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Rescued
Rescued
Rescued
Ebook179 pages4 hours

Rescued

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When Gabriel Staley rescues a magnificent black wolf, he has no idea that destiny has just turned up the heat and brought him his mate, sexy shapeshifter Mika Blackwell.

Gabriel Staley was used to being an outcast in the small town of Shasta, Texas. More concerned with rescuing stray dogs from a cruel death at the hands of the local Sheriff, Gabe focuses on making a difference and standing up for what he believes is right. Mika Blackwell, a shape shifter who was banned from his pack, is new to the outcast status, and not adjusting very well.

When Gabe heads out to rescue an injured wolf, he has no idea that his life is about to be eternally altered. As Mika watches the man approach him, he feels the universe tilt and realises that, while he may have lost his pack, he's just found what every shifter longs for—his destined mate.

Together, Gabriel and Mika must find their way and fight for their love—from confronting Mika's former pack leader to stopping someone who tries to kill Gabe's best friend, Todd. When Todd's attacker comes after Gabe, Mika is determined to protect his mate at all costs.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateMar 1, 2010
ISBN9780857150417
Rescued
Author

Bailey Bradford

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn't happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey's brain demanding to be let out. Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey's office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey's presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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Rescued - Bailey Bradford

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Rescued

ISBN # 978-0-85715-041-7

©Copyright Bailey Bradford 2010

Cover Art by Lyn Taylor ©Copyright March 2010

Edited by Jess Bimberg

Total-E-Bound 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, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound 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 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

Southwestern Shifters

RESCUED

Bailey Bradford

Dedication

To ABJ: your faith, strength, and support has been and always will be the greatest of gifts.

Chapter One

Gabriel Staley finished feeding the last dog in the kennels, rubbing his fingers through the blue heeler’s coarse fur before standing and closing the gate. He’d needed to spend extra time playing with Jojo and working on obedience with him. Jojo had been abused at some point, as had most of the dogs at Gabriel’s animal shelter. It amazed him how cruel people could be, not only to dogs, but also to any animal. It was a real problem, particularly out here where he lived, in this little podunk town of Shasta.

To be fair, he didn’t actually live in town; he lived on a few acres on the outskirts, in what he considered a decent house, nice but by no means fancy. Gabriel had inherited the place when his grandparents had passed away in a car wreck. He had already been living with them for several months, ever since he’d come out to his parents. Finding out that their only son was gay was more than his evangelical-loving parents had been willing to tolerate. There was no understanding or unconditional love in them, and Gabriel had accepted the demise of their relationship. His grandparents had welcomed him into their home, and their love and acceptance had been a soothing balm to his injured heart.

Yes, his grandparents had loved and accepted him, and they’d also made sure he knew that the God his parents had used against him was not the God they believed in. After being disowned and labelled an abomination, Gabriel had been on shaky ground emotionally. His grandparents had taken him in and shown him what love was supposed to be, in the way they treated him, and the way they treated one another. Their love for each other had been stronger the day they died than when they first met, and though it hurt Gabriel horribly, he always felt it was best that they’d died together. He knew it would have been what they wanted.

Arching his back to work out the muscles that were stiff from bending and lifting, Gabriel glanced at the semi-enclosed kennels he’d built himself, making sure all the gates on them were shut properly. He had converted an old barn for this purpose, dividing it into two rows of six chain link pens each. Not wanting the dogs to be confined for hours at a time, he‘d installed doggie doors in the back of each kennel and had put up chain link fencing that ran ten feet out behind each shelter, giving the dogs at least a little room. It wasn’t perfect at all, but it was a lot better than what waited for them out on their own.

As Gabe had found out, courtesy of his friend Todd Benson, a deputy for the Sheriff’s department, the stray dogs in Shasta were usually killed in whatever cruel manner Sheriff Kaufman felt like using. No one other than Gabe, Todd, and the local veterinarian Dr. Adam Soames seemed to care; it was just the way things had always been done in Shasta. The three men worked together to try to change that, one rescue at a time.

