Claimed by Two Navy Shifters Page 4

  But Warren didn’t care. At this point, all he wanted was blood – revenge. Dashing forward, his teeth sank into one of the bear’s neck. The wolf jerked his head back, ripping out the creature’s neck. The bear struggled for a moment before collapsing, its blood guzzling from its neck.

  The other bear had run away the moment of the attack.

  Warren didn’t bother going after it. Instead, he tore his victim limb from limb, taking all his aggression out on it. He pulled tufts of fur from its body. Disfigured its face. Slashed it to bits before walking away, completely covered in blood. Now, that other bear was going to know exactly what it felt like to be him, to be completely alone in the world.

  The sun finally rose and Warren calmed down, turning back into a man. Looking at his bloody hands, he started to shake. The necklace was ice cold against his heart. Is that what he had become? A cold-blooded murderer? No… this wasn’t who he was.

  ***

  Leo had a long drive home. By the time he got there, the sun was shining over the horizon. He pulled into his driveway, glad that he lived alone.

  Sighing, he collapsed into the couch. The moment he closed his eyes, Roxie appeared. The electrifying feeling of her luscious curves under his fingers ran through his body. He smirked, knowing it was just a matter of time before she was his.

  “I bet she’s amazing in bed…” The smirk on his face grew deeper. “I bet she’s a screamer…”

  In the kitchen, his automatic coffee machine went off, brewing his morning cup of joe. It sputtered to a finish. Leo took his time to get up, feeling a little tired. He hadn’t danced that much in quite a while.

  The coffee was subpar. It tasted a little bland like the coffee beans had gotten stale. Lifting the lid of the machine, he took a sniff, but nothing seemed out of place. Then again, his nose was his weakest sense. During their time in the army, he had always relied on Warren’s sense of smell.

  As Warren popped into his mind, he shook his head. This was no time to be thinking about him. Their friendship was over. They could never again work together as they used to in the navy. It was over and all because of one night… Leo had done his best to block that night out of his consciousness, refusing to acknowledge that maybe, he did have some responsibility in the tragedy.

  The coffee tasted bitter now. Tossing it in the sink, he looked outside. The sunrise was beautiful. It would be a good day for a hunt…

  He opened the back door, taking in the fresh air. Carefully, he took off his clothing, placing them in a pile on a nearby bench. Completely naked, his tattoos were on full display, from the ones that decorated his left arm, to those that crawled across his back. He had a large bear in a fighting stance, its maw agape, inked into his shoulder. There were claw marks all over his body, running right through his chest. Leo had gotten most of his tattoos with his fellow clan members, each one of them a mark of rank. His biggest tattoo – the bear – marked his entry into the Navy Seals.

  Without the army to expel his excess energy, Leo spent most of his time in the forest. He loved the hunt and letting his bear form run wild.

  Closing his eyes, he allowed his instincts to take over, slowly transforming his body. He growled loudly, his usually blue eyes now as dark as night. The ground underneath his paws shook as he rushed forward.

  Hopefully, there would be no hunters to interrupt him this morning.

  Leo didn’t run for very long. His body simply wasn’t made for it. Reaching his favorite tree, he climbed it as best he could, swiping down a beehive. The bees attacked him angrily, but he swatted them away before enjoying the fresh honey. With his face now sticky, he threw away the hive’s empty shell and continued his hunt. While honey was a good snack, he knew only meat would satisfy his hunger.

  Nothing worth his time could be found in his usual hunting grounds. A few rabbits. A fox. A small deer. He wanted something bigger. Something he could really sink his teeth into.

  Arriving at a small lake, he dived under the water, chasing a school of fish. They quickly scattered and the bear growled, not bothered to chase after them.

  Eventually, he emerged from the water, shaking himself dry. As he looked ahead, he spotted a giant moose grazing on the grass in the distance. This was exactly what he needed. Without a further thought, he barreled forward. The moose, however, heard him and started to run away.

