Red's Wolf Volume 5: Rescue: Red's Wolf, #5

By Amber Kallyn

Who said Red's afraid of the big, bad wolf?

Once upon a time...

Sami and Jonah shared an unbreakable bond, a love forged under a full moon. A connection that could never be dimmed, not even by the murderous wolf trying to take them down. Stuck between his viciousness, and tensions spreading through her small village, all Sami knows is she must fight. Not just for Jonah, herself, or the villagers.

A new bond is waking. Her wolf claims another as family. And he desperately needs her help.

Only, to save each other and those they claim as theirs, Sami must go against the only home she's ever known. Somehow, she and Jonah must succeed, without bringing more harm to the very people they're trying to protect.

A paranormal romance retelling of the fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. Each volume is like an episode of your favorite TV show. Settle in and enjoy the ride!

Best ~ Amber Kallyn

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragon Heart Books
• Release date: Nov 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393635031

Amber Kallyn

One of those rare breeds, Amber Kallyn is an Arizona native who can trace her family’s history through six generations in the state. She lives with her four very active children. Included in the menagerie are four cats (though there’s always room for more) and an adorable baby ball python. Amber loves the paranormal, from dragons to werewolves to vampires. She’s currently at work on her next book, probably running around the house acting out a fight scene with her collection of swords and daggers. Or maybe, wishing she had claws to practice the other fight scenes. A voracious lover of the written word, Amber found at an early age that she could read fast. Really fast. She devours novels by the day, novellas by the hour, and is always looking to get her hands on more. FIND ME: Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmberKallyn Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmberKallyn Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/amberkallyn Sign up for my newsletter for fun & freebies: http://bit.ly/H04jPF

Book preview

Red’s Wolf

Red’s Wolf

Volume 5: Rescue

Amber Kallyn

Dragonheart Books

Red’s Wolf (Shifted Fairy Tales)

Volume 5: Rescue

Copyright © 2018 Amber Kallyn

All rights reserved. All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover art by: Amber Kallyn

Copyright © 2018

Volume 5: Rescue

Most know of me or at least have heard my tale. Certainly you would recognize my crimson, hooded cloak. You've been regaled by the story of my battle with a wolf.

But as with most stories, that was only a small part of my life. And legends discard certain truths. Forgotten with each retelling was how the wolves I fought could also become men.

My beloved Jonah, too, remains shrouded in the mists of time. Nothing is mentioned of all we meant to one another. Of the family we created and sent out into the world. No one speaks of the bonds we shared, or how he changed my life forever.

Yet, after becoming his, tumultuous times lay ahead. Like my love, I became a wolf, tugged by the call of the moon. I learned the tales Gran told long ago were all too real. That there were others, like Jonah and I, living in the Dark Forest just outside my village.

And one of them wished to destroy the bonds of our love. A monster willing to do anything to force me to become his.

Jonah and I refused to let anyone harm the love so precious to us. Yet, neither of us knew just how far he would go...

Nor did I understand how the wolf within me, ever growing, had claimed others as our own. Jonah as mate. Another as brother.

And his life was in danger.

We had to stop it, somehow without risking more harm coming to the innocent. And without my village, the only home I'd ever known, becoming our enemy.

If you are truly curious, then sit for a while.

Join me and discover for yourself the complete tale.

The truth behind the woman with the dark red riding hood.

Once Upon A Time…

The storm, shedding rain all day long, turned thunderous. Louder. Colder. Icy rain pelted the roof and windows of the small cottage.

Samantha Grant watched her love pace in front of the blazing hearth.

Jonah's loose, shoulder-length brown hair glinted in the firelight, with hints of gold and auburn. Since his earlier shift from huge wolf, back to man, he wore nothing but a pair of trousers. His gorgeous, muscled chest—and adorably, his feet—remained bare.

He muttered low, growling to himself. Strode faster, stalking like a predator on the hunt. From the sharpness of his features, tight and taut, his golden gaze streaked with wolf crimson, to the tension radiating from each stiff-legged step, his every move revealed the depths of his frustration and worry. His fear.

Fear for her, she knew.

He continued to persist with the argument that she should stay home. In safety.

Even if, for hours, this discussion had gone nowhere.

