Extinction

Extinction Refuge Shifters Book One

By Carol Lynne

Resplendence Publishing, LLC http://www.resplendencepublishing.com

Resplendence Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 992 Edgewater, Florida, 32132

Extinction Copyright © 2009, Carol Lynne Edited by Tiffany Mason Cover art by Rika Singh Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-040-8

Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Electronic release: June, 2009

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents Chapter One.................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter Two.................................................................................................................................. 14 Chapter Three ............................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter Four ................................................................................................................................ 29 Chapter Five ................................................................................................................................. 37 Chapter Six.................................................................................................................................... 46 Chapter Seven ............................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter Eight................................................................................................................................ 63 Chapter Nine................................................................................................................................. 73 Chapter Ten .................................................................................................................................. 83 About the Author ......................................................................................................................... 102

ref·uge (rěf yūj) n.

A place of safety and comfort during times of strife.

Chapter One

“Back again, Professor McBain?” the park ranger asked. “Yep,” Jack answered, handing over the five dollar entrance fee. He’d been spending his weekends in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area for the previous nine months, systematically covering as much of the park as he could. A Professor of Environmental Sciences/Wildlife at the University of Las Vegas, Jack had been given permission to camp in non-designated areas. The ranger handed back a receipt with a small piece of tape stuck to it. As Jack stuck the paper to his windshield, the ranger continued. “Be careful if you’re headed toward Spirit Mountain. A couple of hikers reported seeing a wolf half-way up. I don’t buy it though. It was probably a ram or coyote, but I thought I’d give you a heads-up.” Trying to keep his cool, Jack nodded and drove passed the gate. It wasn’t until he was almost a mile down the road that he pulled his Jeep Wrangler to the side of the road and let out a whoop in celebration. Quickly digging a map of the Newberry Mountains from his backpack, he got out of the jeep and spread it out on the hood. Nine months. He shook his head. This was the first real lead he’d had since relocating his search from the Grand Canyon. He refused to voice the worries that had continued to plague him since the discovery of two skinned humans in Grand Canyon National Park. Jack was certain the two humans, he believed to be Beothuck shifter wolves, weren’t the last of their kind. The shifter’s existence had been a legend he’d overheard from his greatgrandmother, Sara, but Jack always knew he was destined to prove it. After figuring out the best way to reach the base of Spirit Mountain, Jack climbed back into the jeep and opened his battered leather journal.

March 21, 2009

A wolf has been spotted in the area of Spirit Mountain. My hopes are that I’m getting closer to finding one of the elusive packs of Beothuk shifters. It’s been a long eleven years of following leads, but I have a good feeling about this. I’ll trek up the north slope of the mountain as far as possible and set up camp. After repacking his journal, Jack pulled back onto the road and headed south toward the Newberry Mountains. An accomplished tracker, Jack knew if the shifters were indeed on Spirit Mountain, he’d find them. Following an off-road trail, Jack drove as far as he could before pulling his jeep to a stop. Even though he’d set out that morning before six, the clock on the dash read almost nine. Damn. He’d have to make good time if he had any hope at all of reaching his desired location while the sun was still out. Hoisting a pack onto his back, Jack set out. The route he chose to take was a fairly easy one for an experienced climber such as himself. His aim was to find a way to circle to the other side of the mountain, reaching the first of three plateaus. Scrambling up the rocky terrain was tiresome, but not difficult, and Jack’s hopes of making good time soared. He had been six-years-old the first time his great-grandmother, Sara, told him the story of the Beothuk people. Native to Newfoundland, the Beothuks population declined shortly after the European settlers first landed on the coastal province. According to legend, as the Beothuks’ numbers dwindled, they asked the Earth Mother to help them. In her revered wisdom, the goddess gifted the Beothuks with the ability to shift into wolf form, therefore allowing them to meld into the local wildlife population. The shifters lived peacefully in the wilds of Newfoundland for almost seventy years, until the settlers realized the dramatic increase in the number of wolves in the area. Sara didn’t know whether the settlers simply suspected the wolves and Beothuks were one and the same, but they began systematically hunting them down. The last known Newfoundland wolf was killed in nineteen-ten. According to his great-grandmother, some believed small groups escaped the province.

Stopping to take a drink, Jack’s gaze roamed the rocky outcroppings. Are you here? He slipped the water bottle back into his pack and continued. What would he say to them if he managed to track them down? Did they even speak English? Jack reached the plateau and stopped for a brief rest while he studied his topographical map. He could safely manage the terrain to the west. The ravines and rattle snakes, he’d have to watch out for. He tucked the map into his pants pocket and shouldered his pack. Two hours later, he sensed movement off to his right, above his location. He slowly lowered his pack and withdrew a small pair of binoculars. Up the mountain, a flash of white darted behind a cluster of rocks. “Gotcha.” Jack lowered the binoculars. His emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Surprisingly, he didn’t feel the need to rush after the white wolf. Knowing his life’s work hadn’t been in vain was enough for the moment. Digging out his map once more, he found a plateau three hundred yards above and to the west of him. If he made camp and didn’t run after the wolf, perhaps the white beauty would stay in the area. Mind made up, Jack picked his way across the rocks. It only took a few minutes to erect his small one-man tent. He cleared away as many rocks as he could, checking for snakes. The last thing he’d welcome was a rattler in his sleeping bag. By the time his camp was set up, the sun was dipping low in the sky. Jack brought out the small expedition stove, bottle of propane and his number one survival necessity, a coffee pot. After he had the water on to boil, he pulled his sleeping bag out of the tent and spread it out for a cushion. It had been a hell of a day. He couldn’t help but to wonder whether the wolf would be curious enough to come near his camp. Jack withdrew the folder of essays from his pack he’d yet to grade and set them next to his hip. He wished he didn’t have to teach at all. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy his job, but he would much rather spend his time on his true passion. Unfortunately, he had bills to pay. Shit. That reminded him. He’d forgotten to mail the payment for his grandmother’s hospital bill. Granny had been gone almost four years and he was still sending monthly payments. After making a cup of coffee, he opened the folder and tried to concentrate on his grading. As the sun dipped lower, Jack gave up and put the folder into his pack. He tried to soak up as much of the fading warmth as he could. Without a fire, nights in the desert that time of year

were brutal. Swallowing the last dredges of his coffee, he stood and went to the edge of his camp to pee. Cock in hand, he gazed at the rocks above as a healthy stream splashed onto the dry ground a foot from his feet. He shook himself off and pleasured himself with several strokes before stuffing his half-erect penis back into his underwear without bothering to zip up. The feel of his hand on his cock felt too good to abandon. He moved back to his sleeping bag and pushed his jeans and underwear down to his thighs. One hand reached up under his T-shirt to pinch at his nipples, while the other encircled his cock. Jack closed his eyes and tried to picture his last lover in his mind as he continued to stroke himself. How sad was he that he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been laid by anyone of importance? His solitary lifestyle wasn’t exactly conducive to a healthy sex life. Usually he got by with a blow job at one of the clubs he occasionally frequented, or his hand. Probably the nearest he’d come to a relationship had been with his friend, Ryker Allen. Although he and Ryker fucked occasionally, his friend had made it clear there could never be anything deeper than friendship between them. So, with the six-foot-five blond Adonis in mind, Jack gripped his cock tighter. He imagined Ryker’s cobalt blue eyes as they took turns fucking each other. “Yeah,” he moaned, pressing his thumb against the slit on the crown of his erection. Ryker was a damn good lover, but he was a little too secretive to make any kind of relationship work. Besides, Ryker was the wealthiest man he’d ever met, and still didn’t trust Jack enough to tell him how he’d amassed his fortune. He was the one who got Jack the job at UNLV. Thoughts of Ryker just weren’t doing it for him, as evidenced by his declining erection. Pushing images of his friend away, Jack tried to concentrate solely on the feeling of his own hands, touching and pulling on his flesh. He slipped the hand out from under his shirt to cup and squeeze his balls. “Yessss,” he hissed, erection back in full force. Thrusting up into his hand, hips lifting off the ground, he set a fast rhythm. As the first rope of seed shot from his cock, he heard a noise behind him. Too far gone to stop, he finished

milking his cock before turning around. Nothing. Jack looked up and spotted the white wolf perched above his camp on the rocky slope. Despite his brain telling him he should be frightened, his heart knew better. Taking a chance that the shifter did indeed speak English, Jack reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a bandana. “Sorry about that. When you spend as much time alone as I do, you have to take care of certain things by yourself,” he explained while wiping his stomach and hand. Knowing wolves had a keen sense of smell, Jack turned and flung the bandana up onto the rocks above him, but below the wolf. Maybe if he gave his new friend something safe to sniff he’d get used to Jack’s smell. The wolf above him cocked his head at Jack. Chuckling, Jack shrugged. “Seemed like a good idea at the time. My name’s Jack, by the way,” he introduced as he pulled up his jeans. He resumed his spot on the sleeping bag with his back to the wolf. He wasn’t sure if it was the loneliness or the need to communicate, but Jack began talking to the beautiful white creature as he fixed another cup of coffee. “I’ve been looking for you for years now. I’m not sure how much of this you understand, but I truly mean you no harm. I heard what happened to the two others in your pack at the Grand Canyon. It made me sick to think someone could do that.” Jack took a sip of his coffee. The sun was all but a memory when he turned to glance up at his new friend. To his surprise, the wolf had the faded red bandana tucked between his front paws as he sat looking down at Jack. Retrieving both of his battery operated lanterns from his pack, Jack switched them on and crawled into the sleeping bag. “Think maybe I’ll sleep out under the stars. Besides, I have a lot more to tell you,” Jack continued. He talked long into the night about everything from the legend he’d heard growing up, to his classes at UNLV. The important thing was letting the wolf know he was friendly. He just wished he knew if anything he said was getting through to the creature. **** The following morning, Jack groaned as he opened his eyes. His throat felt like sandpaper after hours of talking. He sat up and almost jumped out of his skin when he spotted a dead rabbit not two feet away. “Is this a gift or a warning?” he asked. He crawled out of the sleeping bag and reached around the rabbit to his canteen.

He took several sips before filling the small coffee pot. His gaze kept going back to the dead animal. Jack knew to ignore the gift would be an insult to the wolf, so he picked it up by its hind legs. Although he hadn’t skinned many rabbits in his day, he knew the process. Pulling the hunting knife from the sheath in his pack, he carried the animal to the edge of the campsite. “I haven’t eaten rabbit in a good while, thanks.” Jack made quick work of cleaning the rabbit, using as much water as he dared to wash it thoroughly. When he was finished, Jack took the small folding frying pan from his pack and set it on the gas cooker. “There are some remnants over there if you’re interested.” Although he’d yet to see the wolf, he knew he was still around. “Of course, I’d much rather you shift and come talk to me. I think I’ve carried enough of the conversation so far.” Once his breakfast was done, Jack held up a piece of the meat on his fork. “There’s more than enough for two,” he offered. Jack dug into his breakfast, surprised at how hungry he was. It was then that he realized he hadn’t eaten the previous evening. Well no wonder. A man finally catches up with his dream, it’s only natural everything else would take a backseat. Of course I still managed time to whack off in front of that dream. After breakfast, he wiped out the pan and stowed it along with the cooker in his pack before rising to tear down the unused tent. “I’m not planning to go anywhere yet, but no sense in not packing up camp. It’ll take me a good three hours to get back down the mountain to my car.” Jack settled his gear against a large rock and climbed to sit on top. “You’ve got a pretty view, that’s for sure. Although I’d be enjoying myself a hell of a lot more if you’d come down and talk to me.” Two hours later, Jack was contemplating the trek down when his new friend finally stepped into the clearing, carrying the bandana in his mouth. Jack immediately lowered his head, not meeting the wolf’s gaze. “I’m glad you finally decided to join me. I don’t suppose you could shift so the two of us could talk, could ya?” When the shifter remained in wolf form, Jack sighed. “I guess it was too much to ask this soon in our acquaintance, huh? I need to head down in a few minutes. It sucks, but I have to work for the next several days. The good news is it’s a short week because of finals, and I’m off all next week for Spring Break. I’d like to come back and spend as much time up here with you as you’ll let me.”

Jack chanced a glance at the wolf. “Would that be okay? Would you mind if I came back?” The wolf answered by walking over to Jack’s pack and setting the bandana beside it. What did that mean? Once the wolf had retreated to his original spot at the edge of the clearing, Jack scrambled down from his perch on the large boulder and picked up the bandana. As soon as he held the cloth in his hand, he felt the moisture. He brought the bandana to his nose and sniffed. Jack’s cock went hard at the first whiff of fresh cum on the rag. Although he’d never smelled wolf cum, he’d sniffed enough human seed to know the wolf had shifted before pleasuring himself. A feeling like none other came over him as he continued to press the bandana to his nose. Jack thought of the rabbit earlier. “Are you courting me?” The wolf made a sound deep in his throat and yawned. “You know, it would be a lot easier if you would talk to me.” Why didn’t the idea of being wooed by a half-wolf, half-man bother him? With the cloth still pressed to his face, Jack reached down and unfastened his jeans. Dear God what am I doing? he asked even as he pulled out his cock and began to jack himself off in front of the wolf. Have I gone completely insane? Jack had never been an exhibitionist, so why did the idea of pleasuring himself in front of the wolf turn him on? He watched the shifter in front of him as he continued to stroke his cock. What sounded like a moan came from the wolf when Jack came. He tried to catch as much as he could in his hand before holding it out to the wolf. “Are you like me? Do you like the pungent taste of male cum?” The wolf rose and took a step forward. Jack knew he was taking his life in his hands, but it truly felt like the right thing to do. His new friend slowly walked over, eyeing him warily. The first swipe of the wolf’s long wet tongue across his hand sent shivers up Jack’s spine. The wolf lapped greedily at the cum pooled in Jack’s palm. “I see I was right,” he chuckled. When his hand was licked clean, Jack chanced scratching the wolf’s head. To his further surprise, his new friend moved closer. A wet nose nuzzled Jack’s balls followed by the long swipe of a tongue. Jack couldn’t have kept the moan inside to save his life.

Jack realized what he’d done and took a step back. What the fuck was wrong with him? “Does this mean you’ll be here when I come back around in a few days?” The wolf stretched and made an agreeable sound. “I’ll take that as a yes,” Jack replied with a grin. He pulled up his jeans, still slightly embarrassed by his previous actions. “I need to head down, or I’ll find myself in the dark before I reach my jeep.” He shouldered his pack, face still bright red. As he stepped towards the edge of the plateau, he glanced back at his wolf. His wolf? “I’ll be back in four days.” The wolf already had the bandana in his mouth that Jack had dropped. “Keep that to remember me by.” Jack picked his way down the mountain, not at all shocked to see the wolf following at a safe distance. When he reached the first plateau he’d come to the day before, he waved to his friend. “You’d better not go any further. You never know when other hikers might come along.” The wolf sat down and watched Jack until he disappeared over the edge. Jack knew he had more than enough to think about for the next few days.

Chapter Two

Toby watched from the plateau as Jack safely made it down Spirit Mountain. He howled as his soon-to-be mate drove off. Jack had told him he’d be back in four days. How would Toby survive the torture that was sure to come? He turned and climbed over the loose rock toward his den, the bandana safely held in his muzzle. The physical changes in his body were already becoming evident as his sphincter muscles stretched and contracted. Did Jack even know what he’d done? One taste of his lover’s seed and Toby’s body began preparing for the mating ritual. Deep down he knew it was his own fault. He’d foolishly thought if he pleased Jack, his mate would stay with him. He barely managed to make it inside his den before his body shifted into its man-skin. He tied the red cloth around his neck, pleased to smell his mate’s scent. With one hand on his rigid cock, he dug out his father’s journal from behind a boulder at the back of the cave. Sitting in the fading light at the mouth of the den, Toby ran his hand over the book. The original cover had fallen apart years earlier, but Toby had fashioned a new one from a box he’d found at an abandoned campsite. Before he could begin reading, his forehead broke out into a sweat. Toby carefully laid the book aside as he saw to his body’s physical needs. He knew by the time Jack returned, both his cock and his hole would be sore, but Toby had little choice. His body demanded to be mated, and all he could do was help ease the pain until that happened. By dawn, Toby was already exhausted. He’d managed only a few hours of sleep on the cold floor in between relieving the pressure in his testicles. It was the first time in memory that he’d slept in his man-skin. He knew he could die from exposure if he wasn’t careful. He would need to bring rocks, warmed by the sun, into the den at night if he hoped to survive. Toby’s stomach growled, bringing up another issue. Until he was mated, he no longer had the ability to shift. Without being in his wolf-skin, Toby didn’t know how he was supposed

to hunt. He knew of a few plants that were edible if he could find them, but it meant going lower on the mountain, not an easy task for someone used to walking on four legs instead of two. Closing his eyes, Toby prayed. “Wise Earth Mother, please watch over me until my mate returns.” **** With his jeep loaded with supplies, Jack pulled up to the park entrance. “I’ll be staying through the end of next week,” Jack told the ranger and handed over a twenty. The ranger’s brows shot up. “I don’t think you’ve ever stayed that long at a stretch. Any particular reason?” Jack knew he couldn’t tell him the truth, so he shrugged. “Spring Break. I thought I’d get away from Vegas for awhile.” The guy chuckled. “I don’t blame you. How people live in a city, I’ll never understand.” Jack taped the receipt to his windshield and gave the guy a friendly nod as he pulled out. He waited until he was a couple of miles down the road before picking up speed. It had been three and a half torturous days since he’d seen his wolf. His anxiety level was so high, he nearly gave all his students A’s to keep them from taking the final exam, but a cooler head prevailed. Now that school was out for a week, Jack didn’t want to waste any more time. Instead of heading to Spirit Mountain in the morning, he’d decided to leave right after his last exam. He knew he’d be pushing it to make it to the second plateau by nightfall, but it was a chance he was willing to take. Even if he had to pick his way across the rocks at night, there was an urgency within him he couldn’t explain. As soon as he made it to the base of the mountain, Jack jumped out of the jeep and grabbed his backpack. He’d brought the biggest one he had, but knew he’d still need to make several trips down over the next week for more supplies. The previous evening he’d gone to both the grocery store and camping store, and had managed to put the hardtop back on the jeep with Ryker’s help. Jack chuckled as he set out. It wasn’t often Ryker did anything more physical than workout in the gym, and his friend had complained the entire time. In the end, Ryker had offered to buy Jack another jeep that he could leave the hardtop on instead of switching back and forth. Jack had declined his friends offer, but it still made him laugh.

With the heavier pack, it took him longer to reach the first plateau. The sun was quickly setting, and the trickiest part of the climb was yet to come. He set his pack down before digging out the headlamp and fastening it to his forehead. It couldn’t compete with sunshine, but he thought it would work. Making it to the second plateau, Jack was exhausted. “I’m back!” he yelled up the face of the mountain. He started to set up camp while he waited for his wolf to join him. After an hour passed, Jack started getting concerned. If his wolf was anywhere in the vicinity, he knew the shifter would have picked up Jack’s scent. It didn’t matter how many times he went through various scenarios, he kept coming back to two possibilities. Either the wolf was hurt, or had fled the area. Neither of which made Jack’s anxiety lessen. He pulled a wrinkled blue windbreaker out of his pack and put it on. At least the climb would be easier without the extra weight of his gear. After affixing the headlamp back in place, Jack stuffed his daypack with emergency supplies and headed up the mountain. Stopping every hundred feet or so, he continued to call for his wolf. “It’s Jack. I’m back a day early. Are you here?” He reached a narrow ledge and called again. A noise answered his call. Jack tried to follow the sound, but was quickly running out of ledge. “Are you up here?” The sound came again, softer this time, and it was coming from above him. Surveying the terrain above his head, Jack backtracked until he could take the climb at an angle. Thirty minutes later, he spotted a cave. “How the hell did you find this place?” Jack questioned more to himself than the wolf. Stepping inside the mouth of the cave, Jack spotted a nude male body huddled against the back wall. He started to approach but stopped. “It’s Jack. Are you…?” “Help me,” the man whispered. That was all Jack needed to rush to the man’s side. As he knelt beside the shifter, his eyes scanned for injuries. Other than the apparent dirt and grime that clung to the man’s skin, Jack couldn’t see anything wrong with him. “I don’t see anything. What happened?” “Water,” the man croaked. Shrugging out of his daypack, Jack pulled out his canteen. He scooted closer and helped the man sit up enough to take a drink. He could scarcely believe the small, skinny man in his arms was the majestic wolf. The pure white hair fit his research, though. According to obscure

passages he’d found throughout the years, the royal family of Newfoundland was white furred with rare blue eyes. “Take small sips at first,” he cautioned. The man pushed the canteen away, indicating he’d had enough. In the next second, the man’s body was wrapped around Jack’s. Confused as hell, Jack searched the man’s pleading blue eyes. “What’s your name? Do you have one?” “Toby,” the man whispered. “I, —I need you. Hurts.” Toby. Jack nodded. The name fit the man in his arms, the very naked man in his arms. Jack began running his hands over Toby’s body, looking for injuries once again. When his cock began to press against the fly of his jeans, he admonished himself. The man’s hurt for Christ’s sake. “What do you need, Toby?” Jack couldn’t help but kiss the dirty forehead in front of him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but Jack already felt incredibly protective of the small man. “Mate me,” Toby begged, his voice cracking as he winced in pain. “Huh?” Jack asked, shocked as hell at Toby’s words. With a shaking hand, Toby pointed toward a book a few feet away. “I’ll hurt until you mate me.” Mate? “You mean make love to you?” Toby’s head cocked to the side. “Make love?” “Yeah, umm, fuck you.” Toby’s head remained cocked, his face held an expression of confusion. Shit. Jack didn’t know how much English Toby knew. “Do you need me to put my penis,” Jack took Toby’s hand and placed it over the erection still trapped in his jeans, “inside of here?” Jack moved his other hand to Toby’s asshole. Toby hissed and rubbed against the hand on his ass. “Yessss.” With a tentative touch, Jack circled the sensitive skin with his fingers. He could tell the area was already stretched, and, if he wasn’t mistaken, slightly sore, as evidenced by the heat radiating from the slightly swollen flesh. The more he explored, the louder Toby whimpered. “Hurts,” Toby said again. “Need you.”

