Eden Cole To Catch A Tiger

To Catch A Tiger

Cover art by Mina Carter © September 2012

Amira Press

Charlotte, NC 28227

www.amirapress.com

ISBN: 978-1-937394-61-5

No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or
mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and e-

mail, without prior written permission from Amira Press.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Prologue

Sam swirled the contents of his glass, staring down at it as if it was

the means for learning where the shifter had escaped. The frown that
etched his handsome, yet hard, features wasn’t uncommon. After a
moment, he tossed back the alcohol and swallowed noisily. “I need
him found, Neo.”

“Found?”
“Yes, found,” Sam snapped. “I don’t want him killed. Do you

understand that? I want…” He pinched his nose over and over
seemingly in both agitation and satisfying an itch. Neo had determined
long ago this was a telltale sign of Sam’s state of mind. This shifter was
different than the others, he guessed. He was more important to Sam,
but why? Because he was a greater threat to what the man was trying
to accomplish—or the greatest chance of its success? He would find
out soon enough, he supposed. He always did.

Neo pushed off the wall near the door and strolled to the window

overlooking the Jura Mountains where Sam kept his lab. Neo didn’t
know why he chose the area for his research. Maybe because it
seemed less suspicious, or maybe because Sam was a native of Geneva
and wanted to stay close to home. Knowing the man, that seemed
unlikely. No one Neo had ever met seemed less family-‐oriented than
Sam, which was one of the reasons he respected him. Family was just
a word.

While trees surrounded most of the property, just below the

window lay an expanse of Hottiger Research Institute, and one of
Sam’s many scientists who worked there stepped from a small round
building with walls of rough stone. Neo knew beyond that unassuming
building laid a fortified barrack where the experiments lived—the
shifters. He’d never been back there and wasn’t overly curious about
it.

“Any ideas about the direction he’s headed? Although I’m sure I

can find him easy enough.”

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“Kilian will head toward home.”
“Kilian?”
Neo turned in time to see Sam nod and the odd look that came into

the man’s eyes before it was suppressed. Now he knew the reason this
one wasn’t to be killed. “Yes, Kilian Frost. He was born in Stockholm.
He still has a sister living there.” Sam approached his desk and
shuffled through a stack of folders. He brought one to the top, flipped
it open, and retrieved a photo. He handed it to Neo. “That’s him.
Consider him dangerous, but like I said, don’t kill him.”

Neo studied the photo. “What is he?”
Sam hesitated.
“Didn’t you get that far?”
“Yes.” He flicked at his nose again. “He’s a tiger—a rare white one.”
Neo frowned. He remembered something about white tigers in

America but couldn’t bring to mind the details. Sam went on unaware
of Neo’s line of thought.

“When he shifts—and he can shift completely into a tiger—he has

no stripes. He’s all white and the most beautiful creature you ever laid
eyes on.”

“Hm.” Neo wanted to say more but resisted. He was not afraid of or

intimidated by Sam and his power. He enjoyed simplicity in life, and
he didn’t care if Sam had fallen for a genetic freak he’d created in a lab.

“Catch up to him before the season turns and he heads too far

north. I guarantee you, you will lose him in the snow. You can’t fail in
this one, Neo.”

Neo raised an eyebrow. “I’ve never failed to find my quarry. I’ll

bring him back.”

“Alive.”
He sighed. “Whatever you say.”

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Chapter One

Kilian stopped just outside a couchette on a Berlin overnight train.

He checked the small plastic window and spotted a bit of cardboard,
which indicated the couchette had been reserved. His heightened
sense of smell and hearing told him the car was empty, but that didn’t
mean the person or persons who had reserved the space weren’t
getting on at the next station.

The train began lumbering down the track, and while he could

move along the narrow passage to see if there were other couchettes
available, he didn’t have the energy. This one would do for now. He
opened the door to step and shut it behind him. Unfortunately, this
couchette had no lock on the door, but he couldn’t be choosy anyway.
He had no money.

Going to work, he pulled out each of the six seats, three facing

three, so that they formed a makeshift bed. Afterward, he yanked the
curtain closed over the window and turned off the light. Maybe with
this nine-‐hour trip from Berlin to Malmo, he could get some much-‐
needed rest. Since breaking out of Hottiger’s, he’d had little and didn’t
remember the last time he’d eaten.

There was no doubt they would send someone after him, and a few

times he thought he’d spotted someone. All of the men and a couple
women locked up in Sam’s research facility had heard the stories of
Neo. If anyone was stupid enough to try to escape, Sam’s hired man
would cut them down and bring them back—in a body bag if Sam
ordered it that way. Kilian had no fantasies about the same happening
to him. Being Sam’s lover meant special privileges back at Hottiger,
but that ended when Kilian broke it off. Now he figured he was just
like anybody else—expendable when Sam couldn’t control him.

He stretched his arms above his head as much as he could in the

cramped space and climbed on the chairs. After he’d removed his coat,
he lay back and pulled it over his chest like a cover. The threadbare
material did little for warmth given the time of year, but it helped.

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Kilian shut his eyes, and as always happened when he drifted off, a

nightmare descended. A drug labeled in English rather than French, a
needle and burning in his veins, then the growling. All of it swirled in
his mind, invoking pain that was near unbearable. Kilian began
sweating, his shirt clinging to his chest. Struggling to come to his
senses, he thrust his coat away and thrashed about. The dream held
him although he battled to wake up. He heard his cry, first human and
then beast. Something squeezed his shoulder, and he sat up in
darkness.

A silhouette was outlined with the subdued light from the

doorway. “Qui êtes-‐vous?” he demanded.

“Uh, wow.” The man ran a hand over his head. “I have no idea what

you just said, guy. Is that French?”

American. Kilian ground his teeth and sucked in a deep breath. He

willed himself to calm down. “Who are you?” he repeated.

The man thrust his hand toward Kilian. “Donovon Lyte.” He stuck

his head into the passage and squinted at the small window. “I
thought I had reserved this one. Maybe I have the wrong couchette
again. I was down the hall sitting in someone else’s seat, and that was
a full compartment. You can imagine how stupid I felt when she
started in on me in German.”

Kilian didn’t give a damn. He leaned over and flicked the light on.

“You’re probably in the right place.”

He set the chairs upright and allowed the man to choose his place.

Kilian took a chair on the opposite side. So much for getting some rest.
An ache started in his side, but he ignored it in favor of looking over
the American across from him. For the last few years, Kilian didn’t get
much interaction with people except Sam and the scientists. The
whitecoats, which is what he and the others had taken to calling them,
weren’t very sociable, and visitation with the other experiments was
limited to one short meal a day. Those times had been precious to
Kilian, but since breaking out of the facility, he’d kept to himself,
fearing being captured.

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Eden Cole

Donovan Lyte was handsome, Kilian thought. He had to be six foot

three at least, and his build was that of a man who worked out
regularly. The rich black hair, dark blue eyes, and firm lips would have
been appealing if Kilian wasn’t on the run. Then again, they had nine
hours.

Donovan leaned forward, a friendly smile stretching his sensual

mouth. “You didn’t tell me your name.”

Kilian hadn’t shaken his hand either. “Kilian. Kilian Frost.” He had

no reason to hide his real name. No one knew of him, and Sam wasn’t
likely to involve the authorities to bring him back.

The man nodded. “Great to meet you. I’m on my way to Stockholm.

You?”

“The same.”
“Great, maybe you can show me around.”
Kilian leaned back in his seat, and Donovan ducked. The shamed

expression on his face was plain. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I
guess if you’re not…uh, I mean, I shouldn’t assume.” He gave a nervous
chuckle. “I’m an idiot and should keep in mind I’m not in America.”

Kilian let go of some of his reservations. Donovan was entertaining

to say the least. For a second, he’d been able to forget his problems.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not offended, and we have our…preferences
here too.”

Donovan pushed a hand through thick curls, relief obvious in the

set of his shoulders. Kilian didn’t deny he was attracted. If no one
knew he’d taken this train, and it was possible given it was so late in
the season for the train to run, they might have an uneventful ride as
far as danger, and a little light flirting until it was over. Not since he’d
broken off the intimate relationship with Sam had he been with
another man. Still, flirtation was all they could enjoy in a couchette
with no lock on the door, and Donovan might have reserved one seat,
but there were four others that could be filled before arriving in
Malmo.

“I’m not usually so forward,” Donovan said.

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Eden Cole

Kilian raised an eyebrow. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”
They both laughed. Kilian suppressed the twinge, but Donovan

must have noticed it anyway. He jumped from his seat and sat down
next to Kilian. The hand on Kilian’s shoulder seemed heavy.

“Are you okay?”
Kilian closed his eyes and breathed deep. “I’m fine. It’s just a

condition I have. Nothing contagious. I ran out of the medicine I
usually take, and I’m having side effects. No big deal. It will pass.”

He looked into Donovan’s eyes and found them filled with concern.

The knowledge warmed him. He laid a hand on the man’s thigh,
feeling the muscles bunch beneath his touch. The truth was without
the drug Sam had provided, he would progressively lose control until
he changed to his tiger form and couldn’t turn back. All of them knew
of the possibility, and it wasn’t just Sam trying to scare them into
compliance. Kilian had seen it happen with his own eyes. Sam wanted
it that way to keep him close. Despite knowing the truth, Kilian ran. He
was prepared to accept the consequences. Better that than a lifetime
of servitude to Sam.

With his hand on Donovan’s thigh, Kilian’s cock hardened. Once

he’d looked into the man’s eyes, he didn’t want to look away. What he
wanted was only a fantasy. Donovan covered his hand and leaned
closer. Kilian forgot everything except the desire to taste this man’s
lips. He moved so close, their breath warmed each other’s faces. Just
one.

A scraping and tearing tore Kilian out of the moment, and he

jerked back from Donovan and glanced at the seat beside him. Panic
rose in his chest at the sight of his hand transformed into the clawed
paw of a tiger. He’d ripped the seat to hell.

“Damn it!”
“What’s wrong?” Donovan’s brows dropped low in confusion. “I

thought we had a moment. I’m sorry. We don’t even know each other.
I shouldn’t have done that.”

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Eden Cole

Kilian stood and stumbled over to the seat opposite. He considered

reassuring Donovan he was just as much to blame for what almost
happened, but he didn’t utter a word. Let him draw his own
conclusions. Maybe it would keep his dick in his pants until he was
sure he wasn’t being pursued.

Kilian covered his shifted hand with his coat and willed it to

change back. From the odd way the air felt against fur, he knew he
hadn’t succeeded. Now he wondered how he would endure nine hours
alone in this box with Donovan. He didn’t think he would attack the
man, but he couldn’t rule it out either. The shifter that had lost control
at Hottiger had been all animal in the end. He’d acted on instinct, and
the people around him were deemed a threat. Kilian watched him
maul a man. At the thought, he glanced over to Donovan. He didn’t
deserve that kind of death just because Kilian had been stupid enough
to stumble into his couchette.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last. “I’ve had a long trip getting here.”
The ready smile appeared on Donovan’s face. “Don’t I know about

long trips.”

Kilian didn’t have to force a chuckle. “You’re from America. I guess

that is a long trip.”

“And you’re French?”
“No, I’m Swedish actually.” Under his coat, Kilian flexed his hand.

The hair receded, and his fingers grew out long as a human’s. He
curled them into a fist and squeezed before straightening them again.
Shifting had become like second nature before he left Hottiger. Now
he knew each time would increase the dread and bring questions of
whether this or that instance would be the last before someone
gunned him down. “I spoke French before because I spent many years
in Geneva, and those around me spoke it.”

Donovan appeared impressed. “So you speak Swedish and

French.”

“And English,” Kilian said, reminding him that it was the language

they were currently using. “And a little German.”

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“Ah, so you’re a showoff.” Donovan scooted over next to him, but

Kilian didn’t move again. The pain had receded, and he was pretty
sure he wasn’t about to shift any time soon.

“Just stating facts.”
They smiled at each other, and Kilian’s thoughts returned to how

sexy the man was, how he wanted to touch him again and feel his
muscle. Donovan wore dark slacks, a button up shirt, and a heavy coat.
On his feet he wore hiking boots, and he carried a backpack. Kilian
wondered if he was one of those Americans who liked to hitch his way
across Europe, but he seemed too old for that type of trip, appearing
to be in his mid-‐thirties like Kilian.

“You’re on vacation from…?” he asked.
Donovan gave a ready answer. “I’m in acquisitions with my firm.

I’m always looking.” He shrugged. “And you?”

“Recovering,” Kilian told him, referring to his earlier claim to

having a condition. He hesitated to say just where he was going since
he didn’t know if one of Sam’s men would come along later and
happen to question Donovan. If Donovan knew nothing, he couldn’t be
hurt. At least Kilian hoped that was the case. Sam was a ruthless man,
going after what he wanted and stepping on anyone to get there. The
formula his whitecoats had used had been stolen from an American
scientist, and who knew what Sam had done to get it.

Kilian turned to look out the train’s window. “You should have

taken the Rhine Valley Line for a more scenic route between Koblenze
and Mainz,” he told Donovan. “The valley is beautiful alongside the
river. Fortresses, castles, the mountains. There’s much to see for a
tourist, and I suppose even those who’ve lived close by. The Jura
mountains are also beautiful.”

Donovan touched his hand, and Kilian didn’t pull away. “Jura?”
“The…hospital where I was, in Switzerland.” Kilian sighed. “This

time around, I’m only passing through Germany.”

“Maybe we can go together, while I’m here,” Donovan suggested.

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Eden Cole

Kilian turned away from the window and looked at him. Maybe he

should since he didn’t know how much time he had. No, not yet. Not
until he’d seen his sister. He linked his fingers with Donovan’s as they
sat a few minutes in silence.

The train lumbered into a station, and Kilian stiffened. He tried

pulling his hand from Donovan’s, but the man held on and began
chatting about all the sights he’d seen on his trip. Kilian stared at the
door. Any second someone sent from Sam could walk through that
opening and put a hole in his chest.

His palms grew moist, and he rubbed one down his pants leg.

From the look of it, Donovan hadn’t noticed. He seemed content just to
sit by Kilian. In other circumstances, he would love to get to know this
sweet man. As it was, it could kill him to know he’d caused Donovan to
be hurt on his behalf.

With some effort, he separated their hands. “I should move in case

this is someone’s seat.”

Donovan glanced around. “Where to? One of the others? Any one

of them could be reserved.”

“You’re right. I’m an idiot.”
Donovan smirked. “A sexy idiot.”
Kilian didn’t think twice before he moved. He just leaned forward

and planted a soft kiss on Donovan’s lips. The other man’s eyes
widened, but he was fast to react, pulling Kilian closer with a hand at
his neck and parting his lips. Their kiss deepened, and Kilian allowed
Donovan to stroke the tip of his tongue along the insides of his mouth.
Fire lit his belly, and his cock was already rock hard. He arched,
bringing his chest into contact with Donovan’s and dropped a hand on
the man’s thigh. The moan elicited from his touch sent a zing of desire
racing to Kilian’s ball sac. With everything inside him, he drew away
and put a hand up to ward off Donovan’s advance.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”
“You should have,” Donovan countered.

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Eden Cole

Kilian swallowed. He needed to be alert, not get tangled up with a

man he would never see after today. He was about to say more to put
Donovan off when footsteps sounded in the passage. Kilian’s chest
constricted. He clutched his coat on his lap and reached into the right
pocket. Although he didn’t like doing it, he’d swiped a knife from a
small shop he had passed in his travels. He needed protection, and
while his claws in tiger form were sharper and more accurate than
any weapon he could buy, he couldn’t risk giving into the beast. The
knife would have to do in a pinch.

The door opened, and a man stood in the gap with a face obviously

scarred from combat. His harsh gaze flitted to Donovan, paused a half
beat, and then shifted to Kilian. Recognition was instant, anger
following. The man reached inside his jacket, which hung open, and
Kilian wondered if he could shove Donovan out of the way and get to
the man before he had time to discharge his weapon.

“Oh, is this your seat?” Donovan chirped with enthusiasm. He

surged to his feet and yanked his backpack from the chair next to him.
“I’ve forgotten which one I reserved. Let me get my pass out.”

“Sit down, Donovan,” Kilian said and made to rise.
Donovan winked. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have this straightened

out in a second.” The train began to move, and his new friend
stumbled about, headed toward the man in the doorway, while he
continued to dig in his pack. Donovan passed into the line of fire
between Kilian and the assassin, and Kilian’s mouth went dry. Move,
damn it!

Worry clenched the muscles in his stomach, and he stood up. He

only had time to take one step before Donovan lost his footing and
crashed into the man, sending them both falling into the passage.
When neither of them moved, panic set into Kilian. He rushed over
and dragged Donovan back. Blood covered his shirt.

“No,” he howled, and the change started inside. He felt it coming,

his temperature rising, hair sprouting from every follicle. There was
no way he could stop it now. He was too angry to focus on calming

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himself. Besides, he saw no reason to anyway. Donovan being hurt
was all his fault.

“I went too far,” Donovan muttered, sitting up and rubbing a hand

over his chest. “He’s dead.”

