Possession of the Soul (2 page)

“What the hell is wrong?” Shane demanded. “Melody, are you okay? Open this door right now.”

“See?” Melody hugged her. “It’s okay. It’s just Shane.” She turned to open the door. “I’m coming. Hold on!”

“Peek through the hole, Mel. You never know. It could be the same ones who killed my family. The other day I heard my boss talking to someone over the phone about demons. Maybe a demon killed my family and made it look like something else. They can turn into any kind of animal they want to.”

Melody paused. “What do you mean, demons? And I wouldn’t believe anything that little weasel says. Look at what he did you!” She said over her shoulder.

“The detective who is working on my parents’ case hinted that something unusual killed my parents. He smelled something that didn’t belong at the site. At first I didn’t understand what he meant, but later he informed me of the special unit he was in, and he believed it was a shape shifter or something along those lines that had killed my parents.

“I didn’t just apply at the Nightlife Club out of the blue and spend the next three years at the college library studying everything I could on the paranormal just too waste time. I made sure I knew everything I could on the subject, even majoring in Biology in college. I needed to understand why someone would want my family murdered.”

Melody’s confused expression turned to understanding.

“You know I had to find something tangible to prove who killed them,” Tabatha continued. “I still can’t believe all they came up with was some fur fragments left on the dock. I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it.” She held the phone tightly and sighed. “Ask Shane a personal question that only he and you would know.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an old business card lying partly under her purse. Grabbing the card, she held it up in the air. “What are you waiting for? Ask him. I’m calling the detective.” She dialed the number and kept her eye on Melody.

A deep voice answered the phone.

“Detective Cyrus, here. Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for a Detective Branson.”

Mel gave her a thumbs-up and opened the door.

“I’m sorry, miss. Detective Branson retired two years ago. Can I help you with something?”

“What? He can’t. I need him. He said he wouldn’t quit on my parents’ case until he found out who murdered them!” Fresh tears ran down her face.

“Give me the phone, Tab. You’re in no shape to talk to anyone,” Shane said softly, once he’d entered the apartment. He took the receiver from her.

Mel wrapped her arms around Tabitha and pushed her toward the couch.

“Hello, this is Shane Whiteson.” Shane’s gaze held Tabatha’s as he spoke. “I’m a friend of Tabatha’s.” He got up and stared down at her. “Oh, shoot! Hoyt, is that you? I forgot you’re captain of the Paranormal Special Unit. Sorry, Alpha.”

***

“Damn it, Shane, how did they find out about Tabatha coming to the club?” Hoyt leaned back in his chair, eyeing the people outside his office door.

“I don’t know,” Shane whispered into the phone. “There has to be a leak in the pack. How else would anyone know she’s going to have contact with the pack? No one but you and I know she’s your mate.”

Hoyt got up and closed his office door, not trusting anyone at the moment. “When I talked to Branson last year, he was still convinced the only reason her parents were killed was because they planned to introduce Tabatha to the pack. Now I’m beginning to believe him. Shit! It could be anyone.” Hoyt knew he could trust his personal team at the office, but the others he just didn’t know about. “Listen; bring her to the club anyway. We’ll just have to surround her with the ones I trust.”

Hoyt hung up the phone and called in his team. Tonight he would make Tabatha his and no one would stop him.

Chapter Two

Shane walked to the kitchen, talking quietly to the detective. Tabatha couldn’t hear a word he said but knew he would take care of everything.

Minutes later, Shane hung up the phone and strode over to where Melody sat on the coffee table.

“Okay, as you heard, my Alpha is now the captain of the Special Force. I’ve told him everything Mel has told me, and I could hear what you said through the door. There’s another answering machine recording? He wants us to bring the tape to the Halloween party. He also wants you to pack a bag, Tabby. You and Mel are going to be staying at our house for a while.” He pushed his hand through his hair.

“I need to just go away. I shouldn’t be around you guys. They’ll take you away from me too!” Tabatha jumped up and began to pace.

“You’re not going anywhere. We can protect you, Tab. Now, I want you to get into a nice, hot shower, and then put your costume on. You’ll be surrounded by werewolves that Hoyt and I know. No one will dare try to hurt you at the club.” He nodded toward the bedroom and swatted her ass. To Mel, he said, “Take Tabby and go get ready. I told Hoyt we’d be late, but I don’t want to be too late.”

