Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and Sagar

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight. Hayden is sharing a bit from the new release, Sagar (Ascension, Book 2)

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I’m one of the Angels. My duty is to be a messenger and to watch over the mortals. I protect them. Secretly I’ve wanted to be one of the warriors, but I tell no one my wish. I have a place in the hierarchy, and I won’t challenge it.

At least not until I meet the lifeguard Dorn, who is also tasked with protecting humans. I want to be intertwined with his future, but evil is approaching, and I’m not in a position to solely protect him. I have duties.

Doesn’t stop my desire for him.

I am…

Sagar

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Chapter One

The stench of dead and decaying bodies permeated the air with a thickness not even an angel could ignore. His stomach seized, and Sagar struggled to keep his lunch down. Truthfully, most of his focus remained on keeping his pristine feathers out of the mix of entrails and blood as he moved across the carnage to where to Powers stood, talking to one another.

From all appearances the Powers weren’t fazed. Not even with the dark stains on their wings. Still, their wings didn’t hang in the muck and he didn’t want his in there either. Slanting a gaze to the angel who had been summoned with him, he sidestepped a pile of bloody mess and returned his gaze to the warriors there.

By all accounts—from what he’d heard—even the Archangels were amazed by the fighting skills of these Powers. More specifically, Danijel.

“You’re staring,” Jordan whispered.

“Hard not to. He’s a legend. They both are.”

Jordan shook his head, but there was the same look in his own eyes, which Sagar knew mirrored his. They slowed and waited for the duo to acknowledge them both. Golden eyes, the mark of a Power, looked at him. Correction, not just at him, but deep into him seeing all he was and more. It wasn’t Danijel but his fellow Power, Demuri. The one who had fallen in love with a human.

A human male.

Thoughts to focus on another time.

“Thank you for coming.” Demuri’s tone vibrated with his power, and it overflowed both of them from Jordan’s expression and his own feeling.

“How can we be of service to the Powers?”

While he posed the question to the two he found it nigh impossible to look away from Danijel. He was awe inspiring, and the legends surrounding him only added to the mystery and lore.

Danijel gave him the briefest of glances. “There were three angels here, one’s missing. There is talk you are friends.”

His stomach lurched and to him, Jordan’s expression turned a bit green to his mind. These were angels lying in nothing more than entrails and blood upon the ground? Unease skated up his spine. Why would anyone want to do this to them?

“What did this?”

Both the Powers stared at him once more. He refused to look away. Jordan had lost his food, and neither Power said anything, merely stared at Sagar. Assessing.

Correction, not merely. Nothing with these two was merely anything.

“Where would Renata be?”

He thought about it and struggled not to focus on the knowledge if they searched for Renata, lying there were her siblings that made up the triplets.

“She enjoys the beach and ocean. California’s beaches.”

“Go there.” A flicker to Jordan. “I will send another Power along. Jordan will remain here.” Demuri cracked his neck. “You come with me.” He walked away, and Sagar hastened after him, not wishing to make him tell him more than once.

They may not be in the same circles, but they all had the same boss. And Demuri was a Power. A warrior. Something Sagar had always wanted to be, in the deepest, darkest recess of his mind, that was his wish. He was always careful to keep that desire hidden from everyone. He never wanted anyone to think he wasn’t happy where he was, but in truth, he’d always wanted more. Not more power, but more. He wanted to be on the front lines.

The Power lifted from the slaughter with a powerful beat of his dark grey wings. Sagar took after him—a lot less impressive than Demuri for sure.

They flew for a while, and he had been pushed to his limit when they landed by a large home. Unsure of where they were, he gazed about as he struggled to keep his wings up as Demuri did. Sagar was strong but compared to the Power beside him, he was like a newborn baby. All he wanted to do was fall over with exhaustion.

The Power didn’t look winded, even in the slightest. If there was any strain to hold those wings up and out of the dirt, it wasn’t shown on his face.

“Wait here.”

It never occurred to him to disobey, so after the Power vanished into and subsequently returned from the structure, he never moved. Beyond Demuri, he spied a human male stepping out onto the porch.

His lover. Before that registered another angel flew into sight. Another Power, golden eyes, cold and unforgiving as he landed beside Sagar.

Again, he was woefully outmatched and he didn’t like this feeling in the slightest. He gave him a nod, a respectful one, but didn’t speak. One didn’t simply talk to the Powers.

“You are the one accompanying me to California?”

