Mercy (Tails Book Two)

By R.E. Butler

Lion shifter Barron has nothing on his mind on Friday night except his work at Tails, the shifter bar. But then he scents something amazing and finds the source in a gorgeous female. She’s human, and she’s his heart-match – the one female on the planet meant for him. Because she’s human, he’ll lose his place in the pride if he claims her, but nothing is as important as making her his.

Mercy expects nothing to come from the evening out with her sister except a few free drinks, some dancing, and maybe finding a guy to fool around with. She never thought she’d get swept off her feet by a huge man who purred whenever they touched. Taking him home was a no-brainer. Finding out he’ll lose his pride because of her? That’s when things get tough.

But Barron isn’t about to let anything quite as silly as the fact that she’s human get in the way of him and his lion securing her as his mate. He’ll show her she’s the most important female in his universe, and that he’ll do anything to keep her by his side and in his arms. Forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.E. Butler
• Release date: Feb 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463251843

R.E. Butler

A Midwesterner by birth, R.E. spent much of her childhood rewriting her favorite books to include herself as the main character. Later, she graduated on to writing her own books after "retiring" from her day job as a secretary to become a stay-at-home mom.When not playing with her kids, wrestling her dogs out the door, or cooking dinner for her family, you'll find her typing furiously and growling obscenities to the characters on the screen.Her best-selling series Wiccan-Were-Bear, The Necklace Chronicles, Hyena Heat, Wilde Creek, Were-Zoo, Arctic Shifters, Norlanian Brides, Saber Chronicles, and Ashland Pride are available now.

Book preview

Mercy (Tails Book Two)

By R. E. Butler

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Excerpt from Emberly

Books by R. E. Butler

About the Author

Copyright

Chapter One

Barron Kincade tugged on his black T-shirt, his mind wandering to the monotony of the night ahead.

Hey, he said as he walked into the kitchen and found his grandfather at the stove, stirring a batch of chili. Smells great.

I’ll leave a bowl for you, he said. It’s not ready yet.

Sounds good. Thanks.

Have fun, Donnie said. But not too much fun. It’s work, after all.

Barron snorted and clapped him on the shoulder. See ya.

He headed outside and climbed onto his motorcycle, put on his helmet, and drove to the bar. When he arrived at Tails, the shifter bar where he worked as a bouncer, he clocked in, said hello to Titus in the stock room, then settled at his post at the door. Diesel, a male he’d known his entire life, was his partner for the night. They often worked together at the door.

Damn it, Diesel said as he walked on to the concrete patio. Someone swiped my stool.

I’ll grab one, Barron said.

Barron walked into the bar to locate a stool for Diesel, who’d severely broken his leg falling out of a tree when he was young. Even after multiple surgeries and his fast-healing abilities as a shifter, he still walked with a limp and couldn’t run as quickly as others in his shifted form.

Barron carried a stool outside and set it down.

Diesel sat, stifling a groan. He rubbed his leg with the heel of his palm. Thanks, man.

No problem.

The bar opened at seven, and even at a few minutes till, the line stretched around the front of the building. Friday nights ladies drank free. Barron swept his gaze down the line, his cat practically snoozing in his head. No heart-match in the line.

What’s that look for? Diesel asked.

Barron tapped the side of his head. My cat wants to settle down.

Ah. I think that happens to all males after they hit twenty-five. At least you don’t have an injury derailing your prospects.

What do you mean? When Diesel raised a brow in disbelief, Barron amended his statement. I know about your leg–I meant what prospects?

The male’s face shadowed for a moment and Barron could see the longing in his dark eyes. I went to see Abbie last week, and she said she had a match for me from another pride and scheduled a meeting a few days later. The female and her family watched me walk into the front room at Abbie’s with my damn limp and her father refused to sign off on our mating. He said I wasn’t whole, and he wouldn’t have his only daughter mated to a male who couldn’t provide for her. The female agreed.

Barron wanted to find the female’s parents and beat some sense into them. Diesel was an honorable male, and a damn good hunter, even if he couldn’t all-out run like the rest of them. That’s bullshit.

It is what it is.

It’s still fucking awful. I’m sorry.

Diesel shrugged as though trying to distance himself from the conversation. I think I’ll be single forever. What’s the male version of a spinster?

Barron shook his head. You’ll find someone when the time is right. I believe if a lion chooses to wait for his heart-match then he’ll find her.

I think I don’t have a choice but to wait.

Titus opened the door. Send ‘em in, guys.

Conversation between Barron and Diesel stopped as the crowd moved forward. Diesel checked IDs and Barron opened the door for people, scenting as they passed to ensure he couldn’t smell gun oil or anything that would indicate a weapon. He took his duty as a bouncer seriously.

The night moved on, trudging like it could sometimes when he was thinking about something besides work. The faces of the human males and females waiting to get into the club blended together. Aside from the two underage girls who tried to get in with fake IDs, no one stood out.

Some people just can’t wait to grow up, Diesel said, shaking his head at the females who scurried back to their vehicle.

Well, high school sucks so maybe that’s part of it?

Yeah, right? I wouldn’t want to be a teenager again for any amount of money.

You and me both, brother.

Barron’s lion sat up suddenly. He looked around slowly, opening his senses and inhaling the warm night air. He felt her before he saw her.

His heart-match was here.

Chapter Two

Mercy Hendrix stared out the windshield and listened to the pop song coming over the satellite radio as her sister, Ree, drove to Tails. Mercy and Ree were about as different as two people could get. Mercy was outgoing; Ree was a homebody. Mercy couldn’t boil water; Ree knew her way around the kitchen. But they were best friends nonetheless, and Ree was hands-down the best sister a girl could ask for.

Mercy worked as a hairstylist at a salon in the sleepy little town of Darrville. She’d heard from a client on Thursday afternoon that a shifter bar called Tails in Kedrick had ladies- drink-free specials every Friday and was a kicking place to go. She’d invited Ree to join her. Though her sister had tried to say no, Mercy had threatened to use the favor, in which case Ree had no choice but to agree.

Ree had used her one big favor when she’d asked Mercy to move out of the apartment they’d shared for several years. Mercy hadn’t been offended, understanding that her sister just wanted some privacy, so she’d moved across the hall in an identical apartment. Mercy had never cashed in her favor, and Ree hadn’t actually made her use it tonight, simply because her responsible older sister wasn’t about to let her go to a shifter bar alone.

Have you ever met a shifter? Ree asked as she put on the signal to turn into the crowded parking lot.

Mercy hummed. A few of the wolf girls come in for haircuts. I’ve talked to them, but they don’t seem to be the sharing sort. You?

The bank handles accounts for the pack, so I’ve talked to them, but just general pleasantries. I got the same impression. Maybe they don’t like getting personal with humans. Ree found a parking spot, maneuvered her car into the space and turned off the engine. Which begs the question, why are we bothering coming here if shifters don’t like humans?

Mercy unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed out. She waited until Ree had exited and met her gaze across the top of the car. I don’t think it’s that they don’t like humans. I think it’s that they don’t get personal with outsiders. Besides, we’re here to have a few free drinks and see where the night takes us.

Ree tapped the car’s roof. Just remember the rules.

Yeah, yeah, Mercy said. You drive, no strange men, and when you’re ready to go I won’t fuss about it.

Promise? Ree narrowed her eyes.

Putting a hand on her