Tabatha stared at Shane. “But what if one of your pack’s werewolves is involved, Shane? You can’t be sure about all of them. Then there are other things out there that can just pop in at will. Demons can come and go as they please!”

Shane used two fingers and lifted her chin. “Tabatha, I promise you with my life, no one will hurt you there. The Alpha was best friends with your brother. He will protect you with his life. Believe me, you’ll be safe.” He kissed her nose. “As far as demons and other beings, you wouldn’t be safe anywhere else. So why not be with people who know you and are ready to fight for you instead of running the risk of sitting here alone? Now, little sister, go and get ready.”

Tabatha laughed as he released her chin. “You better watch your hands, Shane. Melody knows you’re like a brother to me, but if you go and swat some other chick’s butt, you’ll have World War III on your hands.”

Melody laughed, hooked her arm in Tabatha’s, and together they walked toward the bathroom. “Yep,” said Melody, “he sure would. Plus he’d be minus some balls.” She paused in the bedroom. “I tell you what. You go soak in the tub, Tabby, and I’ll lay out your costume. This party is just what you need.”

“Shit! I forgot to tell you I lost my job today and that my car was stolen.” She stared over her shoulder at Mel. “It seems my luck has run out.”

“What?” Melody yelled. “Those idiots at your office don’t know what they’ve done. Hell, you ran that place!”

Tabatha made her way to the bathroom. She threw her clothes off as she went, not caring where they landed.
Melody is right.
Maybe a night out will be fun. The captain of the PSU will be there
.

Tabatha let the warm water run down her body. The shower massage did its magic. The muscles in her neck loosened under the steady pressure of hot water. Halloween was Tabatha’s favorite holiday, and after this nightmarish day, she needed to relax. Tonight she would try to forget her troubles. Tomorrow would be a good day to worry anew.

Tabatha dried off, applied lotion, wrapped a towel around her body, and grabbed another towel for her long hair. She made her way to her bedroom, where she found the Halloween costume that Melody had placed on her bed.

“Oh, Mel, this is perfect! If it fits.”

She eyed the red outfit, and then stared at her reflection in the mirror. The top was so sheer it left nothing to the imagination. Handcrafted beads covered most of the outfit. The design of a dragon had been hand-stitched on the front and back of the skirt. The skirt, sewn with a hundred different silk veils, had beads that chimed as she moved.

Tabatha grinned as she grabbed the outfit and threw her towel down on the floor. She released her wet, blond hair from the other towel, and it fell down her back. As she stepped into the tight-fitting skirt, it molded against her round ass, enhancing the effect of the costume. Tabatha grabbed the hairbrush from her dresser, lowered her head, and brushed her hair out. She flipped her head back and grabbed the top of the outfit. Yanking on it, she pulled and stretched the fabric, trying to adjust it.

Sauntering out of the bedroom, Tabatha pulled at the material across her breasts.

“Come on, Melody. There had to be another costume at the store. This shows a little too much.” She looked up only to meet Shane’s stare.

“Wow! I think you look great.” He scanned her from head to toe.

“Hey, what about me? You’re my mate, you stupid werewolf,” Melody demanded as she stood in the doorway to her bedroom glaring daggers at him.

Shane turned. He inspected every curve of his mate’s body. The costume was so short it barely covered Melody’s mound. Black silk swathed her body and covered her arms in wing-like sleeves. The neckline fit like a turtleneck but it contained a slit that ran down the middle to the top to her stomach, showing the swell of her breasts.

“You’re beautiful, and you know I can’t be with anyone else. We’ll have our bonding ceremony next week at the pack house. Now come here, my little geisha girl.” Melody shrieked as she tried to avoid him, but he jumped over the coffee table and pinned her to the wall. He softly kissed her forehead, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her close, lifting her off the ground. He carried her to the door.

A laugh escaped Tabatha as she tugged yet again on the tight-fitting costume.
Thank God, at least I know how to belly dance.

“Okay, quit fooling around,” Tabatha insisted. “Let’s get going. I need a drink.”

