{"id":377,"date":"2014-12-17T02:27:50","date_gmt":"2014-12-17T07:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2014-12-17T02:27:50","modified_gmt":"2014-12-17T07:27:50","slug":"faewolf-by-d-m-atkins-chris-taylor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/?page_id=377","title":{"rendered":"Faewolf by D M Atkins & Chris Taylor"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>ebook: $6.99
\nISBN:<\/b> 9781885865656
\nPaperback: $14.95
\nISBN:<\/b> 9781885865670
\n95,820 words<\/p>\n

[wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=23]<\/p>\n

The ebook edition is also available at: Barnes & Noble<\/a>, Smashwords<\/a>, Amazon<\/a>, & AllRomanceEbooks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Buy the paperback edition<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Prologue<\/p>\n

Saoi was a lone wolf.Humans seemed to think that was sexy. It implied independence and daring and all kinds of alluring things to them.That wasn\u2019t the way the wolves saw it. His elders had taught him that a lone wolf was barely still a wolf. Without a mate, his pack, and the clan, a wolf would soon forget what it meant to be a wolf.To be a wolf was to be a creature of not just field and forest, but of kin and family. Each wolf was devoted to the others of his pack. Hunting together was a combination of different strengths and efforts, with some wolves tracking, some faster and hounding, and other, stronger wolves breaking bones and making the kill. A lone wolf could kill only the smallest and weakest of prey. A lone wolf usually went hungry. A pack could feed and then return to rest in warm groups of fur and body heat in dens that had been used for generations. A lone wolf huddled under brambles, subject to the whims of weather. A pack was full of play and games\u2013affectionate nips, games of tag, wrestling and rolling around. It was a family with pups who squealed and climbed over everyone in the pack, making life feel lighter and warmer. In the pack, every scent had an origin and a name\u2013the smell and taste and sight of every member was intimately known, immediately recognized.If tragedy struck and a wolf lost his pack\u2013these days that usually meant to the guns of humans\u2013then he sought out a new one. Either he joined an existing one, even if it meant a loss in status, or he found a mate and started a new one. Only when there was no other choice did a wolf remain alone. It was said that if a wolf was alone too long, he stopped being a wolf; that he lost his way, dying in spirit if not in the flesh.Saoi had done the unthinkable. He had left his pack. Not to find a mate, but to find an answer. The clans were dying. Each year packs grew smaller; the litters produced less pups and there was more strife among them. He\u2019d left his own pack to save this race\u2013to find a solution to the slow death of the Faewolves.<\/p>\n

There were often times, though, when Saoi believed his elders were right. He ran all night in the dark woods that were bright with scents and sound, large paws digging into the earth at the thrill of chasing deer. He reveled in the pungent smell of blood, the feel of fur and flesh ripping under his teeth and the taste of fresh wild meat as he gulped it down. He sniffed and marked his boundaries with his own pungent scent. Saoi did everything he could to remember the things that made him a wolf. Yet, it wasn\u2019t enough. Loneliness was eating him up inside, starving him as surely and slowly as a lack of meat. Sometimes when he woke alone and cold, he lay whimpering in his den like a wounded pup, wishing for the comfort of another\u2013aching for the touch of a muzzle against his own, for the languid feeling of sleeping between other warm bodies, limbs all tangled up and nose nestled in the scruff of a pack-mate. Saoi was desperate for the sounds and smells and feelings of belonging.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d learned to blend in, to act like the humans, but he wasn\u2019t one of them. He had to keep his distance to keep his secret. He knew what he\u2019d been taught. How the humans would hunt them down and slaughter them all if they knew. And, in the time he\u2019d spent among them, he had seen no reason to doubt that. It didn\u2019t stop the longing he felt, however, when he saw groups of them together, touching in ways that reminded him of the comfort of a pack. It ate away at part of him every time he had to force himself to hold back, to not touch or get too close.
\n* * * *<\/p>\n

Chapter One<\/p>\n

Kiya White Cloud sighed tiredly and tossed his waist-length, dark brown hair back over his shoulder, before beginning the climb up the concrete stairs to the third floor of the five story building. His dorm room was in the last apartment building, at the top of the hill of the college, bordering the redwood forest. His suitcase dragging behind him, Kiya listened absently to the smacking sounds it made as it clunked up each stair.<\/p>\n