Jack’s mind raced in a million different directions. Although he’d just met the shifter, Toby wasn’t asking any more of him than he’d given complete strangers in the past. Jack had had his fair share of one-night-stands, so why did this feel different? The answer came to him immediately. Because Toby wouldn’t be a one-night-stand. Jack knew it to the depths of his soul. He was on the edge of a life-altering event. Even though the thought should scare him, Jack found comfort in the idea, like this was what was supposed to happen. Reaching between them, he unfastened his jeans. “I don’t have anything to use for lube.” Again, Toby cocked his head to the side. Jack lifted the smaller man from his lap. “It will hurt if I don’t use something…slippery,” Jack tried to explain. “Already hurts,” Toby said. Right. Okay. “Umm, get on your hands and knees. Like this,” Jack said, showing Toby the position he thought was best. Toby did as asked, his white hair pooling in a tangled mess on the cave floor. Moving to kneel behind Toby, Jack pushed his jeans down to his thighs, allowing his raging erection to spring free of its confines. With his headlamp still on, Jack looked at his soon-to-be lover’s ass for the first time. Reaching for the bottle of water, Jack poured the cold liquid onto the red and swollen flesh. He didn’t know what had gone on while he’d been away, but Toby’s hole was open and inviting. After dabbing the hole dry with the bottom of his T-shirt, Jack leaned forward and swiped the already-stretched skin with his tongue, applying as much saliva as he could. Toby’s back bowed as he made a sound deep in his throat. Jack applied more moisture, loving the taste and feel of Toby’s flesh on his tongue. God, he could spend all night with his tongue tucked inside Toby’s body. A slight whimper and a begging plea to hurry set Jack into action. He withdrew his tongue and spit in his hand, lubing his cock as much as possible. “Tell me if you need me to stop,” he said. He placed the crown of his cock at Toby’s entrance and eased his way inside. “Fuck,” he ground out as he fully seated himself. Toby’s inner muscles began squeezing his cock in an erotic dance of sensation. Jack had never felt anything so wonderful before. It was obvious his lover wasn’t even aware of what his body was doing, but Jack knew. Toby’s body needed Jack’s cum for some reason and it was trying its best to milk it from his cock.

Jack’s sac was already drawing up before he started to move. Under him, Toby had begun to tremble. Hopefully it was out of pleasure and not pain, because Jack couldn’t wait any longer. He slid his cock out of Toby’s tight sheath before thrusting back inside. A growl from Toby surprised him. “Am I hurting you?” Jack asked, forcing his hips to still. “No,” Toby grunted as he fucked himself on Jack’s erection. With his mind at ease, Jack placed one hand on Toby’s hip and one on his lover’s shoulder, and began fucking him in earnest. Despite his usual stamina, Jack only managed a handful of thrusts before his cock erupted in burst after burst of his seed. He ground his groin against Toby’s ass, and leaned over to sink his teeth into the flesh of his lover’s shoulder. He pressed harder against Toby, trying to get his cum as deep inside his mate as possible. Jack’s eyes opened with a start. My mate? What the fuck had just happened? He released his hold on Toby’s shoulder, coming away with a coppery taste on his tongue. The headlamp illuminated the bloody marks where his incisors had actually penetrated Toby’s flesh. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck. He’d never in his life hurt another like he’d just done to Toby. Jack reached up and tried to wipe away the small drops of blood. “I’m so sorry, Toby. I— I don’t know why I did that,” he began apologizing as he pulled his cock out of Toby’s ass and sat down. Toby collapsed onto the hard dirt floor. “Thank you,” he mumbled, reaching for the book. Toby shoved the book toward Jack. “Don’t leave me,” Toby begged, curling his body around Jack’s as he quickly drifted off to sleep. Confused and cold, Jack managed to untangle himself from Toby enough to reach for his pack. He took a long drink of water before extracting the small foil blanket he kept in case of emergencies. Jack removed his boots and jeans, and shook out the folded blanket. The thin space-age material was barely big enough for both of them, but lying as they were, he knew body heat would keep them warm enough for the night. After getting settled, Jack opened the book Toby had pushed towards him. “It’s a journal,” he whispered as he began to read.

July 17, 1908

Four more pack members were trapped and murdered today. The skin peeled from their bodies. The Hunters are determined in this latest act of genocide to rid Newfoundland of my people. The only answer may be to flee. I’ve called a meeting of the elders to try and convince them.

Lenuk, Alpha and Tribal Leader Jack looked up from the faded writing. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. If only he’d been given this inside knowledge earlier. Perhaps he could’ve saved more of Toby’s people, like the two murdered at the Grand Canyon. He pressed his chest further against the man who had changed his life forever. The bite mark had stopped bleeding, but Jack was concerned about infection. Hell, he didn’t even know how his saliva would react with Toby’s genetic makeup. What if he’d inadvertently done something to harm the smaller man? In sleep, Toby turned over and molded himself against Jack, his thin body shivering. A wave of feelings flooded Jack. Was it possible to fall in love so quickly? Knowing he could continue reading when the sun came up, Jack turned off his headlamp and set it to the side. He had a lot of thinking to do, but the only thing he desired at that moment was to protect his mate from the cold. Tucking the foil blanket more securely around Toby, Jack allowed the peaceful realm of sleep to overtake him.

Chapter Three

Pain woke Toby with the first rays of sunshine. Although not as severe as before his mating, Toby’s body ached. Maybe it was nothing more than hunger. It had been four days since he’d had anything to eat besides a few plants. He inhaled the scent of his mate once more before gently pulling away. Hopefully the mating, a few hours earlier, had calmed his body enough to shift. He stumbled to the mouth of the cave and called upon his wolf, reciting a blessing to the Earth Mother as he concentrated. Toby knew eventually he’d be able to shift between skins with ease, but it had been a long time since he’d shifted from his man form back to his wolf. When nothing happened, he began to panic. What if he was stuck in his man-skin forever? “Toby?” Toby glanced over his shoulder. “I’m hungry, and I can’t shift,” he cried, holding his seizing stomach. As Jack walked toward him, Toby was sad to see the man had put pants on. “I have some food in my pack,” Jack said, wrapping his arms around Toby. The smaller man buried his face against Jack’s muscled chest. “What am I going to do? I don’t know what’s happening to me.” Jack tilted his chin up and pressed his lips against Toby’s. “Shhh,” Jack soothed. Toby lifted his hands to his lips. He’d seen his parents touch lips before but had never understood why. “What was that?” he asked. Jack cleared his throat, looking out toward the rising sun. “A kiss. Didn’t you like it?” Toby ran a fingertip over his lips once more. “Can we try it again?” Smiling, Jack wrapped his arms tighter around Toby’s torso and picked him up. Toby started to scramble, not at all comfortable with his feet leaving the ground. “Easy,” Jack said. “I won’t drop ya.” Jack hoisted Toby up a little further. “Here, wrap your legs around my waist.”

Despite his initial misgivings, Toby did as his mate asked. His stomach began to make noises again, the gnawing feeling of his hunger threatening to overwhelm him. “I need to shift.” Jack carried Toby deeper into the cave and sat on the floor, settling Toby on his lap. “Here, I think I have something you might enjoy,” Jack said, pulling an object out of his pack. Toby’s nose picked up the strong odor even though it was in a plastic bag. “What is it?” “Beef jerky,” Jack said, opening the plastic. Toby took the dark brown thing from Jack and smelled it. “What should I do with it?” Jack chuckled and took a piece for himself. “Eat it. It’s dried cow.” Toby sniffed the meat again. It didn’t smell like anything he’d ever eaten. He watched Jack for a few minutes before putting the leathery feeling stick to his mouth. Sticking out his tongue, he tasted the dark brown food. His head jerked back. This was definitely not the food he was used to eating. Jack must have gotten his point when he handed the food back to his mate. Laughing, Jack stuck the end of the dried cow into his mouth and reached back in to his bag. “Maybe this will suit you better.” He opened another plastic bag and handed Toby something that smelled sweet. Scenting the small wrinkled black thing, Toby glanced at Jack. “What do you call this?” “A prune,” Jack said. “Just be careful you don’t eat too many.” “Why?” Toby asked, licking the prune. The corner of Jack’s mouth tilted up. “Let’s just say I don’t think there’s a bathroom in the vicinity.” Toby didn’t know what a bathroom was, but he didn’t want to admit that to his mate. When the first taste of the food pleased him, he tentatively took a bite. “Mmm,” he moaned, the sweet flavor filling his mouth. He ate the rest and held his hand out for more. Laughing, Jack handed him three prunes. “That’s enough of those. We’ll have to hike down to my camp. The rest of my food’s down there.” Toby immediately became agitated. The last time he’d tried to go down the mountain he’d almost fallen. “I can’t go,” he said, shaking his head, dropping the fruit in an attempt to scramble off Jack’s lap. “Hey,” Jack said, trying to hang on. “What’s wrong? The plateau isn’t that far down. We’ll be fine.” Toby shook his head. “I can’t walk down in my man-skin. I almost fell last time.”

Jack ran soothing hands up and down Toby’s back. “Okay. I’ll go down and bring up more supplies. When I get back, we’ll try to figure out why you can’t shift.” Although Toby felt proud of his mate for taking a leadership role, he was still afraid. “What if something happens to you?” “It won’t. I’ve scaled mountains most of my life on two legs.” Jack leaned in and pressed his lips to Toby’s. The warmth of Jack’s lips felt good against his own. When a soft tongue pressed against the seam of his mouth, Toby gasped and pulled back. Cocking his head to the side, he looked at his mate. “Are you tasting me like you did last night?” Jack chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I am. It’s part of kissing.” Toby looked at Jack’s lips. What that mouth had done to his sore hole the previous night felt so good, Toby thought maybe he should trust that Jack knew what he was doing. “Show me?” Jack nodded and one hand held the back of Toby’s head as his mate pulled him in for another kiss. This time Toby tried to relax and let Jack take the lead. “Open your mouth,” Jack instructed. Toby parted his lips and waited. He felt a little stupid until the warmth of Jack’s tongue invaded his mouth. Oh. This kissing thing was starting to do things to his body. Toby wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck and slid closer, rubbing his groin as hard as he could against his mate. As they continued to kiss, Jack’s hands traveled down Toby’s back to his butt. Jack broke the kiss and sighed. “We need to get some lube.” Toby continued to thrust against Jack’s stomach. “Need,” he begged. He wasn’t sure if it was the mating fever or the memory of how good Jack’s cock felt inside of him, but Toby needed it again. Jack reached between them and unfastened his pants. “I need you, too.” Toby crawled off Jack’s lap and helped his mate remove the clothing he’d only recently put on. This time, Jack pulled the shirt off over his head, and Toby was rewarded with a wide expanse of muscle. He whimpered as he ran his fingers through the short black hair between Jack’s nipples. He wished he had hair like on his body when he wore his man-skin. Toby began to worry that he wasn’t attractive to his mate.

“Do you wish I had some of this?” he asked, petting the soft pelt of fur. Jack pulled Toby back onto his lap and shook his head. “There are times when you have a hell of a lot more than I do.” Jack ran his hand down Toby’s chest to his hairless groin. “But I think I prefer you this way.” The hand around Toby’s erection squeezed before letting go. Jack spat into his palm and transferred the saliva to Toby’s hole. Toby was so busy riding the fingers inside of him, he barely heard Jack’s words. “What’s happening to me?” Jack asked. Toby slowed his movements at the utter pain and confusion he detected in his mate’s voice. “What’s wrong? Do you hurt?” Jack slowly shook his head. “I don’t know if I can explain it, but I’m changing. I think I’m actually getting bigger. Maybe even stronger. I smell your lust, and I know there’s an animal of some kind not too far from us.” Jack licked his lips. “How do I know that?” As desperate as his body was for his mate to burrow his manhood inside of him, Toby knew it was time to give Jack some answers. Besides, something wasn’t right. He should feel better after the mating, but despite his earlier thoughts of hunger, Toby knew it was more than that. He rose from his mate’s lap and retrieved the journal. “Maybe this will help.” Jack took the book and leaned back against the side of the cave. “Who’s Lenuk? I read his first passage last night.” “My father,” Toby said, tears welling in his eyes. He missed his parents, and he knew it was his fault they had been captured by The Hunters. “What? Can’t be. This first passage was written in nineteen hundred and eight.” Toby nodded his head. “That was six years before I was born.” Jack started coughing. Toby held up his hands, not sure what to do. Before he could panic further, Jack’s cough turned to a chuckle. “I had no idea. I thought you were around twenty. I was actually beginning to worry that you were too young for me.” Toby crossed his arms and smiled. “It’s you who may be too young.” Jack gifted him with a slight smile, but Toby could see the worry in his mate’s brown eyes. His stomach rumbled again as pain ripped through his midsection. Despite his worry about the climb down to the

plateau, it seemed he didn’t have much choice. “Can we take this down the mountain? I’m not sure how much longer I can go without getting something to eat.” Jack must’ve heard the rumbling of his stomach. Sex and the journal forgotten for the moment, Jack stood and pulled on his clothes. “You’ll be fine. Just hold onto me if you need to.” They quickly gathered what few supplies his mate had brought up in his pack. Jack put his father’s journal inside the bag and turned to him. “Do you have anything else you want to take?” Toby looked around the cave that had been his home for almost three years. Besides the journal and the red bandana, there was nothing else. “No. I’ve lived in my wolf-skin since my parents were captured.” Already heading out of the cave, Jack stopped and turned around. “It was Lenuk they found in the canyon out east?” Toby was surprised Jack knew about his parents. “Yes. He and my mother were captured by The Hunters.” Jack opened his mouth to say something else, but snapped it shut. After a few moments, he held out his hand to Toby. “Come on. Let’s get you down the mountain and fed. We can talk later.” “D– Down the mountain? I thought we were just going to the plateau.” Jack walked back toward Toby. “Originally, yes, that was the plan, but with the changes happening with me…I don’t know. How about if we get to the plateau and take it from there?” Putting his faith in the hands of man had caused him nothing but heartache in the past. He searched Jack’s eyes looking for the answers to his unspoken questions. Jack reached out and took Toby’s hand. “I’ll take care of you. I promise.” Jack placed a kiss on the back of Toby’s hand. “Just to the plateau and then we’ll see?” he asked. “Promise. I won’t make you do anything you’re not ready for.” Toby gripped Jack’s hand. “Okay.” **** The slow descent, combined with the five cans of tuna that Toby devoured, left his mate sleeping in the sunshine, his thin arm still wrapped tightly around his stomach. Jack passed the time reading Lenuk’s journal. One entry confused and angered him.

January 22, 2005

Toby left the mountain saying only that he smelled his mate. His mother and I have prayed Toby has indeed found the man the Earth Mother promised us. To be certain, we will wait a few hours before tracking him. If the melding of powers is to become complete, there must be witnesses. I’m not sure the man Toby saw walking in the lower region of the mountain is the mate he smelled.

Lenuk, Tribal Leader and Alpha Surprising himself, Jack growled at the thought of Toby going after another man. He turned the page to see what happened next, but the rest of the journal was blank. The jealous sound he’d made had his mate stirring. “Who was the man you tracked in the Grand Canyon?” Jack demanded to know, stalking toward his lover with the journal thrust out in front of him. Toby blinked and rubbed his eyes. “Huh?” Jack held up the journal. “Who was the man you thought was your mate?” Toby shook his head. “It was you I smelled at the Canyon. I knew it as soon as you came onto Spirit Mountain.” Toby’s blue eyes filled with tears as he reached for the journal. Hugging it to his chest, his head lowered to stare at the reddish-brown dirt. “Before I could get to you, you left. I waited for a few hours for you to come back.” Jack watched as Toby’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the man obviously trying to regain control of his emotions. “On the way back to our den…” Toby stopped speaking, his body racked with emotions. Jack knelt and scooped his lover up into his arms. “Did you see the men who did it?” Jack’s fear was that The Hunters knew they hadn’t killed all of the shifters at the Grand Canyon. “Yes, but it was too late. When I got there, they had already killed them. They were holding hands, circling the bodies of my parents, chanting.” “Did they see you?” Toby shook his head, still refusing to look Jack in the eyes. “No, but I think they knew.”

Those words had Jack’s blood running cold. If The Hunters could track the shifters to the Canyon, they could track Toby to Lake Mead. He had. “We need to get you out of here,” Jack said, setting Toby on his feet. “What? Why?” Toby cocked his head. Jack walked over to his big backpack and pulled out a pair of shorts, T-shirt and his extra pair of hiking shoes, tossing them to Toby. “It’s not safe here for you, Toby. If I found you, they can.” The worry in Toby’s eyes as he looked at the shorts in his hand, said it all. His mate had never tried to live as a man. How would Toby handle simple things that so many people took for granted? For the first time, Jack looked at his mate as the rest of the world would. Although graceful in his actions, Toby seemed almost clumsy in his human form. “Have you ever worn clothes?” Toby nodded, pulling the shorts on. “Not for many years,” he said, watching the shorts fall straight to his ankles. “Umm, I think these don’t fit.” No wonder. Toby was nearly half Jack’s size, and by the fit of his own clothes, Jack knew he was getting bigger by the day. He remembered the passage in Lenuk’s journal. As he looped a piece of rope through Toby’s belt loops, he questioned his mate. “In your father’s journal, he said something about melding of powers between you and your mate. Do you know what that means?” Toby pulled the T-shirt on as Jack tied the rope around his lover’s slim waist. “I’m not sure, to be honest. According to my father the Earth Mother promised a mate for me that would be a blessing to my people.” Jack gazed into Toby’s blue depths. “What? You mean you think we were fated to be together?” “Of course,” Toby replied. How could Jack do anything to help Toby’s people that would be worthy of such an honor? To even imagine that the Earth Mother had chosen him left Jack speechless. He released his hold on Toby’s makeshift belt and began gathering the rest of his things. Toby sat on a boulder and pulled on a pair of heavy wool socks. “It’s the reason my brother got pissed and left.” Jack paused in the process of packing. “You have a brother?”

“Yeah, Garth’s older than me. He left around thirty years ago to join the pack in Ouray, Colorado.” When he saw Toby having trouble with the boot laces, Jack knelt and tied them for him. “Do you mind if I ask why you were chosen to carry the Earth Mother’s blessing and not your brother, since he was the oldest?” Toby shrugged. “I don’t know.” Toby sighed, obviously frustrated. “Garth was much bigger and stronger. He should’ve been chosen.” Jack stood and pulled Toby to his feet. Cupping his lover’s face, he gave his mate a soft kiss. Garth aside, he needed to know why he was changing. “Am I turning into a shifter?” “I don’t know,” Toby said again. “Just like I don’t understand why I can’t shift back to my wolf-skin or why I still hurt at times.” The passage in the journal ran through Jack’s mind once more. “According to your father, the mating can’t be completed unless witnessed. Not that I like the thought of anyone watching, but maybe we aren’t supposed to know what happens after that.” Damn. Jack couldn’t believe what he was even saying. His entire future seemed no longer within his control and yet he wasn’t panicking. Maybe his choice of vocations hadn’t been his own? Jack lifted the pack onto his back and affixed the harness around his waist. “I know this is scary for you, but my primary concern is your safety.” At Toby’s reluctant nod, Jack slowly led Toby down the mountain. As he descended, he began to think about the stories his great grandmother had told him. Why would she have been so adamant about him learning everything she knew about the Beothuk/Newfoundland shifters? By the time they made it to his jeep, Jack was no closer to solving the puzzle. Toby had been overly quiet on the climb down. At first Jack thought it was the rocky slope, but even once they’d reached the bottom, his lover remained tight-lipped. Seated and buckled in, Jack reached out and took Toby’s hand. “What’s wrong?” Toby’s blue eyes gazed into Jack’s. “I’m scared.” Jack unfastened his seatbelt and wrapped Toby in his arms. “I have no idea what to expect in the days ahead, but no matter what, we can get through it together.” “I hope you’re right,” Toby whispered.

Chapter Four

Toby waited while Jack unlocked the door to his apartment. The pain in his stomach was gradually getting worse. By the time they’d pulled up in front of the building where Jack lived, Toby wondered whether he’d be able to walk to the door. The last thing he wanted was to worry his mate, but he no longer seemed to have a choice. He’d gotten by with the being scared comment earlier, but the truth was, he was worried. “Jack,” he panted as another shot of pain seized his midsection. “I think something’s really wrong with me.” Jack paused in the process of unbuckling his seatbelt. “What is it?” “I hurt. It feels like I’m being ripped apart on the inside. I need to mate.” “Hang on.” Jack climbed out of the jeep and went around opening Toby’s door. He cupped Toby’s cheek before moving his hand to Toby’s forehead. “My God, you’re burning up. Put your arms around my neck,” Jack said, unbuckling Toby, and handing him the keys. Toby did as asked, the pain too great to argue. He leaned against Jack’s chest as his mate lifted him out of the jeep and to the door of the apartment. One handed, Jack kept Toby safe against his chest as he took the keys and opened the door. “We need to get you into a cool bath.” Toby had heard his mother refer to her swims in the water as a bath. “You have a stream?” “Huh?” Jack questioned. “Will I bathe in a stream?” Toby asked. “No, the bathtub.” Jack carried Toby through the apartment to a small room. Jack reached down and turned something that made water come out of the wall. Toby gasped. He’d never seen anything like it. The water ran into a small manmade container. “Bathtub?” Toby questioned.

