Shifters For A Cause: A Shifter Auction Shared World Collection (Shifters Unleashed #7) Read online

  He did put up a good fight though, tried to tell her he didn’t need a date because he didn’t, but when has she ever listened to anything he’s said before, especially when it came to his love life. Not that that should be anybody else’s concern, but Dylin always made everything her business.

  Truth be told, the ladies had done a great job organizing the event that he was less than thrilled to take part in. Of course, Dylin was right when she said it was to benefit a really good cause. Dane wasn’t sure if he wanted kids of his own, but he liked kids well enough and wouldn’t want the uniform shifters disease to affect any more than it had already. His sister would be a great mom when the time came for her and that’s what got him twisted around her little finger. The same thing could happen to his niece or nephew, or anyone else he knew for that matter.

  Begrudgingly he agreed to the auction. It was advertised to only be one date and he’d make sure of that. The winning bidder was guaranteed twenty-four hours with the shifter but after that, he was gone. He wasn’t looking for a relationship. Been there, done that. Had the scars to prove it. There wasn’t even any guarantee he would mesh with whomever was his highest bidder.

  He was shaken from his private thoughts when the crowd roared for the next shifter up on the block, which meant, there was only one more before him. He felt the added heat as he moved further across the back of the stage under the spotlights. The women in the crowd were literally going crazy and they’d already sold off so many shifters before him. Would they notice if he just quietly backed off the stage?

  “Hey, psst, Dane, over here.”

  Jesus, Dylin.

  She was perched at the edge of the stage in the shadows waving her arms and a water bottle.

  What he ought to do is pull her up on the stage to take his place. She was a shifter too and there were guys in the crowd that would be glad to pay for a date with her. She was his sister yes, but he wasn’t oblivious to the fact she was a beautiful woman. There were already a few women on the auction block quite a bit ahead of him that he could only guess brought a pretty penny.

  “What do you want now? Are you taking my place?”

  “No way, you were made for this auction. Just don’t take your shirt off too soon...give the ladies a show. As I'm sure you noticed, they like a bit of skin.”

  “Hold up, seriously? Do I have to take my clothes off? I didn’t sign up for that.”

  “Just your shirt is all little brother, and yes you did sign up for it. What are you worried about anyway? I’ve seen your abs, and your back side and even your shoulders and arms...”

  “Please stop Dylin, before I’m sick. You’re my sister, and not allowed to say stuff like that to me. Ever.”

  “You’re a big baby.” She motioned ahead of him with the swing of her head.

  “Pay attention, you’re up next. Don’t worry though. Your purchase should be a sealed deal, and I think you’ll be happy about it.”

  “What do you mean by that? Is someone you know going to bid on me? You better tell me who it is. Jesus, I feel like I'm going up to be displayed on the bar top at that ugly coyote bar.”

  I’d rather have it be someone I’m familiar with, less awkward if that’s even a thing with a blind date.

  Apparently, his sister didn’t give a rat’s ass because she completely ignored his questions and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of drooling women.

  Thank God the powers-that-be just called a five-minute break for refreshments. He was going to disappear to the bathroom and just maybe forget to come back out.

  *.*.*.*

  Adison sat in her car wallowing. It was very unbecoming. She couldn’t help it though. She promised to show up at this event and even had a plan in mind but couldn’t talk herself into getting out of the car.

  If it weren’t for her friend Dylin Mitchell, she would still be in her plain jane apartment in the city a few states away. She hated it but it was a place to sleep. Maybe if she decorated, it would make her feel better about being there. She just didn’t have the motivation. Maybe that should tell her something. She didn’t hate her job; it was easy at least. Data entry for an insurance company did sound like a mundane job though. At least it paid well.

  Her phone buzzed.

  She didn’t pick it up.

  It buzzed again, then it rang. She’d give the woman credit, Dylin was persistent. Adison clicked the talk button on the small screen display. She loved her car play feature.

  “Hey Dylin.” She tried to make herself sound more excited than she was.

  “Adison, where are you? My brother is almost up, you’re going to miss your chance.”

  “Yeah about that. Are you sure this is really a good idea? I haven’t spoken to him since that day I turned down his proposal and skipped out of town.”

  “Adison, I know he hasn’t forgotten about you. It took everything I had to convince him to even be in this auction, so this is your only chance. The women in this crowd are hungry with a capital H. Get your ass in here quick. I would offer to bid for you, but this is my brother, I can’t bring myself to do it.”

  It was now or never. If she didn’t do it, she would regret it probably even more than she regrets leaving in the first place.

  “Fine, I’ll be right in.”

  “I’m waiting at the door for you with your bidding paddle.”

  Adison turned off the car, shoved her purse in the backseat and covered it with her sweatshirt. She had her credit card secured in the slot on her phone case. Locking the doors of her car, she ran to the big open doors of the barn.

  When she saw Dylin smiling wide with open arms, she jogged the last few feet and landed in her arms for a big bear hug.

