Rapier (Apache County Shifters Book 3) Read online

  Ten years ago, Rapier Dryer sent his mate away. The plan was to meet up later and find a new home, however, Raymond Quincy had other plans for them. What should’ve been months turned into years, and now, Rapier’s in a race against time to save Jasmine once more.

  Jasmine Dryer knew the risks of splitting up. At five months pregnant, they thought it was the best chance to save their family. A decade later, she’s no longer running. She’s willing to stand her ground with her mate and face off against the one man who could single-handedly destroy everything.

  Together they’ll forge an alliance with the Raferty Pack, determined to rebuild all they’ve already lost. There’s strength in numbers, and Rapier and Jasmine are willing to use that strength to keep their family safe. However, when people start dying and Raymond escapes prison, the tenuous bonds between Rapier and Jasmine are tested.

  This epic battle has been brewing for years. Rapier’s prepared to end it once and for all—but then their twins, Bell and Zoe, are kidnapped.

  And the man who has them is out for Rapier’s blood as well.

  Rapier

  Apache County Shifters, Book Three

  by

  TL Reeve & Michele Ryan

  MF, EROTIC ROMANCE, PARANORMAL, SHIFTERS

  Twisted E Publishing, LLC

  www.twistedepublishing.com

  A TWISTED E-PUBLISHING BOOK

  Rapier

  Apache County Shifters, Book Three

  Copyright © 2019 by TL Reeve & Michele Ryan

  Edited by Marie Medina

  First E-book Publication: June 2019

  Cover design by Cover by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2019, Twisted Erotica Publishing, LLC.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  All characters depicted in sexual acts in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

  Dedication

  A special thank you once again to Golden and Chase for the opportunity to work with you guys. As always, we are so proud of our covers, we hope you both like.

  Thank you to our Beta readers for making sure we got Rapier just right. Also, Michele and I would like to thank our families. We work some long solitary hours when we write these books, sometimes longer than we expect. Thank you for understanding and being there when we need you most.

  And, most importantly, to you, the readers. We hope you enjoy Rapier. Like Kalkin and Caden, Rapier has been a long time coming.

  Table of Contents

  Glossary of Characters

  Prologue, Pt 1

  Prologue, Pt 2

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Epilogue

  Also by

  About the Authors

  Glossary of Characters

  Kalkin Raferty: (Wolf) Alpha. Identical twin to Caden. Older by three minutes. Slightly bigger than his twin. Black hair, ice blue eyes. Mated to Keeley and has twins. A girl, Ella, and a boy, Colin.

  Keeley Blueriver: (Human with abilities) Mated to Kalkin. Hazel eyes, blonde hair and curvy. Has twins. A girl, Ella, and a boy, Colin.

  Caden Raferty: (Wolf) Identical twin to Kalkin. Younger by three minutes. Black hair, ice blue eyes. Mate to Danielle. They have two sons, Nicolas and Aiden.

  Danielle Blueriver: (Human with abilities) Tall, willowy blonde with blue eyes. Keeley's older sister. Mate to Caden and has two sons, Nicolas Raferty and Aiden Raferty.

  Jace Raferty: (Wolf) Bodhi’s biological father. Black hair, blue eyes. Youngest Raferty brother. Goes off pack lands during the full moon. No one questions where he goes. Deputy.

  Loraine Jacobs: (Human) Chocolate-brown hair, brown eyes. Very old-fashioned. Doesn’t like technology. Dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Department.

  Mackenzie Raferty: (Wolf) Eldest Raferty brother. Father of Royce. Was taken by the Quincy Pack, and rescued by Rapier Dryer.

  Charisma Winters: (Human) Daughter of Senator Jefferson Winters, 4th District of Arizona. She is in college and wants to become a teacher. Works for Keeley and Danielle at the Orphanage.

  Rapier Dryer: (Lion) Alpha of the Dryer Pride. Mate to Jasmine Dryer. Owner of Dryer Construction.

  Jasmine Dryer: (Panther) Mate to Rapier. Alpha female for the Dryer Pride. Mother to Zoe and Bell Dryer. She’d do anything to protect her family.

  Saber Dryer: (Coyote) Brother of Rapier. Is part owner of Dryer Construction.

  Penelope Winters: (Human) Sister Charisma, and daughter of Senator Winters. Member of the Window Rock community.

  Wy Dryer: (Coyote) Youngest member of the Dryer brothers.

  Rashid Dryer: (Coyote) Middle Dryer brother.

  Cormyr Dryer: (Lion) Eldest Dryer brother.

  Osirus Blake: (Lion) Works for Dryer Construction. Has been friend with Rapier for years. Has one son, Utah, who is deaf. He was almost killed by his mother who tried to smother him. Osirus took his boy and ran. He wouldn’t allow Utah to be treated different.

  Jenna Panthera: (Panther) Sister to Jasmine. She worked for SWAT while in Colorado, to help pay the bills, but her main job was to protect Jasmine and the girls. She doesn’t have time for personal entanglements.

  Logan Wagner: (Wolf) Former detective for Phoenix PD. Comes home in Kalkin and Keeley’s book.

