Fighting
for Honor
Okanogan Valley Pride, Book 1
Kacey
Hammell
Paranormal / Erotic /Romance / Shifters
ISBN: 978-1-77233-468-5
Length: 11.6k / 40 pages
Publisher:
Evernight Publishing
There's
only one rightful Alpha, and he's back to claim his pride and his mate…
As
the rightful Alpha of a unique pride of panthers, originally founded by his
father, Dominic Stone followed his inherent solitary path to find peace and
grieve the untimely demise of his dad. Five years later, he returns home ready
to take his place, settle old debts and claim the one woman
he’s always wanted as his.
Purchase links:
Reviews:
Fighting
for Honor may be a first for Kacey Hammell in a new genre, but within the
pages, Kacey's delectable story telling is on full display…a quick read that
will leave you on the edge of your seat…Whether or not you’re a fan of shifter
book won't matter, because you'll be too engrossed in this riveting story.” 5
Stars from Liz, Goodreads
Excerpt ©
Kacey Hammell, 2015
Welcome
to Okanogan Valley
Dominic
let out a long, deep breath as he passed the sign welcoming him back to his
hometown.
Despite
his inherent instinct to remain solitary, it was time to return home.
Not
exactly excited to be back but knowing it was unavoidable, he drew back on the
throttle and accelerated down the open road. The tall trees and dense forest
rushed by as he pushed on, his back aching some from being on his Honda Shadow
for the last three days.
Five
years since he’d been here and yet the route was just as familiar as if he’d
ridden it yesterday.
The
years had gone by slowly, yet also fast. Time hadn’t healed all his wounds from
his father’s untimely death, but the twenty-seven-year-old young man Dominic
once was had grown into a man. And he’d finally accepted that he was destined
to be Alpha of the pride.
Though
it was his rightful spot, he needed to ascertain the direction the vulnerable
pride had taken, and whether or not his cousin would step aside without qualm.
The
motorcycle lurched as he changed gears. Thinking of Kenneth right now was not
the best avenue to take. He’d heard what his cousin had been up to recently,
and the urge to wrap his hands around the little shit’s throat was strong.
He’d
left the pride in Kenneth’s capable hands—so he thought—and all he’d done was
take advantage of his position.
Being
a class-A asshole did not breed a great leader.
Dominic
didn’t know who he was more pissed off at—himself for asking Kenneth to help
him out or Kenneth for being a fuck-up. The new awareness that he should have
been more diligent of keeping tabs on the pride gnawed at his nerves.
Winding
down the empty road, he couldn’t help admiring the beauty of the mountains
around him.
The
exquisite sight of the large, beautiful hills and valleys crawled into his
heart, wrapping around his soul, and reminding him of all he’d left behind. The
rich lands belonged to his family, to the pride, and had for many generations.
His
father loved mountains, probably even more so than Dominic did. Thanks to years
of exploration and adventure, Dominic knew every inch of the lands of his
homeland.
His
father, Drago, was the first Alpha ever in the pride of panthers. Although they
tend to be a solitary animal, his father had rallied that they band together in
the fashion of other cats and create a unified pride. In this day and age, his father had campaigned, we are too vulnerable alone. We need to
unify and protect our kind from looming extinction.
Glancing
down at his watch, he punched the motorcycle faster in order to make it in
time. Today was a very important moment for him and his remaining family.
He
was home for good. And come hell or high water, he’d make everything right
again.
Dominic
wanted to guide and counsel the pride in the same reverent manner his father
had, but back then he hadn’t been prepared for his father’s death. He’d needed
time on his own to grow and learn. To understand the true ways of the world and
respect the pride’s new way of life.
Cresting
the last hill, the local community hall came into view. Energy surged through
his body at seeing the familiar building and surrounding businesses. He hadn’t
truly realized how much he’d missed home until now.
Pulling
into a parking spot, he shut down his bike and lifted his arms over his head.
Stretching to the left and right, his muscles strained and twisted as he worked
out the kinks of the last few days. Unbuckling his helmet, he pushed it up and
off, and shook out his hair. He should probably consider a haircut soon, being
as the curls bounced against his neck and itched over his ears.
He’d
pulled off the highways regularly to clean up and catch a few hours of sleep in
motels on the way. There hadn’t been much time for him to do a complete clean
up so he’d have to do.
His
cell phone vibrated in his front pocket. Withdrawing it, he checked the caller
ID and immediately answered.
“Hey,
everything okay?”
“Yeah,”
his contact replied on the other end. “Confirming our meet later tonight. Still
a go?”
“Fucking
right. My cousin won’t know what hit him. You get me in and I’ll take care of
the rest.” He clenched his fist around the handle bar. “I’d like to kill the
prick right now.” Rage nearly choked him. Damn Kenneth for everything.
“Rein
it in, buddy.”
“I’m
trying. Taking every ounce of willpower I have not to bust this shit wide open
the minute I walk in there.”
“You
can handle this. Gotta run, am staying out of sight. See you later.”
The
call ended. Dominic drew in deep breaths and tried to clear his mind. He’d been
trained in one of the most lethal professions out there. Adding his panther to
the mix, his anger was boiling heavily. But he couldn’t go into the hall guns
blazing. Not when there was so much at stake. The element of surprise was on
his side.
Unzipping
his leather jacket, he stood and lifted his right leg over the bike, stomping
his feet on the cement and getting the circulation moving again. Glancing
around the quiet, deserted streets, he breathed in the sweet scent of the lands
around him. Dust, wheat from the neighboring fields a mile away, the burned
coffee that no doubt came from the Lap It Up Diner down the street, and the
sugary richness from the Dairy Barn Ice Cream Parlor on the other side.
Cocking
his head, two additional scents caught him unaware. One wrapped him with joy
and protection, his heart filling with happiness with the knowledge that his
mother was nearby. He had only communicated with her through e-mail and when
he’d asked her to come out West to see him for a few days. Today was her
special day. He hoped she’d be as pleased to see him back home as he was to be
here.
The
other scent, however, set his nerves on edge and his breathing ragged. The only
other woman who filled his heart with both happiness and uneasiness. She was
out of his league, had always been, even though there were few places they’d
gone over the years where they weren’t together.
She
was his childhood friend, confidante, and also the woman he’d wanted to someday
spend forever with. They’d kept their relationship under wraps in the past, but
Dominic planned to change that as soon as he could.
Avid
Reader. Romance Author. Redhead…
Canadian-born
author Kacey Hammell is definitely a book-a-holic. A romance reader from a
young age, she fell in love with happily ever afters. These days, as a multi- published erotic
romance author, she enjoys adding a lot of heat, sass, and emotion to the many
genres she writes.
Mom of
three, Kacey lives her own happily ever after
with her perfect hero in Ontario, Canada.
Connect with Kacey…
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