Get to know some of the Book Boyfriends from different series by paranormal author Jami Brumfield, raffle giveaway and scavenger hunt

If you're here for the book boyfriend scavenger hunt you came to the right place. A good book usually has one of two components that knock your socks off; a great plot or great characters and the really awesome books usually have both. I try hard to create stories that have both of these components and are fast paced reads that blend in mystery, suspense, and romance. I'd like to introduce you to some of the book boyfriends I've created in different series.

Storm Carter from the Rayne's Thunder romantic serial.

When this guy is in the room the temperature rises. He's the man that is astute, observant, loyal, and watches over those he loves like a guard dog... er wolf. Not only does he set fire to the pages of the story but he's also honest and tells it like it is. This quality can hurt him as he is competing against nine other men to win the heart and hand of Rayne.

Here is an sneak peek excerpt from Rayne's Thunder (Part Four) The Mating Games which will be coming out in a few weeks.

The next arrival took me by Storm, literally, he was my Storm. His long, dark hair was tied back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His familiar scent beckoned me and I found myself lost in the turmoil of emotions that came with the irritatingly observant, hard headed ass who always managed to keep me on my toes. For some peculiar reason I cared what he thought of me. Dislike, tainted with trust and interest was not a healthy concoction but every time he turned those soul searing eyes on me I lost all control of my senses, logic flew out the window, and my body responded to his with a dance of desire that burned me from the core to my skin. They say there is a fine line between love and hate and I experienced that every time I was around this man. My mind screamed danger and my body yelled, ‘come closer’. It was the kind of relationship that never lasted but I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘what if it could’ and I supposed that was why he was here. He walked up the steps and offered me a cup of coffee and in that moment I realized he wasn’t there to compete he was there to take care of me like he did with the rest of the family. Evidence of this was clear when he handed Chloe, River, and Rhyme their own drinks. The man was infuriating.

I turned toward him. “Does that mean you’re not competing in the games?”

Storm sipped his drink, “I don’t play games.” 

His green eyes watched me over the brim of the cup. I wanted to scream, ‘No!’ to asked him ‘why?’ but I refused to stoop to his level. Instead I turned away. I didn’t expect the next chain of events to happen. He whipped me around and pulled me into his strong arms. “I don’t play games, but for you, I’m willing to let that rule slide.”

“Meaning what, exactly?” For some reason I needed to hear the words. I needed to know he felt an inkling of what I was starting to feel for him. I wasn’t about to put myself out there to get burned if he didn’t feel remotely the same.

“Are you ready for a real relationship with real responsibilities?”

“Are you ready to stop treating me like a child?”

“Perhaps.” He grinned.

“Then perhaps I am, we’ll have to see, if you’re still standing at the end of the Games.”

“I’ll only be standing at the end of the games if you show me you’re a worthy mate.” He caressed my cheek and I felt my legs go weak. How someone could be so strong and yet gentle was beyond me. “For now, I choose to compete.” His words made my heart skip a beat before he released me. 

Rayne's Thunder (Part One) Master Chef

Rayne's Thunder (Part Two) The Veterinarian

Rayne's Thunder (Part Three) The Politician and the Witches

Another great book boyfriend is Fang aka Levi in the PBI Case Files. This were-bear takes sacrifice to a whole new level. He's also more primal than human which can help on the battlefield, it makes him a superb secret agent, but a failure in social situations, especially where his mate is concerned. He's a strong alpha that isn't afraid to take what he wants, handle situations with a firm hand, but shows the utmost respect for the ones he loves. He's not good with words but his Viking God good looks and solid, muscular physique helps to soften the blow. 

In the PBI Case Files he makes mistakes and learns to pay for those. He puts in the time and will hopefully win over the heart of the woman he loves. In Outbreak, the second adventure of this series he saved Francesca's life by binding his life force with hers which began the mating process between them. The problem was, he made this decision while she was comatose, literally dying. There was no way she was going to make it through the night and he wasn't going to lose her so he bound their life forces together forever attaching him to her even if she refused him and moved on to another man.

Check out this excerpt from PBI Case Files as Fang tries to explain to Francesca (Frankie) about what happened the night she almost died.

Fang didn’t hesitate, he was a bit of a brute when it came to her. He took her arm in his hand and pulled her toward him forcibly. “We need to talk.” His hands and voice were harsher than he intended as he pulled the despondent Frankie down the hall.

Once again she was being man handled by the overbearing, were-bear. One part of her wanted his attention, she couldn’t fight off the chemical attraction but the intelligent part of her knew better. Being drug away was the wake-up call she needed. Frankie dug her heels into the ground, but it did little good since the floors were grey concrete. “Let go of me!” She hissed, and when she started fighting back, he tossed her over his shoulder with minimal effort. When she started slamming her fists into his solid back, he spanked her. That made her pause for a moment as she processed his actions. “Did you just...spank me?”

He slipped into an abandoned office, dropped her unceremoniously on the couch, and then locked the door so they wouldn’t be disturbed. He was so angry, she could feel the boiling heat radiating off his body. His glare cut her to the bone as he tried to put his emotions in check. She didn’t like seeing him this way, something in her subconscious warned her he was dangerous when he was upset.

