Los Angeles Lights: A Hollywood Billionaire Alpha Shifter Romance Read online

  “You already look better. How does your neck feel?” he asked.

  I concentrated on where the wound was located. There was still a fiery pain, but it wasn't as bad as before.

  “It still hurts a bit,” I replied.

  “That will pass,” he said. “Sleep, Sky. Sleep away the pain.”

  Without much of a fight, I closed my eyes and fell deep into restful slumber. It was much more soothing than the drug-induced sleep at the hospital where my nightmares persisted. This particular rest was filled with green fields and lush gardens where streams were teeming with fish and the woods held all manner of wildlife. The soft green grass put me at ease and I laid down to rest under a tree, allowing my healing to take place.

  I was already feeling better.

  3.

  “Sky...”

  A voice called to me from the other side. I was still lying in the beautiful field listening to the breeze, inhaling the wonderful scent of flowers surrounding me.

  “Sky, you have a visitor,” it said again.

  I opened my eyes to see Zack staring back at me, his smile warming my heart. Consciousness slowly returned and I was able to focus on my surroundings. The large French windows were wide open, allowing a chilly breeze to enter the room. White curtains billowed in response to the wind. They danced and curled about. It lifted my spirits as I finally came back to reality.

  Standing behind Zack was my best friend, Maya, who had a look of worry on her face. I smiled when I saw her.

  “Maya,” I whispered, holding out my hand to her.

  She took my hand and kissed it, sitting on the bed next to me.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked.

  “I'm alright,” I replied. “But I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

  Maya giggled lightly and patted my shoulder.

  “I'm so glad you're awake,” she said.

  “She's been healing quite well over the past couple of weeks,” said Zack.

  “Weeks?!” I gasped. “I've been out for weeks?”

  Zack shushed me.

  “Yes, dear. You've been under for a while, but we've had the best nurse coming in every day to check on you. She hooked you up with some saline and I've been slowly helping you back to health,” he explained.

  It dawned on me what he had said the night before – or perhaps he had said it two weeks ago – when he informed the maid to bring up raw meat the next morning. What had he done with that? I looked over to the bedside table that was now replaced with medical bags hanging on a pole. They were hooked up to my arm. I tried to discern what was in the bags, but I couldn't exactly tell.

  “I have so much news for you. I'd love to catch up soon when you're well enough,” Maya said. “You've missed a lot.”

  “My limbs feel stronger,” I said. “I'm sure we can catch up soon.”

  “Most certainly,” said Zack. “Now, Maya, you'll have to excuse us. It's time for her check-up.”

  “Of course. Love you, doll,” she said while leaning over to kiss my cheek.

  “Love you, too,” I said.

  She waved at the door and then shut it behind her, the room plunging into silence. Zack carefully removed the IV and then flexed my arm to get the blood flowing properly. I hardly bled from the place the needle had been which I found strange.

  “You should start feeling more like yourself in just a few minutes,” he said.

  “I don't understand,” I said. “How did you do this? And what should I expect?”

  “I couldn't begin to tell you how,” he responded. “But you should expect to feel your health returning faster with each minute. You have my blood now. Your strength will be double what it was before.”

  I sat up slowly from the bed, breathing deep as I peered down at my body. The blanket fell away and revealed my nude form which seemed to glow in the light of the afternoon. I looked up at Zack. He motioned for me to stand, to see how my legs might feel. When he extended his arm to help, I took hold of it and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My legs looked longer, more toned.

  Placing two feet on the ground, I wiggled my toes before attempting to stand. I felt lighter. The floor beneath my feet was soft and comforting, cushioning every step I took towards the mirror. I raised my fingers to my lips. They seemed plush and soft to the touch. My eyes were wide and my face was a bit longer, my body appearing much more toned and fit than before the accident. I marveled at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Is this really me?” I asked, admiring the way my eyes were glowing.

  They looked luminescent, two pools of gold reflecting the afternoon sun.

  “Yes, my darling. It will only get better. You will grow stronger and sexier by the day until you become absolutely irresistible,” he replied. “Not that you already weren't.”

  I smiled at the compliment, looking down at the floor and allowing a strand of hair to fall over my face. I needed to shower. When I looked back up at the mirror, I inspected my neck wound. It was nearly gone! Just a couple of weeks ago, there had been a gaping wound in my neck and now it appeared as if it were merely a scratch. I could hardly find the seams.

  As I continued to admire my form in the mirror, Zack walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my stomach. I could hear his heart beating through his skin, listening intently to the rhythm with awe. In fact, I could hear most everything happening around the house. I could hear the maids downstairs cleaning, the chef cooking in the kitchen, and even some squirrels romping around outside. It was incredible having this sort of hearing and it made me want to go out and explore.

  Without meaning to, I began to shift as Zack held me. I tried to stifle the feeling, but it only came stronger the more I fought it. My bones cracked and my skin split which caused the most agonizing pain I had ever felt. It made the bite on my neck seem like a cat scratch. My body pulsed forward and my hands hit the ground, changing quickly into a set of paws. The arduous process didn't last more than a few minutes, yet it felt like an eternity of misery.

