The Wild Wolf, Hunter Brothers Trilogy, Book One

By River Norwood

Clean - Historical - Shifter - Romance

Kato Hunter was restless and bored. He began spending his evenings at the barn where orchestrated fights took place, though his brothers didn't care for the idea. One night, he comes across someone in trouble and can't turn away. He didn't know this someone would change everything.

Kaitlyn MacGuire just wanted to spend an evening away from her father and brother. When she gets caught at the fights, the only one there to rescue her is Kato Hunter, the fighter she'd been admiring from the barn loft for a while now. She just didn't know that he happened to be a Transit, a wolf-man. She also didn't know she was going to end up as his wife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: River Norwood
• Release date: Jan 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005478162

River Norwood

River is simply trying to make her dreams come true. She loves writing, reading, music, and hot chocolate in this coffee saturated world. Not that there's anything wrong with coffee, it's just not for her. She is daring to explore the worlds and characters she creates in her head, and she puts it on paper to share with you. You may like it, you may hate it. She doesn't know, but she writes anyway! All she is hoping for is to create a temporary escape for anyone who would like to get away for a little while and explore a new world.

Book preview

The Wild Wolf

Hunter Brothers Trilogy

Book One

by River Norwood

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Violation of this copyright will result in prosecution.

Dedication

Dedicated to those who have supported me, who do support me, and who will support me in my future writing. Thank you for everything.

I also dedicate this book to Ashley, one of the few who knows my secret and has been a huge encouragement in my writing.

-RN

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Legend of the Transit

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Connect with the Author

Legend of the Transit

There was a young man who had been attacked by a pack of wolves. Many had bitten him drawing his blood, almost killing him. He barely survived the foray, but it had changed him. Several days later, he had discovered that he could see more sharply, hear far away, smell sickness, sense emotions, run faster and longer, and heal quickly with less scarring.

He used these abilities often, and always pushed himself to his limit. One day, he had pushed himself so far that he had turned himself into a wolf. He was very frightened at first, afraid that he would never be a man again. Fortunately, he turned back into a man after several days of roaming, concentrating, willing himself to turn. He mastered this transition from man to wolf, wolf to man expertly. He often changed from one form into another, each suiting his needs in different ways.

One day, he was attacked by a hunter while he was a wolf. The hunter thought to have killed him, but he only pretended to be dead. He thought to transition back into a man, but he was afraid the hunter would be frightened and kill him anyway, for surely some would think it wicked. The hunter bent down to begin skinning him of his fur when he lunged and bit the hunter in the hand, and the hunter fell back surprised. Finally, he turned and ran away as fast as he could from the hunter, though hurt.

He healed, and returned to his life. He was much more careful in wolf form, using his heightened senses more and trusting the animal instincts he had. He had often run into other wolves and packs, but they left each other alone. He knew he smelled different than them until one day, he ran into another wolf that traveled alone. This wolf was not a normal wolf, but smelled of man as much as wolf. They stared at each for some time before he took courage and changed back into a man.

The other wolf seemed to be surprised and unsure, but it wasn’t long before he, too, changed into a man. The first man suddenly recognized the hunter he had bitten that one day in the woods. The hunter was much more frightened, so the first man reminded him of that day when the wolf had bitten him. He knew that it was his bite that had caused the transition for the hunter.

They built a fire and talked many hours becoming brothers, becoming a two-wolf pack. Though the man apologized for the bite and not realizing how it would change the hunters life, the hunter was happy with his transition. One day in their forms as men, they were in a small town eating at a diner. The hunter couldn’t help but notice the woman that served them, and as the evening continued, he decided that he had to have her, to marry her, to mate her. That fateful night changed him, and he would not leave her.

The first man did not understand his brother’s obsession with the woman, but respected the man’s wishes. He stayed as they courted and married, but he felt the need to wander. He continued on traveling alone, but visited the hunter and his wife often. It was months later before he had found his own mate in a town not far away, and he understood everything his brother had told him. She became his everything, and they married and moved to live in the same small town as the hunter and his wife. They shared land and farming, living next to each other.

The wives each had child after child, but some of those children began to have qualities that were not fit to a child. Not all of the children were this way, but those that were had difficulty with the others of the town. When the affected children began to grow into manhood and womanhood, they transitioned, though not fully.

They did not transition into full wolves, but only took on their characteristics. Their hair become coarser and grew on their arms, hands, and legs. Claws emerged from their fingertips, fangs grew from where their teeth were, and their eyes glowing. Though their fathers were surprised and somewhat awed, they were not alarmed. Their wives demanded explanations, afraid for their children because the town folk became hostile towards their families.

The two men confessed everything, but promised they would protect them. It wasn’t long before men from the town confronted the families on their land one night with torches and rope, demanding they surrender the children of the devil. Well, no wolf surrenders one from its own pack, and these mothers were unwilling to sacrifice one of their children. It was a small town, so there were only twenty men at most. The man and hunter knew they could hold them off while their mates and children escaped.

They transitioned into their wolves in front of the men, who began to tuck tail as they say and back up. Never had one of them seen such a thing. The two wolves slowly approached the group, growling with fangs bared, stalking their prey as their mates and children climbed into the wagons.

As the wagons began their escape, the men attacked the two wolves stalking them. Twenty men was a lot for only two wolves, but they knew all they had to do was keep them busy as the wagons disappeared into the darkness. It had been a farming town and community, so not many of the men used or own guns. It was a stupid decision on their part, for if they had, this fight would have been much different.