  Sage Abbott: (Wolf) Adopted. Grew up in Sedona, Arizona. Works as a deputy for the Apache County Sheriff’s Department. Caden’s biological daughter

  Eloise Abbott: (Human with abilities) Sterilized as a child, she wandered most of her life until she found a home in Sedona, Arizona. She adopted Sage as a newborn and has spent her life protecting her. She is what everyone would consider a hippie to be. But, she is also kind and compassionate.

  Mrs. Pauline Martin: (Wolf) Guardian to the orphan shifters. Elder of the pack and all-around gossip. Will help when needed and is still a strong pack female. Mated to Russell Martin (deceased.)

  Michael Da Susa: (Human) Works for the State of Arizona as one of their best investigators.

  Hauser Benefield: (Mountain lion) Cocky to the max. Comes from money. Leads the SWAT team in Window Rock.

  Maxwell Steele: (Human) FBI Agent. Always wears a suit. His mom named him after a romance novel hero.

  Everett: (Wolf) Best friend to Caden. He’s spent a good portion of his life living undercover in Quincy’s Pack. Reports back to Kalkin.

  Prologue Pt. 1

  Eleven years ago...

  The stars twinkled to life overhead as the sun set below the horizon. The succulent scents of mating and heat bloomed around Rapier as he gave over to the shift of his lion. Warm, white light engulfed his body, enhancing his sense of smell and sight, giving him a better appreciation for those who’d found the one.

  He hadn’t found his yet, but he’d been hopeful nonetheless. As he padded through the desert, inhaling the sweet musky scent of arousal, he reveled in it.
If he’d been some common house cat, he’d equate the euphoric feeling to that of catnip and the natural high one would receive while inhaling and rubbing in it.

  So, while he enjoyed the night air, he’d roll around in the delicious aroma.

  A black streak of kitty cat splendor shot past him, and a triumphant roar exploded from his chest. He chased after her. Her hot-spicy scent filled his olfactory system, turning him on. Mate. Even in his lion form, his dick ached, and his balls were tight. He had to have her. Rapier stretched out his body, increasing the length of his strides. The swish of her tail hypnotized him. Made his mouth water.

  Finally.

  Rapier drew near to her, her intoxicating smell pushing him harder. Faster. When he grabbed her, they’d both go tumbling, and he’d get the upper hand. The female’s hind quarters came into view, her shiny coat glimmered under the full moon. She turned her head and let out a hissing challenge. He took it, no way he’d back down now. Rapier reached out with his front paws and grabbed for her rear.

  The clawed tips of his paws sank into her silky pelt, tripping her gait. She went to the ground, and he was there, rolling with her, so she wouldn’t be hurt. Rapier pinned her below him then forced her shift, watching her body glimmer then waver before him. Rapier gave over to the shift as well, and when his body touched hers, he kissed her.

  Their breath mingled as the frantic way they kissed and touched overwhelmed him. She writhed below him, arching to him. He stared down at her body, his mouth watering. With each breath she took her breast lifted, teasing him. Why he didn’t finish it, mate her and make her his, he didn’t know. He’d been content in those moments staring at her.

  “What is your name?” He stared down at the enchanting woman lying below him.

  “Does it matter? We both know what we need.” She arched a brow, challenging him.

  Rapier growled. “I don’t just fuck without knowing who the person is who has me on edge,” he replied.

  She licked her lips. “Jasmine. Jasmine Panthera.”

  “Well, Jasmine, I’m Rapier.” He kissed her again and groaned. “Tell me you feel this. This pull...”

  She whimpered. “I do. Who are you?”

  Rapier chuffed. “Your mate.”

  Jasmine scoffed. “It’s a full moon. I could be anyone’s mate. Besides, we’ve never been ruled by the lunar cycles.”

  He growled again. “Not even close. I’m your mate, and I intend to prove it.”

  “You can try.” She threw the gauntlet at his feet, and like a starved man, he took it.

  “I need to hear the words,” Rapier growled.

  “Yes,” she said. “Don’t stop.”

  Fuck.

  He kissed her again. Later he’d take his time. Later he’d give over to the need to explore her body. Right now, his lion road him hard to take what was his. He positioned himself between her legs, pushing her open so he’d be cradled at the apex of her thighs. The wet heat of her sex seared his groin, and he groaned. Rapier lined his cock up to her pussy and pushed forward. The silky warmth of her clenching passage engulfed him. Below him, Jasmine went wild. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she held onto him.

  Each inch of his dick filled her, and she rippled around him, accommodating him, until he’d been completely inside of her. He pressed his forehead between the valley between her breasts while flexing his hips. It felt too fucking good. Too tight. Too hot. It drove him insane. His lion shoved forward to stare down at their mate. Jasmine stared up at him with wide-eyed amazement. She cupped his face and brought it down to her. When her lips brushed over his, he began to move. His strokes were long and deep, making sure to touch every inch of her.

