Legend's Promise: Legends of Dare, #1

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

About Dani Jace

Also by Dani Jace

Legend’s Promise formerly White Doe

Copyright © 2013, 2017 Dani Jace

Cover by Dani Jace

Edited by Laura Kitchell

All rights reserved

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are eighteen or older. This work contains mature content and is intended for adults; please keep this work out of the presence of minors, as the author, publisher, and copyright owner cannot be held liable.

Dedication

To my mentor and friend, Laura Kitchell. Thanks for sharing your writing expertise and for your constant support.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to T.B. Bond for her mad tech skills.

Chapter One

Shane Cheveyo gunned his Harley onto the highway as the Outer Banks Hospital slowly disappeared in the bike’s mirror. Usually, he loved roaring down the road on his Fatboy, but today nothing could dispel his angst.

The finality of his great-grandfather’s sudden death weighed heavily on his chest. He was more alone now than ever. His Native American heritage believed Jasper’s warrior spirit would live on, but that didn’t lessen the stabbing grief Shane held for the man who had called him son. The man who had known Shane for who and what he was.

Shane’s skin prickled as his body’s cells warred between human and animal. His consuming grief and sadness hastened his imminent shift.

With a booted toe, he downshifted and turned off Croatan Highway for the beach road. At a stop sign, he shed his helmet, sucked in a deep breath, and welcomed the ocean breeze.

Wind thrashed his hair while salty air teased his nostrils, heightening his senses as he accelerated past the posted speed limit. No traffic met him on the narrow two-lane road.

Sorrow had his mind wandering to the only other person he had loved as much as his great-grandfather. After ten years, he couldn’t get her out of his head.

Cheyenne.

Her sea-green eyes haunted his dreams. He’d never forgotten those long silken strands of midnight caressing his thighs while her sweet mouth drove him to the edge of insanity. He ached to know her curves against the hard planes of his body. After all these years, his non-blood second cousin kept his heart tied to her with an invisible string. Would she return for their chieftain’s funeral?

A muted line of ragged dunes greeted him at the deserted parking lot of Coquina Beach. After parking his bike, he heeled off his boots in the warm October evening. Various scents, both plant and animal, rode on the breeze as he crested the dune.

He slipped out of his worn jeans and shrugged off his T-shirt. After stretching a few seconds, he flexed his muscles and began jogging along the beach. Seconds later, he lunged forward.

Wind prickled through newfound feathers, his arms now enormous wings and his feet powerful talons. Lighter and lighter, he ascended skyward. With perfect vision, he soared over a wild and remote beach toward an orange moon shimmering over the Atlantic.

Shane loved and hated his form. It freed him, but left him utterly alone. This was his life—his curse. Now without his great-grandfather, he was unique in it.

* * * *

An hour later, he sat perched on a bar stool at The Black Raven. Straight whisky burned his belly along with guilt for not heading to Nona’s. His great-grandfather’s sister was also the tribe’s medicine woman and the only other person privy to his secret.

Their tribe held to the belief that they were descended from the Croatans who had welcomed the first colonists. Tribal lore mentioned shifters, but Shane never considered his ability a gift. He wouldn’t have returned to the barrier islands of North Carolina after his military stint if not for his love of his great-grandfather.

 Yo, bro. Where’ve you been? Jim landed on the stool beside him, jarring him from his thoughts. Got a new woman? Or have boat overhauls picked up?

His brawny MC club brother wore their Pirate’s black leather cut. His shaven head gleamed in the tavern’s dim light. With a linebacker physique and piercing blue eyes, Jim had his pick of women, but never kept one for long. He claimed to be a lone wolf. In that way, he and Shane were alike. They were closer than most fraternal brothers, but he’d never dared to tell Jim of his freakdom.

I should have called you. Jasper’s been in the hospital. His heart stopped this afternoon. Shane’s shoulders slumped in remorse for not filling Jim in on Jasper’s decline.

Jim’s heavy hand landed on his shoulder. I’m sorry, Shane. Anything I can do?

Will you let the guys in the club know? I’m going to be busy the next few days.

You got it, buddy.

Draining the rest of his Jack, Shane stood and tossed a ten on the bar. Thanks, man. Gotta hit the road, buddy. Nona and the tribe will wonder where the black sheep is. Wouldn’t want to disappoint.

Jim passed him a knowing nod. Take it easy and call me if you need anything.

Shane slipped on his leather jacket and headed for the door.

The fall evening lent for a chilly but mind-clearing ride into Manteo. Once, he’d come close to telling Jim about his alternate state. Hell, they’d shared a woman one night. Didn’t get much closer to