Red's Wolf Volumes 1-5 Read online

  Red’s Wolf

  Bundle Volumes 1 - 5

  Amber Kallyn

  Dragonheart Books

  Red’s Wolf (Shifted Fairy Tales)

  Copyright © 2012, 2018 Amber Kallyn

  All rights reserved. All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Excerpt Bloodstorm

  Heart of a Vampire, Book 1

  Copyright © 2012 Amber Kallyn

  Cover art by: Amber Kallyn

  Copyright © 2012, 2018

  To my beta readers. I couldn’t do this without you.

  And to you, who spent your hard earned money to live in my worlds for a while.

  The master, Stephen King, calls his peeps "Constant Reader". I like it, but perhaps less presumptuous of someone who's not him, LOL, you all are my dear readers.

  I appreciate each and every one of you—those who stuck around during my hiatus. Those of you just now finding me.

  Here's to wishing us many years, and many, many books, ahead.

  Thanks for reading!

  XOXO

  Always, Amber Kallyn

  Volume One: Beginnings

  Most know of me or at least have heard my tale. Certainly you would recognize my crimson, hooded cloak. You've been regaled by the story of my battle with a wolf.

  But as with most stories, that was only a small part of my life. And legends discard certain truths.

  Forgotten with each retelling was how the wolves I fought could also become men. My beloved Jonah, too, remains shrouded in the mists of time. Nothing is mentioned of all we meant to one another. Of the family we created and sent out into the world. No one speaks of the bonds we shared, or how he changed my life forever.

  If you are truly curious, then sit for a while. Join me and discover for yourself the complete tale.

  The truth behind the woman with the dark red riding hood.

  Bright, bold blue colored the sky, an endless expanse broken only by rare, puffy clouds. Afternoon sunlight warmed the late autumn day. A fragrant snap of pine, and the softer bloom of wildflowers, scented the air.

  Yet, even with such beauty all around her, Samantha Grant found herself stuck somewhere between an itching nervousness, and the absolute certainty that she’d come to the correct decision.

  Was it not the only decision she could possibly make?

  Sami strode faster along the wide dirt lane leading away from her cottage, a bit distant from the nearby village. She carefully avoided uneven ruts, cut deep from recent rains and one of the sporadic caravans of traders.

  If the buzzing along her nerves wasn't enough, another distraction demanded her attention. Because this road—the only one leading to her destination—skirted far too close to the edges of the Dark Forest.

  Her grip on the handle of her woven picnic basket tightened.

  Thickly overgrown trees, drenched by heavy shadows, irresistibly drew Sami's apprehensive gaze again and again.

  All her life, she'd heard the warnings from the villagers.

  To never stray near this horrid place. Strange beasts supposedly roamed inside. Terrifying creatures who would creep out in the dark of night. Steal away naughty children. Or, tear an unwary adult to pieces.

  Just like the nearby killings this past spring and summer.

  However, Sami reminded herself, there was nothing to fear.

  Not really.

  Monsters didn't actually exist.

  Disregarding logic, her free hand rose to rest on the small dagger at her belt. Her face warming at such silliness, Sami forced a light laugh. She released the dagger, then tugged absently at a lock of auburn hair, come loose from the braid hanging down her back.

  Stories of the Dark Forest were merely that.

  Pure nonsensical tales.

  When it came down to it, not even the locals truly believed in beasts hiding nearby, or sneaking near the village to eat people.

  As for the dead these past few seasons, well, everyone seemed certain it must have been the work of normal wild animals. And the villagers mostly agreed that, surely, such animals were gone by now. After all, people continued to assure one another, nearly a month had passed since the last gruesome killing.

  Sami never bothered to point out the weeks of quiet between the previous deaths. Her place here was... unusual. The locals really only accepted her because of Gran, she knew.

  Healer and wise woman, story teller and bard, Gran had demanded nothing less than respect from others.

  Familiar pangs of sad fondness rippled through Sami's heart at thoughts of the woman who'd raised her, after her parents' deaths.

  Gran had been gone over a year now.

  People said the pain would fade with time. That the feelings of loss would ease. She'd yet to find any truth in such words.

  But the villagers remained friendly enough, even if they believed Sami quite odd. Just as Gran had been.

  So when they shared gossip about the brutal killings, she just nodded, giving none of her own private thoughts.

  A slight breeze scurried along the edges of the forest, pulling her attention back to the shadowed trees. Sami found herself once more reaching for the hilt of her small dagger.

  Blowing out a deep breath, she reminded herself, yet again and with some annoyance, there was nothing to fear from old tales. Nothing to fear from the forest.

  Besides, today wasn't a day for grim thoughts.

  And her destination wasn't far now.

  Butterflies rose in her stomach, her nerves hummed louder, as she turned her mind to more pleasant thoughts. Of the daydreams she'd had for months.

  A sizzle of determination raced through her. She clutched the picnic basket tighter.

  She'd made her decision.

  Today was the day. Sami would make her recent dreams come true, now that her love had recently returned from his long travels.

  The main road forked. A smaller path branched away.

  She followed the narrow offshoot, even if, in certain places, it curved far too close to the dark, gnarled trees. She ignored the hints of fear prickling the hairs on the back of her neck.

