Saving Valor

By Amber Kell

While at a kennel purchasing guard dogs, Valor discovers a shifter who pleads for release. Intrigued, the master vampire pays to free the werehound, unaware his moment of compassion will change his life.

Caden's goal is to get as far away from the area as possible. His brother's pack beat him and left him for dead, and he needs to put distance between them before Jameson realizes he's still alive and comes after him again. Little does he realize the vampire who freed him has other intentions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber Kell
• Release date: Jan 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310466694

Amber Kell

Amber Kell is a dreamer who has been writing stories in her head for as long as she could remember.She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons, three cats and one very stupid dog. To learn more about her current books or works in progress, check out her blog at http://amberkell.wordpress.com.Her fans can also reach her at [e-mail].

Book preview

Saving Valor

Fanged Love, book 1

Amber Kell

Saving Valor

Amber Kell

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 by Amber Kell

Cover design: Meredith Russell

Editors: Erika Orrick, Jason Bradley

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee. Such action is illegal and in violation of Copyright Law.

Dedication

For my husband, who is the one who balances me out when I fly into a rage…or tries to.

Chapter One

Valor walked through the kennel, amused by the sudden silence. The animals knew a dangerous predator moved into their midst and were careful not to draw his attention.

Beside him, the keeper of the animals cast him fearful sideways glances. It was rare for a master vampire to pick out his own dogs, but Valor wanted to ensure he could bond with the creatures that guarded him while he slept. If the beasts had a connection to him, they were more likely to protect him with their lives.

He hadn’t lived over two thousand years by being careless. With an increase in hunter activity, he needed additional security. These new hunters didn’t care what they caught as long as it was non-human, and the stories told by the few who escaped capture were enough to make everyone in the paranormal community bump up security and pull their families closer.

No one was going to capture a vampire under Valor’s watch.

He watched out for his own.

A pair of steely-eyed Dobermans caught his attention. What about those two?

The keeper gave a nod. They’re good security animals; they’re here because the company they were trained for went out of business.

Ahh. Their loss, my gain. Stephan, add them to the total.

The dark-haired vamp trailing behind him made a quiet sound of assent. Stephan wasn’t the most vocal of companions, but he was loyal. The vamp had been at Valor’s side for over three hundred years. He trusted Stephan to guard his back and oversee the security detail while Valor concentrated on ruling the vampire tribe under his control. After another walk-through, four more dogs were added: two Rottweilers and two mixes.

Valor was pleased.

Good selection, he told the trembling human beside him.

Th-thank you, sir. The keeper kept his eyes averted from the vampire’s gaze. Valor didn’t bother hiding his amusement. The idea that a vampire needed to meet the eyes of his prey was a myth. Valor could’ve controlled the guy from across the state if he wanted. Fool.

He had almost left the kennel area when he heard a low whimper.

The sound tugged at him, the noise soft and needy, impossible to ignore. Valor turned, scanning the area, but even with his excellent night vision, he couldn’t make out the far cages.

What’s back there?

Nothing, sir, the keeper said with suspicious speed, just a mutt we caught a few weeks ago. He was half-starved, and something had ripped him apart badly. He sets off the other dogs, so we keep him separated from them so there’s no fighting. He’s a sweet pup, not the type you’re looking for.

The keeper’s fast response raised Valor’s interest.

Another whimper called to Valor. Let me be the judge of that.

Following the sound, he reached a large cage with a golden brown dog inside. Well-muscled, the creature had a shiny coat that glowed even in the darkness. Its large amber eyes looked up at him imploringly.

"Help me," the words whispered into his mind.

Valor’s head snapped back, instinctively trying to repel the mental invasion. It took him a moment to realize what it must mean.

Werekin.

He looked into the dog’s eyes and saw the intelligence shining out of them. There was something more in the creature’s gaze than in the other animals’ he’d chosen that night.

Human understanding.

I’ll take this one.

But, sir, he wouldn’t make a very good guard dog. He doesn’t have a mean bone in him. Valor turned to discover the keeper had dredged up the courage to meet his eyes in order to protect the beautiful animal.

Valor gave him a smile he knew humans found irresistibly appealing. I won’t use him as a guard; I want him for a pet. He pushed some persuasion into his voice.

Relief crossed the human’s face. "In that case, I’d be happy to let you have him. He needs a good home. I’d adopt him myself, but the missus said if I brought home another animal she’d put me in the doghouse."

We can’t have that now, can we? he agreed amiably. Valor nodded toward the dog. What’s his name?

I call him Prince. Valor could see the human blush even in the dim lighting. I know it’s a common name for dogs, but for some reason, it really suits him.

Hmmm. Valor looked at the creature for a moment. Let’s get Prince out of there so I can take him to his new home.

The dog’s attention snapped to Valor when the cage door opened.

Instinctively, the shifter leapt for freedom. Before he could get far, Valor grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, preventing his escape. Not so fast, my pretty animal. Valor snapped a leash on the collar around Prince’s neck. He wasn’t going to let the pretty werehound escape so easily.

The dog growled his displeasure.

I’ve never seen him growl before, even when we put salve on his open wounds, the keeper said in a worried tone.

He’ll be fine. Valor petted the werehound behind his ear ignoring the beast’s glare.

You be a good boy, Prince, and Mr Valor will take good care of you. The keeper placed a sloppy kiss on Prince’s head. Valor hid his amusement when the shifter rumbled his annoyance over the human’s sappy affection.

Don’t worry about Prince. He’ll have a happy life at my side, Valor assured the human.

The werehound gave a low, disgruntled bark.

Valor jerked his leash. Behave, boy.

"Don’t make me bite you," the words whispered into Valor’s head.

Don’t think that can’t work both ways. Valor chuckled. Not the least bit fooled, he watched as the werehound lowered his head submissively. The young shapeshifter had more tricks than a circus pony. It didn’t escape Valor’s notice that the isolation cage Prince slept in was three times larger than the other animals’ or that he had a padded bed and prime dog food not seen in the other cages. This was one puppy who liked his luxuries.

Valor stroked a hand across the werehound’s back and felt a strange, soothing sensation go

Reviews for Saving Valor

[Tatys2673 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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