Kilian started. “Y-‐You’re not hurt?”
Donovan shook his head peering down at himself. “That’s his

blood.”

Somehow knowing Donovan wasn’t hurt calmed Kilian just a little.

He ran a hand over his face, wiping away the moisture. When he
turned to Donovan, he grasped his chin and made the man look at him.
“Everything is going to be okay. This is my fault, and I’ll take the
blame.”

Memories of his training flooded Kilian’s mind, of his time at

Hottiger. He pushed them aside, reminding himself that he had to
think of Donovan. Protecting this innocent man was most important.
He struggled to his feet and winced. The pain in his side almost
brought him to his knees again. Breathing through it took
monumental effort, but the change receded.

“I’m going to hide him,” he announced.
“No.”
Kilian looked at Donovan, but he stood in the doorway with his

back to Kilian, scanning the passage. He must be afraid and still in
shock at what happened. Kilian had been there, and he knew the delay
emotions could have in an extreme situation such as this. “Come here.
You wait inside while I clean this up. I will take the blame for what
happened with the authorities, but I can’t risk being caught. I know
you don’t understand. Please, come inside.”

He took a step in Donovan’s direction, but the swaying of the train

and his physical condition caused him to pitch forward. Donovan was
there at once and caught him. Embarrassment spread throughout
Kilian’s being when the man all but carried him to one of the seats and
pushed him into it.

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“You’re obviously sick.” Donovan looked into his eyes and

smoothed his hair back. He grinned. “I’ll do it. Won’t take me long.”

“Donovan!”
He was gone having shut the door behind him. All Kilian had the

strength to do was to sit there, holding himself upright. Donovan was
gone too long. The panic that had stirred in Kilian began to rise out of
control. He shoved his sleeve higher and frowned at the pale smooth
hair. Veins bulged beneath his skin. He sucked in a deep breath and
closed his eyes. When the door opened, he jumped to his feet, almost
falling over again.

“We’re in luck,” Donovan said. “I found one of the smaller

couchettes empty, the ones with the two bunks. I put him there, and I
got this.”

He held up a handgun, and Kilian realized how the man had been

killed and why there hadn’t been much noise. The gun was equipped
with a silencer. A professional hit. Nausea roiled in his stomach and
made his head spin. He sat down heavily.

“This isn’t a game, Donovan. You could be killed. I don’t want you

involved in this.”

His new companion took the seat next to him and grasped his

hand. They steepled their fingers together and then linked them. “It’s
too late.”

Kilian clenched his jaw. “You’re so sweet, so good. I’ve never met a

man like you, and I don’t want to be the cause of that look in your eyes
changing.”

To his surprise, his confession elicited anger from Donovan, and he

pulled away. “I’m not like that!”

“Like what?”
Donovan moved closer to the window and stared out. “I was

basically raised on the streets. I’ve seen a lot, the basest part of men,
and I know how to take care of myself.”

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Kilian believed him, but still, he’d never dealt with this situation. “I

imagine you saw some horrible things if you say so, but what I am—
there’s no way you’ve experienced it.”

For a beat, Donovan said nothing, and then he turned to smile at

Kilian. “Tell me. You were the pretty plaything for a billionaire?”

Kilian scoffed. “Pretty!”
Donovan laughed, and Kilian found it soothed the beast just a bit.
“Yes, with that blond hair and sky blue eyes, you’re pretty.”

Donovan’s gaze roved him from head to foot, lingering at his crotch. “If
I were a billionaire, I would have you as my plaything.”

Kilian flared his nostrils, but he wasn’t offended. He put his hand

out, and Donovan took it. They sat close together and shared a feather
light kiss. Kilian’s body strained for more. Donovan nuzzled his neck
and nipped the skin there.

“Want to sit on my lap?”
A thrill ignited Kilian’s being, but he resisted. “I can’t do that.”
The disappointment in Donovan shone in his expression. “Why?”
Kilian turned away and pulled his hand from Donovan’s. “I told

you. What I am is… If I weren’t so damn weak, I wouldn’t have gotten
involved with you at all. Maybe I was lonelier than I realized. It’s
selfish.”

“Not if I want it too.” Donovan shrugged. “I’ve been pushy.”
Kilian offered a half smile. “You have been, but then I am pretty.”
Donovan smirked.
“Tell me?”
“You’ll run or think I’m crazy.”
Donovan kissed him, pushing his tongue into Kilian’s mouth. The

attraction between them was undeniable, and if it lasted only as long
as the kiss, he would accept that and hold it as a brief but pleasant
memory until the change wiped it all away. By the time they broke
apart, Kilian had decided to share everything.

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Chapter Two

“I met Sam seven years ago. We had a fling,” Kilian began. “He had

a confidence that went beyond anything I’d ever seen in a person. I
thought it was because he was older and more experienced. He was
bold and demanding, both in and out of bed. It turned me on, and I
wanted to be his. For a while, I think I loved him and hung from his
every word.”

Kilian glanced at Donovan, and his companion seemed to be

listening closely. Kilian had purposely gone back farther than he
needed to in his history because he wasn’t ready to share the most
important thing—why he was falling apart.

“Go on,” Donovan encouraged him.
“As I said, I loved him, everything about him. He was a brilliant

scientist, or at least I thought so. I took his word that he was.” Kilian
gave a dry chuckle, more from nervousness than amusement. “He told
me he was working on a drug that would change the world. He asked
if I would like to be a part of it, that it would bring me riches beyond
my wildest dreams if I’d stay at his side.”

“It was a lie?” Donovan asked.
Kilian shrugged. “The drug can change the world all right.” He ran

a hand through his hair and stood up. He paced and felt Donovan’s
eyes on him as he moved. “It came over in a different form from
America. I don’t know how Sam got his hands on it. I’d heard that he
stole the drug from another brilliant scientist, and his team
manipulated it. I bet if the original creator saw it again, he wouldn’t
recognize his work at all. You see…”

Donovan kept silent while Kilian gathered his courage and his will.

He hitched his shoulders and rolled his head to get the kinks from his
neck. Tension bunched his muscles, and no amount of deep breathing
calmed his racing heartbeat.

“I’m a shifter,” he said at last. “A rare white tiger shifter. The

original formula was temporary, and the recipient of the drug had to

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keep taking it to have his abilities enhanced. He may or may not
change completely into another form, most often not. It was also
limited to wolf shifters. Sam and his people expanded the project and
basically…produced me.”

Kilian stopped speaking. He didn’t look at Donovan, preferring

instead to wait until Donovan formulated his thoughts and decided
whether he thought Kilian was a madman or he ran in fear of him.

“Y-‐You’re a shifter.” The tone in Donovan’s voice was not fear but

curiosity and wonder. His even attitude blew Kilian away, and he
wished not for the first time to be with this man on a longer-‐term
basis so he could get to know him better.

“Yes,” Kilian answered. “I guess you believe me.”
Donovan nodded toward Kilian’s arm. “When I came in, your hand

looked different, all covered in white hair, and your fingernails were
longer and sharp.”

Kilian gasped. “You saw that?”
“I’m good at spotting details in a short period of time.”
“Your line of work,” Kilian said. “You’re amazing. Why the hell

couldn’t I have met you eight years ago?”

Donovan stood and walked over to stand in front of him. His

stance was steady, feet spread and planted so he didn’t sway. His
bulging crotch made Kilian want to stroke it and lean in to feel the
hardness against his cheek. He drew a breath trying to gather his
waning control.

“What do you want to do, Donovan?”
There was no hesitation. “I want to be with you.”
Kilian’s dick twitched in his pants. “As a novelty, to see what it’s

like sleeping with a half-‐animal.”

“No.” Donovan caressed his cheek and raised Kilian’s chin so that

their gazes met. “I said you’re pretty, didn’t I? But also because you’re
alone and scared. No, don’t deny it. I know I can take care of you.” He
leaned down and kissed Kilian’s lips. His mouth moved to Kilian’s ear

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and seemed to send shivers through them both. “I want to hurt
anyone that hurts you.”

“Donovan!”
In a flash, they had switched places, and Kilian stood while

Donovan sat down. Donovan pulled him onto his lap, an awkward
position since they were both so big and the space so small. Kilian felt
Donovan’s hard-‐on under his ass, and he found no reason to rise.

“You’re a thrill-‐seeker,” Kilian decided, brushing his lips over

Donovan’s. “That’s why you’re traveling across Europe with just a
backpack at your age.”

Donovan chuckled. “I’m thirty-‐four.”
Kilian straightened his back with superiority. “I’m thirty-‐five.”
“Mm, then you’re too old for me.” Donovan squeezed his cock

through his pants, and Kilian forgot everything.

“I should walk away,” Kilian said for the thousandth time, although

this was the first time he did so out loud.

“It’s too late for that.” Donovan lowered his zipper and pushed a

hand in the opening to massage his package. All of Kilian’s strength
kept him from crying out in pleasure. Donovan squeezed the tip and
then ran a thumb over it. With a bit of pressure, Kilian felt like
releasing. “You’re so hard. I bet I could get you to come in under a
minute.”

The moan escaped. “I bet you’re right.”
“And big. You must be eight inches at least.” He licked Kilian’s ear.

“I’d love to suck your cock.”

Kilian clenched the back of the chair. He couldn’t believe he wasn’t

changing. In fact, it seemed like Donovan had the power to calm his
beast while setting his body on fire at the same time. “You shouldn’t
talk like that.”

“Why?” Donovan’s eyes glittered, and for the first time, Kilian

could see another side of him. The man was probably excellent in bed.
“Does it offend you?”

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“Hell no,” Kilian said, gruffness in his tone. “There’s no lock on the

door, and someone could come along at any time. We can’t have sex in
here.”

“Live dangerously.”
That sobered Kilian, and he moved off Donovan’s lap and buttoned

his pants. At the same time, the train began slowing down. He peered
out the window and realized they were already nearing the ship.
“We’ll have some time to stretch our legs. We’re about to cross the
sea.”

Donovan eyed him in silence for a few seconds, and Kilian couldn’t

read his expression. He assumed his companion was considering
whether or not to argue, but he let it go. Rather than be tempted to
return to Donovan’s lap, Kilian watched the train’s proceedings as it
crept along the tracks toward the waiting ship. A worker crossed in
front of the train moving at a casual pace. They came to a stop. When
the worker flipped a switch at the side of the tracks, the train
progressed again and rolled onto the ship.

To one side was a line of cars already parked. Kilian knew from

having caught the train years before that there was another row of
vehicles on the other side, sometimes even big trucks hauling their
wares across the Baltic Sea. He glanced at Donovan, but he had turned
away, peering out the window so that Kilian couldn’t see his
expression. Although he remained silent, Kilian figured he was riveted
to the scene.

After several moments, the train reached the back wall where it

would rest until they arrived on the other side of the sea to continue
their journey on land. Another worker crossed in front of the train,
tossed a weighted mat onto the floor, and remained where she was
until the train came to a stop. Kilian sat back in his seat. Soon he
would be in his home country, and the anticipation was almost too
much to stand.

“We can stretch our legs a little, and there are shops on the ferry,”

Donovan stated, as if he knew.

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Kilian pressed his lips together. “I’ll stay here. You enjoy yourself.”
“Are you scared?” The question sounded like a taunt, but when

Kilian met Donovan’s gaze, there was only mild curiosity there. “I’ll
protect you.”

“Donovan.”
“We’ll be in public with plenty of other travelers. They’re not likely

to make a move in the open, right?” He stood and held out his hand.
Kilian had seen too many spy films in the past where the enemy did
just that—pick a person off in the middle of a crowd. The victim
appeared to have had a heart attack, and only when the witnesses
were pushed back did the growing stain of blood become more
apparent.

He swallowed. He was becoming morbid. Maybe he did need time

in the fresh air to clear his head. “Okay, I’ll come.”

“Good.”
Kilian took Donovan’s hand but only as a gesture of thanks for his

new friend being willing to stay and protect him. Kilian had no
intention of looking like lovers while they were on deck. Not that he
was ashamed of being gay. He wasn’t. He’d known for many years he
liked men, and because his sister had never rejected him for his
choice, he had seen no reason to care what others thought. He knew
some other people had different experiences and wondered what
Donovan’s had been. He’d said he lived on the street. Had he suffered
more for his preferences, or had he hidden it until he was an
established adult? Despite his plan not to get more involved with
Donovan, he knew he would ask about his background when they
were cooped up in the couchette again.

On deck they strolled side by side. Kilian watched the other ferries

crossing the sea not far from their ship. However, his attention was
not focused on travelers or the other vessels. He was more interested
in if there were killers aboard this one. A quick scan of the passengers
revealed many of his fellow countrymen, Germans, and a few
Americans.

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Donovan stood beside him at the rail overlooking the water. His

hand touched Kilian’s lower back, and the gesture, though light,
encouraged him. Kilian should be the one to protect Donovan, being
the shifter. Yet, he’d always sought a stronger man to lead him. He
enjoyed submitting to his lover. With Donovan’s gentle personality, he
wouldn’t think the man would be his type, and yet, Donovan hadn’t
backed down for a second with the danger swirling. He’d rallied to
Kilian’s defense. That went a long way to Kilian desiring him.

“Let’s go see if they have something decent to eat,” Donovan

suggested.

Kilian hesitated. He didn’t have a dime, and he was pretty sure the

savings he’d had in the bank years ago had disappeared when the
situation with Sam had gone from voluntary to involuntary.

“I’m not hungry,” he lied.
Donovan brushed the backs of his fingers over Kilian’s stomach.

“Come and watch me eat, then.”

Kilian followed Donovan inside, leaving the blustery weather

behind. He unbuttoned his coat and let it hang open. Just the mention
of food had set his stomach to rumbling, and he willed it to settle
down. Watching Donovan eat would be hard.

When they reached the area where food was being served, he

breathed in, sure he could detect every dish down to the individual
ingredients. The beast didn’t stir, even at the smell of roasted meat.
Kilian guessed that it preferred to hunt its food alive. The mere
thought disgusted him, but soon enough he would do just that.

Donovan grabbed two plates and began piling them high at the

buffet with slices of beef, potatoes, and salad.

“Hungry?” Kilian quipped in irritation.
“Here. Hold this for me,” Donovan said and stuffed the plates in

Kilian’s hand. His companion went back for soup, a few appetizers,
and even dessert. Kilian began to suspect him when he filled two
glasses with beer.

He frowned. “What are you doing?”

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Donovan ignored him and headed over to the cashier. Kilian noted

Donovan had come prepared. Rather than pulling euros from his
pocket, he brought out Swedish kronos and paid for all the food. They
selected a table to sit down at, and Donovan placed half of the
selection in front of Kilian.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Kilian pushed through gritted teeth.
Donovan shoveled a spoonful of potatoes into his mouth. “Don’t let

your pride make you starve. Eat!”

With grudging acceptance, Kilian nodded. “Thanks.”
They ate in silence for a while, Kilian enjoying every bite. Because

it had been so long since he’d eaten anything decent, he savored the
flavors and the textures. He took his time chewing, his eyes closed.
Not until Donovan commented did he realize he hummed.

“If you keep making noises like that, I’m going to jump across this

table and fuck you in front of everybody.”

Kilian’s cheeks burned. “I didn’t realize, and don’t make threats

you’ll never follow through with.”

They grinned at each other. Donovan’s eyebrow rose in challenge.

“I never make empty threats.”

While they enjoyed teasing each other, Kilian could almost forget

his problems. His cock grew tight with all of Donovan’s suggestions,
his assertions of what he would do to Kilian once they were alone. The
food paled compared to his potential lover. He couldn’t wait until this
ride was over. Even if they were surrounded, he’d find a way to spend
time in Donovan’s arms before moving on.

As they continued to talk, a man sat down at their table with his

half-‐empty plate. He offered an insincere smile and affected a stretch
with his arms over his head. From his angle facing them, Kilian got a
good look at the gun tucked into a holster under his arm.

“Verstehen Sie, was wir tun werden?” the man said, staring down at

his plate.

Kilian clenched his hand into a fist. He blew out breath through is

nostrils. Even speaking little German, he could pick out the gist of

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what the man asked. “English,” he snapped for Donovan’s sake. “I
know what you think you will do, but he and I are walking out of here
together.”

The man’s gaze slid back and forth between them as if he couldn’t

decide whom he wanted to focus on. “You are surrounded,” he said in
heavily-‐accented English. “There is no escape.”

Kilian scanned their surroundings, and sure enough many eyes

met his, dark and shifty as if they were on high alert and ready to
attack. A few hands had slid into pockets despite meals left uneaten on
their plates. They were in trouble, and even going full tiger on the
enemy, there was no way he could keep Donovan safe.

His shoulders slumped with his defeat and the weight of knowing

Donovan would be killed because of him. While he searched his mind
for a solution that would at least save Donovan’s life, Donovan rested
a hand on his thigh under the table.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered and squeezed.
Kilian covered the hand with his own. He had to try. Donovan

deserved more than this. Innocent bystanders might get in the way,
but he’d attempt to keep the damage to a minimum. Maybe he could
hold onto his humanity long enough for Donovan to escape.

Before Kilian could act, Donovan scraped back his chair and stood.

