The Wyld: A Reverse Harem Fantasy

By Parker DeVesci

Three deadly immortal warriors. Their empress reincarnate. A prince who will stop at nothing to keep her from her Realm.

Orphaned and alone, Alex has lived her life on the streets, avoiding the unwanted attentions of the drug dealer who offered her his protection. She has no idea that another world awaits her, a chaotic Realm full of impossible, unbelievable wonders.

Sage, Silver, and Ice have spent a lifetime roaming the earth imprisoned in their beastforms while awaiting the return of their beloved empress. Only her reincarnation can free them. But others are searching for her, too. She is being hunted down by her mortal enemy, a prince who has sought to destroy her since the beginning of time.

Innocent of the power she wields, Alex is defenseless save for her captivating beauty. Even the Realm that awaits her is laden with danger and dark secrets. To secure Alex’s throne, her warriors will be required to sacrifice. Will their love for her be strong enough to make them turn on one of their own?

The Wyld is a slow-burn reverse harem fantasy novel. The series continues with the second book, Fall of Sky, available now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Parker DeVesci
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005398996

Book preview

Chapter 1: Alex

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LIFE ON THE streets was hard enough without piss-pouring rain and lecherous cops. Alex was in a foul mood as she sloshed through the last puddles of the alleyway, soaked through and through. Her black hair clung to her face and neck in skin-stuck waves, and her threadbare sweater suctioned itself in the same way to her curves. She was too drenched to notice the effect that had on the guy on lookout as she passed the threshold into ‘the pad’, a rundown shithole she sometimes called home. Cursing under her breath, she stood on the weathered boards of the entryway, wringing her hair out, shaking off what she could.

Down the hall, cigarette smoke trailed out of one doorway, and from the one across the hall, Cindy’s laughter. Alex frowned, recognizing the sound. Cindy only laughed like that when…

Don’t tease me like that, baby, Vincent moaned.

This made Cindy giggle even more. She loved to tease Vincent. It was possibly her one true goal in life. And the thug was possibly the only man she cared about in a long lineup of men who would use her and be used by her. Alex was glad that Cindy had this one little piece of happiness in her life, but for the moment, her stomach rolled sideways. Vincent was secondhand man to Hector, and his presence felt like an omen in her gut.

For a moment, Alex turned her face back to the open doorway and considered the rain. She was already soaked, so what would be the difference if she walked the couple of miles to the next place she might crash? As if in answer to her thoughts, a bolt of lightning hit a pole at the end of the alley, sending a shockwave of thunder at her. Her scowl deepened. She’d have to make do.

Heaving a sigh, she stepped forward down the hallway, her boots squishing, her tattered, muddy pantlegs dragging. She got as far as the common room, but no further. He was there.

Hector was leaning one hand on the table, towering over two of his minions, who were sputtering out a report. His eyes moved up and took her in, then he stood up straight, never looking away from her. His face was blank, unreadable.

Alex nodded once in greeting, casting her eyes to the floor.

His footsteps moved around the table and came toward her, each step paced evenly, slowly. His boots moved into her line of vision. Alex had no choice but to look up.

Hector took a moment, scanning from her face slowly down her body. Where you been, Alex?

She shrugged uneasily. It was true that she’d been avoiding him. She’d also been trying to do her job, but things didn’t always go according to plan, and he wasn’t going to like that, either. I’ve… been trying to find Anthony… but… well… She didn’t want to go on.

But?

Best to just spit it out. He’s gone. I think he’s running.

With a roar of rage, Hector’s fist smashed a hole into the wall only inches beside her face. Alex only flinched, looking down, away, but knew better than to move.

The next five minutes or so were filled with Hector cursing, raging, then pacing, running his hands through his hair, breathing heavily like a bull. The room had fallen utterly quiet. Some of the junkies and whores had vacated it entirely. The ones who could not escape without being noticed kept themselves utterly still.

When Hector’s rage had finally run its course, his eyes flicked to her, considering. He glanced back at the guys at the table. We’ll do this later.

They took the dismissal without a word of reply and got the hell out.

Alex’s eyes darted around the room. Somehow, she was the only one left.

Again, Hector moved toward her. This time, he came further into her space, within inches. Involuntarily, she took a step back, but there was a wall behind her. He leaned closer, his hand going to her waist. Tell me where you’ve been, little pigeon.