The plane trip back from South Dakota to California had gone a little easier than the first time, since he now knew what to expect. He was getting used to the transition between Deadwood and the university. For that, Kiya was grateful. After getting off of the plane, he picked up his things from the baggage claim area and took an airport shuttle over the mountain to Santa Cruz. It dropped him in the downtown area, on the Pacific Garden Mall, and from there he\u2019d had to take a bus up to campus and to College Ten where his room was. It was a long trip and by the time he was among the redwood trees on campus, he was worn out.<\/p>\n

Kiya reached his floor and the wheels of his suitcase clicked as he made his way along the corridor toward his dorm room.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you look edible?\u201d a male voice purred.<\/p>\n

Kiya froze and looked up to find Ted, Kiya\u2019s recently ex-boyfriend, leaning against a nearby doorway, smiling over at him. Ted was tall, blond and muscular with the kind of dominant attitude that Kiya found hot. Unfortunately, Ted was an asshole. \u201cFuck, Ted, what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWaiting for you, baby,\u201d Ted drawled, pushing off of the door jam and reaching a hand for Kiya. He flashed him his winning smile.<\/p>\n

Kiya took a step back, shaking his hair out of his face. \u201cWhy?\u201d Kiya asked. He had broken up with Ted just before leaving for Spring Break. Seeing the man again was one of the things that Kiya had been dreading.<\/p>\n

Ted stepped closer. \u201cDon\u2019t be that way,\u201d he chided, reaching to stroke Kiya\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you here?\u201d Kiya demanded, leaning away from his hand, heart speeding up in confusion and anger. \u201cYou know what I told you before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ted didn\u2019t flinch but leaned in, cupping Kiya\u2019s cheek with his hand. \u201cI\u2019ve missed you, and I know you miss me too,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n

Kiya flinched. Did Ted actually think that he could change his mind like that? Well, apparently he did, and really, it wasn\u2019t all that surprising. Ted always thought he could persuade him to do anything, and Kiya didn\u2019t even realize what he was doing until after they had broken up. None of that mattered now, Kiya didn\u2019t want to hear anything Ted had to say. He wouldn\u2019t go back to him. Not this time. \u201cI don\u2019t miss you, actually,\u201d Kiya insisted, backing up again and finding himself up against the metal railing. \u201cWe\u2019re not together anymore, Ted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, I know you weren\u2019t serious about that,\u201d Ted chided. \u201cEveryone knows we belong together.\u201d He gave Kiya a playful grin that had usually worked to get Kiya to relent when they had argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we belonged together, you would\u2019ve stopped when I said to, and you would have listened to me about using a condom,\u201d Kiya argued, flushing with embarrassment and anger at the memory.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re still sore about that?\u201d Ted asked with a tone that was incredulous. He moved after Kiya again, taking the Kiya\u2019s hand. \u201cAnd we both know that you enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the point!\u201d Kiya exclaimed, yanking his hand away. \u201cI told you to stop, and you didn\u2019t. Doesn\u2019t matter whether or not you think I liked it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow how was I supposed to know you were serious with your cock all hard and that beautiful ass wriggling,\u201d Ted protested. \u201cYou can\u2019t blame me for not being able to keep my hands off you. It\u2019s not my fault that you make me lose control, Kiya.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust go away,\u201d Kiya demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. Ted just didn\u2019t seem to get it. It had nothing to do with the way his body reacted. It was the way Ted treated him. \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ted clucked his tongue. \u201cI suppose I should give you a few more days to calm down,\u201d he said, shaking his head and then fixing his eyes on Kiya\u2019s. \u201cYou belong to me, baby; I\u2019m not giving up on us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad. I already have,\u201d Kiya said quietly, refusing to give in. He wanted to be brave, to stand up for himself this time. \u201cNow go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ted shook his head again, moving toward the stairs. \u201cSee you soon, my pretty boy,\u201d he insisted, and then he was gone.<\/p>\n

Kiya leaned against the rail for another moment, trying to calm down, but then hurried to the apartment, deciding not to risk Ted coming back. Kiya wondered why he seemed to be a magnet for bad guys, and his plan this year was to stop that once and for all. He was going to start looking for guys that had a decent personality as well and not just base everything on how good they were in bed or how gorgeous they were. No more men who just wanted Kiya for his looks. Kiya sighed again. Ted was officially the worst mistake he had made here so far.<\/p>\n