The warning voice in her head did little to calm her, instead, she saw red. He kept pushing and he’d pushed too far this time. She stood up, “how dare you?” Her fist aimed for his face, but he stopped her first punch and managed to stop her second as well.

“You may be well trained, Francesca, but I trained you.” The bitterness in his voice cut her open like a fish gutted and forced her to settle down. She’d never heard him speak to her with such anger, and knowing what he was, she knew better than to poke the bear more than necessary. The saying you catch more bears with honey rang true to her in that moment.

His voice and words softened when he saw fear in her green eyes. “Please, Frankie, I just want to talk.” He released her fisted hands.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” She crossed her arms over her chest and took a step back. They were alone and he was too close for comfort. “You really need to take a socializing class. Your actions are inexcusable.”

He offered a shy, mischievous grin, “Social etiquette has never been a strong point for me.”

“Ya, think?”

“Why do you hate me so much?” He gave her a sincere, hurtful look, one that almost shook her to the core.

“I…I don’t hate you. I just hate the things you do sometimes.” The sadness in his eyes made her attitude soften. For some reason, despite her annoyance at the man, she took pity on him.

“My mother told me that hate is probably one of the worst words a person can use to describe something.” 

“Your mother is right.” Frankie unfolded her arms. “Maybe I should say I dislike the things you do, but I really don’t appreciate being thrown over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and I won’t tolerate being spanked. I’m in my mid-twenties, not a child.”

“Asking for a new partner without trying to work things out with your current partner is slightly childish.”

“You heard that? It’s not polite to eavesdrop.” She balked.

He shrugged, “I’m not polite, according to you.” He mumbled the last part.

He moved forward a few steps so he was invading her personal space. She took a step back, and he clamped his hand around her forearms and pulled her back toward him. “Please don’t do that.”

“What? Let me go, Fang.”

“Not until I tell you what happened to you in the hospital.”

Frankie’s eyes grew wide, “okay, what happened?” It was the secret she’d been trying to uncover since she woke up. She didn’t know why, but she needed to know what they did to her.

“First you need to understand why. You were going to die, and I couldn’t let that happen to you. I don’t know if you realize this, but there is chemistry between us.”

Frankie laughed, “uh no, there isn’t.”

He tilted his head and looked deep into her eyes, like he was examining her soul. “Do I need to kiss you again to prove it?”

“Keep those lips away from me.”

He moved closer, his lips inches from hers. “Why do you deny yourself the pleasures I can show you?”

“I don’t know how else I can make it any clearer. I’m. Not. Interested.” She did it, she dared to poke the bear’s chest.

“When you stop lying to me, and perhaps to yourself, things will be a lot better between us. Even now, your heart speeds up as my lips inch closer to yours. Your green eyes grow dark with desire. You moisten your lips in anticipation and your scent is honey mixed with musk. The words you speak do not match your body’s response.”

“You’re also describing fear.” Frankie pointed out.

His face fell and he dropped his grip on her arms. “I don’t wish to make you afraid me.” He took a step back and Frankie felt guilt over her words. He was so literal and blunt, and he put her on the defense. It was hard to believe that her words could cut him, but they did.

“I’m sorry, Fang. I’m not afraid of you.”

His brown eyes lit up with hope. “Good, because what I need to tell you could change everything between us.”

“Okay?” her voice was guarded.

“You were about to die.”

“I know.” The mutated strain of the Ebola virus had caused complete organ failure, the only way to survive was to eat human organs to replace those that had shut down and she was not going to do that. The memory made her shudder.

“And it was my fault.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Not entirely his fault. The brute was constantly arguing with her about her safety in the field, and he was too preoccupied with his anger that he hadn’t put the child infected with the virus in the car before laying into her with his words. The girl was hungry and started gnawing on Frankie’s hand. She clamped down so tightly that the only way to get her to release was to kill her. 

Frankie closed her eyes against the memory of Fang breaking the girl’s neck. She’d never seen someone die in front of her like that, and she was still a bit traumatized by the tragedy. Fang had been suspended for a week while they investigated his actions, and he was returned to duty once they determined he was protecting his team in the line of duty. It didn’t make the picture of the girl’s death any easier.

“We all knew you weren’t ready for field work, but we needed you because of…”

Just being near him made her emotions go haywire. She needed to get away, and didn’t want to hear it anymore. “Look, Fang, I get it. You all injected me with some sort of paranormal healing serum. 

What I really want to know is if it’s going to fade.”

“The strength?” Fang tried to catch up to her questioning. Changing gears mid conversation wasn’t always easy.

Frankie nodded. “And the enhanced senses.”

“No, you’ll always have those things no matter what you do.”

Frankie took a deep breath, “I’ve thought a lot about this and assuming that is what you all did to me I’m… okay with it.”

“You are?”

She didn’t know it then but there was far more to it. “Well, kind of, as long as I know what is happening to me and understand all the things connected to it. I mean it makes me a stronger agent. I just hate being kept in the dark with people I’m supposed to trust keeping secrets from me. Are there any nasty side effects?”

Oh boy there were nasty side effects. 