“Let’s take this elsewhere.”

“Wait.” Kilian grabbed for Donovan’s arm, but Donovan twisted so

he was an inch or so out of reach. He extended a hand and took
Kilian’s in his. Anyone looking on must conclude they were together,
and Donovan was helping him. He tugged on his friend’s hold, but
Donovan wouldn’t let go. Kilian had no choice but to follow him and
the killer out into the passageway.

The door behind Kilian opened and closed several more times, and

he knew the others were joining them. They headed down the hall and
up a few flights of stairs to the deck. Where the killer came to a stop,
Kilian knew no one would witness him being tossed over the side of
the boat, and there were no windows below in this area. No one would

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raise the alarm that a man had gone overboard. No one would know
or care that he was missing.

What about Donovan? Did he have any family back home who

would miss him? He’d grown up on the streets, but that didn’t mean
his circumstances never changed. Did he have a sister or brother
somewhere in America, a boyfriend that didn’t want to see the
relationship end? His boss at least wouldn’t like losing his very
observant employee. Donovan was too young to die.

“You don’t want to cross me,” Kilian said and allowed the bones in

his hand to crack and pop. Pale, white hair sprung from the pores, and
his nails grew rigid and curved, long and razor sharp.

“No!” Donovan darted toward Kilian, but Kilian zipped around him

and thrust a hand in the gut of the closest killer. In seconds, the man
was off his feet, hanging from Kilian’s grasp and over the rail. He hit
the water with a shout and a splash. Another man came at Kilian,
pulling a gun from his coat. Donovan stepped in his path, but Kilian
shoved him to the side. The bullet was discharged before either of
them could react. The burning sensation in Kilian’s gut sent him to his
knees. The hand he pressed to his side was soon soaked in blood. The
killer swore, no doubt pissed the wound wasn’t likely to be fatal.

Although it hurt like a bitch, Kilian already felt his body rejecting

the foreign object. He’d suffered those experiments too at Hottiger,
being shot, stabbed, and other tortures. Each time, despite the pain,
his body healed at a rapid pace. The tiny pellet fell into his palm, and
he dropped it on the floor of the deck. Kilian pulled his shirt up and
watched as the fibers of his flesh meshed together. In seconds, he was
well enough to stand.

Two men were missing from the group when he looked up, and

Donovan faced off against two more, his stance that of a skilled
fighter, fists at the ready, eyes narrowed. The three men remaining
stood well enough back though that there was no way Donovan could
land a blow, and they held weapons in their hands. Kilian snatched
Donovan back to his side and moved to put himself as a barrier.

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“Don’t, please,” he begged the men. “Let him go. I won’t fight you. If

you shoot me in the head, trust me, I’m not going to heal. Just don’t
hurt Donovan.”

Confusion lit the dark eyes staring at him. Kilian started to repeat

what he said in French, but Donavan wrapped an arm about his waist.
“I can take care of myself, Kilian. Get behind me.”

“No!”
“Trust me,” Donovan snapped.
For a moment, Kilian considered how they must sound like two

small boys, arguing over who was tougher. If this situation weren’t life
or death, it would be funny. “I’m not letting you die for me.”

“I won’t die.” Donovan frowned and dragged Kilian back to his

chest about to push him behind him. Kilian resisted. If he had to, he’d
use his considerable strength against Donovan, maybe even knock
him out so he could take care of this himself.

“Gentleman, is there a problem?”
All five of them turned at the new voice. An officer who obviously

worked on the ship stood with another beside him. His smile was
friendly, but Kilian assessed that could change in an instant. The
killers’ guns had vanished at the first sign they weren’t alone. With
muttered excuses, they drifted away, and the officers looked at
Donovan and Kilian. Donovan kissed Kilian’s neck and lingered there.

“Can a man have privacy with his lover without being questioned?”

he said in a mild tone.

The officers’ cheeks pinked, and they offered apologies before

walking away. Kilian spun in Donovan’s arms to face him. “Are you
okay? You shouldn’t have done that. You could have been killed!”

“I’m fine.”
Kilian lifted Donovan’s hands and examined the skin. Aside from a

little redness at his knuckles, the skin wasn’t broken, and Donovan
didn’t have a scratch on him. “You’re not even breathing hard and
don’t seem shaken up. Who are you?”

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Donovan’s gaze never left his as he pushed a hand through his

hair. He offered a weak smile. “I told you I grew up on the streets.
Things weren’t easy where more than one boy scrounged for a scrap
of food.” New guilt assailed Kilian.

“And here I am dragging you back into that life. Damn it, I’m so

sorry, Donovan. I’m going to find somewhere else to sit. You go on
with your life and—”

Donovan kissed him. He ran a hand down Kilian’s back and

squeezed his ass while tugging him closer. Their tongues intertwined.
Kilian’s cock strained toward Donovan’s. They were about the same
height and build, an even match at the crotch. With Donovan’s hands
on him, Kilian wondered what he had inside his pants. He was just as
hungry as Donovan had said he was to have a taste.

Donovan was the first to break the kiss, but he didn’t move far. His

lips skimmed Kilian’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere yet.”

“I can’t promise to—”
“Shh, come on. I have to get some souvenirs.”
He was impossible. Kilian couldn’t argue with the man and win. He

had no choice but to follow Donovan inside to the various shops
where tourists could pick up trinkets at exorbitant prices.

Later, when Donovan slept in their couchette, Kilian went

searching for the last three of their attackers. He would get rid of them
before they could do anything else, for Donovan’s sake.

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Chapter Three

Donovan stepped from the shower and stretched until his bones

cracked in places and his muscles burned. He was stiff from the long
train ride but not especially tired. No, not when he was about to get
what he’d been waiting for all this time. He and Kilian had teased each
other for hours. They talked about other things a little, but it always
led back to their attraction for one another.

Kilian was sexy and everything he wanted in a lover. He’d spoken

the truth when he said the man was pretty, so much so that from the
first moment Donovan laid eyes on him, he knew he would pursue
him for what they were about to do.

Donovan stepped from the washroom and paused to take in the

sight of Kilian lying naked on the bed. He would have invited his new
lover to shower with him, but the facilities in this off the beaten track
inn were excessively small. With the two of them being so big, there
was no way they could both fit. He had let Kilian go first, and then he
took his turn.

“Are you too tired?” he asked, enjoying the sight of the plains and

valleys that made up the perfect specimen of a man. Every muscle of
Kilian’s body was defined, not too big like a body builder’s but lean
and strong, sleek like the tiger that lurked inside him. His stomach
was not flat but rippled with tight muscle, his thighs corded steel.
Donovan lingered at his cock, and his mouth watered. He had every
intention of sucking the hell out of that and drinking to his fill.

Kilian turned his head to look at him and stilled. Donovan went on

alert, but then he noted the lust in Kilian’s gaze. “If I was, it’s gone.
You’re big yourself, and already hard.”

“Why wouldn’t I be when you’re laid out like a four course meal?”
“You want a taste?” Kilian stroked his cock with obvious pride.

Donovan’s balls ached.

“More than a taste. I want to feast.” He didn’t waste time but rather

jumped on the narrow bed and bent over Kilian’s body. They had

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taken a room with two twin size beds, but Donovan didn’t plan to
climb off of Kilian long enough to use the other one. He took Kilian’s
cock into his hand and skimmed the length. The shaft twitched under
his touch, and he covered Kilian’s lips with his.

Donovan played with the stiff treasure for a while, but then he

couldn’t hold back. He moved above Kilian and brought his weight
down on him. Their cocks pressed together. He shifted a bit so he
wouldn’t hurt either of their balls, but the rub of their swollen
members felt incredible. He arched and thrust a little against his lover.
Kilian moaned. Donovan traced a path of kisses down Kilian’s throat
to his shoulder. He ran his hands along Kilian’s sides. At his thighs, he
pulled them apart and settled between them. When he was close to
the edge, he slowed his movements and just enjoyed the sensation of
their naked bodies touching.

Donovan leaned up to stare at Kilian.
“It’s been a while.”
Donovan narrowed his eyes. Remembering who his last lover was

brought anger and jealousy to Donovan, and that took him by
surprise. He was letting himself feel too much for this man in such a
short period of time. “Sam, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Kilian looked away and then back at Donovan. If anyone

was an open book, this man was. Kilian showed all of his emotion in
his expression, which Donovan found strange.

“Do you want him back? If you could be free as you are, would you

want him?” Donovan asked. “Would it hurt you if he was killed?”

Kilian patted his shoulder. “Don’t be jealous. What we had is

over—forever.”

Donovan frowned. Saying it was over wasn’t the same as admitting

whether the feelings were still there, but he didn’t push the issue.
Right now, what he wanted was this sexy body. He desired to bury
himself inside of Kilian and have the man call out his name as he came.

Donovan kissed his way down Kilian’s body, taking his time to

tease every sensitive spot with his tongue. He circled his lover’s

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nipples, nipped them, and tugged on them until Kilian panted for
breath. Donovan sucked the flat peaks while running his hands up
Kilian’s arms. He curled their fingers together and raised his head to
find his lover’s lips once more.

Gently pumping against Kilian, Donovan explored his mouth. Their

warm breath meshed as Kilian drew away. “You’re getting me close. If
you don’t stop…”

“I’m not stopping.” Donovan nibbled the skin above Kilian’s

Adam’s apple, and it bobbed up and down with each swallow. “You’re
mine now.”

Donovan hiked Kilian’s legs even higher. He raised his hips so he

could look down between them and marveled at Kilian’s cock
stretching toward him. The head glistened with precome, and
Donovan licked his lips. He let his gaze go lower to the small patch of
blond hair covering the base of Kilian’s cock and hiding his ball sac.
Donovan would suck them too. He enjoyed torturing himself with the
thoughts before he went after what he craved.

“Nobody else is getting that,” Donovan told him. “No other man’s

going in that ass.”

“Donovan, I can’t…” Panic alighted in Kilian’s gaze, but Donovan

released his hands to move down his body. Once he had Kilian’s cock
tip between his lips, words fell away. Kilian’s hips came up off the bed
as he strained to push his dick deeper into Donovan’s mouth. Donovan
shoved him roughly down and planted an arm on one thigh. He licked
the precome and then took inch by inch of the shaft into his mouth.
Kilian’s exhale sounded shaky.

Donovan drew back and began kissing his lover’s thighs, first one

and then the other. He explored as high as Kilian’s navel, piercing the
opening, but then he ventured back down. The thick, wet rod pressed
to his mouth and nose. He closed his eyes and sucked the sides from
top to bottom. Kilian moaned his name. That wasn’t enough for
Donovan. He wanted a shout—a hungry, desperate one.

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Donovan licked his way down to Kilian’s balls and cupped the

delicate sac in his palm. He sucked one into his mouth, and Kilian’s
groan went up a decibel. Donovan released and went after the other
ball. He kissed and licked, sucked just enough for Kilian to ache, and
then ventured on. His nose buried against Kilian’s sac, Donovan laved
the small patch of skin just beyond but not quite reaching Kilian’s
anus. His lover twitched and moaned.

Donovan got off on being in control. Each time Kilian tried to get

away from his hold, Donovan brought him down again. He squeezed
Kilian’s thighs, raised one, and smacked his ass. His lover moaned.

“You like that?” he asked the sexy blond.
Kilian’s voice was a deep rumble in his throat. “Hell, yes.”
Donovan pushed Kilian to his side and went after his ass. He kissed

and licked, stroked, and massaged Kilian’s hole. His lover arched his
back and pushed his ass out. Donovan took the gift and ringed his
tongue around the puckered opening. An internal quake made Kilian’s
muscles spasm, and Donovan smiled with triumph, knowing he would
soon get his man to give him everything.

He stuck a thumb in his mouth and pulled it out to thread into

Kilian’s hole. Kilian cried out. He put a hand back and forced his ass
cheeks wider. Donovan pushed in farther, loving the quivering flesh.
With his thumb still planted where it was, he wiggled in between
Kilian’s legs and took his cock into his mouth. While he sucked,
Donovan pumped his thumb in and out of Kilian’s hole.

“Donovan,” Kilian moaned. “I’m going to come. Feels so good.

Damn it, I’m going to blow. If you don’t move back, it’ll fill your
mouth.”

Donovan didn’t budge. He sucked harder, raising and lowering his

mouth at a rapid pace. He squeezed down hard on the cock tip, and
Kilian shouted his name. The desperation was just at the level he
wanted. Soon after, he had to stop moving because Kilian’s hot release
splashed into his mouth. As quick as he got it, Donovan drank it down

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and sucked for more. When Kilian was empty, Donovan let him go and
sat up.

“That was intense,” Kilion murmured. Donovan admired the pink

in his lover’s cheeks. He looked like an innocent, but Donovan knew
he wasn’t. While he stroked Kilian’s belly, he recalled what he’d said.
He hadn’t meant to say he would be the only man Kilian ever had. In
his line of work, he took a lover, enjoyed a weekend in his bed here
and there, and kept it moving. Tying oneself down to a single partner
was not feasible, and yet, as he caressed Kilian he couldn’t fathom
letting him go. Maybe it was because he hadn’t come. That must be it.

Donovan shifted his gaze to Kilian’s sweet ass. Round and hard, it

appealed to him. He stroked it and smacked the flesh, bringing a
bright redness to one cheek. Kilian moaned and met his gaze. “I can
suck you, or you can put it in me, whichever you want.”

Donovan crawled up Kilian’s body. He folded a leg lightly across

Kilian’s chest and shoulder, a move of dominance over his man.
Reaching out, he tangled his fingers in Kilian’s hair and brought his
head up. Donovan fed his cock between the man’s lips. Kilian
swallowed several inches before he began stroking up and down,
sucking until Donovan thought he would shoot his load too soon.

His jaw grew slack, and he began arching his hips, pushing into

Kilian’s mouth. He kept his pace slow and controlled so he wouldn’t
hurt his lover. Donovan just wanted to enjoy the feeling. He loved a
man sucking his cock. There was nothing like it, but when he was
ready, he had every intention of letting go inside Kilian.

Donovan changed positions again. He climbed over Kilian and

straddled his chest. Holding onto the wall, he began to pump into
Kilian’s mouth. “Hold still, so I won’t hurt you,” he instructed.

Kilian raised his chin and then did as he was told. Donovan

pumped faster. Soon he bounced above Kilian, driving his cock in and
out of his mouth at a rapid speed.

“Yes! Yes!” Donovan cried out. He clawed at the wall, lost in the

sensations bursting all over his cock. So close to coming, he didn’t

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want to stop, but he drove himself to the brink, until his inner muscles
contracted, and his balls rose. Before it was too late, he rose and
dropped to the side of the bed. He slapped the mattress. “Right here
now! I can’t hold it.”

Kilian rolled and fell before him facing the bed. Donovan bent over

and kissed his lover’s ass. He licked all around the hole and planted a
kiss in the center. Kilian reached back and rubbed his thigh. Donovan
drew away and searched his pack. He found the lube and a condom,
making use of both at record speed. When he was done, he placed a
heavy hand at Kilian’s back, sending him down to the mattress.

Kilian’s hole stretched around the tip of his cock, and Donovan

took his time easing in. He managed to get all nine of his inches buried
inside his lover, and then he began to move in and out at an unhurried
pace. He gripped Kilian’s hips and raised one of his legs so that his
thigh caressed his lover’s side. Donovan watched as he slid to the hilt
and withdrew. Just seeing it turned him on and took him to the
breaking point.

“I can see,” he said gasping for breath. The pleasure was

unbelievable. Kilian’s inner muscles squeezed the hell of him as if he
was brand-‐new and being broken in. Donovan loved it. He couldn’t get
enough and struggled to hold on. He knew it was a fool’s desire
because he wasn’t going to last another minute.

Kilian looked back at him with clear blue eyes, and something

stirred in Donovan. “You see what?” he said.

Donovan hesitated and then grinned. “I can see why we’re going to

be tired for the next part of our travels.”

Kilian chuckled, but Donovan fell forward onto his back. He

grabbed Kilian’s shoulders and held on, then thrust his cock all the
way in. A powerful orgasm rocketed his body, and he came with a
violence he’d never associated with sex before. The emptying took his
breath and his strength. He laid his head on Kilian’s when he was done
and held still. Kilian didn’t complain.

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They stayed that way for a long while until Donovan found the

ability to stand. He pulled out of his lover and discarded the condom
in the trash. Kilian climbed onto the bed, and Donovan followed him.
They faced one another with Donovan threading a leg between his
lover’s before pulling the sheet over them. Kilian clicked the light off,
plunging them into darkness.

“Now I’m going to take you again, slower,” Donovan whispered,

and he claimed Kilian’s lips.

* * * *

Donovan had had so much sex with Kilian the night before, he

dreamed he was still pumping inside the man. In a half asleep state, he
moved his hips, his cock tight, and he waited for the bliss that usually
accompanied his filling of the perfect ass. All he got was more longing.

