Orson and the Kallah: Gray Wolf Security Shifters, #3

By Glenna Sinclair

This is book three of Gray Wolf Security SHIFTERS and contains over 50,000 words of paranormal romantic suspense.

 

Orson was assigned to a simple case: watch the lawyer representing the men who attacked the lodge. Nothing more. However, while performing this task at the only hotel within fifty miles, Orson meets Talia—the wife of his biological brother, a man he barely knows. Orson has no interest in revisiting a past he's closed the door on, but he has no choice but to rush to her rescue. Where that rescue will take them is something he never could have predicted...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenna Sinclair
• Release date: Apr 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9798224911660

Glenna Sinclair

Experience the heart-racing novels of Glenna Sinclair, the master of romantic suspense. Sinclair's books feature strong male protagonists, many with a military background, who face real-world challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Books2read.com/GlennaSinclair Facebook.com/AuthorGlennaSinclair GlennaSinclairAuthor at Gmail dot com

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Tunstall

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My body ached, but the pain from the bullet wound was just about gone. One of the benefits of having the ability to heal fast was the shortened duration of pain associated with injuries. Getting shot was painful all on its own, especially when I took the bullet to save a guy I wasn’t even sure I liked. But it’d only been a couple of days and I was already out running, the movement a relief to my aching body.

I ran quickly through woods that had become familiar over the past few weeks. Months, actually. We’d been here for two months now. I think that was the longest I’d remained in one place in the past five... hell, ten years! When you don’t age and you’re being hunted by your former pack, staying in one place for long is never a good idea. But I was surrounded by others like me who understood my nature in a way humans wouldn’t.

Was it a bad idea to stay in one place? Was it bad to put these people at risk because of my history? I’d done that once before and it had turned out badly. I still had so many regrets.

But was that a reason to let these people down? Orson, Regan, and Trinity had come here because they were like me: they had nowhere else to go. Levi too, the poor guy. Maybe even Creed. What would happen to them if I stayed and my pack found a way around the security system that my cousin, David, had installed? Or if I left and they had to face down these drug runners by themselves?

The past few days had proven that our security system was still a little vulnerable. It had also proven that taking all the precautions in the world wouldn’t always keep us safe.

Was there anywhere I could go that wouldn’t put someone in danger?

That seemed to be the ultimate question.

I ran as much to work out my sore muscles as to clear my head. I couldn’t get it out of my thoughts, the panic on Trinity’s face when she ran out of the house after I was shot. No one had ever cared about me the way she seemed to. It was a distraction, her feelings. I couldn’t be with a human, especially not one who cared that much. I’d tried it before, tried to have a normal life like I wasn’t a shifter, like I didn’t have to transform into a wolf once a day to stay healthy. Like I didn’t age slowly, like I didn’t heal many times faster than the normal human. I couldn’t do it. Eventually people started asking questions, including those who thought they loved me.

I couldn’t do that to Trinity.

I couldn’t do that to myself.

I was suddenly very tired. I continued to run, moving in a huge circle through the part of the woods that grew along the perimeter of the property Ash Grayson had signed over to me to build this new branch of his security firm. Gray Wolf Security. What an ironic name! What an ironic life.

I was coming around the far side of the woods when I spotted a rather large horse standing in the shadows. He was a beautiful horse, exceedingly tall with a nearly blond mane and tail, his body covered in smooth, dark-brown hairs. But he was covered in fire ants, every muscle on his body rigid as he felt the tiny things crawl all over him.

Where the hell had he found fire ants out here? This was Minnesota. The temperatures at night were still in the low fifties despite it being the middle of summer. Fire ants shouldn’t be able to survive here.

I padded up to him on all four paws, careful to keep my distance from the ants. The horse’s eyes were closed, almost as if he were enjoying the feel of the ants. I made a small sound, not wanting to startle him but wanting him to know I was there. He peeked through one eye and then this voice burst into my mind:

Stay back. They’re happy now, but I can’t guarantee they’ll stay that way.

It was startling. I backed up, hitting my haunches against the trunk of a tree. Had the horse just spoken to me? I’d never had that happen before!