The Beginning (PBI Case Files adventure 1)

Outbreak (PBI Case Files adventure 2)

Lost Plane (PBI Case Files adventure 3)

Justice Driven (PBI Case Files adventure 4)

Remote Paranoia (PBI Case Files adventure 5)

Joshua Parker from the Magical Secrets Series is not an in your face kind of book boyfriend, he is the scholarly man whose loyalty and compassion to his family and friends wins you over slowly. He's the kind of guy that grows on you and sticks with you for the long haul which is sexy in itself but his devotion to the ones he loves and willingness to do whatever it takes to keep them safe makes him a slow burning superstar. 

In the Magical Secrets Series, he and his sister hunt antiques for their shop and determine if the antiques are imbued with magic or not and lock the dangerous ones away from the public because they refused to see others suffer at the hands of magic like they did when they lost their parents. 

Here is an excerpt from Genie's Treasure, the first adventure of this series.

He ran his fingers over the surface, something he’d done a hundred times before. Rubbing the surface didn’t conjure the Jinn, contrary to popular myth. They’d tried that multiple times, out of curiosity. He opened the lamp and peered inside. This time as he ran his calloused hands over the metal his fingers caught on a tiny latch hidden in the dark recesses of a tiny crevice, he could’ve sworn the latch hadn’t been there before. It was so tiny it could’ve been easily overlooked, his eyes never caught it.

His voice caught in his throat as he snapped the latch down and felt a prick against his finger. He pulled back his hand and saw a bead of blood forming on his finger. “What the hell?”

He dropped the lamp when a woman with cinnamon colored skin, dark hair and, brown, soulful eyes appeared in front of him. “How may I serve you, master?” Her voice had a slight Persian accent. She barely looked his direction as she spoke, careful not to look him in the eyes.

Surprise had him scrambling over the back of the luxurious cream colored chair. “Who? What? Where? Am I losing my mind?”

“I am the Jinn Amani, I come from Persia, and no you’re not losing your mind. You have three wishes. Please tell me what is your greatest desire?”

Joshua stared at Amani for a moment, and then he burst out laughing. “Did Josie set you up to this?”

Amani shook her head, “I know no, Josie.”

Joshua took his glasses off and rubbed his green eyes pressing hard at the bridge of his nose to push down the building tension. His brain tried to focus on the logic of the situation but there was none. Perhaps he was dreaming, that made the most sense. He fell asleep while Josie went to take a shower. “I’m dreaming.” He smiled as he slipped out from behind the chair. “So now I just need to figure out how to wake up.”

“You are not dreaming,” Amani stated.

“You would say that.” He walked over to the lamp he had previously tossed across the room and picked up it. “It’s not physically possible for a woman to fit inside this tiny lamp.” For emphasis he looked in the tiny lantern bottom.

“I’m not in the lamp, master, I’m in an alternate dimension. I’m just linked to the lamp and when it’s triggered I appear to grant you three wishes.”

“Impossible.” But even as he said the word he knew it was not impossible. He’d seen amazing things in the world of magic. Seeing an elusive genie, however, was not something that happened every day.

“Do you not see me?”

“I do.” He grudgingly agreed.

“Did I not appear when you triggered the lamp?”

“I guess.”

“So how is this impossible?”

He rubbed his hands over his trimmed goatee. “And you’re going to grant me three wishes?”

“Yes, master.”

“And if I don’t use them?” He knew better than to use magic, even wishes.

“I won’t leave until you make your wishes.”

An idea occurred to him. “How about I wish you to be free?”

Zachariah in the Demon Ascension Series is not only sexy, kind, and angelic (yep, he's a warrior nephilim) but he's funny and a bit of a diamond in the rough. Underneath his tough guy exterior that insists on doing the right things no matter the consequences he is a softy. Check out this fun little teaser that shows his empathy and understanding along with his sense of humor from Father Made Me Do It.

Having fun reading these little excerpts and getting to know the book boyfriends from my different series? I hope so, they are all lovable in their own way. If you're looking for the secret word for the raffle here it is... FLIRTY. Want to get to know a few more? Scroll down further to meet the royals from the Shifter Love Tales Series and the Mystery Springs Series. 

Giovanni Mancuso from The Witch's Vampire, the first in the Mystery Springs Series is the vampire prince of the small Colorado Town and he knows how to get what he wants without sacrificing those he cares about. Gio, is damaged from an experience he had as a human, an experience that cost him his soulmate. When he is gifted a connection to his soulmate from Thanatos he grabs hold tightly (almost obsessively) and has to learn to let his mate live her life despite his need to shelter and protect her. 

Here is an excerpt from The Witch's Vampire showcasing Gio.

He’d built quite a reputation to make sure terror kept the people in line. It also helped that he hailed from royalty. The Mancuso vampires were powerful and very few challenged that power. Those that did faced the wrath of the council which had solid treaties in place with the humans, werewolves, witches, Amazons, fairies, elves, skin walkers, Jinn and Mancuso vampires for decades. It was an important part of their world and helped them keep their supernatural identities hidden from the humans. This kept all supernatural and human beings safe.

