Mythical Prey

By Harper Jewel

Hunter Covey, star wide receiver for his high school football team, is afraid to reveal his craving to be more than buddies with his best friend. He fears Griff will run in the other direction. After a sealed box of secrets held by his adoptive parents unlocks and spills its contents, only his incredible connection with Griffin can keep him calm.
Griffin Lambros — gifted high school quarterback — kept his crush for his best friend to himself. But an accident at the state championship compels Griff to open up and reveal his inner desires. When Griff’s mom opens the proverbial Pandora’s Box, Griff will need every bit of help Hunter offers.
Nicknamed Whiny Will by the Haworth Cougars, William Davenport didn’t use his father’s connections to get on the team because he liked football. He craved to be close to his hidden infatuation — Griffin Lambros. Once Griff graduated, Will lost touch with him. However, fate intervened and tossed Will and his family’s scandal into the lap of his dreamboat without warning.
When they discover the three of them are shifters with powers—precognition, accelerated healing, empathic manipulation—it only adds to several other obstacles in their way. Can the three men accept their future to become the next formidable Tytonidae Triad, or will they let destiny slip through their feathers?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harper Jewel
• Release date: Feb 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005080372

Harper Jewel

Harper Jewel, a loyal LGBTQ+ ally and proud Mama Bear to her twenty-four-year-old daughter, lives in northeast New Jersey with her loving husband. She has four cats, enjoys writing, reading, playing time-management games on her tablet, and watching Hulu or Netflix.With her outgoing personality and vivid imagination, she can create believable and memorable plots and characters.Although she began writing male/female Romance/erotica, she has found her niche in Gay Romance. She enjoys every one of her male characters when they speak to her with loud voices while proving love is love. She is proud to have the honor of being the first M/M author accepted at the now-closed Lush Publishing.Visit www.harperjewel.com to find out more.

Book preview

Chapter One

November 10, 2007

Hunter Covey

Eat up son, you’ll need lots of energy for today’s game, my adoptive dad Derek Covey urged when I entered the kitchen. Your mother made you a champion’s breakfast.

My stomach rumbled when I got a whiff of the scrambled eggs, shredded sweet potatoes sautéed to perfection, half a pink grapefruit sprinkled with dried cranberries, and a side of whole wheat toast.

Wow! You’ve outdone yourself, Mom. Thanks. I appreciate the spread. Now, if we could only be guaranteed a win. Coach Jansen’s been cracking the whip during the grueling practices this week. I don’t want to see him disappointed, but the Knights are a tough team to beat.

The Haworth Varsity football team had made it to the championship. If we won today’s game, we’d be the state champs for the first time in history. Both seniors, my best friend Griffin Lambros, the team’s first string quarterback and me, Hunter Covey, wide receiver, planned to go out on a high note. Coach Jansen claimed Griff and his amazing ability to pass the ball while scrambling away from the defense, and my talented hands able to catch anything sent my way was the reason we made it to the championship.

Griff and I share a long twelve-year history. We met in kindergarten, and over the years, I wanted more than a simple friendship with the attractive redhead. By the time I reached my freshmen year at Haworth High School, I realized I preferred guys over girls. I have yet to share my revelation with anyone, including my adoptive folks and my closest buddy.

Mark my words, son. The names of Hunter Covey and Griffin Lambros will go down in Cougars’ history. Do your best, and I guarantee you a win. My adoptive mom, Sophie Covey, patted my back and poured me a tall glass of skim milk mixed with my favorite protein powder.

From your lips to the man upstairs, Mom. I ate the delicious meal, then headed to my bedroom for some pre-game prep and meditation.

At the appointed time, Dad dropped me off outside the gym doors and, with my gear bag in hand, I ran to the locker room.

Chapter Two

The Championship Game

Griffin Lambros

Let’s show these Knights what we’re made of! We got this guys! I clapped my hands, and the huddle broke.

The mid-November weather—warmer than usual—couldn’t have been better. Even the slight breeze couldn’t override the heat of the shining sun. The Haworth Varsity Cougars were down by three points, with two minutes remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter. A field goal only would give us a tie. It was up to me, Griffin Lambros, the Cougars’ first-string quarterback, to make sure we scored a touchdown on our last play of the game. If we didn’t score at least six points, we’d lose. The Ohio State reps were in the stands, and I prayed they held my full-ride scholarship in their hands. My dream of quarterbacking for the Buckeyes might become a reality very soon.

Green forty-five, Omaha, Omaha, hike! The center passed the ball into my hands, and I ran backward, looking for my favorite wide receiver. Senses on high alert, the ground beneath my feet shook. The defensive line charged, ready to tackle me any second. A sudden tingling in my throwing arm alerted me. Without doubt, Hunter was open and waiting for my pass. I hurled the football with the best Hail Mary pass I could muster toward Hunter. The bright sun reflecting off the gold stripe on his helmet stood out like a beacon as he waved his hands in the air. Before I even saw if the ball met its target, the defensemen knocked the breath out of me. My head hit the ground and whipped up with a snap. Gut-wrenching pain shot through my lower left leg, and my world went black.

When I regained consciousness, I was flat on my back on a stretcher, being wheeled off the field toward the parking lot. My parents, Theodore and Victoria Lambros, jogged alongside us while an emergency medical technician hovered over me.