I stared at the horse, watched as the ants seemed to walk over his body in a prescribed path. It was odd, everything about it. I saw the horse peek at me, its huge lips moving almost like it was smiling. And then the ants began to back up, going down to the ground and leaving him alone. The horse carefully stepped away from the large pile of fresh soil that I hadn’t noticed, soil that was darker than the ground under it. Had he brought it here himself?

A horse in the middle of the Minnesota woods. Obviously it had to be a shifter.

Almost as if he’d heard my thoughts, the horse began to lose his height, his muzzle reducing until it was only the straight, patrician nose of a human being. He was actually a fairly slight guy, about my height but more wiry, the kind of guy who appears to be skin and bone yet has a surprising amount of muscle tone. He was blond, like the horse, and his eyes were a startlingly clear brown that was almost gold.

Hello, he said in a polite, almost clipped tone. Are you the one they call Tunstall Grayson?

He didn’t bend low to address me like someone might do to a dog. He stood at his full height, a slight smile on his face. It was almost like we were meeting at some social occasion, except for the fact that he was completely naked, his hands folded politely over his groin.

I hesitated. I wasn’t quite sure why. He seemed gentle enough. This full-disclosure thing was something I was still getting used to, however. I wasn’t accustomed to showing my nature to strangers within the first few moments of meeting them.

I lowered my head and turned, running back toward my property to where I’d left my clothing. He might be comfortable having a conversation in the nude, but I wasn’t quite there yet. I heard him following behind me, hooves beating against the cold ground. When we reached the place where I’d left my clothes, I dressed quickly, turning to find this naked man watching me with open curiosity.

I apologize for staring. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around other shifters.

How long?

He rolled his shoulders. A dozen decades or so.

A dozen... That’s a long time.

He nodded as though he’d said three or four years, not more than a hundred. I stared at him, at his youthful face, wondering what this guy’s story was. I thought I was one of a few who didn’t really age. But this guy... even I hadn’t been around that long, and I’d probably only live just about that and not much more... and yet this guy looked as though he’d just begun his existence.

What kind of horse was that?

He shifted slightly, kicking a bare foot at the dry ground. I think modern society refers to it as a Yukon horse. The word my people once used for it was a little different.

A Yukon horse? What breed is that?

I’m not sure what you mean.

Are you related to the Quarter horse? The Mustang? The Arabian?

All of them.

My eyebrows rose. How can you be related to all of them? They’re very different horses.

But we all come from the same origins, yes? My people are an ancient people who have existed from the beginning of time.

I cocked my head slightly, studying him. Is that right?

Just like your people come from a time before Christianity became the standard, my people came before language developed.

How is that possible?

He shrugged. I don’t know. I just know it is.

I nodded slowly, buttoning the last few buttons on my shirt. Well, I am Tunstall Grayson, as you already know, and this is Gray Wolf Security, I said, gesturing toward the fence line behind me. I assume you’ve heard we’re offering jobs to shifters who have nowhere else to go.

I heard you were building an army of some sort.

Did you?

I was just curious about a man who would give room and board to any shifter who walked out of the shadows. I’ve never encountered that sort of thing before.

We’re building a business. Using our unique talents to stop criminals from getting away with what they do.

The stranger nodded, shifting his feet again like a restless horse digging for grain.

Is that something you would consider being a part of?

His eyes slowly came back up to mine. I haven’t been a part of much of anything for a very long time.

You’re welcome to join us. Otherwise, we have plenty of room; we can offer you a place to stay until you decide what you want to do.

I appreciate that.

What’s your name?

Oh, how rude of me! I should have introduced myself sooner. He held out a single hand, the other still covering his family jewels. I am Garrick Hamilton.

It’s nice to meet you, Garrick.

We shook hands, then I gestured toward the fence line. Why don’t we find your clothes and then go in. Regan should have dinner about ready.

I’m afraid I don’t have any clothing. I’ve avoided human trappings for some time now, having come to the conclusion that the human world is only a source of stress for me. I prefer to commune with nature and remain close to my roots.