One person who didn't feel apprehension around him was his consort and he loved that she wasn't afraid of his company. Her loyalty was unmatched and her devotion was that of a protective mother cub. She slithered up to his side, her strawberry and cream scent had been a constant comfort to him ever since he claimed her as his consort. She was technically a child of a human and fairy union. Something frowned upon in Mystery. Mixing supernaturals with humans was expressly forbidden. However, Marissa was the product of a rape. A dark fairy attacked her human mother. The attending elf physician at the hospital the night of the attack and the werewolf detective who was brought in to investigate recognized the situation for what it was. Jacob, the elf, kept a close eye on Marissa’s mother and when her pregnancy proved their suspicions she was brought into the supernatural world for protection. Marissa’s mother died in childbirth, a common, unfortunate side effect to breeding with supernaturals.

There had been rare cases where the human mother survives, but it wasn’t pleasant or advisable. Wendy, Marissa's mother, knew the risk and begged Gregor, Gio's father to take her in if she didn't make it.

Wendy's case wasn't rare and the inevitable happened. Marissa was taken into the Mancuso family and raised with the expectation that she would someday become a member of the vampire clan-an honor typically bestowed upon only a few every generation. When she turned eighteen she became the rare exception and refused the offer - she wanted to live as a human. Knowing Marissa intimately, and now loving her as a sister, Gio suspected she wanted to have a human child before she was changed.  

Gregor sentenced Marissa to death. She'd be in the underworld right now, but Gio spoke for her and requested her as his consort. Now she stood at his side, loyal to the end. She was his friendly companion, fed him when he was hungry, and protected him from humans during the day. In return he kept her young, strong, healthy and safe from other predators without changing her DNA by making her a vampire. Over time they’d grown to be best of friends. That was twenty years ago and neither one of them looked a day over 25.

“Are you hungry, Gio?” she purred as she ran her fingers down his arm. She was always willing and so remarkably giving but he wasn’t in the mood at the moment.

He shrugged her hand off his arm and continued to watch the dance floor. Someone caught his attention and he wasn’t sure what to make of the girl with long black hair as dark as night. “Not now, Marissa. Perhaps you’d like to go dance.” He suggested.

“I’d love to dance. Come with me.” She urged by pulling his hand toward her.

“In a minute. Go start without me and I’ll join you later.” He didn’t need to look at her to know she was sulking as she sauntered away. He could smell the hurt and knew she would be a great temptation on the dance floor. Hurt and pain fed so many supernatural. 

“Jeremiah, go with her to keep her company.” He instructed his second in command who eased out of the shadows without a word and followed Marissa down the stairs. Happy his consort was safe he refocused on the captivating girl. He was drawn to her but had no earthly idea why. She was far from his type.

He’d never seen her before, but there was something familiar about her. Something that took his breath away, if he needed to breath, which he didn’t, other than to make humans think he was one of them. It was an automatic response he did to blend in and in that moment he realized his automatic response had failed him. He’d stopped breathing as he watched the slender but curvy petite girl weave within the crowd. She called to him like a beacon on a foggy night in a storm-tossed ocean. It was the oddest feeling. 

She had a drink in her hand, but was barely touching it, almost like she ordered it for show and had no intentions of finishing it. He found himself thankful that was the case. He'd seen so many lost souls travel further down the rabbit hole with mind altering substances liked alcohol and narcotics. It was a hazard of the job, lifestyle, and unfortunately, the dark world he lived in.

  

The final book boyfriend I'd like to introduce you to is Malick Pendragon from To Love a Dragon, book one of the Shifter Love Tales.

Malick is a dragon shifter prince. He's tough, a guy's guy, and completely uninterested in finding a mate. He is the guy that seems like he'll perpetually be single. When he met his mate (a detective who is a witch) he let her walk out of his bar and his life without a second thought... until he found her poisoned and on the verge of dying... then his desire for her blossomed. It's super sexy being the one woman that can tame a playboy and this player meets his match in this stand alone romance.

Here's a taste of Malick in To Love a Dragon:

Malick couldn’t believe he’d found his mate. The other half of his soul, his gift from the gods, in an impetuous witch cop. One who suspected him of murder. He’d been searching for her for so long he’d given up on the idea of finding her, and then she strolled into his bar and sauntered right up to him. Her scent was the first clue. Peppermint and vanilla. So sweet and icy, it matched her personality to perfection.

            The scent of her arousal when he touched her was his second clue. He took every opportunity in that first meeting to touch and smell her. With every touch he gave her he put his own scent on her, which made him feel strong and protective. He wasn’t thrilled his mate was a Wiccan cop, but he’d make it work, somehow. Now that he found her, he’d claim her and keep her at his side.

            His third clue was the telepathic connection he felt between them. It was that connection that alerted him to the danger she faced outside. It was because of that link that he was able to save her from the scorpion shifter that waited outside. Unfortunately, he hadn’t reached her before she was stung with his venom and now he was in charge of nursing her back to health.

            He called a witch doctor to help extract the poison. All they could do now was wait. It was up to her. He was doing all he could to coax her out of the poison induced sleep. She’d get better. She had to get better. Dragon shifters only had one mate. She was it for him. He needed to make her accept him and claim her. There was little that would get in the way of that happening.

His phone continued to vibrate beside him, another sign that his mate showed up at the worst possible time. Joanna’s murder wasn’t the first and definitely not the last in a series of murders the hunters were committing. The shifters had to usurp the human authorities at this point. The survival of their race depended on it.

