spent her entire life hiding much of who she was, including her emotions. “Show off.”

He chuffed at her before a glow surrounded his cougar, signaling his shift.

He stood from his crouch, gloriously naked.

Water glistening against his skin and running down his chest. He laid down next to her on the double lounge chair and reached for his drink, taking a sip.

“I’m so happy you took me up on the deserted island suggestion. ”

Technically the island wasn’t deserted. It was owned by a vampire that Sabrina helped a few centuries ago.

He ran an exclusive island resort that had a handful of bungalows spread out far enough apart that you felt as if you were the only people on the island.

When they entered the bungalow, they had been greeted by a large pot of purple orchids on the table and lavender rose petals strewn on the king-size bed overlooking the ocean.

Jason had simply smirked when she gasped in surprise.

They’d only arrived yesterday, and it was already the best vacation she’d ever been on.

She would not wait decades to take another one.

Before they arrived on the island, they’d visited with Jason’s parents for a couple days.

“It was wonderful to see your parents.”

“Without a shotgun pointed at you this time, you mean?”

She leaned over and kissed him. “Lidia was protecting you. They both were.”

He ran his finger along her jaw. “Well, thanks for coming with me.”

“Of course. They were worried about you after our last visit. Did you see your mom’s face when you turned into your cougar?”

“She wasn’t as excited as when she found out we were a couple.” Jason chuckled.

Warmth flooded Sabrina’s chest. “She told me we were in love before we said we were love.”

Jason shrugged. “Of course she did.” He leaned over and kissed the scar near her collarbone.

Another recent development. Her demon healing abilities normally healed all wounds, except for the spot that Jason bit her when they made love the first time.

Bea called it a mating mark, which had puffed up Jason’s chest. When Sabrina had complained that it was one-sided, he had grinned and said she could bite him anywhere at any time. Cocky male.

“And I should have known you two were scheming when Mom asked for your phone number before last week,” Jason said, pulling her out of some very creative musings about where she would be biting him.

Sabrina held up her hands. “She only told me about the surprise party she was throwing, not that she invited Craig to it. But I’m glad you two were able to talk.”

“Me too. It was way past time. I’m happy he’s working on the farm now. I think he needs my parents as much as they need him. It was meant to be.”

Sabrina nodded. “Family is what you make of it, right?”

“Yes.” He hesitated for a moment. “Hopefully we can plan a trip soon for you to see your clan.”

Sabrina’s heart sped up. Alexander had gone back to spend time with the clan and let them know what had happened and why Lucas was staying longer in Ohio.

He had told Sabrina he would talk to the clan about her coming to see them.

She hoped they were open to it. There was hope now and she didn’t want to live trapped in the past any longer.

“I’m surprised Lucas hasn’t been calling you while we’ve been on our trip.”

Sabrina smiled. “I gave him a new puzzle to distract him.”

“What sort of puzzle?”

“I know it’s still bothering the team that we haven’t been able to figure out yet who the smugglers were working for and what they were smuggling in addition to the drugs in that shipment.

I still think if we can figure out what that drug is used for, it can help lead us to the recipients.

So I’ve asked Lucas to analyze it. I had thought to ask him about it originally, and then he had other important things to work on. ”

“In his spare time?”

Sabrina rested her hand on his arm. “He is a bit obsessed about the cure. But at least he’s looking toward the future now, and not living so much in the past.”

“He’s still massively intense. The stick up his butt might have shrunk but it’s still there.”

Sabrina chuckled. “You have been hanging around with Kyle too much.”

He winked at her. “I’ve told you before, my sarcasm is hard-baked into my DNA.”

“As are your shifter traits. You’ve been a quick study on your powers.” Not that she was surprised. He could do anything he put his mind to.

“It’s coming naturally to me now. My cat is happy to finally be free.” He chuckled. “The twins keep asking Misha for a cougar cub. I told them when I get back from vacation, they can come to Griffin’s estate, and I’ll show them my cat again. Maybe I can get Griffin to show them his lion too.”

She nodded. “If Griffin is even home. He’s traveling to all the packs to communicate that he’s available to help if needed.”

Jason frowned. “He’s still taking it hard about the suffering some of the pack members have endured in the past. Bea told me that she and Kyle are working on a surprise to take Griffin’s mind off things.”

“Bea and Kyle working together behind Griffin’s back—surprise, or not. Why do I have feeling that is not going to end well?”

Jason turned on his side and ran his hand along her hip. “Enough about them. We’re on vacation; we should be vacationing.”

“What did you have in mind?”

His cocky grin appeared. “I’m up for anything.”

Sabrina turned on her side to face him as well. “Anything?”

Jason ran his fingers over her lips before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “As long as I’m with you.”

Sabrina rested her palm on his chest and stared into his navy eyes. Heat pulsed under her hand. Heat that was not from her Succubus powers. Jason lifted his hand and placed it over hers, and the energy spread.

His eyes widened. “What is that?”

Her heart sped up. “It isn’t me.”

They lifted their hands and Sabrina gasped. A mark had appeared on Jason’s chest. An interconnected swirl of blue like the energy field she could create.

Jason’s eyes widened. “It has to be a mating mark. Bea’s going to flip.”

She ran her finger over the design in awe. “And Lucas.”

He rested his fingers under her chin and lifted her head so that she was looking at him. “It’s the same color as your eyes. Well, it looks like you got your wish and marked me.”

She smirked. “Does that mean I don’t get to bite you now?”

He smirked right back. “Now let’s not be hasty. I think we can negotiate.”

“I’m ready when you are.” She kissed him. “I love you, Jason Watson.”

His eyes glowed a warm caramel hue before he rested his forehead to hers. “And you’re my reason for breathing, Sabrina Miller.”

Thank you for reading Shifter and the Succubus. There will be more books coming in this series, so stay tuned!