The Baby Shift- Rhode Island Read online

  The Baby Shift: Rhode Island

  Shifter Babies of America 10

  Becca Fanning

  Copyright © 2019 by Becca Fanning

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Also by Becca Fanning

  Chapter 1

  Alyssa Horton was certain her thumping heart would pop out of her body and leave a hole in her chest. This was the most important moment of her life and the tension was becoming unbearable. She was already having difficulty breathing smoothly and her breath came in short gasps.

  "Are you okay?" a voice said behind her.

  Alyssa sighed. In her anxiety, she had almost forgotten Harvey Brooks was in the room with her. She turned to gaze at him. He stood beside her dressed in an expensive grey suit and tie. Harvey was thirty-six, tall, and handsome in a regal way. He was smiling at her.

  "I'm fine," she said. And then upon noticing he was still smiling, she asked, "Why the hell are you looking at me like that?"

  "You're scared, ain't you?" Harvey asked.

  "Have you ever known me to be?" Alyssa said, trying to fake a smile.

  Harvey's smile widened, "I've seen you go face-to-face with law enforcement, some of the worst politicians, hardened criminals, and thugs. During those times you've never shown even an inkling of fear. Why now?"

  Alyssa looked away. She stared silently at her reflection in the bedside mirror. She knew her black-colored hair and sharp features gave her a face that many would consider pretty, if not gorgeous. The matching white jacket and skirt she wore did a good job to hide the voluptuous figure that lay underneath, which was just as well to her. She hated it when men showed any sexual interest in her.

  Harvey's voice cut through her thoughts once again. "Are you having second thoughts?"

  Alyssa turned to look at him, but this time her face was stern and determined. She said, "Never. I may only be twenty-eight, but I have been a Human Rights activist for seven years. In that time, I have watched these bloody leaders destroy countless lives for personal gain. There are too many people suffering here in Springfield. I know for a fact that my running for mayor is the best thing for the city. So no, Harvey - I'm not having second thoughts."

  Harvey Brooks beamed. "That's what I needed to hear."

  Alyssa shook her head. She could not believe how much she had come to rely on Harvey Brooks for support. He was not just her campaign manager and the chairman of her political party, but was also her best friend for three years - right from the moment she joined the Springfield Progressive Party.

  She had not been totally honest with him about her fears. She was more than ready to go head to head with Larry Burch, the current mayor of Springfield and her only opponent should she make her running public in the next few minutes. However, running for mayor came with a boatload of dangerous exposure.

  Harvey held her hand. "Alyssa. I think we both know what would happen once you walk out that door and announce to the press that you would be running for mayor. Larry Burch is the most corrupt and dangerous man in the city. Those who oppose him have either disappeared or been involved in one freak accident or the other."

  She curled the corner of her lips in a defiant smile. "I know," she said. "But you of all people should know that wouldn't stop me."

  "I do," Harvey said. "However, I would never stand by and watch you get hurt. So, I made some calls. Got you a meet with the best bodyguard agency in the whole of Rhode Island."

  "Really? And that would be...?"

  Harvey's grin did not leave his face when he said, "A pack of werewolves in Gray Bay."

  Alyssa brought her car to a stop in front of the building. It was built more like a castle than a modern day mansion with very little technological facilities in view. This was her first visit to the Grey Bay village. It was an area just on the outskirts of Springfield and one that most people shied away from. The reason for this being that the village was a known haven for shifters in the state of Rhode Island.

  Alyssa had no illusions about the society's acceptance of humans that could transform into animals at will. People feared what they could not understand. As a human rights activist, she firmly believed in the 'Fight Against Discrimination' movement that was aimed at equality between shifters and other humans.

  With each passing day after announcing her candidacy, she began to see the little political gameplay in Harvey's choice of protection for her. The play would gather more votes for her from shifters and their sympathisers as mayor Burch was known to despise them.

  "Mrs. Horton," a voice said as soon as she neared the doorway to the building. She turned to look at her side and saw a man no doubt in his early sixties standing beside her. His eyes were a bright shade of gold and she had no idea from where he had come from.

  "Yes, that's me. And you must be Max Sanders," she replied.

  The man nodded. His face was stern as he said, "In the flesh and at your service. I'm pack leader of the Gray Bay werewolf clan."

  "Nice to meet you, Mr. Sanders. I understand that you have your best and most decorated bodyguard available."

  "Yes, he's my son. Most would consider him the best werewolf ever," the man said, a smile appearing across his face for the first time. Alyssa could sense the fatherly pride that emanated from him. It was the same look her father used to have every time she came home with student of the year. Now he hardly approved of any of her decisions.

  The man asked, "Shall we go in and talk about terms?"

  She nodded. "Yes, but first I would like to see him."

  Max Sanders beckoned her to follow him, saying, "He should be waiting in his room. No doubt, he's expecting you."

  She walked behind the man as he led her up a flight of stairs and through a well-lit corridor. She said as they walked, "How long has your family been running an agency like this?"

