by Jools Louise
Spirit of Sage 7
Trials, Track, and Tribulations
Ryder Black, an elite soldier, and Cracker, an ex-con and biker, are an unlikely match for Douglas, a man blinded by a vicious acid attack, courtesy of an old enemy. His new mates are a surprise, especially after the violent death of his first mate, Ellis, at the hands of a murderous wolverine shifter.
Douglas is beset by self-doubt, depression, and PTSD, and with the trials for the Two Spirit Tournament about to start, he’s convinced that he’s of no use to anyone. What can he possibly offer his two gorgeous mates?
Cracker and Ryder must persuade Douglas of their love and affection and overcome years of abuse—as well as deal with some new threats to the town of Sage.
Will their love be enough to give Douglas something to live for? Or will the echoes of his abusive mother’s toxic hatred finish him off for good?
Genre: Alternative, Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Western/Cowboys
Length: 42,412 words
TRIALS, TRACK, AND
TRIBULATIONS
Spirit of Sage 7
Jools Louise

Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
TRIALS, TRACK, AND TRIBULATIONS
Copyright © 2017 by Jools Louise
ISBN: 978-1-64010-448-8
First Publication: July 2017
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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PUBLISHER
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DEDICATION
Thanks again to everyone who loves this series as much as I do. You make it all worthwhile. Grateful for the feedback, and happy to keep on going, finding new and exciting adventures for the residents of Sage. xx
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’m a forty-something single female whose love of creative writing goes back to childhood. When getting a “proper” job took priority, writing took a back seat. I took the plunge a little while ago to get serious, wrote a manuscript, then sent it off, and the rest is history…several books published now, and I’m writing plenty more. I love writing LGBTQ erotic fiction because it crosses boundaries and explores prejudice, which is what I try to convey.
I live in the northwest of England, close to the English Lake District, just a few miles from the sea and with beautiful scenery all around.
I hope you enjoy the stories I’ve written so far. Feel free to look me up on Facebook, Twitter, or my website, www.joolslouise.com, and leave feedback.
For all titles by Jools Louise, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/jools-louise
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
About the Author
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Landmarks
Cover
TRIALS, TRACK, AND
TRIBULATIONS
Spirit of Sage 7
JOOLS LOUISE
Copyright © 2017
Prologue
Douglas woke, screaming in agony as he was doused with liquid that burned like fire. He heard the murmur of voices, heard the concern, but could not halt the terror and pain that coursed through him. He bucked against the searing pain that cut into his eyeballs, wanting to scratch at them, wanting to claw at his own flesh to stop the torture.
“Douglas, please don’t fight us,” his father, Cody, pleaded, the deep voice hoarse, as though from tears. “Murphy, get him some more pain relief, goddammit! My boy’s hurting.”
“I’m giving him a sedative. That’s the best I can do, right now,” Murphy replied, his calm voice tense. “I don’t have a full anesthetic here. I’m doing the best I can, Cody. I’ve doused his eyes with water, to stem some of the damage, but we’ll need to operate. I don’t think I can save his sight.”
Douglas felt the scream building again and let loose, howling in unremitting anguish, desperate for relief. He felt a slight prick in his arm, then a soothing flow began to spread outward. It dulled the pain some, reducing it to the feel of only thousand wasps stinging him rather than an entire swarm.
“Dad?” he choked out, sobbing in fear.
“I’m here, baby,” Cody replied. Douglas felt strong fingers squeeze his hand.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left the house. I just wanted to go after that bastard in jail. I wanted answers. I wanted to make him pay.” Douglas felt a deep ache in his heart, remembering the loss of his mate, Ellis Hawkwing, a Native American murdered in front of him. He’d only known his lover for a few months, and now their relationship had been violently curtailed. Ellis had been caught in the crossfire of a brutal blood feud between wolverine clans, paying the ultimate price. Douglas had wanted the perpetrator dead, had wanted revenge on those responsible, and had sought answers from the one who had killed his first love. That act had cost him his sight. He had been stupid in his grief.
“Baby, you had the right to find out,” Cody said. “You were upset and not thinking straight, which is why they got the drop on you. But you had the right to go after Rash. He was evil, right to the core.”
“It hurts,” Douglas said tremulously, shaking. He was cold, trying to stop the tremors that were racking him. His teeth began chattering, and he felt a blanket wrapped around him.
“He’s going into shock,” Murphy said, as though from far away. “How far are we away, now?” he called to someone urgently.
“We’re still an hour out,” John said grimly from the front. “I’m driving as fast as I can.”