  “Girl I have missed you so much. No time now though, here’s your bidders paddle and unfortunately, this place is packed so we won’t have much luck pushing through to get closer. We can bid from back here, just raise that paddle high in the air and holler loud.”

  Adison placed a hand on Dylin’s arm before she tried to run off.

  “I am so scared to do this. Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?”

  “I am. Everything is going to work out Adison, I feel it in my bear bones.”

  The women hugged again then found their place to stand.

  “Attention everyone. ATTENTION. Everybody quiet down so we can get started again.”

  The DJ’s music started at a low rumble and some thunder, reminiscent of a Garth song. The crowd stilled and you could feel the low hum hanging in the air.

  “Well, well, well...hold on to your panty’s women, next we have Dane Mitchell. He’s a Polar Bear who hails from right here around our sleepy little town. Reclusive if you ask me but he’s here, now isn’t he? Even he knows a good cause when he sees it.”

  Cat calls rang all through the barn as Dane stepped up onto the stage one step at a time, fully clothed. Couldn’t quite tell if the women were more excited to see what they were getting or not. As the announcer explained what a catch this Polar Bear was, the women crowded the stage trying to catch a glimpse. Tucked into a pair of tight Levi’s, the booted beauty slowly made his strut from one side of the stage to the other. As he made the turn at the end of the stage with a little hip action, slowly he started to pull out the tails of his button-down shirt from his jeans.

  “Now ladies, we need to have a little bit of order. I need you all to stay off the stage. Put your money where your mouth wants to be and just maybe you can take this arctic creature home for the night.”

  Electricity bounced through Adison’s veins as she realized this was the do or die moment. Either she stepped up and played the big girl she needed to be or she’d be going home with her tail between her legs and no Dane.

  “Who would like to start the bidding at $500?

  With the announcement of the starting bid amount, the women went crazy, but Adison was the first to throw her paddle high in the air and she screamed the dollar amount to start. Thankfully she was hidden behind all the other women so Dane couldn’t really see her even though he was trying to catch a glimpse. She was a bit worried that he wouldn’t want her bidding on a date with him. Lots of water under the bridge.

  It didn’t take long for another woman to counter with $1000 and they went back and forth until that number broke $10,000. When Adison said she made decent money, she meant it, but she’d also stowed away her inheritance from when her parents and grandparents were killed in the same freak accident, leaving her a very wealthy woman. She didn’t need to work but who wanted to stare at their plain jane walls 24/7? She had to stay busy, so working was the option she chose.

  When Adison’s bid hit $14,000, the two women standing in front of her turned daggers on her, but she just shrugged her shoulders. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one that wanted this prize. There were a few more bidders attempting to stay in the game as well, but she was determined to not let this opportunity go.

  She made one last bid attempt and to her surprise, no other counters spoke up, so the auctioneer did his going once, going twice and sold to the tiny woman way in the back.

  Chapter Two

  It was finally over. Dane was relieved to be leaving the stage but a little curious to know who just spent $20,000 for a 24-hour date with him. He was a nobody and not worth that much money on his best day.

  One of the women handed Dane his shirt as he took the steps off the stage. He struggled to put it back on as he made his way through a mad-house of women and their grabby fingers. He still couldn’t see the woman who had purchased his company. Maybe she got tired of waiting and she’s not going to be anywhere around when he reaches the back where she was standing.

  However, when he reached his destination, he couldn’t believe his eyes. His fists balled at his sides and his teeth ground together. A low growl rumbled from his inner depths.

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “Hey little brother, I invited her to come see us.”

  “I asked you a question.” Dane’s voice elevated slightly.

  His eyes never strayed from her terrified face and he ignored everything his sister was trying to say to him.

  “Are you really mad that I’m here?” Adison was twisting her fingers together nervously.

  “Nope. Not mad. You can go though. I have a commitment for the next twenty-four hours and don’t have time to deal with this drama now.”

  Neither woman budged from in front of him but averted their eyes slightly.

  “What aren’t you telling me. Damn it Dylin, what the hell did you do now?”

  “It’s not her fault, entirely. I wanted to come, and I’m the one that won that twenty-four hours. I’ll understand if...”

  Dane didn’t let Adison finish her sentence before he grabbed her hand and dragged her outside and away from the barn toward the pasture. When he finally let her go, she stopped short and he rounded on her.

  “Are you telling me that you just spent $20,000 to get twenty-four hours alone with me?” He didn’t even like his accusatory tone.

  “Yep.”

  “Are you crazy woman?”

  “Well now that you mention it, it does sound kind of silly, but I also think you’re worth it. Even if it just gives me a chance to talk to you”

  He shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. He paced a couple of wide circles around where she stood.

  “You could have just called or come home and asked to talk to me. Why’d you go and spend that much money? Do you even have that kind of cash?”

  “Do we have to do this right now? I’m tired and hungry, I drove all day to get here.”

  “Which car is yours?”

  She pointed to the dark blue Traverse parked along the dirt road at the end of the lane and Dane started to walk. When he noticed she wasn’t following, he stopped.

