Merging Their Roar: Sanctuary, #8

By Megan Slayer

The right piece for their perfect triad seems to be the one man who doesn't seem to fit at all.

 

Eli and Silas have done pretty much everything twins can do together within reason. They share lovers and are inseparable. Now, the lions want free. They want someone to be with both of them and can understand the dual sides to their collective nature. But the twins are scarred by their past. Eli uses his people skills to please and get by, while Silas takes the quieter, introverted and angry approach. Can these two find a perfect complement? Does that person even exist?

 

Owen Cantrell believes he's not only worthy of the shifters, but he's their missing piece. He's human and hasn't been around shifters, but he's not afraid. What could go wrong?

 

When these three get together, there are plenty of sparks, but things can't be perfect forever. The way Eli, Silas and Owen deal with their problems and everything thrown their way will prove if they aren't meant to be or if they can go the distance.

 

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Slayer
• Release date: Jun 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393183655

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

Merging Their Roar

A Sanctuary Story, book 8

by

Megan Slayer

Merging Their Roar

Copyright © 2020, Megan Slayer

Edited by Michele Paulin

Cover Art by WZDesigns

Published by Megan Slayer Publications

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 right piece for their perfect triad seems to be the one man who doesn’t seem to fit at all.

Eli and Silas have done pretty much everything twins can do together within reason. They share lovers and are inseparable. Now, the lions want free. They want someone to be with both of them and can understand the dual sides to their collective nature. But the twins are scarred by their past. Eli uses his people skills to please and get by, while Silas takes the quieter, introverted and angry approach. Can these two find a perfect complement? Does that person even exist?

Owen Cantrell believes he’s not only worthy of the shifters, but he’s their missing piece. He’s human and hasn’t been around shifters, but he’s not afraid. What could go wrong?

When these three get together, there are plenty of sparks, but things can’t be perfect forever. The way Eli, Silas and Owen deal with their problems and everything thrown their way will prove if they aren’t meant to be or if they can go the distance.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

More of the Sanctuary

For CD who wouldn’t let me give up on me.

For all those looking for their soulmate. Keep looking. You’ll find them.

Chapter One

I REALLY WANT THIS job. Owen Cantrell stopped at the front of the house and parked. He’d filled out the paperwork, and they’d done a background check, but he wasn’t sure he’d get the job. Working with animals and shifters interested him. He’d earned a degree in biology and could've worked in a lab, but the idea of being around the shifters intrigued him.

His knee bounced, and he checked his look in the mirror again. He wanted to look older than his twenty-four years. Maybe then, they’d accept him as a potential worker, not a kid. He could help take care of the shifters as he’d worked with the dogs at the kennel. If he could handle nervous pugs and overly anxious Dobermans, he could deal with a few shifters.

But knowing the job description would’ve helped. He had no clue what might be expected of him—if he’d even get the job.

He shored up his courage. If anyone could do this, he could. Right? It was only an interview, not something hugely difficult.

Owen climbed out of the car. His hands shook. Damn it. Would the people who ran the Sanctuary realize the reason he wanted to be there was because the shifters fascinated and turned him on. They’d know. They had to. The people at the facility probably saw a hundred people a day who claimed to want to be there but only to hook up with a shifter.

He forced himself to walk up to the door. He’d passed inspection by the hulking man at the gate. He’d been patted down and his car searched... Lord only knew what they’d expected to find.

Owen paused. The people here been shot at, and that’s what they were looking for—ammo or guns. He remembered the guy who’d essentially shot his way onto the property in order to steal shifters. That wasn’t what Owen wanted to do.

Owen?  A blond man with shaggy hair and a beard strode up to him.

Owen’s heart quickened. He knew this guy. Markas. Did Markas have a last name? Owen wasn’t sure. He doubted Lion would be a good one, but what did he know?

Yes, Owen Cantrell. You must be Markas. He offered his hand. Hi. It’s nice to meet you. He needed to shut up. I saw Davi at the gate. Really, he needed to close his mouth.

Markas laughed. I see you’ve done your homework. He shook hands with Owen. I’m glad you’re here.