Sighing, he forced his eyes open and glanced around the room. A

sliver of light pierced the gap in the curtains, and he frowned,
listening. Kilian wasn’t in the room. Donovan threw the sheet aside
and rose. He dressed in less than twenty seconds. He hadn’t unpacked
his bag, so there wasn’t much to do to be ready to go. Normally, he
slept lighter and picked up any movement around him, but after
countless rounds of sex, he had lain on top of Kilian and fallen into the
most comfortable sleep of his life. At some point, Kilian must have
shifted their positions and then left when he was ready.

Donovan couldn’t shake the disappointment he felt at being

abandoned. In reality, it was what he would have done with an
unplanned fling on the road. Nothing left behind, not even a note.
Thinking of it, he was at least amused that Kilian had pegged him as
being kind. He was far from that. Selfish, sure. And a lot more.

He realized afterward that he’d dressed in the dark, feeling around

for his clothes, and clicked the light on. The scratched note sat on the
nightstand.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

I can’t believe how good it was. Best
sex ever. Thank you.
-‐K

Donovan grunted and crumbled the page in his fist. The

compliment did nothing to satisfy his plummeting mood. Not that he
had expected platitudes of love. They were men after all, but this… He
grumbled again and stood. What did he want to do now? The fact that
Kilian was still in trouble remained. More men would come after him.
There was no doubt of that because if he truly belonged to Donovan,
he would not rest until he’d found him.

Donovan settled the inn’s bill and stepped out into the street.

Malmo was inhabited by some three hundred thousand people, and
there were multiple nationalities there. Kilian might have headed back
into the busier part of the city, thinking to blend in. “He doesn’t know
how impossible that is for him,” Donovan muttered and started down
the road.

After wasting time checking the train station, Donovan stopped to

consider where a man might find transportation without money.
Kilian had managed to get on the overnight train, but with pursuers
on the train and then the ship, he probably thought he’d try another
route. Stockholm was a good six hundred kilometers from Malmo or
three hundred seventy miles by car. Donovan wandered around the
marketplace where street vendors sold their wares despite the nippy
morning weather.

Donovan stopped at a fruit stall and bought some fruit for his

breakfast. On second thought, he bought another bag for Kilian. As he
strolled on, he came across a brick and mortar shop selling foodstuffs
and stopped in. He added rye bread, cheese, meat, and Swedish
pancakes to his stash, annoyed that he was doing all of this for a man
who might be dead before he could enjoy it and who had made it plain
he wanted nothing more to do with Donovan.

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He placed his purchases in his pack and walked on. Donovan

rounded a corner and stopped in his tracks. A sign in big golden
letters stood above a shop on the opposite side of the street reading
“Pantbanken.” He should have thought of that before now, a
pawnbroker. If Kilian had anything of value, that’s where he would go
to get money for the rest of his trip.

Donovan started across the street. He scanned the area around

him. Most people moved purposely. Some strolled with others, slack
jawed, wide-‐eyed, and excited, making it obvious they were tourists.
One man in particular stood not far from the pawnbroker’s. Dressed
modestly in dark clothing, a short but warm-‐looking unbuttoned coat,
and a gaze too intense to match his casual stance, the man put
Donovan on alert right away. This one was different from the others,
he guessed. He would wait until an opportune time, when no one
could get in the way, to get at Kilian.

Donovan had never felt protective of anyone in his life, but the

emotion rising in him couldn’t be mistaken as anything else. Kilian
needed him, even for a little while, until he went to ground wherever
he planned to go. Donovan would be there, standing between Kilian
and the men sent for him.

* * * *

Neo gritted his teeth in annoyance when he pulled his cell phone

from his pocket and recognized the number. He didn’t use names in
his phone but rather memorized what he needed to. Of course, a few
of his clients over the years used disposable phones when they
contacted him, being paranoid, but Sam Hottiger was not one of them.
He was confident in his cover, in the fact that he had very high-‐
powered people backing the experiments he conducted at his
research facility.

“Neo,” he snapped into the phone. Up until now, he had avoided

giving a report. He had shunned talking to Sam at all. Catching up to

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Eden Cole

Kilian Frost hadn’t taken him long. He could get into any man’s head
and predict with accuracy the routes taken. That’s what made Neo
good at his job. However, he had spent several days watching Frost,
up until he came out of “hiding” and took the night train to Malmo.
The fact that he’d thought he was invisible up until that point showed
how long Sam had kept the man locked away from the world.

“Where the fuck are you?” Sam snarled down the line. “Why

haven’t you checked in, and where is Kilian?”

He hated being questioned, but opted for the truth. “I’m standing

outside of a pawnshop in Malmo. Frost is all but in my arms as we
speak.”

“Don’t fucking play games with me,” Sam snapped. “You don’t

touch him. Just bring him back to me—yesterday!”

“I get the feeling this is about more than just you wanting your

asset returned to you. Are you in love?”

The line went dead, and he bit off a laugh. The situation was

serious. If Neo read the minds of his targets easy enough, he also read
Sam Hottiger well. More men would be dispatched because Sam was
an anal son of a bitch. No one got in Neo’s way, unless they wanted to
end up dead.

* * * *

“Pris, mmm, elva hundra krona, ja?” the shop owner was saying to

Kilian when Donovan walked in.

“Nej.” Kilian shook his head. Even Donovan could see from where

he stood the watch was worth more than eleven hundred. Of course
the shop owner had to make a living, and if Kilian never came back to
reclaim it, the watch would be resold to make up for the loan.

“I give you time to think about it,” the shop owner said and walked

away to help another customer.

Donovan crossed to where Kilian stood and moved up behind him.

He set a hand on his lover’s waist and leaned to breathe him in. His

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Eden Cole

cock stirred in his pants. Even after a full night of lovemaking, he
wanted more. “Keep it. I will get you home.”

Kilian didn’t start at all, and when he turned, Donovan raised his

brows in surprise. His lover tapped his nose. “I smelled you.”

“Smelled…” Then it hit Donovan. Kilian was a tiger, and animals

had an increased sense of smell. “Good to know. Now, why did you
leave without saying anything?”

“I left a note.”
Donovan brushed his lips in a kiss and took the watch from

Kilian’s hands. He looped it on Kilian’s wrist and closed the latch.
“Come on. I bought you breakfast.” Donovan started to lead him out
front but changed his mind. “The back.”

With a little finagling on his part with the shop’s assistant, they

were able to slip through the back of the store and take a different
street to their next stop. Donovan didn’t bother telling Kilian about
the man out front. He let him believe this was just a precautionary
measurement to cover their tracks. Within an hour, they had rented a
car and were headed down the E4.

Kilian sat in the passenger seat while Donovan drove. His

breakfast lay unwrapped on his lap, but he hadn’t touched it. “I don’t
want you involved in this, Donovan. If anything happened to you…”

Donovan reached across to stroke his face. “Tell me you don’t want

me.”

“What?”
“You heard me. Tell me you’re not attracted to me and that you

never want to have sex with me again. I will drop you off wherever
you like and never bother you again.”

He felt Kilian’s eyes on him while he continued to drive. “Somehow

I don’t believe that. I’m starting to think you’re the kind of man that
doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Donovan’s brow rose. “So I’m not attractive enough for a lover to

want me. I have to force him?”

“I didn’t say that.”

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Kilian sighed and picked up a square of cheese and popped it into

his mouth. For a second, Donovan was distracted from driving and
enjoyed the view of Kilian’s lips moving as he chewed. When he ate a
piece of meat and then licked his fingers, Donovan hardened between
his legs. Would every movement this man made set him alight?

“I want you,” Kilian admitted. “A lot. Last night wasn’t enough, but

I can’t be selfish. This isn’t a game, Donovan. There are some bad men
after me, and if they know you’re helping me—”

“Trust me. They know,” he interrupted.
“Then—”
“We’ll be careful. What are you planning to do after you see your

sister?”

Kilian seemed hesitant to say, but Donovan waited him out. At last

he spoke. “I’m going to change. There’s no two ways to look at it. In
time, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week or next year, I’m going to
lose my humanity. I’ll be nothing more than a tiger. When I’m close, I
hope to have some warning. That’s about all I can hope for. I will go
out to the mountains and live the rest of my life there. The only upside
to this is that I likely won’t remember what it was to be human.”

Donovan tightened his hold on the steering wheel until it

squeaked under the pressure. “Someone has to have a cure—or that
bastard that did this to you can be made to give you what you need. I’ll
force him!”

Kilian touched one of his hands, and Donovan tried to calm down.
“I appreciate that, and trust me, there’s nothing I’d like more than

to rip Sam’s head off for what he’s done to me and the others. Getting
close to him would take too long. He’s too powerful and has too many
people in his pocket. He’s been at this a long time, and he’s smart too.
He knows how to get into a man’s head and manipulate him.”

Donovan considered whether Kilian really did hate Sam. With his

ability, he could swipe a claw across Sam’s throat and let him bleed
out. What else but love could have kept him from doing it? Jealousy
tightened Donovan’s gut, and he turned his thoughts away from Sam

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Eden Cole

for the time being. If what Kilian said was true, and he changed into an
animal never to switch back, Donovan would do what Kilian couldn’t.

“You know what I find interesting?” he asked after some thought.
“Hm?” Kilian had dropped his hand to Donovan’s thigh and left it

there. Donovan didn’t mind at all.

“You were in a lot of pain and weak when we first met. I haven’t

seen the evidence of it since…”

Kilian grinned. “Since we first started making out. You’re right.

Who would have thought sex was physical therapy?”

Donovan chuckled. More than that, he hadn’t smiled and laughed

so much since he’d met Kilian either, but he wasn’t going to admit it to
the man. Not just yet. He’d done enough following him and spouting
nonsense about never letting Kilian go. That was why Kilian had run,
he realized. He’d moved too fast, but then he had no experience with
relationships—none at all.

As if he sensed the direction of Donovan’s thoughts, Kilian asked,

“Tell me more about yourself. You said you grew up on the streets.
What about your parents? Do you have any siblings?”

Donovan was back to squeezing the steering wheel as if it were a

man’s neck. He pressed his lips together and considered not telling
Kilian anything. Then again, if that was what brought people together,
sharing the things that they were not so proud of, maybe he should
give it a try. Every fiber inside him cried out against it. Donovan
wasn’t the sharing type. He kept his cards close to his chest, but right
from the beginning, Kilian brought out more—stuff he didn’t know he
could be.

“I saw my father only once when I was seven years old,” he said.
Kilian’s hand clenched his thigh, but he remained silent, allowing

Donovan to continue.

“My mother had told me he blew in and out of her life—mostly out

of it. I’d never met him, so he must have only done so when I wasn’t
around, maybe at school or asleep in bed. That night it was as if he
wanted me to know he was there. I heard my mother yelling and a

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Eden Cole

man’s voice just as loud. I walked out to see what was going on, and
that’s when I saw him.”

“You knew who it was?”
He nodded. “She had a picture she kept in her purse. When she

sent me into it for money, I would study it. I knew his face like my
own. I wanted to meet him. I begged to. Just that one night is all I got,
and he was on his way out. I called to him and pleaded for him to stay.
I thought he wouldn’t say anything to me, but he stopped in the
doorway with his back to me. He said ‘Don’t depend on anybody. Don’t
let them get into your heart, or they will destroy you.’”

“Kind of heavy thing to tell a child.”
“I agree.” Donovan remembered being confused by it and

somehow unsatisfied. He’d wanted his father to pull him close and hug
him, to tell him he had always loved him, but those were the fantasies
of a little boy. “In many ways, what he said defined my life after that.”

“No.” Kilian’s expression grew set. “Not the man I’m coming to

know. You’re not like him.”

Donovan shrugged. “His words seemed to impact my mother as

well. Maybe she loved him in her own way. Things went downhill
from there. She started drinking and taking drugs, not taking care of
home. One day like my father, she disappeared. I was on my own, on
the streets. After that, I made my own way.”

“You say it like it’s no big deal, but I imagine it hurts. I’m sorry.”

Kilian touched his cheek, and Donovan caught his hand. They rode in
silence, their fingers laced together. After he’d confessed some of his
past—what he considered the most painful oddly enough—he didn’t
know why it had felt so hard. There was something about Kilian that
got under his skin, and while a part of him wanted to fight it off, he
couldn’t see himself turning away. He told himself it was because
Kilian needed him, but he knew it was more than that. Some weakness
inside wanted to love Kilian, to find that strange emotion at last, and it
left him adrift in waters that would no doubt overtake him soon
enough.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Chapter Four

Kilian set his feet on the floor and stared down at them for a few

minutes. The cot hadn’t been comfortable, but then he didn’t expect it
to. Donovan had convinced him not to go straight to his sister’s house.
Rather they had spent the night at a small farm with people who
didn’t ask too many questions. In exchange for work caring for their
land, the animals they let roam free, including a peacock, hens, and
several cats, and other miscellaneous upkeep, they’d been allowed to
stay for free. Kilian was glad of that because he didn’t want to keep
depending on Donovan, especially since he still intended to cut him
loose.

Kilian stood and walked over to the single, narrow window. When

they’d come across the place, he had noticed a small main house and
learned that the owner was an older woman who had lost her
husband years ago. She raised her teenage son alone and took in
boarders occasionally to help with expenses. A smaller structure lay
next to her house, which was the one Kilian and Donovan had
occupied, but they had separate rooms. Neither of them wanted the
complications of explaining why they were okay with sharing. While
they hadn’t known each other long, Kilian missed having Donovan’s
arms around him and the feel of his lover buried deep inside him.

He peered outside and was greeted with the serenity of an orchard

with rows of fruit trees, an extensive vegetable garden, and forest
beyond. Someone shattered the quiet of the day with hammering, and
Kilian leaned out to see that Donovan had started repairing an
opening in the fence. His chest tightened. Donovan could apparently
afford to stay at a nice hotel where staff waited on him. Instead, he
was hiding out in the middle of nowhere with Kilian.

He turned from the window and started to the chair for his clothes.

Pain shot up his spine, crippling him to the point that he fell to his
knees. All night, he’d suffered mild aches and the beginnings of a

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migraine, but he’d been so tired, he never fully awakened to it. Maybe
they shouldn’t have considered him improved so quickly.

Kilian bowed, struggling against disorientation. He pressed his

palms into the wooden floor and heard his claws scratching at it. No,
not now. Get control. He sucked in deep breaths, but already his bones
began to snap and expand. Muscle contracted in pain, and he was sure
the sound of the fibers tearing and knitting together again was what
echoed in his head.

This experience was how it had been at the beginning, when the

whitecoats first started experimenting with his DNA. He’d endured
night after night of it until he shouted in pain. He’d pleaded for
release, told Sam he changed his mind. Sam had insisted that it was
too late, and if they pulled back he would die. He’d given in, and
eventually it got better. Shape-‐shifting wasn’t painful. However, Sam
had also made it clear, without the shot to stabilize his cells, this was
what would happen. Sam wanted it, was happy to discover the
shortcoming. A way to control the shifters was priceless.

In degrees, he made his way to the bed. His face was drenched in

perspiration by the time he lay his head on the mattress. He would
need to leave before he went too far and hurt the good people that had
taken them in—before he hurt Donovan most of all. He struggled to
his feet, but as soon as he did, his legs gave, and went down hard. A
knock sounded at the door, and he froze.

“God morgon, Herr Frost,” his hostess called through the door. “Det

är dags att stiga.”

He pulled himself up onto the bed, but he was in no shape to leave

the room or for her to see him. She’d probably scream and call the
authorities. He ran a hand over his face. He needed a minute to pull
himself together. “Vänta en sekund.”

Moments later when the door opened, Kilian had only managed to

sit up. He had shut his eyes to wait it out, but it did no good. He braced
for the scream, which never came. Donovan sank beside him and
wrapped an arm around Kilian’s shoulders. Kilian winced.

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“What’s wrong?” Donovan asked. “Are you in pain? Tell me what to

do?”

“Shut the door.” Kilian couldn’t raise his voice above a whisper. “I

don’t want to scare them.”

Donovan did what he asked, but then hurried back to the bed. He

lifted Kilian in his arms and moved him higher so that he stretched full
length on the cot. Then he sat down next to Kilian.

“I’m changing,” Kilian said, hating the panic that was obvious in his

tone. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. “I’m changing, and I
can’t stop it. Donovan, find a weapon—anything—and kill me as soon
as I seem like I’m out of control. Don’t let me hurt anyone. Please.”

“No!”
Kilian transferred his gaze from the ceiling to his lover. He put a

hand up, and Donovan took it. “You have to. There’s no going back.
Don’t you understand? I’ve shifted into my tiger form a million times
in the last couple of years. I know what it feels like. It’s become second
nature, but this… It’s not the same. It’s worse. Please do what I ask.”

Donovan grasped his chin and forced him to look into his eyes.

Kilian started at the coldness he saw for the first time there.
Donovan’s expression had gone from worried to deadpan serious.
“Listen to me. You will calm down. You will figure out how to get
control because I am not going to kill you. Do you understand what
that means?” His lips brushed Kilian’s, and he stayed close so that
Kilian felt the warmth from his breath. “It means if you don’t get it
together, you will probably rip us all apart.”

