Gage's Obsession: New Orleans Shifters Read online

  A Novel

  Gage’s Obsession

  C.J. Snyder

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  Copyright © 2019 C. J. Snyder

  mailto: [email protected]

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author's intellectual property. If you would like to use any material from this book (other than review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher. Thank you for your support of the author's rights.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons living or deceased, places, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Contemporary Romance

  Disclaimer: The material in this book may contain language that can be construed as offensive with some descriptive nudity and sexual scenes. Reader be advised. Purchase or possession of this book means the reader is agreeing they have read and understood the disclaimer and holds the author completely harmless of any wrong doing.

  All characters in this book are age consenting adults of 18 or older.

  C. J. Snyder

  Special Acknowledgment:

  To my Mother – in- law and dearest friend, thank you for working so hard to help edit Gage’s book so we could perfect it.

  I couldn’t have done this without your help.

  To my Mom – Thank you for the support, love and catching some of the edits that we didn’t catch the first hundred times we read it over.

  “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

  Prologue

  Dropping to the grass of the bank I stare glumly at the water making its way past us. The wind picked up slightly, with the cool breeze from the river offering the only respite from this heat and bringing with it the earthy smell of river water that sings to my soul on the most primal levels. My skin prickles with pleasure as my inner wolf begins to bring out more details. I can smell every small creature's tracks, which incited a stomach rumble so loud it could probably be heard for miles.

  No matter what the fictional books say about shifters, they always forget the fact of what makes us who we are – two sides to every coin. My mother always warns us to beware of the inner wolf, especially when we're hungry.

  I am very freaking hungry…

  Chapter 1

  GAGE

  The hot smell of the city disappeared behind me as I neared the river. Summer in Louisiana is unpleasant in general; I don't know of anyone who loves it here during June, July or August. It's hot and the air is so thick with humidity that you struggle to breathe. Even so, Louisiana is the best place for crawfish, and even better when caught fresh.

  I was making my way towards the bank of the Mississippi, inhaling the heavy air and with a singular purpose in mind—although, in reality, it was just a distraction. My true thoughts once again swirled around tomorrow's activities, creating anger and frustration, so much so that I didn't notice the violent flapping of wings rapidly approaching from behind.

  After two loud thuds, my buddy, Kangee, landed and deftly shifted into his human form. Raven shifters are so lucky; they don't have to strip down to almost nothing to shift into their form. He's able to come and go as he pleases. Not wolves, basically because of our size. The mechanics behind it all is a whole other story altogether.

  "Quote the Raven," I muttered without turning, not attempting to hide my annoyance at Kangee's unexpected arrival.

  In animal form, Kangee is a raven; however, in human form, he's a six-foot, four-inch Native American deriving from the Sioux Nation. Blessed with a muscular, V-shaped torso, a full head of long straight black hair and abs to die for, that was my best friend…and often my biggest annoyance.

  "Yo, Gage, what's up?" He was also forever perky, even in the direst of situations; another of his enviable traits.

  I glanced over my shoulder at him while picking up the pace as I neared the river. I didn't have any interest in talking with him, especially in my current mood. But the dude was persistent, and quite a few times I've threatened to bite off his head if he didn't stop pestering me. But I never would. As I said, he's my best friend.

  "So, Gage, give me the 4-1-1," he prodded again, trailing behind me like a puppy.

  I stopped and turned to him, fury burning in my eyes. "The news is I'm turning eighteen tomorrow and the pack is insisting I participate in the Manhood Ceremony."

  I gave out a deep sigh of surrender. Looking at Kangee's intense, amused stare, I knew I only had few options open to me when it came to his constant badgering: You either answer right away or you get pestered for life. I chose the former since I happen to have an extra-long lifespan when compared to a human.

  I turned back toward the river and quickened my stride in hopes he'd give up following, but not a chance. With both of us being Shifters, he had no trouble keeping up.

  "Ceremony?" he drawled. "In Wolf-speak, that means party—"

  Kangee's sentence was cut short when I spun in midstride to face him again.

  "Yeah, a real party!" I snapped, flapping my arms with false excitement. "A party where the entire Clan—no, all the five Clans—are there with every eligible female they can scrounge up. Probably five hundred people there, each watching my every fucking move to see if I am going to find a mate—and if that mate is going to take me! And I'm telling you, they just want to see if I'll have to fight for her. All they want is a good mating contest. It's a lot of pressure." I pursed my lips and shook my head. "I don't want any part of it."

  Kangee stared at me as if I had a dick stuck on my forehead.

  "Come on man, you act like women don't adore you." He bumped my shoulder with his fist in a stereotypical bro move. I continued to shake my head. He's just not getting it.

  "Yeah, they love me all right. That's why they avoid me in the halls and won't look me in the eyes. Hell, I didn't even score a Prom date." The sarcasm dripping off each word didn't replace my hollow, sad feeling of being a loser.

  Kangee abruptly reached down into the river and threw a handful of muddy water into my face.