“I am.”

“Let’s go.”

No name was given, yet when the Power lifted up, Sagar remained on the ground.

“We need to go. Now.”

“I was told to wait here.” Sagar flicked a quick glance to the powerful beating wings of the Power near him. Then he moved his focus to the one kissing the human.

“You are ignoring my command?”

“No, Elexus. He was following my order.” Demuri’s strong voice entered. “Land. We are not ready to go yet.”

The one called Elexus obeyed, but Sagar couldn’t help but notice the slight flicker of discontent on his face as he did so. Averting his gaze, Sagar waited for his next instruction. He was far out of his league here, unsure how they went around and found those who preyed not just on humans but also angels.

Frustration burned his eyes as he thought about Renata and her twins, Rolto and Reni, having to face the horror and fear they had. He didn’t allow them to fall for he refused to cry.

“Come, Sagar.”

Lifting his wings slightly higher, he followed Demuri’s bidding and approached the two Powers. Again, he took in how their wings never dragged in the dry, dusty ground and how they didn’t appear to have to strain as he did to keep that from happening.

Demuri ran a critical gaze over him. “We will rest here for two hours then press on. I would suggest you rest. The flight is long. Tristan will show you to a bed.”

While he longed to argue that he could go now and didn’t need to be babied, he kept that to himself and followed the dark-haired human male inside.

“Here you go,” he said, opening the door to a nice-size room with a large bed.

Tristan stepped back, ensuring not to touch his wings before moving back down the hall.

Sagar’s dreams were full of blood and gore. When he woke, his uncertainty level had risen. After thanking Tristan for his hospitality, he rose into the air and followed Elexus and Demuri off to a part of the land he’d never been to before.

Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and His One

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight. They're here today to share a bit from His One, an interracial, paranormal gay erotic romance...


Everyone deserves someone to be his own

Treymont McCarthy knew who his mate was, had since the moment he met him. However, seeing what his new king had had to go through with his mate, he’d not wanted to do that. He’d been alone for so long, he would survive.

Danny Neal enjoyed life. He had plans but it was much easier to party and ignore any responsibility. When a shifter from his recent past shows up, he realizes there is more than just drinking and partying. There was also forever.

Theirs is a different relationship, but when it’s all said and done, will he agree to be His One?

Twisted E-Publishing  *  Amazon  *  Google Play  *  iBooks

Copyright © 2018, Hayden West

Chapter One

Treymont McCarthy killed the rogue Kodiak bear shifter with a final snarl of rage as he ripped out his throat. The creature fell instantly, blood staining the upper mountain snow. In many places spring was segueing into summer. Not up here.

Ears twitching for the slightest sound, he trotted away as if it was an everyday occurrence to be set upon by an animal more than five times his size.

Trey?

Yes, Alpha?

He drew up short, as he’d arrived at an outcropping. Below there were some deer scraping the snow, hoping for a green shoot or two for nourishment.

Time to come in.

On my way.Even as he sent the communication to Chase, his Alpha, his best friend, his king, the wolf within him curled his lips in distaste. He was not made for the throne room. He was a warrior, not any good with the politics that played in the royal realm.

However, he would obey because that’s what he did. What he’d always done and what he’d always do.

He tipped his head back, a lonely, haunting howl pouring free. The prey below bolted, and he didn’t care about them one way or another. Eventually his call was answered by the wild ones. Pleasure rippled along him as well as the icy wind that moved his dark coat.

When the final strains faded from the air, he bounded away and headed back down the mountain to the palace.

Shifting before he arrived, he strode to the door with his smooth stride. He barely acknowledged the guards at the door or the few in the hall leading to the throne room. A wolf at the door scurried to swing it open so he never had to slow.

Trey stared up at the dais.

Chase sat there on the large throne, looking as if born to sit there. Which in a way he had been, but where before the new king hadn’t appeared all that comfortable there, now he did. He was at home.

Trey shifted his gaze to the seat beside Chase. Zach occupied that one. He didn’t look there long.

“You required my presence, Alpha,” he said after bowing.

He barely acknowledged Zach, not because he wanted to slight him but because after he had gone through his forced conversion, his wolf had a few wild streaks of anger and unpredictability within him. Zach understood and remained silent. There wasn’t any wish to provoke that creature into making his presence known.

“Come walk with me.”

Trey didn’t have any reason to speak so he waited for the man to whom he swore his allegiance to near. Executing a perfect spin, they walked the length of the throne room.