The truth was, Alex had been all the usual places, sleeping in one place one night, and a different one the next. She’d simply been doing a better job at anticipating which place he would be at, and avoiding it. But the last thing in the world she wanted was to make him mad. It was his protection that kept her in one piece. For years now, that protection had saved her from being forced into prostitution or being otherwise abused, but she’d had the feeling, lately, that it wasn’t going to protect her from him. She’d been only twelve when he’d found her, struggling on the streets, dressed as a boy. She’d run away from the latest children’s home, and she’d been half-starved and sick. He’d taken her under his care— under the care of his business— and put her to work carrying messages, which was way better in her book than actually dealing, like most of them. She’d done a good job for him, and so he’d protected her when others had had better ideas about what she was good for. Everyone was aware who she worked for, and it had been a long time since anyone had really messed with her. But Hector himself had had his eye on her for a long time, now, and it seemed that the barrier that held him back was thinning. Usually, he didn’t touch her. Now, his hand gripped her hip with the same hunger that was in his eyes.

She swallowed and managed in a shaky voice, I haven’t been anywhere different. Ask Cindy. Ask Lenny. They’ve seen me around. They know.

His dark eyebrows drew down in the middle. I haven’t seen you. I’m the one who matters.

I’m sorry. Her voice was little more than a whisper. She suddenly felt than an explanation was necessary. I— I was afraid you’d be mad about Anthony… and… I wasn’t sure, yet. I’m still not. I’m trying to find out.

He snorted, dismissing it altogether. His hand went to her face, tilting it up to him. You’re a little liar, bitch. There was a strange affection in his words, a tenderness that worked in paradox to their meaning. You’re afraid of me, and I don’t blame you. You know what’s coming.

Alex stared straight ahead at the tattoo on his neck that said, Maricela in flowing, cursive script. She opened her mouth to deny what he said, to mention the girlfriend who supposedly had him wrapped around her little finger, the only reason he had held back before this.

But Hector had taken her hand in his. He slipped it between them and pressed it to the front of his jeans, made her feel how hard he was underneath. Feel what you do to me, he murmured, his breath hot against her cheek. She could smell vodka. He’d been drinking. There was very little chance that he was going to hold anything back, now.

Alex gingerly retrieved her hand, pulling it back, wrapping her arms around herself against the sudden coldness she felt inside. Hector, I— she whispered, but he silenced her lips with one warm finger.

His hands went to her face, gentle as they lifted her chin, caressing even as he made her look at him. No man has ever touched you, he murmured. I know, because if they had tried, they would be dead. I knew I would claim you for my own, one day. He put his hands on her waist and slowly slid his fingers around her back, over her bottom. His mouth moved softly against her neck as he whispered, I’ve been saving you up. There was a soft, low laugh as the thunder crashed outside again. For a rainy day.

Alex’s heart was flailing inside her as she pressed her palms against his chest, holding him back as much as she dared. Thoughts whirling, she tried to think of a way out. She couldn’t reject him. He would turn on her, then. Without his protection, she’d meet a far worse end than simply becoming Hector’s plaything. But he terrified her. She clamped her eyes shut, tilting her head away from him, pressing him away from her, and tried to reconcile herself to what was going to happen. Tried to get a grip before the horror of the moment could completely take over.

Hector’s hold on her had tightened, crushing her against him so that her dripping clothes were giving him a good soaking, too. One hand came around and pawed at the top of her sweater, tugging it roughly downward in an attempt to expose her breast. His hot tongue probed at her collarbone and squirmed its way up her neck, licking raindrops.

Alex broke. With a cry of rage and disgust, she slammed her knee upward into his crotch. He made a noise and doubled over. She ran.

She bolted into the rain and thunder, tore down the alleyway. Behind her, she could hear Hector’s fierce exclamations, commanding his underlings to give chase. He wouldn’t go out into the rain after her himself, but none of the others would be gentle with her, especially not after chasing her around in the storm. And when they brought her back to him…. The only option was to not get caught.

So Alex ran like she had never run before. Mindless of puddles, headless of anything or anyone who got in her way, she sprinted through alleys, around corners, leapt over crates, pulled trashcans over behind her to create obstacles for those who gave chase. She’d been running for blocks and blocks, and most of them had fallen behind. But Freddie and Hal were catching up with her, and they were probably the worst of the lot. She made an unfortunate turn into an alleyway that was a dead end. She skidded to a halt, looking desperately for a way out. Their footsteps sloshed up behind her, slowed. They were laughing, now.