  "Wake up, wolf-boy! You are almost as tall as me, and with lovely blond locks that blow in the wind. The girls don't avoid you because you're ugly. They avoid you because you intimidate them. Dude, you're hot

  That's my best friend, the Raven. Always correct, even if you don't want to hear it.

  Kangee abruptly began a reenactment—or what he felt was a reenactment—of me walking down our high school hallway.

  "Hey, look at me," he mocked. "I'm Gage, the big bad captain of the football team!" He held out his arms to each side, looking like some swaggering gorilla, exaggerating each step with a loud thump. Coyishly, he looked over his shoulder at me. "That's right ladies, I heard y'all faint in the presence of Gage the Magnificent." Kangee began laughing uncontrollably, overcome by his silly joke.

  When the snickering fest ended, he continued. "Bro, you know I'm right. You've got that panty-droppin' body and deep honey eyes a girl can get lost in. You just don't see what I see when you pass by the chicks."

  Bending down to pick up a stick covered in as much mud as possible, I hurl it at Kangee. "THAT is my problem!" Kangee deftly dodges my stick attack like the agile bird he is, sprinting to catch up and fall into place beside me.

  "Ceremony, in Wolf talk, is a party – man." He repeats, ignoring everything I just said while his feet shuffle from side to side happily like a sm
all child excited over a new toy. "PARRRRTAAAAAAY!" He shouted.

  Dropping to the grass of the bank I stare glumly at the water making its way past us. The wind picked up slightly, with the cool breeze from the river offering the only respite from this heat, and bringing with it the earthy smell of river water that sings to my soul on the most primal levels. My skin prickles with pleasure as my inner wolf begins to bring out more details. I can smell every small creature's tracks, which incited a stomach rumble so loud it could probably be heard for miles.

  No matter what the fictional books say about shifters, they always forget the fact of what makes us who we are – two sides to every coin. My mother always warns us to beware of the inner wolf, especially when we're hungry.

  I am very freaking hungry…

  My eyes drift to the riverbank in front of us; the urge to run rampant is intense with the tingling sensation felt through all of my extremities. I stretch out my long legs to let my feet dangle in the water. An audible sigh of relief leaves my throat as my feet fully submerge into its coolness. Kangee sits next to me and does the same, with more of a cannonball splash instead of a wolf's poise.

  "Hopeless!" Kangee shouts, as another handful of river water blasts my nostrils. Kangee reaches for the water again.

  "Kangee," I growled, blowing water from my nose, giving him an 'if looks could kill' glare, "Don't do it – "My warning is too late. He has the bird-like reflexes and splashes three more rapid handfuls at my face.

  "What the hell, Kangee?!"

  Fucking birds, everything is a damn joke with them.

  Growling to myself, I lean forward with my hands on either side of my face. Water droplets slowly drip down, blurring the reflection of myself in the water.

  I keep my golden blonde hair with just a touch of bad boy brown short along the sides with a touch of length at the top. I have deep honey-colored eyes when I'm in Human form and more orange in Wolf. Plus, all the cardio that being a wolf has involved has given me a lean, cut body. So, I can see his point.

  Watching the river move down the bend, I can hear him talking but I am not paying full attention. I'm watching the water as if it's going to have an answer and solve all my problems.

  The ceremony that all-male Wolf clan members have to go through at the age of 18, is in two days and all five of the clan's members are already starting to show up at the house Most of them are elders, spanning in age from eighty to one hundred five, which is actually midlife for a shifter. We can survive up to one hundred human years. That's a long time to be alone in this world.

  Some clan members have already introduced me to their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and grandnieces. Every one of them beautiful. Most with long flowing hair and eyes so brown a man could get lost in them. Bodies are tight from the extreme cardio of running through the wilderness. Regrettably, every one of them not what I'm looking for in a mate. I need more than just a showpiece. I need a woman who is going to challenge me in every sense of the word.

  If it wasn't already stressful enough, if we followed the old laws, it would have been decided for me. An arranged marriage to a woman and clan of their choosing and on top of that, a wedding bed shared by the eyes of elders, so to make sure it's consummated.

  I was so deep in my thoughts I jumped when Kangee swatted me on the shoulder.

  "Dude, you didn't hear a word I just said this past…" he stopped to check his smartwatch, "fifteen minutes, did you?" he asked.

  "No, I didn't hear a damn thing other than my thoughts, not the water or the slight wind sighing through the trees."

  Chuckling as he stood up, "Alright well, had to get your attention somehow. I got to take off, literally, but I am invited to the party, right?" His eyes widen in excitement and his feet shuffle in anticipation like a kid in a candy store just waiting to get what he wants.

  Standing up alongside him, we shake hands by grabbing each other's forearms in a tight grasp and slightly nodding to each other. Yep, my best friend since childhood.

  "Of course, you're invited; it wouldn't be a party without you, man." I scoff, lightly, brushing my pants with my hands. "I'll catch you at school in a bit, thank god it's just about over with."

  Kangee shakes his head in agreement as he gracefully transforms into a huge black raven, his wingspan is huge, spanning at least a foot on both sides of his body. He gracefully takes off into the air and then he dives bombs my head while giving a shrill shriek, I swear he loves to mess with me.