Douglas shuddered uncontrollably, feeling yet another blanket go around him. The cold was bone deep, and the coverings did little to help. He’d lost his mate, and his sight…they should just let him go, not waste their time on him. He was a fuckwit. His own mother had told him that. Why would anyone want to save him? He was stupid. He’d lost everything…who would want him now? He was a freak.
His thoughts splintered, and his mind became scrambled, the pain and the meds sending frightening images ricocheting through his skull. Images of being trapped in the tunnels, at the mercy of his murderous bitch of a mother. He kept seeing her face, twisted into hatred as she spat at him, telling him all sorts of vile things about his father, about how nobody would come to save him
, that he was dead to her. He shook, violently, cringing away from the awful nightmare, and sobbed harder.
“Douglas, I’m here baby, I’m here,” Cody repeated over and over. “Your mom isn’t here, honey, she can’t hurt you again. She’ll never hurt you again.”
Douglas felt the wasps stinging his eyes grow stronger, felt the pain increase, and screamed again, unable to stand the torture that was battering him on all sides. He lurched up, trying to escape, and then shrieked as the searing heat swallowed him, and he fell back, his torment ending as he blacked out.
Chapter One
Douglas woke abruptly, his naked body covered in sweat, shuddering as he recalled the recurring nightmare that had abused his sleep yet again. He tried to shrug off the shroud of terror and lifted his face to the heavens, sniffing at the air. His nostrils quivered, and he drooled as he scented fresh coffee, bacon, and the unique aroma of his mates, whose scent permeated the apartment and the large bed they shared. He listened carefully and knew he was alone in the room. He heard Cracker’s voice coming from the kitchen, but didn’t hear Ryder, his other mate. He’d known Ryder for several months, Cracker for a much shorter time. They had only recently found out that they were a trio and consummated a couple of weeks ago after his lovers carried him out of Café Anglais and had their wickedly erotic way with him. He was still in shock at finding that the two sexy studs were all his, and they were negotiating their way through the whole mating thing. After losing his first love just over six months ago, he’d never considered a second bite of the cherry, but found he was already falling in love with his men.
He felt the familiar twinge of pain in his heart as he thought about Ellis Hawkwing. The man had been his first lover, first mate…first everything. He’d shown Douglas what love was all about between two men, and Douglas would never forget the precious gift he’d been given. Ellis had been a hero in more ways than one. He’d stepped in front of a psychopath for Douglas’s family and had paid the ultimate price. A human, Ellis had been too badly injured to be saved, despite receiving life-giving shifter blood. His death had left a big hole in Douglas’s heart. The scar remained, would probably remain forever.
“Breakfast?” Cracker asked suddenly, sitting beside Douglas and startling him out of his reverie. A lap tray was placed across his thighs, on top of the covers. “Coffee’s at two o’clock, bacon sandwich dead center, and I got you a couple of your favorite cookies, as well, with the nuts and white chocolate chips.”
Douglas smiled gratefully and lifted his hand, using his sensitive nose to pinpoint exactly where his food was. He touched the rim of his plate, then reached for the sandwich. Taking a huge bite, he groaned as the delicious flavors exploded on his tongue. Cracker had even added Douglas’s favorite new condiment, called Daddy’s Sauce, a British import courtesy of John, Douglas’s former boss at the local café and bakery.
“Thanks,” Douglas mumbled around the big mouthful, chewing happily.
“I figured you could use the nourishment,” the big shifter said, almost scolding. “You’ve been tossing and turning since before dawn.”
“I couldn’t sleep properly,” Douglas admitted, shrugging. Despite having two highly sexed and enthusiastic mates, Douglas’s mind sometimes struggled to switch off, even surrounded by the warmth and security of his lovers. He didn’t admit to the flashbacks he still suffered from. That would almost be a sign of weakness, in his opinion, and he didn’t want his lovers to think he was a nutcase. Theirs was a new relationship, and having a ménage à trois could be complicated enough without his issues stirred into the mix.
“You don’t talk much about the past,” Cracker said quietly. “It must hurt, still, to lose someone you loved, in that way. You don’t have to bottle everything up. We’re your mates. We understand if you need to offload about stuff.”
Douglas shrugged diffidently, not responding to the invitation. He was uncomfortable that his lover was so intuitive. He was relieved that Cracker hadn’t pushed him before now, since Douglas often had trouble staying asleep, troubled by nightmares nearly every night. He heard the crunch as his mate bit into his own sandwich. Bacon, cheese, and a dab of ketchup if Douglas’s nose was working correctly. Without his sight, he relied a great deal on his sense of smell. He often surprised himself how accurate he was when he used his other senses to compensate for being blind. The acid bath, thanks to the angry minion of a wolverine psychopath, had taken his sight forever. Even a shifter didn’t heal from everything thrown their way.
