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  A soft knock on the door to her room came as no surprise—the familiar rhythmic tapping serving as Manu’s way of alerting her that he had returned. She rose to her feet and stepped toward the door, smiling warmly as Manu slid through and quickly closed the door behind him. When he turned toward her there was a sizable smile on his face. His large hands moving to gently stroke along her back as he spoke.

  “She is even more beautiful every time that I see her.”

  “She takes after her father,” Melanie said teasingly, her free hand moving up to stroke over his cheek lightly.

  “I believe she takes after you more. If she took more after me, she would be a lot more homely.” he said, shaking his head gently. “You never got to see my cousins, so you don’t know.”

  The image of a very masculine girl, who looked just like Manu but with a highly unconvincing wig on, flashed through her mind, forcing her to bite down gently on her fist to keep herself from laughing too loud. She didn’t want to wake Lily, after having worked so hard to get her to fall asleep. Especially so, since she knew she was just tired enough that she’d be able to fall asleep if Manu asked her to come to bed with him. Manu noticed the look on her face and stuck his tongue out at her playfully.

  “You are thinking something stupid about me again, I can tell. Did you have some dumb image of a cross-dressing me in your brain, or something?” he asked knowingly, and laughed outright at the look of guilt that briefly flashed across her face from being called out.

  “I couldn’t help it,” she muttered, waving her hand gently.

  “Meh, it’s not like I hate your sense of humor. I wouldn’t be with you for the long haul if I did,” he said, gazing down at their daughter and gently stroking the top of her head with the tip of his pointer finger. His touch was met with a faint grumble from the sleeping baby, and a small smile appeared at the corner of their daughter’s lips, even in her sleep.

  “I think she knows that you are nearby,” Melanie murmured affectionately, batting her eyelashes at Manu. “She is probably dreaming about a giant watching over her.”

  “She wouldn’t be far from the truth, then, would she?” Manu asked, his hand looping around Melanie’s waist as she rose to her feet.

  “I feel bad for her future boyfriends,” Melanie replied jokingly, and smirked at her husband as she walked beside him to their bedroom. Laying Lily gently down in her crib, the two adults made their way to their own bed.

  “What boyfriends? She better turn out a lesbian,” Manu said gruffly. “I don’t want some young pup ever thinking he can just bury his bone in my little girl.”

  They looked at one another and laughed together softly. Melanie scooted over to cuddle up against Manu. The day had been a long one for both of them, and she found her eyes growing heavier the longer they lay there.

  “Manu, promise me that you will never try to shoulder the burden of our family all by yourself. If you need help, I want you to rely on me.”

  “Of course, Melanie. That was the least of the vows I made the day we decided to be together,” Manu said, stroking her ring finger gently. “I should work on putting a promissory ring on this finger. Show you that I mean business.”

  “I already know you are serious about us,” Melanie said, leaning up to press a gentle kiss to his cheek.

  “Make sure you don’t forget,” Manu said with a smirk, and his hand reached down to give her ass a playful smack. She squealed softly and smacked his chest. Soon the two intertwined their hands. Melanie gave his a gentle squeeze, and closed her as she rested her head against his chest.

  “I won’t,” she promised, her voice barely above a whisper.

  END

  If you are looking for a new book to keep you up all night in a good way, the romance and supernatural suspense of the Rizer Series will do that for you.

  Claimed by the Shifter

  The Shifter Chronicle Series

  By:

  Amelia Wilson

  CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Copyright © 2019 by Amelia Wilson

  All rights reserved.

  http://ameliawilsonauthor.com/

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Prologue

  I could love him. I could get past the fact that Tobias has a wild side to him that is unquenchable. I could even look past his animal nature and see the man underneath it all. But, what do I have to offer a man who has everything? What could he possibly see in me that would make him love me? I am nothing—a mere human, drowning in the supernatural world; a world that until recently I didn’t even know existed. But, it does. Everything I ever knew has been turned upside down because of him and, now, he is all I want.

  I stare at him with wonder and awe as he strokes the flames of my desire. Every touch, every caress reminds me that I am not good enough for him. Why should I be? I am nothing, and he is a Greek god.

  ***

  She stares at me as if I hold all the answers to all the questions of the universe. Although there is innocence about her, I can’t help but wonder if Athena could really love me for who I am, and not what I am. Could she see past the monster and learn to love the beast? Will she be able to tame even the most brutal side of me and love me still?

  Chapter 1

  “Senator Pompelii, I understand your frustrations with the council but you must understand; it has been nearly five years since the insurgents were apprehended. We have eradicated the menace from Rome. This campaign you started is finished—we have won.”