“Yes.” Jack set Toby on a funny looking white rock-type thing and began to undress him as another pain wracked his body. “Hurry,” he panted. His hole had once again begun to ache with the need to be filled. Toby knew the pain wouldn’t stop until he and Jack officially mated. “Do you know anyone you can call upon?” The confused expression on Jack’s face had Toby continuing, though the pain was almost too great to form words. “To witness…mating.” Jack lifted Toby and lowered him into the water. The cool water felt good against his heated skin. “Can you sit up on your own?” Jack asked. Toby nodded, and Jack pulled a piece of cloth from a shelf on the wall. Dunking the cloth in the water, Jack began to run it over Toby’s skin. Toby could tell Jack was concentrating by the way his dark black brows drew together. “Jack?” “I can call my friend Ryker,” Jack mumbled, wetting Toby’s hair. That name. He’d heard that name from his parents on more than one occasion. “Ryker?” “Yeah, he’s probably my only real friend. He loves to hear about my research.” Toby winced, grabbing his stomach. “Get him.” Jack knew it was a conversation he needed to have without Toby present. Once he made sure his lover was okay, he walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone. “It’s about time you called,” Ryker’s deep voice answered on the first ring. “Give me a break,” Jack said. “I’ve only been gone for a day.” “Thirty-seven hours and twenty-three minutes,” Ryker answered. “How is he?” Jack pulled the phone away from his ear. He’d deliberately not talked to Ryker about the wolf he’d discovered five days earlier. “Who’s he?” “We don’t have time for this, Jack. How’s Toby?” Jack felt like his knees had been knocked out from under him. He sagged to a kitchen chair. “In pain.” How the hell did Ryker know Toby’s name? “What’s going on?” “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” Ryker said and hung up.

Jack looked at the phone in his hand. “Someone had better start fucking talking.” He set down the phone and went back into the bathroom. Toby had scooted down in the tub, so his head was practically underwater. Instead of holding his stomach, one of Toby’s hands was on his cock while the other pumped fingers in and out of his ass. Despite his pissed-off mood, the tableau excited Jack. His cock immediately went hard as he scrambled out of his clothes. “I need to fuck you,” he practically growled. Toby opened his eyes and shook his head. “Not yet.” Jack ignored Toby’s words and scooped his lover out of the now-dirty bathwater. He grabbed a towel and quickly dried Toby, wiping off the remnants of filth that still clung to his mate. “No. Now,” Jack demanded, carrying Toby to the bedroom. Jack seemed to be running on pure instinct as he positioned Toby on his hands and knees. He was reaching for a tube of lube when he heard the front door being kicked in. His first thought was The Hunters had found them. Turning to protect his mate, Jack grabbed the baseball bat he kept beside his bed. He raised the Louisville Slugger and stood between the bed and the door. A movement out of the corner of his eye had him growling again. “Stay behind me,” he ordered Toby as his lover climbed off the bed to stand beside him. “It’s him,” Toby whispered. The bedroom door opened and Ryker looked at Jack. “Put that down,” he demanded as Toby dropped to his knees, his arms stretched out in front of him. The bat dropped from Jack’s hand as his entire world turned upside down. “You know him, Toby?” His mate didn’t look up from his reverent position on the floor. “Toby?” Jack knelt to place a hand on his lover’s knobby spine. “He’s not allowed to answer you,” Ryker said. “Why?” Jack turned on his friend. “Who the hell are you to him?” After rolling his eyes, a gesture that seemed a lot more like his old friend, Ryker spread his arms to the side. A faint glow of yellow pulsed from Ryker’s body. “I am The Guardian.” Jack rubbed his eyes. What the hell was happening? He wrapped his arms around his mate, trying to figure out what the fuck was going on. Okay, so not only was his mate a were,

which he already knew, but his best friend was some kind of…what? He’d buried his cock inside the shimmering man in front of him. Instead of feeling like he was in the presence of greatness, Jack was pissed. He’d been lied to for years by the man he considered his best friend. It made him question every conversation he’d ever had with Ryker. “You fucker,” Jack yelled, standing to face the man who’d betrayed him. Beside him, Toby gasped, his body still shaking with apparent pain. Jack didn’t want to air his dirty laundry in front of his mate, but he needed answers. “Why? Why did you befriend and fuck me?” The glow faded as Ryker sighed. “Because I had to be sure you were the one.” “And how many times did you need to be inside my ass to make that determination?” Jack spat. He felt used. No wonder Ryker had made it clear up front that they could never be more than friends. Toby’s yelp brought Jack’s attention away from the tall blond standing over him. “Toby?” Jack dropped to the floor and pulled Toby against him. “Hurts,” Toby cried. Jack closed his eyes, resting his forehead against Toby’s white hair. His issues with his old friend needed to be put on the back burner. The important thing at the moment was taking care of his mate. He glanced up at Ryker. “If you witness our mating, will Toby’s pain stop?” Ryker nodded. “It appears from the healing wound on Toby’s shoulder that you’ve already followed your body’s natural instinct to mate.” Jack ran his fingers over the bite mark. He remembered inflicting it, but until now hadn’t really understood why. “Do I need to bite him again?” Ryker nodded once more. Toby groaned and turned around to present his ass to Jack. “Please. It hurts.” With one last glare directed at Ryker, Jack grabbed the lube from where he’d dropped it earlier. Toby’s hole was already stretched and begging to be filled. Jack applied lube to his fingers, begging his flaccid cock to harden. He’d never been one to perform in front of an audience and his body was refusing to cooperate. Jack turned on Ryker. “Can’t you go into the closet or something?”

With an amused look in his dark blue eyes, Ryker stepped out into the hall and swung the door closed, leaving a small crack to spy through. Jack repositioned Toby so both their backs were toward the witness and bent down to rim the gorgeous ass in front of him. Toby’s scent and taste went a long way in helping Jack relax enough to gain an erection. He replaced his tongue with his lubed fingers and applied the slick substance to his lover’s hole. After greasing his cock, Jack placed the crown at Toby’s entrance. Leaning down, he whispered into Toby’s ear. “Are you ready to fulfill your destiny?” “Yessss,” Toby hissed as Jack slid in to the hilt. With both hands gripping Toby’s hips, Jack began a furious fucking of his mate. He knew there would be plenty of time for wine and roses later. Now, the important thing was ending Toby’s pain. His mate’s body squeezed and milked Jack’s cock as it continued to plunge in and out of its hot sheathe. The tightening of Jack’s balls signaled his imminent orgasm. He shifted his hands from Toby’s hips to his mate’s shoulders. “I’m coming,” Jack cried, sinking his teeth into the flesh of Toby’s shoulder. As the first taste of blood entered his mouth, Jack’s body began to change, most notably his cock. What the fuck? It felt like someone was pumping air into the center of his shaft. Having studied wolves his entire life, he knew it was called knotting, but he was a man for Christ’s sake. Withdrawing his short canine teeth from Toby’s shoulder he tried to look over his shoulder. “Ryker!” he screamed. “What’s happening to me?” he asked as his cock continued to send bursts of semen deep into Toby’s body. He heard the door open and Ryker stepped into view. “Exactly what you knew in your heart would happen.” “I’m becoming a werewolf?” “Not exactly,” Ryker said, taking a seat on the bed. Ryker reached down and ran his fingers over the top of Toby’s head. Jack growled at the intimate touch, but Ryker merely chuckled. “Can you feel it, Toby?” Toby nodded. “He’s draining me.” “No, not draining. Jack’s drawing some of your strength. He’ll manifest that power in different ways than you, because you’ll use your excess power to shift while Jack will never be able to.”

“Tell that to my cock,” Jack croaked. “It’s knotted.” Laughing, Ryker crossed his legs. “Yes, well that’s a one-time deal, so relax.” “Easy for you to say.” Jack maneuvered Toby onto his side. “At least hand us a pillow and a blanket, you pervert.” A pillow was tossed off the bed and onto Jack’s head. “I’m here to help the two of you, not become a maid.” “Fuck off,” Jack said, making Toby gasp once again. Jack covered his mate and tucked the pillow under his head. “Baby, you’re really gonna need to get over this whole Ryker is a holy man thing.” Toby turned his head and gazed at Jack. For the first time since he’d met him, Toby looked mad. “And you need to show him the respect he deserves.” **** With Toby finally asleep in bed, Jack joined Ryker in the kitchen. “Can I get you a beer?” he asked, running his hands over his expanded chest. “Sure,” Ryker answered, sitting at the table. “Will I continue to get bigger?” Jack asked, setting a beer in front of Ryker. “A little. You’ll notice several changes over the next couple of days.” Ryker took a sip of beer and gestured toward Jack. “Um, I’m not sure if going back to the university is a good idea.” “What?” Jack slammed his beer bottle onto the table. “I have a job to finish. I can’t just quit.” He ignored the mess the foaming beer had created and picked the bottle back up for a drink. Ryker sighed. Jack noticed he seemed to be doing that a lot lately. “I was hoping some of your mate’s patience would transfer to you.” Ryker took an envelope out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He slid it across the table. This is all you’ll need to satisfy the university.” Jack studied his old friend for several moments before picking up the envelope. “Have you been playing me since the day we met?” “No.” “Did we meet at that pub in Cambridge by accident?” A lump formed in Jack’s throat. He could tell by the expression on Ryker’s face that it hadn’t been. “You were the one man I believed in.” He stood, dropping the envelope to the table. “I think you should leave.” Ryker set down his bottle. “I know you feel betrayed, but my friendship was real.”

“Was it? And the fucking? Was that really just a test? Because I actually felt something…” Jack pointed toward the door. “Just go.” Jack would almost swear he saw a tear in Ryker’s eye before he turned to go. “We need to leave for Colorado in two days,” Ryker informed him without turning around. The front door shut, and Jack’s hand automatically clenched, shattering the bottle in his hand. Opening his fist, he stared at the blood as it dripped onto the tile below. “Jack?” Toby stood in the doorway, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Jack looked at his mate. The man he was destined to be with until the day he took his last breath. “Go back to bed. I’ll clean this up and join you in a minute.” Toby smiled, the sight both heartwarming and life-altering. “No need. Check it out,” Toby said, pointing to Jack’s hand. Looking down, Jack wiped at the blood. The wound had completely healed. It was yet another reminder that he was no longer completely human. He nodded and tried to give Toby the best smile he could muster. “Amazing isn’t it?” Toby asked. “Yeah,” Jack answered, walking to the sink to wash away the drying blood. “I thought maybe tomorrow we’d get you some new clothes. According to Ryker, we’re leaving for Colorado in two days.” When Toby made no reply, Jack turned around, surprised to see the kitchen empty. He shook his head and dried his hands. He turned off the lights and locked the front door. Jack was relieved when the lock clicked into place. At least Ryker’s grand entrance hadn’t done any permanent damage. He went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Maybe he should shower? After spitting into the sink, he studied himself in the mirror. His body had definitely filled out. The muscles he’d earned walking streams and mountains had been nothing compared to the ones he’d grown just by fucking Toby. Shame immediately overwhelmed him. Turning away from the mirror, he tried to get himself calmed down. Yeah, his life seemed to be spinning out of control, but wasn’t this what he’d always dreamed of? Shit, there was a shifter in his bedroom, a fucking hot shifter who

happened to be his mate. Maybe he wasn’t hopelessly in love with Toby yet, but Jack had no doubt it would happen. “Stop being a fucking baby,” he said, turning around to scold himself in the mirror. “Man up and do what you’re destined to do.” He left the bathroom and peered into the bedroom. Toby lay on top of the covers, still naked. Jack leaned against the threshold and pushed down his sweats. Not surprisingly, his cock was hard as a rock. “Why aren’t you under the covers?” Toby shrugged one, lean shoulder. “I wasn’t sure where you wanted me to sleep,” he mumbled. Crossing the distance, Jack reached under the pillow and pulled down the covers. “With me. It’s where you belong.”

Chapter Five

The drive through the city to the resort Ryker owned had been a test of strength for Toby. He’d been in small towns before, but he’d never seen anything like the Vegas strip. He was caught between wanting to see everything and cowering against his mate. Jack had helped Toby adjust as much as he could by holding his hand and trying to explain his surroundings, but it was all too much for his senses. By the time they reached the towering resort, Toby was shaking like a leaf. He covered his ears as they entered the mountain-sized hotel. The noise was deafening, and his eyes didn’t know what to land on. He slid closer to Jack’s side, trying to shield himself from the commotion of the casino. Jack’s arm wrapped around Toby’s shoulder. “You okay?” With his ears still covered, Toby shook his head. “It hurts my head.” “Shit, I should’ve thought of that,” Ryker said. “Come on. I’ll have them shut the shop doors.” Jack led Toby to a room filled with clothes. Toby couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He’d been to a store before, but nothing like this. Big sparkling glass lights hung from the gold ceiling. The walls were draped in a shiny fabric that looked like fresh cream. “It’s beautiful,” Toby whispered, uncovering his ears as a woman shut the sliding doors behind them. Ryker chuckled. “Thank you.” The Guardian gestured around the store. “Anything you want is yours. The men’s section is in the back.” Toby looked up at his mate. Jack was also in need of clothes. The only thing he found to fit his larger frame was a pair of sweats, which now fit like a second skin, and a football jersey. “Will you help me?” he asked Jack. Jack smiled down at him. “Of course. We’ll get you outfitted before sending you off to the salon.

He didn’t like the thought of leaving Jack. “Why are you sending me off and what’s a salon?” Chuckling, Jack kissed the tip of Toby’s nose. “You’ll be fine. It’s a place right next door. There are people who will wash your hair, brush it and cut the ends.” Toby fingered his hair. The last person to cut his hair had been his mother, using his father’s knife. “Do I look bad?” Jack turned Toby to face him, tilting his chin up. “You’re gorgeous as you are, but a hair trim will help you fit in. The more you fit in, the less likely The Hunters will find you.” Mention of The Hunters firmed Toby’s resolve to do as his mate asked. He looked at The Guardian. “Will you go with me?” The tall blond man smiled. “I can do that.” For the next hour, Toby tried on clothes. Every time he thought he was finished, Ryker brought him another armful. He’d noticed the way Jack continued to scowl at The Guardian as the day went on. Jack had talked to Toby last night at length about his previous relationship with Ryker. For the first time, Toby felt his mate had really opened up to him. Jack told him about his anger towards Ryker as well as the betrayal he felt. Toby did his best to make Jack understand that Ryker wasn’t like other men, and Jack couldn’t expect The Guardian to do and say what other men do. Jack had then turned the tables and tried to convince Toby that Ryker wasn’t someone he needed to be afraid to talk to. It felt weird. The Guardian that his father had taught him to worship was helping him pick out clothes. He wondered which one of them was right: Jack for trying to make Toby understand that Ryker was just like any other man, or Toby trying to make Jack see that the Earth Mother’s son was not like any other human. By the time the sun had come up, Toby thought they’d both come to a sort of compromise. Jack agreed to try and get over his resentment toward his old friend and Toby promised to loosen up around Ryker. When they finished shopping, Ryker led Toby next door. Toby stared up at the handsome blond. “Why do I need so many clothes?” he questioned. He could definitely understand what Jack had seen in Ryker. The thought of Jack and The Guardian having sex still bothered Toby,

but he refused to let it interfere with his relationship with his new mate. Water under the bridge, Jack had told him. Toby sure hoped so. “Because they are my gift to you, and you’ll probably need them once you relocate.” Toby’s feet stopped moving. “Relocate?” Ryker placed a hand on Toby’s back and urged him inside the salon. “We’ve plenty of time to talk about that later. For now, just enjoy being pampered.” Ryker spoke softly to a woman before turning back towards him. “Lila will take care of you.” Panic set in as The Guardian turned to go. “Wait, where are you going?” Ryker grinned. “I’ll be right back. I want to pick something special out for you to wear after your finished here.” Ryker gave Toby a wink. “You’ll knock Jack on his ass by the time we’re through.” Confused, Toby tilted his head to the side as Ryker left the room. He had no intentions of fighting his mate. “If you’ll follow me, sir,” the woman said, stepping up to his side. Toby followed the woman unsure of what was in store. He wanted to look his best for Jack, but never had he felt so out of place. He didn’t belong here and he knew it. Looking around the room at the stares he was receiving, everyone else knew it too. **** While Toby got pampered, Jack resigned his teaching position. Ryker had been right. The letter he’d handed the dean of his department went a long way in helping Jack bow out gracefully. As he drove back to the resort, Jack wondered how Ryker had managed to get a letter from the Canadian Prime Minister, and what special assignment did the premiere have for Jack? He pulled into the circular drive in front of the casino doors and handed the keys off to a valet. Jack hoped the tailor had enough time to alter the suit he’d picked out. Ryker had insisted they show Toby what fine dining was all about, and Jack didn’t want to be the only one in the restaurant not in a suit. He glanced down at his new clothes. The jeans fit well enough, though they were a little tight in the groin and thigh area, but along with his muscles, his cock had grown, too. Jack grinned. That was one thing he wasn’t going to complain about. Striding to the bank of elevators, he pushed the button for the penthouse floor. A couple boarded with him, and Jack stepped to the side of the luxurious car. He couldn’t help but notice

the woman staring at him. Jack blushed and tried to avoid eye contact. That particular reaction had happened to him a lot that day. He never realized how attracted women were to a muscular man, not that he cared about gaining female attention. The elevator stopped midway up and the couple stepped off, the woman taking one last look over her shoulder. Jack smiled and nodded his head politely. What he needed was on the top floor. He’d come to that conclusion earlier that morning. He may not be madly in love with his mate yet, but he was quickly developing strong feelings for the small were. It was impossible to be around Toby for any length of time without being charmed by his gentle disposition. And the sex? Damn. Jack knew it didn’t get any better than what the two of them had together. The doors slid open and Jack stepped into the hall. He’d been to Ryker’s apartment enough over the years that it felt like a second home to him. Jack knocked on the door, wondering how much of Toby’s white hair his mate had let them cut. Ryker opened the door mid-laugh. “Hey,” Ryker greeted, turning back toward the object of his amusement. “She was only trying to give you a massage,” Ryker chuckled. “Well I didn’t like it,” a familiar voice growled. Jack stepped inside and shut the door. Entering the expansive living room, he got his first look at Toby. Jack’s mouth went dry at the vision of beauty before him. Although gorgeous before, Jack knew nothing and no one could compare to his mate now. Toby’s white hair hung like silk to just past his shoulders. The exquisite cut of the charcoal grey suit showed Toby’s every attribute to perfection. Without a word of greeting, Jack stalked toward his mate and lifted him off the floor and into his embrace. He sealed their mouths together, thrusting his tongue deep. Toby moaned and wrapped his legs around Jack’s waist. Jack used the new position to his advantage and kneaded his lover’s tight little ass through the fine fabric of the new suit. A throat cleared behind him, but Jack refused to acknowledge Ryker for several moments. He needed this and he wouldn’t be denied. His world was changing and he longed for something solid to hold on to. At the moment, Toby’s ass seemed to be the right choice. “Jack,” Ryker called. Without putting Toby down, Jack pulled out of the kiss and glanced over his shoulder. “What?” Ryker chuckled. “I take it you approve.”

Jack growled, the sound becoming more animalistic as the hours passed. Ryker rolled his eyes and walked away. Jack returned his attention to his mate. “You take my breath away,” he whispered. Toby smiled. “I was afraid they cut too much of my hair, but I like the way it feels.” Jack’s eyes scanned the white strands of silk. “It’s perfect.” Rimming Toby’s lips with the tip of his tongue, Jack groaned. “I need you.” Toby’s darker blond brows shot up. “We’re supposed to go to dinner.” Jack slid his fingers over the crease of Toby’s ass, rubbing hardest at the inviting hole he knew was buried under two layers of fabric. Toby’s back bowed at the intimate touch. Looking over Jack’s shoulder Toby cleared his throat. “How long before dinner?” he asked Ryker. “Thirty minutes, and Jack still needs to change,” Ryker answered. Jack didn’t hesitate as he carried his mate toward the bathroom. “Hang my suit on the doorknob. This won’t take long.” Toby shrugged out of his jacket and dropped it to a chair as they passed. Next, his mate started on Jack’s shirt, pulling the tight garment over Jack’s head as they entered the bathroom. Setting his lover onto his feet, Jack removed the rest of his clothes. “Naked. Now.” Laughing, Toby began unbuttoning his shirt. A loud knock on the door surprised them both. “Not now,” Jack yelled. “Lube?” Ryker laughed. With a frustrated groan, Jack pushed down his jeans and underwear. “Hang on.” He made sure Toby’s beautifully naked body wouldn’t be seen before he opened the door a crack. “Thanks,” he said, grabbing the bottle and shutting the door in Ryker’s smiling face. Jack looked around the small room. The sink area was too small to try and balance his mate while driving into him. The toilet would have to suffice, but it would put Toby into the driver’s seat, and that wouldn’t do at the moment. Jack wanted to be the one in charge of drilling Toby’s hole. That left the wall. With a predatory smile, Jack slicked his cock with the lube and stalked toward his prey. With his hair slightly mussed from the quick undressing, Toby looked good enough to eat, or fuck as the case may be. Jack easily lifted the small man into his arms. Bracing Toby’s back against the wall, he positioned his cock and drove in. He wasn’t sure if it was still the

mating-fever or the fact they’d fucked all night, but Toby’s hole was open enough to accommodate his now bigger size. Jack pulled out and plunged back inside. “Fuck, you feel good,” he groaned. He transferred his hands to Toby’s ass cheeks. With his superior strength, Jack easily lifted the smaller man up and down on his cock. The pleasure was too great to be gentle with his mate. Jack grabbed a handful of white silk and pulled Toby’s head back, exposing the slender column of his lover’s neck. Scraping the tender skin with his teeth, Jack moaned. “You are mine. Mine to fuck, protect and love.” **** All eyes were on the trio as they strode through the restaurant. Ryker nodded to several acquaintances as Jack kept a proprietary hand on Toby’s back. Toby looked up at his mate, proud to be with the tall, broad man. Too many muscles looked silly on some men, but Jack wore his new physique well. He wondered if he should mention to his lover that his eyes were beginning to change color. Jack hadn’t seemed to notice yet, but the deep brown was slowly changing to dark blue. Toby knew it would happen. All Alphas had what they called true-blue eyes. It was the mark of the Earth Mother’s blessing. They arrived at their table and Jack pulled out Toby’s chair. Sitting, Toby looked out the wall of glass to the bright lights of the city below. Away from the milling crowd, Toby saw the beauty of such a place for the first time. The lights reminded him of the stars above his home in the mountains. After asking the waiter to bring him a glass of water, Toby let his eyes roam the room. He made eye contact with several people. It was in his nature to stare back at them until they looked away. Even though Jack was the biggest of the pair, Toby refused to lower his eyes to the man who challenged him. He may not be Alpha by nature, but he was still a Royal Alpha by birth. The physical Alpha traits had been passed to Jack by their mating, but Toby still had the white hair and blue eyes which marked him Alpha by others of his species. A low growl rumbled in his chest and he rose, intent on meeting the man’s challenge. “Toby?” Jack said, reaching for Toby’s hand. Without looking away from the stranger across the room, Toby squeezed his mate’s hand. “That man is challenging me,” he pointed toward the offending human.