Malick was trying to help. He had men out around town delving into the murders and turning up rocks that may be hiding the hunters. So far they had no luck. But it had been only two days since Charity had approached them and the dead bodies were piling up faster than they could cover them up. 

Which one do you find the most interesting? 

If you came to this site from the scavenger hunt the word is above on this page. If you are a subscriber to this blog or found this outside of the scavenger hunt click on the raffle link below to get your entries into this great giveaway.  

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Sneak Peek of Rayne's Thunder Part Two and other Great News

So I'm wrapping up the rough draft of Rayne's Thunder (Part III) The Politician and I just realized I haven't posted the sneak peek of Part II The Veterinarian. So after drinking a steamy pot of coffee and slapping my hand for falling behind on the ball I'm ready to share a sneak peek of this new part. I hope you enjoy. I'm hearing great things and the reviews coming in are awesome.

Rayne's mission to find a mate has ran into a snag. Her best friend, Chloe has been kidnapped. They say trauma can bond people quickly but will it help increase the attraction between Rayne and Lincoln, a Veterinarian from a neighboring pack? You'll have to read to find out.

You're also going to find out more about the connection between River and Chloe in this installment. Could there be lingering feelings?

As far as Storm, Rayne is coming to respect the man for all he's done for her family, but respect is only one aspect of love. She can't seem to get past the muddy waters of their history together. Not to mention the tiny fact that he's dating her nemesis (we won't point out to her that little hiccup was her own doing).

Are you enjoying Rayne's Thunder? I know I'm loving these characters and really enjoying writing the story.

Here's a taste of part two...

Chapter One

I felt apprehension as I maneuvered my car up the winding driveway toward the home I grew up in. It had been a little over a month ago since I attended my father’s funeral here, discovered I had a year to choose a mate and marry, saved my best friend from an accidental overdose, disobeyed and disrespected my brother -- the new alpha, created a rift in the relationship between the Wyoming Pack and my own Colorado Pack, and found out the boy I’d always hated had grown into a delectably sexy man. Hotness was his middle name and he wore that like a badge of honor. Untouchable might as well have been his last name because that was what he was to me. And denial was my middle name if I believed the crap I was shoveling down my own throat at this moment.

All of that insanity happened in just the first few days I had been back. They say times of drama create explosive relationships. I was doing my best to make that a cold, hard truth. Truthfully, I was astonished that River was letting me come back home so soon, but I suppose it was easier to pair me off and get me married while I was in the same town as opposed to several states away.

Now that I was moving home, I had to wonder what other damage I was going to cause before things could get back to normal. Everything and everyone had changed drastically, and I was the one running to catch up. Thankfully, life was a marathon and not a sprint otherwise I would’ve already lost the race.

It was agreed that I needed to leave for a while to let the chaos I created settle and give my brother a chance to take control of the pack. So I went back to college to finish out the semester and transfer my credits to the local Colorado University. Two more semesters, and I’ll be ready to start medical school. As exciting as that was, driving home was like dousing the flame with water.

I spoke to my sister, Rhyme, a few times over the last month, and my best friend, Chloe, almost every day. I was worried about her. She seemed to be recovering nicely from the breakdown she had that almost cost her life, but Chloe was always good at putting on appearances, something we were all trained to do since the moment we were pups. But Chloe was human so the fact that she managed to maintain herself was extraordinary. But it was definitely not my strong point.

The one person that had no time to chat with me was my brother, River, the new alpha. I couldn’t blame him. I’d made quite a mess my last visit, but I intended to fix that mistake now. He had a hundred percent of my support. I was going to make sure he knew it. I just hoped he’d accept it.

I parked the car in front of the garage and hopped out of the vehicle. The satisfying crunch of the gravel beneath my sneakered feet reinforced I was home. I heard a ruckus out back. Many of the younger pack members were already out wrestling, preparing for the hunt tonight under the full moon. I had no idea how much I missed my pack until that moment.

The breeze carried the scent of pine and tree bark signaling the night was approaching. It always cooled down as Colorado summer evenings arrived. The wind picked up, whipping my golden-brown hair around my face as I pulled out a couple of suitcases from the trunk. I turned and ran smack into a brick wall. Hands went to steady me at the waist as I blew the wisps of hair out of my face so I could see who I hit.

“Geez, Storm, you’ve got to stop sneaking up on me like that.”

“I just wanted to see if you needed any help with your luggage.” His voice was like silk on my skin.

“No, I’m fine.” I needed to get away from him and his electric touch for so many obvious reasons.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He grabbed my bags and started toward the house.

I sighed -- heavily, shut the trunk, and followed him into the house.

Chloe and Rhyme ran down the stairs. The girls were night and day. Chloe, brilliant with blonde hair and tanned skin, and Rhyme’s contrasting midnight black hair and pale skin. They embraced me in a bear hug as Storm took my luggage upstairs.

“I’m so glad you made it home in time for the hunt.” Rhyme cooed.

“And wait until you meet the hunk your brother is setting you up with.” Chloe grinned.   

I pulled out of the hug and looked at my two greeters. “I just got here! I wasn’t expecting to be set up on a date tonight.”

“That’s too bad because I was really looking forward to meeting you.” His voice was strong and masculine. Not that I would expect anything less from a man my father and brother picked for me. I was suddenly nervous about turning around. I knew my hair and makeup were a mess from a day’s worth of traveling.