Me, too. He appreciated Markas’ firm handshake. Was his too eager in return? His heart hammered. I’m not sure what to say. But those words probably weren’t it.

You’re young for twenty-four. Is that right? Markas waved to the door. Let’s go in.

Sure. His confidence dipped. He assumed they were going to the office, but he wasn’t sure. An office visit could be good or could go south. Markas could want to turn him down in private. Shit. He needed to stop thinking.

He followed Markas up the steps and into the house. He’d expected a glorified kennel, not a lavish home. Rich wood floors, the smell of leather in the air...books and dark paint on the walls. The place wasn’t darkly lit—more like the mood lighting at a restaurant.  Did shifters prefer lower light? He hadn’t read that, but anything was possible.

He noticed movement in his peripheral vision. Two men stood in the hallway. He glanced over at them, and his breath caught in his throat. The guys looked a lot alike. Were they twins? He wanted to take a closer look, but didn’t. He refused to get sidetracked.

We went over your files, and John checked into your background. You majored in biology? Markas asked.

Uh... He stole a glance at the men in the hallway. Twins—at least, he thought they were. Both men had shaggy blond hair like Markas, but no facial hair. One had dimples. Both smiled, and the look was eerily spooky, but kind of sexy, too.

Owen? Markas asked. Hello?

Owen heard his name, but he didn’t stop looking. He collided with a solid wall of Markas.

"Oof, he grunted. Sorry.  He wasn’t making a great impression. Shit. I’m a klutz, sometimes."

Aren’t we all? Markas laughed and opened a door. Come on in. I’ll introduce you around later.

Owen froze. Introduce him? Do I have the job?

Not exactly a job, more like another body in the house. Markas waggled his fingers. Come in, and I’ll explain.

I wish you would, Owen murmured. He wandered into the office. The room reminded him of a lawyer’s place with the tons of books.

Markas gestured to the chairs. Sit.

Thanks. He perched on the closest one. I don’t understand. I thought there was a job here. He’d thought he be interviewing, not lost and confused. I thought you wanted to talk to me.

Markas took his place behind the desk. About that job... He leaned forward and folded his arms. There really isn’t one.

Then why am I here? Confusion filled him then realization dawned on him. Shit, he blurted. You don’t trust me.

I don’t trust most people. John says it’s a failing of mine, even if he understands it. Markas laughed and stretched in his seat. You know, it probably is, but maybe not. Being cautious has kept me alive and worked for a lot of shifters. But...some humans really aren’t evil.

Um...sure? He still didn’t understand. He’d had to survive, but not fight for his life. He had no idea how life would be in a shifter’s shoes.

So, here’s the deal. I get calls every day. I’ve got shifters who handle most of them, but others I have to take. You see, the callers want the same thing—to see a shifter. I tell them we’re everywhere. If they look closely, they’ll see us. Hell, some shifters go out in public, intending on being seen. A few of the people understand our need for privacy, but there are those who push it. They want more than to see one—they want sex with a shifter.

Owen gulped. Yep, Markas must have figured him out. I’m sorry.

Why?

I... Shit. I’m...I don’t just want to be here out of the goodness of my heart. I’m like the others who push. I wanted to see a shifter and had this crazy desire to be with one. I’m not into porn or any of that, but I wanted to be here because I’m drawn to this place. I’ll see myself out.

Why? Markas’ eyebrows rose. I didn’t say to go.

But I’m no better than those callers. His body hurt all over from the agony of telling the truth. He’d screwed up so much.

Right. I knew that.

Owen froze. Wait. You did? Now, it was his turn to be shocked.

Did you honestly think we’d ask all of those questions just for fun? You revealed a lot. I know you’re attracted to shifters, and you’ve never been with one. I know you fantasize about them.

So I should go. Yes, he should and save the situation.

Stay, Markas said, his voice commanding and loud. Sit.

Owen hadn’t left his seat. Fear kept him there, and he wasn’t about to go anywhere. What if Markas unleashed his lion and tore him to bits?

"What you should do is stay. I read through your answers to the questions. You want to hook up with a shifter, but you’re not going to run crazy