  I stood in the corner listening to the old fools bicker, as I stared out of the window, gazing on the might of Rome. Oh Jupiter; how I loathed this place. Everything about it from the stench to the pompous people pretending to live out their lives irritated me. Just listening to Alexander Pompelii and Luca DiVonni, going on about the citizens of this place as if they were pawns in some grand scheme where only they knew the rules, grated on my nerves.

  Desperately I tried to drown them out and to find a happier place, as I stood like a living statue in the corner of the room. Still, some things were worth listening to, despite all the myth that spewed from their lips.

  “I’m telling you. Luca, the …” Alexander cleared his throat. I could feel his eyes dodge in my direction before he continued, “… menace persists. We must cleanse these lands by any means necessary,” Alexander stood gracefully rattling his empty goblet like a broken bell. His dark glare stabbed at me. The very twitch of his eyebrow shocked me back into reality.

  “Athena, dear,” his voice seethed with contempt at my lack of attention to his needs. It took me a moment to realize what it was he wanted, but the moment I remembered why I was there in the first place, I nodded.

  “Apologies, my Lord.” I rushed forward with my pitcher and refilled his cup. My eyes darted to Luca who seemed more than amused that Alexander’s servant wasn’t up to par with her duties. The small smirk on Luca’s lips pleased me more than that of Alexander, who shooed me back into the corner. The little missteps I took to irritate Alexander were the only light I had in my dark world. Showing him up in his own house was the icing on my bitter cake.

  “How is it you know these n
uisances have not been extinguished already? Have you seen one recently? Have there been other attacks in the lands, or uprisings?” Luca circled the long couch, resting near the window, and brushed his fingers over the soft fabric. I watched him as he moved like an emperor, his shoulders back, his head held high. No mere mortal could touch him or the air that flowed around him. Luca was the only reason I remained loyal to Alexander. To me, these brief moments that I was able to steal, were worth the punishment I would receive later for my day dreaming.

  For a split second I saw Luca’s shimmering eyes linger in my direction. The soft, blue material I wore floated about my ankles and rose up like the clouds betraying a hint of skin. A spark of lust drifted into his eyes and I knew where I would be later. I tried to fight the smile pulling at the corner of my lips as Alexander cleared his throat, once more. In an instant the fantasy playing out in my mind shifted back to the room, where Alexander lifted an eyebrow in loathing. Still the thought of lying skin to skin in Luca’s arms thrilled me more than it should have.

  “I know these insurgents exist. You and I once fought them,” Alexander stated trying to pull Luca’s attention away from me.

  “That was a long time ago, but please, my friend,” Luca turned his back on me and gazed at Alexander. “That battle has become a myth. No one in the city believes the rumors anymore or the old tales of what we faced together. If we go hunting for them, suspicions will be aroused; that we are unfit for our positions. I can’t afford those rumors. Other men have fallen for lesser matters.” Luca winked at me before turning his attention back to Alexander again.

  I watched Luca press his lips into a tight line and his head twitched. All the signs were there, and I wondered if Alexander could read them as well as I could.

  “To be truthful, we just can’t afford the men.”

  There it was plain as day and I saw it coming. Luca set his cup down on the table by Alexander’s side and wrapped his arms around his old friend. With a single kiss to his cheek, Luca ended the conversation.

  “You must give this up, for all our sakes,” Luca flashed his crooked little smile before turning and walking out of the room. Alexander stood holding his breath, before exhaling and pursing his mouth in distaste. I didn’t have to be told what was coming next; I already knew the spark of disappointment flashing in Alexander’s eyes.

  “Athena,” Alexander said my name slowly and deliberately extending each syllable and causing my skin to crawl. “Luca must see reason. Tonight, at the feast, you will convince him to see things my way.”

  Alexander moved swiftly towards me and reached out with one hand. His fingers entwined themselves in a loose strand of my hair letting the silky golden tresses flow through his fingers like water. Then with a swift jerk of his wrist, he held me tightly by the lock of hair. Every follicle attached to my head burned as he tugged harder trying to rip out the strand.

  “You have sway over his mind. I will use that to my advantage and you will do as I say. Tonight, when he has had his fill of merriment, you will go to him and change his mind. Do you understand?”

  “My Lord,” I whimpered trying to keep the pitcher in my hand from dropping to the tiles at my feet.

  “Good. Now, go and get yourself cleaned up. There is still much to do today.”

  I didn’t need to be told twice. The moment he released me I collected myself and paused to stare up at him.

  “Sir,” I paused at the doorway trying to muster my courage to speak my mind. Although I knew the consequences of my actions, I couldn’t contain the words that so desperately wanted to come out.

  “Perhaps Luca is right in thinking that this mission of yours is ill-advised. Maybe it isn’t Luca’s mind that should be altered, but rather yours. This campaign of yours could be the end of your rule here.” I had spoken out of turn and I saw Alexander’s jaw tighten and I could hear the grinding of his teeth.