“I still can’t believe your car was stolen today,” Melody said, pushing away from Shane and strolling to the door. “And on top of that, that jerk, Kenneth fires you. You know it’s because you wouldn’t sleep with him. Hell, he’s been grabbing your ass for the past two weeks.”

Shane picked up Melody’s coat and helped her with it, nibbling her neck at the same time.

 
God, I want a man to treat me that way.
Tabatha reached for her coat as she watched the two lovebirds touch and whisper to each other.

“Hey, I was going to help you with that.” Shane separated from Melody and took Tabatha’s coat from her.

“Shane, I can put on my coat.” She slipped into it. “But I have to tell ya, I’m really glad I introduced you two. Mel really lucked out.” She patted his hand on her shoulder as Melody smiled at them. Tabitha tried to change the subject, just thinking about her former boss made her hair stand on end. But Melody was not deterred.

“God, he is so gross. I swear he never took a shower, his hair was oily, it smelled, and it looked stringy.” Melody continued. “He’s lucky he owned the place, because no one would hire that creep. Just the thought of him touching me gives me the willies.”

Goosebumps broke out on Tabitha’s arms, and she shivered as she thought of him. Rubbing her arms, she realized how much she’d hated working for that man. In a way, she was glad she didn’t have to see him again.

Shane held up his hand, stopping her. “Okay, everything is clear.”

Tabatha glanced at Melody while they waited for Shane to unlock the car. “The jerk knew about my car being stolen this morning when I went to work. At first I didn’t think anything of it, but as the day wore on, it started to bother me. Maybe I should tell the detective about it.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’ll get what’s coming to him,” Shane stated in a flat, reassuring manner.

Melody laughed as they all got into Shane’s car. “Shane believes his werewolves can take care of the entire world.” She threw her hands up in a mock bow to Shane. “I think you should tell the police about Kenneth. There’s something not right about that man. I got really bad vibes when he was near me.” Melody shivered and rubbed her arms. “Remember that night we went to Shannon’s to pick her up for a girls night out and her dickhead husband showed up? Well, Kenneth reminded me of Shannon’s husband, but worse, if that’s possible. Oh, she called last night, too. I got in so late I forgot to tell you about it. It seems she’s finally saving the money to get rid of the bastard. I told her that your offer to use the house is still open, but she insists on doing this herself.”

“She always did have to do things the hard way.” Tabatha glanced at Melody. “Is she okay? He hasn’t touched her since the last time, has he? I swear, I kill him if he hurts her again.”

“No, she didn’t say anything about any more abuse. I think that’s why she has stayed away from us lately. She’s afraid we’ll do something to that asshole she has for a husband.”

Tabatha frowned and stared out at the parked cars. Melody was right. Their friend, Shannon, always hid the abuse.

***

Wol-itelm stirred, the anger in his mate’s voice awaking him. He made a mental note to send his other contact on Earth on his way to protect Shannon.

***

But now Tabatha had to worry about herself and the danger that followed her. Was there someone now in one of those cars watching her, waiting to attack? She waited for Shane to pull out of the garage and drive her away from her problems for just one night.

“You know I’ve never been to this club you’re taking us to, Shane. What’s it like?” Melody leaned over and kissed his cheek as he pulled onto the road.

“It’s just our own private club where our pack can relax and have some fun. Hoyt, our Alpha, has a private office and bar above the club. We can go up there if you need to get away from the party. Tabatha won’t have to worry too much about the other members of the pack there.” Shane smiled into the rearview mirror at her.

Although he was trying to reassure her again about her safety, Tabatha had this feeling her life would change tonight. She just didn’t know if it would be for the better or not.

Staring out the window, she didn’t realize how time had flown until they pulled into a private parking lot.

“All right,” Tabatha said, getting out of the car. “Before we go inside, is there anything I should know? Like, is there anything I should make sure not to say or do? I don’t want to offend anyone.”

“No, just be yourself. The Alpha will be here, along with everyone in the pack, so we’ll have a full house.” Shane laughed. “Although, I should warn you, it might get wild tonight with the unmated wolves. They’ll be looking for females, so don’t be surprised if you have them sniffing about you.”