“No, baby, he’s not. Sit down.” “He will not look away,” Toby answered. “That’s because he’s never seen such a stunning man in his life. It’s a compliment in my world.” A waiter at the stranger’s table took the man’s attention away from Toby. With the issued challenge dropped, Toby took his seat once again. A comforting hand reached over to land on Toby’s thigh. Toby looked up at his mate. “Sorry if I embarrassed you.” “No need to apologize. If he’d made a step towards you, I’d have torn him to shreds.” Toby threaded his fingers through Jack’s, still keeping an eye on the man across the room. “I’m hungry.” Ryker chuckled and signaled for their waiter. Ryker leaned forward. “Tell him you’d like your steak rare.” “Rare?” Toby questioned. “Yes. Rare means they won’t cook the meat very much. I assume you’d rather have it that way.” Toby nodded. When the waiter stepped up to the table, Toby spoke first. “Exactly how uncooked can I get a steak?” “We’ll wave it lightly over the flames for you, sir,” the waiter said with a smile. “Perfect. Bring me two of those.” He closed his menu and handed it to the waiter. “Would you like anything else with that, sir? Some fresh steamed vegetables by chance?” Toby curled his lip. “No, thank you, just the meat.” Surprisingly, Jack ordered the exact same thing. Toby smiled to himself. He wondered whether his mate would still be able to stomach the dried up salty jerky he’d eaten only a few days earlier. Somehow he doubted it. Toby studied the city below. He was happy he’d only be in Las Vegas for another day. Not that he was looking forward to going to Colorado. The thought of meeting up with his brother worried him. Physically, Toby knew he was no match for Garth and, by the time he’d left the canyon, his brother had hated him. “Why do we need to find the Colorado pack?” he questioned.

“Because it’s time we moved forward in reuniting the were population,” Ryker answered, taking a sip of his red wine. Were population? To Toby’s knowledge only the Beothuk’s had been granted the gift of shifting from the Earth Mother. “How many others besides the Beothuk’s?” he asked. “Twelve in all, wolves, coyotes, almost every species of big cat is represented. Mother determined that any civilization asking for help would get it, provided they were a worthy group of people.” Ryker gazed out the window. “In all the years of granting the gift of shifting, Mother’s only had to pull back the powers of one group, but that was long before the Beothuk’s asked for her help.” Toby could tell there was more to the story, but it was Jack who continued to push for answers. “Why?” Jack asked. “Because they abused the gift Mother had bestowed,” Ryker simply answered, saying no more. “What happened to them?” Toby dared to ask. “They were cursed to forever live the lives of the very men they sought refuge from.” “Huh?” Jack asked. Toby smiled, because he didn’t understand Ryker’s cryptic statement either. “The shifters were cursed to forever live as man. Mom thought she was taking away their shifting powers, but what she actually did in her haste.” Ryker quickly looked up. “Sorry, Mother,” he apologized. “Was to give them eternal lives, but as men without the ability to shift.” “The Hunters?” Toby asked. “Yes.” Ryker ran his hands through his blond hair, becoming increasingly agitated. “It was the only mistake my Mother ever made. She was angry when she issued the curse, not realizing her magic was too strong to be undone. When The Hunters began to pray on the shifters there was nothing she could do about it.” Ryker picked up his glass and sipped his wine. “That’s why she created me.” Toby squeezed Jack’s hand. The sorrow in The Guardian’s blue eyes had tears springing to his own. “Why are they killing us?” Ryker shrugged, blinking away the moisture. “I’m not sure. Jealousy, I think.” Ryker reached across the table and put a hand on Toby’s arm. “I’m sorry they killed your parents.”

The waiter stepped to the table bearing three plates loaded with delicious smelling meat. Toby wiped at his eyes as his steaks were set down in front of him. “Thank you,” he told the young man. After the waiter left, Toby reached down to pick up his steak, but stopped when his mate cleared his throat. Jack smiled and held up a knife and fork. “Like this,” Jack explained as he cut the meat into pieces. Toby nodded and tried to emulate his lover. He ended up with a mess on his plate. The smell of the blood threatened his control as he became exasperated. Without a word, Jack reached over and switched plates with Toby, giving him a dish of expertly carved cubes of rare meat. Toby leaned up and placed a kiss on Jack’s square jaw. “Thank you.” Jack winked and cut the mess Toby had made of his steak. He appreciated what Ryker tried to do by bringing him to the fancy restaurant, but Toby knew he’d never fit in with polite society, no matter how much he practiced. As he sank his teeth into his first bite of steak, Toby closed his eyes and moaned. “It’s been too long since I’ve had red meat.” Jack’s knee rubbed against Toby’s. “Careful, or we’ll have to take another trip to the bathroom.” When Toby questioned his lover with a tilt of his head, his hand was forced to the front of Jack’s slacks. The hardness he groped openly was enough to elevate his own cock. “I think I like that idea.” Jack chuckled. “You can wait. Fucking in front of Ryker was bad enough, but I’m not interested in giving every patron who strolls into the restroom the same show.” Toby gave the head of Jack’s cock one last squeeze before moving his hand back to his own lap. He kneaded the erection trapped behind his zipper and moaned again. “You’d better get my mind off you quick, or I’m going to make a spectacle of myself,” Toby warned. “Tell me about Garth,” Ryker said. Bingo.

Chapter Six

By the time they finished dinner and arrived back at Jack’s apartment, Toby was restless. Earlier in the day he’d discovered, quite by accident, he had the ability to shift. He’d been in the guest bedroom at Ryker’s, getting ready to change into his new suit. Naked in the room, he took a few moments to enjoy being once again free of restricting garments. The shift had been swift and almost without thought. He’d whined at the door of the bedroom, begging to be let out and run. Ryker had opened the door and chuckled. “And just what do you think you’re doing? You know we have special plans this evening.” With a moan of frustration, he shifted back to his man-skin. It wasn’t until he noticed Ryker’s eyes taking in his body that he realized he was still nude. Toby had quickly turned around and told Ryker to get out. The Guardian left easily enough with only a chuckle in response. Toby continued to pace Jack’s small apartment, longing to stretch his legs. A strong set of arms encircled him from behind, moments before a soft set of lips kissed his neck. “Ready for bed?” Even though they were now a mated Alpha pair, Toby found it hard to tell Jack what he really needed. He remembered his mother often standing up to his father, even though his father was almost twice her size. “Never back down if you think you’re right,” she’d told the young Toby. Hoping his mother knew what she’d been talking about, Toby turned in Jack’s arms to look up at his mate. “I need to shift.” “I know, baby, and hopefully someday soon it’ll happen again. Until then, the best I can do is wear you out in the bedroom.” Toby suddenly felt guilty for not telling Jack earlier about his newly rediscovered ability. “I can shift. I did it this afternoon.”

Jack’s face lit up, surprising Toby. “You can? That’s wonderful, baby. Why didn’t you tell me?” Toby smiled and shook his head. “It wasn’t on purpose. It’s just that you came into Ryker’s house and you looked at me like you did and well, I forgot. But now I need to run.” Jack nodded slowly and looked around his apartment. “I guess it would’ve helped if I’d gotten a house with a yard, huh?” Toby chuckled. “I’m not a dog, Jack. When I say I need to run, it means I need to run miles, not feet.” “Oh,” Jack’s replied, his cheeks turning red. “Okay, well I guess we need to take a little drive out of the city, then.” Toby nodded his head enthusiastically and went to stand beside the door. “Uh, you think maybe we should change our clothes first?” Jack laughed. Toby looked down at his new suit. “Okay.” He took off his clothes where he stood. “Do you know which sacks are mine?” he asked, looking around at the dozen or so bags of new clothes. Licking his lips as he watched Toby undress, Jack pointed toward one of the shopping bags. “I think that’s one of yours.” Dropping his last item of clothing onto the floor, Toby ran a hand over his hardening cock. “The longer we take to leave, the later we get to bed,” he reminded Jack. Jack dropped his pants and stepped out of them. He stalked his way toward Toby with heat in his eyes. “Surely you can’t run with that thing,” Jack said, pointing toward Toby’s erection. “If you’d stop looking at me it would go down,” Toby replied, digging out a pair of shorts. “You’re kidding, right?” Toby pulled on his shorts and tucked his hard length inside. There was a big part of him that wanted to forget the run and bend over, but the other part longed to run free in his wolf-skin. It had been too long since he’d connected to the land that he loved and worshipped. He may be able to think of Mother Earth while in his human-skin, but he felt her when he wore his wolfskin.

“Please? It won’t take long. An hour to run is all I’m asking for. Then I’m yours for the rest of the night.” Jack reached into one of the bags. “I’ll take you out for a run, but you’re mine forever, not just the night.” Toby smiled. Jack became more and more possessive. He knew it was the wolf traits Jack had acquired during the mating, but it still made him feel good. The word love had not been spoken between them, and Toby knew it would take awhile for Jack to realize it. He had no doubt their bond was one of love and not just lust. Mother Earth may have chosen the two of them to share the Alpha roles, but it was their hearts that would make them a family. **** Jack stopped the jeep on the side of a dirt road which led into the desert. They were far enough from the city to let his mate stretch his legs, but that brought with it another set of worries. “Are you sure this is safe?” he asked Toby. Stripping out of his shorts, Toby glanced up. “Huh? Why wouldn’t it be?” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. He looked around the dark landscape and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve got a weird feeling.” A gloriously naked Toby stepped up to him. “I’ll be fine. I’ve done this my entire life.” He stretched up to give Jack a short, but deep kiss. Jack took advantage of their position to pull Toby into his arms. He wished he knew what bugged him. Maybe they’d gone too far out of the city, or maybe not far enough? “Why don’t I take you somewhere else?” Toby chuckled. “And then what, you’ll take me somewhere else?” Toby shook his head. “This is fine. Give me an hour.” Jack’s keen eyesight studied the face of his mate in the dark surroundings. He knew his instincts should be listened to, there was a reason he’d been granted them. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go out there. Something’s just not right.” Toby pulled out of Jack’s arms, eyes blazing. “You are not my Alpha. We’re a team, an equal team. I’ve done the things you wanted. I cut my hair. I ate in your city. I’m forced to wear clothes.” Toby turned his back. “You don’t understand how much I need this. I’m sorry, but I have to do it.”

Before Jack had a chance to stop him, Toby shifted and ran into the desert. “Shit!” Although he was no match for Toby’s speed, Jack took off after his mate. “Toby!” he yelled, following his mate up the first rise. The magnificent snow-white wolf disappeared up the mountain before Jack could reach him. Panic set in. Standing on a large boulder, Jack scanned the horizon. A set of headlights creeping down the seldom-used road caught his attention. Hunters? About a mile from his jeep, the headlights switched off, proving whoever it was didn’t want to be seen. Flipping his phone open, he searched for a signal. “Fuck.” He shoved the worthless piece of shit back into his pocket. Gazing up the mountain, he tried to concentrate on his mate. He didn’t dare call for Toby, knowing the sound of his voice would bounce off the rocks and straight to whoever was in the darkened car. Come on, baby, enough fun. There’s someone here. He watched the car stop. Jack’s stomach turned as he desperately tried to connect with his mate. Toby! Danger! Without a weapon, he was powerless to do anything from a distance. If he was going to protect his mate, it would be in face to face confrontation. Jack’s hands fisted. His newly obtained strength coursed through his blood. “Okay, let’s do this.” Making a wide arc around the vehicle, Jack ran as fast as he could. Getting the jump on The Hunters wouldn’t be easy. They hadn’t lived this long by being careless. Almost to the car, he stopped in his tracks. Fuck. He had no idea how to kill the sonofabitches. If he and Toby managed to get out of this mess alive, he would kill Ryker. Jack searched the ground and came up with a rock large enough to do some major cranial damage. He measured the weight of the stone in his hand. He may not be able to kill the monsters, but he could sure as hell slow them down. He crept toward the car on the balls of his feet. The fact that no one had exited the older model vehicle told him they lay in wait, and he’d be damned if he let them get the jump on Toby. Sliding around the rear bumper toward the open driver’s side window, Jack firmed his grip on the rock. If The Hunters had weapons, he knew he’d only get one shot. Scaling back his arm, he prepared to stand, when he heard a loud female moan. What the fuck?

As he got to his feet, it took him a moment to register what he saw. A hairy white ass bobbed up and down in the backseat. Jack closed his eyes in relief. Before he could step away from the car and give the young couple their privacy, a white wolf stuck his head in the passenger window, growling. The guy in the backseat’s head popped up. “Oh fuck!” the man screamed. “Toby,” Jack said, calling the wolf off. The wolf looked at him, his head cocked to the side. “Let’s go,” Jack glanced back in the window, dropping the rock to the road. “Sorry about that. Thought you were somebody else.” He turned and ran in the direction of the jeep. “Toby, let’s go,” he repeated. Streaking past him, Toby reached the jeep first. By the time Jack got there, Toby had already shifted and was pulling on his shorts. “What’s going on? You scared me to death,” Toby panted, climbing into the vehicle. Jack ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t know whether to be pissed or relieved. An engine revved behind them as the black sedan made a U-turn and took off in a spray of dirt. “Dammit!” Jack slammed his fist on the jeep’s hardtop he’d yet to take off. He slid behind the wheel and started the engine. “We need to get out of town.” Toby sat up straight and looked around. “Why? Who were those people?” Jack shook his head. “Just a couple of lovebirds. But thanks to my overreaction, you shifting right in front of them and your toothy growl, they’re probably calling the police as we speak.” “I made sure I couldn’t be seen when I shifted, Jack. I’m not that stupid.” “Sorry,” Jack mumbled. “Do you think the police will find us?” Toby asked, sitting up straighter. “Doesn’t matter. All it takes is a story on the nightly news about a white wolf being spotted in the area and The Hunters will be all over this town, if they aren’t already.” Jack turned the jeep and drove toward home. “Ryker was planning to leave tomorrow anyway. We’ll just have to move it up a few hours.” A thin dirty hand landed on Jack’s thigh. He glanced over at Toby. “I’m sorry I worried you,” Toby whispered. “I just needed…”

Jack reached down and squeezed Toby’s hand. “I know, babe. Just scared me. Something didn’t feel right, and when I saw the car pull to a stop…” Jack lifted Toby’s hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the back. “Well, I panicked.” Toby cupped Jack’s face. No words were spoken, but Jack knew his lover was worried about him. Hell, he was worried about himself. What good were added strength, size and eyesight? He needed to talk to Ryker, get some answers and get over whatever the hell bothered him. Something kept tickling the back of his mind, but he couldn’t figure out what. “We’ll stop by the apartment, pack our clothes and go to the hotel,” Jack said, making lists of everything that he’d need to do in the coming weeks. He couldn’t keep his apartment, but what was he supposed to do with his stuff? Jack wondered if Ryker had a safe place in mind for them to live. What in the hell was he going to do for money? He thought back to the letter he’d given the dean of his department. Would he really be working for the Canadian government? He made a mental note to grab his passport when he got home. “Do you have a passport?” he asked without thinking the question through. Toby started laughing. Jack felt his face flush in embarrassment. “Sorry, of course you don’t.” “I’ll shift and cross through the trees,” Toby explained as they pulled into the parking lot of Jack’s apartment building. Jack met Toby at the front door. “Okay, in and out as fast as we can. I’ll call Ryker and tell him we’re coming.” “I’ll call him,” Toby offered. “Everything I own is in sacks already. You go pack.” Jack looked into his mate’s blue eyes. What did you pack with the thought of never coming back in mind? His life would never be the same. **** With Toby freshly showered and sleeping in Ryker’s guest room, Jack took a sip of whiskey. “I need some answers,” he told Ryker. Ryker finished off his own drink and set the empty glass on the coffee table. “If I can.” “How do you kill a Hunter?” Ryker’s eyes rounded. “Well, by all means, let’s cut to the chase.”

Jack set the heavy highball glass onto the table and leaned forward. He wasn’t sure how to put his feelings into words. He hated to come off like some whiney bitch, but the puzzling man in front of him talked around The Hunters instead of giving him facts. “Earlier, when I thought that car out in the desert was full of Hunters, I realized I didn’t have a clue how to kill them. What if it had been them? I wasn’t armed. I picked up a rock and planned to bash some brains.” Jack shook his head. “I need to know how to protect my mate.” Ryker stood and picked up the two empty glasses. Carrying them to the bar, he refilled his, swallowed the contents and filled it again. “I don’t know,” he mumbled with his back to Jack. Shocked, Jack jumped up and crossed the room. “What do you mean you don’t know?” Ryker handed Jack another drink. “If I knew how to kill them, they’d already be dead.” “What about the Earth Mother? Does she know?” Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How did protect Toby? While Jack sat there, Ryker downed two more glasses of the strong liquor. Jack had never seen his longtime friend drink like that. “Ryker?” Forgetting the glass, Ryker picked up the bottle and finished off the whiskey. He stumbled toward Jack and fell beside him. “What do you know about your great-grandparents?” Ryker slurred. Jack’s heart skipped a beat. Could his heritage be the key? “Not much. My greatgrandfather died long before I was even born. My great-grandmother passed away when I was around nine.” Jack squeezed his eyes shut. Was he a pawn of some kind? “Why? What do they have to do with this?” Ryker reached over and stroked a finger against the back of Jack’s hand. “I do love you, you know.” Jack’s other hand captured Ryker’s wandering fingers. “Ryker, keep on track. What do my grandparents have to do with this?” “William Fenton, your great-grandfather, was a Hunter. He broke from his pack when he fell in love with your great-grandmother. They killed him for it.”

Jack was shocked. He tried to think back on the stories his great-grandmother had told him about her husband. “No, that can’t be. He was killed in a fight, stabbed in some kind of brawl in the local pub. Hell, I still have the knife.” Ryker seemed to sober immediately. “You have the knife? Where?” “In my jeep. It’s in a box with all my family mementos that I packed before leaving my apartment. Why?” Jack still refused to believe his sweet great-grandmother could’ve loved a Hunter. He was sure Ryker had his facts wrong. “Can you go get it?” Ryker asked. “Why? What do you need it for?” Ryker scooted closer, looking at Jack as if he were a mere child. “The knife killed William Fenton.” And Ryker believed William Fenton was a Hunter. “Shit! You think the knife can be used to kill the other Hunters.” Jack shook his head. The thought of getting close enough to one of those monsters to stab them was unimaginable. He knew given the right situation he would kill to keep his mate safe, he’d proved it to himself earlier that night, but… “I don’t know that I can stab someone. Besides, the knife isn’t that big. Great-grandma thought it was the reason my great-grandfather made it home before he died.” Jack thought of the antique eight-inch knife packed away in a handmade wool sleeve in his memory box. How many times had he taken it out to look at it? Jack shook his head. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around what Ryker was telling him. Some of the bedtime stories his great-grandmother had told him flashed through Jack’s mind. He’d always thought she’d made them up, but maybe she had already begun to teach him. “There’s something else,” he confessed. Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “What?” “A journal.”

Chapter Seven

Jack eased into bed and snuggled against Toby’s warmth. He still couldn’t believe he’d given his two most prized possessions to Ryker. It hadn’t mattered that he couldn’t read his great-grandfather’s journal. It was still part of his family history. He’d tried to decipher the pictographs many times with no luck. His great-grandmother was adamant that he never share the journal with anyone outside of the family. Now he’d done it, and Jack was nervous. Ryker hadn’t seemed surprised the knife was made of pure silver, which told Jack his friend knew more about it than he’d let on. He decided he’d give Ryker a few hours to confer with the Earth Mother before he asked more questions. “You okay?” Toby asked. “I don’t know, maybe,” Jack mumbled, wrapping Toby tighter against him. Toby lapped his warm tongue against Jack’s neck. “I’m afraid to see Garth,” he confessed. Jack wondered if that was the reason Toby had seemed on-edge. “I take it the two of you don’t get along.” “He hates me. I think he would’ve killed me eventually. I know I told you that he left, but it wasn’t his choice.” Jack’s natural protective instincts rose to the surface. “Did he do something?” Toby shrugged. “Little things. Pushing me down embankments, trying to force me to eat poison berries.” Toby rubbed his face against Jack’s neck. “My father drove him away before he tried to officially challenge me.” “Can Garth do that? Challenge you, I mean.” The small stature of his mate both in his wolf form and in human wouldn’t bode well for Toby’s success in such a duel.” Toby pulled away and sat up, his hand running through the short black hair on Jack’s chest. “That’s why I’m scared. Because we are tied in the eyes of the Earth Mother, if he issues a

challenge, either you or I can accept. I know you. You’d accept in order to protect me, but it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Garth would challenge in his wolf-skin.” And I wouldn’t be able to fight back as a wolf. He understood what Toby was afraid of, but Jack knew he’d been given this gift for a reason. “I’m sure Garth’s challenge won’t be the only one we have to deal with in our lives.” He felt the slight tremble of his lover’s fingers against his skin. “Hey,” Jack said, getting Toby’s full attention. “At least I’ve been blessed with quick healing.” “Don’t joke,” Toby whispered. “I just don’t know why we even have to find the Colorado pack.” “Because it’s important for us to gather as many were as we can. Ryker’s been telling me about a place he’s been working on with the Canadian government. It’ll be a real home where you don’t have to hide who you are.” “How is that even possible? No matter what, people will eventually find out about us,” Toby questioned. “How does three-thousand kilometers of wilderness strike you? Ryker’s been building his wealth for a hundred years in preparation for this.” “It just takes one Hunter,” Toby answered. Pulling his lover back into his arms, Jack gave Toby a kiss. “Ryker thinks maybe he’s found a clue as to how to kill The Hunters.” Without waiting for Toby to ask further questions, Jack continued. “My great-grandfather had a journal, one that I could never decipher and had promised my great-grandmother to never share with anyone. I figured it was a personal account of their lives together, but Ryker seems to think it might hold the key to The Hunters.” “And Ryker thinks he can read it?” Toby asked. “No, but Ryker thinks he knows someone who can. Evidently it’s written in Native American pictographs. My great-grandfather, as well as the other Hunters came from a village called Aquascogoc.” “Where’s that?” “All Ryker would tell me was that the village was burned by the first colonists that came over from England to settle Roanoke, a small island off the coast of Virginia.” Jack shook his head. “There are plenty of theories about The Lost Colony of Roanoke, it can’t be a coincidence.”