The hunter had been hurt already, jabbed by a pitchfork by one of the farmers. The men around the two wolves cleared as one man with a pistol pointed it straight at the hunter, who was panting and limping badly. He cocked his pistol, grinning as he steadied his aim. The other wolf stood in front of his brother, unwilling to see him hurt further.

Suddenly, the man with the pistol was knocked violently down by a smaller figure. Everyone looked to see one of the children, the hunter’s oldest son, half turned into a wolf, glaring and growling at them. Out of the darkness emerged three more of the children, all half turned into wolves. The four young boys approached slowly, standing tall on two feet, their eyes glowing and fangs bared. Their fathers joined them still in wolf form, and they all slowly walked out of the light emitting from the torches. The fear from the farmers was almost palpable, and they let them go.

Many men were bitten that night, and the two wolves knew that many men would transition into wolves. That is how many came to be the Transits, those who could transition from man to wolf, and wolf to man. It is said that from these men came many more, for some were lonely and craved companionship that only a pack could complete. Then there were some that became rogue, those who wished to be alone, and did not hesitate to bite those who threatened them.

Full blooded Transits who mate with other full blooded always give birth to full-bloods, but not every child will inherit the transition. For some, it is the firstborn, and for others, it is the second born and so on. Full blooded Transits who mate with a human will give birth to half-bloods, and is the same as the full-bloods. Not every child will inherit the transition.

There are many that exist to this day, many that hardly take the form of the wolf, many that hardly take the form of a man or woman. They cannot be told apart from human men and women, and they wish it to stay that way. Too many would be curious, too many would want their furs, and too many would want their blood. It is safer to stay secret. It is safer to stay in the pack.

Chapter 1

Kato fell to the ground after letting the man hit him a second time, the straw on the barn floor scattering. Getting on his knees, he spit out the blood from his mouth. He didn’t have to let the burly farmer land a punch, but it only seemed fair. After all, a transit against a regular human was never fair. Of course, they didn’t have know that he wasn’t fully human. He’d end up fighting for his life instead of money. He just needed to put on a good show until he won, and he always won.

Shaking his head as if he was unfocused, he grinned and stood back up. The farmer was smiling, thinking he had a good chance of winning. He smiled back.

The man was a few inches shorter than him, but heavier. Kato was a few inches over six foot and lean. Waiting for him to make another move, they circled around the perimeter of men cheering, shouting, swearing, and betting their money on either him or the farmer. He knew the majority of money was on him since he was undefeated.

The farmer lunged forward taking a swing, but Kato easily dodged him and stepped to the side. Swinging with an uppercut, the farmer flew off his feet and landed on his back. The announcer leaned over him, but the man was out cold. He grabbed Kato’s wrist and lifted it in the air shouting his name, ‘Kato Hunter’. Cheering erupted from the crowd around him.

He leaned in to the announcer. Is he okay? he asked, hoping he hadn’t hurt the farmer too badly. The man had a wife and two kids to take care of. The announcer gave him a short nod as he walked away and helped some other men carry the man outside.

Charlie came and pat Kato on the back, then realized how sweaty he was. Kato chuckled as the man wiped his hand on his shirt.

You, my boy, are a champ! You’re also making me rich, he added with an elbow jab to his ribs.

Kato nodded, but didn’t respond otherwise. He didn’t fight for the money or for the glory. Well, the money wasn’t so bad, and he was able to give it to some of the other folks in town who needed it. In truth though, he fought because he was bored and, if he was honest, to be a thorn in his brother’s sides. Amos and Bryce, both older than him, didn’t like him fighting having the advantage of being a transit. He counted the money Charlie handed to him.

Don’t trust me? he asked.

I don’t trust anybody, Kato answered matter-of-factly.

Except your brothers, Charlie added, a strange tone in his voice.

Kato looked sideways at him a moment, sensing something, but he didn’t know what. Except my brothers, he confirmed with a nod.

Your brothers keep to themselves a lot, Charlie commented, counting the money in his own hand again. They come into town for supplies and such, but don’t do too much talking. Kato stayed silent, still counting, wondering what the man was fishing for. They’re even a bit taller and wider than you I’d say. Finally, he turned on Charlie and just stared hard at him. The man tapped his chin, eyes narrowed, studying him. Think they’d be interested in making a few extra dollars? he finally asked.

Kato grinned as he began shaking his head. Trust me Charlie, they’ll never be interested in fighting. They don’t even like me fighting, he replied putting his shirt on.

The barn was clearing out, and a few men began to take down some torches around the rope-ring. Kato couldn’t help but wonder if Charlie understood how much of a fire risk that was. Hay was mighty easy to catch fire, and with one way in and out, a lot could be hurt or killed.

You three could make a fortune! the shorter man exclaimed.

We don’t need a fortune, Kato answered, putting his hat on his head. We have the ranch.

You fight for the extra money. Why not them? Charlie pressed.

It won’t happen Charlie. Give it up, Kato said walking away. He was getting too chummy with the man. There was one rule he never wanted to break, and that was getting on too-friendly terms with the townspeople.

If they ever discovered his and his brother’s secret, they’d have to run. They’d built up too much to do that.

<<<<<<< >>>>>>>

Kato’s brothers were sitting at the table in the large kitchen eating supper when he got home, which was unusually late. He hoped they hadn’t tried waiting for him to eat and finally gave up. It made him feel a