Before I left I told my brother to pick the man that would best support his leadership of the pack. It was my way of showing fealty to the new alpha. I really disrespected him and with the problems brewing between the Carters and our family, it was not a good thing to do. River chose this man. That meant I needed to make a good impression because I was going to do everything I could to make a good mating connection with him for my brother’s position as alpha and my family.

“Okay, well, I’ll go upstairs and change and meet you down here in a few…”

Chloe shook her head and spun me around to face one of the most handsome men I’d ever met -- and I’m a werewolf! Most of them are handsome. His eyes grabbed me first. They were a crystal blue, and looked like two twinkling gems in a face complemented by two deep, lickable dimples. His skin reminded me of toasted almonds and his hair was light brown with sun kissed highlights, just like mine.

He closed the distance between us and kissed both of my cheeks, my heart stuttered at the contact. Wow! I stumbled over my greeting. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

He smelled of spice, cinnamon and sugar. It reminded me of cinnamon rolls like Meriam used to bake us for breakfast in the morning. I couldn’t help but wonder if he tasted as good as he smelled. He was dressed in a pair of relaxed fit jeans and a cashmere sweater and looked like he’d just walked off the cover of GQ.

“I’m Lincoln Evans.”

“And where are you from, Mr. Evans?”

“Please, Lincoln, and I’m from the Arizona pack.”

I nodded. “Lincoln.” I pulled my hand from his warm palm. “I have to go upstairs, freshen up and change. Can I meet you out back?”

He clicked his heels together, reminding me of an officer in the military, and said, “I look forward to your return.”

Rhyme and Chloe walked with me up the marble staircase. “How’s River?”

“Super busy but he’ll join the hunt tonight.” Rhyme looked away nervously.

“He still hasn’t forgiven me has he?” I chewed my lower lip.

“Not entirely, but he will.” Rhyme patted me on the shoulder in a comforting, big sister way. It was an odd feeling. Ever since our father’s funeral, Rhyme and I have been trying to reconnect and build a sisterly relationship, something we’ve never really had thanks to the strained relationship she had with father in contrast to the good one I had with him because of the middle child and baby of the family dynamic.

“And he thinks this Lincoln is the best possible mate to help him keep his seat as alpha?” I asked, curious about how much she knew.

“He does, and Lincoln is a veterinarian.” She smiled excitedly.

I nodded. The jigsaw pieces were starting to click into place. “And I’m studying to be a doctor.”

“Together you’ll make a power couple and offer an added layer of security.” Rhyme seemed more enthusiastic about the situation than I was.

“It takes a village, I guess.” A doctor and a veterinarian in the same alpha family would only add strength.

“Not to mention, he’s totally drool worthy.” Chloe offered a predictable comment and wiped her lips for added emphasis.

Rhyme and I looked at her and giggled. “I love you.”

“What? I know,” she nodded sarcastically, “it’s hard to find an ugly wolf.” She stopped me at the top step, “but what I wouldn’t give to fall for and have one of them fall for me.”

“Be careful what you wish for, Chloe. Need we remind you what happened with you and Eddie Gates?” I warned.

Chloe shivered. “Nope, I don’t need any reminders of that nightmare.”

Chloe started dating Gates last year. She was human, but had been a part of the werewolf community since she was seven, when I brought her home and insisted she know about everything. Chloe didn’t have a very good family life so she became part of our family very quickly.

It was not unusual for shifters to take human mates, especially as our numbers continued to dwindle out over the years. Gates claimed Chloe and proceeded to beat her every chance he got. One night she fought back and killed the man. I was away at school and knew nothing about it. Thankfully, Rhyme and River protected Chloe. They burned the body and disposed of the ashes. No one could know that a human killed a werewolf. It would devastate the uneasy truce between both species.

Chloe was forced to cover it up. The pressure became too much for her and during my father’s funeral she overdosed on her pills and mixed medication with alcohol. It was a terrifying problem and one of the few things I did right my last stay at the compound.

Now, I needed to focus on my family and help River rebuild our pack. If that meant I was to entertain and possibly mate and marry a handsome veterinarian, then so be it.

Storm exited my bedroom and nodded at us. “Glad you’re back, Rayne.”

I looked at him and my heart raced. I wanted so badly to tell him how wrong I was about him all those years, to thank him for all the help he’s given my brother, to welcome him as part of the family, but words escaped me. His dark look stole my breath and crumbled my composure. “Thank you.” I entered my room and headed straight to the closet. It was time to do the Manchester name honor.

I changed into a green t-shirt that complemented my eyes and turned a shade or two crimson when I noted the stain on the left breast area of the dirty one I arrived in. I knew I looked a mess when I meet Lincoln. He was far more generous than I first believed for him to ignore my disheveled appearance. My golden-brown hair was windblown, and not in a good way. My face paler than normal. The half-moon dark circles under my eyes gave away the fact that I hadn’t slept much lately.

I finished getting dressed, arranged my long hair into a braid that fell to the middle of my back and headed down the stairs.