Kilian’s eyes widened so much it hurt, and his chest burned as if he

was having a heart attack. He breathed hard and fast. Something rose
inside him, and he shoved Donovan away before following after him in
a heartbeat. He landed on Donovan’s chest on the floor, his claws dug
into Donovan’s arms. He felt the human skin, strong and taut for a
man, but still soft being human. Blood stained Donovan’s shirt where
Kilian attacked, but Donovan didn’t so much as wince, and he never
lost eye contact with Kilian.

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Kilian growled from deep in his throat. He sat up, straddling

Donovan’s hips and coiled a hand prepared to slam it down into
Donovan’s face. The man didn’t move. “I will kill you first,” he hissed.

“Is that what you want?” Donovan pulled his shirt over his head

and tossed it away. Kilian noted the cuts, the rapid rise and fall of
Donovan’s chest, and the thundering of his heartbeat. “Is that really
what you want to do to me?”

“Sex?” Kilian said. No, that wasn’t what Donovan meant, but then

he wasn’t sure. His mind was clouded, and no matter how hard he
tried, he couldn’t clear it. All he felt was anger and confusion. He
wanted to attack, to satisfy the impulse that was driving him insane.
Something—he wasn’t sure what—stopped him. The barrier couldn’t
be this human.

Donovan said no more. He only lay immobile, watching. In

frustration, Kilian let out a roar that must have been heard several
kilometers away. An exclamation in the hall caught his attention. He
turned toward it, but Donovan touched his thigh.

“Look at me,” Donovan commanded.
Kilian faced him, snarling. Something crashed downstairs.
“What was that?” Donovan frowned. He sat up, bringing his chest

close to Kilian’s. Kilian let his gaze rove the smooth, tanned skin and
flat dark nipples. He was about to touch when a new scent put him on
alert.

Kilian rose and walked to the window to look out. He breathed in

deep. Someone who hadn’t been on the farm the night before was
there now—more than one.

Donovan moved up behind him. “What is it?”
Kilian opened his mouth to speak when a shot rang out, shattering

the glass in the window. Donovan and Kilian crouched. The woman of
the house screamed, and another gun went off. Heavy footfalls
sounded in the hall. Donovan swore.

“Let’s not do anything stupid in there,” someone called from

outside the room. “I’m coming in. I just want to talk.”

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The doorknob turned, and Kilian squatted to attack. Donovan

grabbed his arm to hold him back. When the door opened, no one was
there. A beat later, a man moved into the opening, hands held high as
if in surrender. Kilian was sure he was far from giving up anything.

The man’s gaze shifted from Donovan to Kilian and back again.

“My name is Soren, and I’m in charge. You should know you’re
surrounded. I’ve got men crawling every centimeter of this place. We
won’t have a repeat of what happened on the ferry. Not now that I’m
here.”

Kilian pulled against Donovan’s hold to get at the man. One claw

swipe across his throat and he’d be dead. The smirk that met his
growl wasn’t feigned. Kiliam smelled no fear from the man.

“Look at you, Kilian,” he said. “Is this what you want? To live in

pain? You know Sam can heal you.”

“Shut the hell up,” Donovan snapped. “He did this to Kilian, and

don’t pretend you give a damn about him.”

Soren chuckled. “Oh and you do”—he flicked his gaze to Kilian and

back to Donovan—“Neo.”

Donovan’s hand fell away from Kilian’s arm, but he didn’t move. If

he thought his world had toppled upside down shifting whether he
wanted to or not, it spun at light speed hearing that name. “Neo?”
Kilian repeated.

Neo was the name of the cold-‐blooded assassin Sam sent out to

take care of his dirty work, to kill without conscience, who had never
been bested by a shifter or any other enemy. Why would Soren call
Donovan, his lover, Neo?

He waited for Donovan to deny the name, to make an excuse—

anything that would set this right. Kilian looked over at him to find
that the blood had drained out of Donovan’s face, and the truth of
Soren’s claim hit home. Because Donovan—no, Neo—had been hired
to kill him, that’s why he’d stayed by Kilian, why he wouldn’t let him
leave him behind. Stories in Hottiger had it that Neo would do
anything to bring down his man, stoop to any low. He had slept with

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Kilian, even appeared to enjoy it. Was that a part of his plan too? If so,
why hadn’t he killed him yet?

“Oh didn’t you know?” Soren asked. “Neo is Sam’s hired gun, but

this time, because Sam has a soft spot for you, he told Donovan to
bring you back alive. Most of us believed Neo wouldn’t be able to
resist putting a bullet in your head, but to wait this long… Wow, even I
am impressed.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” Neo told him in a tone of

voice Kilian had heard just once, earlier when he’d commanded Kilian
to pull himself together. If Kilian had lost it, Neo would have failed at
his mission.

Kilian scraped his claws over the floor. “So your name is Neo Lyte

and not Donovan.” He didn’t look at him when he said it.

Soren chuckled, and Kilian heard Donovan gritting his teeth.
“Donovan Lyte is an alias. My name is Neo—no last name. I

changed it to that when I was sixteen and I started working.”

“Killing people?”
Donovan clenched his hands into fists, but his hate-‐filled glare was

for Soren alone. “Not quite.”

“But almost.” Soren chuckled, getting too much amusement out of

his revelation.

Kilian stood up, and the pain almost took his breath away. His

mind was no clearer now than it had been arguing with Donovan, but
he knew one thing. He was alone, and he would see his sister before
he lost all reason. “I’m not going back with you.”

Soren tsked and shook his head. “Well, that’s not your choice, is

it?”

Donovan bent to pick up his shirt and slipped it over his head. “If

you touch him, I will kill you.”

Soren’s thin lips stretched into a smile, and his beady eyes lit with

amusement. “I’m going to enjoy letting Sam know how you fucked his
bitch.”

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Donovan started forward, but two men swung into the room with

semi-‐automatic weapons trained on him. Kilian grabbed Donovan and
slung him backward until he hit the floor and slid a few centimeters to
the smash into the wall. Kilian hadn’t meant to use so much force, but
he was also pissed that Donovan had used him, knowing full well that
he was only biding his time until he took Kilian back.

Kilian flexed his fingers when he turned back to the men in front of

him. “No, Kilian,” Donavan called out behind him.

Soren sneered. “You’d better listen to your boyfriend.”
Kilian didn’t wait another second. He sprung forward to the man

closest to him and slammed him into the wall. From his peripheral
vision, he caught site of the other man with a gun turning to take aim
at him. Donovan was on him in a heartbeat and yanked his arm,
twisted it, and squeezed his wrist. The gun wobbled in the man’s grip
before hitting the floor. Both Donovan and Soren leaped for the gun at
the same time, but Donovan was faster. He took aim and fired, but
Soren dove through the doorway and disappeared. Shouts sounded
below them, along with Soren’s command for more men. Donovan
straightened, checking the gun over and not looking at Kilian.

“I’m not taking you back,” he said.
Kilian swore. “I know you’re not. This is the last time you will see

me.”

“Baby…”
Kilian growled, and his lover retreated a step.
“You need me to get out. I’m sure he has at least ten men down

there, maybe more. You can’t take them all on yourself. Pick up the
gun.” He indicated the weapon Kilian’s opponent dropped before
Kilian sent him to sleep.

The lack of warmth, the hard eyes, and set to his jaw didn’t go

unnoticed. Even Donovan’s accent had changed, from that of an
American to something closer to German. Kilian guessed he’d been
raised in Germany and spent much time outside his country.

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Acquisitions, he’d said, was his line of work. Now he got it. Had
everything else been a lie? He had no time to dwell on it.

“I don’t give a fuck what you think. I don’t take orders from you.”

Kilian held up a clawed hand. “This is all I need.”

In fact, he willed himself to change just a little more. His teeth

became sharpened points, his muscles growing with both strength
and agility. Even in human form he could smell for miles and see
perfectly, but with the greater shift, his abilities improved
exponentially. He could kill every man on the farm alone.

When Donovan approached, an expression of worry in his gaze,

Kilian roared at him. This time, he didn’t back off. “Don’t give into it
anymore. I promise we will talk afterward.”

“I don’t need to talk. I know all I want to know.” Kilian pivoted and

ran out of the room. He took the steps two at a time, mowing over
every man he encountered. He ripped them apart, slammed them into
walls, whatever he had to, to make his escape. Behind him Donovan
followed and picked off men who were too far away for him to attack.
His lover was a crack shot, downing each target with a single bullet.
There were more enemies than Donovan had estimated—way more—
but Kilian didn’t slow down. He plowed his way through until he
reached the road, and then he began running.

When he didn’t hear Donovan behind him anymore, longing and

worry almost made him turn back. He slowed down, but then he
reminded himself of the deception. Donovan worked for Sam and had
known who he was the entire time. All that he had listened to about
Kilian’s treatment at Hottiger, he’d already known, and didn’t give a
fuck. Kilian left the road and made for the forest. He increased his
speed and didn’t turn back.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Chapter Five

The sun had gone down hours ago, and the night was cool. Kilian

could have left the cover of the trees, but he stayed where he was, not
more than a few kilometers from Sarah’s house. Years had passed
since he’d seen her, and he wondered if she thought he was dead. He’d
not known what to tell her when he left, so he hadn’t told her
anything.

Even after he left Hottiger, he hadn’t contacted Sarah because he

was concerned about Sam intercepting the communication. After the
experiments began, and Kilian didn’t know if he would live as
something not quite human, or die because the experiment was a
failure, he’d asked Sam to use his resources and make it look like he’d
died. Sam had promised him he had done so, and because of the pain,
Kilian hadn’t asked for details. Should he let things stand where they
were with Sarah ignorant of the truth? Maybe he should, yet, he
couldn’t make himself do it. He was selfish. He had to see her one last
time before the end.

Thinking about his sister kept him from dwelling on the person he

wanted to see even more than Sarah. Why in such a short time had
Donovan become so important? He didn’t know, but the ache at that
moment wasn’t the pain of losing control. He craved Donovan, on a
level that went beyond mere sexual desire.

Kilian sat up. He’d been lying near a lake where he’d tried cooling

his body down. He reached for his clothing but hesitated. The cold
wasn’t affecting him. In fact, he suspected he had a fever. On the night
air, a scent reached him that tantalized all his senses. Donovan was
out there somewhere…and so was Sam.

Kilian glanced down at his hands. They had returned to normal,

the claws receding to human length and sharpness. All the other
evidence of his shifter status had also disappeared, but the beast
lurked near the surface. Any incident could trigger a relapse or drive

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

him over the edge. So close to seeing Sarah, he refused to allow that to
happen. If Donovan calmed him, then that’s what he would use.

He picked his way through the trees coming closer to his prey. An

opening in the close-‐growing trees allowed him to see the two men.
Donovan stood above a small fire, dropping sticks into it. He’d
changed clothes and now wore a heavy overcoat and pants tucked
into scuffed boots. Not far from him Sam almost bristling in anger.
Kilian picked up their conversation without straining.

“The only reason you’re standing there is because I’m letting you,”

Sam snapped. “I shouldn’t have had to leave the lab, but Soren’s report
and you avoiding my calls wasn’t working for me.”

“You usually get what you want, don’t you, Sam?”
Sam swore. “What’s that supposed to mean?
“It means what it means. Kilian knows the truth about me. He

won’t come.”

“He’ll come.” Sam strolled over to Donovan and raised a hand as if

he would touch him. Kilian clenched his hands into fists and flared his
nostrils, but Donovan’s calm stare grew so intense, the hand fell away.
Kilian could almost feel the rage rolling off of his old captor. “Kilian
will come to you, and I will be here to take him home.”

Donovan had gone still, and when he spoke, he’d dropped his voice

down very low. “You could be wrong.”

Sam flicked at his nose over and over. Kilian didn’t miss seeing

that day in and day out. “I’m not wrong. Kilian is strong, but he is also
ignorant. I kept him that way for a reason.”

“To make him dependent on you.”
Sam didn’t deny it or confirm it. “I’ve created wolf shifters, lions,

hell even a couple of bears. I made only one like Kilian, and I kept him
in the dark about what happens when he takes a mate.”

“A mate?” Donovan frowned. “Like a…wife?”
Sam waved a hand. “He will come back, and when he does, you will

make sure he visits his sister.”

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“Because you’ll be there to take him,” Donovan said. “It’s obvious

what he’ll do whether I’m involved or not.

Sam moved toward the tree line. “Don’t betray me again, Neo. I’m

not very forgiving.” He disappeared, and Kilian stayed where he was a
bit longer. When he was sure neither Sam nor any of his men were
close, he started toward Donovan.

“Should I call you Neo now?”
Donovan didn’t start at his voice. He stooped to poke at his fire but

didn’t seem focused enough to build it. “Call me whatever you like.”

Kilian leaned against a tree, folding his arms over his chest. “And

what do you plan to do, lead me into a trap?”

“You know the risks of visiting your sister. I don’t have to be

involved.”

Kilian gritted his teeth. Everything that Donovan said now, and all

he’d said when he spoke with Sam, was vague. He couldn’t figure out if
Donovan intended to help Sam capture him or if he would turn a blind
eye. The words his lover had spoken about killing Soren if he touched
Kilian played over and over in his head, giving him hope. He didn’t
want to hope. For all he knew, that was lust speaking because it was
obvious even as far apart as they were, that Donovan wanted him. He
felt the same, but it didn’t make the situation any clearer.

He stalked over to Donovan and grabbed him by the collar, lifting

him off his feet. When he slammed him against a tree, Donovan didn’t
flinch. He stared into Kilian’s eyes, defiant and angry. Kilian swore.
“You owe me an explanation.”

Donovan shook his hand off to stand on his own. “What would you

like me to say? I told you from the beginning I am not the man you
think I am.”

“No, you’re definitely not.”
Donovan’s eyes were two chips of ice. Kilian wondered if he had a

heart and why he’d bother defending him. He could have any man he
wanted. Hell, Donovan might even take the man he desired.

“You had me fooled,” he pressed. “Was anything you said true?”

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“You make it sound like I spouted sonnets and promised you

lifelong devotion.” The bastard shook his head. “I think he was right.
You are naïve.”

Kilian drove his fist into Donovan’s face and snapped his head

back. That riled him. He grunted in pain but recovered quickly to
grasp Kilian’s shoulders and shove him back. At that moment Kilian
realized Donovan hadn’t registered the fact that he was naked.
Donovan ran a hot gaze over Kilian’s form and narrowed his eyes.
“You’re going to catch pneumonia.”

“Didn’t you know?” Kilian quipped. “I don’t catch the sicknesses

that humans do. Oh, yeah, you do know, right? You knew all along—
everything about me.”

“I didn’t know everything.”
Donovan turned away. Kilian glanced down at himself and

regretted the decision to leave his clothes behind. He had a massive
hard-‐on, which meant Donovan didn’t have to be a shifter to figure out
he wasn’t repulsed by him, but his lover hadn’t reacted to it. He’d
turned his back, and Kilian hated admitting even to himself it hurt.

“If you’re going, you should go.”
Kilian didn’t move. “Aren’t you going to stop me, or at least make

sure I get there?”

“Don’t you know the way?”
Kilian sighed. He supposed this was it. Letting go of Donovan was

harder than he imagined for knowing a man such a short amount of
time. He took a step and stopped.

“You…” Donovan began and pushed fingers through his hair. Kilian

remembered touching it while Donovan slept, watching his chest rise
and fall, listening to the sound of his breathing. “You can’t see her
without clothes.”

Kilian brushed his hands over his bare thighs. “I have them. I

needed to cool down. I had a little bit of a fever, but that’s not because
of the weath—”

To Catch A Tiger

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Donovan was on him, touching his forehead, looking into his eyes.

“How long have you had a fever? Did you eat something? Damn it,
you’re burning up. Sit down!”

Kilian blinked in surprise as Donovan almost dragged him over to

his campsite. He pushed Kilian on a blanket he had there among other
odds and ends he’d obviously grabbed somewhere after escaping the
farm. He dug into a pack, but it wasn’t the one he’d had with him on
their train ride.

When he brought out bread and a can of soup, Kilian asked,

“Where did you get that?”

Donovan concentrated on getting the food open and a chunk of the

bread torn off. “I borrowed it.”

“Did you leave them alive?”
Donovan’s hands stilled, and he looked up at Kilian. “I’m not going

to make excuses for what I am. Yes, I’m the Neo you’ve all heard
stories about, stories that helped keep you in line.”

“You’re saying they’re not true?”
“No, I’m not saying that.”
Kilian didn’t know how to respond. He took the soup when

Donovan offered it to him and a piece of the bread. They ate in silence,
and when Kilian finished, Donovan touched his head as if the food
would cure him. Strangely enough, he did feel somewhat better.

He lay down on the blanket and tucked his arms behind his head.

Donovan watched him, but he made no move to hide himself. Let him
look.

Donovan put a hand out to hover over Kilian’s belly. He brought it

down, taking his time until his fingertips just brushed Kilian’s skin.
“Everything I told you about my past was true.”

Kilian touched his hand. Their fingers laced a second, and then he

withdrew. “I’m dying, Donovan. I can’t go back just to live.”

“No!”
Donovan leaned across him, lay his chest against Kilian’s, and

kissed his lips. An explosion of pleasure and desire ignited in Kilian.