Douglas chewed, then took a sip of coffee, sighing with pleasure as his taste buds danced with joy. He was stalling and he knew it, but talking about a former lover to his latest one was a little uncomfortable. It just didn’t seem quite right.
“I’m not the best at talking, but I think you probably need to speak to somebody. PTSD can be a bitch to deal with,” Cracker observed. Douglas heard a slurping sound, then the trickle of fluid as Cracker’s drink flowed down his gullet. The low moan that followed made Douglas smile in agreement. That first taste of coffee, in the early morning hours just after daybreak, was the best.
“It’s painful,” Douglas confessed softly.
“I know, baby,” Cracker said, and Douglas felt a hand rest on his shoulder, squeezing lightly, then a light kiss on his cheek. “Sometimes you have to go through more pain to find peace. God knows after all that business with my sister, Stephanie, I know about sleepless nights. I’ll never forget seeing her, the state she was in after those bastards had finished with her. Finding out that two of her killers are still out there keeps me awake at night.”
Douglas covered Cracker’s hand with his, curling his fingers into his lover’s large mitt. “We’ll get them,” he said. “Ryder’s on the case, you know that. And Pace and Cal.”
Cracker didn’t reply, and Douglas heard him give the tiniest sniffle, as though he was fighting back tears, his breathing catching slightly. It broke Douglas’s heart, what had happened to Cracker’s little sister. She had only been a young teenager when a gang of local thugs, hired by his best friend’s stepfather, had kidnapped her in the middle of the night. They’d held her stepbrother, Kaden, at gunpoint, then taken her to a basement where they’d sexually assaulted, beaten, and finally murdered her. Cracker and his crew, Sherman, Fester, Misty, and Jester had gone after the gang, and ended up being arrested and thrown in jail when they’d killed three of the killers. Two more had escaped. One was living the life of Riley in New York City after acquiring a substantial sum of money from Sherman’s stepfather…who’d apparently stolen it from Sherman’s trust fund somehow.
“I nearly attacked the wolverines mated to your brother, Ethan, because I lost control,” Cracker said remorsefully. “I just wanted to break something, I was so angry they have a distant connection to the ones who killed my sister. I chose the wrong target, because I was so blinded by hatred. I’m dangerous right now, because my temper can snap at any time. Murphy said I was a loose cannon because I’d kept too much of my grief inside.” He laughed bitterly. “Prison life doesn’t lend itself to displays of weeping. All those years of being locked up, using violence to solve disputes, rather than dealing with the root cause of my anger.” He sounded sad.
Douglas made a sound of distress and clambered onto Cracker’s lap, naked, after placing his plate onto the side table. He sighed, curling up against his bigger lover, kissing him gently. “Cracker, we’re all tense right now. I lost control, too, thinking that I could deal with Ellis’s death by going after the ones who killed him. Now I’m blind, because I was stupid. Do you know what I learned? That I’m not alone. Neither are you. Sometimes I just forget that fact, because the darkness bleeds into my brain and I can’t think straight when the nightmares start again.” He kissed his lover again, wrapping his arms around his neck. “This town is full of hope right now, after the hell we’ve all been through. The Shifter Games are coming up. Let’s focus our energies on that, bring some good vibes to Sage. Pace and Cal and Ryder will get
those bastards who killed your sister. Otherwise, if you fall apart now and hurt the wrong person, then the gang wins.”
Cracker’s arms went around him, holding him tightly. Douglas heard the tremulous breaths he took and another small sniffle. “I should apologize to the young shifters at the clinic, too,” he said. “Apparently, they know I’m friends with Sherman, who went ballistic there after finding out that they had information about my sister’s death, or at least they can help us nail the bastards who did it. They’re terrified in case I attack them, too. I don’t want those people who are in the hospital to think I’m a psychopath.”
“Perhaps it would be best to wait until they’re a little healthier,” Douglas said dryly, kissing his lover again. “Don’t want them having a heart attack if you go barging in there.”
Cracker grunted, deepening the kiss. Douglas moaned, loving his mate’s gentle passion. The man was a firecracker, for sure, but he was so damned tender in the bedroom. Particularly with Douglas. Cracker and Ryder? That was another dynamic entirely, two huge males going at each other as though they were in battle, crashing and clashing out their passion. They were so competitive, even in bed, that the fireworks were often explosive. Douglas loved it. He always benefitted, in the best possible way.
There was a loud knock on the front door, and both men groaned at the interruption. Douglas had just been about to take his big, beautiful lion shifter into his ass and ride him fast and hard. He wanted the man’s spunk inside him. He scowled as the knocking sounded again.
