The Shifter Chronicles 2
by
Pages: 109
Pages: 162
As a bull shifter, Ryan has no idea what it is to be human. When he’s purchased and brought to the home of Caleb O’Connell, he’s determined to show the young man who’s boss. However, Caleb won’t cooperate, and instead of fearing Ryan, Caleb takes a liking to the new bull he soon dubs Whirlwind.
Caleb adores the feisty Whirlwind, convinced the bovine will be the best bucking bull in the Professional Bull Riding Circuit. Then one night his entire life changes when he learns Whirlwind’s secret—the secret of shapeshifters.
Ryan and Caleb become the best of friends, and Caleb attempts to teach Ryan, as best he can, how to be a human. Their time together leads to deeper feelings... and eventually they decide to give a relationship a chance. Unfortunately, Ryan is kidnapped, and Caleb has to call in the Agency—an organization that protects shifters—or their new life together will end before it ever starts.
Second Edition with updated and revised text.
- 1 To Be Read list
Publisher: Independently Published
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 18-25
Protagonist 2 Age: 18-25
Tropes: Friends to Lovers
Word Count: 30230
Setting: Nevada
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Ryan jumped to his feet and grabbed the collar of the biker man’s jacket. He lifted him with one hand and pulled his fist back, ready to smash it directly into his face. But someone held his arm back. Growling in frustration, he swung his head around and met fierce green eyes. Long hands gripped his wrist, and Caleb’s face was set in a fierce frown.
“Stop, Ryan. Let. Him. Go.”
That voice. Smooth, calm, clear. He blinked several times. The violent haze that gripped his mind and clenched his muscles began to ease. He looked back at the biker man and finally noted the blood covering his face, leaking from his nose. More blood covered his white shirt and exposed skin.
Ryan grimaced and dropped the biker man like he was something smelly that was about to be put in the trash. He glanced around and noticed everyone staring at him. The bartender had a rifle out, and pointed it at his face.
READ MORE“Get the hell out of here, you freak,” the bartender said, his hands shaking.
Caleb tugged on his arm, and Ryan allowed himself to be led from the bar. It wasn’t remorse he felt but… frustration. He hated it when his primal side grabbed hold of him, he hated losing control. In bull form, that was expected, needed. In human form… well… it didn’t make him any new friends.
They walked across the parking lot, and he yanked his arm from Caleb’s grip. He noticed there was blood on him too. Great.
“Let go. I’m fine—”
“No, you’re not.” Caleb rounded on him and actually shoved him back with both hands.
Ryan stumbled backward, shocked.
“How could you do that?” Caleb shouted. “How could you let yourself go like that, Ryan? You haven’t done anything like that since we were teens! You know your eyes glow and your skin ripples when you get pissed. Don’t think no one noticed that! And now that man will have to go to the hospital. You broke his arm, I saw it.”
He winced but refused to feel guilty. “He deserved it.”
Caleb gaped and then lashed out and punched his face. He roared and gripped Caleb’s collar before slamming him against a truck. He bared his teeth and made sure Caleb’s feet couldn’t touch the ground. The punch had been modest and probably wouldn’t leave a bruise, but the shock of the hit had him reeling.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he growled, his voice coming from deep in his chest.
“Or what?” Caleb shot back, his face contorted in rage. “You’ll pound me bloody too? Well, go ahead, we both know I can’t stop you. Go ahead!”
Ryan pressed his friend harder against the truck and, feeling desperate and confused, smashed his mouth against Caleb’s scowling lips.
COLLAPSEI enjoyed the first book in 'The Shifter Chronicles' series by M.D. Grimm so much that I had to jump right into book two. I was intrigued by the concept of a bull shifter as I don't recall having read about one before. Not to mention, Ryan is a bull shifter who competes in the Professional Bull Riding tournaments. Caleb is his best friend and these two have a lot of misconceptions to work out.
Ryan is unique, even for a shifter. His father was a bull shifter who had sex with a cow, and Ryan was born. Apparently it's very unusual for a shifter to be able to breed with an animal. Ryan's dad stayed around long enough to teach him how to shift, and how to stay off the humans’ radar, and then he left him. Ryan was determined he was going to remain a bull his whole life until he met Caleb and felt a need for a human connection. Of course, Caleb has no idea what Ryan is until Ryan had been at their farm for two years. Caleb teaches Ryan how to be human while falling in love with him. Ryan has always loved Caleb but was afraid of losing him if Caleb knew.
In one fateful night, their relationship changes and Ryan mates with Caleb. Before they can really enjoy this, and figure out what kind of life they want to lead together, Ryan is kidnapped. Caleb calls the phone number his mother made him memorize many years before, and reaches Agent Poe with the Agency. Apparently Caleb's aunt is an agent and that's how his mom knew. Anyway, Agent Poe shows up and helps get Ryan back from the man who wanted to be immortalized by the Knights, an organization that is the antithesis of the Agency.
I had so much fun with this book. Ryan, and the way he thought more like a bull than a human, was very endearing. Caleb with his loyalty and love was adorable. A wonderful addition to the series, and I'm glad the author is including more in-depth glimpses into the Agency.
Timeless love against an ageless enemy... who will rise victorious?
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