  I stared at the creature peering back at me from the mirror. Her eyes were yellow, the color of sunflowers, and her fur was an elegant honey gold. A shiver ran down my spine. I watched as Zack ran his fingers over my coat, rubbing the soft hair that looked as bright as the sun. It was gorgeous. I huffed at my own reflection and then turned to face Zack with my new eyes. It was strange being able to see this way, but it was also humbling to have his perspective for the first time in my life.

  The urge to run suddenly struck me and I went for the door. Zack followed me as I ran down the stairs and towards the back door where I paused, noticing how I needed hands in order to open the door. Zack opened the door before shifting into his wolf form and we ran out into the maze, through the garden, and then out over the fields. Such liberation to be able to stretch my new legs and sprint through the tall grass. This is a wonderful new world in which I found myself panting and howling at incredible speeds.

  Zack and I wrestled around for a bit, rolling into the dirt and barking at each other. The splendor I felt couldn't compare to anything else. I fell in love with my new body instantly, testing my own strength by jumping high and running as fast as I could. Time got away from us in that moment. We didn't return to the mansion until many hours later when the sun was about to set, trotting side by side up to the French doors. As Zack licked my face, I felt our bond grow even stronger. We are closer now, our hearts beating as wolves in the fading LA sun.

  We are indestructible.

  4.

  Once we were inside the mansion, I followed Zack up the stairs to the bedroom where we shifted back into our human forms. Cracking and spitting, I gasped when I became human again and stared at the mirror. I admired her smooth face and round hips. Every piece of me looked incredibly delicious and I wanted Zack to taste me. Still panting, I turned to Zack with a huge grin on my face, trying with some difficulty to control my vicious sexual desire.

  “That was incredible!” I cried, wrapping my arms around
his body.

  We were both soaked in sweat, my blood still pounding from running through the fields. Hugging him caused a tingle to appear between my legs. It strengthened when he returned the hug, his massive hands clinging to my back. My lust was overwhelming, my only desire in that moment to have him fully engaged with my body. I thought about him tasting my skin and slowly reached down to massage his tool. His eyes lit up.

  “Darling,” I whispered. “We haven't made love in weeks.”

  He bit his lower lip.

  “It appears so,” he responded. “We should do something about that.”

  Hands curled around my bottom and I gripped his shoulders, utterly absorbed in the lustful feelings deep in my gut. I pressed my lips into his. Somehow he tasted sweeter, like a ripe fruit plucked straight from the garden. My lips mingled briefly with his before diving down to the nape of his neck where my tongue unfurled to lap at the sweat that had pooled just above his collar bone. I heard him gasp and smiled, taking a small bit of flesh between my teeth to nibble. After guiding his body to the bed, I sat him down and climbed on top, something I didn't often do.

  Typically, Zack was in control, but something about this lustful feeling made me want to be on top. Every molecule in my body vibrated to a silent rhythm as I sat carefully down on top of his standing member, using his shaft as a tool for my own pleasure. I rolled my hips forward while using his neck as a brace. It tingled to tease him. He shuddered beneath my touch, lips pressed into my neck as I finally pushed the head of his cock in between my silky petals.

  I watched him groan as I rose and fell, relishing the pleasure of having him right where I wanted. Each roll of my hips caused him to lean back slowly until he was resting on the bed and fully immerse in my skin. I propped myself up and continued to ride, arching my back and letting my hair fall over my shoulders as I dared him to look anywhere else but at me. Our eyes locked and he flipped me over. He took his time diving into my delicate flower, plowing deep into the luscious fields where he loves to play.

  An acute surge of pleasure rippled through my torso as I admired his muscular form. Every muscle flexed with each thrust, his broad shoulders tensing as he pumped. I was inspired to rock my hips into his and followed the rhythm of my blood humming in my veins. Our hearts beat as one in joyful triumph, accelerating as we reached a point of climax.

  “Lift me up,” I commanded.

  Without hesitation, Zack scooped me up into his arms and held me in place as I bounced. Our heated embrace rattled my body with waves of heat, each thrust elevating my state of bliss. His impassioned kiss sent me over the edge and I shook violently, throwing my head back to wail as my orgasm devastated my control. Smiling, Zack paused for a moment to carry me to the wall where he pressed against me. Thighs quivered as he braced me against the wallpaper and began to plow even harder.

  The sensation dragged me under as I rode the incredible high that my orgasm had given me. It was his turn to cum, but he was relentless. My arms draped over his shoulders, bouncing with his rhythm.

  “More,” I begged. “Give me more.”

  “Anything for you,” he whispered to my lips.

  Hips drilled into my thighs and pinned me in place against the wall. My eyes slid shut in ecstasy, tuning into the sensitive skin that was being stimulated between my legs. One hand cupped my breast and the other kept me steady as he leaned back, admiring my pert skin that was glowing. My stomach tensed as I approached my next orgasm, my skin taut as he continued to pump. Everything was going up in smoke. I couldn't control my body any longer and allowed myself to ride the wave of pleasure.

