Kitten
an unashamedly paranormal gay romance by Mychael Black & Shayne Carmichael
Phaze
Shaun lives in a world where were creatures are treated as pets for
work and sexual pleasure. Until a few days before his 18th birthday,
Shaun believed himself a normal human. Days after his first change, he
finds himself sold to the training institute. His breed is a rare white
tiger, highly prized and sought after. Escaping the institute,
Shaun is free until a human Master finds him.
When Ashley claims him, Shaun is at first resentful. Given no
time to adjust, Shaun simply can't accept who he is. With
infinite patience, Ashley sets out to help Shaun learn to accept
himself and to give new meaning to the label placed on him.
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Excerpt:
"I know you're there. Who are you?"
The rustling leaves sounded loud to Shaun as he tried to hide further
in the bushes. Holding his breath, he flattened himself as close to the
ground as possible. When the man who had spoken moved slightly, Shaun
scrambled backward. Unable to stop the sound, a low, warning pulse
erupted from his throat and he stilled completely.
The man, who had been lying on his back, rolled slowly onto his stomach
and peered into the brush. "You are a were. I won't hurt you. My name
is Ashley." He got up and held out his hand. When Shaun didn't respond,
the man named Ashley straightened his back. "Come," he said, using the
authoritative inflection of a Master; although in his case, apparently
one without a pet to control.
An enraged snarl filled the air but was quickly bitten back as the
command almost shocked Shaun into obedience. Crawling forward, he
slowly left his hiding place.
"I thought so." For a moment, Ashley stilled, looking Shaun over.
Muscular and sleek, Shaun knew he was a rare find even when only half-shifted, especially with his black-and-white striped fur.
"What is your name? If you know the command, then I know you can speak."
"Shaun." Clad only in a black loincloth, very little of him was
covered. With fluid motion, he moved to his hands and knees in front of
Ashley.
"You don't belong out here."
Ashley reached out and hummed softly. It was a technique used by
Masters to calm their pets. He traced the outline of the tattoo etched
into Shaun's skin, just at the nape of his neck. It was a procedure
done when a were was captured. Once a Master took possession, the star
would take on the form of the Master's initial, signifying ownership.
Shaun's tattoo was still that of a perfect star, showing that he was
unclaimed. The soft trill brought a visible relaxation to Shaun's tense
body, though he tried to fight against the effect. Biting at his lip,
his head lowered, allowing Ashley to touch him.
"I won't hurt you," Ashley murmured. "How long have you been free?"
The words might have been meant as some form of comfort, but Shaun
didn't take them that way. Lifting his head and raising his chin higher
in a defiant manner, he said, "For more than two months. I've lived out
here on my own."
"You need proper bedding and a bath," Ashley said matter-of-factly. He
picked up a cigarette butt from the grass beside him and stood slowly,
pushing the butt into one of his jeans pockets. "Come."
Because he was given no choice in the matter, Shaun hissed angrily;
but, nonetheless, he followed slowly behind the man. It would do no
good to beg to be left out here. He already knew what a prize he'd be
viewed as.
Home was no more than a few minutes away. Ashley was grateful that he'd
found a place so far outside of the city, but close enough for work.
Five minutes later, he held his front door open, standing to the side
to let Shaun go in first. Shaun seemed apprehensive as he stepped past
him. Once inside, Ashley watched as Shaun took several deep breaths.
Apprehension, it seemed, gave way to curiosity, and Shaun slowly
prowled around the perimeter of the room, poking into everything.
Closing the front door and locking it, Ashley smiled. He'd had chances
in the past to take in a pet, but he'd never found the right one to
replace the emptiness within him. Then this beauty had practically
fallen into his life. Ashley wasn't surprised that a part of him was
already working out the possibility of keeping Shaun with him, of
claiming him.