Toby tugged on Jack’s shoulders. “Come closer,” he begged. Jack rolled on top of his mate. Gazing down into Toby’s face, he realized how deep his feelings were becoming. He’d die a thousand times before he’d let anything happen to this man. “We need to get some sleep,” he admonished his lover as Toby’s legs wrapped around him. “Ryker’s flying the three of us out to Durango in his private jet. We’re supposed to be at the airport by seven, so we can get an early start up the mountain.” “Some things are more important than sleep,” Toby reminded him. Grinning, Jack lowered his head to take his mate’s mouth in a deep kiss. Yeah, Toby was right. There were more important things than sleep. **** Toby sat in his wide leather seat with his hands gripping the armrests. He didn’t like this. Not one bit. He’d heard of planes from his father as they passed overhead, but Toby never dreamed he’d actually be flying in one. When the ride became bumpy, he gasped. “It’s okay,” Jack said, taking his hand from the keyboard and covering Toby’s. “Just a little turbulence.” Toby gave him the best smile he could muster. “Okay.” Seemingly satisfied, Jack went back to the research as his mate had called it. The small black box fascinated Toby. Jack had shown him what it could do. Although he didn’t begrudge his parents for the way he’d been raised, Toby questioned whether he’d ever fit into a society, even one made up of other shifters. He studied Jack’s face as his lover worked on the computer. “Your eyes are becoming so blue,” he murmured. Those navy blue eyes flashed his way. “That’s because you’re bringing out the animal in me,” Jack joked. Remembering their lovemaking the previous night, Toby blushed. Mating with Jack was more than instinct; it was the only thing which made him smile lately. His life was changing so quickly he needed Jack’s strength to ground him. “What’re you working on?” Toby asked, making idle conversation. “A little family history,” Jack replied. “I downloaded an article on Roanoke before we left.”

“Downloaded?” Sometimes, Toby questioned whether he and Jack spoke the same language. Jack leaned over and placed a kiss on Toby’s forehead. “Sorry, babe. I looked Roanoke up on the Internet before we left the hotel. Remember I showed you the Internet?” “Yeah.” “Well, I took that information and put it here on my computer.” “Oh,” Toby said and rested his head against Jack’s shoulder. “So did you learn anything?” “It says in this article that the Native American village of Aquascogoc was burned by the English colonists over a silver cup they believed the Natives had stolen.” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Is that knife made from a melted down cup?” Ryker shook his head. “It wasn’t a cup that was stolen. That’s what the colonist who started it claimed, but it was this dagger. However, neither rendition of the story is the truth.” Jack’s gaze went to Ryker. It was then that Toby noticed the way Ryker held the knife in his hand, not in a threatening way, but as if he was guarding it with his life. Evidently, Jack noticed, too. “This belonged to the tribal leader of the Aquascogoc village. One of the colonists happened to see it and wanted it. He went back to his captain and claimed the Natives had stolen something from him. Instead of mentioning the dagger, the man claimed it was a silver cup. The colonists burned the village along with the tribal leader.” Ryker held the aging blade to the light. “A few of the Natives survived the attack, and hid the knife from the invading colonists. They asked Mother for help.” Ryker slid the dagger back into the homemade sheathe. “They were the first shifters.” Toby was fascinated by the story. He leaned forward in his seat. “Then what happened?” “The wolves retreated to the hills and waited, honing their skills, hoping for the moment they could seek revenge. When they saw the big ship disappear, they thought they’d lost their chance. They went to the Roanoke Colony and discovered the boat captain had left a small crew behind. The shifters tortured and killed them before making a feast of their bones.” Jack reached over and tapped Toby on the jaw. It was then Toby noticed it had been hanging open. “That’s what made the Earth Mother angry enough to curse them,” Toby whispered.

“Yes, Mother was so appalled at what they’d done, she cursed the wolf half of their souls, taking away their ability to shift. She hadn’t realized they would forever be trapped in torment.” Ryker looked at Toby. “You know how it feels when you need to shift but can’t? Imagine living hundreds of years with that craving and not being able to do anything about it.” Toby couldn’t. The few days before and after his mating had been miserable. Although he still hated the Hunters, he understood how they had become bloodthirsty. “The Hunters must really hate that Earth Mother gave the gift of shifting to others while they lived in torture,” Toby said. “They do. They’ve made it their life’s work to punish Mother by murdering her children. They believe my death will bring about the release of the curse. Since they can’t find me, they’re killing the shifters in hopes of drawing me out.” Toby decided to ask the question that had bothered him since his parents’ death. “How did the Hunters figure out how to kill us?” Ryker sighed. “Trial and error. They managed to capture a group of shifters. The Hunters kept them caged for many years as they systematically tortured them, trying to figure out how to destroy them. The skinning of the shifters is more ceremonial than anything. It’s the Hunters way of stripping them of the changing flesh Mother granted them with.” Toby swallowed around the lump in his throat. “So how exactly did they kill my parents?” “Well, it’s different for every species. For the shifters they’d been experimenting on, it was European disease. The Hunters systematically determined the original threat that had made the Native Americans ask Mother for help. For your parents, it was soil from Newfoundland.” “Huh? How can dirt kill someone?” Toby questioned. “The European colonists wanted that land. It was the reason they began killing your people in the first place. I paid a lot of money to get my hands on your parents’ autopsy reports. Their stomachs contained dirt. I was able to obtain a sample and found the dirt traced back to Newfoundland.” “Fuck,” Jack spat. “But how did it get into their stomachs?” Toby asked. He couldn’t imagine anyone making his Alpha father eat dirt.

“I don’t know. They may have been forced to drink dirty water. I’m sorry, Toby. I just don’t have all the answers. But I do know, if one race of shifters can be killed by the flu and another killed by dirt, it stands to reason The Hunters can die the same way—with that which had them asking for help in the first place,” Ryker said, holding up the knife. “So the dagger is the only way to kill them,” Jack sighed. “Yes, and I think The Hunters figured that out when your great-grandfather, William, was killed.” “So why didn’t they come after the dagger if they knew I had it? Hell, for that matter, why didn’t you ask me for it before now?” “I think they did come after it, but not right away.” “When? Wouldn’t my grandmother have told me?” Jack asked. Ryker shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Goddamnit, what do you know that you aren’t telling me?” Jack prodded, his body tensing beside Toby. Ryker sighed. “The Hunters killed your parents in an effort to force your greatgrandmother to give them back the dagger. Mother was too late to stop it, but she placed a blessing on you and the knife. The same blessing she put on me.” Ryker stared at Jack and shook his head. “They can’t see us or the knife.” Toby’s jaw dropped. If Earth Mother had the power to do that… “Why hasn’t she given all the shifters that blessing?” he asked. A cloud of despair passed over Ryker’s face. “Because the blessings required a lot of her energy. Look around you. Our planet is slowly dying. Mother no longer has the energy to counteract what man is doing to it.” “So I can kill The Hunters without ever being seen,” Jack surmised. “Yes.” “I still don’t know that I can stab someone,” Jack continued. Tucking the sheathed knife into his briefcase, Ryker retrieved a file and handed it to Jack. “I spoke to Mother and explained your worries. She thinks he can help us,” Ryker said, pointing toward the file. Toby looked over Jack’s muscled arm at the file in his mate’s hands. There was a name and a location. “Who’s Hakan?” he asked, turning his head to address Ryker.

For the first time since Toby had met The Guardian, Ryker appeared uncomfortable. “Ryker?” Evidently, whoever this Hakan was, it upset the normally calm man. “Hakan’s the bird shifters Guardian. He’s the son of Father Sky and the only other Guardian on the planet.” Ryker refused to make eye contact with either Toby or Jack. “And you don’t like him?” Toby asked at the lost look on his new friend’s face. Ryker cleared his throat. “I didn’t know he existed until earlier this morning.” “What?” Jack asked. “Why?” “I guess it wasn’t my place to know until now.” Ryker pointed toward the file once more. “Hakan’s a silversmith. Mother said he’ll help us.” “How?” Jack prodded. Toby didn’t like the hurt in his Guardian’s blue eyes. He didn’t blame him for being angry at Earth Mother for keeping Hakan’s existence a secret. Ryker stood and took the file back. “Can we talk about this once we land?” Jack nodded, and Ryker strode toward the back of the plane. Toby nudged his mate in the ribs. “Go talk to him.” “You sure?” Rolling his eyes, Toby punched Jack playfully. “I didn’t say have sex with him, but it looks like he needs a friend. I think that’s you.” Jack stood and climbed over Toby’s legs, stopping to give him a kiss as he did. “Be right back.” He walked to the door that led to Ryker’s private bedroom and knocked. “Can I come in?” “Just a second,” Ryker answered. Several moments later, Ryker opened the door. “Sorry. I was just going over this file.” Jack glanced at the spread of papers on the bed. He didn’t miss the red rim around Ryker’s blue eyes. In all the years he’d known the stoic billionaire, never once had his friend shown this much emotion. Without thought, Jack pulled Ryker into his arms. “What’s wrong?” he whispered. “How could they have kept this from me?”

Ryker pulled back and looked Jack in the eyes. “When I told you I slept with you to make sure you were Alpha material, I wasn’t telling you the whole truth.” “Well, duh,” Jack chuckled. “Like I said before, if that’s all you were after, one dip of your wick would’ve been enough.” Jack’s attempt to lighten the mood didn’t quite hit its mark. Ryker fell back onto the bed and buried his face in his hands. “I’ve lived alone for so long. And in that time my Mother didn’t bother to tell me I wasn’t the only Guardian.” Ryker pulled a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and blew his nose. “Makes me wonder what else she isn’t telling me, ya know?” Ryker shook his head. “That journal of yours? I’m supposed to give it to Hakan.” “Why him?” Jack asked. “I thought this guy was the silver expert. You saying he’ll be able to decipher the pictographs?” It had taken a leap of faith to give Ryker the journal, and now his friend was going to turn around and share it with something else? Someone Jack didn’t even know? Ryker nodded. “Hakan’s much older than I am. According to Mother, he knows the Native American history of this country better than anyone. Hell, he should, Hakan was a medicine man.” Surprised, Jack took a seat beside his friend. “How’s that possible? I mean, I thought…” Jack snapped his mouth shut, rethinking what he was about to say. “I didn’t know Guardian’s were real men. God. That came out wrong, sorry.” Ryker gave him a half-smile. “I knew what you meant, but I can’t tell you who I was, or how I died. All that’s important is that Mother gave me a new life and an important job to do.” Jack reached out and took Ryker’s hand in his. “Then that’s what you need to focus on.” Ryker let out a bitter chuckle. “Easy for you to say. You don’t go to bed alone anymore.” What could he possibly say to that? Yes, he was thankful he’d found his purpose and the man he was destined to be with until he died, but sometimes he wasn’t so sure. “Can I tell you something?” Jack asked. Ryker nodded. “There are times when I feel like my power of choice has been stripped from me. Am I some pawn in a chess game between gods? Did I ever have control over my own life, or has it always been carefully orchestrated?”

He thought of the stories he’d grown up with, the gentle nudges he’d been given by the people he cared about over the years, including Ryker. Jack knew he sounded ungrateful, but he couldn’t help feeling his life wasn’t his own. Ryker wrapped an arm around Jack’s shoulders and hugged him to his side. “I know none of this is easy for you. I guess in some ways you’re right. You’re life has been orchestrated, but with good intentions. William Fenton may have been a Hunter, but according to Mother, he was a fine man. He begged for forgiveness for what he’d done to the Roanoke colonists. When he was killed by his own people, Mother promised your great-grandmother, Sara, that his death would not be in vain. That a descendent of William’s would help lead an uprising against The Hunters, and help restore the balance of good for all the evil that had been wrought.” A soft set of lips kissed Jack’s temple. “You’re birth, you’re life was a gift in William’s name. I’m sorry if that makes you feel less than a real person, but you are truly destined for greatness.” The captain came over the intercom announcing their imminent landing. “We’d better get back to our seats,” Jack told his friend. “Yes. I just need to gather these papers,” Ryker replied. Jack stood and helped Ryker organize the documents spread across the bed. An old black and white photo caught his attention. The man in the picture stood in front of a vista of cave dwellings. Jack was stunned by not only the immense beauty of the man, but the expression of utter despair on his face. “Is this Hakan?” “Yes,” Ryker said, taking the photograph from Jack’s hand. Ryker gazed at the picture, his desire to know someone like himself written in his expression. Jack studied his friend for a few seconds. “He doesn’t look any happier than you do. Maybe the two of you have more in common than you know.” Ryker carefully put the picture back into the folder. “Perhaps.”

Chapter Eight

“You need to shift before we enter Garth’s territory,” Ryker instructed. “Garth’s?” Toby questioned. “So he is the Alpha here.” Jack reached out and ran a comforting hand down Toby’s spine. “Garth may be leading this pack, but from what you’ve said, he’s no Alpha,” Jack spat. The worried look on Toby’s face told Jack his mate wasn’t convinced. What was it about Garth that frightened Toby so much? “Your mate will protect you if it comes to that,” Ryker reminded Toby. “And of course you have me.” Toby’s head cocked to the side, something Jack noticed his lover did often when confused. Although he’d never mentioned it to Toby, Jack thought it was the cutest damn thing in the world. Lowering his eyes, Toby addressed Ryker. “I’m sorry to question you, Guardian, but how can you protect me?” Jack had wondered the same thing. Despite the glowing thing, he’d never witnessed Ryker doing anything out of the ordinary. With a twinkle in his eyes, Ryker took a few steps away from them. “Watch.” Jack was almost knocked on his ass as his friend began shifting. Ryker’s body quickly transformed from wolf to bear to tiger to lion all in the span of about ten seconds. When Ryker reappeared in his man-skin, as Toby called it, he chuckled. “I am all shifters, Toby. Surely any number of which can be used to protect you. And shifting is just one of my many talents.” Beside Jack, Toby dropped to his knees. “Please forgive me for questioning you, my Guardian.” With a sigh, Ryker knelt in front of Toby and lifted his chin. “I didn’t show you my shifting abilities as a way of admonishing you.” Ryker glanced up at Jack before continuing.

“Until I met you, Jack was the only friend I’d made in over a hundred and fifty years. Please stand. Friends don’t bow to friends.” Toby gave Ryker a brief nod and regained his position at Jack’s side. Wrapping an arm around his mate, Jack kissed the top of Toby’s white hair. Ryker’s display of power eliminated all doubt in Jack’s mind. It no longer mattered what they came up against, Jack knew he and Ryker could protect Toby. “You ready?” Jack asked his mate. Toby nodded and shifted into wolf form. Running his fingers through the thick white fur of the wolf at his side, Jack followed Toby and Ryker as they entered Garth’s pack land. They were almost immediately surrounded by a group of six gray wolves. Before Jack could say anything, Toby stepped in front of him. The wolves circling them acknowledged the chosen Alpha and lowered to the ground, rolling over to their backs in a sign of submission. Jack smiled. Toby may not be convinced that he had what it took to be Alpha, but the wolves surrounding them recognized the coloring of their chosen Alpha immediately. “Shift,” Ryker commanded, standing where he was. The six wolves shifted to human form, refusing to look Toby, Ryker or himself in the eyes. Jack was surprised to see two women among the group. He took the initiative and spoke for Toby, who’d remained in his wolf-skin. “We’ve come to take you to your new home.” One of the larger men quickly glanced at Jack, making eye contact only briefly. “We are home.” “It’s no longer safe for you here,” Ryker said. “We’ve come to speak to Garth.” The men and women looked at each other. Without a word spoken they turned and led the way through the dense forest. Along the way, they passed several small cabins. Jack looked at Ryker. “Are they living in these?” Ryker nodded, hands clasped behind his back as he strolled along. “Garth’s pack lives in human form, except for hunting and guard duty.” Jack wondered why they hadn’t been discovered by The Hunters before then. The reason they had been blessed with the gift of shifting was to meld into the local wildlife, thus keeping them safer. Garth seemed to be thumbing his nose at The Hunters.

Within the shelter of the trees, the dwellings became more plentiful until they were escorted to a small clearing. Men and women stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads. As if he knew of their impending arrival, a tall, muscular man stood with his hands upon his hips. By the way Toby pressed against his leg, Jack knew the man had to be Garth. Without drawing undue attention, Jack ran his fingers through the thick fur on Toby’s back. “Guardian,” Garth acknowledged Ryker in a cold tone. Ryker bristled at the disrespect he showed. Those cold amber eyes settled on Toby next. “What’re you doing here?” Garth asked Toby. Shifting, Toby took a step toward his brother. “It’s time,” Toby said simply. “No,” Garth answered. “My pack is my own. You have no place here.” Jack looked around. The reverent position of the shifters present spoke otherwise. “You’re pack seems to feel differently,” Jack said, addressing Garth for the first time. “My pack doesn’t always know what’s good for them,” Garth growled. An extremely handsome man of about five-feet-six stepped out of one of the cabins, bearing a large tray of meat. Garth bolted toward the small man and threw him against the side of the house, the tray flying out of his hands as the man’s body crumpled to the ground. Before Jack could take a step, Ryker was on Garth. His old friend wasted no time in subduing the leader of the pack. With his foot on Garth’s neck, Ryker leaned down. “Shift. I dare you.” From where he stood, Jack could see the hatred in Garth’s eyes. “This is my business, Guardian. Daniel’s a coyote. He knows better than to walk on two legs in my presence. No matter how many times I punish him, he continues to test me.” Jack tried to reason out the statement when he noticed the bloody, scarred knees of the man cowering on the ground. Ryker finally looked too. It was if the Guardian’s whole body shook with some unknown force. Removing his foot from Garth’s neck, Ryker strode over to the man and knelt. To Jack’s surprise, Ryker bowed his head. “You’re Majesty. Please forgive me,” Ryker begged. Jack didn’t know if he’d ever heard that tone in Ryker’s voice. Whoever the small man was, Ryker had evidently done something to him to apologize for.

“You know my mate’s pet?” Garth asked, getting to his feet. Ryker looked over his shoulder and glared at Garth. “Pet?” “Don’t say it like I’ve done something wrong. Layla found him half-dead on the other side of the mountain. She brought him home, and I agreed to let her keep the mangy coyote if he slept outside. He’d be dead if I hadn’t agreed to let Layla feed him.” Ryker stood and faced Garth. Jack felt the heat radiating from his friend as the golden shimmer took on an eye-shielding brightness. “Ryker!” Jack yelled. Whatever the Guardian was doing would soon have the whole lot of them fried to a crisp. Jack felt the heat against his skin dissipate. Once only the cool spring air touched his flesh, he uncovered his eyes. Rushing forward, Jack stepped in front of Ryker. “What the hell is going on?” he asked. Ryker turned back to the man still cowering in the dirt. “I’d like you to meet the King of the Coyotes,” Ryker said, introducing Jack to the man. “Daniel, isn’t it?” Ryker asked. The man nodded, but said nothing. “Daniel, this is Jack, my friend and Alpha-mate to the King of the Wolves.” It was then that the man finally looked up from the ground. How could Jack have missed the sparkling blue eyes? He looked at Garth, understanding Ryker’s hatred of the man. Garth had to have known what the “true blue” eyes of the coyote meant. “Toby,” Jack called his mate to his side. “Please shift so I can introduce the two of you properly.” Toby took on his man-skin and gazed down at Daniel. “I’m sorry for what my brother has done to you,” Toby whispered. Jack knew it wasn’t wise for Toby to show shame in front of Daniel, but he knew if Garth was his brother he’d be apologizing too. Ryker held out his hands and helped Daniel to his feet. From the wince on his face as he stood erect, Jack gathered Daniel wasn’t used to doing it. He wondered why the King had taken the chance to do so in front of Garth? Jack took a step forward. “King Daniel, please allow me to introduce my mate, King Toby.”