  Max Sanders replied, "Werewolves have been protecting kings and queens for many years. I know this may sound a bit crude, but we are like upgrades of guard dogs. My great-grandmother decided to turn our abilities into profit. It was she who started the agency."

  She nodded. "Your portfolio seems impressive. I suppose I'm in safe hands."

  Max Sanders smiled. "I assure you. You'll get your money's worth."

  They finally stopped in front of a wooden door. Max Sanders knocked, but there was no sound of a reply.

  "Lazy ass. He must be fast asleep," he said. Then he turned the lock on the door. It was unlocked, so all he had to do was push and the door swung open.

  Never in a million years would Alyssa have expected the sight that greeted her when she walked into the room. She saw a young man, completely naked, as he thrust his large manhood into a young woman kneeling on all fours with her back to him. Underneath the woman was yet another woman, and beside them was a third woman. They were all completely naked and oblivious. The shock almost knocked Alyssa off her feet. She had heard of werewolves and their abnormal virility and libido, but seeing this man mindlessly servicing three women was unbelievable.

  "What the fuck, Connor, the least you could do was lock the freaking door!" she heard Max Sanders scream beside her.

  Upon hearing his father's voice, Connor Sanders immediately detached himself from the women and turned around. Alyssa felt her cheeks burn as she took in his full physique - ev
ery single inch of it.

  "Oh wow!" Connor exclaimed. "My apologises, madam." He looked shocked to see them, but not the least bit embarrassed. He ran his hand through his dark unruly hair and beckoned to the women to get dressed and leave.

  Max shook his head. "Get dressed and meet us in the living room." Then to Alyssa, he said, "I'm so sorry you had to see this, Mrs. Horton. Let's go wait outside."

  Cheeks still burning bright red with embarrassment and shock, Alyssa allowed the man to lead her away from the room.

  Connor Sanders adjusted the colar of his three-piece suit as he walked into the building. This was his first day as Mrs. Alyssa Horton's bodyguard and he was determined to make a very good first impression. Or second impression rather, judging from the awkwardness of their first meeting.

  Thankfully, the woman did not seem to care much about what he did in his private time so she completed the deal without hesitation. Connor was particularly happy for this. He had dissapointed his father enough times and seeing out this contract without screwing up was the only way he could redeem himself.

  He walked into the living room to see a young blonde in her early twenties sitting on one of the expensive couches.

  "Hello," she said, beaming as she stood up to shake his hand. She was beautiful and tall, looking professional in her office jacket and skirt.

  "Hi," he said. "You must be Natasha. Alyssa has told me a lot about you."

  The woman blushed a bright red. "Oh, really? Yes, I'm Natasha Preston, personal assistant to Alyssa Horton. She's still getting ready upstairs. I hope you don't mind having a seat until she arrives."

  "Sure, I don't," he said and sat on a couch directly opposite hers.

  They both sat in silence, although Connor could sense Natasha's gaze all over his body. He pretended to concentrate on the paintings decorating the spacious living room. She was obviously a candidate for a good fuck, but that would be the first step to ruining his new job. He was not about to take that risk.

  A few minutes later, a man walked into the living room. He looked in his mid thirties and was dressed like royalty. The thought of the cost of his watch alone was already making Connor's head spin.

  "Hello, Harvey," Natasha greeted.

  "Hey, Tasha. Alyssa isn't ready yet, is she?"

  "No, she's still preparing. Besides, the conference starts in forty minutes so there's still more than enough time."

  "Well. I just stopped by to ensure she didn't forget to attend." He looked at Connor and smiled, flashing a set of sparkling white dentures. "You must be the new bodyguard."

  Connor stood up to shake his hand. "Yes. Connor Sanders."

  Returning his handshake, the man said, "Harvey Brooks. I believe I met with your father a while back."

  Before Connor could reply, Alyssa walked into the living room, dressed in a grey jacket and skirt. She hugged Harvey passionately and Connor watched them laugh and joke loudly. He glanced at Natasha. The young blonde was still staring at him.

  "I made it clear to Max that I'll only be needing your services during outings. I feel perfectly safe at home," Alyssa said.

  They were in the back seat of a moving jeep, having left the mansion a few minutes before. Harvey and Natasha had gone on their way a minute before they left so Connor was alone with his new boss and her driver who was busy at the front seat.

  Connor said, "Yes. I understand, even though I believe around-the-clock protection would be best, at least until the elections are over."

  She laughed. "I can't handle it."

  "Handle what?"

  "Being treated like some fragile being."

  Now it was Connor's turn to laugh. Grinning, he said, "Being treated like royalty, you mean."

  "Well in that case, I can't handle being treated like royalty."

  Connor was not one to withhold his feelings, so he told her exactly what he thought. "Isn't the essence of becoming mayor to gain power; to become more like royalty?"

  She looked stunned. Connor was suddenly very aware of how beautiful she looked with her long black hair. She said, "I don't know what you take me for, but I have much less vain reasons for wanting to become mayor."