  Leo picked up pace, charging at full speed until he tackled the large animal to the ground. The moose tried to fight him off, kicking wildly, landing a blow to Leo’s chest. He fell back, momentarily dazed before he growled, his teeth locking around the creature’s leg, nearly ripping it from its joint. The moose groaned with pain under Leo’s torment.

  Finally, he sliced through its abdomen with his claws, killing it on the spot. He fed on it until he felt heavy, his maw full of blood. Feeling invigorated, he walked off, finally turning into a man once he was back at the lake.

  Sitting down in the soft grass, he soaked his feet in the water, swinging them back and forth. He laid back, soaking up the sun’s rays, a smile on his face.

  Of course Roxie will pick me over Warren. I have so much more to offer her, Leo thought to himself, feeling smug.

  He started to picture her in his arms. Well, more specifically, he pictured her straddling his lap, his dick deep inside of her as she bounced up and down. Her large nipples were in his mouth as he sucked on them hungrily, showing her just how much she turned him on. Leo had no doubt that the woman was his mate. He could feel it in his bones. His bear had constantly urged him to take her, but he had remained civil for her sake. The way she was riling him up, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up hurting her in the heat of the moment.

  But in his fantasy, that wasn’t an issue. He grabbed her by the hips, guiding her up and down harder and harder until his balls slapped against her voluptuous ass, getting it nice and hot for him. Eventually, his hands would roam all over her body, taking in every inch of the ebony goddess.

  The thought of her wouldn’t leave his mind. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on and he was dying to know what it sounded like to hear her scream his name as he rammed into her hard.

  Leo’s hand was already around his shaft, rubbing at it as his fantasies got wilder and wilder.

  She would scream his name so hard, her voice would go hoarse. Afterward, she would be walking funny for weeks.

  He stroked himself faster.

  She’ll be begging for more.

  Leo was just about to reach his climax when Warren popped into his fantasies like an apparition.

  The wolf was just standing there, watching them fuck.

  Leo let go of his dick, no longer in the mood to pleasure himself.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Roxie arrived at work as if nothing had happened. It had been quite a while since she had transformed into a jaguar and the effects of her transformation took a while to dissipate. Transforming always took a lot out of her. She always felt sluggish and sore the day after. If only her mother had told her about their heritage. Things would have been so much easier. That way, Roxie wouldn’t have had to learn all these things by herself…

  Pulling into the parking lot, Roxie sighed. The thought of her parents often haunted her. She regretted not having a closer relationship with them, but now that they were gone, it was too late to say sorry. She rested her head on the steering wheel and nearly fell asleep right then and there.

  “I don’t want to work…” She told herself. Her body ached and she felt like she was a hundred years old. Outside, it was drizzling. The thought of getting out of the car and getting wet wasn’t at all pleasant.

  Finally, with a sigh, she stepped out, rushing into the bar. Her boss was there today, cleaning the counter. “Roxanne, you’re late.” His lips pressed into a hard line and he shook his head in disappointment. She glanced over at the large clock at the back of the bar. 10:01. One minute late. Couldn’t this guy give her a break for once?

  “Sorry,
sir.” She bowed her head and ducked into the back. There, she punched into the time clock and tossed her stuff in the locker. Feeling dizzy, she grabbed some headache medicine from her purse and took them dry. Roxie knew she should head out to the bar as quickly as possible so she wouldn’t anger her boss any further, but instead, she went into the bathroom, splashing her face with a bit of cold water.

  Her body was covered in goosebumps as cold droplets of water dripped onto her chest. “I look horrible…” She whispered to herself.

  “You can say that again, what’s up with you?”

  Kristy, one of Roxie’s coworkers emerged from one of the stalls. “I just finished my shift, but you look like you’re the one that’s been working all night.”

  “Just a long day… I guess.” Roxie sighed.

  “Anything you want to talk about?” Kristy fixed her bright red hair in the mirror. “Not that I can stay for very long, I have a hot date tonight.” She winked before looking in her bag and pulling out red lipstick, reapplying her makeup.