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He ran a hand over Donovan’s side and squeezed his ass. Donovan
moved higher on him until their bodies were flush, Kilian on his back
and Donovan on top of him. Kilian opened his legs to allow his lover to
settle between them. Their cocks met, and he gasped. He kissed
Donovan, parting his lips and tasting the man he was sure he’d never
get out of his head from now on whether he was in his right mind or
not.

“I’m not going to let them take you back,” Donovan confessed.
Kilian’s eyes widened. “What?”
Donovan caressed his cheeks with both hands. They locked gazes,

Kilian lost in the stormy one of his lover. “I asked you if you still cared
about him, if you were okay if he died.”

“What!” Kilian shouted the word this time as the reality of what

Donovan asked him became all too real. Of course they had killed men
up to now, those that were chasing Kilian or shooting at them. This
wasn’t a kid’s game. Yet, hearing Donovan, knowing he plotted to kill
Sam if Kilian gave him the word was too much. Especially when
Donovan said it without a hint of conscious. He cared about this man
and wanted him. Who was to say after they made love tonight,
Donovan wouldn’t slit his throat while he slept and carry his body
back to Sam? That would be in keeping with his reputation.

Donovan rubbed his cheek against Kilian’s. “I know you don’t trust

me. I don’t blame you, and I’m not going to try to force you to believe
what I say. I just want you to know…”

“That’s what he meant,” Kilian said, half to himself. He had doubts

and fears all right. He found out today that he didn’t know Donovan at
all, and yet…Donovan…was his mate. Kilian didn’t fully understand
what having a mate meant. Like his lover had said in ignorance to
Sam, he figured it was like a spouse. Some sense inside Kilian told him
it was much more than that. He had opened himself up and handed his
heart to Donovan on a platter. Maybe it was because he was lonely or
because he knew he didn’t have long and he dreamed of connecting

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with someone—anyone. The reason meant nothing compared to the
result.

Kilian knew when he went to the mountains and lost his humanity,

he might forget every other person, but he wouldn’t forget his mate.
That also meant he would be cursed to a life of solitude and pain at the
loss of the one meant to walk by his side.

Even as he reasoned it out, resenting Sam for not telling him

anything about this, he assumed Donovan would be okay. He wasn’t a
shifter. The tie Kilian felt didn’t apply to his lover. That was the one
positive in the entire mess that was his life.

My mate is a cold-‐blooded killer.
“One last night,” he said to Donovan. “I know you want me just as I

want you. I’m not asking for anything more than that. I’m not even
asking you not to work for Sam. Just touch me, Neo.”

“Donovan.” He stroked Kilian’s cheek and kissed him. “Call me

Donovan. That’s how…that’s when… Kilian, when I first caught up to
you in Switzerland, I knew I could never hurt you.”

“Switzerland? I thought we met in Germany.”
Donovan grinned. “I tracked you and found you right away. Your

plan of escape wasn’t well executed. You have a one-‐track mind, baby,
and it leads you straight ahead without considering the variables.”

Insulted, Kilian frowned, but Donovan laughed at him. Kilian tried

getting up from under Donovan, and if he used all of his strength he
could, but he let his lover hold him down.

“No, don’t push me away,” Donovan said. “I’m sorry. I want to be

honest. As I said, I’ve never lied to you. Everything I said was true. I
said I would protect you. I have, and I will. If you don’t want to go
back, you won’t. I will kill anyone who tries to make you. If you want
Sam dead, he will die.”

Kilian shivered. “I get how you want to be honest with me, but

saying it like that scares the hell out of me. I’m not sure how I feel
about—”

“Me being an assassin?”

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“Who does that in the real world? It sounds like something from a

spy movie.” Despite knowing the truth, Kilian was still drawn to
Donovan. He couldn’t imagine letting him go completely. What was
wrong with him? When did it happen and how? Was it having sex with
Donovan that did it? No, that couldn’t be because he’d had sex with
Sam countless times, and he was sure if Donovan really did kill the
man, it wouldn’t break his heart. “I don’t know if I believe you. This
could all be a part of your plan—granted a plan I don’t get because at
any time you could have killed or drugged me. You could have told
them where to find me, but you tossed Sam’s men into the sea for me.”

Donovan shrugged and smiled. “A little more time in your bed.”
“Funny.”
Not funny and yet, he might not ever understand. What did it

matter since he had limited time? When he was with Donovan, it felt
like the world stood still. Even the pain receded enough to enjoy
himself.

“Let’s pleasure each other right here, right now,” he suggested.

“For the rest of the night, let’s just forget who you are and what I am.
In the morning, we can settle the rest.”

In answer, Donovan began moving down his body, taking small

bites that didn’t break his skin, all along his chest and stomach. Desire
burst into life in Kilian, and he raised his hips to receive the love nips.
When Donovan reached his crotch, anticipation had him shuddering.
His lover licked the tip of his cock, kissed it, and then took it deep into
his mouth. Kilian gasped. He widened his legs and pumped gently
between Donovan’s lips.

“Yes, suck me, Donovan. Suck me hard, please!”
Kilian grabbed the back of Donovan’s head and knotted his fingers

in his hair. He watched as his cock slid deep into his lover’s throat, and
he pulled out again, only to push in because he couldn’t bare being
released. Donovan’s cheeks hollowed and then puffed with each suck.
He moaned so that the vibrations pinged along Kilian’s nerve endings.

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Kilian shut his eyes and let his head fall back. He struggled not to
come yet, but Donovan was good.

Just at the edge of an orgasm, Kilian cried out when Donovan drew

away. “No!”

Donovan smiled. He stood up and began removing his clothes.

Kilian stared at him, reveling in the sight of Donovan’s bare skin. His
cock sprung from his boxers, and Kilian licked his lips. He sprang on
his lover even before he could toss his pants aside.

Kilian gave Donovan’s dick a long, hungry lick. He swallowed the

swollen member and squeezed Donovan’s ass cheeks in order to force
him farther down his throat. While Donovan was huge and long, Kilian
could take every inch of him. He had no idea if it was because of his
shifter ability, but he didn’t give a damn either. All he knew was that
his man’s body drove him insane with need.

“Easy,” Donovan said and shoved him away.
Kilian glanced up. “Don’t you like it?”
“Of course, but I can’t get inside you if you drain me.”
Kilian stroked the unyielding staff, missing it in his mouth already.

“You get hard again fast. Come on. Let me taste.”

Donovan yanked his hand away, shoved him on his back, and came

down roughly on him. Kilian winced and glared up into his lover’s
face. He could overpower Donovan. Even in this state with a low-‐
grade fever, he was stronger, probably faster. Donovan had skills for
fighting he knew nothing about and had the lack of emotion to do
what it took to overcome his enemy. All these facts ran through
Kilian’s mind, but he lay there under Donovan. He wasn’t afraid. His
man intrigued him, and his aggression got Kilian harder.

When Kilian didn’t fight, Donovan sat up and ran a hand over his

chest. They were both breathing hard, Kilian because Donovan’s cock
nudged his as he knelt between Kilian’s legs. Donovan glanced down
at where they joined. He took his cock in hand and began moving the
head all along Kilian’s shaft. Kilian moaned.

“You want to come?”

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Kilian swore. “You know I do, but I want to suck you too.”
Donovan released himself and began stroking Kilian’s balls. Kilian

grasped at the blanket beneath him. Donovan moved back and bent
between his legs. He licked Kilian’s balls. He sucked one into his
mouth, freed it, and then went after the other. After a while, he raised
Kilian’s leg and pushed him to his side. When Donovan licked Kilian’s
ass hole, Kilian shouted his pleasure.

“You’re mine,” Donovan whispered and sucked lightly at Kilian’s

hole. “There’s a wild animal lurking inside this belly, but it’s mine too.
All of you, body and soul belongs to me, Kilian, and I’m not going to
give you up. I told you that from the start.”

“You—” Kilian’s words died on his lips because Donovan had

licked his finger and shoved it into his ass. When he wiggled it around,
Kilian lost his breath. Donovan didn’t even have to touch his cock for
him to come, but Kilian fought not to let go. Donovan slid up behind
him and pressed the head of his shaft at Kilian’s entrance. He rested
his chin on Kilian’s shoulder. “Do you think you’ll give me one night
and disappear?”

He pushed into Kilian. They lay on their sides, Donovan holding

him in a punishing grip around the waist until he could get every inch
buried inside of Kilian’s ass. Kilian gritted his teeth and pushed back
on his lover’s cock. He took his own shaft into his hand, but Donovan
smacked the hold away. Donovan claimed him from behind and began
stroking his shaft. Kilian’s job to feel it—coming from both ways.

Kilian came in seconds, his orgasm exploding as if he hadn’t had

sex in weeks. Even when he was empty the sensations of bliss
shattered all rational thought. Donovan continued to pump into him
and whisper in his ear.

“I’ve killed your kind countless times—experimental failures,

successes, those impossible to control. I’ve taken them by surprise,
shot them from afar and near. That was my job, and I did it because I
wanted to, because there was no reason not to. But you…Kilian…”

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Eden Cole

His cry of Kilian’s name was filled with anguish, and it took Kilian

by surprise in its rawness. Up until that point, he’d never heard real
emotion in Donovan. He thought he heard kindness in his voice and
saw gentleness in his personality at the beginning, but that had been a
mask Donovan wore to hide his true nature. This was something else,
something deeper.

Donovan pushed him to his stomach, and Kilian arched to protect

his balls and cock from injury. Donovan didn’t let up. He pounded into
Kilian’s rear, his thighs lining Kilian’s spread wide, rounding on his
upturned ass. Their skin slapped together noisily, echoing over the
empty night.

“I’m going to come,” Donovan moaned.
A heart beat after, Kilian felt the warmth invade his insides, and he

welcomed it with his eyes closed. He smiled because he understood
that Donovan was even more confused than he was about the two of
them. Not that he didn’t grasp being attached to someone. He did. He’d
been stupid and in love with Sam early on. Now he was older, and he
had considered himself wiser. What a joke that was.

“You love me,” he said when Donovan had moved them to their

sides again and held Kilian tight in his arms.

“What?” Donovan’s gaze was flat and hid his emotion, but Kilian

was no longer thrown off by it.

“You love me, and I love you. Maybe that’s why you became my

mate, because the feeling is mutual. Or it could be that I’m not at the
becoming a shifter stage. I am a shifter. Maybe that’s why you’re my
mate.”

Donovan frowned. “You’re saying you love me because of some

genetic manipulation?”

“No.” Excitement coursed through Kilian knowing he could make

this man doubt himself. He never wanted Donovan to feel insecure, so
he rushed to reassure him. “Nothing Sam and his whitecoats did could
make me love anyone I didn’t choose. If that was the case I would have
loved Sam.”

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“He still wants you to.” Donovan kissed him as if someone was

about to snatch Kilian from his arms, and it made Kilian hold on that
much more.

“All I feel for Sam now is loathing. He used me, and although he

claimed to care, he had no problem with putting me through that
grueling process. You almost lost it just knowing I had a fever, even
while we were in the middle of an argument.”

“You still have a fever.” Donovan touched his head. “You should

sleep.”

“I’d rather fuck.”
Donovan sighed as if he was putting up with a small kid. “You can

ride on my lap once more, but then it’s to bed.”

Kilian reached down between them and found Donovan hard as he

knew he would be. Excitement stirred in his belly. One ride would
never be enough. He planned to have Donovan for the rest of the
night.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Chapter Six

Kilian rose out of the water and walked toward the bank. He

pushed his hair back from his forehead and brushed hands over his
chest and abs to rid himself of the excess droplets. When he looked up,
he grinned. Donovan sat on the blanket watching him. In the time it
had taken him to cool his body in the water, his lover had built up the
fire. Donovan couldn’t handle the water this time of year and so late at
night, but it didn’t affect Kilian at all.

When he reached him, Kilian stopped in front of Donovan with his

legs planted slightly apart. “You see something?”

“Something,” Donovan repeated in a noncommittal tone. After a

moment, he asked, “You’re still healing fast?”

“Yes.”
Donovan threw the blanket aside to reveal that he’d only slipped

into his shirt and coat. His lower half was bare, and he sported a hard-‐
on. Kilian grinned. If circumstances weren’t as they were, he knew
he’d have a good life with Donovan. The man would never leave him
unsatisfied.

Kilian dropped to his knees in front of his lover and stroked his

chest. He leaned in and kissed him. “You want it again?”

“You know I do. I told you to rest. I can go without.”
“Too late now.” Kilian climbed on Donovan’s lap facing away from

him, and Donovan lay down. He allowed Kilian to guide his rigid shaft
to Kilian’s hole. Anticipation tightened his muscles, but he willed
himself to relax. The cock head eased past his rim and sank slowly
inside of him. He moaned, and Donovan echoed it. They moved as one
for a while, and then Kilian couldn’t take it. He loved getting rough and
began bouncing on Donovan’s lap while steadying himself on his
lover’s thighs.

Donovan dug fingers into his sides and drove his hips up each time

Kilian came down. Kilian growled deep in his throat, an animalistic
sound that only began to express how good he felt.

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“Faster,” Donovan commanded. “Ride me, baby. I want to be so

deep inside you, we both wonder if I’ll find my way out.” He sat up and
licked Kilian’s back while tightening his hold. If Sam ever
experimented with Donovan, he’d be the most amazing shifter in
existence. As a human, his aggression and confidence went beyond
any other person’s. That made him perfect for Kilian.

Kilian did as he was told and reached between his legs to palm

Donovan’s balls. His lover’s cry was raw and desperate. He was about
to come. “Tell me you love me, Donovan.”

“Are you giving me orders now?” he asked in a raspy tone.
Kilian dropped his chin against his chest. He slowed his pace just a

little. “Are you saying you don’t?”

“Don’t be foolish.”
Kilian said nothing, and Donovan crushed him close, grinding with

him until Kilian came for a second time. He shuddered from head to
foot. Soon after, Donovan came as well, and emptied his hot seed into
Kilian’s rear. When the pleasure eased and they were calmer,
Donovan raised Kilian from his shaft and laid him on the blanket.
Donovan followed him down and lay facing Kilian. Wrapped in his
lover’s arms, his head on Donovan’s chest, Kilian decided he’d been
wrong to think his emotions were returned. He’d been fooling himself
into believing Donovan didn’t see him as some type of freak. The
possibility hadn’t entered his mind. While he knew his time was
limited, his selfishness had driven him to want to be loved—so badly.

Donovan cocooned them in the blanket, and Kilian made sure to lie

just on top of Donovan to keep him warm. He was drifting off when he
heard the whispered words. “I love you, Kilian. For the first time in my
life—I love you.”

* * * *

Kilian endured his sister’s brutal hug once more and wiped the

tears from her reddened cheeks. In the back of his mind, he’d feared

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Sam had done something to her to get back at him, but here she was
with her long time boyfriend. Nothing had changed over the years
except maybe the number of knickknacks she’d set on every available
spot around the small house.

Heat rose from beneath the floors, warming the place more than

he found necessary. Sarah’s boyfriend lay on the uncarpeted floor
watching television, snacking on chips, and drinking a brew. He
seemed disinclined to move and hadn’t done more than nod in Kilian’s
direction from the moment he and Donovan stepped in the door.

“I can’t stay long,” he told his sister. “I wanted to see you.”
“You’ve been gone so long,” she sniffed. “They told me…” She

seemed hesitant to say the words.

Kilian glanced over at Donovan who kept looking out the window.

He met Kilian’s gaze and shook his head. Kilian knew they weren’t
nearby, or at least none of the men he had smelled before. Sam was
keeping his distance for now. He turned back to his sister and stroked
her cheek. “No children?”

She poked her lips out. “You know me and kids don’t work. I have

all I can handle with him.” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at
her boyfriend. Kilian couldn’t remember his name.

Sarah pulled him to the tiny kitchen, which she’d managed to get a

table and two chairs into. As petite as she was, Sarah had to squeeze
by one of the chairs to get to the refrigerator. Sarah pulled the
ingredients out for smörgås with butter, ham, cheese, and egg and
liver pate so he could choose which he might like. She added to the
selection filmjölk to have with muesli and held up a mug.

“Kaffe?” she asked.
He knew it made no sense telling her he wasn’t hungry. Tension

about this meeting had taken his appetite, but he would hurt her
feelings if he didn’t eat what she offered. Kilian nodded and watched
as she first poured his coffee and then made the two open sandwiches,
crisp bread for him and rye for Donovan.

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While he ate, Sarah stood over him ringing her hands. He hesitated

to discuss the subject of his supposed death, but he needed to know.
“Did someone come here all those years ago and tell you about me?”

“Yes, a man. He said you were in an accident at the factory where

you worked. He said you were killed and that they would take care of
everything. I didn’t have to worry.”

He frowned. “You didn’t demand to see evidence or ask to see my

body?”

“Do you think I’m stupid, lillebror? They had pictures… My only

family…” A sob escaped, and Kilian jumped to his feet to hug her.