  He knew he was overstepping. He knew he should stop talking now, but something made him ask, "So what are your reasons?"

  Alyssa looked exasperated, but she replied firmly, "This may sound cliché, but I want to make Springfield a better place, for everyone."

  "Everyone? Or just those who don't shift into animals in their free time."

  "And what is that supposed to mean?"

  "It means I've seen so many politicians come and go, and not one of them gave a flying fuck about shifters, or our well-being."

  Alyssa looked at him with an unreadable expression on her face. "Well, I'm different from the others."

  "Are you?"

  "Yes, I am." Her expression was readable now. She was angry.

  He said, "Do you have any idea what we go through? Not what you see on the news, but the despicable suffering behind the scenes. The missing shifters, the dead bodies here and there? There are rumours of an underground cartel that kidnaps shifters to be used as slaves and test subjects. Do you know about all that, Mrs. Horton?"

  Her eyes widened in shock. Connor expected her to crumble with guilt any moment but her next words surprised him.

  "You're right, Mr. Sanders. I have no idea what's going on among the shifters. Which is why I have a shifter for a bodyguard. I expect to learn a lot from you before the elections are over."

  Connor was getting extremely bored. This was his fourth week working for Alyssa and he had already accompanied her to dozens of events. Most of them, such as this one, were filled with boring, uptight, and self-absorbed guests. He hated having to meet Alyssa's influential friends. They seemed so different from her.

  Spending so many hours with Alyssa had changed his earlier perception of her personality. She was the most down-to-earth and compassionate person he had ever met. Connor had never cared much for politics, but he found himself wishing Alyssa Horton would be Springfield's next mayor.

  "He's such a handsome young man," the woman standing next to Alyssa said. She was a middle-aged woman he had only just met when Alyssa introduced him as her bodyguard.

  "Yes," Alyssa said beaming. "I've noticed."

  Connor raised an eyebrow at Alyssa but she quickly looked away. He decided she must have been joking. She said, "it's almost time for me to give my speech. Excuse me, Mrs. Nora." As if on cue, the announcer called her name and she walked her way through the crowd to the stage.

  Connor immediately left Mrs. Nora gazing lustfully at his backside as he walked around the crowd of people. It was something he did whenever Alyssa went on stage in public. He would scan the area for a potential threat to her safety. He did not notice anyone acting strange or smelling funny. As usual, Alyssa was safe. He walked forward and stood amongst the crowd of people standing closest to the stage.

  Alyssa had been on the stage for close to four minutes now, speaking on a potential plan to help improve the Glover, home to some of the poorest people in the city of Springfield. Watching her speak with confidence, Connor felt something stir within him. He was so busy convincing himself that it was due to the white wine he drank earlier that he almost missed the sound that marked the beginning of disaster.

  There was a loud spark from the lights just above the stage and before anyone could understand what was happening, the lights exploded into a dozen bits. Alyssa screamed as the ceiling caved from above the stage and fell downwards. There was a loud noise from the crowd.

  Connor sprang into action, running straight for her, but he was too late. Large rubble struck her and knocked her to the ground a second before he could reach her. She was completely buried in the rumble though he could hear her soft whimpers from underneath. Alyssa was slowly being crushed to death. He tried to pull some of the ceiling bricks off her, but as hard as he tried, he could not move it - not while he was human.

  C
onnor took a deep breath and reached within his mind for the slumbering wolf. In a split second he felt a familiar sensation as his entire body transformed into that of a large wolf - black with streaks of grey on its forehead and back. He heard the crowd scream even louder and back away from the stage.

  Now completely a wolf, Connor held a large portion of the rubble between his strong teeth and pulled as hard as he could. The heavy brick slide off her body almost instantly. He pulled on another large portion and managed to get the last of the rubble off her body completely. She lay motionless on the disfigured stage floor. Connor's powerful wolf ears could hear her soft breathing. She was still alive.

  He bent low and managed to scoop her up with his head, then he raised his head so she slide down to his back. He carried her on his back like that towards the exit of the hall. All around, the crowd gave way as he passed. None of them was courageous enough to render a helping hand. None of them would risk getting close to the ferocious wolf.

  Chapter 2

  "This is outrageous!"

  Connor watched as Harvey Brooks screamed at the person on the other line of the phone. He was pacing about, fuming with rage.

  "You can't tell me you've concluded it was an accident. I demand an investigation!" Harvey shouted. Connor just sat on a seat, looking at him. They were in the waiting room of the hospital where Alyssa was been treated. Connor was dressed in oversized cloths given to him by the ambulance personnel after he had shifted back into human form completely naked.

  Harvey was still on the phone. "Inspector, I know it looks like faulty wiring, but I'm telling you this has Larry Burch's hand written all over it. Yes. Yes, of course. Thank you. I appreciate it."

  He ended the call and walked forward to stand before Connor who stared at him in surprise. Harvey's anger had not subsided when he said, "And you, Mr. Sanders, where the hell were you when this happened? What are we paying your father so much money for?"