Both men started to protest. Their statements overlapped one another. “Since when do you refer to me as a king?” Toby asked. “I am no one’s king,” Daniel mumbled, tears springing from the blue depths of his eyes. Jack addressed Toby as Ryker did the same with Daniel. “Before we stepped foot in this village, you were my mate, but now it’s time to lead your people. As you can see, your brother hasn’t done a bang-up job of it.” The corners of Toby’s mouth tilted up. “Garth always was a bully. I’m sure he rules these people with an iron fist.” Jack looked over Toby’s shoulder to the red-faced shifter in question. “We’ve procured three-thousand kilometers in western Canada. Your Guardian has already started building a town on a portion of that land. You and your pack are welcome to live as either wolves or humans, but you’ll be safe.” “As long as we bow to you and my ridiculously queer brother no doubt,” Garth sneered. Jack’s eyes narrowed. He knew he could go after Garth, knock him to the ground and maybe even get a couple of good punches in before the man shifted to his wolf-skin, but what would it solve. Instead of rising to the bait, Jack addressed the rest of the shifters in the clearing. “If you’ve had enough of living a life of fear and isolation, come with us. We’ll be back in the morning to help whoever has the heart to start a new life with other shifters in the same situation.” When he was done, Jack turned to Toby. “I hope I didn’t over speak my position,” he whispered in Toby’s ear. Toby wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck and kissed him. “You said exactly the right things.” Leading his mate to Ryker, Jack leaned in. “I don’t trust Garth. I’m taking Toby down the mountain for the night.” Jack studied Daniel. The small coyote shifter made Toby look stocky. Daniel’s upper arm couldn’t have been any bigger than Jack’s wrist. With a protective hand on Daniel’s thin bare shoulder, Ryker nodded. “I think we’ll go with you.” “I can’t leave,” Daniel said.

“What? You’ve been treated like a dog. How can you even think of staying here?” Jack asked. Tears trickled down Daniel’s cheeks. “It’s what I deserve.” Daniel gazed up at Ryker. “You call me a king, yet I have no people to lead. I let them die and this…” Daniel gestured to his surroundings, “is what I deserve.” “No,” Ryker said, shaking Daniel hard enough to get his attention. “I let your people die. It was my responsibility to protect them.” Ryker pulled Daniel into an embrace and the shifters surrounding them gasped. Jack looked over his shoulder at the stunned faces. For Jack, seeing The Guardian offer affection was nothing new, but evidently it was a big deal to the shifters. How aloof had Ryker made himself? “Come down the mountain with us. Let us talk to you. If you still feel the same way by morning, I won’t try and stop you from staying.” Daniel looked toward the cabin he’d been thrown against. “What if Garth hurts Layla?” “His mate?” Jack asked, stepping closer to the pair. Daniel answered with a nod. “I can’t defend her, but I help her when he’s finished.” Ryker placed a kiss on effeminate man’s forehead, causing another round of gasps to filter through the growing crowd. “I’ll take care of it,” Ryker said and stalked over to Garth. As they watched, Ryker pulled Garth to the side and whispered in his ear. Jack didn’t know what was said, but Garth’s complexion paled to a creamy white. When he was finished with Garth, Ryker addressed the shifters. “Anyone who’d like to go down the mountain with us is welcome. We’ll be back in the morning for those who’ve yet to make up their minds.” “If you’re worried about your things, don’t be. Grab only the items that mean the most. Clothing can be replaced,” Toby stepped forward to add. The regal way Toby held himself made Jack proud. The manner in which Toby made brief eye contact with each shifter only seemed to cement his position as Alpha. Although Toby was small in stature, the shifters must’ve seen straight to the heart of Jack’s little king. Several men and women stepped forward, bowing their heads. “Anyone else?” Jack called. “There will be no retribution from Garth. I promise.”

When it seemed the seven shifters who had stepped forward was all they were going to get for the day, Jack nodded. “We’ll be back in the morning in case you change your minds.” As their small group left the clearing, Jack heard several grumbles from the crowd behind them. Had Garth brainwashed them, or were they just so beaten down by the tyrant they refused to entertain a better life? Jack pulled Toby to his side. “You did good, babe.” Toby looked up at Jack. “I wish I could’ve done better.” “Let ’em think about it overnight.” **** After getting the seven shifters settled into their rented rooms, Toby knocked on the door to Ryker’s suite. Jack opened the door with a smile. “There you are. I was starting to think you’d bedded down with the others for the night,” Jack teased. Toby wrapped himself around his mate. “You’re the only one I want to bed down with.” For someone new to the world of shifters, Jack had done surprisingly well that afternoon. He’d not only shown strength, but compassion for Toby’s people. Toby sent out a quick thank you to his Earth Mother. She’d definitely known what she was doing when she’d chosen Jack for him. Toby noticed Ryker kneeling in front of Daniel, as the smaller man sat on the bed. “What’s going on?” “Let’s talk in our room,” Jack answered. Jack turned back to Ryker. “We’ll catch up with you in the morning.” “Okay,” Ryker said without taking his attention away from Daniel. Jack led Toby down the hall. Once the bedroom door was bolted, Jack began pulling off his clothes. Toby started to protest Jack’s haste, but the broadly muscled chest in front of him changed his mind. Would he ever be able to look at his mate’s torso and not want to worship those perfect nipples with his mouth? Naked, Jack helped Toby out of his clothes. “Are you going to tell me about Ryker and Daniel?” Toby asked. Jack pulled him toward the big king-sized bed.

“Jack?” Toby chuckled. His mate seemed to have only one thing on his mind at the moment. “Later,” Jack said. After tossing the bedspread to the floor, Jack laid Toby on the mattress. “First I want to lick every inch of this beautiful body.” The first swipe of Jack’s tongue sent goose-flesh racing across Toby’s skin. Toby looked down and met Jack’s gaze. There was something in his mate’s eyes. Although the sex between them had been fantastic since the first time they’d been together, this was different. Toby held onto the hope that Jack’s feelings were growing stronger. Could that be the difference? He moaned as Jack’s teeth grazed his sac. Reaching between his legs, Toby guided Jack further down. Since the first time Jack had rimmed him, Toby had become addicted to the feeling. Jack chuckled at the unspoken command, and swatted Toby’s hip. “Turn over, babe.” If it meant a tongue in his hole, Toby was all for turning over. Flipping onto his stomach, Toby brought his knees up under him, giving Jack plenty of room to play. He tucked his forehead against the pillow to watch. That bristled chin came into view a split second before Toby felt the warmth of Jack’s tongue glide across his hole. “Yesss,” he hissed at the contact. As if in slow motion, Toby watched a large dollop of pre-cum drip to the bed below. He enjoyed it when Jack fucked him, but this was nice, too. They hadn’t spent much time exploring and the thought of licking Jack’s hole had even more of the thin fluid dripping from Toby’s erection. “I want to taste you like this,” he panted as Jack’s tongue invaded his hole. Jack replaced his mouth with two large fingers. “I’d like that.” Toby’s body bowed and flexed under Jack’s skilled touch. “Now, Jack.” With a groan of frustration, Jack jumped off the bed, leaving Toby feeling empty. “Sorry, forgot the lube,” Jack muttered. Toby buried his face in his hands as he heard Jack digging around in the suitcase. The dip of the bed signaled his lover’s return seconds before a lubed cock pressed against his hole. When nothing else happened, Toby looked over his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

Jack’s jaws tensed. “I can’t do it like this.” Toby’s heart plummeted. “Oh.” Jack shook his head. “I mean, I need you to turn over.” Releasing the breath he’d held, Toby flipped onto his back. He welcomed the weight of his mate with open arms as Jack stretched out on top of him. “You had me worried,” Toby confessed. Jack reached between them and positioned the crown of his erection against Toby’s hole once more. Slowly pushing in, Jack stared down at Toby. There was something there that Toby couldn’t read. “Jack?” “I love you,” Jack whispered once he was fully seated. Toby couldn’t have stopped the rush of tears if his life depended on it. He closed his eyes as his soul seemed to take flight. How many years had he longed to hear those words? If he died tomorrow it would all have been worth it just to know someone cared. Reaching up, Toby cupped Jack’s face in his hands and pulled him down for a kiss. “I love you too.” Jack’s hips began to move. There was nothing hurried about their coupling, or the kisses they shared. Jack’s tongue seemed to map every square centimeter of Toby’s mouth as he wiped the escaping tears from Toby’s face. “Don’t cry, babe,” Jack soothed. “They’re good tears.” “Good or bad, they hurt me to see,” Jack explained, pumping his cock in and out of Toby’s body. “I know I was dropped in your lap with no warning, and I’m sorry.” Jack shook his head. “Don’t be. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I know now why I couldn’t give up searching for you. It wasn’t only my intellect that needed to know you were real, it was my heart.” Toby didn’t quite understand what his lover was trying to tell him, but before he could ask, Jack’s hips gained speed. Toby pulled his legs up further, allowing his mate to drive even deeper. Gazing into Jack’s eyes, he knew his man’s passion was soaring to new heights. “Ohhh,” Toby moaned. Jack’s thick length slid across Toby’s prostate on every thrust. “I need,” he begged.

Reaching between them, Toby wrapped his fingers around his dripping hardness. He managed to pump his erection three times before the first jet of cum flew from his cock. Jack’s chest rumbled with a sound Toby had never heard before. “Give me a taste,” Jack commanded, his blue eyes blazing with desire. Toby dredged his fingers through the thick pool of seed between them and held his hand up to his mate’s mouth. A warm pink tongue snaked out to hungrily lap at the semen until he licked Toby’s hand clean. Hooking his forearms under Toby’s knees, Jack spread him wider. With each thrust, Toby moved several inches up the bed until he had no choice but to brace himself against the headboard. A loud growl tore from Jack’s throat as he buried himself in Toby’s ass. With Jack’s body shaking in release, Toby held on as tight as he could, whispering words of love. Jack collapsed, pressing Toby into the mattress. “I’m too heavy,” Jack panted, trying to move to the side. Toby held his lover in place, not ready to let the moment end. “You’re perfect where you are.”

Chapter Nine

Toby snuggled closer to his mate, inhaling the scent of their previous night’s passion. Jack loves me. Toby wanted to hear those words for the rest of his life. Jack loves me, he said to himself again. Wow. How long could they stay in bed without Ryker pounding on the door? A grunt from Jack made him laugh. Toby ran his hand across the soft black hair between Jack’s nipples. Without opening his eyes, Jack captured Toby’s hand and moved it to his growing erection. “So, you’re awake,” Toby chuckled again, wrapping his fingers around Jack’s girth. “No. I must still be dreaming,” Jack mumbled, thrusting into Toby’s fist. Toby rolled on top of Jack, putting their mutual erections in direct contact. “You fell asleep on me last night.” “Mmmm,” Jack moaned, gripping Toby’s ass. Grinding his cock against Jack’s, Toby moved back and forth. Sometimes, just rubbing off on his mate was all he needed to feel complete, like now. Jack helped speed the process along by introducing a finger into Toby’s ass. “Fuck!” Toby cried, his seed pumping from the crown of his shaft. Instead of waiting for Jack to catch up, Toby crawled under the covers. He moaned, feeling the warmth of his own cum against his lips as he kissed his way down to Jack’s cock. With his nose nestled in his mate’s short black curls, he inhaled once again. “Tell me before you come,” he told Jack from his hiding place. Jack grunted in reply and spread his legs. Toby smiled, knowing his prize was only a short distance away. He nuzzled Jack’s sac first, taking the time to suck one ball into his mouth before moving to the next.

The groans coming from his partner told him he was on the right track. With a grin, Toby released the testicle and scooted down further. He swirled his tongue around Jack’s puckered hole, pleased when his mate threw off the covers and lifted his ass further into the air. Toby scraped the sensitive flesh with his bottom teeth, and gazed up the length of Jack’s body. “You like?” “Me love,” Jack replied. Happy that he pleased his mate, Toby delved back in. The skin was pliable under his tongue, the soft ridges opening to his quest for more. Toby introduced a finger into the tight channel, sawing in and out much to the Jack’s apparent delight. “Gonna come,” Jack groaned. Leaving his finger where it was, Toby quickly moved up to swallow his lover’s cock. He could tell by Jack’s movements his man was on the edge. The next time he drew out his finger, he surged back in with two. “Fuck!” Jack howled, emptying his balls down Toby’s throat. Toby took delight in licking his lover clean before crawling back up the length of Jack’s body. “You taste good.” He continued to worship his mate with tiny licks and kisses as Jack’s breathing finally returned to normal. Now that their morning lust had been taken care of, Toby needed answers. “So, what was going on between Ryker and Daniel?” Jack cracked one eye and grinned. “Seriously? You fucking blow my mind and you want to immediately talk about other men?” Toby gave Jack a playful punch in the ribs. “You were supposed to tell me hours ago, but decided to fuck my brains out and fall asleep still buried inside my ass.” “Yeah, I did that didn’t I?” Jack said with a grin. Toby nodded. His tender ass was proof positive his lover had done exactly that. “So what happened to Daniel’s people?” Jack shifted until he lay beside Toby. With his head propped up on his hand, he leaned over and gave Toby a deep, thrusting kiss. When they finally parted, he gazed into Toby’s eyes. “Remember the story Ryker told us on the plane about the shifters that had been captured and tortured by The Hunters?” Toby shivered at the memory of the story. “Yes.”

“The shifters were Daniel and his people. From what I overheard, Daniel and two others managed to escape. But before they could contact Ryker for help, the other two succumbed to the virus’s they’d been injected with. Daniel was dying when Layla found and nursed him back to health. Daniel said she hid him for several days until he was strong enough to face Garth.” Toby cringed at the way his brother had treated Daniel the previous day. “So he really is the only coyote shifter left?” Jack slowly nodded. “I think it’s the reason he put up with so much from Garth. Well, that and the fact he seems to care a great deal for Layla.” “And Ryker?” “Ryker feels guilty he wasn’t able to save an entire race he’d been created to protect. He didn’t know there were any survivors. I think he feels bad for not rescuing Daniel from Garth’s grip.” Toby’s heart hurt for the small shifter. On his own, there was no way Daniel could survive. “Please tell me he’s agreed to come with us to Canada.” “I don’t know, babe,” Jack said, giving Toby another kiss. “They were still arguing about it when you showed up to tempt me with your body.” Toby waggled his brows. “I tempt you, do I?” Jack rolled on top of Toby, prodding Toby’s hole with his renewed erection. “You tempt me by breathing.” Toby grinned. “Good to know. I’ll have to remember to continue breathing.” **** Heading up the mountain, Jack held Toby’s hand. Several of the shifters had refused to accompany them to Garth’s camp, and it made Jack nervous. Were Garth’s people expecting him to issue a challenge? He glanced over his shoulder at Ryker, who had a tight grip on Daniel’s hand. Jack smiled. He didn’t know what had transpired between the two men overnight, but Ryker appeared extremely protective of the coyote king. It took a sizable load off Jack’s shoulders knowing Ryker might get a chance at love after all these years. Before entering Garth’s territory, Jack slowed to a stop. “Are you going to shift?” Toby nodded. “I’d like to go on ahead. Something doesn’t feel right.” Jack’s senses went immediately on alert. “Then let Ryker and me lead the way.”

Toby rolled his eyes. “I may be smaller than you, but I’m still an Alpha. Besides, if anything happens, I can run faster than you.” Jack landed a swat on Toby’s ass for the flip remark. “Stay a hundred yards in front of us, but no more.” Toby shifted and took off in the woods. “Dammit!” Jack exclaimed, taking off after his mate. Chuckling, Ryker followed close behind with Daniel in tow. He was about a half-mile from the camp when Jack heard the first yelp. Without waiting for Ryker or Daniel, Jack sprinted in the direction of the sound. He spotted Toby limping toward him before he broke through the trees. “Shift, dammit!” Toby collapsed to the ground, before Jack reached him. Falling to his knees beside his prone mate, Jack searched Toby’s fur for blood. What he found was a large tranquilizer dart. “Fuck. We’re too late, The Hunters are here.” He looked up at Ryker. “Give me the dagger,” Jack demanded. Kneeling beside Jack, Ryker shrugged the backpack off his shoulders. “Daniel, can you stay here and protect Toby?” Daniel nodded, and Ryker addressed Jack again, “We’ve got the advantage since they can’t detect us coming. You’ll have to get close though to kill them.” Jack laid his head on Toby’s chest to make sure his heart was still beating. It had slowed, but Jack hoped it was the tranquilizer and nothing more. He stood and held out his hand. To his surprise, Ryker grabbed the back of Daniel’s head and pulled it close to place a kiss on the smaller man’s forehead. “If you see anyone coming, scream as loud as you can, and I’ll come running,” Ryker told Daniel. “Be careful,” Daniel replied, moving over to shield Toby’s limp body. Jack bent and ran a hand through his mate’s fur once more, before turning toward the clearing. “Should we go in together or circle around?” “Together. You’re the only one with the weapon. I can distract them, but I can’t kill them.” “What about that glowy thing you do? Surely that’s good for something,” Jack asked.

Ryker nodded. “It’ll slow ’em down, probably give them a bad burn, but it won’t kill them. Problem is, it’ll also do the same thing to anyone in the vicinity.” “Okay, keep that particular parlor trick up your sleeve unless we’re desperate.” Jack gripped the well-worn knife tighter in his fist as he broke through the trees into the clearing. “Blessed be,” Jack whispered as he gazed at the bodies sprawled in the dirt. He pointed in the direction of Garth’s cabin. Ryker shook his head and put his fingers to his lips before Jack could say anything. Jack acknowledged by nodding. With Ryker beside him, Jack ran toward Garth’s house, jumping over bodies as he went. Most of the shifters on the ground, Jack guessed to be merely asleep, but the closer they came to Garth’s home, the more dire the situation appeared. His eyes flicked from a skinned body to Ryker. His friend showed no emotion other than the ticking of a muscle in his tense jaw. Rounding the corner of the cabin, Jack pulled up short. Three men in the hooded robes Toby had spoken of stood over Layla, trying to force a funnel into her mouth. Knowing how much Layla meant to Daniel, Jack wasted no time. He leaped toward one of the men, plunging the dagger into the side of his neck. Pulling the knife out, he lunged toward the next Hunter. Having heard his comrade fall, The Hunter was ready for him. The two of them went down, rolling in the dirt as he heard Ryker’s roar of fury. Concentrating on the man trying to gouge his eyes out, Jack pushed the knife into The Hunter’s fat gut. The Hunter didn’t even blink as he tried to break free of Jack’s hold, knocking the dagger from Jack’s hand. “Nothing’s happening!” he shouted to Ryker. Jack heard the smack of flesh as Ryker went another round with The Hunter he fought. “Bloodstream,” Ryker grunted, seconds before shifting into a large grizzly bear. The Hunter once again went for Jack’s eyes. What the hell is it with this guy and my eyes? Scrambling for the knife, he felt fingernails cutting the flesh around his eye sockets. He breathed a sigh of relief as his hand found the dagger’s handle. Wasting no time, Jack dug the tip of the knife into the side of The Hunters chest via his underarm. With a loud growl, he pushed with all his strength, feeling the splinter of rib bones as the blade plunged into the fat fuck’s heart.

The Hunter’s scream was deafening. Rolling free of the writhing mass of blubber, Jack went to help Ryker. The large bear had slashed the Hunter’s chest to shreds. It was a quick lesson in how powerful The Hunters were because the man continued to battle Ryker. Jack was ready to finish the last of The Hunters off when Ryker shifted back to his human-skin. “Wait,” Ryker called as Jack held the dagger to The Hunter’s throat. “Wait? Are you fucking kidding me? How many shifters has this piece of shit murdered?” Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He dug the sharp point slowly into The Hunter’s neck. “Where are the rest of you?” Ryker asked, grabbing a handful of The Hunter’s black hair. “Killing the rest of you,” The Hunter said, spitting in Ryker’s face. Though he never thought he was capable of murder, Jack plunged the dagger into The Hunter’s throat with satisfaction. A look of pure terror crossed the man’s face before his body went limp. Jack looked at Ryker. “What’re we gonna do?” Ryker released the dead man’s hair and studied the surroundings. “Let’s see how many are dead, and then I’ll have a talk with Mother.” Jack stood and wiped the bloody silver dagger on his jeans before handing it back to Ryker. Turning toward Layla, he spotted what he thought was Garth’s already-skinned body. “Can you help Layla? I’m gonna go get Toby.” “Bring Daniel with you, please. I’ll start checking pulses.” Jack walked through a maze of dead and sleeping shifters. What was he going to tell his mate? **** Toby whined at the groggy feeling and opened his eyes. “Glad you’re awake, babe,” Jack said, running his fingers through Toby’s white fur. “Are you strong enough to shift?” Jack asked him. Toby closed his eyes and concentrated, shifting to his man-skin quite easily. “What happened?” Jack turned his head to stare over Toby’s head. “Hunters.”

Toby sat straight up. He shook his swimming head. “What happened to me? I feel…funny.” “The Hunters used tranquilizer darts to subdue you and the others. They were in the process of pouring dirty water down Layla’s throat when we came upon them.” “Layla? Is she dead?” Toby had only seen the frail shifter from afar, but knowing how she’d tried to protect Daniel from Garth’s rage endeared her to Toby. “Daniel’s with her. She’s alive, but she ingested some of the water.” Jack cleared his throat. “Toby,” he began. Toby could tell by the sad expression on his mate’s face what had happened. “Garth’s dead.” Jack nodded. It made sense. He knew the hunters would go after the Alpha first. Toby wondered whether Garth even saw The Hunters coming. He hoped not. “It is our custom to burn the bodies of our dead.” Jack nodded again. “How many died?” “I’m not sure. Ryker is reviving those still alive. You were and will always be my immediate concern.” Toby pulled Jack down for a kiss. “Did you kill The Hunters?” “Yes, but there were only three. The rest are spread out, tracking more shifters.” Three? How could three Hunters take down an entire pack? If Jack hadn’t been there, they would’ve surly all died. “What chance do we have? Does Ryker know how many Hunters there are?” “I don’t know. There hasn’t really been time to ask him.” Jack pulled Toby closer to his chest. “I know this is hard for you, but do you feel like helping with the survivors? Ryker and I will take care of the dead.” Toby shook his head. “I’ll take care of the dead. It’s the least I can do for my people. I didn’t get a chance to send my parents off in the way that is our custom. I will see that my brother gets what they didn’t.” ****

Jack found Toby sitting beside the burning pit of bodies. Despite his apparent dislike for his brother, Toby had taken Garth’s death hard. They’d managed to save Layla and a handful of others. He took a seat on the rock next to Toby and wrapped a comforting arm around his mate. “Daniel’s taking care of Layla.” Toby nodded, refusing to look away from the fire. “How many in all?” “Including the shifters that left with us yesterday, we have seventeen alive.” “And dead?” Toby asked. “Twenty-three,” Jack said around the lump in his throat. “At least now I can truly sympathize with Daniel.” Tears dripped down his lover’s cheek. The last thing in the world he wanted was to cause his mate more pain, but there were certain things that needed to be discussed. “We need to get the survivors to our new home,” he said, testing the water. “Okay,” Toby replied, wiping his eyes. Toby stood and started toward the clearing. Jack jumped up. “Wait. Babe, I didn’t mean this second. We have to stay until the fire burns down and cover the ashes.” “Okay,” Toby mumbled, retaking his position on the rock. Jack sighed and wrapped an arm around his lover. “Once we get everyone settled, I’ll need to find the others, let them know about Canada.” “No,” Toby said, his voice cold. “Toby, I’m not sure how many even managed to survive The Hunters’ attacks. But if there are shifters out there, they need our help.” Toby shook his head. “It’ll be easier for me to find the others. My people need your protection. You should be the one to stay with them.” Jack lifted Toby from the rock and set him down on his lap. “I won’t be able to sleep knowing you’re out there by yourself. No, there has to be another way.” “There is,” Ryker said from behind them. Jack glanced over his shoulder. “What’ve ya got?” He knew Ryker had been out in the trees communicating with the Earth Mother. From the weary expression on Ryker’s face, it hadn’t been an easy conversation.