Gabriel headed towards his house, thinking how much he would enjoy a long, hot bath when his cell phone rang. Pulling the phone from his jeans pocket, he glanced down and sighed. He tapped the screen and brought the phone up to his ear.

Hello, Todd. What’s going on? Gabe knew since the deputy was on shift, he must be calling about a rescue.

Gabe, I found a wolf, of all things. He’s in bad shape, though.

A wolf? What the hell? While wolves weren’t unheard of in New Mexico, thanks to the transfer of wolves to the Gila National Forest, Gabe hadn’t heard of any of them working their way down into northern Texas.

How bad is he hurt? Where do I need to meet you? Gabe had more questions he wanted to ask, but those were the most important ones, so he would start there.

Well, I got a call in from Mrs. Schumaker saying she thought she saw a big dog out by her barn. She was worried it might be rabid or something. Anyways, I got out here and damned if there isn’t this huge black wolf out behind the barn. Except he’s just lying here, and he looks like he’s been starved or he’s sick, I don’t know. I called Adam and he’s on his way right now. Can you head right over?

Adam had become involved in the rescues when Gabriel had gone to the man for help with some of the strays he took in. After a few visits to the vet clinic with different dogs, Adam had finally asked Gabe what was going on. Once he’d learned what Todd and Gabe were doing and why, he volunteered to help as much as he could, giving free medicines and other needed services, including spaying and neutering. While Gabe didn’t really know him in a personal manner, he did know him very well in a professional manner and had a great deal of respect for the man.

After he assured Todd he would be there as soon as possible, Gabe tossed some towels into his truck, along with a blanket and a digital camera. He considered bringing what medical supplies he had at the house, but since Adam was going to be there, Gabriel didn’t see the need for his own meagre supplies.

Heading over to Mrs. Shumaker’s, Gabe wondered how the wolf had gotten into its present situation. He was a little nervous at the idea of approaching a wild animal, but Todd had been adamant the animal was too weak and possibly too close to death to be dangerous. Gabe hoped to hell the man was right, though he didn’t like thinking of it being in such a sorry state. With any luck, Adam would be there within minutes of Gabe’s arrival and he would know what to do.

Todd’s cruiser was pulled up alongside Mrs. Shumaker’s house. Gabe could see the barn when he pulled up into the dirt drive, and Todd stood at the side of the building towards the back. He gestured for Gabe to drive his truck on around to where he was waiting. Putting the truck in park, Gabriel left the engine running just in case he needed to jump in and make a quick escape. He knew it was a kind of wimpy thing to do, but still. Gabe got out and walked over to Todd, looking past him to the dark, furry lump lying in a pathetic heap on the ground. He stared hard, concentrating until he finally saw the wolf’s side rise slightly with an intake of air. Still alive, that was good. The sound of an engine had Gabe glancing back to see that Adam had arrived. He turned back to the wolf, feeling an irresistible pull towards the animal.

Look at him, Gabe. The poor thing’s barely alive. Todd’s voice was thick with sympathy. Gabe understood; his own stomach was clenched with anxiety for the wolf. Strange that, somewhere along the drive over here, he had gotten past being leery of the wild animal. He walked around Todd, heading straight for the wounded wolf. He vaguely heard Adam yell in the background to wait, to be careful. It didn’t matter, though. Gabe’s desire to reach the wolf superceded anything else.

Eyes never leaving the wolf, he approached quietly, not wanting to startle the animal. He was barely aware of Adam a few feet behind him, as the pressing need to see to the wolf was too strong to ignore. The wolf opened his eyes, rolling them back to see who or what was approaching. A low growl rumbled from his chest, but for some reason Gabe didn’t feel it was a threat. A warning, perhaps, but not a threat-- not yet.

The wolf struggled to roll onto his belly, turning his head to look at Gabe through whisky-coloured eyes. Gabe felt the air leave his body with a whoosh-sound. Those eyes seemed to reach all the way into his soul, sparking a feeling of recognition and something else, something that made him feel warm from the inside out. Never blinking, he knelt down beside the wolf’s shoulder and extended his hand towards the muzzle.