  “Oh? With who?”

  “You don’t know him, but he’s this really rich guy from the Flint District. He owns all those factories down there.”

  Roxie laughed. “I never thought you’d go for a shoemaker.”

  “He’s not a shoemaker, he’s a businessman. A very handsome one at that.”

  “You know, I’ve heard rumors that the owner of those factories is pretty old.”

  Kristy frowned. “He’s forty. But it doesn’t matter, does it? A date is a date. I don’t see you getting picked up by a bunch of guys.”

  “Actually…” Roxie was about to recount her night with the two men but then thought better of it. She didn’t want her coworker to think she was into two guys at the same time.

  “Actually what?”

  “Forget about it. I need to get to work before Mr. Wong bites my head off. He already gave me the stink eye for coming in a minute late.”

  “Don’t worry about that old fart. He gives everyone the stink eye.” Kristy waved her hand. “But, why don’t you continue your little story?”

  “I thought you had a date.” Roxie walked away from her and grabbed her apron, tying it around her waist. She fixed her blouse, making sure everything was in order. Slipping one of her hands into her bra, she adjusted her breasts, trying to give them a little more volume.

  “Working the tip jar tonight, are you?” Kristy came up behind her, grinning. “Or is this mystery man of yours going to visit you tonight?”

  Roxie rolled her eyes. “Of course not. You know I always work for tips.” Without another word, she left the employee room and headed for the front.

  “What took you so long?” Mr. Wong accused her the moment she appeared.

  “I had to put my stuff away.”

  “I don’t pay you to do nothing.” He shook his head and disappeared into his office, satisfied that he no longer had to guard the counter.

  Roxie got to work, organizing the shelves. Kristy was a good worker, but she had the bad habit of leaving all her bottles half-empty. Roxie shook her head, grabbing a stool and refilling what she could.

  Behind her, she heard pool balls smashing into one another. Glasses clicked together as chatter filled the bar. Nothing seemed particularly unusual, but as she sniffed the air, something felt off. It was like someone had left out a bowl of rotten eggs. It was the only thing Roxie could smell. The funny thing was, the scent seemed familiar in a way, but she couldn’t remember why.

  She was just about to turn around when she heard someone sitting down at the counter behind her. “That’s a mighty fine ass you got there, Miss.” Someone’s voice sounded behind her.

  Roxie turned around slightly to see a white man in a cowboy hat, staring at her. “Do you always wear them tight pants?”

  “What’s it to you?” She asked, leaning forward, giving him a good view of her chest. Most nights she had no problem flaunting with the customers in order to get a few extra dollars in her tip jar, but tonight, it felt strange. This man, with his beady eyes and thin mustache, made her feel strange. In the back of her mind, she could almost hear her jaguar telling her to stay away.

  “Hmm, I could make it worth your while.” He put down a twenty and pointed to a bottle of liquor on the top shelf.

  “If you want the premium scotch, it’ll be more than just a twenty.”

  He narrowed his eyes and took off his hat. “I’m an honest man and I know that a twenty is more than enough. Now stop making excuses. Get that fine ass of yours back on the stool and get me that bottle.”

  “Excuse me?” Roxie raised an eyebrow in his direction. She couldn’t believe the manner in which this man was speaking to her.

  “You heard me.”

  Roxie crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Or do you not want my money?” He pulled out his wallet once more, replacing the twenty with a fifty.

  “That’s more like it,” Roxie smirked, snatching the bill before he could put it away. She tucked it into her bra and then climbed the stool, grabbing the bottle he asked for. “On the rocks?”

  “No. Straight.” He answered, his eyes wandering over every inch of her body.

  Roxie poured his drink and placed it in front of him. “Would you like anything else?”

  “Yes. Why don’t you come out here and give me a little lap dance?”

  She smirked. “You know, that’ll cost you extra.”