“You are away more often than not now, my friend. Is everything okay? I smell urus blood on you.”

“I’ve been patrolling the north end, dealing with the few remaining rouge bears who were part of the plot against you. I was confident that Harry and Victor were protecting you well enough. Did you need me to stay close?”

God, he hoped not. It was proving hard enough to be around the happy and in love couple but when you lusted after your king’s brother-in-law, that was bound to set off a slew of problems.

“No, I actually have an assignment for you. I need you to deliver a packet to the head of the Olver Clan, Panas Crouch, for me.”

Trey blinked and furrowed his brow. “The top clan of those in the Eastern Clans?”

“Yes.” Chase took a deep breath. “I have to begin repairing the damage my father and uncle created during their years.”

“I don’t need your reasons, Alpha. You ask and I perform.”

“Coming from anyone else and I would take offense,” Chase said with a smile. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Sure, just jacking off repeatedly to mental recollections of your mate’s brother.“Yes, Alpha.”

“Is this your way of telling me the old days have passed for good?”

“That changed the moment you found your mate.” The words were spoken without rancor. He had no jealousy or anger for Chance, only happiness. “Excuse me while I go get ready. It will be a long trip.” With one final bow, he let himself out of the room that used to be filled with gratuitous acts of sex and violence but now was silent and clean.

Showered and packed, he walked to the door and opened it to Zach lifting one hand to knock.

“A word.” A glance up and down the hall. “In private.”

Silent, Trey moved back into the room and closed the door quietly behind him, alert for the wolf to make an appearance. The man turned and put blue eyes on him, no sign of his wolf anywhere.

Another slight bow. “How can I be of service?”

Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and Demuri

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight. Coming July 4th - the first book of the new Ascension series - Demuri.

I’m one of the Powers. My duty is to be on guard for demonic attacks and protect the byways between Heaven and Hell. I’ve never had any reason to doubt my work, to question my purpose, until him…

Tristan Mori is his name, and he’s a chef. From the moment I lay eyes on him, I know he is to be mine.

Who am I to claim such a thing?

I am…

Demuri

Get it now from Twisted E-Publishing

Coming July 4 to Amazon  *  iBooks  *  Google Play  *  BN  *  Smashwords

Chapter One

Demuri Consdine stared out over the vastness that was before him. A gentle wind blew, ruffling his hair and more. He shifted his weight, the spear in his hand familiar yet almost uncomfortable.

More and more he’d been drawn down to Earth, intrigued by the goings on of the humans. Not that he was neglecting his duties, not at all. But still, he wanted to learn a bit more about them. Figure out their oddities and why they were as they were. 

Now, however, he was enjoying the solitude this spot provided him. Below him moved thick clouds that hid the sharp peaks of the mountains that didn’t reach as high as the perch where he lingered. 

He knew that when he sank below the clouds he would be presented with waters of the clearest blue, grasses of iridescent green. Closing his eyes, he allowed his body to fall forward. For the briefest of moments, he didn’t do a damn thing, just fell. The air rushing by him, no longer gentle, but nearly violent as it slammed into him.

At the last minute, he spread his wings and had instant control of his fall, gliding easily over the water to the earth where he settled with ease. Wings settling, he secured his shield and spear so they were hidden from most eyes. 

Not that a winged man wouldn’t be cause for alarm to people here, but he was in a place that people didn’t frequent. This wasn’t an area that they could get to you.

Brother? Where are you?

Earth.He sent the response to his fellow Power and brother, Danijel. 

What reason do you have for going there?

No reason other than I am intrigued by the goings on of humans.

They are nothing.

We’re there to guide and protect them. How can you think of them as nothing?He allowed his fingers to grace over the tops of the tall grasses as he moved through the untouched meadow.

My job is to keep the pathway safe, keep evil out. Not protect humans. That belongs to the angels and Archangels. I am a warrior.

Which is someone who protects.

Where are you, specifically?

A land they call Tibet. Do you have need of me?

Yes. There is rumor of demon activity in a place called Kansas.

I’ll meet you there.

He spread his wings as soon as he ended the conversation and took to the air with one single powerful beat of his wings. He’d never been to this Kansas but he knew how to get there. His connection to his brothers all allowed them to know where they needed to go. The flight was long but he didn’t care, he was needed. He would be there. 