  Though she did pick up her pace and hurry on.

  The destination would be well worth the trip. Hadn't she been eagerly looking forward to this day?

  A picnic lunch with her love.

  Jonah expected the usual, food and conversation. Sami planned to make today different from all the others they'd shared. Because she was done waiting.

  She'd made her decision, after all.

  Today, she and Jonah would consummate their love.

  She wasn't sure why the idea stirred an almost girlish giddiness within her. At nineteen, she'd passed the usual marrying age a few years ago. Finding a man who was worth losing her security, the sanctity of her privacy, her very autonomy for, wasn't easy.

  Most men's boorish attitudes left much to be desired. Over the years, some of those overbearing ruffians had come to the village, hoping to convince local young women to accept their proposals.

  None interested Sami.

  Luckily—or not, depending—alongside Gran's love of wild stories, the old woman had also been somewhat of a black sheep. She'd raised Sami to think for herself. To make her own decisions, rather than obeying the whims of anyone else.

  So while, one by one, Sami's few childhood friends had married—some already had babies of their own now—no one had captured her attention.

  Until Jonah.

  The narrow dirt path took a sharp turn. A short distance ahead, a line of wide, towering boulders jutted stately from the earth.

  She was nearly there. Sami w
alked faster.

  Closer to the large boulders, a hint of spice and musk and male grew on the cool autumn breeze. And sent shivers down her spine.

  He'd already arrived.

  Just as he always managed to beat her, no matter if she left early.

  Sami's pulse tripped. Raced. Warmed. She hurried to the tall rocks. Rounded the end of the long row. Then, slightly breathless, stopped short.

  Mesmerized, she could only stare.

  Jonah stood in dappled shadow, his back to her, wearing his usual simple white tunic and black trousers. He stared out at the twisted trees crowding the edge of the too-close forest. His dark brown, slightly wavy hair fell just past his shoulders. At the moment, a leather tie captured it at his nape.

  Tall, strong, Jonah projected an aura of power.

  When they first met, he'd reminded Sami of some dashing pirate from one of Gran's tall tales. With or without his attention focused on her, Jonah emanated strength. Yet, contradictorily, there was a great protective gentleness inside of him.

  Early this past spring, temperatures had risen without stopping. Sami ended up spending hours at the river, along the edge of her and Gran's land, in order to cool off.

  During one of those trips, she’d come upon Jonah.

  He’d been crouched at the water's edge. Even hunched over and bent down, his largeness was apparent. At first, she'd been shocked into silence. Worry, and a hint of fear, had her debating between slipping away unnoticed, or daring to find a stick or something to use as a weapon, if necessary, and order the stranger from her home.

  Until she spotted what he held in his large hands.

  A small, injured animal.

  A puppy, she'd thought at first. But drawing closer, Sami sensed the wildness within.

  Not a dog's pup.

  A wolf's.

  He was cleaning its matted, muddy fur while helping it drink.

  Before she could decide on a course of action, he stood. Turned as if he'd known she was there all along. “I'm sorry for intruding. He needed help.”

  She met his direct gaze. Eyes a deep, pure gold held such intensity it pierced straight through Sai. Her lungs tightened. Her throat locked. She tried to breathe. Only managed to draw in his tantalizing scent, a bit woodsy, smoky, spicy.

  For long, long moments, they merely stared, studied one another.

  Then, slowly, he approached, stopped directly in front of her, and held the wolf up for inspection. Sami barely noticed, captured, and captivated, by the sparks snapping at the air. Heat flushed her veins. Brought a blush to her cheeks.

  Gathering her self-control, she hastily looked down at the pup. Concentrated on the animal. Gray splotches lightened dark fur.

  It yipped. Stared back at her. Soft brown eyes melted Sami's heart.

  As if reading her precisely, the man laid the pup in her arms, then stepped back to bow with a gentlemanly flourish. “Jonah Talbot, at your service. I apologize for disturbing your place.”

  Sami gave a half-shrug, while struggling to contain the suddenly energetic ball of fur in her arms. Still, from the corner of her eye, she continued to study him.

  His simple dress. Dark hair held back. Stunning golden eyes constantly on her. Appraising. Appreciating.

  The baby wolf yipped again. Stretched to lick Sami's face eagerly. The little one soon had them both laughing, breaking the heated tension. They'd ended up talking away most the afternoon. Though she hadn't gotten her daily swim, it was the most enjoyable time she'd spent since Gran had gone.

  Thinking back on it now, Sami realized she never did find out where the wolf pup came from. Jonah had tracked down its den and taken it home.

  She studied him now, in the shadows of the towering boulders, as intently as she had the day they’d met.

  The contrast of power and gentle kindness inside of him was something she'd never before come across. Even with her limited experience, she knew how rare a man he must be. Just like Gran, he respected her thoughts and ideas. And like Gran, he enjoyed telling her stories. His were usually about the huge world out there, all around them. The many captivating, sometimes dangerous, places he'd seen.

  With her distracted musings, it took Sami a moment to realize Jonah still hadn't noticed her arrival.