Alex whirled on them, ready to fight. She’d gotten a beating from the two of them once before, for messing up a delivery. She was pretty sure they’d enjoyed it. They reminded her of it often enough. Today, they’d make that beating look small. They’d make sure she was suitably punished before they dragged her back to their boss. And that would only be the beginning of it. Alex decided right there that she wasn’t going back, even if it meant the end of her.

Come here, sweetheart, Hal said, moving toward her, grabbing at her. I need to talk to you.

She dodged away. He made another grab. She turned to evade him. Freddie barreled into her from the side, driving her hard to the ground.

Alex kicked and screamed and bit and clawed, but he had hold of her. He rolled them over and dragged her to her feet, getting his arms around her and pinning her arms from behind. Hal stood in front of her, now, shaking his head. He slammed his fist into her stomach, driving the air out of her.

As she struggled for breath, Freddie said into her ear, It’s about time Hector made his move on you. He likes them fresh, you know. But he doesn’t mind giving us the leftovers.

A primal noise of rage rose in Alex’s throat as she tried to kick at Freddie, but he neutralized her by lifting her off the ground.

Hal was laughing outright. This is going to be fun.

There was a growl from behind him. Hal did a doubletake over his shoulder, then went down screaming. On top of him, there was a huge black dog, jaws clamped onto the arm he’d flung up to shield himself. Its fangs tore a long red gash, spattering blood. It went for his throat.

Shit! Freddie was yelling, but he hadn’t let go of Alex.

Hal rolled sideways, dodging the dog’s attack, and somehow made it to his feet. He tore off around the corner, the dog chasing him.

Freddie locked an arm around Alex’s throat, shoved her forward. Let’s go, bitch.

No! Alex stomped on his foot, to little effect.

He punched her in the kidney and tightened his arm, constricting her airflow. You can do as I say, now, or later on I can really hurt you. His voice brooked no nonsense.

But Alex had decided she would not go back, and if he meant to make her, he was going to have to fight her to the last. She twisted, trying to get away, trying to free her arms so she could hurt him.

That’s when the dog came back. Appearing in the mouth of the alley, it ran at them without warning. Freddie only just saw it as it launched itself through the air toward them. He dropped Alex, ditching sideways, and hit the pavement hard. His wrist cracked. As he rolled to the side to struggle up, the dog was on him, its teeth in his shoulder. He cried out as it ripped a strip of flesh and t-shirt off of his back. He curled into a ball, covering his head, whimpering.

Alex had hit the ground, too, bruising her hip. She staggered to her feet. Her eyes were wide on the scene unfolding before her. Frozen, at first, terrified, she stared at the huge animal, bigger than any dog she’d ever seen. Shaggy and wild-looking like a wolf, but black as the darkness itself. She stumbled backward a few steps, watching it mutilate Freddie’s exposed back. She wanted to run, but she seemed incapable.

She backed away, making it as far as the end of the alley, where she braced herself with one hand against the wall. Only then did she realize she’d been limping. One arm was clasped protectively around her stomach. Her hip ached, and she was scraped up everywhere. She finally tore her eyes from the attack and turned to go. Limping away down the street, she knew she wasn’t moving fast enough. But at least she was moving.

She turned a couple of times and didn’t stop until she was four blocks away. There, she ducked behind a dumpster and leaned up against a brick wall, breathing deeply. Rain was still pouring down, washing blood in red rivulets from various scrapes. She was as cold as she could ever remember being. Only then did the tears start to come. And with them, hopelessness set in. Hector owned most of this city. She was a goner.

It hurt to sob, so she broke off into a little whimper, giving in to her tiredness, sinking against the wall and closing her eyes. She wanted to sit down, but the way her stomach hurt, she couldn’t bend to do so. Her shoulders shook with her sorrow.

At first, she did not distinguish the sound from that of the raindrops. Tick, tick, tick, tick. But then it stopped, in front of her. She opened her eyes. The black dog was there. It walked up to her and pressed its nose against her leg, sniffing. Alex froze, fear coursing through her. The great snout moved up her thigh, nuzzled into her bruised belly, tickling and wet. She shrank away from it. The dog kept sniffing, moving closer, pushing its nose into her armpit, then down, scenting between her legs. She pushed its head away gingerly at first, but when it tried to force its head between her thighs again, she gave it a huge shove. Bad dog, she shouted, glaring at it, but expecting to be eaten at any moment.

The dog looked