  Her cries of pleasure were music to his ears. He couldn’t get enough of it, but he also realized he couldn’t last. As much as he’d been chasing her or inhaling her cinnamon scent for the last few months, the urge to mark her road him hard. Not even thinking about other things could control the tide churning within him. Rapier gripped her hips, lifting her slightly. The change in position allowed him to fill her more. Both of them yowled.

  Jasmine went molten around him. The slickness of her cream coated his dick, and he reveled in it. Enjoyed the feel of her pussy pulsing around him as he rode her through her climax. The sweet tinge of pain meshed with pleasure until he slammed into her twice more and roared. Rapier latched onto her neck and bit down as he throbbed within her.

  Then, he felt it. The lion came through. “Shift.” He’d barely got the word out of his mouth. He roared as his body contorted back into his lion form.

  She followed his lead, lying below him in her panther form. Though he’d just found his release, the lion began to move. The sensitive tip of his cock rubbed against his mate, and Rapier lost his shit. He’d never experienced anything like this before. Didn’t understand what the lion was doing or why. His claws dug into the dirt while the lion continued to hunch into Jasmine. The whole situation was weird, and different and uncomfortable.

  With another roar, he came again, but the lion wasn’t done. Jasmine hissed at him. Her tail tapped the desert ground, perturbed by the situation. Rapier lost all control to the lion, and the beast, he figured out too late, wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

  Again, they began. This time the urgency stole Rapier’s ability to take back control. This time, though, it was quick. The minute the lion began to move, he was coming, but more than that his dick locked inside of his mate, the barbs of his lion’s cock holding him in place. With a final roar of competition, the lion faded, giving over to Rapier.

  He shifted back to his human form, bringing Jasmine with him. When he opened his eyes, he was wrapped around his mate from behind and both of them were trying, once again, to gather their breath.

  “What, the hell happened?” Jasmine whispered.

  “I have no idea. It’s never happened before,” he replied.

  Jasmine gave him a look.

  “I’m fucking serious, kitten. It’s never fucking happened, and I couldn’t stop it.” He sighed and shook his head. “The lion wanted you.”

  “My panther wanted you, too,” she admitted.

  “Not exactly what I had in mind for this evening.” He gave a small chuckle then grunted. The lie slipped off his tongue so easily. Sure, he hoped to find a willing woman to rut through the cycle with him, however, he hadn’t expected it to be such a ferocious, gut binding need, he couldn’t control the lion. Instead, the lion controlled him. “Crap. So sensitive.”

  “Same” she said with a soft laugh. “I guess they got what they both wanted.”

  He smirked. “Yeah, they did.” He kissed her neck. “I know I did. You’re mine, Jasmine. All fucking mine.”

  She grinned. “Prove it.”

  And, he did.

  Prologue Pt. 2

  Ten years ago...

  Rapier rushed to the house. Their time was up. He had to get Jasmine away from there. He knew instinctively, if Raymond Quincy found out Jasmine was pregnant, the bastard would kill her in front of Rapier and not think twice about it.

  He hadn’t understood the ramifications from mating Jasmine while being so close to Quincy land nor helping someone Raymond obviously didn’t believe deserved to live. Rapier hadn’t thought about getting Jasmine pregnant either, but shit had a way of happening when he least expected it. He took for granted the idea he’d finally found someone to love his old ass, and he hadn’t taken the time to think things over or prepare. Now, it seemed, it was about to blow up in his face.

  Their relationship wasn’t necessarily a whirlwind romance. He didn’t come to sweep her off her feet or do anything fancy. He pursued her. Stalked her. He couldn’t get the vision of her doe-eyes or the fact she, a panther, wore glasses while she worked in the human world, out of his mind. She claimed, at the time of their meeting, after he’d mated her in the middle of the desert, everyone had a secret identity, like those superheroes in the comics. All the most powerful and righteous ones wore glasses to
protect who they really were. He could listen to her talk about it all day and never get bored. She’d been the breath of fresh air he needed after so much shit had been piled onto him.

  Their first heat, after their initial meeting, had been intense to say the least. He’d spent days in bed with her, fucking and rutting until he thought he’d die from exhaustion. It had consumed both of them, and before they’d had the chance to settle into a life together, Jasmine was pregnant. Both of them were shocked, but a boy to carry on the Dryer name and take over his Pride when he couldn’t do the job any longer … well, he couldn’t wait.

  Finally, Rapier found himself a place to call home and a mate to keep him warm at night. A few weeks later, they stumbled upon a broken and battered man lying in the middle of the desert highway. He had no identification or money. He’d been beaten so badly, Rapier couldn’t tell what had been dried blood and what constituted hair. The only discerning mark had been the scarred patch on his arm. The thick, webbed skin had been puckered at the corners, as if someone took a knife and cut the section of flesh from his body. They obviously couldn’t leave the poor guy out in the elements.

  Who’d have thought finding that man like they did would lead to all of this shit?

  Mackenzie Raferty.

  After three days of Saber and Cormyr taking care of the man, he finally woke up. What he’d said hadn’t made a lick of sense, but Rapier had chalked it up to the guy being out of sorts. Though he shifted a few times, it wouldn’t heal the guy instantly. He had head trauma to boot, besides being completely malnourished.