Rescuing Markas: Sanctuary, #1

By Megan Slayer

The love of his life will bring out his roar.

John Dallas has lots of money, but no real direction in his life. He cares for lions at a local petting zoo where people can pay to pet the cubs. He's heard stories and read about shifters—creatures who can shift from an animal form into a human form. Seeing the lions makes him wonder if those lions can shift. When he witnesses an act of cruelty to the lions, he finds his purpose in life—to save the lions.

Markas knows he can shift, but hasn't yet. He's fascinated by John and wants to shift in order to get to know the human better. But lions don't last at the petting zoo past their third birthday. Once he's at the age of being moved, he'll lose his chance with John. Will John accept him his his human form? He's determined to shift and snag the man of his dreams.


What will happen when the shifter and the human are thrown together by fate? White hot sparks.

 

This book has been re-edited for this re-issue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Slayer
• Release date: Jun 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393841289

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Rescuing Markas

A Sanctuary Story, book 1

by

Megan Slayer

Rescuing Markas

Copyright © 2020, Megan Slayer

Edited by Michele Paulin and CJ Slate

Cover Art by WZDesigns

Published by Megan Slayer Publishing

Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Electronic Release: June 2020

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

The love of his life will bring out his roar.

John Dallas has lots of money, but no real direction in his life. He cares for lions at a local petting zoo where people can pay to pet the cubs. He’s heard stories and read about shifters—creatures who can shift from an animal form into a human form. Seeing the lions makes him wonder if those lions can shift. When he witnesses an act of cruelty to the lions, he finds his purpose in life—to save the lions.

Markas knows he can shift, but hasn’t yet. He’s fascinated by John and wants to shift in order to get to know the human better. But lions don’t last at the petting zoo past their third birthday. Once he’s at the age of being moved, he’ll lose his chance with John. Will John accept him in his human form? He’s determined to shift and snag the man of his dreams.

What will happen when the shifter and the human are thrown together by fate? White hot sparks.

For CD because you tell me to when I don’t think I can.

For JPZ because you’re there to pick me up when I fall and never let me forget I can do this.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

Dual Threat

Chapter One

SHIFTERS ARE REAL? John Dallas read the words in the book once again then rubbed his eyes. No way.

He glanced outside at the lion enclosure at the petting zoo. Not many people were permitted to have private zoos in the state of Ohio and even fewer had petting zoo features. His boss, Carlton, had been lucky to secure the permits needed to run the facility.

John watched two of the lions rub against one of the boulders. The other four sunned themselves on the dirt. The animals were so graceful and nothing as he’d expected when he’d started working for the zoo. Each of them had personality. Was it possible some of his six lions were shifters? It didn’t seem possible. He’d been with most of them since their birth. He focused on his book once again and reread the section out loud. Maybe if he vocalized what he’d read, he’d understand it better. Maybe.

Shifters were created from a mutant gene. The genetics of shifters can be traced back to the time of the Neanderthals. Although the exact moment of DNA melding cannot be pinpointed, bone fragments containing both animal and human DNA have been located all around the globe. John closed the book and stared at the lions. The animals were so beautiful. One of the gigantic cats, a three-year-old male named Markas, strolled up to the fence. He stared back at John. His golden eyes flashed.

John didn’t buy into shifters, but he could see why people might believe the animals had a human side. He’d adopted a housecat three years earlier. The gray tabby seemed to have a sixth sense. He knew when John wasn’t happy and when he needed perking up. The little cat had become his closest companion.

Markas reminded him of his pet, Moji. All the older lions seemed to appreciate Markas’ presence at the petting zoo. Once the cats grew too big to be petted, they were moved into the field enclosure. According to protocols, the oldest cats ended up going to regular zoos and wildlife refuges.

Markas was nearing the age and size to be moved. John’s heart sank. He didn’t want to see the big cat go. He’d been one of the first cubs born after John had begun working for the refuge. He couldn’t imagine being here without Markas.

There you are. Carlton Snell, the owner and manager of the Cambridge Petting Zoo, plopped onto the bench beside John. What in the hell are you doing?

I was reading. John tucked the book between his thigh and the bench. God forbid Carlton saw the hardback. And watching the cats. Markas seems sad today.

Sad? He’s an animal. They don’t feel sad. Carlton rested his elbows on his knees. Forget him. He’s about to go to a better place. Speaking of that better place, are you willing to work a tour tonight?

No. I’ve never run a tour. Why would you ask me? John glared at his boss. What are you up to?

Do you know what happens during the tours? Carlton’s eyes narrowed, and his lips curled in a smile.

No and I guess I should learn. A shiver ran the length of his spine, making him uneasy about the topic. Something about the conversation, no matter how short, didn’t feel right. Never mind. I’m not interested.

I don’t give a shit what you’re interested in doing. I need you tonight. Carlton scooted closer to John and bumped John’s knee. In more ways than just for the tour.

Dude, we’re at work, John put more space between them and grabbed his book.  You’re the one who made the rule about not getting close on the clock. He gritted his teeth. He’d once been in love with Carlton, but not any longer. The man he’d fallen for had been replaced by a dick who insisted on abiding by rules no one could follow. Carlton blurred the lines when something suited him but refused to budge for anyone else.

Then come with me. Carlton yanked John to his feet and dragged him behind the privacy fence. The animals could see them, but not the people in the petting zoo portion of the grounds. Snookie, you’ve been really tense. Do you need some TLC from your baby?

John groaned. He hated when Carlton used that ridiculous name for him. I’m not your Snookie.

No? Carlton pinned John to the wall and rubbed his crotch against John’s pants. You feel like you’re excited. Why don’t you drop to your knees and show me how much you love me?

Really? John nudged his boyfriend away and held the book in front of him. I’m not interested.

I don’t care.

Well, you should. John ducked under Carlton’s arm, putting distance between them. He hated being pushed. He wasn’t a bottom, but damn it, Carlton liked to treat him as such. He also hated to be conned, and Carlton excelled at getting people to do his bidding.

What are you doing? We’re sneaking a quick, private moment, Carlton shouted.

God. Now, everyone would hear what they were doing. John snapped his attention to Carlton. "I’m leaving you. I’m done. I don’t know why I thought this could work, but it’s not. You’re too...you. I can’t deal with you any longer. Everything is about you—always has been, always will be. He held up one hand. Just...we’re done." John turned on his heel and hurried to the locker rooms. On the way past the enclosure, he noticed Markas watching him. He shouldn’t have been able to tell which cat was by the fence, but he knew the distinctive chunk missing from