“I’m sorry, Sarah. Forgive me.”
“Why, Kilian? Why did you do this to me?” Fresh tears rolled down

her cheeks. How was he going to tell her he wouldn’t be coming back?
Kilian stroked her hair. He had no excuse, and yet he couldn’t tell her
what he was and what was going to happen to her. He was wrong to
come. Sarah might have grieved for him, and after so long the pain
must have faded, but he had brought it all back by coming here,
raising questions he couldn’t answer.

Over her head, he met Donovan’s gaze as he stood at the entrance

to the kitchen. There hadn’t been room enough for both of them and
Sarah, so Donovan had opted for Kilian to stay close to his sister.

She held onto him as if she wouldn’t let go, and Kilian found he

didn’t want to let go either. He didn’t want to leave her behind again.
While he pondered what to do, a familiar scent reached him, and he
stiffened. He looked in Donovan’s direction, and it seemed that his
partner understood.

“He’s here?” Donovan asked.
Kilian nodded. “Yes, Sam and Soren. They aren’t far off. We have to

get moving.” Kilian turned back to his sister. “Sarah, we have to go.”

“No!” She sobbed. “I’m not letting you go, lillebror.“
“I know.” He hugged her. “You’re coming along. Do you want to

take him?” Kilian could care less if the man came or stayed.

“He’s staying.”

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Kilian frowned, wondering how she could make such a snap

decision about the man she’d been living with for years now. “Are you
sure?”

“I stayed with him because I didn’t have anyone else. I knew he

wasn’t the right man for me. Now I can go. Come on, Kilian. None of
this means anything to me.” Despite her words, she did pack a few
items into a handbag and cast one last glance at her boyfriend.
Blinking in confusion, he stood up. Kilian went on alert just in case he
tried to keep Sarah with him.

“You’re going?”
“Yes, I am,” Sarah said. “I’m not losing my brother again.”
“But what about the house? What about the bills?” he almost

whined.

“That’s what you’re worried about?” she shouted.
Donovan hurried to the window and peeked out. “Let’s move,

Kilian.”

Kilian cut off the ensuing argument between his sister and her

loser boyfriend and pulled Sarah toward the door. Donovan opened it
a crack, scanned the area, and then allowed the two of them to pass
through. In a short time, they were on the run, moving through the
neighborhoods, taking back streets. When they could procure a
vehicle, they did, and Kilian let Donovan to drive while he took the
front passenger seat, and Sarah sat in the back.

“Are you feeling okay?” Donovan asked without taking his eyes off

the road.

“I’m fine. Wait, not that way,” he told Donovan when he was about

to make right turn.

“That’s the quickest way to—”
“Sam’s men are down that way.”
Donovan eyed him with wonder for a moment before his

expression closed again. “Okay, we depend on your nose. We’ll head
toward Norway. You choose the route to get there without running
into Sam’s men.”

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Donovan had scarcely gotten the words out of his mouth before

several cars turned a corner at top speed and veered in front of them.
He whipped their car to the right, but more vehicles blocked them in.
Donovan slammed his foot on the break, jerked left and jumped the
sidewalk. He managed to get around their pursuers and drive three
kilometers before the enemy was on them again.

“I thought you could smell them,” Donovan snapped.
“What do you mean smell?” Sarah demanded. “He’s only human.

Maybe you should learn to drive better.”

Donovan glared at her in the rearview mirror. Kilian touched his

arm. “It’s okay, Sarah. And you, I can’t smell what I don’t know.”

Donovan gritted his teeth. “Meaning if you don’t know they’re

Sam’s men, you can’t pick them out. Damn it! We’re in trouble.”

Kilian looked away from his lover to the road. They’d made it to a

back road leading out of the city, but cars were parked ahead blocking
the road. Kilian swore under his breath. He shouldn’t have come, he
argued with himself for the millionth time.

Donovan dug inside his coat and pulled out a gun. He checked the

ammo between steering the car and watching the road. Kilian
squinted. There were too many men, and more were coming up
behind. How were they going to get out of this situation? How would
he keep the man he loved and his sister safe?

“This is all I have,” Donovan said. “I had to leave my pack at the

farm.”

Kilian’s eyes widened. “You had guns in there? And here I was

imagining a pair of boxers and maybe a change of clothing.”

“That too.” Donovan’s gaze flicked to Kilian’s crotch. “Well the

underwear were optional.”

Warmth flooded Kilian’s cheeks, but he said nothing in response.
Close to the blockade, Donovan slammed on breaks, and even

before the car came to a complete stop, he was firing out the
window—one shot at a time that picked off man after man without
missing once. Kilian grabbed Sarah and forced her to put her head

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Eden Cole

down. Donovan moved into the back seat, threw open the door, and
yanked Sarah out. Kilian followed close on their heels and scanned the
street behind them. The rest of Sam’s men were closing fast. They had
to break through before they got here.

“Don’t move from this spot,” he commanded Sarah, and without

thinking, he shifted completely into his tiger form, clothing falling
from his body. He heard his sister’s gasp but didn’t pause before he
charged the enemy. Just as he suspected, they didn’t try to kill him.

“Get the dart, get the dart,” someone shouted, but he was on the

first man, ripping him apart. Kilian jumped from man to man,
attacking, His adrenaline pumped high, and he found energy and
speed he’d never realized he had. After taking down a dozen men,
something slammed Kilian and sent him rolling across the asphalt. His
side burned, and he thought at first that he’d been shot. When he
struggled to his feet, he saw what hit him.

He shifted, crouching in the road. “Soren!”
The wolf in front of him shifted as well. “Hello, Kilian. What? You

thought you were the only one with special abilities?”

Kilian sneered. “That’s why you came into that room without a

weapon. You didn’t feel you needed one.”

Soren’s self-‐satisfied grin irritated him.
“I shouldn’t have let you get away. That was a failure on my part. It

won’t happen again.”

Soren stood between Kilian and his sister and Donovan back at the

car. More vehicles screeched to a halt. Kilian didn’t need to see Sam
step out of one to know he was there. He clenched his hands into fists.

“Why would you work for him? You have a choice.”
Soren laughed. “A choice? I wouldn’t call it that. Well, when you

think of it in terms of live as Sam’s dog or die alone—maybe that’s a
choice. I asked for this. I wanted to be changed. Although…” He eyed
Kilian’s naked form. “I didn’t do it because I was in love with the lead
scientist. How cliché is doing it for love?”

“Fuck you,” Kilian growled.

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“I did it because I wanted the power. I love being a wolf.” While he

spoke his teeth grew pointed, and his voice deepened. “Just as I will
love ripping you to shreds.”

“He doesn’t want me dead, or hadn’t you heard?”
Soren’s brows went up in mock surprise. “Oh? Can’t say I heard

that.”

They both shifted in seconds and went at each other. Kilian

slashed at Soren, but the wolf leaped out of reach. He landed on his
feet and sprung up at Kilian. The impact of the wolf’s powerful blow
sent Kilian flying backward, and he slammed down on the ground.
Kilian let out a howl of pain but shook it off just as quickly. He leaped
into the air just as Soren dove at him, and Kilian landed on Soren’s
back, digging his claws into the thick fur. Soren yelped, but Kilian
didn’t let go. He drove Soren down until his face hit the asphalt and
then bit into Soren’s neck. A small bit of pressure, and the shifter
would be dead.

An explosion of sound rang out, and Donovan shouted, “No!”
Kilian released Soren and turned. His heart hammered in his chest.

His mind didn’t want to acknowledge what his sense of smell had
already told him. Sarah had been shot.

Sam stood over Sarah’s prone body, and two men held Donovan as

he struggled to get to Sam. Kilian shifted and started forward, but
Soren transformed and stepped in front of him. Kilian snatched him
around the neck, shook him as hard as he could while squeezing until
Soren gasped and choked for air.

“Kilian!”
Kilian stilled his movements but only cut his gaze in Sam’s

direction. Sam waved a gun and then pointed it at Donovan’s head.
“He can follow in your sister’s path. Is that what you want?”

No matter how fast he was or how strong, Kilian couldn’t make it

to Donovan in time. He opened his hand and let Soren fall to the
ground.

“You’ll pay for that,” Soren said, his voice small and raspy.

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Kilian ignored him. He kept his gaze on Donovan, whose face was a

mask of fury. His lover pressed his lips together and stared back at
him. The men had relieved Donovan of his gun, and from the set of his
shoulders, Kilian guessed they’d knocked one of out joint. Donovan
was in extreme pain although he didn’t show it.

Kilian dropped his hands to his sides. “Let him go.”
Sam nodded to Soren, and the wolf stood up holding his neck.

Bruises had appeared there, which would no doubt fade by the next
day. Soren gestured. “Put him down.”

The needle prick at his neck stung just a little, but the medicine

worked fast. His knees buckled, and while he fought to stay on his feet,
it was a losing battle. Darkness surrounded Kilian, and the last thing
he saw was the butt of Sam’s gun coming down on Donovan’s head.
Pain and loss suffocated him until he blacked out.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

Chapter Seven

Sam’s hand lay on his inner thigh, and he’d run it the length of

Kilian’s leg several times. He’d get no reaction from Kilian, but then he
couldn’t do anything anyway with his arms chained to steel posts
above his head.

“You want it,” Sam insisted.
Kilian flared his nostrils. “Why would I ever want you again? And

why am I chained down? I told you I’m not going to fight, not when I
don’t know where Donovan is. I need to be sure he’s okay. Where are
you holding him?”

“Forget about him, damn it,” Sam roared. “All I’ve heard over the

last few days is Donovan, Donovan, Donovan. I’m sick of hearing it.”

Kilian narrowed his eyes on his captor. Once upon a time, he’d

thought Sam’s eyes were sexy, being so dark and dangerous, the eyes
of a killer. And he was a killer. He’d taken Sarah after Kilian had just
found her. He threatened to take Donovan. Losing Sarah hurt him to
his core, but he knew with time he would heal. Losing Donovan wasn’t
an option.

“You got what you wanted. I came back here,” he said.
“I don’t have what I want, damn it.” For a moment, Sam squeezed

his thigh. Desire erupted in his gaze, but it only served to make Kilian
feel ill. Sam noticed and cursed some more. He stood up and pushed
hair from his forehead that had grown too long and was stringy as if
he hadn’t washed it in days. “I want you.”

“I’m right here.”
“No, you’re not.” Sam dropped to his knees and let his hands hover

over Kilian’s crotch. He leaned in and breathed deep, moaning. “I want
this sexy body given to me willingly like you used to. I want to
swallow you and bury myself inside you.”

Kilian turned his head and looked out the window. Over the last

few days, he’d had to be satisfied with snatches of the sky between

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bars on the window and heavy dull gray curtains that gapped a few
centimeters.

“The only way you’ll have me is by force. Even if I give in so you

don’t hurt Donovan, it’s still force. Accept it or not. I don’t give a fuck.”
He shifted his gaze from the window to Sam’s reddening face. “The
first chance I get, I will kill you.”

Fury burned in Sam’s eyes. He lunged to his feet, pivoted, and left.

The slam of the door echoed throughout the room, sealing Kilian in
the prison he had determined never to come back to.

* * * *

Donovan sat in the darkened room without a window. He had no

idea how long he’d been there. No one came to bring him food or
drink. He could be happy with small favors like having a sink and a
toilet, but there was nothing more than that. He ached to see Kilian, to
know he was all right. Did Kilian blame him for not protecting his
sister? He’d tried to save her when he realized what Sam intended, but
it was too late. Donovan had forgotten all he had learned over the
years knowing his enemy, tracking their movements. His attention
had been on Kilian and him alone.

The man had a hold on Donovan, one that wouldn’t dissolve easily,

and Kilian loved him. He was sure of that. Kilian had been seconds
from destroying Sam’s man, but he had stopped when Sam threatened
Donovan.

He shut his eyes and lowered his head into his hands. “Kilian.”
Everything inside him wanted to see the man he loved, but he had

failed him. Donovan should have been the one to protect Kilian, but he
was nothing. He was human. If he’d been made a shifter… No, the
problem was emotions had gotten in the way, sentiment for another
human being.

When a key sounded in the lock, he went on alert and stood up.

The door opened, and Donovan frowned at the sight of Sam. “What the

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hell do you want?” Sam stepped inside the room. Donovan rubbed the
back of his head. “Oh yeah, I owe you, don’t I? A lot more than just a
bump on the head. I owe you for hurting Kilian.”

Two men entered the room behind him, guns trained on Donovan.
Sam sneered. “You’re making me sick to my stomach. All the love is

suffocating.”

“Jealous, Sam, because no one gives a fuck about you?”
“I don’t need love. I have Kilian’s body, which is all I care about.”

He squeezed his crotch. “Very satisfying. Last night when he
climaxed…mmm, so good.”

“You son of a—” Donovan started toward him, but Sam laughed

and fell behind his men. Donovan halted. “Tell them to leave the room,
and I’ll take you, one-‐on-‐one.”

Sam waggled a finger at him. “I’m not a fool, Donovan. I know you

learned hand-‐to-‐hand combat and can kill a man without a weapon.
You don’t need to be a shifter for that. No, I’m not going to challenge
you. What I will do is let you live.”

“Generous of you.”
Sam scanned the room. “I’ll let you go. This room can’t be very

comfortable without a bed or light. You’ve had no food. We can
continue with that, but I’m willing to let you leave. You can be a free
man.”

“In exchange for what?” Donovan didn’t believe for a second that

Sam was generous or forgiving in any way. Everything he did, he did
for a reason, including allowing Donovan to walk out alive.

“Kilian,” he said.
Just hearing his name made Donovan ache. “What about him? You

have him, don’t you? Apparently, he’s sharing your bed.”

“Now who’s jealous?”
Donovan didn’t respond. Of course he was jealous. Hearing that

Sam put his hands on Kilian made him want to strangle the man or put
a bullet between his eyes. Donovan had to clench his fists at his sides

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to keep from rushing across the room to do what impulse told him to.
“Get to the point.”

“I want you to talk to Kilian,” Sam explained. “Tell him you were in

on the plan to capture him and that he played right into our hands.
Tell him I paid you well, and now you can move on to your next job.”

Donovan walked to a wall and leaned against it, crossing his arms

over his chest. “Why would I ever do that?”

“To save him. Make no mistake about it, I want Kilian. He’s not

only the most superior of the shifters I have created. He’s also my
special…pet.” Donovan chuckled, and Donovan fought for control. He
wanted to hear the bastard out before he tore him a new one.

“If you want Kilian to live, he needs to be with me.”
“The sickness,” Donovan said, “the one you said would overtake

him and drive him to lose his humanity if you don’t give him some
type of shot. What makes you think anyone will believe that? I saw no
evidence that Kilian was going over the deep end. I saw pain, but that
could have been from withdrawal from whatever you had him on.”

“That’s what you think?” Sam asked.
“That’s what I know. You’re nothing but a liar, Sam, and I’ll never

convince him I was on your side. I would do anything for Kilian.”

Sam nodded. “I’m counting on it. You see I have no intention of

ever letting Kilian leave. He needs to learn his place, but if he’s hung
up on you, then he’ll resist me.”

“I get it.” Donovan grinned. “You can create a shifter in a lab, but

you can’t control the bond when he takes a mate.”

Sam’s eyes blazed in anger, and Donovan went on, knowing he was

onto something.

“You didn’t mean for us to mate. It happened, and now loving me

gives Kilian the strength to overcome whatever you did to him. That’s
it, isn’t it? No, I’m not taking that away from him. I’ll find a way out of
here, and Kilian is going with me. For as long as it takes me, he will
hold on, and that’s good enough for now.”

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“You’re not worthy of being his mate,” Sam growled in a voice that

was a good imitation of something inhuman. “I will break him, and I’m
going to use you to do it!”

“I told you”—Donovan approached slowly, heedless of the

weapons trained on him—“I’m not going to tell him I betrayed him. He
doesn’t need that on top of seeing you kill his sister. After all these
years, you waited until he was face to face hoping to be with her, and
you took her away.”

Donovan stopped speaking when Sam only stared back at him.
“That you planned for from the start. You knew Kilian would never

be controlled. You wanted to break him, and that’s why you claimed
you had forgiven me, isn’t it? That’s why you let me get him all the
way to his sister and why you didn’t send Soren in sooner.”

“Oh my beautiful pawn,” Sam said, calmer now. He patted

Donovan’s cheek. “Now you’re getting it. You’re right, I didn’t plan for
you two to bond. I knew Sarah would come in handy some day, so I
left her alive. I let her think he was dead to keep her at bay. I kept tabs
on her over the years. When Kilian began to behave like the caged
animal he is, I knew it was time to take drastic measures.”

They shouldn’t have let Donovan get so close to Sam, and Sam

shouldn’t have been so wrapped up in bragging about all he had done
to get to this point. In one smooth movement, Donovan grabbed him
and spun him around so that he could use him as a shield. He twisted
Sam’s wrist in a hold he knew hurt like hell and drained the body of all
strength. Sam cried out and slumped against him.

“Get him,” Sam commanded.
“Oh no you don’t,” Donovan said. He pushed Sam forward a step,

and the men retreated one. “You shoot, and he gets it. Wouldn’t want
to kill the man who writes your check, I’m guessing.”

Donovan indicated the direction he wanted the men to move.

“Over there, against the wall. Now, before I lose my patience.”

