A Shadow of Betrayal

THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL Umbra Hunters Book 1 B.M. CLEMTON Contents A Shadow of Betrayal Playlist Content Warning and Trigger Warning 1. Meyer 2. Meyer 3. Meyer 4. Meyer 5. Meyer 6. Meyer 7. Meyer 8. Meyer 9. Meyer 10. Meyer 11. Meyer 12. Meyer 13. Meyer 14. Lennox 15. Meyer 16. Creed 17. Meyer 18. Meyer 19. Meyer 20. Meyer 21. Meyer 22. Meyer 23. Meyer 24. Meyer 25. Meyer 26. Meyer 27. Razar 28. Meyer 29. Meyer 30. Meyer 31. Lennox 32. Meyer 33. Lennox 34. Meyer 35. Meyer 36. Meyer 37. Meyer 38. Meyer 39. Meyer 40. Meyer Also by B.M. Clemton Copyright 2023 by B.M. Clemton All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted In any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written consent of the publisher. Unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, Is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment. Published by B.M. Clemton Cover Design by Triff Book Design Formatted by Harvest Moon Covers Edited by Two Dogs and a Book Editing Thank You to my amazing Alphas, Betas, and Early Readers <3 Lindsay Hamilton Kyla Lee Maria Floresguerra Jessica Gilly Danielle Giordano Krystal Gorrell Gitte Dresselaers Miranda May Courtney Whetzel Renee Lynn Rachel James Genna Bump Tiffany Greenwood A Shadow of Betrayal Playlist Ghost Town- Layto A Letter To Everyone Who Hurt Me- Chandler Leighton Can You Feel My Heart- Bring Me The Horizon Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day Just Pretend- Bad Omens This Feeling- The Chainsmokers Rise- League of Legends Lighthouse- Loveless Tattoo- Loreen My Demons- STARSET Power Over Me- Dermot Kennedy Game of Survival- Ruelle Talking Body- Tove Lo Royaly- Egzod Bird Set Free- Sia Dark Horse- Katy Perry Gasoline- Halsey Dynasty- Miia Content Warning and Trigger Warning This story is a Reverse Harem novel that has darker elements that readers should be aware of such as strong language, and sexual content. A Shadow of Betrayal is the first book in Meyer’s Story and ends with a cliffhanger. ONE Meyer “See you in the morning, Meyer,” Margaret hollers over her shoulder, not bothering to look up from the long counter she is standing behind as she scrubs the remnants of milkshake and burger grease from the faded yellow Formica. Her white cotton ball bun sags to the side of her head, the day taking its toll on the petite seventy-three-year-old woman who is probably the only friend I have in the world. But that doesn't stop her from bustling about the small place, cleaning every inch of grime she can spot. “Get some rest, Mags. I can come in early tomorrow and do the dishes,” I offer, a flicker of worry gnawing at the back of my mind as I watch her scrub the counter like the extra effort she puts into it might make the old, ugly counters shine like new again. Max and Mag’s Diner might be old and a little run down, but you won't find a cleaner place to eat in this tiny little town. The only problem is that Mags is getting older and has difficulty keeping up with the place. I rarely work nights. In fact, I avoid them at all costs, but when she called saying one of the high school girls that was supposed to come in and help her close called in sick, I came in to help. I smile when she scoffs under her breath, grumbling something I can't quite make out as she waves a hand in front of her, dismissing my offer. Chuckling, I push open the heavy door of the diner and step out into the frigid October night air, shivering a little while yanking the thin sweater I have on tighter to my body to thwart the cold wind trying to freeze me to the bone. I hate how cold it gets here. We had a week or two of comfortable fall weather before a cold front moved in and froze everything overnight. Walking over to the small metal bike rack, I unchain my rusty bike and shiver when my fingers meet the ice-cold metal of the handlebars as I swing my leg over and jump up onto the seat. Keeping my eyes on the ground in front of me, I bike down the deserted main street, not wanting to look up and risk meeting the eyes of any monsters lurking in the shadows. They are there; I know they are. I don't have to look to find them anymore. The weight of their gaze is heavy on my back, making my hands grip the handlebars so tight that my knuckles turn white. “I hate night shifts,” I grumble to myself, my hot breath fogging in front of me as I pick up my pace and race down the street, hoping to make it home before the black clouds looming in the sky above extinguish the eerie yellow glow cast by the full moon. Biking down Main Street isn't a problem with the small antique lamps that hang from the tall black poles, but once I turn onto the dirt road that leads up to my grandfather's cabin, the moon’s light just might be enough to guide me home without having to use the flashlight on my phone. Something that I try to avoid when at all possible. I would rather walk my bike in the dark than risk my light shining off the reflective eyes that haunt the night. It's hard to pretend I can't see the monstrous creatures when their eyes shine like a cat’s in between the trees, and once they know I can see them, it's game over. Over the years, I have found that screaming and pointing at the nightmares living in the shadows only hurts me, not them. And once they know I can see them… once they know I’m