  “Are you coming or no? I want to make sure you get the whole twenty-four hours you paid for but that doesn’t include my sister, so I’d just prefer to get going.”

  “Fine. You’re really a cheerful sort, aren’t you?”

  He only shrugged his shoulders and gave her a wink.

  When they reached her car, he held out a hand for the keys.

  “You want to drive?”

  “I thought you said you were tired from driving all day?”

  She dropped the keys in his open hand and walked around to the passenger side.

  *.*.*.*

  Adison couldn’t keep her eyes open. With the motion from the car, and not being behind the steering wheel, she only wanted to sleep. Her eyelids were so heavy. She’d literally drove all day to get there to see him. In his presence she felt comfort enough to drift off.

  When she opened her eyes again, she was surprised to see she was not in her car but someone’s house. Did he carry her?

  “Hey you’re awake.”

  “I’m so sorry I fell asleep.”

  “It’s ok Adi, apparently you needed it. Are you hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  She hadn’t been called Adi since the day she left, and it was by him. Adison followed Dane through the house to the kitchen where he sat a food on the counter.

  “Have a seat and eat. It’s late.”

  “This looks delicious. How late is it? I couldn’t have slept that long.”

  “’Fraid so Adi, it’s a quarter after twelve.”

  “Good lord, I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry, you’re the one that paid all that money just to sleep in my bed.”

  She hung her head when that reality sank in.

  “I didn’t mean it that way. Honest.”

  “I know, it’s okay. Kind of true though.”

  “Moving on. Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here? I seriously doubt you came just to spend some money.”

  “I did actually, in the hopes that I’d win you in the auction. Plus, it was for a good cause. I feel horrible for Kevin and his parents. I remember Rachel from school even, but no family deserves to get that kind of news. Even if you hadn’t been in the auction it would have been a worthy cause to donate to.”

  “Even though you aren’t a shifter?”

  “Yes absolutely. It’s not really any different than a human child having some form of cancer or other rare blood disease. Your kind just happens to turn into an animal sometimes.”

  “I seem to remember your opinion about shifters a little bit differently.”

  She didn’t have a good enough apology, so she said nothing.

  “I’m curious Adi, what changed your mind about us?”

  “Your sister did. We stayed in contact after I left. She’s been hounding on me for a while now and even came to stay with me once or twice. When she told me what Rachel and Deanna were trying to organize, I knew I wanted to help. You just happened to be a bonus or collateral damage depending on how you feel about me being here.”

  She has always struggled with apologies. Are they easy for anybody? Doesn’t make it any easier when Dane chooses to say nothing which she probably deserved.

  “What it really comes down to is, there is nothing I could say that would be good enough, but I really am deeply sorry.”

  Dane didn’t say anything while he finished his food.

  “So, I know you just woke up but it’s really late.”

  “Of course, thank you for the food. When I decided to come, I meant to probably stay with your sister so I can go there now or maybe do you have a spare room I can sleep in? I noticed you don’t have a sofa. It’s a cute place though.”

  “No, you aren’t going to Dylin’s. We have twenty-four hours and you paid for it so you will sleep here. But you’ll have to sleep in my bed.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I don’t bite.”

  Good lord. How did I get into this situation?

  “I know you don’t Dane, I’m just not sure if sleeping in your bed is a good idea.”

  “You didn’t mind it earlier when I put you in there, and it won’t be any different except I’ll be beside you. Are you afraid I might touch you?”

  “No, I’m not afraid you’ll touch me.”

  But I am very afraid you’ll touch me and that I won’t want you to stop.

  Chapter Three

  “There’s nowhere else for you to sleep, and you aren’t going to my sisters, so I guess you’ll just have to deal with it. I’ll find you a t-shirt unless you want to sleep in those clothes.”

  Dane walked to his bedroom, just assuming she would follow along. She did.

  “A t-shirt would be good. Thank you.”

  He found a black one and threw it across the room at her.

  “This one should fit. You’re not any bigger than you used to be. Midget, isn’t that what I used to call you?”

  “Very funny. Glad I can entertain you.”

  She laughed when he did. Then she turned her back to slip her clothes off and slide into the t-shirt. Its not like she hadn’t ever slept with Dane before, but things were different then. They weren’t together anymore. From what he could tell though, she was still just as beautiful. He could tell from across the room that her skin was still as silky smooth.

  “I don’t have any extra pillows to put between us, so you better behave.”

  “What makes you think I’d be the one not behaving. Before you shut the lights off, can I ask a favor?”

  “Sure, what’s that?”

  “If you don’t want to, it’s ok I’ll understand but I was wondering if you could shift into your bear form?”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Because I think it’s time I dealt with it. Dylin did it many times and it has become comfortable, but I wanted to see you do it. Dylin said it hurts sometimes.”

  “Probably because she’s not doing it right. Are you sure you can handle it?”

  “Won’t know until we try right?”

  Here goes nothing.

  He shed his clothes and didn’t give her time to freak out or make herself ready, he just did it. Then before her eyes, he was no longer a human man but a furry white polar bear down on all fours staring at her.