“I should have chained you,” Sam snapped.

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“Not as smart as you like to think, huh?” Donovan waited until he

and Sam were just outside the door of the small cell, and he scanned
the hall. No one had discovered what he was up to, but with security
cameras on the ceilings, he knew he didn’t have much time. “Toss the
guns out here. Slowly!”

The men obeyed, and Donovan shut the door in their faces then

locked it.

“Which way,” he asked Sam.
“Why don’t you just leave me here?”
Donovan shook him. “I said which way?”
“I seem to have forgotten.”
“Oh really?” Donovan yanked him by the collar and dragged him

down the hall. He peeked in every door he came to. Most were locked,
but the small square of a window showed the interiors to be empty
anyway. He wondered how many people had died behind these doors
and realized, before he met Kilian, he wouldn’t have cared.

When they left the wing he’d been locked in and entered another,

Donovan noticed how much stiffer and quieter Sam grew. “What’s
here that’s got you spooked?” he demanded.

Again, Sam said nothing, but when Donovan approached one of the

doors, Sam used his distraction to elbow him. Donovan barely
registered the jab, but he lost his grip. Sam darted toward the nearest
door. Visions of a the man letting loose another shifter that did his
dirty work and who would tear him apart made Donovan lunge after
the bastard. Sam didn’t reach for the doorknob. He extended a hand
past it to the wall on the right side of the door. When he jabbed a
thumb into a spot that looked like any other on the wall, an alarm
sounded throughout the facility. Donovan swore.

“You little shit.” He used the gun he’d gotten off one of Sam’s

guards and pulled the trigger. A bullet tore through Sam’s arm, and he
went down to the floor groaning. Donovan stomped over to him and
jerked him onto his feet. “Now, take me to Kilian, or the next one is
through your head.”

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To his credit, Sam didn’t cry out. He closed his eyes, clenched his

teeth, and pointed. Donovan started them off in the direction Sam
indicated. From a distance, men shouted to each other, and the ruckus
had started the occupants in the nearest rooms to howl. Donovan
spared only a second or two to peek into the windows just in case Sam
was still leading him the wrong way.

Sam shuffled ahead of him with Donovan’s hand on the back of his

neck, propelling him forward. Donovan kept the gun close to his side.
They rounded a corner, and pain ripped through Donovan’s back and
sent him crashing into Sam. They both hit the floor, Donovan
wondering where the hell the attack had come from.

He tried getting up, but the pain was too much. He searched the

floor around him. The gun had skated over the linoleum floor and was
out of reach. Sam struggled under him to get free, and Donovan could
at least be glad of his bulk holding the man down because he had no
strength to do so.

Perspiration broke out on his face, and he searched for a solution.

If he didn’t get off his ass now, he was in trouble and the attempt to
rescue Kilian would be for nothing. Footfalls echoed along the hall
coming closer. Donovan struggled to his knees. His head spun,
threatening to flatten him once again. Sam held a hand over his own
wound and slid away. Donovan tried grabbing for him, but something
hit his chest and knocked him flat. He couldn’t hold the cry back when
the wolf stuck its claws in his side. Almost immediately, a roar echoed
along the hall, and a thumping started as if something heavy slammed
against a door.

Get up, Donovan, get Kilian, and get the hell out of here.
He punched as hard as he could at the wolf, but the beast shook its

head and came after him again. Down the hall, a door smashed into
the wall. Seconds later, a pure white tiger bounded toward them.
Donovan recognized his lover and ducked in time for Kilian to hurtle
into the wolf and catapult them both into the wall.

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They were locked in battle, roaring and biting, each infuriated.

Donovan pressed a hand to his back and pushed up to his feet. The
passage whirled about him, and he tried focusing on Kilian.

Just as his lover got the upper hand, Soren jumped back and

barked. Two more wolves appeared from around the corner, and Sam
laughed behind him. Donovan landed a weak blow to Sam’s wounded
arm. The punch might have been light, but it hurt all the same, and the
scientist slumped in agony.

Donovan had to do something to even the odds for Kilian. He

spotted the gun not far away, but unless he fell on it, he would be no
use. He examined the floor where he stood and saw the growing pool
of blood. Soon he would pass out, but there was no fucking way he
would lose. Kilian would be freed if he had to die to make it happen.

Recalling the way Sam behaved when they first turned down this

hall, he guessed whatever beasts were here weren’t under his control.
Donovan still had the keys, and he was close enough to one of the
doors to get it open without much effort.

With his last bit of hope, he managed to stick a key in the lock. Of

course it was the wrong one. A yelp behind him made his hands shake.
Somehow he didn’t think it was one of the wolf shifters that had been
hurt.

Hold on, baby, please!
He tried two more keys, but Sam bumped him from behind and

jabbed a fist into Donovan’s back. Pain rocketed from the open wound
to seemingly every spot in his body. “How does it feel?” Sam grunted
in his ear.

Donovan’s breath was so shallow, he could scarcely form words.

“Feels like you’re fucked, Sam!”

The door swung open, and they both toppled inside. Sam

screamed, and the pitch was high enough to be a woman’s cry.
Donovan was pinned under him. He wouldn’t be able to move himself,
but he didn’t need to. Someone—or something—grabbed Sam and

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threw him bodily back out into the hall. Donovan heard the bones
crack, but no sound from Sam.

Donovan realized he’d closed his eyes when he fell because he had

to pry them open. A man stepped over his body, a man who had to be
at least one hundred and ninety-‐eight centimeters, and his shoulders
were almost as broad as the door. He growled at the prone scientist, a
sound that was all beast. In the instant it took Donovan to blink, the
man shifted and became a bear, big and brown and filling the corridor
with his bulk. He started after Sam but paused and swung his massive
head toward the fight still going on. He roared again, and shot in that
direction. Panic set in Donovan’s gut.

“Kilian!” he shouted, at least as much as he could.
He tried dragging himself to the door so he could see what was

happening. Sam still hadn’t moved. Be okay, be okay. He hated that
he’d failed to protect Kilian. If he dies… No! I will find a way.

Before he could see past the doorframe, another cry of pain rent

the air. This time, Donovan was sure it was a wolf, and he smiled, his
lids growing heavy. He had no idea how long he’d blacked out, but he
was sure he did when an animal licked his nose. He opened his eyes to
the tiger standing over him, and relief flooded his system.

“Kilian.”
His lover shifted, and despite his state, Donovan searched Kilian’s

naked form for injuries. There were plenty scratches, but nothing that
seemed serious. He sighed in relief.

“You’re hurt.” Kilian’s voice was thick with agony, and Donovan

would have done anything to hide how bad off he was.

“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.” He lifted Donovan in his arms, and when his lover

brought his head up to his chest, Donovan noticed Sam wasn’t where
he’d been when he blacked out.

“Where is he?”
“Dead I hope, but I can’t think about that right now.” Kilian kissed

him. “You’re what’s important because I refuse to lose you.”

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“I’m too big for you to carry. Put me down. I can walk.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Kilian growled at him, his eyes glazing yellow for

an instant, but Donovan was not intimidated. He did settle on his
lover’s shoulder, but only because he couldn’t do anything else.

“So long as you’re safe,” he muttered.
“I am. Now, sleep. I’m going to take care of you.”
Donovan had never depended on anyone. After his parents

abandoned him, he had never needed to. Yet, when Kilian promised to
protect him, he accepted it, and for the first time put his life in another
man’s hands—the one and only man to own his heart.

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Chapter Eight

Donovan opened his eyes and struggled up to his elbow. He was

bare-‐chested, and a bandage extended over one side of his torso. He
didn’t feel a stitch of pain, only numbness and a slight spinning in his
head. Something told him he was drugged to the gills.

“Donovan, you’re awake.”
He hoped the tiger couldn’t hear how his heart skipped a beat at

his lover’s voice. Knowing Kilian was safe pushed all else aside.

“Of course I am,” he said with gruffness in his tone. “You’d know

that if you were sitting over me like a good boyfriend would for his
dying lover.”

Kilian burst out laughing and wrinkled his nose. “The American

accent again, huh? I admit it was sexy enough to draw me to you, but I
think I like you with the rough German dialect.” Kilian leaned over
him and kissed his lips. “And by the way, I slept right here all night.”
He patted the small space on the bed beside Donovan.

“You couldn’t fit there.”
“Trust me. I know.” Kilian ran a hand over his chest, and Donovan’s

cock hardened. “You’re too big, but I made it work.”

Donovan found he liked joking with Kilian. He’d never bothered to

do that unless he was working his way into a place he wasn’t
supposed to be. Kilian brought out a lighter side to him he never knew
he had. However, remembering all that had gone on before he blacked
out, he grew serious. “Tell me what happened. Are you hurt
anywhere? How’s your fever?”

Kilian brushed the hand away that Donovan placed on his

forehead. “I’m fine. It’s you I’ve been worried about for several days.”

Uneasiness etched his handsome face, and Donovan wanted to kiss

him, but he needed to know if Sam and his men were going to attack
at any time. He would need to concentrate on getting Kilian
somewhere far away, where Sam would never find him.

“Tell me,” Donovan insisted.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

“I’m giving the orders right now.” Kilian stood up and retrieved a

tray laden with food from a table. “Your job is to eat and heal. You’re
human, so it takes longer.”

Kilian had infused his tone with annoyance, but Donovan picked

up on the fear. He must have truly been on the verge of death.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Kilian sat on the edge of the bed and busied himself laying out an

elaborate lunch. When Donovan snatched a pinch of bread, Kilian
caught his hand. Donovan didn’t pull away. They sat holding hands,
touching fingertips together as if soon enough they’d be pulled apart.
Donovan’s heart ached. He wasn’t used to this. He wanted to leap from
the bed and pace, maybe take on a new assignment and plot out his
course for taking down the target.

No, that’s not my life anymore. He glanced up at Kilian. He’s my life.

Donovan stroked Kilian’s cheek. He ran a thumb across his bottom lip,
and Kilian caught it between his teeth. The movement reminded
Donovan of how sharp those teeth became when Kilian changed.

“I don’t know where Sam is. In all the melee, he escaped. I suspect

one of his men carried him off. Several of us tried tracking him but
couldn’t pick up a scent.”

“Several of you,” Donovan repeated. “The other shifters are free? Is

that safe?”

Kilian stood up and crossed to the window. He ran a hand through

his hair. “No, it’s not safe. And no, they’re not all free. You and I barely
got out of there before the place was overrun with military.”

“Military?”
“Yeah, I knew Sam was in bed with some higher-‐ups.”
Donovan frowned. “Not literally?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Kilian shrugged. He sat down again and

began making a sandwich. “I put all this together knowing your
appetite. I thought it would wake you up. Looks like it worked.”

Donovan made a noncommittal grunt. “What about Soren?”

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

“Missing as far as I know. He was beat up pretty bad, along with

his two comrades. I didn’t stick around long enough to see the bear rip
them to ribbons, but I heard from another shifter—not sure what kind
he was—that Soren should be a viper for how easily he can slip away.”

“Damn it!” Donovan slammed a fist on his thigh and winced.
“Stop before you break your stitches.” Kilian took his hand from

his thigh and kissed his fingers. Donovan stared into his lover’s eyes.
He tugged Kilian closer, but Kilian resisted. “You’re not well yet. When
you are…”

“Where are we?” Donovan asked.
“We’re back in Sweden. It was risky transporting you, but I wanted

you here.”

“You realize we can’t stay, baby.” Donovan said the words as

gently as he could. Kilian loved his country and had been gone so long,
he must feel nothing but relief to be back. Donovan hated the guilt that
rose in him knowing he had to take Kilian away again. “I’m sorry.”

Kilian lowered his head and sighed. “You’re right. Sam might have

been defeated this time, but he’s not going to give up so easily. He’ll
come looking for me.”

“We’ll get as far away as possible.”
Kilian sat beside him and laced his fingers with Donovan’s. “What

about your work?”

Donovan knew Kilian wasn’t happy about the type of work he did.

He was prepared to tolerate it, but Donovan saw the hope his lover
couldn’t hide. “I’m leaving the past behind, along with how I made my
money.” He frowned thinking about it. “I have a considerable nest egg,
but it won’t last forever. We’ll figure it out. For now, my main focus is
you and you alone.”

Over the next few days, Donovan couldn’t wait to get on his feet.

For the first time, he wished he was a shifter like Kilian. All of his
lover’s wounds had closed and healed to the point of not even leaving
a scar. For his part, it took a while to have the stitches taken out and

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

longer to get back on his feet. All the while, Kilian cared for him,
feeding him and giving him sponge baths.

“You like this part the most, don’t you?” he accused Kilian when he

ran the cloth over Donovan’s midsection.

“Don’t tell me you don’t,” Kilian countered with a pointed look at

his crotch.

Donovan grinned. “I’m feeling particularly dirty right there.”
Kilian smirked.
“And you have no place to comment when your pants are sticking

straight out.” Donovan nodded toward Kilian’s evidence of a hard-‐on.

“How can I help it when I haven’t had any in what feels like years?”
Donovan squeezed Kilian’s thigh, but his lover scraped back his

chair and stomped over to the window. With his back to him, Donovan
realized Kilian was really upset. He sat up and threw the covers off his
legs.

“I think about what almost happened to you, and I can’t help

thinking maybe it would have been better if you never got involved
with me. Donovan, you’re human. I have to keep that in mind. You
don’t heal like I do, and one day…”

Donovan moved up behind him and set his hands on Kilian’s waist.

He pressed close until he spooned his lover’s ass and loved the feel of
its firmness, Kilian being in top shape. In his boxers, Donovan’s cock
strained to push inside of Kilian, and he moaned low in his throat. “I’m
not some weak human you have to watch over every second. I’ve been
in a dangerous line of work for years, and I’ve been shot at more times
than you can imagine. You’ve seen the scars when we made love.”

Kilian nodded. “That’s what worries me.”
“So you want to give up because I might get hurt?” He didn’t give

Kilian the chance to answer. Instead, he reached in front of him and
pinched his pants button open, and then lowered the zipper. Donovan
grabbed hold of Kilian’s cock and stroked it in his palm. “You’re telling
me you’re going to walk away from this?”

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

He ran a thumb over the head until Kilian sighed in pleasure.

When he cupped Kilian’s balls, Kilian gave a ragged cry. He arched his
hips to drive his cock harder into Donovan’s hand but then drew back
to rub his ass against Donovan’s crotch. Donovan recognized the
hunger in his man and knew Kilian was ready to lose it he was so
horny.

“No, I can’t,” Kilian moaned. “But it’s not just about the sex. I love

you, Donovan. I don’t want to be apart from you. I sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, because I have no intention of letting you go. If I

have to risk my life every day, I’ll do it. You belong to me. All mine!”

“You should be in bed.”
“I should be in your tight ass.”
Donovan made good on his threat. He yanked Kilian’s pants down

along with his boxers. He licked several fingers and then threaded
them gently into Kilian’s hole. His lover arched, raising his ass higher
so Donovan could push in deep. Donovan’s cock throbbed. He couldn’t
wait any longer. He was well enough. After wetting his fingers a little
more, he rubbed the moisture over his cock and then guided the head
between Kilian’s cheeks. Kilian held onto the windowsill.

They cried out together as Donovan sank farther in. Not until he

was buried as far as he could go did Donovan suck in a breath and
begin stroking in and out. “Oh, yes, baby, that feels so good. It’s been
too long. I’m not going another day without this. You’re mine, and I
won’t let you walk away from me.” He threw an arm across Kilian’s
broad chest and drove him backward while he shoved forward. “Do
you understand?”

Kilian gasped. “Yes. Take me.” He went up to his toes and arched a

little more. The corded muscle in his thighs flexed hard, and Donovan
took in the sight of driving his cock inside Kilian’s ass then
withdrawing. His shaft glistened with come when he came, but he
pumped a few more times before he ground all the way in and stayed
there. Kilian’s shuddering breaths fogged the glass, and in silence,
Donovan worked him until he came as well.

To Catch A Tiger

Eden Cole

“Did you hurt yourself?” Kilian murmured. He’d laid his forehead

on the window and didn’t move while he spoke.

“Not too much. I’m surprised I’m not dead from the amount of

medicine you’ve drugged me with.”

“Not funny.” Kilian drew in a deep breath and pulled away from

Donovan. Donovan released him with reluctance. “Come on. Back to
bed. If you promise to sleep a few hours, I will join you tonight, and
we’ll make love again.”

Donovan made a noncommittal noise. “There’s much you have to

learn about me, Kilian, but I’m willing to spend a few years teaching
you everything.” When they got to the bed, Donovan sidestepped his
lover and gave him a small clip at the ankles that sent Kilian toppling
onto the bed, face down.

“What the hell?” Kilion complained.
Donovan climbed on top of him and flattened himself on Kilian’s

round, inviting ass. “You might be the tiger, but I’m the tiger tamer.
I’m going to have you again…right now.”

The End

About the Author

Eden Cole is the author of several erotic works including male/male and

ménage, and she has many more on the way. Please visit Risky Ink at

riskyink.blogspot.com

to find out more about her first time series, her wolf

shifter series, and her cop series of male/male novellas.

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