Excerpt from The Heir of the Shifters:
Book two of the Shifter series

Arguing and fighting, caused Claire to awaken in fear. John was already flowing out of bed and heading out the door, before she could even sit up. Grabbing her robe off the back of a chair, she followed him out more slowly. At the top of the stairs, she stopped in bewilderment. John stood angrily between Laborc and Rodney. Laborc had a split lip, which he was wiping his hand across, while Rodney had a black eye and his face was covered in bruises. Coming downstairs, she asked: “What the hell is going on here?” Neither of them paid her any attention. She didn’t mind the fact that John hadn’t; he was more worried over the two men fighting again. Rodney and Laborc not paying her attention had angered her. This was her house, how dare they not listen to her?

Stopping a couple feet from them, she let the anger fill her words as she said: “This is my house and you will listen to me! If either of you don’t like it, you can both leave and not come back.” John smiled as their attentions shifted to her. Crossing his arms across his chest, John remained planted between the men, just in case they decided to start fighting again.

Staring at both men in turn, Claire said: “I asked a question.”

Laborc didn’t budge in the least, though Rodney bowed his head in contrition. “I’m sorry, Claire. I will explain my actions later, after I calm down some.” He said before he left the house.

Claire’s attention shifted to Laborc as the door closed. “Well, Laborc? Are you going to answer my question or do I have to throw you out of my house?”

After a few more seconds, Laborc finally bowed his head slightly. “I apologize for fighting in your house, Claire. It will not happen again.”

She crossed her arms. “That did not answer my question, Laborc.”

He nodded. “That is because I have no answer for you. Something is not right here, but I cannot figure out what could be wrong.” He raised his head and stared at her unflinching. “Would you like for me to leave until I can come up with a suitable answer?” Without hesitating, she said ‘yes’ causing Laborc’s eyes to close as he nodded again. “As you wish.” He turned then and left the house.

Claire sighed deeply. “Did I do the right thing, John?”

His smile brightened. “Yes, I believe you did. They probably believe otherwise though.”

She nodded her assent. “More than likely.”

John walked up to her and placed a hand against her cheek. “Would you like for me to make you some breakfast?”

She smiled up at him. “That sounds like a plan. I’m just going to dress then check on Jacoby and Lynn’s conditions.”

He kissed her on the forehead, before leaving the room. Sighing deeply, Claire closed her eyes for a moment. She wasn’t sure it was wise to send both Laborc and Rodney away, considering those Hunters were probably still searching for them after what they had done. Shaking her head, she headed upstairs to get changed.

Laborc quietly followed Rodney. Making sure he kept a good distance between them incase Rodney turned he would not see him. Laborc didn’t trust the wolf in the least. Even though he had his own dark secrets, the wolf’s had to be worse. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with the man, that he was hiding something. Laborc quickly ducked down an alley as Rodney slowed and turned to face back the way they had come.

After several moments, Laborc poked his head out from round the corner. His eyes squinted suspiciously; Rodney was nowhere to be seen. As Laborc started around the corner, he heard someone call out his name. Turning back down the alley, his heart stopped. No, no, no, this couldn’t be happening. Not now, after all this time. Why would they come for him now, after the twelve years he lived here?