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