Is that what you were doing with the ants? Communing with nature?

Maybe people have the opinion that fire ants are dangerous and unwanted. But I find them to be quite helpful. In fact, we aid one another. They get nutrients from the debris that collects in my hair, and I get the benefit of their energy and enthusiasm for life.

Anyone else would probably find that statement a little insane. I found it eccentric.

Well, maybe a little crazy.

There might be a blanket in the garage. I’ll go check.

Not necessary. I’m fine with this body’s appearance.

Yes, well, we have a couple of women living in the lodge. One is a human, the other a young, innocent woman. I’d rather you were covered, at least minimally.

He lowered his head. I understand.

I led the way onto the property, pausing inside the large garage at the back of the building that at the moment contained nothing more than a few remnants of the business that once occupied this place. But there was a blanket, dusty and moth-eaten, in a low drawer of a large mechanic’s toolbox.

It’s not much, I said, shaking it out. But here it is.

Not a problem. I’ve slept in enough bushes to teach me not to be picky.

I waited as he wrapped the blanket around his waist, wondering if we had any clothes in the lodge that would fit him. He was slightly taller than me and much thinner. I wasn’t sure my clothes would fit him, but he was probably closer to me in size than either Creed or Orson. Creed was shorter than me and Orson was a bear of a man, large in all ways.

We’ll send someone out to buy you some new clothes.

Garrick glanced at me. That’s not necessary. I have my own resources.

Yes, well, if you walked into a local department store like that, they’d probably lock you up.

He smiled, the first smile I’d seen on his face. I suppose you have a point. I keep forgetting the restraints of human society.

We walked to the lodge. I could see Trinity standing on the back porch, watching us with a hand shading her face from the lowering sun. She frowned as we moved closer, her eyes resting on Garrick’s face.

Who’s this? she asked when we were close enough.

Garrick Hamilton, this is Trinity Larson.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, madam, he said with a slight bow.

Trinity’s eyebrows rose. Wow! Where did you find this one, Tunstall?

He was out in the woods.

She studied him, her eyes moving slowly over the length of him. Is that right? What were you doing out there, Garrick?

Communing with the fire ants.

Fire ants? Surprise lit her eyes. We have fire ants?

They were brought here from Texas, Garrick informed us both. They fell from a delivery truck and I dragged them out here.

Why here?

I heard about the commune of shifters and wanted to come check it out.

Yeah? How long have you been out there?

Garrick shrugged. A few weeks, I think. Time is kind of an elusive thing to me.

Trinity glanced at me, concern written all over her expression. I offered a slight shrug.

Why don’t I take you inside and find some clothes for you.

Thank you, Trinity. Garrick said. I appreciate that.

I watched them go, not sure if I should be amused or annoyed. The man was clearly an enigma that it would take quite some time to figure out. But I wasn’t even sure if he’d be here long enough to give us a chance.

One could only hope, anyway.

***

Dinner done, I volunteered to take Levi a cup of soup and a sandwich Regan had made especially for him. He was sitting up in bed now, watching the television Trinity had brought up from one of the rooms downstairs. He smiled when he saw me, quickly flipping the television off as he adjusted his position on the bed.

Hey, brother!

You’re feeling better, I see.

I’m on the road to recovery I think.

There were bandages across Levi’s chest that hid a series of scratches he’d received when he was attacked by some local shifters nearly a week ago. Levi didn’t heal as quickly as I did, and the scratches had become infected, leaving him weak and feverish for several days. But he was definitely better; even his color was good.

I set the tray of food on the bed and settled in a chair, watching him eat for a few quiet moments.

We have a new recruit, I think.

Oh?

Some sort of horse. He seems a little... strange, though.

How’s that?

He claims to be very old and he says that he’s been living exclusively in his animal form for several years.

Can you do that?

I don’t know. I’ve never tried.

Sounds like the kind of fellow I’d like to meet.

I lowered my head, trying not to smile. Levi was a little on the odd side. He might like someone like Garrick.

"It looks like I might have to go down to