Ryker knelt and, rested his head in Toby’s lap. “I’m sorry. Mother can’t detect any more living wolf shifters.” “What?” Toby asked, putting his hand to Ryker’s hair. Ryker looked up, his blue eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “They’re gone, Toby.” “Gone,” Toby whispered, staring into the fire. “I’m so sorry,” Ryker choked. Toby’s gaze sought Jack’s. “There’s no need for either of us to go looking then. We can get our people to their new home and defend them with our lives.” Jack hadn’t missed Toby’s reference to ‘our people’. He was ashamed to admit, even to himself, that before the slaughter earlier in the day, he’d thought of the shifters as Toby’s people. That had changed for Jack as he checked for life among the prone bodies in the dirt, each pulse a precious gift to be cherished. He looked from Toby to Ryker. “Is that what we’re supposed to do?” Ryker nodded. “There’s a cougar shifter about a hundred miles from where I’m supposed to meet up with Hakan. Mother asked me to deliver a message to him. Hopefully, he’ll seek out the others.” “What if The Hunters got them, too?” Toby asked. “Being predominantly solitary animals, the big cat shifters have chosen to live in the same general areas, but spread out far enough to make an attack more difficult. Mother detected very few fatalities among them. The lion shifter pride suffered several deaths, but Mother’s already sent someone to lead the survivors to Canada.” Toby’s eyes rounded. “So we’ll be outnumbered by cats?” Ryker smiled. “You’re all shifters don’t forget. I’ve taken the initiative to separate the living arrangements. The parkland the government deeded over for the shifter refuge already had several small bed and breakfasts and three hotels. On the east side of the park is a lumberyard strictly for shifter use. I imagine the cats will want to blaze their own trail within the park.” “How will we keep our people safe there, Ryker? Didn’t you say it was three thousand kilometers in size? How can we guard that much territory? We’ll be like sitting ducks for The Hunters.” Toby settled against Jack’s chest, sounding defeated. “What, do you think I’ve just been sittin’ pretty in my ivory tower for the last hundred and fifty years? I’ve lived my life with one goal in mind, earning enough money to insure your

survival. For almost five years contractors have been working on the parkland. You’ve got state of the art electrified fencing and around the clock patrols paid for by Ryker Industries. If a single wire on the fence gets cut, the whole place will light up like downtown Vegas on a Saturday night.” Toby’s body released some of its tension. “What do you call our new home?” Ryker shook his head. “It’s not for me to name.” Toby turned to Jack. “Refuge.” Jack smiled and nodded. He could only imagine how Toby and the others would feel living in such a protected place. “It’s a good strong name.”

Chapter Ten

Toby entered Garth’s cabin with sorrow buried deep in his gut. Although his heart wished he’d have had time to work things out with his brother, his head told him it would never have happened. Daniel sat on the bed next to Garth’s mate, Layla. The bond between the two was obvious in the way Daniel wiped Layla’s sweating brow. The Hunters had nearly succeeded in killing the pretty woman, but thankfully only had time to pour a small amount of the dirt laden water down her throat. Ryker thought it would take a few days, but he believed Layla would survive. “Can I come in?” Toby asked. Daniel glanced over his shoulder. He turned back to Layla and whispered in her ear. After readjusting the covers, Daniel stood and walked toward Toby. “Let’s talk outside.” Toby nodded and followed the coyote shifter to the small front porch. His original purpose for entering Garth’s home had been to talk to his sister-in-law, to somehow try and make amends for his brother’s harsh treatment. “How is she?” Toby asked. “Weak,” Daniel said, looking back toward the front door. “She’s thrown up everything she could, but I think she’ll be fine.” The two men had rarely spoken without others around, and there were things they needed to discuss. “When we get to Refuge, I was wondering if you’d be interested in helping with the new shifters coming in? According to Ryker, we should get a trickling stream of them over the next six months or so. Unless we get lucky, I’m sure there will be several without an Alpha to lead them.” Daniel nodded his consent. When he finally spoke, it wasn’t what Toby had been expecting. “Do you think we’re all gay?” “Huh?”

Daniel ran his hands through his brown shaggy hair. “It’s something that’s bothered me for years. I mean, look at the two of us. We’re not the big strong Alphas of our species, so why us? If I’d been bigger, stronger, perhaps I could’ve saved my people.” Toby had never considered the question. He’d always known he was different, but according to his father, he’d been a gift from Earth Mother and she knew what she was doing. “I don’t know why we were chosen, but from what I saw earlier, I doubt you being bigger would’ve helped your people. The Hunters are ruthless. They know exactly how to track and subdue us before we even have a chance to fight back. My brother was a fierce Alpha. I know he wasn’t a good person, but he knew how to fight.” Toby took a deep breath. “None of it mattered in the end.” “So why us?” Why do we seem so different from the rest of our species?” Daniel prodded. “Because you are different,” Ryker said, coming around the corner of the cabin. Toby didn’t miss the way Daniel’s solemn expression lifted when Ryker came into view. The two men gazed into each other’s eyes for several moments before Ryker took Daniel’s hand. “Mother made you this way for a reason. A king must identify with both his male and female people. She gave you more female hormones than the average male.” “So all shifter kings are like us?” Toby asked. “Yes,” Ryker answered. “But my father wasn’t like me at all,” Toby pointed out. “Your father, though a fine Alpha, wasn’t a king.” Toby scratched his head. “So I’m not really an Alpha?” “You’re a king,” Ryker said, looking rather shocked at the question. “Didn’t your father ever talk to you about this? Jack told me you had his journal.” “I do, but there wasn’t much in it about me other than what would happen when I met my mate. I think he was waiting for me to find Jack before he explained the rest. Will you?” “You know that Jack’s an Alpha, right?” “I know he thinks he is,” Toby joked. “He’s the Alpha half of your union. You were given wisdom, and the ability to lead your people. Once you mated, Jack was gifted with the strength to protect you. He will be the one to fight those who try to challenge you.”

“No,” Toby cried. “Jack’s not a wolf. He can’t win.” “Jack just killed three Hunters. Your people know that. I think you’re selling him short. The survivors owe their lives to Jack, and they know it. I don’t think challenges will be a problem.” Toby bowed his head in shame. Jack had done so much for Toby and his people without asking for anything in return. Love and loyalty were the only things his mate seemed to require, and Toby felt he’d failed him. “Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Ryker said, putting a hand to Toby’s shoulder. “I just don’t want anything to happen to Jack.” “I know, and believe me, so does he.” Toby glanced at Daniel’s back as he disappeared into the house. If Toby needed Jack to protect him, where did that leave Daniel? “Is he going to be okay?” Toby asked Ryker. “He’s fine.” “No, I mean, will he ever be allowed to mate again?” Toby asked. “Again? Daniel’s never mated.” “Oh. I thought maybe his mate had died with the rest of Daniel’s people.” Ryker shook his head and gazed at the door to the cabin. “Daniel’s with me now.” Toby’s brows rose. “He’s your mate?” “No. We’ll be together by choice, not design.” Toby saw something in Ryker’s expression he couldn’t explain. He was happy The Guardian would no longer be alone, and Daniel would have someone to help protect him, but why was Ryker so sad? “Ryker? Are you falling in love with Daniel?” “Yes.” “Then why aren’t you happier?” “Because I’m afraid he’ll find his true mate one day, and I’ll be left alone once again,” Ryker mumbled. “Just like with Jack, huh?” Ryker rocked his foot on the loose porch plank. “Not quite. I’ve always known Jack belonged with you. It would help if I knew who Daniel belongs with.”

“Maybe it’s you,” Toby offered. Ryker chuckled. “Not very likely. I think I would’ve known by now.” Toby shrugged, unsure of what else to say. “Have you seen Jack? We need to start getting people down the mountain.” “Yeah, the bus will pick you all up at eight in the morning out front of the hotel.” “What? Wait, you’re not coming?” Toby asked. Ryker shook his head. “I have to take the journal and dagger to Hakan, as well as find the cougar shifter Mother asked me to speak to.” “What about Daniel?” Ryker looked over his shoulder at the cabin once more. “I think he’d rather stay with Layla than go traipsing around Colorado with me.” “How do you know, did you ask him?” Ryker shrugged, his thumbs hooked in his front pockets. “I wasn’t sure I should. It’ll be safer for him at Refuge.” “Yeah, and a whole lot more lonely. I think you owe it to him to at least ask.” “Maybe.” Toby rolled his eyes and stepped off the porch. “Guardians,” he said, shaking his head. **** The bus came to a stop in front of the electrified fence. Jack whistled. “Damn. Ryker wasn’t kidding when he said this place had been fortified.” From his position, Jack could see no less than eight guards. He stood and pulled Toby to his feet. “Let’s get out and introduce ourselves. Might as well make friends with the people in charge of protecting us.” Hand in hand, Jack led Toby to the guard station, positioned in front, and to the side of the entrance. A heavily muscled man, dressed in black and wearing a ball cap stepped out of the building. “Name?” the guard asked, high-powered rifle in his hands. It probably should have made Jack nervous, but instead he felt relieved at the nononsense tone. “Jack McBain and this is my partner, Toby.” “One moment, please,” the guard said as another guard behind him tapped on a tablet pc. “They’re cleared,” the other guard called out.

Damn. Jack couldn’t believe the size of these guys. Jack looked at the guard’s name badge. “Mica, is it?” “Yes, sir,” the guard answered. “Nice to meet you, Mica. Are you in charge here?” “Yes, I’m in charge of the guards, sir.” “Jack, my name’s Jack. Listen, I’d like to schedule a meeting with you and some of your team as soon as we get settled.” “Yes, sir—Jack,” Mica quickly corrected himself. “Keep working on it,” Jack chuckled and slapped Mica on his over-sized biceps. Toby stepped forward and held out his hand. “I know we’ve just met, but I’d like to thank you. This bus is full of people who just want to live in peace. They’ve been forced from their houses a number of times over the years, and hopefully, with your help, they’re finally coming home for the last time.” Mica looked taken back by the comment. He glanced at the six-foot-six guard behind him before returning his attention to Toby. “We’ll defend you with our lives.” Toby gave Mica a shallow bow and turned back toward the bus. “Come on, Jack, let’s go home.” **** Jack grabbed a towel and ran to answer the phone. “Hello?” “Did I catch you at a bad time?” Ryker asked. “No, not at all. I was just finishing up a shower,” Jack said, wrapping the soft terrycloth around his waist. “Yes, I remember how much you used to love a nightly episode under the spray,” Ryker chuckled. Jack remembered several high spirited evenings spent with Ryker in the shower. “As much as I’d like to confirm your suspicion, I can’t, buddy. Toby’s out with the rest of the pack enjoying a much needed run.” “Good for them, bad for you.” “Ah, now see, that’s where you’re wrong. Toby will come home all pumped up. No, my friend, I’ve got a long night ahead of me.” Ryker laughed. “Ahh, to be young again.”

“Yeah, yeah, what’re you calling for?” “I just left Jarek, the cougar shifter I told you about. He’s agreed to round up the others of his species in the area and head your way.” “Okay. How’re they coming?” “I told him once he gets everyone gathered to give you a call and you’d send the bus. I’d suggest sending the driver to Colorado Springs in the morning. Hopefully Daniel and I will get this business squared away with Hakan and make it in time to meet up with the others.” “Try your best. Tell Daniel Layla’s doing fine. Actually, Toby talked her into going on the run.” “He’ll be happy to hear that,” Ryker said. The front door opened and a naked Toby stepped into the living room. “Ooh, gotta go. A snarling beast just stepped in the door.” Ryker was still laughing when Jack hung up the phone. “How was the run?” Jack asked, unknotting the towel from his waist. Toby grinned and took a running leap into Jack’s arms. “Fantastic. This place is amazing. We discovered a waterfall that I’m going to have to drag you to for a little skinny-dipping. I also brought you a present. It’s out on the porch.” Jack’s brow rose. “Another rabbit?” Toby nodded enthusiastically. “Two actually.” “Still trying to court me?” Jack squeezed the tight ass in his hands. “I’ll never stop courting you,” Toby moaned, rubbing his hard shaft against Jack’s torso. Turning, Jack carried Toby down the short hall to their bedroom. The house Ryker had picked out for them was perfect, not too big, not too small. They had one extra bedroom they’d already discussed turning into an office for pack business. Jack tumbled onto the bed with Toby still in his grip. “I love you.” Those ‘true blue’ eyes gazed up at Jack. “Will you be happy here?” Detecting worry in his mate’s voice, Jack’s brow furrowed. He thought of the thousands of acres of pristine wilderness with its snow-capped mountains and flowered valleys. “Why wouldn’t I be? I have the best backyard in the world and a sex-crazed shifter in my bed.” Toby shook his head. “It’s just… You’re used to being around smart people. I worry you’ll get bored.”

“Are you kidding? I learn something new from you every day. It doesn’t take a degree to be smart, Toby, besides I’m an environmental scientist. This place is a dream come true. I could spend the rest of my life just studying the dormant volcanoes. Not to mention the caves, streams and trees.” He pressed a kiss to Toby’s lips, delving inside for a taste. “You’re everything I could’ve asked for in a partner.” “Really? Because I noticed the way you were staring at Mica when you first met him,” Toby teased. Jack smiled and ground his cock against Toby’s. “Jealous?” Toby moaned and spread his legs. “No, because I also noticed he didn’t make you hard.” Reaching over to the bedside table, Jack grabbed the bottle of lube. “I’ll admit I was a little in awe. I mean, have you ever seen a more muscular man, especially one so good-looking?” Biting his lip, Toby gasped as Jack slid a finger inside his hole. “But as nice as Mica looked, I prefer my lovers to have white hair, blue eyes and an ass made for my cock.” “That sounds like me,” Toby whispered, a wicked smile on his face. Jack replaced his fingers with the head of his cock. “Let’s see.” He slowly pushed into Toby’s warm channel and sighed. “Oh, yeah. Perfect fit.”

Read on for a sneak preview of Carol Lynne’s Retribution, book two in the Refuge Series. Coming August 2009 to Resplendence Publishing.

Ryker Allen studied the small, five-foot-six man sitting across the table from him. With his usually unkempt hair now properly cut and styled, Daniel was gorgeous, although still way too thin. It didn’t lesson Ryker’s attraction to the King of the Coyotes, but it worried him. The battle with The Hunters was far from over, and Ryker knew the coming months would require strength. In many ways, Daniel reminded him more of a gangly pup when in shifted form. Reaching across the table, Ryker covered Daniel’s hand. The two of them had grown much closer over the last several days. Every moment spent with Daniel felt like a gift from Earth Mother, but he couldn’t help wondering when it would all be taken from him. Eventually, Daniel would find his destined mate, and Ryker would once again be alone. Those beautiful “true blue” eyes that marked Daniel as the king of his species looked up at him. “Is there something wrong?” Daniel’s voice was soft and gentle. “No. Just trying to figure out if we should try and reach Hakan while it’s still light out, or wait for morning.” Daniel licked a spot of ketchup from the corner of his mouth. “How much further?” “Not much. Two miles down the road and a couple of hours hike up the mountain.” “So we should have plenty of time to reach him before the sun sets.” Ryker knew he was looking for an excuse to spend another night with Daniel, before beginning the next phase of their mission. After giving Jarek, the cougar shifter, directions to the safe haven aptly named Refuge, Daniel had become even more withdrawn. Ryker worried that Daniel was tiring of him. The two of them had spent the in each other’s arms. Other than a few tender kisses, nothing sexual had happened, but Ryker knew they were building towards it. For him, the important thing was getting Daniel over the trauma of The Hunter’s attack that had killed many of the wolf shifters he’d been living amongst. Once they delivered the silver dagger and Jack’s great-grandfather’s journal to Hakan, they’d be on their way to Canada to join the other shifters. What would happen when he returned

Daniel to Refuge? Daniel seemed to be in a hurry since leaving Jarek. Did he sense his mate would be waiting at Refuge? “I take it you’d rather find Hakan today.” Daniel shrugged, refusing to meet Ryker’s gaze. It was an action that Ryker noticed the man did a lot. He assumed it had something to do with living as a pet for years, instead of the king that he was. “Finish your lunch and we’ll head that way.” “I’m finished.” Ryker looked at the half-eaten plate of food. Before he could protest, Daniel was up and out of the booth. Tossing several bills onto the table, Ryker followed Daniel out to the black four-wheel drive pickup he’d bought in Durango. The truck was high enough off the ground that Daniel had a hard time climbing in. Ryker came up behind Daniel and placed his hands on the shifter’s slender hips, easily lifting him into the cab. “Thanks.” At six-five, Ryker was the perfect height to lean in for a kiss. He wanted to devour Daniel’s mouth, but held his lust in check. Maybe after dealing with Hakan, Daniel would be relaxed enough to open up. Hakan was another set of worries that Ryker had been dealing with. As the son of Father Sky, Hakan was more like Ryker than anyone else on the planet. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. Did Hakan have the same gifts Ryker did? He pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the base of the mountain. As far as he knew, Hakan had lived in the same place for hundreds of years. Ryker wondered if the man had received many visitors in all that time. Did Hakan go into town and scratch his sexual itches, or did he take care of them himself? He decided to put that line of thinking aside. Ryker wasn’t even sure what team Hakan batted for, so why was he thinking about the man’s sexual practices? He glanced at his passenger. “I wish you would’ve eaten more of your lunch.” Daniel squirmed in his seat. “It’s not that I’m not hungry. My stomach just isn’t used to eating much.”

“Maybe we should stop more often and get smaller meals into you, five or six times a day.” Daniel shrugged. “I take it you don’t like skinny guys.” Ryker reached across the seat and cupped the side of Daniel’s face. “You’re gorgeous, and you know it. Things might not be easy for awhile. I just want you as strong as possible.” Daniel leaned into Ryker’s touch. “Jarek knows who his mate is.” “Yeah? How do you know that?” “Because he was happy about going to Refuge. Cougars are solitary animals, except when they’re planning to mate.” The reasoning made sense to Ryker. “You could be right. Do you begrudge him?” “No.” “Then why is it bothering you?” When Daniel didn’t say anything, Ryker’s hand slid back to the steering wheel. “I thought we’d talked about sticking together until you find your mate.” “We did,” Daniel whispered. “And it’s fine. I like you a lot.” “But…?” Ryker saw Daniel wipe at his cheeks. He checked his rearview mirror and pulled over to the side of the road. He felt incredibly stupid for weaving dreams of spending time with Daniel. Ryker would never admit it to a soul, but part of him hoped Daniel’s true mate had been killed by The Hunters. “But…?” Riker repeated. Daniel turned and looked up at him with tears in his eyes. Ryker couldn’t help but want to gather the small coyote shifter into his arms, and protect him from whatever was hurting him. “I’m starting to feel funny. Like something’s coming.” Daniel shook his head. “Sounds stupid, but it’s like I’m being pulled from the inside.” “To where?” “I don’t know.” Daniel looked down at his hands. “But I’ve been hard since we left Jarek’s.” Ryker glanced down at Daniel’s crotch. Even with the baggy jeans he wore, the shifter’s cock was evident. Ryker wanted nothing more than to take care of Daniel’s problem for him, but he got the feeling his advances wouldn’t be welcome.

“Do you need to…ya know, take care of it?” A blush worked its way up Daniel’s neck to his entire face. “That’s okay. The way I’m feeling, once won’t be enough anyway.” Ryker almost groaned at the image of a lustful Daniel jacking himself in the cab of the truck as they drove down the road. Yum. It seemed the hornier his little shifter became, the hornier Ryker also became. It must be the pheromones in the air. Ryker looked down at his own erection. “Seems I’m having the same problem.” Daniel bit his lip as he stared at Ryker’s groin. “I could, um, take care of that for you.” Ryker leaned his head on the back of the seat and groaned. “I’d like nothing more, but let’s wait until we get off this road.” What the hell was happening to them? Ryker put the truck into gear and pulled back onto the road. Half a mile later, he turned onto a dirt path and drove another two miles before the track ended. His cock was beginning to throb, and the front of his jeans was soaked with precum. Fuck. Evidently, Daniel was having the same problem. Before Ryker even turned off the engine, Daniel was ripping off his clothes and scrambling out of the cab. “I’m burning up,” Daniel moaned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Ryker tore off his shirt and got out of the truck. He reached for his zipper, but Daniel’s hands were there to take over. “What’s wrong with me?” Daniel asked, falling on his knees in front of Ryker. “Us, not just you,” Ryker said. The shifter’s mouth covered Ryker’s cock, and he almost lost it. How long had it been since Jack? Shit. Ryker pushed that thought away and buried his fingers in Daniel’s shoulder-length brown hair. Could this be the mating fever he’d heard Toby talk about? Did that mean? “I need to fuck you.” Ryker reached down and pulled Daniel up into his arms. He looked around, finally settling on a small patch of grass. As if by instinct, Daniel presented his ass like a bitch in heat. The shifter’s sphincter muscles clenched and unclenched like they were beckoning his cock. Gathering all the moisture he could, Ryker spat in his hand and began lubing Daniel’s hole. “Fuck me,” Daniel cried. “You’re not ready yet.”

