MM paranormal romance
by
Owned by one wolf. Falling for another. And wolves don’t share.
Tristan loves college, working at the diner, and his pack. But when hostile wolves abduct him one night, none of that helps him. Suddenly he’s a prisoner in a place where fear is law, and mercy doesn’t exist. Except… someone is watching him. A quiet stranger who flinches from his gaze—but never quite looks away.
Colby Williams survives by staying invisible. It’s the only way to placate the wolf who thinks he owns him—and the only way to stay alive. And then the pack drags in a young wolf with bright eyes, who should be terrified by what’s ahead of him. Instead, he keeps watching Colby—curious, hopeful, and alive in a way Colby can scarcely remember being.
And when Tristan looks at him like he matters… Colby can’t look anywhere else.
He knows it’s a mistake. He knows it’s dangerous. But he also knows it’s already too late.
Content note: This book includes material that some readers may find upsetting. Full details are available on the author’s website (link in the Look Inside sample on Amazon).
Each book in the series is a standalone romance with its own HEA. An overarching plot runs through the series.
Edition note: Previously published as a novella in 2014. This new edition has been substantially rewritten and expanded with major new content.
Publisher: Independently Published
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 5
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Word Count: 83000
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Colby banged on the door to make sure he had the prisoner’s attention.
“Get back from the door,” he said, his tone brooking no opposition. The last thing Colby wanted was for him to make a break for it. He wouldn’t get far, not with half the pack around and bored, but Nico would have Colby’s hide for allowing the attempt.
He heard a slight shuffle from inside.
“Okay?” he checked.
“Yeah.” The voice was low and strained, but the important thing was that it was a voice. Colby wouldn’t have put it past him to shift and try to fight his way out.
READ MOREHe pulled back the bolt and opened the door, careful to close it again behind him. Even though the prisoner would have no chance of getting past him, he knew how it felt to be locked up here, so that the sight of an open doorway, a way to fresh air and light and freedom, couldn’t be resisted. It didn’t matter that there was never any hope of reaching it—it wouldn’t stop someone desperate enough from trying.
He turned his attention back to the figure by the window, who was squinting against the light, his body held tensely. His dark hair was messy and a little long, and he was lean, with the kind of build that would likely fill out in a year or two. Then Colby remembered—he wouldn’t have the chance.
He shouldn’t be here. Should’ve run faster.
Colby could nearly taste the fear rolling in his direction, but something kept the guy’s shoulders back, and once his eyes adjusted to the light, there was a confidence deep in the hazel gaze that made no sense to Colby.
“I brought you some food,” Colby said.
The prisoner ignored the bowl he was offering. His eyes were steady on Colby’s. “Why am I here?”
The calm in his voice didn’t match the fear in the air. It didn’t make sense. And Colby hated things that he couldn’t understand—they were dangerous, unpredictable. Could turn on a dime and go from ease to attack.
Colby put the bowl on the floor between them, the bottle by its side. He didn’t miss the longing look the water received, but their prisoner obviously wasn’t going to weaken, not yet.
“You’re one of Urban’s pack. Cale’s got questions for you,” Colby said.
The prisoner frowned. “But you know where we live, you know we have an Argent in the pack—what questions could be left? That’s ridiculous.”
Colby closed his eyes for a second. This was worse than he’d thought. If this guy showed Nico or Cale even a hint of that attitude, he’d spend the last hours of his life in unrelenting agony.
“Whatever the questions are,” he said, “I suggest you answer them without mouthing off. Things will go better for you that way.”
“Yeah? They’ll pat me on the head and send me home? I’m not that gullible, you know.”
“No, they won’t do that,” Colby said. “But at least that way you’ll die easy.”
The prisoner stared at him, wide-eyed. Colby could hear his heart rate kick up until it was pounding, fast and uneven.
“So, they’ve sent you in to soften me up,” he said at last, trying to sound as if he wasn’t intimidated.
Colby shook his head. “Their ways are a bit more direct than that. I’m just saying, make it easy on yourself and answer their questions.”
“And betray my pack?” Colby wasn’t sure if it was indignation or fear that cracked the prisoner’s voice. “I guess you’ve never heard of loyalty or principles then. But of course you haven’t, or you wouldn’t be with Cale.” His lip curled as he stared at Colby. “And my name’s Tristan, by the way. You might want to remember that for when my pack comes for me.”
“Eat your damn food if you want it,” Colby snapped, unsettled by Tristan’s words.
Tristan might believe what he was saying, that only someone without principles could be part of Cale’s pack. But it was because he didn’t know what Cale and Nico were capable of. Everyone had a breaking point. Everyone. It was just that some reached it sooner than others, and some only realized they’d passed it months after it had happened.
Tristan inched forward cautiously and picked up the bottle. “Guess you’ve got no need to drug me,” he said as he twisted off the cap and took a long, deep pull.
“Guess you’ve watched too many movies,” Colby said, and tried not to notice the grin on Tristan’s face as he lowered the bottle. It was only for an instant, as if he’d momentarily forgotten where he was and who Colby was, but it was wide and open and genuinely amused. Like he didn’t know he was supposed to be broken. Like hope wasn’t just another weapon.
COLLAPSE