  In an instant, he was thrusting feverishly into my flower and I tensed again, shuddering against the wall. He pounded harder until I was screaming. Watching me shiver nearly caused him to buckle under my weight and his rigid cock flooded me with delicious cream. He crumbled under the pressure and took me down with him, hitting the carpet with a loud thud. My hands reached out to rub his shoulders, his neck, and the soaked hair decorating his chest.

  “That was...incredible,” I panted.

  “Where did that come from?” he wheezed, trying to catch his breath.

  “I'm not sure,” I replied.

  “I love it,” he said. “You're incredibly sexy.”

  I giggled.

  “Thank you, darling,” I said.

  We kissed briefly before finally standing, the intense events of the day taking its toll on my body and mind. My legs were sore. I would need a nap before dinner. Every inch of my body ached for the bed that was bare, the sheets strewn about on the floor from our delightful embrace. I stared at the empty bed for a moment, overwhelmed by this new sensation coursing through my veins. There was immense power hidden within my tiny body. I wondered how I would handle these things in public. It prompted me to think about returning to Hollywood and it caught me off guard, sending me straight to the bathroom where I quickly turned the nobs for the shower.

  “Are you alright?” Zack asked.

  He leaned against the door frame, his eyes conveying concern as I formed a response. Am I alright? All these new feelings were wild and amazing, but they were also frightening. I wasn't sure if I would be able to control the beast residing in my belly, having already lost control during the first shift.

  “I'm not sure,” I responded.

  “I know this is all new to you, but the process has saved your life,” he said. “It will take some time to get used to the changes.”

  “I know that. I'm just worried about returning to work,” I said as I slid under the warm spray of water. “What if people don't like the new Sky?”

  Zack immediately took me into his arms and started scrubbing my body with a bar of soap, gently rubbing away the tension in my muscles.

  “It may seem intimidating now, but shifters have come a long way with society accepting them. There's no reason anyone won't be receptive to your new form,” he assured me. “I think people will find you even more charming. Your glow is comforting. You can use that for good things.”

  I smiled, hugging my shoulders as he worked on my legs. Acceptance was something I had often worried about during my early years of writing. I was no stranger to the doubts that circled my brain, the worry that came with doing something different. But I wasn't just writing a different script. I am the difference. I'm a work in progress, a rare snowflake, a totally different species. My human qualities remained like passion and love, but I had beastly urges as well. These were overwhelming and complex. People weren't always receptive to these sorts of things.

  After Rita had attacked me, I wasn't positive about making a reappearance into the Hollywood scene. If she was capable of losing it, then so was I. My body shook in response to the memory, the pain of her teeth digging into my flesh a striking reminder that emotions can be dangerous, even unpredictable. I resolved to continue practicing mindfulness just as Zack does. If he can control it, then so can I.

  Right?

  5.

  A week or so passed as I learned about my body, understanding the subtle nuances of shifting into my wolf form. Maya stopped by a couple of times to bring me coffee and the latest articles about myself and Rita. Most of the press focused on the attack, causing a stir in the community about whether or not shifters could be trusted in public. It frightened me. Maya pointed to the headlines about Rita's disappearance as we sat on the couch in the parlor, warmed by the fire coming from the fireplace.

  “She disappeared?” I asked, taking the paper from her to read the fine print.

  “No one knows where she went,” Maya said, stirring the wooden stick in her coffee. “It's like she just went poof.”

  “That's so strange,” I commented.

  My eyes continued to dart across the page, wondering where in the world she might have gone. I knew she had a summer home in Texas. There was a possibility she went there, yet the articles indicated that no one has seen her anywhere, not even in her Hollywood abode. The gates were locked and the servants had va
nished as well. Was she dead?

  “I think it's better that you don't have to worry about her,” said Maya. “We're better off without some psychotic actress tearing up the town.”

  “What about me?” I asked, my eyes redirecting to her. “What if I lose it?”

  Maya frowned. She looked down at her coffee cup and then back up at me, leaning over to touch my arm with a gentle smile on her lips.

  “You're better than that, honey,” she said. “You've got spirit and you're in control. I don't feel threatened by you.”

  Her eyes fluttered when she said that. She was lying. I could always tell when Maya was lying because her eyelids would do this subtle twitch as if trying to bat away the guilt that came with speaking false statements.

  “It's okay if you do,” I said, turning away from her gaze. “I wouldn't blame you.”

  “How can I? You're my best friend. I came to visit you in the hospital and I've been visiting you here,” she said. “This new you won't chase me away.”

  I gave a half smile and shrugged, feeling mildly comforted.

  “Just take it one day at a time. Don't worry about anything else,” she said.

  “Thank you, dear,” I said.

  A knock came from the door and I called for the person to enter. It was Zack.

  “How's everything?” he asked.

  “Good,” I replied, looking him over with tears welling in my eyes.

  Clearly, I was not doing very well. He looked at Maya with a smile and politely asked if she would leave because we had another visitor. She leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek, rubbing my arms and assuring me she would return for another visit. When she left, I caved. My shoulders slumped forward and my head fell in my hands, tears carving rivers into my face as I tried to explain to Zack that the feelings inside were a mixture of betrayal, hurt, and confusion.

  “Darling,” he whispered as he took me into his arms. “What's going on?”

  “I think my own best friend is afraid of me,” I blubbered.