Demuri landed beside his brother in complete silence. Nothing alerted to the world around them when he arrived. Danijel didn’t start, but he’d known how close he was. Danijel was the strongest of the Powers although they were close in ability. He’d been one the longest and their group tended to look to him for guidance and leadership, if it was needed.

His brother stood there, sun shining down on his dark skin, yet still hadn’t any sweat on it, despite the fact they were there in the middle of the day. Currently his brother had braids that alternated dark and light hair and a goatee. 

Personally, he sported a close cut beard and moustache, and he couldn’t ignore the simple fact, that he felt a bit winded after the long flight. He’d pushed it needing to be at his brother’s side. 

Brother.

Danijel nodded once but didn’t speak. Demuri didn’t force him to say anything—not that he could—and instead followed his gaze to a small farmhouse in the distance. For a moment he looked. It wasn’t the house, no, it was an area before it.

A portal.

To the Powers, demon portals showed an ugly rust hue that boiled and bubbled the closer they were to spewing out creatures from the underworld to reign havoc on the land. Humans could stand on them and not know what lay beneath their feet. Only a few could sense it around them. He’d not seen any of them in centuries with the power to sense the portals. 

Most humans now were fixated on small devices in their hands and never once took in the beauty they’d been given around them.

How long has it been like this?

With no more than a mere thought, he called his spear forth, gripping it in his left hand.

Not yet, brother. This has been this way for days now, never changing.

He narrowed his eyes but didn’t put his weapon away. His job was to protect the byways between Heaven and Hell. That meant keeping demons where they belonged, down in Hell.

How does it just remain like that? In all my years I’ve never known one to be actively dormant.

This I am unsure of. I need to check around and close it. There is a human inside. I need you to make sure he doesn’t come out. He’s alone.

And you don’t want to put him to sleep as the demons can access the weaker humans when they are resting to get in to this realm without use of the portals we’re looking at now.

Danijel turned his head and gazed at him, those golden eyes, marks of the Powers, hard and unforgiving. With a ripple, he moved his wings, those incredible silver wings that no other member of the Powers had and lifted himself to hover easily over the ground.

If he must sleep, protect him.

An odd statement from his brother but one he accepted. Danijel didn’t have use for humans on the whole. He merely wished to complete his job and move on to the next place where there was trouble. That and train.

He tracked his brother’s movement across the ground. Every so often he got to see his sibling’s weapon of choice. A chain. He and the rest of the Powers used spears, but Danijel had a chain that he used to fight with. His skill unmatched. He was also well versed in using a spear, but his weapon of choice was the chain. 

With an easy beat of his own wings, he too rose in the air, unconcerned if he should be spotted. Around humans he used his power to conceal himself from their gazes. He wasn’t one of the angels they needed to see.

Before the house, he settled with no more than a simple brush of air along the ground. Spear still in hand and ready, he checked the structure for signs of tainting. It wouldn’t do for him to walk into a trap either.

Finding none, he walked through the wall, into the home of this human and instantly was hit with two things. An incredible aroma of food that actually made him hungry and an emotion he’d never experienced before but had heard others speak of. Lust.

In the kitchen stood a man, in blue jeans and a black long sleeve shirt, cooking. Thick brown hair cut short on the sides and in the back was longer on top and Demuri had this urge to touch it, touch him.An urge so powerful he’d taken three steps toward him before he even realized he’d done so.

Hissing, he drew back. The man paused and lifted his head, peering directly at him yet unseeing. Blue eyes slammed him, that same shade as the amazing lake in Tibet he’d just flown over, the purest blue he’d seen. A line of dark scruff followed the chiseled jaw.

“Are you here to kill me?” 

The man’s question fell from his mouth, and Demuri realized he’d released his power at keeping himself hidden. Another first for him.

Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and Reconciliation *Special Saturday Edition*

Welcome Hayden West back to a special Saturday edition of Sunday Spotlight! 

Hayden's here to share a bit from their new military com-temporary gay romance, RECONCILIATION.

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Army Ranger Braxton Davidson hasn’t been home since he messed up his relationship with his best friend. However, this year he’s heading home for the holiday. And it’s inevitable that he will run into Travis…

Travis Saunders is in love with his best friend. Or is that ex-best friend? He wasn’t sure anymore as they’d a thing one night that Brax labeled a mistake. When he sees Brax again, will things be the same?

Will there be a chance for reconciliation?

