Red's Wolf Volume 8: Hunted: Red's Wolf, #8

By Amber Kallyn

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

The captivating conclusion to Red's Wolf

One of their own lies near death. Pack mates have been stolen away by the huntsman, and those from the nearby village. Time is ticking quickly, with little left to try and figure out how to save everyone, in a world becoming increasingly hostile.

With danger hunting her at every turn, Sami realizes she'll do whatever it takes to keep her new family safe.

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: 9781393411475

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 8: Hunted

Amber Kallyn

Dragonheart Books

Red’s Wolf (Shifted Fairy Tales)

Volume 8: Hunted

Copyright © 2019 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 © 2012, 2018, 2019

Volume 8: Hunted

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.

With Jonah, and our newfound family, I hoped for nothing more than to settle into peace.

But danger remained, surrounding us.

Hunting us.

Hungry for our complete and total demise.

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…

Panic and worry pounding in her heart, breathless from the quick trip home, Sami Grant shoved inside the large, communal cabin her new family lived in. The door slammed against the inner wall with a resounding thunk.

People lounging about the main room froze.

Many jumped to their feet at her abrupt entrance.

Sami stepped to the side.

Ignoring the lingering, fiery pain radiating through her injured shoulder, she waved the people at her back to hurry and enter the wooden building.

Those carrying the devastatingly wounded Kaleb. They swiftly moved in, out of the early afternoon chill.

Quickly, Sami urged. Get him to a room.

The giant of a man’s breathing remained labored, rough.

Too slow.

Beneath a tangled, bushy beard, his fair skin had paled to near ghostly translucence. Rough growls emanating from his barrel chest—even as he lay unconscious—sounded more like hoarse whimpers.

The soft sounds were arrows piercing straight to Sami’s heart.

Beside her, Nadia and Jonah urged Kaleb’s carriers across the large, main room. Down a long, door-studded hallway. Into one of the bedrooms.

They carefully laid Kaleb on the empty bed inside.

Most reluctantly left when Nadia began to shove them out, saying, There’s not enough room in here. She turned back around, her long, dark braid swinging around her hips, nervously rubbing her hands together. Her bright blue, kohl lined eyes shone wetly.

The tiny woman usually appeared calm, even if inside, she felt ragged, her emotions tumultuous.

At the moment, Nadia’s façade had been shattered.

A frenzied worry radiated from her, infecting Sami.

And Jonah too, by the way he shuddered, watching the small woman jerkily stalk around the room.

Wolf crimson streaked Nadia’s brilliant blue gaze. She stumbled. Waved Jonah away when he reached to help.

Breathed deep.

Looked over Kaleb. Nadia closed her eyes, sighed again.

Before the last few people slipped out the door, she ordered a few to bring needed supplies.

Sami grabbed one man before he left the room. Can you find Alice and Jane. Ask them to come, please?

He nodded before shutting the door quietly behind him.

Sami turned back to the bed.

And the giant of a man sprawled, injured and unconscious, on top of it.

Sorrow, tinged with fear, pulsed achingly in her heart.

Fury flickered in her soul.

She studied the wounds over Kaleb’s chest and stomach. His arms and shoulders. Though the streaks of blacks and purples—poisoning from the silver he’d been shot with—were beginning to fade, if only slightly, the horrid wounds continued to remain ragged.

Bleeding.

His skin, cold and clammy.

Kaleb moaned in his unconscious dreams. Shuddered. Cried out, his broguish voice thick, Not the wee ones!

Shivering, Sami pressed a hand to the man’s feverish brow.

Her sorrow and fear increased. Battled with increasing anger.

A silent howl rang through her heart.

What could she do to save Kaleb? To ensure he made it through this?

And yet, additional concerns weighed heavily on her.

Two different needs called, drowning out most of the rest of the world. Pulling her in two directions.

Her first urgent worry was to ensure Kaleb survived—something none were certain of.

Second, was the fury, the terrifying horror, growing and streaking through Sami. The need to immediately rush to her nearby village.

Save the three youths stolen away.

Prevent the villagers, and the huntsman they’d recently called in, from carrying out their dark plans.

Neither Sami, nor the wildness silently howling mournfully in her soul, would allow the youths to be burned alive this night.

Only a handful of hours away.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Jonah opened it to let those returning come inside. They carried Nadia’s requested supplies. Bowls of warmed water. Strips of cloth for bandages.

And, most important to Kaleb’s healing, to his surviving—a large platter of cooked meats.

From the expansive, main room they’d passed through, voices were rising. The strain of others’ fears, and their anger, carried far.

Not surprising, news of all that had happened this day was quickly spreading.

Kaleb, hanging so close to death’s door.

The three young ones, taken to be murdered. At least, once tonight’s full moon rose, and the villagers saw proof of their wolfiness.

The arguments in the main room continued to grow louder.

Some people echoed the call increasing in Sami’s soul.