  “It won’t cost me a dime.” The grin on his face deepened. “There used to be a time when you black bitches used to crawl at the white man’s feet –”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You ain’t deaf, are you, n –”

  “Don’t you dare say another word! One more racist comment out of you and I’ll have to ask you to leave the bar.” Roxie kept her voice steady, but she was dying to show this man a piece of her mind. She was sick and tired of people thinking they could treat her like a second-class citizen for the color of her skin.

  The man laughed. “A feisty one. I like that.” He winked. “Although, if this was a hundred years ago, I think I’d have to have you whipped. Who knows, you might’ve even liked it.”

  Roxie grounded her teeth together in pure anger. Her hands were clenched into fists by her side. Every inch of her was shaking. She felt like she was seconds from transforming into a jaguar and tearing this man from limb to limb. “Get out.” She said through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with hatred. Slavery had been abolished for more than a hundred years and yet, people still thought it was okay to keep disrespecting African Americans. “Before I make you.”

  “Is that a threat?” He asked, lighting a cigarette. He took a drag and blew the smoke right in her face.

  Roxie completely lost it, grabbing his drink and throwing it in his face, extinguishing the flame. “You good-for-nothing bastard, what do you think this is? The 19th century? I’m a human being, not a slave!” She flung herself across the counter, about to grab him. He, however, managed to scramble out of the stool in the nick of time.

  It fell back with a loud bang against the floor. Everyone in the bar looked up, seeing Roxie trying to attack one of the patrons.

  “You dirty n –” Roxie cut him off with her screaming.

  “I’m going to kill you!” She had just climbed over the counter and was running toward the man that had insulted her integrity. Some of the other patrons managed to stop her before she could slash his face with her sharp nails. “If I ever see you again, I won’t hesitate to kill you!” She threatened as she blew her top.

  Mr. Wong emerged from his office to witness the chaos. The man recognized him and turned on the bar owner. “Is this how you let your workers treat your customers?” He spat. “I’ll never set a foot in here again.” The man picked up his hat off the counter and walked out, his shirt saturated with scotch.

  Roxie had finally calmed down, her chest heaving. A few buttons of her shirt had come undone, exposing one of her breasts. She turned on Mr. Wong. “
Did you see how that man treated me? You can’t let him come back here.”

  “Roxanne, in my office now.” His voice was eerily calm as he made the demand. Roxie immediately came back to her wits, realizing what she had done. Her boss wasn’t going to take attacking one of the patrons lightly. With her head bowed, she followed the small man into his office. “What was the meaning of that?” Mr. Wong snapped at her the moment the door to his office closed behind him.

  “That man made obscenely rude comments about my race. I couldn’t stand for it.”

  “Then you should’ve calmly asked him to leave instead of attacking him. I can’t have my employees attacking well-paying customers. Mr. Rochester is a regular.”

  “I’ve never seen him before.” Roxie crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “I would’ve remembered a racist like him.”

  “Calling him a racist won’t help the situation.”

  “You defending him won’t help either.”

  “I’m sorry, Roxanne, but I’m going to have to let you go…” The news came so suddenly that Roxie took a step back like something had physically hurt her. She stared at her boss with a look of confusion.

  “What?” She breathed. This couldn’t be happening. This had to be some sort of a nightmare.

  “Lately, you’ve been way too aggressive with the clients. Your work ethic is not up to par. And you’re never here on time. It simply makes no sense to keep paying you if you can’t do a good job.”

  “You don’t understand, I need this job. It’s the only way I can survive… without it… I could be living on the streets.”

  “You should’ve thought of that before you started attacking the customers.” Roxie couldn’t believe how heartless her boss was being.

  “Please, just give me another chance.”

  “I’ve given you enough chances as it is. Please, gather your things and leave. Now.”

  Chapter Six

  Roxie felt numb as she stepped out of the bar. Her bag felt exceptionally heavy on her shoulders. It was hard to believe she had actually gotten fired. What was she supposed to do now? Her brother was depending on her to pay for his tuition…