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Chapter One

Somalia

The hot, arid breeze moved around him, not doing much in the way of offering relief. Braxton Davidson and his team were suffering through the Jilal, the harshest dry season of the year in this country. He hated it and longed to return to his ranch in Idaho and get some of the nice cold winter air it would have. Not here, not in December. Snow at home and where he was, equatorial heat.

That wasn’t the only thing that Idaho had that Somalia didn’t. Travis Saunders. He bit his lower lip and blinked away the blowing grit. He hated that he continually thought about Travis. Surely the man didn’t want to see him. Not with how he had left things between them.

He snorted. There wasn’t anything between them now. Hell, he’d been very blunt when he dropped that bombshell on Travis after their night together. He’d called it many things, a mistake, a one-time thing. But never once did he say what had truly been on his mind. That was his forever man. There wouldn’t be anyone else for him other than Travis.

Hell, I don’t even know if he’s single. He may have someone in his life now.

Red settled over his eyes, and he realized he didn’t need to think that way in regard to Travis. Especially not in this moment when he had other things requiring his attention and focus. He pushed away the memory of the blond-haired rancher who had at one time been his best friend.

They’d grown up on neighboring ranches. Their parents and sisters were also friends, so it was always a toss-up whose house they would be at. In middle school and high school, they’d played sports together, gone out on double dates with girls and even done prom together with their dates.

It wasn’t until he had come home from his first overseas tour that it had changed. He had woken to a very explicit dream of him and Travis together. His cock, hard and throbbing. As he’d been jacking off, Travis had walked into the room.

It wasn’t anything new for them to do that together, guys did. This time though as it was the man he had been dreaming about who’d come into the room, he’d been torn between finishing and trying to pretend it was normal or stopping and acting affronted.

When he spied the thick length of Travis’ uncut cock in his shorts, he held onto that image, shut his eyes and finished jacking off. That whole day was one he wouldn’t forget. They’d gone riding and when they were back for the barbeque dinner at his family’s house, both of them were trying to pretend everything was fine between them.

After the meal and once everyone had gone to bed, he’d been out in the gazebo, just hanging out with a beer. Travis showed up. It went from there to sex to him making his friend feel like the worst person in the world. He hadn’t been home since.

This was his fifth tour.

“Boondock. You’ve got company on your six.”

He didn’t move. Instead he sent up a quick prayer they wouldn’t see him. “How many?”

“I count four. Want me to light them up?”

“No. Let’s pray they walk right on by. We’re here for our tango. Not anyone else.”

“Roger that. Hold your breath. They’re just about on your ass.”

He knew he was well covered but did as suggested anyway. He wasn’t about to throw away a two-week stakeout because some locals were walking close to him. The crunch of their shoes on the dirt rang next to him, and he narrowed his eyes, keeping the maximum of swirling dirt out.

After a few tense moments they had moved on and he was again by himself out in the middle of the damn desert while his team watched his back. It wasn’t easy, this job of his, but he loved it and wouldn’t change it for the world.

After another two hours of barely moving, Shareed was in view. Moments later the man collapsed to the ground, the well-placed bullet ending his life before anyone knew what had happened. As his bodyguards scrambled to find the shooter, Boondock and his team were humping to their exfil.

In the belly of the helo, he accepted the offered water bottle and drank it down with gratitude. Meeting the gazes of his men, he smiled. “Mission well done, ladies. Let’s get the fuck out of here and see if we can’t make it home for Christmas.”

“Fuck yeah,” Lance Unders hollered, whooping it up with his deep Texas drawl.

He stretched out his legs as the men laughed and joked.

“What about you, Boondock? Special plans for the holiday? Hot woman to find?”

He smiled. “Just heading home to the ranch. See my folks and my sister.”

“Sounds almost like it belongs on a Hallmark card, sir. Almost.”

He laughed. “And here I was thinking a coffee commercial.”

“Either way, sir. I hope you have a great holiday.”

Yeah, so did he.

On the carrier they were stopping off at on their trek back, he called his sister to let her know he was coming.

“It will be so good to see you, Brax.”

“Thanks, Carrie. Don’t tell mom and dad. I want to surprise them.”

“Got it. Anything special I can have in the house waiting for you when you get here?”

“Nope, anything that doesn’t come out of a pouch or have sand in it will be just fine for me.”

“Call me when you land. I can come get you if you’d like.”

“I’ll do that. Gotta run. See you soon. Love you.”

“Love you too.” She hung up the phone but not before he heard the tears in her voice.

For a moment he debated calling Travis. What was the point? He’d surely run into him in town once he was back. Then he could apologize for the ass he’d been.

Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and Claiming the Throne

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight -- they're sharing a bit from the new release, Claiming the Throne (The Prince's Mate, 3)

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Zach Adan wasn't sure he would have survived this long, being thrust into this world he'd never believed had even existed, he was now a key player in this world.

Prince Chamber Sept Mallo, Chase to everyone else, has finally returned home to claim his throne. He's also brought his mate with him. It wasn't going to be as simple as that, however, as there are still those who want him dead, as well as his mate. Will he be able to keep not only his own throne but also his mate?

Twisted E-Publishing  *  Amazon  *  iBooks

Chapter One

Chase yawned as he rolled over, a slight smile turning up his lips at the hard body of his mate and lover lying there beside him. Right now everything was quiet. He had no problem hearing the soft snores from Danny, Zach’s brother from the next tent over where the others slept.

He’d refused to budge on Zach and he sleeping away from one another. Chase needed the comfort, the touch. And so did his wolf.

It wasn’t about the sex right now, it was about the tactile satisfaction.

They had thrown up camp after returning to his lands. He’d not wanted to go home yet, even though his presence would have been sensed.

The breathing of his lover changed and he knew then, Zach had awakened.

“Morning.”

While he didn’t pull away, the man stiffened and that was a dagger to the heart in itself. I suppose I should be happy he didn’t pull away. But the sad truth was, he wasn’t. This, whatever the hell it was between them, the rift, it was sort of felt as if it were growing and set him more and more on edge.

Since the conversion, Zach had changed. In more ways than he’d initially believed. And he wasn’t coming back to his old self. Yes, being forced to become a shifter, couldn’t be easy. He got that.

Chase had been born one. And of the royal line at that so he had it easy, his body and wolf were one complete unit. Two parts of the same whole.

He understood—on some level—it wasn’t the easiest for Zach and it killed him to be unable to make it smoother for him.

Reaching for his mate, his wolf calmed the moment they had skin to skin contact. So did he. Zach remained facing away from him. Chase didn’t care, right now he wanted to touch.

“I thought we had to go.”

Chase curved and arm around the man beside him, drawing near.

“We have time.”

For a moment, Zach relaxed. In the blink of an eye he had pulled away and was across the tent. Chase sat, mind cataloging everything. The fear, anger, and uncertainty in his eyes along with the wildness that reined unchecked.

In slow, increments awareness crept back in. “I should check on Danny.”

Chase nodded, well aware telling Zach that Danny was safe with the others wouldn’t go over well. His foster brother was a sensitive spot as well as an extremely volatile one.

“Let’s go then.” Chase reached for his jacket and shoes. They finished at the same time and Chase trailed him out of the tent, closing the flap behind him.

The cold mountain air cut through his exposed skin, making him glad they had the tents. Sure, he could have stayed in the nearest town but he preferred the outdoors, like most shifters.

He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as his lieutenants and best friends exited their tent. No Danny.

Trey met his questioning gaze with a smile. “He’s still sleeping.”

Zach pushed into the tent and Chase didn’t look away until his mate had vanished.

“How’s Danny holding up?”

He almost missed the shuttered expression on Trey’s face that lingered ever so briefly.

“Exhausted. Slept like a man who’d been awake for days without any shuteye. He’s worried about his brother on top of that and that’s not helping.”

And you’re concerned for him.“For good reason.” He cast a glance back to the tent. “He and his wolf are at war. They’ve not come to peace yet.”

“Are you sure they will?” Victor asked.

“No, but I have to hope that it come to pass. The crone said he would be a monster. I don’t want to have to kill my mate.”

“Could you?” Trey posed the question, crouching to build up the fire.

“Pack comes first. It’s my fault the wolf is in him. I will deal with the consequences.” He acknowledged he hadn’t answered the question because in all honesty, he didn’t think he would be able to kill his own mate. That’s not how it worked, die for him? In a heartbeat. But to take his life from him? That was doubtful.

I would be a shell of a man if it came to that but I have to do what is best for the Pack. That’s how it’s always been and how it will always be.

Victor grunted and went to pull a pot form the back of the vehicle. Soon water heated for coffee and they had food cooking soon after.

Chase was drinking his second cup of coffee when Zach and Danny emerged from the tent. His mate appeared calm and for a moment it irritated him that another male could—and did—provide that for him. Reining in both his anger and the wolf, he met both of their gazes.