  Walking back over to the riverbed, I scan it briefly for crawfish since that was my reason for heading this way, to begin with. Not seeing anything, even with my enhanced eyesight that is worth my time, I begin my walk home.

  Staying in human form, even though it's a slower commute, gives me the full mental clarity to continue my depressed thoughts without my primal side distracting me. Knowing Kangee he would be lurking close-by ready to prank me. When we were children, before I had my wolf side mostly under control, Kangee always thought it was hilarious to throw a raw piece of meat to make my wolf go crazy at the worst times.

  In a few moments I am strolling along Canal Street, I enjoy people watching. All the tourists as they ooh and ahh over the historic places, and the Knickknack stores as I make my way to Bourbon Street. The sounds of sweet jazz music hit my ears a mile ago, but it is most soothing for me. Closing my eyes, I took a few steps away from the music to continue my journey when I feel a small train body slam into me.

  "Ouch! I was walking here!" Instinct has me throwing out my arms for balance right onto the shoulders of the most beautiful petite redhead I have ever seen. She has the biggest apple green eyes, and they are staring widely at me. There's the slightest little pout in her naturally red lips and I feel my body sizzle with the reaction in all the right places.

  "Damn it! I'm sorry!" Her voice is small, shy even, as her hands reach to remove mine from her shoulders and I instantly feel a jolt of electricity pass between her skin and my own. My nostrils flare at the contact and I can immediately tell she's human, no animal scent, just the lavender and vanilla of her perfume.

  I bet you taste as sweet as you smell.

  She must have felt that spark of voltage since she quickly pulled away from me with the same wide green eyes and then looks down at her feet. Putting some distance between us, I can take her all in from her fiery red hair down to her very sensible sneakers

  Compared to my height, she is tiny. Maybe only five-foot-four but no taller than five foot five. The perfect size to tuck her head under my chin while hugging. Her extreme ruby red hair that falls in waves around her shoulders and lays just above the roundness of her perfect firm breasts. And those eyes, when she raises them to look at me briefly, are so green, they look like brightly shining emeralds.

  She clears her throat and I shake myself out of my mental assessment of her, "It's fine, where are you headed in such a hurry?" I cross my arms over my chest to stop from reaching out and touching her again.

  I'm watching her pouty little mouth as she answers, "I'm rather late for an appointment at the high school," she shrugs slightly and half-assed lifts up her cross over body bag, with a slight smile that nearly melts me on the Louisiana pavement, "The new kid."

  Lying through my teeth, I give her my heart dropping half-smile that normally melts females, "Ah, well, I'm headed there myself." I was headed in the opposite direction toward my already crowded house, but now I am fully interested in escorting her over to her new Alma mater, McDonogh Prep, my eyes dart to the emblem on her t-shirt.

  She lets out a small snort, "Doesn't look like you were headed there," she looks at me with narrowed eyes. I feel my fur rustle in agitation. Great, here we go again with a woman who wants nothing to do with me.

  Uncrossing my arms and shoving my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans, I smile again, "You caught me; I was headed home for a bit. The school day doesn't start for another two hours." Feeling nervous in her presence, I take my hands out of my pockets and then placed them b
ack in again. I can't help but keep my eyes on her, but the struggle to not reach out and touch her is real.

  The sound of a cell phone ringer starts screaming from somewhere inside her bag. An irritated huff escapes her lips. Frantically she searched for her phone, finds it and pulls it from the depths of that bag, and then with a slight eye roll, swiped the screen to answer the call.

  "Hi dad, yes I'm ok," the irritation in her voice is tangible "No, I'm not lost," her voice is getting higher with every answer. "Yes I want to be successful and I know this meeting is important," another pause accompanied by a few long sighs. "I'll be there in the next ten to fifteen minutes," those emerald green eyes go wide and her head goes from side to side as to give me a sign to remain quiet. I uh, ran into a friend."

  She lets out a heavy sigh, "No, dad I do not need you to pick me up, I can finish the walk there." She ends the call in a huff and tosses her phone back into her bag.

  Looking at her with puppy dog eyes, I find her irritation adorable and I realize how much trouble I am in. Clans are supposed to marry and mate within one another. On top of that rule, humans are a big no-no and we're not supposed to have anything to do with them other than a quick fuck for fun. They also cannot know that we even exist.

  Not going to lie, I've had my share of high-class women, cheerleaders, band geeks, and choir girls. But, there was something different about her.

  "I'm sorry about that; he is not only protective but a stickler for being on time for appointments." She says motioning to the cellphone within her bag. She starts moving her weight from one leg to the other and between talking, biting on her lower lip like someone nervous to speak to a large crowd of people. That was very distracting.

  What I wouldn't do to put that lip between my teeth.

  I'm just staring at her as I've never seen a human female before; she waves her tiny perfect hand in front of my face to get my attention. "Hello, um, I'm sorry – I didn't catch your name. I'm Presley." She sticks her hand out to shake mine in the normal human greeting.