  Unusual. Something must weigh heavily on his mind.

  She'd take care of that soon enough. For she was determined to have her way today.

  Glancing down, she loosened the ties of both her overdress, and the long chemise beneath—revealing a hint more cleavage. It wasn't indecent, but when she cleared her throat and Jonah turned, his sweeping gaze brought a blush to her face.

  In shadow, the angles of his face appeared fierce. Until he smiled. His golden eyes lit with pleasure. “Sami.” His deep husky voice shivered over her.

  Her pulse spiked at thoughts of her plans. “I'm here.” She jerked the basket up. Let her hand drop again.

  “Nervous?” His grin widened. “Whyever for?”

  Sami was never quite certain if she enjoyed—or was slightly irritated with—the way he always read her so easily.

  She merely shrugged. Continued towards him.

  Jonah met her halfway, towering over her slight form. Like a raging bonfire, warmth billowed from his large body. It wrapped her in his woodsy-smoke scent. Tantalized her senses. Woke a needy heat within her.

  The sparks of a strong, deep connection between them had only grown since that first day. Being near him, and the intensity of everything he made her feel, yearn for, beckoned. As always, he brought her a sense of happiness, of welcome, of... belonging.

  Only Jonah had managed to capture her heart. Her very essence.

  He settled large hands lightly on her shoulders. Bent near and brushed his lips chastely on her cheek.

  The urge to turn her head, to meet his mouth with her own, hit.

  But a lingering shyness stopped Sami. Constant lessons of properness and decorum repeated by adults in the village since her childhood. Such things weren't for a woman to begin. Men were supposed to take the lead.

  She wasn't certain how much longer she'd be able to resist.

  Every moment spent with Jonah made the strings of emotion he'd wrapped around her heart tighten. Made the yearnings waking inside her burn brighter, hotter.

  She knew Jonah wanted her as a woman.

  But his approach was far too slow for her liking.

  He cupped her chin, his slightly calloused palm warming her skin. Jonah’s direct, golden stare questioned. Demanded answers. “What's wrong? You're thinking so loudly I can practically hear the mumbles.”

  “Nothing. I'm fine.”

  He crooked a brow.

  With a forced chuckle, Sami swung away—before she lost all control and gave in. Leaned against that large, gorgeous body of his. She swallowed through the tightness in her throat. Managed to ask, with only a small squeak in her voice, “Ready to eat?”

  “Always.” A husky rumble deepened his voice.

  Fire licked up her spine. Pooled in her belly. She glanced back at Jonah, only to be blasted by his piercing stare.

  What almost looked like red flames flashed in his golden gaze.

  Flames like the same desire growing within her? She wanted nothing more than to fully belong to him—and he to her.

  Jonah tensed. Shook his head roughly. The rush of heat in his eyes faded to a slower simmer. Taking a deep breath, he plucked the wicker basket from Sami’s clenched hand, then turned to set it near the base of the boulders. From near the same spot, he picked up a paper-and-twine-wrapped bundle. Grinning charmingly, he held the package out. “For you.”

  “What is it?” Pleasure sparked through Sami.

  The man certainly enjoyed giving her things. Beautiful, amazing, sometimes seemingly magical things he'd found during his travels around the world.

  “Open it.” His grin widened, his mouth curving seductively.

  Anticipation stirred as she tugged on the string. She pushed a layer of thick pape
r back. Stunned, Sami ran a hand over the softest cloth she'd ever felt. “It's beautiful.”

  She shook out a long crimson cloak.

  Jonah draped it around her shoulders. Surprisingly weightless, and warm, the cloak settled along her body like a cocoon. He tied the long strings at her throat, his hands hovering just above her chest, so close she could nearly feel his touch.

  His palm grazed the tops of her breasts. Sami inhaled sharply, her skin tingling, her heartbeat stuttering. His molten stare made her fear she'd burn right up.

  For a long minute neither of them moved. Ever so slowly, Jonah drew back. Away. With a slightly strangled voice, he asked, “How do you like the cloak?”

  She struggled to form a coherent sentence. “It's truly lovely. Thank you.”

  Shadows darkened his expression with a new kind of fire. “Promise that from now on, you'll wear this cloak any time you must travel outside your home.” His gaze once more appeared to flash a strange, deep red.

  The same crimson as her new cloak.

  Wear it always? The man was overprotective, but she didn't see how a simple cloak would help. Her thoughts quickly faded in the face of his darkening, worried, expression.

  Huskily, he asked, “Please?”

  There was no harm in it, so why not? That she didn't understand his reasoning didn't matter. He'd share with her eventually. “All right. I promise.”

  At her agreement, Jonah's tension melted away. He pressed a too-fleeting kiss to her temple, before putting additional distance between them. “Lunch, you said. A promise to feed me.”

  His quick teasing smile revealed an almost youthful handsomeness, a peek of the young man he must have once been. He'd yet to speak of his childhood much, but no matter.

  They'd get to everything—leaving no secret between them—in time.

  With a flourish, Jonah drew a larger basket from the shadows beside the boulders. He pulled out a thick, fluffy blanket and spread it over the ground. Then he bowed. “M'Lady?”