Chapter One
The first time Evan saw the wolf shifter, the guards were bringing him past his guard station in the basement of the huge Hunter’s complex. He’d been surprised at how handsome he was— how downright, fucking hot! Even though they’d said he would be well-built and good-looking, Evan was still surprised at his size and muscles, and so damned turned on he hadn’t really slept well since. This wolf was nothing like he’d imagined.
The man they dragged past him was really large, at least six feet four, with an amazingly large, ripped body. Evan had never seen anyone like him before. Russet-colored, shaggy hair fell over his face, almost hiding his eyes, but as they passed him, the man had raised his gaze to sweep over him, and it felt like a red hot poker had been passed over his body. The wolf’s eyes were an incredible shade of emerald green, an unusual color for a wolf, from what he understood. Wolves were usually darkhaired with dark brown, almost black eyes. This man’s green eyes seemed to glitter at him from underneath all that hair falling down across his brow, and his lips—good God, his lips. They were lush and full and sinful, and when he glanced over at Evan, he could have sworn the corners turned up in a mocking little smile.
Now as Evan sat across from his commanding officer, he tried his best to concentrate on what the man was saying about the wolf shifter. The offer he’d made him was so incredible, Evan was having trouble wrapping his mind around it. “You’re perfect for our requirements, Grant. We’re offering you a chance to literally strike at the heart of these wolf creatures. How can you even think of refusing?”
“Well, let’s see...from what I’ve been told, they’re vicious killers. My death might be a consideration.”
The major leaned back in his chair and gave Evan Grant a hard stare. Quite obviously, he wasn’t too amused by Evan’s flippant attitude. “They don’t kill their sexual partners, Grant. They dominate them. You’d actually like that, wouldn’t you? Isn’t that what you enjoy sexually? Our investigations discovered you were in a relationship like that for over a year. We understand you’re gay.”
Evan’s flush was almost painful. He had always tried to keep his sexual orientation private, let alone the bit of kink he enjoyed in his private life. Living in the Bible Belt south, with very conservative parents and family, he had never chosen to make his sex life publicly known in any way. He’d only just begun to recover from the break-up of the very serious relationship the major referred to so casually. There was no one special in his life at the moment. Sure, he’d sometimes visited the big, anonymous clubs in places like Atlanta and Charlotte since Eric left, and he’d done a few chats online, but he had no idea anyone had been watching him, spying on him. Damn! He still had no idea how the leadership had found out. His cheeks burned at the idea.
He shifted uncomfortably in the chair and raised his gaze defiantly. “I could point out that you apparently have a strange idea about what being gay means. No, sir, I do not live any kind of BDSM lifestyle. I suppose it’s beside the point to protest this intolerable intrusion into my private life.”
The major returned his gaze. “You applied to be a Hunter, Grant. You didn’t think we’d be interested in every facet of your life? It may not be politically correct, but it’s no secret our leader, Elias Winters, doesn’t exactly have a warm feeling about gays, especially after what happened with his son, Logan. Look, our operation is top secret here. We need to know everything about everyone who’s a member of our organization.”
“And if I refuse this so-called offer of yours?”
The major shrugged. “Then you refuse. You’re only the first of many thatI’m interviewing. We’ve found these creatures to be insatiable, and our plans are to stud out this wolf-shifter to our other volunteers once he finishes with you. The more willing subjects we can have, the better. For our doctor’s experiments, that is.”
When Evan still sat nervously biting the inside of his cheek, the major continued. “Up until now, we’ve only tried the wolf bites, using some of our captured rogues with, shall we say, mixed success. Look, if you don’t want to be involved, say so, though if you were really serious about joining one of the combat units, I could guarantee you a spot if you complete this assignment.”
“Really. Despite the fact that I’m gay?”
“I said Winters has a problem with homosexuals, but that doesn’t mean he overlooks their value as soldiers in this war against the wolves. And Winters doesn’t interfere with decisions I make about the men I choose for combat.”
“What exactly would I have to do again? Explain it to me one more time, because I’m a little freaked out here.”
“Have sex with the captured wolfman. Of course, he’d be in his human form. They call themselves shapeshifters. Look, I realize this is quite unconventional, but nothing about these creatures is exactly standard operating procedure. Most all of them are very powerful, very sexually active males. Handsome too, they tell me, if you like the overgrown, muscle-bound types. You may have heard of Logan Winters? Our commander’s son?”