“I don’t care. Just fuck me.” Ryker removed his hand and spat on the palm once more. Spreading the saliva down the length of his shaft, he placed the head at Daniel’s hole. Within seconds, Daniel was pushing back, impaling himself on Ryker’s length. The squeeze of Daniel’s tight little body around his cock was incredible. As good as sex had been with Jack, Ryker didn’t think it was even in the same ballpark as with Daniel. “So good.” “Harder,” Daniel ordered with a growl in his voice. Ryker gripped Daniel’s hips tight enough to leave bruises and began fucking his man in earnest. The slap of skin had birds taking flight all around them. Daniel buried his shoulder in the tall grass and reached down to grab his cock. “Yessss,” he hissed as he shot thick ropes of cum onto the long blades of grass. Ryker felt his orgasm approaching and prayed his cock would behave like Jack’s had done when he had officially mated with Toby. Please, please. With the first burst of seed, Ryker knew it wasn’t meant to be. Although more gratifying than any other coupling in his life, the lack of physical changes to his penis told him more than words ever could. What should’ve been a jubilant climax left Ryker feeling incredibly empty. It had been a pipe dream, and he knew it, but it didn’t fill the void in his heart. He pulled out and sat back on his heels. Daniel must’ve had a similar thought, because the coyote shifter refused to look him in the eyes. No words seemed necessary. They both knew a mating hadn’t taken place. Ryker stood and found his jeans. He pulled a handkerchief out of the back pocket and quickly cleaned his cock, before passing the fine linen over to Daniel. When they were both dressed, Ryker swung his heavy backpack over his shoulder and the two of them headed up the mountain side. Although he didn’t have a map, Ryker knew instinctively where he was going. It felt like his brain had been programmed with GPS coordinates to Hakan’s house. Halfway up, Daniel stopped. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly snapped it shut. “Something wrong?” Ryker asked.

Daniel crossed his arms in front of his chest, hugging himself. “Something’s not right. I feel like my insides are being pulled in two different directions.” “What do you mean? Like there’s a part of you that wants to do one thing, but another part wants to do another?” Daniel shook his head and held his stomach tighter. “No. Like literally, my body’s being torn in two different directions.” Despite the earlier moment of awkward tension, Ryker wrapped a comforting arm around Daniel. “Let’s find Hakan. We’ll give him the dagger and the journal, and then I’ll get you back to town. I’m sure you’re just tired.” “What’s Hakan supposed to do with the knife?” With his arm still around Daniel, Ryker began to walk slowly to Hakan’s cabin. “We need an alternate way to kill The Hunters. The knife is effective, but not very practical, since you can only kill one at a time. Hakan’s a silversmith, so we’re hoping he can help us.” Plastered to Ryker’s side, Daniel began walking faster, almost pulling Ryker along. “If you don’t slow down you’re gonna fall.” “I can’t help it,” Daniel whined. “I’m being pulled.” Ryker stopped. “By who?” Only a few yards in front of him, Daniel grabbed his stomach once more. “I don’t know, but I’m getting that feeling of being split in two again.” When Daniel started to double over, Ryker rushed forward and caught him. “We need to keep going,” Daniel panted. “I don’t know why, but we do.” Ryker had a sinking feeling in his gut. He needed to talk to Earth Mother, but couldn’t do it with Daniel around. Out of nowhere, Hakan stepped out of the trees in front of them. When Ryker stopped, Daniel continued to walk, tugging on Ryker’s hand. “Closer,” Daniel pleaded. “Ryker?” Hakan asked. Ryker’s gaze met Hakan’s, and he no longer needed to be pulled along. The two men walked toward each other, until they were standing with only Daniel between them. Daniel sighed. “It’s gone.” He glanced over his shoulder at Ryker. “What’s going on?” Ryker shook his head. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”

“It won’t help,” Hakan informed them. “I asked Father what was happening to me as soon as the two of you started up the mountain. He said all would be revealed with time and patience.” “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Ryker asked. “Father enjoys making me work for an answer.” Hakan turned and started up the hill. “Come on. It’s not that much further.” Hakan had taken about twenty steps when Ryker heard Daniel’s whimper. “Daniel?” Hakan stopped and walked back toward Daniel and Ryker. When they were once again standing within arms length, Daniel released the hold on his stomach. “It wasn’t as bad as before, more like a gnawing instead of sharp pain. What the fuck is that?” Narrowing his eyes, Hakan reached out and laid a hand on Daniel. “How does that feel?” “Like a big hand on my chest, but good, I guess. Why?” Hakan tilted his head to the side. Removing his hand from Daniel, Hakan shrugged. “Nothing. I thought I understood, but the puzzle is still ours to solve. There’s a reason I felt the two of you earlier. I just need to figure out what it means.” Hakan turned away and Ryker spotted Daniel immediately reaching for his stomach. “Stop!” he yelled at Hakan. “Whatever’s going on, for some reason it involves the three of us being in close proximity. Let’s stick together until we figure it out.” Daniel and Hakan looked at him with doubt in their eyes, but as a unit, they began to travel up the mountain. Despite what Hakan had told him earlier, Ryker wanted to talk to Earth Mother. He wondered if Daniel would be able to handle the separation such a conversation would require. In order to speak to Mother, Ryker needed to free his soul of his body. The heat generated by such an act would be too much for Daniel to withstand. He doubted the transition would have an effect on Hakan, but Daniel was his main concern. In the middle of their walk, they came to a ten-foot tall chain-link fence. A large sign said, “Restricted Area Keep Out.” Ryker knew from reading Hakan’s file that he owned fourhundred acres, but he hadn’t expected the security that was evident. Security cameras seemed to track their every move, and, if Ryker didn’t miss his guess, the fence could be electrified. “Where’re you getting your juice?” he asked.

“Juice?” Hakan questioned. “Electricity. I didn’t see any poles on the way up.” Hakan looked at him as if he were crazy. “Father gives me everything I need.” Once they were safely inside the fence, Hakan flipped a switch, the hum signaled activation. Fifteen minutes later, they came to a cleared field. Solar panels stretched across the meadow like soldiers. Hakan didn’t say anything, but Ryker noticed the grin on his otherwise stoic face. He still didn’t have a good read on the guy. His file said he’d been a medicine man, but his body was that of a warrior, with raven black hair reaching down past his ass, and muscles to rival his own. They eventually entered Hakan’s main living space. The trees were sparser, but still canopied the house and out buildings. Hakan led them to the front porch and sat stoically in a large rocking chair. He gestured toward the swing. “I believe you have a journal to show me.” Ryker shrugged out of the backpack and took the indicated seat, pulling Daniel down beside him. He produced the cloth-wrapped journal and handed it to Hakan. Daniel began to fidget beside him. “You okay?” he asked the small man. Daniel glanced at Hakan. “Can you slide closer?” With furrowed black brows, Hakan moved his chair to within two feet of the swing. “That better?” Daniel sighed and sat back as if exhausted. “Much. Thank you.” Ryker wished he knew what was going on with Daniel. Their sexual liaison at the base of the mountain had him feeling proprietary. It took all his inner strength not to slip into one of his shifter skins and tear Hakan to pieces. As Hakan studied the pictographs in the ex-Hunter’s journal, Ryker wrapped an arm around Daniel and pulled him closer. Daniel’s head rested against Ryker’s chest. The climb and mysterious pain evidently had taken its toll on the coyote kind, because he was soon asleep. Several times Hakan made surprised noises as he deciphered the journal. “Anything?” Ryker asked.

Hakan glanced up. “It mostly talks about Aquene’s disgust at his own people and the atrocities they committed on the Roanoke colonists.” “Aquene?” Hakan nodded. “William Fenton’s real name. Anyway, it tells of his first meeting with Sara, the woman who eventually changed his life. He ran from The Hunter’s in the middle of the night and traveled back to Newfoundland to be with Sara.” Hakan’s gaze went back to the book as he continued to read. Ryker watched as Hakan’s face became more animated. Hakan shook his head and flipped back a few pages, evidently rereading a passage. “Find something?” “I think so, but pictographs aren’t like written words. I can’t be positive, but I think I’ve figured out what’s going on with Daniel.” Ryker tensed. How could Daniel be in a book that was older than he was? “What’s it say?” Hakan suddenly looked uncomfortable. “There’s a legend among The Hunters that until the day the bridge is formed between Earth and Sky, the curse can be undone.” “And what does that have to do with Daniel?” Hakan shook his head. “I’m not sure, but don’t you think it has to be more than a coincidence that you guard the shifters of the earth, and I guard the sky shifters? Yet Daniel’s the only one who feels pain when the two of us are separated? I mean, think about it. The Hunters are shifters who’ve lost the ability to shift. Since you arrived, I’ve felt you. I felt you try to mate Daniel, and the disappointment you felt when it didn’t work out.” Hakan rubbed his eyes and gestured to Daniel. “The answer’s right in front of us. We just need to figure out how it works.” Ryker gazed down at Daniel. Did the lonely shifter hold the key? What would be the benefit of joining him and Hakan? Ryker smoothed the hair out of Daniel’s eyes. “I need to go talk to Mother. Will you watch him?” Hakan looked uncomfortable. “Watch him?” “Yeah. Hold him. Care for him while I’m gone.” Ryker was surprised he’d said it. Why did the idea of Hakan holding Daniel no longer upset him?

With the journal still in one hand, Hakan opened his arms. Ryker scooped Daniel up from the swing without his little shifter stirring. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be,” Ryker explained. When he placed Daniel in Hakan’s arms, the three of them touched for the first time. Ryker was almost knocked on his ass by the jolt of sexual electricity that flew through him. Hakan’s sharp intake of breath, and Daniel’s answering sigh, signaled Ryker wasn’t the only one affected. Ryker stared into Hakan’s eyes. “Yeah, I definitely need to have a talk with Mother.” Still half asleep, Daniel reached down and rubbed the noticeable bulge in his jeans. “What happened?” Ryker knelt between Hakan’s spread thighs and placed a kiss on Daniel’s cheek. “I’m not sure, sweetheart, but I’m going to find out.” Daniel opened his eyes, noticing for the first time that he was now in Hakan’s lap. “Where’re you going?” Daniel asked Ryker. “To the trees to talk to Mother. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Hakan will take care of you until I get back.” Hakan grunted, and Ryker wasn’t sure which part of the statement the gorgeous man had a problem with. After giving Daniel a gentle, but open mouthed, kiss, Ryker stood. He was halfway to the forest before he heard the first moan. Ryker stopped and turned around. Daniel was once again clutching his stomach. Ryker glanced towards the trees and then back to Daniel, torn. Was finding answers important enough to put Daniel through whatever pain he appeared to be experiencing? Maybe the answers lay within the rest of the journal. Ryker turned back around and returned to the porch. Running his fingers through Daniel’s hair, he kissed him. “Is it bad?” “Yes and no. It’s different.” “How so?” Daniel scratched his head. “Seems more emotional than physical for some reason. Like when you walked away, I just wanted to curl up and cry.” Ryker looked at Hakan. “Mother can wait.” Hakan nodded his head in agreement. Thunder cracked overhead, and Hakan looked up as if listening. After a few moments, he grinned. “Father says asking questions isn’t the only way to discover answers.”

Ryker huffed. “Does Father Sky always talk in riddles?” Hakan smiled affectionately. “Yes. He says it keeps me on my toes.” Daniel’s stomach growled, surprising Ryker. “Wow, you’re finally hungry?” Daniel nodded. “Starving.” Hakan stood with Daniel still in his arms. “I made stew earlier. Does that sound good?” Daniel nodded, and Hakan carried him into the house. Ryker made sure he stayed close to the two men. It was obvious that whatever was going on, it was easiest on Daniel if they moved as a unit. The small cabin was nice. Ryker could tell that Hakan had built and furnished it by himself. The only piece of store-bought furniture he saw was the brown leather sofa. Hakan set Daniel down on the handmade kitchen countertop, which was nothing more than a large slab of sanded lumber. He turned on the stove and gave the stew a couple of stirs. Ryker used the opportunity to study Hakan from behind. He bit his lip as his gaze wandered from the broad shoulders to the tightly muscled ass. Licking his lips, he couldn’t help but wonder what that ass would feel like in his hands. Daniel giggled, snapping him out of his lustful thoughts. Ryker looked at the mischievous coyote shifter and grinned. He shrugged his shoulders, hands out to the sides. “Couldn’t resist.” Daniel smiled knowingly. Hakan turned around and glanced from Ryker to Daniel. “What’s going on?” Ryker shook his head, too embarrassed to tell Hakan he’d been staring at his ass, but Daniel had no such trouble. “Ryker likes the way you look.” One black brow rose on Hakan’s chiseled face. Ryker shrugged innocently. “Sorry.”

About the Author

An avid reader for years, one day Carol Lynne decided to write her own brand of erotic romance. Carol juggles life as a full-time mom and a full-time writer. These days, you can usually find her either cleaning jelly out of the carpet or nestled in her favorite chair writing steamy love scenes.

Thank You! We appreciate your purchase of this Resplendence Publishing title. We hope your reading experience was a pleasurable one, and invite you to take 10% off your next electronic book purchase from Resplendence. Visit www.resplendencepublishing.com, select any title, and enter the following code when you check out: ReadRP10. This code is valid only at www.ResplendencePublishing.com, for electronic book purchases only. During your visit to www.ResplendencePublishing.com, you can enjoy Free Reads from RP’s hottest authors, obtain information on our Read Green charitable donation program, or sign up for our quarterly newsletter and our RP Reader Rewards program, which awards loyal readers with a $10.00 gift certificate for every $100.00 spent. You can also join us on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter (look for rp_leigh.) You will find regular updates, information on upcoming releases and appearances, as well as contests for free RP titles. We love to hear from our readers, and hope to see you there. Thank you again for your purchase, and we look forward to becoming you number one resource for high quality electronic fiction. Best, The RP Team

Also Available from Resplendence Publishing

In For a Penny by Carol Lynne What’s the old saying…you can never go home again? Raven Black resigned himself to never returning after being ordered from the only real home he’d ever known. Now, seven years later, Raven is back to face the man who sent him away. Zane Conner is not only Raven’s foster brother but the only man Raven ever loved. Despite his mixed feelings about the situation, Raven can’t deny Zane when the older man asks for his help in saving the Lazy C Bar Ranch. A boy found dead on the ranch clinches Raven’s decision. Why did the young boy look so much like he had at that age—the same age he’d been when his own father had beaten him and left him for dead?

Nuit Aux Trois by Melinda Barron Quinn’s two roommates, lovers Fletcher Covair and Devlin St. Giles, have the perfect idea: Quinn will accompany them on a Halloween ghost hunt at a haunted plantation. Quinn agrees, knowing there’s no such thing as ghosts and thinking the time away will give her time to assess her future job prospects, and if nothing else, a chance to relax. But the plantation’s resident ghost, Alison, has other ideas. She wants help in righting a longtime wrong, and it seems that the ghost has chosen Quinn, Dev, and Fletch to assist her. While Quinn’s mind is reeling from the knowledge that there are really ghosts, she comes to another shocking realization: Dev and Fletch have more on their minds than ghost hunting, and Alison isn’t the only restless spirit who wants to make contact.

The Resurrection of Josephine by Melinda Barron Martin Vandreen avoids graveside funerals at all costs—for good reason. As a spiritual medium with the ability to communicate with the dead, cemeteries tend to be filled with restless souls that want to chat with him. But when Martin makes an exception and attends the burial ceremony of his dear friend’s departed father, he encounters a powerful entity that nearly kills him.

Rumer Rousseau and her lover Noah Hopper will do anything to stop the resurrection of Josephine, including forcibly enlisting the help of Martin. Martin reluctantly agrees to help find a way to destroy Josephine before the evil witch gains enough power to overturn the spell binding her spirit to her crypt, thus allowing her to return to the world of flesh and blood. Suddenly, Martin’s orderly, somewhat private lifestyle is turned upside down. But within the arms of Rumer and Noah, he’s finds that he no longer desires the solitude he once treasured, and longs to have a relationship that can stand the test of time. But will the bond they forged together be strong enough to survive the resurrection of Josephine?

Oriana and the Three Werebears by Tia Fanning Oriana Ricci has taken over the family business—flying cargo and rich tourists around Alaska’s barely inhabited Kodiak Archipelago. When her plane malfunctions and she’s forced to make an emergency landing, she finds herself stranded in the middle of a National Wildlife Refuge. With no civilization for miles and no hope of rescue, she thinks all is lost… Until she stumbles upon the entrance to an underground bunker. Jack, Jordan, and Jonathan McMathan own and operate a secret intelligence firm contracted by the US Government. Hidden away in an old Cold War spy station located the middle of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, the brothers are not only able to do their top secret jobs safely without fear of discovery, but are better to protect their other, more personal secret: They have the ability to shift into Kodiak bears. Like a fairy tale gone bad, the brothers return home to find their lunch tasted—or eaten, their computer chairs adjusted—or broken, and a beautiful blonde sleeping in one of their beds. This situation poses a big problem for the brothers… Their location is now compromised, but more importantly, what are they to do with the lady?

Red: A Seduction Tale by Maddie James Garnet Boudreaux is going home. Not back to her nice little apartment in New York City, but to her childhood home in the bayou. She doesn’t want to go, and isn’t certain what will be waiting for her when she arrives. But standing there in the voodoo shop on Bourbon Street, in the middle of one helluva party, she’s told by Madame Madeleine Dupuis that she has no choice. She presses two pouches into Garnet’s hands, wraps a red cape around her, and tells her she must go—and go now—to see to her grandmother.

Max LeBlanc spies the lovely red-head across the street and knows in a heartbeat she is the one. A rougarou always knows when he’s met his mate. Some may call him a lycanthrope, a werewolf if you will, but in Cajun bayou lands he’s known simply as The Rougarou. He’d waited several hundred years for this moment, and for her. There is nothing left for him to do, but mark her and claim her as his mate. Soon.

Drums of the Nunne’hi by James Goodman Carl and Jessica fell for each other during their final year of high school. Unfortunately, they come from different worlds. The people of their small Oklahoma town were taught from an early age that they should steer clear of the kids from the Cherokee reservation, and the animosity flows both ways. Carl’s mother is heartbroken to learn that her only son has strayed from his people by falling in love with a white girl, while Jessica’s family sees any relationship with a ‘Rez Kid’ as the ultimate betrayal—and they want Carl to pay for their daughter’s mistake. What happens next will awaken an ancient power thought long gone from the world of man. The pounding of the drums may mark their coming, but it’s the screams that will let you know the Nunne’hi have arrived...

Made for Mischief by Regina Carlysle All she really wanted was one naughty night before returning to her life as a sheltered country spinster! Crawling beneath a bed in London’s most notorious brothel was beyond the pale, even for known eccentric Arabella Spencer. Little did she imagine that lust, desire, and yes, love was just within her grasp. When Grayson St. James, Lord Mercer, newly returned from fighting Napoleon, dragged a squirming, dusty bluestocking from beneath his bed, he was...well...aghast! She wanted adventure, did she? She wanted to learn about sex, did she? He was just the man to teach her.

The Last Celtic Witch by Lyn Armstrong: "As charming and magical as Celtic legend itself, a truly enjoyable read and wonderful debut!" Heather Graham New York Times Bestselling Author A painful death… a prophecy foretold.

Pursued by evil forces for her powers, recluse Adela MacAye foresees her own agonizing death. She must seek the chosen one to produce an heir and pass on her Celtic powers. To fail would be the end of good magick, plunging the world into darkness. Conjuring a fertility spell she is led to a sensual chieftain who is betrothed to the sorceress that hunts her. Time is running out as fate and the future pursue her. Plagued by enemies and undermined by sabotage, handsome Laird Phillip Roberts must save his clan from bloody feud by making an alliance through marriage... a marriage he does not want. After a night of white-hot sensual delights with the alluring witch, his heart commands he break the pledge of peace. With treachery around every corner, will he be too late to save... The Last Celtic Witch?

Finding Her Place by Midnyte Dupree The war is over and Cameron Cabot no longer knows who she is. Her life was enveloped and consumed by the fight, but suddenly things have changed. Instead of fighting creatures wanting her planet, Cameron is now fighting the urge to lay claim to two men who believe she is their mate. Has Cameron found her new assignment in the arms of a Noah and Mars? Yes, if a mischievous little spirit has anything to say about it…

Male Me by Amarinda Jones After Delaware Brooks sends a silly email about what she would like the new boss to do to her, she is called into the boss's office. The punishment? Every hot, sexual craving she has ever had, fulfilled. But Templeton McAdam is not the only new man in her life. His best friend, Speed is invited to enjoy Delaware much to her surprise and excitement. Two men. One woman. Their only desire is to please her. Intense pleasure is one thing, but is it wrong to enjoy both men? What would a good girl do? And should she be falling in love with them so fast? But sudden love is not the only problem Delaware has. Someone is watching her every move and planning on teaching her a lesson.

Find Resplendence titles at the following retailers:

Resplendence Publishing www.ResplendencePublishing.com

Amazon www.Amazon.com

Target www.Target.com

Fictionwise www.Fictionwise.com

All Romance E-Books www.AllRomanceEbooks.com

Mobipocket www.Mobipocket.com