When I stepped outside on the soft, green grass, my bare feet sank into the earth, and I knew I was home. I wiggled my toes and breathed in the pine, lilac and crisp mountain air. The compound property was eleven hundred acres which backed up to the rocky mountain range. Trees dotted the landscape of meadows, grassland, fields of crops, and multiple streams all of which were wonderful playgrounds for the wolves during the monthly hunts.

“Should we be partners in tonight’s hunt?” Lincoln’s smooth voice ran over me like warm water from a showerhead as he came up behind me.

“Sure.” I grinned and nodded. “I think that is a wonderful idea.”

Storm and his irritating girlfriend, Angel, came up beside us, her arm nestled firmly in the crook of his. The sight made me want to gag. If she only knew he was with her because of his loyalty to River, and my own stupidity last month, she wouldn’t be preening like a peacock that won the best-in-show award. If I hadn’t acted like a spoiled brat with Brick on our first date and disrespected my brother, and if she hadn’t been there to witness my meltdown, Storm would not be in this position. The guilt I felt over that was as huge as Pike’s Peak in the distance.

“We will also be joining you during the hunt, as chaperones.” Storm informed us.

“But it’s a twosome affair, not a foursome.” Angel batted her pretty eyes and I threw up just a little bit in my mouth at the disgustingly obvious attempt to claim him as hers.

“We’d love to have you join us.” I told them. “Isn’t that right, Lincoln?”

“Of course.” Lincoln looked a little disappointed, but he recovered quickly.

“You must understand while courting happens, River insists there are chaperones on dates for both of his sisters.” Storm explained.

“But Rhyme is with Jax tonight, and she isn’t getting a chaperone,” Angel whined. I swear I saw her stamp her foot on the ground, but it happened so fast there was no time to laugh at her explosive temper tantrum.

“Rhyme and Jax will be joined by River.” Storm kept his words short and sweet, the only indication that he was upset was the tick in his jaw. Despite the fact that I hated him most of my life, he was my brother’s best friend and I knew him better than most because of it.

“I guess that means we’ll only have one team to beat.” I pointed out the positive.

“My brothers will be competing too.” Storm added.

“Oh.”

“Yes, so we’ll need to stay close to your siblings.”

“Got it.”

There was still the possibility that Storm’s brothers, Thorn and Bear, were going to challenge River for the alpha seat. We were all on pins and needles waiting for one side of the scale to tip and spill over. The Carters against the Manchesters, kind of like the Hatfields and McCoys. There could be only one alpha. The rest were betas in line to take the alpha position. River needed to win the hunt today to prove to those that had little faith in him as the leader that he was not only stronger than they imagined, but that he was the strongest.

Storm’s brothers had been vying for the alpha seat since the day my father died. Prior to that, David, the Carter patriarch, tried to steal the alpha title from our father until dad managed to sideline the guy. The rivalry hadn’t started there. It is rumored it started with our great-great grandparents. All over a girl, in fact. Our great-great grandfathers fought over who would mate and marry the alpha’s daughter, Elizabeth, my great-great grandmother. The Carters believe they lost the alpha position because Joseph Manchester stole Elizabeth’s heart, and they’ve hated our family ever since, vowing to steal the seat back someday.

Today was not only the monthly hunt, but the lead up to the official ceremony where River will take the alpha seat, which was scheduled for tomorrow. The one thing keeping the Carters at bay is that Storm has sided with River. Storm was the strongest of the three brothers, and would protect River with his life. If Thorn and Bear made a move, it would surely spell death for Storm, but a win for River. None of us wanted the bloodshed, and River was hoping for a peaceful resolution to the problem. I was not so optimistic. It was still hard for my mind to grasp that Storm chose River over his own family, but River believed it, and Storm had done nothing to indicate he had ulterior motives so I waited idly by to see where everyone fell. If it came down to it, I would protect my brother with my last breath.   

“Hello, Colorado Wolf Pack!” River spoke loudly from atop the large boulder in our back yard. The crowd erupted in cheers. It was the first time I’d seen him or heard his voice since we last spoke before I went back to college.

It was a memory emblazoned in my mind. I could still hear the fire crackling in the mantle, and feel the anger that vibrated off of him in waves.

“I don’t want to leave,” my words barely above a whisper. “Please give me another chance to make this right.” My feet followed him to the doorway.

“I don’t know how you can right now.” His voice was so lost, so sad, full of so much disappointment.

“I’ll finish out this semester, and then come back and date whoever you think will be the best ally for the pack.” Storm had said it was time to grow up. Rhyme had made it clear I had responsibilities to the family and pack, and River and Chloe needed me. Maybe aligning myself with the best ally for the pack would be a good start.

“Maybe.”

“Come on, River. It’s a good deal and you know it.” I pleaded with his back because he refused to turn and look at me. So much like our father in that regard. My fingers ached to reach out to him, but something held me back, the wolf perhaps.

He stopped walking away. “Fine. We’ll try it and see how it goes.” Without a glance back, he left the room.

The memory still made me choke up. I only hoped things would get better now that I was home. I looked at Lincoln. He seemed like a stand-up guy. At least I hadn’t been saddled with someone who meant me or my family harm. At least, he had potential.

I turned my attention back to my brother. River stood proud, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, not his usual business suit flare. I supposed that was to endear himself to the pack members. Many had a hard time keeping clothes on, and most avoided suits with a passion. Even now, most were half dressed and ready to change. There was no greater feeling than running free as a wolf.