Hours since a group of men from the village followed wolf tracks—and not Jonah's—straight to Gran's land. Demanded to search for any signs of the beasts recently murdering local farmers and kidnapping women.

As if Sami might be hiding such monsters.

Unfortunately, Hans Peters was one of the men who’d stopped by. The butcher hadn't hesitated to bring his seeming hatred of Sami right to her cottage door.

And now, Jonah knew of the additional tensions running through the village—somehow pointed at her. He didn't understand that the men who disliked her were few.

Besides, there were very important things to do tonight.

She couldn't lose this argument.

Outside, the storm picked up, getting even louder. Thunder boomed and rumbled across the sky.

With a sigh, Sami glanced to the front window. Not even weak, late afternoon sunlight managed to seep in from behind the curtain.

Surely, the villagers were done searching the area by now and had returned home.

Or, at least, to their captive—and innocent—prisoner.

The impatient, angry villagers would need to prepare for the ridiculous burning scheduled for this night, after all.

Sami nearly growled at the thought.

Speaking low, commanding, Jonah drew her from her own worries, saying, yet again, You cannot come into the village with me tonight. It's far too dangerous for you.

Sitting straighter, Sami pushed her long auburn braid over her shoulder, and stared him down.

Repeating her own argument felt like a waste of time at this point, but she'd not back down. Not from this. "Attempting this rescue without backup is foolhardy. It'll take more than one person. Even for you. We both know it. And we’re running out of time."

Jonah grumbled again, his golden eyes flashing deeper ruby from the agitation of his inner wolf.

Just like the wolf now within her.

Not that it would help them this night. With all of this so new, and Sami so weak, her change only came on the three nights of the full moon.

Which was still a couple weeks away.

Even if the sky outside was visible past such pressing storm clouds, it would be dark, with only stars to twinkle down on them.

So the only way Sami could actually help with the rescue she insisted on, would be to enter the village as she appeared now.

A familiar face all knew.

Since a few of the villagers, like the butcher, seemed to want to cause her trouble lately—not that she could begin to guess their reasoning—someone, anyone at all really, recognizing her, would be bad.

Being seen in the village, on the same night their prisoner escaped—hopefully—certainly some blame would be cast in Sami's direction.

At least by those few.

She had no real reason to be there, after all.

Though, Sami doubted any would believe Kaleb escaped on his own, whether she was spotted or not. None knew of the wolf he, too, carried within him.

He wasn't bound to change only from the magical call of the full moon.

Not that he'd used his greater strength or speed to escape. Another thing Sami couldn't fathom.

But it wasn't just her who'd be in danger.

Tensions had been rising to a furor in the village.

Too many murdered farmers, and now for the past week, with the addition of missing women, emotions were turning explosive.

Any stranger would be immediately suspect.

Just look at what the village men had done to poor Kaleb.

Even if a local recognized Jonah from his recent stay, everyone thought he'd left weeks ago.

Hadn't Sami herself confirmed it?

His sudden appearance, and on this night no less, would be as damning as her own.

The growing wildness within her surged, chafing and impatient at it all. At this back and forth that solved nothing. At the wait to rescue, to save, to claim, he who was theirs.

The last still confused Sami a little.

Theirs?

She took another deep breath, letting Jonah's spiced, woodsy scent bring what comfort it could.

Yet, impatience dug deeper, bringing the wish that this night would quickly be done and over with.

A successful rescue.

She, Jonah, and Kaleb, here at home, in the safety of this cottage.

It was a sanctuary for Sami, after all. Full of memories growing up here. Full of the love and laughter she'd shared with Gran.

Gusting wind pelted the icy rain harder against the windows in ceaseless spatters. Thunder rumbled, long and loud, promising the storm overhead was merely getting started.

She didn't know if such a storm would be help, or hindrance, tonight.

Jonah tried again, his voice a stubborn near-growl. You were already shot once this day, and by the very villagers we'll be around. Worse, the storm and darkness will make them only more frightened. There's no telling what they'll do.

It was only a graze and is nearly healed, she reminded him gently, knowing his gruffness came from a protective need to keep her safe. How do you expect to handle those surely inside the stables, interrogating Kaleb, even now?

Sunset wasn't far.

The burning would take place shortly afterward.

But the village men would most likely continue torturing Kaleb for information until the very last moment.

She added, "I know