“There’s coffee and food. We’re leaving in twenty minutes.”

He turned to face Trey. His righthand man never wasted time just crouched beside him, a stick in one massive hand.

“Are we heading straight in?”

He drained his coffee, swallowed, then placed the mug in the snow. “Yep. My uncle has to know I’m already on my way. Given so does everyone else, he won’t do anything aside from welcoming me home with open arms. He will want everyone think he was in support of my claiming the throne before he tries to have me step down for being unmated.”

“And when he finds out?”

“He’ll try to kill me.” Try being the operative word.

“Who’s trying to kill you?” Danny stood near them both.

Cutting his eyes to the right, he ran an impartial skim over the man who was his brother-in-law. Or would be once they were officially wed. to him, Danny was family already as he and Zach were mated.

“My uncle.” He shared a look with Trey and pushed to his feet. “He wants the throne.”

Danny shook his head. “I thought our family was odd.”

“Royal politics suck.” Beyond Danny, Zach worked with Victor on loading up the SUV with all of their tents and other gear. “When we get there, stay close to Trey, Victor, or Harry. Don’t go wandering around alone.”

“I’m not in line for the throne.”

“You’re human. Most of my kind have little to no use for your kind.”

“Swell. So he’ll be fine?”

Chase didn’t have to ask which “he” Danny asked about.

“No, he won’t go anywhere alone either.”

“He’s not going to like that.”

“Zach can be pissed all he wants. My goal is to keep him alive.”

Danny walked closer so there was very little space between them. His wolf snarled low but other than being alert, did nothing.

“Is that because he means so much to you personally or because of what he means to your throne?”

His wolf didn’t take to much offense to that, he was actually impressed by Danny’s fortitude. Chase blinked slowly, careful to keep his wolf at bay and calm, not wanting Zach to fly into protective mode. He wasn’t sure how much, or rather, how little would set him off.

“The crown and throne are a result of my status. It is what it is. I wasn’t looking for a mate when I met Zach. However, he is my mate and the most important thing in my life, make no mistake.”

“All I care about is his happiness. When this is over, I will be back to my life of surfing and jet setting. I need to know he’s in the best possible hands.”

Trey tensed briefly, his attention on the woods to the left. Chase didn’t shift his attention from Danny, aware of everything around them.

“He is in the best possible hands. Mine.”

Is everything okay, Trey?

His lieutenant didn’t provide a verbal response, merely a sharp nod of his head.

“Let’s move,” he called out, needing to have Zach out of danger.

Probably shouldn’t bring him to the royal house then.Ignoring his inner commentary, he shoved his hands in his front pockets.

The urgency in his tone couldn’t be missed. At the royal house his father may want to kill him bur the most part they should be safe there. Unless things had completely changed since he had left.

If I ignore the fact I’m bringing in a human and my mate who is considered an abomination from the forced conversion. Yeah, we’ll be fine.

At the vehicle, he and Victor took the front. Trey had the back with Harry while Zach and Dann were in the middle.

Victor drove. Chase wasn’t going to argue, he was the best driver. He’d grown up on the track and could drive anything with a wheel. Hell, not only with a wheel, anything that moved.

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Sunday Spotlight - Hayden West and Guarding Mason

Welcome Hayden West back to Sunday Spotlight. Hayden's here to share a bit from their new release, Guarding Mason. If you're into hot short stories about rockstars and the ex-military bodyguards who fall for them... this might be up your alley!

Mason Stanton was a rock star. One with a stalker. His manager assigns a man to him that is suddenly the star in all his fantasies. One afternoon, everything changes.

Donavan Culpitt is used to guarding all sorts of people. What he isn’t used to is falling for his client. An unexpected discovery leads him and Mason on a new adventure. But things aren’t always meant to be and there are times when relationships can be torn apart.

Will they find their happily ever after?

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Copyright © 2018 by Hayden West

Chapter One

“Whoever is sending the threats is becoming bolder. You can’t ignore this any longer. You have to take it seriously.”

Mason “Rock” Stanton continued to stare up at the ceiling from where he lay on the couch in the suite. He began counting the swirls as he swung his left foot back and forth, skimming the plush carpet.

“How serious do you want me to be? I’m not cancelling my tour, people pay a lot of money for those tickets. The show must go on, as they say.”

His manager rolled his eyes and lobbed an orange from the mosaic bowl on the table. Rock snatched it out of the air. After rolling it around in one hand, he began peeling it, working diligently to get it off all in one piece.