"Gabe, don’t. He’s hurt and wild…"

Adam’s whispered command fell on deaf ears as the wolf sniffed Gabe’s outstretched hand warily, then gently licked it. Gabe threaded his fingers through the dark fur along the wolf’s nape. Eyes narrowing, he leant forward to look at the scabby wound between the wolf’s shoulder blades.

Hey, Adam, come look at this. What the fuck? Gabe leaned closer, peering at the jagged, days-old wound. The wolf watched him sombrely, panting rapidly now. A shuffling sound alerted Gabe to someone’s approach. He turned and spotted the hypodermic needle the vet was clutching and frowned. Another low growl came from the wolf, and Gabe immediately felt the wariness Adam’s presence was causing the animal.

Put the damned syringe away, Adam, he ordered, eyes narrowing in agitation.

Gabe, that’s not reasonable. This is a wild, wounded animal. If he lashes out, anyone around could be seriously injured. His grip on the syringe tightened.

Gabe took a calming breath, trying to impart to the wolf a feeling of tranquillity and acceptance. He figured it was worth a shot, as he had always believed many animals could pick up on and reflect a person’s emotions. The wolf lay his head down by Gabe’s knees and the growling ceased. He let out a whimper, and closed those beautiful brown eyes.

He’s fine. Look at him; he’s too messed up do more than lay here. Just come look, I’ll stay up by his head while you get beside me on my right side, closer down to his hips. That way, if he does snap, it will be me that gets it.

Adam looked at the wolf closely. Sighing, he slipped the syringe into his shirt pocket before coming to squat on Gabe’s right side. Gabe glanced back and saw that Todd was keeping vigil towards the front of the barn, watching just in case Sheriff Dickwad showed up. Adam bent to examine the injury Gabe had found.

Shit. Adam prodded the wound cautiously with his fingers. Damn, it looks like someone creased him, probably to slow him down so they could catch him.

He muttered something under his breath that sounded like ‘dumb fuckers’ to Gabe, but he couldn’t be sure. It was too hard to hear with the roar of anger that erupted in his head at the vet’s words. Someone had deliberately shot this creature, stunning him, injuring him, so they could capture him? For what purpose? They could have easily killed the wolf—in fact, it was a miracle they hadn’t.

Adam slid his hand around the wolf’s neck, cursing softly. If not for the look of fury in his eyes and the softly spoken curses, Gabe would have thought the man was unaffected by the situation. Every muscle in Adam’s body seemed relaxed and calm as he continued the examination. It seemed that whatever fear Adam had felt a few minutes ago was overridden by his feelings to the barbaric assault on the wolf.

Feel here, around its neck. It’s raw all the way around.

Gabe ran his hands around the wolf’s neck, feeling the wound left behind by some type of restraint. He was so angry by now he started to tremble, hands shaking as he brushed the dark hair. What had been done to this wolf? Who had done it? If he found out, it was a sure bet someone was going to get their ass kicked. Gabe met Adam’s gaze, seeing a reflection of his own anger there.

So they creased it, caught it, chained or tied it up. Looks like they had the wolf for a few days, you reckon?

Adam nodded. Yeah, I’m thinking some dumb ass thought it would make a cool pet, and found out there was an error or two in their theory. Like the fact that you can’t domesticate a wild animal. He continued his inspection, running his hands over the wolf’s torso, hips, and legs. The vet slid his hands down the wolf’s belly and Gabe felt the wolf’s body tense. Shaking his head at Gabe’s worried look, Adam brought his hands back up to the wolf’s side and nudged Gabe. And this beautiful wolf is a male as I just found out. That’s why he tensed up, I hope, since I groped the poor guy. Chuckling softly, Adam nodded at Gabe. I want you to move around to the other side, up by its head. I need to look in his mouth.

While Gabe slid around to the other side, he murmured soothing words to the wolf, not wanting it to be spooked, and wondered why the hell it irritated him hearing that Adam’s hands had confirmed the wolf’s sex. Gabe shook off the ridiculous surge of anger and watched as Adam pulled on the skin, tugging it up to check for dehydration. Nodding to himself, the vet moved on to the wolf’s mouth, looking inside the

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