Excruciating pain in my left leg, now encased in an inflatable air splint, forced me to suck in a deep breath and a headache to end all headaches compelled me to remain still. While I tried to clear the cobwebs from my vision and brain, I relived the damn tackle from two of the Knight’s biggest linebackers who crushed me between them like out-of-control bulldozers. Did I get my pass off? Was it a good one? Still a bit cloudy, I watched the EMT inject something into the IV stuck in my left arm. I assumed it was some sort of painkiller because the intense pain in my leg subsided, and the throbbing in my head lessened enough for me to whisper through the oxygen mask.

Did we win?

Beside my rolling stretcher, Dad smiled, but the worry written across his face stood out loud and clear, especially when he scrubbed his hand over his red beard. Mom always said I inherited my hair color from him.

You bet the Cougars won, son. Your pass spiraled through the air right into Hunter’s waiting hands. I’m sure those scouts will knock the door down with offers. However, if we don’t get your leg taken care of pronto, I can’t guarantee your football career will be an illustrious one. The entire team took a knee when the medics rolled you off the field. How much do you remember?

Those words about the team taking a knee did a number on my heart. My traitorous emotions allowed tears to well, and I hoped they wouldn’t let loose. At least I could blame them on the pain if they won the fight. Those guys are the best. I’m gonna miss the celebration party, huh? Hunter deserves a huge bro hug. No matter how good my pass was, if he didn’t catch it, we’d have lost the game.

Don’t worry about the team dinner. Your mother and I will hold a party at the house and invite the entire team once you’re in the clear. You and Hunter will get your championship bash one way or the other.

Mom’s voice shook with nerves, and her long, iridescent black locks waved in the breeze. It took me several seconds to understand her. I… agree with your father. We’ll hold the b-best team gathering ever. Your dad w-will ride in the ambulance with you, and I’ll b-be along in the car. Hunter de-decided to forego the after-game locker room revelry. He asked m-me to wait for h-him.

Hunter Covey, my best friend and secret crush, always had my back from day one. After much deliberation and soul-searching, I realized I was gay when in middle school. I’ve kept the news to myself, but maybe this fucking injury will give me the courage to share my feelings with my buddy and my parents. When the high school senior girls fawned all over me at the beginning of the year, the thought of spending alone time with any of them skeeved the hell out of me. But I craved every second I spent hanging out with Hunter. In my mind, I’d affectionately named him my Adonis. With his striking electric blue eyes, his muscular build, and his walnut brown hair, I was positive the nickname fit.

Once the emergency techs had rolled me inside the ambulance, I thanked Mom and nodded to my Dad. Thanks, Mom. See you and Hunter later.

The EMT smiled at me when the ambulance zoomed toward the hospital. I’m Logan. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. You’ve got some impressive teammates behind you, Mr. Lambros. I assume your pain has lessened?

Thanks. Yeah, I’m managing the pain much better now. Please, call me Griff.

Logan inclined his head. Sure thing, Griff. The docs will have that leg x-rayed and cast in no time.

He directed his attention to my father. Mr. Lambros, you’ll have to remain in the waiting room once we arrive at the emergency entrance. A nurse will let you know when you can see your son. Rest assured, we’re ready to follow strict concussion protocol.

The rest of their conversation faded away when I closed my eyes and fell back into unconsciousness.

I had no idea how long I’d been out once my eyelids lifted again. My vision became less blurry each time I blinked. By the sounds I could hear, I knew I was in the hospital. Unable to feel a goddamn thing where my left leg should be, I panicked. Had they amputated it? The thought must have caused a spike in my heart rate and blood pressure, because the machines monitoring me started beeping a loud warning. Lucky for me, I could move my arms, and I slid my left hand down to confirm my leg remained attached to my body before the nurse ran in to check on the alarm.

Welcome back, Mr. Lambros. We have moved you from the ER to a private room. How’s your headache?

Actually, my head’s pain free at the moment, but I can’t feel my leg.

Before Doctor Miletic, the orthopedist, put your leg in a cast. He numbed it to reduce the pain once you regained consciousness, and it appears you’re concussion free.

Oh, good. Is the break a bad one?

I’m unable to say, but the doctors will see you soon and explain everything. Dr. Miletic and Dr. Samuels, the neurologist, are conferring right now. If you could be patient, I’d appreciate it.

Okay. Thanks. I promise to behave and not attempt any wild dance moves. I chuckled at my ridiculous attempt at humor and couldn’t wait for Hunter to arrive. Today was the day I planned to spill my guts.

Chapter Three

Hunter

I sat frozen in the front seat of Mrs. L’s car. My brain on rerun, I went over the entire last play, including the part where I had a weird, hellish vision of two Knights crushing Griff between them. The brief flash came out of nowhere just before the center hiked the ball. Did I see those linebackers hit Griff before they did, or had my imagination played some sort of hoax on me? The more I thought about it, the faster my heart hammered. Not only did I see the uneasy forewarning of the accident, but I also couldn’t prevent the non-stop playback of Griff’s pale face along with the way his leg bent in the most awkward position I’d ever seen from tormenting my mind.

Mrs. L gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles