Herringbone and Howls

By Megan Slayer

FROM AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE MEGAN SLAYER

Book two in the Billion Dollar Wolf series

Can overcoming the past let them have it all?

Daniel Meade isn' t looking for love, but he needs a night of fun. He' s made his billions in finance and has the Meade pack well in the black, but he' s lonely. One night to snag a partner, scratch an itch and walk away isn' t bad, right? Until he meets Rory. Then his world flips upside down. He wants to dress Rory in fancy suits and love him until they both can' t see straight. But will Rory accept him?

Rory Simpkin desperately wants to be loved. He' s been the odd man out in the Simpkin pack for as long as he can remember. His relationships tend to implode because he doesn' t seek out anything to last. When he connects with Daniel, he finds his heart. There' s only one glaring, clawing catch. Daniel is part of the rival pack.

Can these two wolves find their forever together on common ground or will the rivalries be too much to heal the wounds of their collective past?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jun 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781839432828

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Rogue Royal

Heart of Egypt

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

The Real Me

My Other Half

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Ripples in Cedarwood

Scoring in Cedarwood

Rainbows over Cedarwood

Rocking Cedarwood

Cedarwood Manny

Together in Cedarwood

Doc Cedarwood

Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Cedarwood Cowboy

Christmas in Cedarwood

Second Chances in Cedarwood

Starting Over in Cedarwood

Love Me Do

Loving Summer Rain

Complicating Roy

Winning Over Harmon

Falling for Vince

Embracing James

Sugar Daddy Seeking

His Perfect Twink

His Naughty Boy

Billion Dollar Wolf

Cufflinks and Claws

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Rules of Summer: Summer Stock

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Love’s Bloom: Love Next Door

Sun, Sea and…: Sun, Sea and Summer Songs

Billion Dollar Wolf

HERRINGBONE

AND HOWLS

MEGAN SLAYER

Herringbone and Howls

ISBN # 978-1-83943-282-8

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2023

Cover Art by Kelly Martin ©Copyright June 2023

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2023 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book two in the

Billion Dollar Wolf series

Can overcoming the past let them have it all?

Daniel Meade isn’t looking for love, but he needs a night of fun. He’s made his billions in finance and has the Meade pack well in the black, but he’s lonely. One night to snag a partner, scratch an itch and walk away isn’t bad, right? Until he meets Rory. Then his world flips upside down. He wants to dress Rory in fancy suits and love him until they both can’t see straight. But will Rory accept him?

Rory Simpkin desperately wants to be loved. He’s been the odd man out in the Simpkin pack for as long as he can remember. His relationships tend to implode because he doesn’t seek out anything to last. When he connects with Daniel, he finds his heart. There’s only one glaring, clawing catch. Daniel is part of the rival pack.

Can these two wolves find their forever together on common ground or will the rivalries be too much to heal the wounds of their collective past?

Dedication

For TPZ

For JPZ

For RB

For the Lucky Ducks

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Lotus: Group Lotus plc

Jeep: FCA US LLC

Chapter One

It’s time to party. Daniel Meade sat in the back of his Logata Impeza and debated going into the club. His wolf wasn’t in the mood to dance or carouse. Hell, the wolf wanted to go back to the cottage and return to prowling. The wolf loved being freed. But staying in his wolf form wasn’t going to get him a date.

Part of him wanted to say forget going to the club. He didn’t need a date, did he? He’d gone this long on his own and it hadn’t bothered him. That said, being alone bothered the wolf. The animal needed to be part of a family unit. A pack. He was included in his brother’s pack. He was the second-in-command. He handled the money and he’d helped his brother, Dixon, make more money than any family ever needed. Now that Dixon had his mate, Sidney, he spent his time with his lover.

Fine. Dixon didn’t need to be hanging around with his brother other than to give him financial advice. He had someone.

Not Daniel.

Damn it. He should go into the ridiculous club. Maybe he’d find someone for the evening. The person didn’t need to know he was a billionaire shifter. They didn’t need to know he owned the club or that he could buy love if he so chose.

So why not go in there and find someone?

He hesitated. He didn’t want to enter the club because he didn’t want to set himself up for failure.

Boss? Hanford, his driver, turned in his seat. You going in?

I don’t know. He hated this indecisiveness. God. He wasn’t this timid when it came to working deals for his brothers and the family. He just pushed ahead, let the wolf lead him and he made assloads of money. It was truly obscene sometimes how well he’d done for the pack.

What’s under your skin? Hanford asked. You’re never this twitchy. Is your wolf upset?

No. His wolf wasn’t doing much of anything. The animal wasn’t upset, but it also wasn’t running around or giving him guidance. It was just sort of existing within him. He needed the wolf’s guidance. What did it want?

So you don’t want to go in? Would you rather we go home? Hanford stared at him. I can take you back to the cottage.

If he left and remained indecisive, he’d never give himself a chance. Besides, he hadn’t gone dancing in forever. Maybe the wolf would want to get lost in the throng of people. It couldn’t hurt to try.

Boss? Hanford asked. What’s it going to be?

I’m heading in. I want you to wait for me, Daniel said. He’d fucked around for long enough. It was time to go in and give himself a chance to find love, if only for tonight. I’ll be back.

Sure. I’ll be here in the parking garage. Hanford dropped Daniel at the door and waited for him to go in before driving off.

He held up his ID as he ventured into the club. The bass music throbbed and his wolf reacted. The animal hopped on point and alerted. Someone here at the club had the wolf’s attention. He wondered who would’ve drawn such a big reaction. The animal practically pushed him across the room toward the dance floor.

He wasn’t wild about mixing this much. Not because he didn’t like people, but because he disliked crowds. He hated being touched by people he didn’t know.

Still, the wolf wanted him there and he refused to argue with the animal. He made his way to the dance floor, but instead of stopping in the middle of the people, he headed across to the alcoves. As he looked over the men there, he spotted a younger man with striking blue eyes and streaks of gray in his dark hair. He had a thing for slender men and this one fit the bill. The guy struck him as the active type, too. Would the guy be interested in him, too? He could only hope.

Daniel stopped at the bar and summoned the bartender. A scotch and soda. He turned his back on the alcoves. Have you served the young man in the second arch?

I have. The bartender slid the drink to Daniel. Do you have an issue with him?

I don’t, but I wanted to know what he’s drinking. He accepted the glass. Thank you.

He’s a regular, the bartender replied. Loves to dance and is of age. I’ve checked. He doesn’t necessarily leave with anyone. He’s had a boyfriend, but they must’ve split because I haven’t seen him in a couple months.

He’s on his own? Interesting. He wasn’t wild about being a rebound, but who said this had to go that far? He wouldn’t know if he didn’t ask this guy for a dance. I’d like to buy him a drink.

Sure. He drinks ginger ale. The bartender poured the drink. And his name is Rory.

Rory? The young man struck him as a Rory. Thanks. Daniel picked up the second drink and headed over to Rory’s alcove. He half-expected to see him dance off with someone or be hesitant about his approach. Instead, Rory smiled.

I brought you something to drink. Daniel offered the second glass. I hear you like ginger ale.

I do. Rory’s smile increased in intensity and appeared genuine. Do I know you?

I doubt it. I just saw you and wanted to get to know you. It was a terrible come on, but whatever. He wasn’t great at the dating game.

I’m glad you did. Rory held the drink with both hands. My name is Rory.

I’m Daniel. He stood beside Rory. Are you having fun here? God, he was really bad at flirting.

I am. Rory turned his back on the crowd. You saw me? Among all those other beautiful men out there?

I did. He couldn’t tell him the wolf had chosen him. The animal scratched him from within and begged to be unleashed. He didn’t understand the strong reaction, but he’d worry about it later.

Rory sipped the drink, then toyed with the condensation on the glass. Want to dance?

Sure. He wasn’t sure why he’d said that—he hadn’t done much of it lately—but when he looked at Rory, he wanted to take a chance. He abandoned his drink on the ledge and held out his hand.

Rory grasped his fingers and allowed Daniel to sweep him into his arms. Hi.

Hi. He barely heard the music or noticed the tempo change. All he saw was Rory. His wolf calmed the moment he and Rory touched. He eased his arms around Rory, holding him close and swaying to the tempo they created. Up close, he noticed the flecks of gray in Rory’s eyes, the few freckles on his cheeks and the way a blush crept over his face. He also liked the way he smelled—like lavender.

His wolf paced within him. He’d always been a fool of the scent of lavender. How would Rory know that? He rubbed along Rory’s back, loving the feel of his strong, but lean body in his hands.

I’m glad you noticed me. Rory nuzzled Daniel’s cheek. I like this.

Do you? His wolf did. He brushed his nose on Rory’s and blood rushed to his cock. HIs wolf’s interest grew. He wanted to pull this man into one of the alcoves and make out. God, he hadn’t felt that way in forever. Come here.

Rory allowed Daniel to tug him to the dim light of the alcove. Want to dance here instead?

Yes. He kissed Rory, allowing his desire to be his guide.

Rory didn’t fight him and instead ground on Daniel’s thigh. Need and the sheer craving of his wolf spurred Daniel on. He pushed the kiss deeper and when Rory opened to him, he sucked on his tongue. He liked the way Rory tasted, too. The more he touched Rory, sliding his hands along Rory’s ribs, then down to his hips, the more he liked him.

Rory continued grinding and smoothed his hands over Daniel’s chest. He drew a growl from deep within Daniel and his wolf growled in tandem.

Daniel pressed Rory to the wall. Every ounce of his being needed Rory. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead on Rory’s. You make me crazy. His wolf wanted to mark this man and keep him—odd since he’d never been this drawn to someone.

Rory grasped the lapels of Daniel’s jacket. You’ve got me all turned around. He panted and his breath warmed Daniel’s skin. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone. This is…I don’t know what to think.

Me neither. He wanted to let his wolf guide him, but his wolf had steered him into trouble before. What do you want to do?

I don’t know. Rory held on to Daniel’s jacket. All I know is that I want to be with you.

He wanted that as well. He resumed dancing and swaying with Rory. As he looked into Rory’s eyes, he understood some of the connection. Rory was a wolf shifter. He knew that peculiar feeling and the shimmer of gold in Rory’s eyes. No wonder his wolf wanted to be with this man—he’d found a kindred spirit.

Should he slow down? Or let this continue to unfold between them? He swayed with Rory, allowing the chemistry between them to grow. He barely heard the music. Rory consumed his attention.

Is this your first time here? Rory asked. At the club?

No. He breathed the scent of Rory in. You?

No. My boyfriend liked this place and once we split, I kept coming back, Rory said. I like the vibe. He blushed. That sounds strange, doesn’t it?

It doesn’t. Had