No one was in the front room, but since there was already a pizza box on the coffee table, Kiya figured someone else was home. At least he hoped the pizza box was recent. There were four other people who lived in his two-bedroom apartment with him, including his roommate, James Miller, which was just fine with Kiya, because that meant it wasn\u2019t as crowded as a regular dorm but he still had people to hang out with. And there were seldom long lines for the bathroom. Actually, he had to admit that he was probably the only guy in the apartment that took more than ten minutes in there, it seemed.<\/p>\n

Kiya made his way to his bedroom, noticing that the door was closed, which might have meant that James was in. He wasn\u2019t even sure if his roommate had gone home over the break or not. But if he had, it was still early on Sunday and not all the students had gotten back just yet. As he thought of this, he walked up to the door and began pushing it open, only to gasp and freeze in the doorway.<\/p>\n

James was lying in bed\u2013naked. Even worse, sitting atop him was a red-headed girl\u2013also naked. The two of them were making particularly obscene sounds as she bounced, obviously having the time of her life. Now, Kiya had seen James naked more than once and, yes, he was good looking with his almost always styled brown hair and light blue eyes. If it had not been for his attitude and, well, obvious heterosexuality, Kiya would have flirted with him every chance he got. But now, no, now wasn\u2019t a good time, and he did not want to see the naked girl on top of him. Not that he hadn\u2019t seen women naked before, it just wasn\u2019t something he particularly enjoyed looking at.<\/p>\n

\u201cFuck, James!\u201d Kiya yelled, turning away quickly, but the image was already burned into his mind. Unfortunately.<\/p>\n

\u201cKey, what are you doing back?\u201d James asked, as if he was in the middle of a television show instead of sex. The girl squeaked and grabbed the blanket.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s, uh, the end of vacation, you jerk,\u201d Kiya replied, his back to them. He couldn\u2019t stand that James was taking this so lightly, like it was nothing! He also hated it when he called him Key. Kiya was a short enough name, it didn\u2019t need a nickname.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you come back later, Key?\u201d James asked, still cheerful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seem to have no fucking choice. And don\u2019t call me Key!\u201d Kiya hissed, stepping back out and slamming the door closed behind him. He huffed and set his suitcase down next to the door. \u201cWhat a great start to the new quarter,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

From the sounds that came drifting out, James and the girl had gone back to whatever it was they had been doing before the interruption.<\/p>\n

The door to the other room opened and Joe came out. \u201cHey, Kiya. What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kiya looked up and, despite being annoyed at James, smiled a little. \u201cHey, Joey,\u201d he said. \u201cHow was your spring break?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph Swartz, more affectionately known as Joey, was one of Kiya\u2019s first friends when he moved to the campus. He was nice, very easy to talk to, good looking, and he didn\u2019t piss Kiya off. That made him good enough in Kiya\u2019s mind. He had kind of hoped that they would have been roommates, but Joey shared the triple room with Derrick and Miguel. \u201cI stayed here and got to spend every day surfing,\u201d Joe said, grinning and flopping onto the sofa beside Kiya.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like fun. Weren\u2019t you going to teach me?\u201d Kiya asked, raising an eyebrow as he made a point of shifting closer. Technically he had heard that Joey was straight, as were most of the guys he knew, but he couldn\u2019t help flirting just a little. It came naturally.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, any time,\u201d Joey said \u201cHow was your trip home?\u201d<\/p>\n

And of course, just like always, Joey seemed to not notice Kiya\u2019s advances. Either he really didn\u2019t notice, or he just ignored them. \u201cIt was great,\u201d Kiya told him, smiling. \u201cMissed my parents more than I thought I would. And it was wonderful getting to see my brother and sister and my grandparents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe gave him one of those looks that implied Kiya spoke a different language. \u201cVisiting my parents wouldn\u2019t be my idea of a fun spring break.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot the only difference between you and me,\u201d Kiya laughed, glad to have this distraction while he waited for James to finish. \u201cHey, you wouldn\u2019t happen to know when that girl came here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThursday,\u201d Joey huffed and rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they\u2019ve been in the room ever since?\u201d Kiya sighed, glancing down at his watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish. They come out for food and television,\u201d Joe answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now that I\u2019m back, things will obviously change. I\u2019ll give them another five minutes, tops.\u201d Yes, he had been kicked out of the room once before so that James could \u2018take care\u2019 of himself. He timed it, of course. Kiya was not going to put up with this shit. No, he was going to give James hell for the rest of the quarter, and he\u2019d do it with a smile on his face.<\/p>\n