  “If I wanted your opinion, Child …,” Alexander stepped closer his eyes burning with rage under his wrinkled brow. The sight of him silenced my heart and for a moment I wondered if he would strike me down right, there.

  “… I would give it to you. Now go.”

  I moved swiftly past the open doors without looking back, knowing there was no way for someone like me to reason with someone like him. After all, the only reason he kept me alive was to use me like a piece in his game against greater men. If I failed at that, I would be disposed of, instantly.

  The sound of my bare feet against the tile drummed in my ears as I hurried away. I couldn’t believe I’d spoken out against him; but something about the way Luca had gazed at me had filled me with hope. For that one moment I saw myself as equal to Alexander— but that moment was as fleeting as the winds that roared down the hills.

  “Oh, and Athena—” Alexander’s voice racked across my back like a whip. “—find Edith. I want her by my side tonight.”

  Edith, the one woman in all of Rome who could control Alexander, was the one person I didn’t mind seeking out. She was my only friend in the city by far. I nodded once and rushed down the corridor leaving the senator alone.

  As I turned the corner, I saw Luca resting against the marble pillar. He wore the same crooked grin he always flashed at me. My heart sputtered as I slowed my pace. My eyes darted around the open atrium, scanning for any prying eyes as I paused beside him.

  “What are you still doing here?” It took every ounce of my being not to throw my arms around his neck and pull him closer to me. He stood straight and cocked his head, twitching his eyes towards the sanctuary of the trees. I didn’t hesitate to follow as he led me away from the marble corridor, slipping into the small forbidden world within my gilded cage.

  “I had to make sure he didn’t hurt you,” Luca said wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to him. His fingertips glided over my skin sending chills through me. His touch was gentle and kind. For a brief moment I wanted nothing more than for him to let his hands roam further down my body, but he stopped at my belt and held me close to him.

  I stared up into his eyes as our lips crushed against one another and I allowed myself to melt into his body. There was no other place in all the world I felt safer. Only here, in his embrace did the world slip away. For that one moment it was just us— a man and a woman—as it were meant to be.

  My arms curled around his neck holding him in place. I didn’t want the moment to end or to be pulled back to reality so soon. His tongue parted my lips and swirled around my mouth. My fingers dug into his hair as I allowed myself to enjoy the moment.

  Luca’s hands wandered down my back and he found the hem of my dress and hiked it up. I pulled away gasping for air as his fingertips sank into my bare ass. The pain in his eyes startled me and I pulled him to me once more forcing him to remain close.

  “He didn’t hurt me,” I said trying my hardest not to let him go. But, it was clear our moment was swiftly coming to an end. My eyes darted past the large green foliage that shrouded us. Although I knew there was no way anyone could see us in the shadows of the garden, I knew there would be someone on the other side waiting for my return.

  “Athena, when will you let me take you away from all this? You just have to say the word and I will make my intentions to Alexander known.”

  “You can’t do that. He will have you killed if he knew how I felt about you.”

  “But, he knows how I feel about you.”

  “Yes, he does,” I sighed deeply turning my gaze to the dark green leaves that hid us from the world. “But, if he suspects I have grown attached to you, he will kill you to teach me a lesson, and then where will we be?”

  “He wouldn’t dare. I have too much power for him to off me just like that.”

  “That is what Nero thought did he not? We all saw what happened to him.”

  “Athena, please, we can leave here tonight. I have arranged everything.”

  “I know you think you can protect me, but you can’t; not from Alexander. Besides, we have him rig
ht where we want him don’t we? He is making himself look like a fool in front of the other senators. Maybe you should give him the men he needs to go on his campaign and when nothing comes of it, he will be discredited. He will be tossed aside and stripped of his power here in the city. Then we can be together without his blessing.”

  Luca lifted his hand and brushed the back of his fingers against my face. The warmth of his touch soothed my fears as I clasped my hand around his. I dared to glance up into his eyes. There in the depths of his soul, was the answer I had hoped for.

  “I will tell him tonight, after the party that I will let him have his men.”

  “Thank you Luca.” I pressed my lips to his fingers as he cupped his free hand around my face tenderly.

  “I don’t do it for him.” Of course he didn’t. I knew why he was agreeing to my plan. A smile played at the corner of my lips, as I stepped away from him. Too much time had passed, and I knew the instant I stepped away from him I would regret it.

  “I do it for us. With him gone on his campaign, we will have time alone.”

  “I know,” I said over my shoulder as I slipped out of the elephant ears. “I know.”

  “There you are.” Cold violent chills instantly replaced the warmth in my heart the moment I heard her voice. “I have been looking for you.”

  “Madame.” I turned slowly and bowed my head as Alexander’s wife Estella drifted down the marble corridor. Her face was just as white as the walls and her eyes dark like midnight. There was no love or kindness in them; only bitterness and bile.