“Stalkers would freak most people out.”

He raked a hand through his hair. Rock wasn’t like most people. Never had been. Growing up in a hugely abusive home, the thought of someone threatening him from a distance barely registered. To him they were nothing more than scared wimps who didn’t have the stones to face him and issue the threat to his face. The foster homes hadn’t been any better.

“If that’s the reaction he or she’s looking for, they should have picked another to be their intended victim.”

Jordan grunted. “At least you’re not ignoring this.”

Having finished peeling the orange, he popped a slice of the succulent fruit and bit down slowly, smiling as the juice spilled over his taste buds. Oranges were a weakness of his.

“It’s your job to worry about my safety. You do it so well I won’t play to the panic they want me to have, but I won’t argue with you about having extra security around.”

“Good, because it’s more than that.”

Rock paused but didn’t sit up, merely waited for his manger to continue.

“I’m assigning you a bodyguard.”

“You forgotten my security detail?”

“No, but this is different. You’re going to have a personal one as well.”

That information had him jackknifing to a sitting position. “I’m sorry, what?” Feet to the floor, he slanted his gaze toward Jordan who had his business expression on. “You know I like my privacy.”

“I don’t care, Mason.”

Shit. My real name, not my nickname. If I thought the expression was just for my own benefit this proves I was seriously fucking wrong.

Jordan continued, “You may be willing to play fast and loose with your life but I’m not willing to do so.”

Mason hid his sigh. That wasn’t it at all. He had zero intention of doing that despite his devil may care attitude. Still it wasn’t worth his time trying to explain it all to his manager, so he shrugged and got to his feet.

“Whatever you think best, Jordan.”

Suspicion flowed in his manager’s gaze. Mason didn’t flinch.

“Any questions?”

“What about?”

“The bodyguard I hired.”

Mason ate the rest of his orange within a few bites, not speaking until he’d swallowed the last bit.

“Nope, no questions. You want him here, he’s here.”

Jordan gave him a rare smile. “Thank you. I’m glad, and I want you to meet him before we head home tonight.”

Not what I wanted to hear.

“Fine.” He began toward the door to his adjoining suite. “Let me know when he’s arrived.”

“He’s here now.”

Mason paused, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Where?”

“Waiting in my suite. I’ll get him.”

Great, now I have this shadow earlier. I thought I would be home before this starts.

Clenching his hand five times around the doorknob, he then turned back as if he didn’t want to crawl into the king-sized bed and yank the covers over his eyes and sleep. He’d gotten back from last night’s party no more than an hour ago. Bottom line, I’m fucking exhausted. While he’d not wanted to go, he had an image to uphold and maintain.

“Come out here, Mr. Culpitt.”

A shadow shifted in Jordan’s doorway before a man stepped into view.

Mason couldn’t begin to explain how pleased and grateful he was for having learned years ago not to show emotion. The man coming into view was everything his dreams and fantasies were made of. Gruff, bearded, muscular, and sexy as fuck walked through the doorway.

Christ, his dick began to thicken instantly. The broad-shouldered man stood beside Jordan, topping him by about three inches. His hair, a messy blend of darks and lights, his beard as well. Slashing eyebrows were above eyes of the richest green.

“Donavan Culpitt, this is Mason ‘Rock’ Stanton.”

Mason didn’t move while the man perused him.

One sharp nod. “Sir.”

That voice was sexy personified. He needed more for his dreams and long lonely nights when it was him and his hand.

“What are your credentials?”

“Airborne Ranger for years. Been in personal protection since.”

If his question had upset him, the man didn’t show it. “What am I supposed to call you?”

“Donavan is fine. Donavan. Mr. Culpitt. Up to you.” A lazy shrug rolled those massive shoulders.

He had a whole list of names he’d like to call him, but none were ones he should be mentioning now.

“Good to meet you. I’m going to bed.” He spun on his heel and marched into his suite where he shut the door behind him with far more force than necessary. He didn’t care. Right now, his cock was having a mutiny on his jeans doing its damnedest to escape.

Resting against the door for a moment, he rubbed himself through his jeans, needing the relief. A low moan escaped him at the pressure, and he clamped his mouth shut as he undid the single button on his jeans.

This is going to suck.

Wearing only his boxers, he made his way to the bed and slid between the sateen sheets, room dark and silent. With a groan, he curved his hand around his penis after freeing it from the opening in his boxers.

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