Joe gave him a look. \u201cDo that and you are my hero,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n

Kiya waved it off. \u201cI\u2019ll let him have his fun for now,\u201d he said. \u201cFor now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe huffed with a nod, picked up the TV remote and turned it on.
\n* * * *<\/p>\n

Kiya had to rush the next morning to get to his biology class in time to grab a seat in the front row. The mammoth building was like a huge concrete set of building blocks\u2013set in the middle of the woods. But at least it wasn\u2019t far from his dorms. Kiya trudged up the stairs to the lecture hall entrance, which was at the back of the large slanted room. He made his way down another set of stairs to the front of the hall. Dropping his backpack onto the chair next to him, he started to pull his books out just as the professor began speaking. Kiya tried not to show how grumpy he was about being up so early for a nine o\u2019clock class, but he was failing, slouching in his chair with a frown as he took notes. He glanced up from his notebook when the professor began to introduce the graduate students who would be working with the class.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour teaching assistants this term will be Rachael Burrows, Darren Turner and Brian Fenwick,\u201d Professor Steinhart was explaining and then going through the instructions of how to sign up for specific sections.<\/p>\n

When Kiya looked at the TAs, he felt a frisson of unexpected pleasure. His attention was riveted on Brian Fenwick. Brian looked to be in his mid-twenties, and was probably six feet tall. He had short red-brown hair, a slightly tanned complexion and looked lean and muscular, filling out the button-down work blue shirt and 501 jeans in a way that made them look oddly more fashionable than the designer jeans and t-shirts most students wore. He wasn\u2019t just attractive, he had an intensity that captured Kiya\u2019s attention. The man shifted under the attention of the students, head turned a bit to the side. He had a physical presence that made Kiya want to reach out and touch him.<\/p>\n

The teaching assistants, including Fenwick, went to take their seats at the other end of the front row and the professor began his lecture. Kiya couldn\u2019t take his eyes off of Brian, willing the man to look at him now. Kiya knew about the rule prohibiting teachers from dating students, but that didn\u2019t stop him from looking. And he was frustrated that the man didn\u2019t seem to notice him at all. Fenwick glanced his direction several times but didn\u2019t look directly at Kiya.<\/p>\n

The professor talked about the syllabus and what they should expect in the class. It actually didn\u2019t sound as difficult as Kiya had thought it would be. He\u2019d just have to keep up with his notes and read the book. But he had to admit that he wasn\u2019t giving the instructor up front his complete attention as he angled his body in his attempts to see more of one particular T.A.<\/p>\n

With more than a hundred students all trying to sign up for sections, Kiya had to struggle just to get to the wall with the sign-up sheets on them. Once he finally reached the wall, two of Brian\u2019s sections were filled out, completely full. The last one was close to being filled up, and Kiya quickly went about writing his name down, restraining himself from writing more\u2013like his phone number. It was only when he stepped back that he realized the time of the section, making him curse under his breath. Friday, at nine in the morning again! Friday was to be Kiya\u2019s day off; a day he was looking forward to just sleeping in. He glanced back at Fenwick thinking that he had better be worth it.<\/p>\n

Fenwick was sitting at a table at the front of the room surrounded by half a dozen other students, apparently answering questions. Kiya couldn\u2019t help notice the way some of the girls were looking at the gorgeous man. Which only annoyed him further. That was it\u2013he wasn\u2019t going to wait until Friday to meet Brian. He pulled his book bag up onto his shoulder and went back to the table, carefully pushing his way through the other students so that he was directly in front of the TA. He ignored the sounds of discontent, holding his hand out for Brian to shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cProfessor Fenwick, I\u2019m Kiya White Cloud, and I\u2019m looking forward to taking your section,\u201d he said, making sure to give him a brilliant smile\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To read the rest, download the book today!<\/em><\/p>\n

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ebook: $6.99 ISBN: 9781885865656 Paperback: $14.95 ISBN: 9781885865670 95,820 words [wp_eStore_add_to_cart id=23] The ebook edition is also available at: Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Amazon, & AllRomanceEbooks. Buy the paperback edition!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":867,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-377","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=377"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/377\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/circlet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}