“We’ve faced many hardships these last few months, but today is the start of a new beginning. Allow the full moon to wash away the past, and the wolf to give you rebirth. Tonight we hunt and allow our animal to take control. Tomorrow, we rejoice in the new journey ahead of us as a united pack under your new alpha’s rule.”

The crowd roared their excitement. My brother always was a wordsmith, and today was no exception. I felt a burst of pride as I watched him claim his rightful place as the leader. My eyes flitted to Storm who was staring daggers at his brothers. Apprehension and a touch of fear ran up my spine, vertebrae by vertebrae.

I didn’t know much about Thorn and Bear. Growing up, I avoided them like the plague, but rumors of their devious acts often ran rampant in the pack. As I glanced between the three brothers, a memory flooded back to me. When we were younger, Storm came over beaten and bloodied. I was the one who answered the door.

The pre-teen version of Storm was gangly and awkward. The child version of me was small and spunky. “What do you want?” I asked as I hugged my dolly closer to my chest.

“Where is your father?”

“Out.” My younger self raised her chin defiantly.

“How about your brother?” Even then there was something dangerous in his green eyes. Something that scared me to the core, causing me to shiver with dread.

“I’ll go get him.”

“No need, little Raynie, I’m here.” River jumped down the last few steps of the marble staircase. He patted me on the head and said, “Go on upstairs. I’ll take care of our guest.”

My eyes bounced back and forth between both of the teen boys. They were only a few years older than me, but in that moment they seemed far more mature. I nodded slowly and headed toward the staircase. River pulled Storm into the foyer. Instead of running to the safety of my room, I snuck to the doorway and listened in on their conversation.

“My father is going to challenge yours at the hunt this weekend.”

“Are you sure?” River asked,, worry clear in his voice as he poured Storm some water.

“Yes, Thorn and Bear did this to me to keep my mouth shut. I couldn’t. It’s just not right.”

“Your brothers are bastards.” River clapped him on the back. “You know father will protect you from them. He’d claim you as one of his own if you gave him permission.”

“I can’t, they’re my family.” He took the water gratefully.

“Then you have to let me help you. I want you to start training with the enforcers.”

“I’m not big enough for that duty.”

“You will be when they’re done with you.”

“I don’t know, River.”

“I’m not going to let you get hurt anymore. I’ll get father’s approval, and you’ll start training tomorrow after school.” River drank his own glass of water as he sat down with Storm on the couch.

Storm lowered his head and sighed. “Okay, thank you.”

I had forgotten that memory. It was buried somewhere deep beneath my dislike for the man. From the very beginning, Storm had been supportive of my family despite those that reared him. I looked at the man out of my peripheral. He stood solid, ever the protector, watching, observing everything and everyone around us. I looked away when he turned toward me.

There were so many layers to this man I once hated. I couldn’t even remember really why I hated him anymore. It was becoming painfully obvious I wasted so many years disliking someone who didn’t deserve it. He deserved my friendship for his loyalty to this family.

I glanced over at Thorn and Bear. They both had sun-kissed skin, dark hair and hazel eyes. One wore a goatee and the other was clean shaven. Being that they were twins, it was a way to tell them apart, but I couldn’t say which brother was which. They were pumping up for the hunt, slamming their fists into each other’s arms. Neither one cared to listen to River. I wished River would just exile them from the pack, but he wasn’t that vindictive. He was not a coward and he would face them if the challenge was proposed. It was the way we were taught to live life. Grab it by the horns, and ride it until it was broken and you were in control. I was certain of one thing, Storm was right. If his brothers took control of the pack, it would be very bad indeed.

“So, without further ado, let us engage in the ritual of the hunt.” River’s voice broke me from my thoughts.

The people around me began to transform, morphing into wolves of varying sizes and colors. Instinct took over as my body engaged in the change. Hair covered my skin, my arms turned into legs, and hands to paws putting my head closer to the ground, my nose grew as my teeth lengthened. Smells, sounds, sights, and hearing increased. Instead of human. I was now a predator, deeply connected to nature. The urge to run, frolic and hunt took the driver’s seat in my mind. Human concerns seemed to fade away the longer I was the beast.

Lincoln’s black and grey wolf nudged my hindquarters and bounced back in an effort to get me engaged. I bit back playfully. We raced around Storm’s large silver wolf, then I made a beeline to River and Rhyme’s wolves. The smell of a buck scented the air and I stopped midstride. Lincoln’s wolf was forced to put on the brakes to keep from slamming into me.

Rhyme and River’s black wolves turned their heads in the same direction. Everyone froze, and then the chase was on. Padded claws hit the ground at full stride as the pack bolted in the direction of the prey.

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As I mentioned earlier, the rough draft to part three is almost ready for the editor. I'm also finishing up the rough draft for Remote Paranoia (PBI Case Files #5)... here's a sneak peek of the cover.

Coming soon:

Fire Master Rising (book three of Winters Saga)
Faerie King's Guardian (book two of the Mystery Springs Series)
Dentist's Burial Ground (book three of Ghost Connection Series)
Deadly Market of Woes (book two of Demon Ascension Series)
And a few more this year...

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