by Joyee Flynn
Hiding Hounds 1
Sheriff Found
Mates were the stuff of legends. But Toby Walker didn't think things could get much harder than they were. Sent out into the human world by his pack to find help, Toby is shocked to find that the legends might be true when he spots his mate. His only problem is that the sheriff thinks he's just a cute little Beagle pup and he's sick with whatever is killing his pack.
Sheriff Randall Markins is shocked when a Beagle pup pees on his leg. He's even more astounded when he discovers the pup is a gorgeous man that says they've mated. Randall has already been through so much in his life and to discover that Toby has mated them without his permission might be more than he can handle. Can Toby convince Randall otherwise or is he doomed to live without his mate? And what about his dying pack?
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 37,091 words
SHERIFF FOUND
Hiding Hounds 1
Joyee Flynn
EROTIC ROMANCE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000."
If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at
[email protected]
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance
SHERIFF FOUND
Copyright © 2011 by Joyee Flynn
E-book ISBN: 1-61034-261-5
First E-book Publication: February 2011
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 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.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of Sheriff Found by Joyee Flynn from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.
The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Joyee Flynn’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Flynn’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
www.SirenPublishing.com
www.BookStrand.com
DEDICATION
To Steve: For being my best friend for way too many years and always supporting me no matter what I do. You're way too hot to look at like a brother even if you've always been like family to me. I still can't believe you know all my deepest secrets and still love me, but I'll be forever grateful you're in my life.
SHERIFF FOUND
Hiding Hounds 1
JOYEE FLYNN
Copyright © 2011
Chapter 1
“What the fuck?” Sheriff Randall Markins exclaimed as he felt the leg of his uniform pants getting wet. Looking down, he saw a small beagle lifting his leg and peeing on him. “Oh, come on now!”
The pup simply looked up at him, smiling with his cute, little pink tongue hanging out. Randall tried not to laugh, instead giving the dog a stern look when he bent over to pick him up.
“Who do you belong to, little guy?” he asked as he checked to see if the dog had tags. No such luck. He walked them over to his police cruiser, grumpy about the wet pants leg, and got in the SUV. Putting the dog on the passenger’s seat, Randall turned to buckle himself in. Only he found the beagle snuggled on his lap. “No, you have to sit in the other seat.”
The dog whimpered as Randall moved him back again. He chuckled at the cute pup and started the cruiser. Seeing the dog claw at the closed window out of the corner of his eye, he took a chance and rolled down the window a bit. The pup immediately stuck his head out as Randall drove, ears flapping in the wind. It seemed a shame that he had to take such a cute dog to the pound.
Minutes later, he pulled into the county pound and parked the car. The dog looked out the window at the building before turning his gaze back to Randall. He felt his heart melt at the puppy dog eyes staring at him.
“Sorry, it’s the rules, little guy,” he said gently as he lifted the dog into his arms. “Your owners will come down and find you.”
“Owners, my ass,” Randall swore he heard someone say. Looking around, he saw the parking lot was empty besides him and the beagle he was holding. Obviously, the dog hadn’t talked. Randall chuckled at the idea. His sex life was bad, but not bad enough to push him into crazy world yet. Glancing down at the pup in his arms, he got licked by a soft, wet tongue.
“You really are the cutest pup I’ve ever seen,” Randall whispered as he scratched the dog behind the ears. He walked through the front door, and the lady at the front desk, who was talking on the phone, waved him through when he showed her his prize. The pup started whining and trying to get away when they went in the back. “It’s okay, little guy, we’re just going to see the doc.”
Randall gasped when the little head and floppy ears managed to wiggle into his shirt between the buttons. The pup started licking and rubbing against his sparse chest hair at the top of his wifebeater.
“Oh, you’re so going to keep him.” Dr. Cameron Dalton chuckled as he walked up toward them.
“No way, we met by him peeing on my leg.” Randall snickered as he pulled the beagle back out of his shirt. “He doesn’t have any tags. Can you see if he’s got one of those digital ones embedded in him?”
“Of course, Sheriff,” Cameron replied as he went to take the pup. They both jumped when the dog gave a loud growl. “Whoa, why didn’t you leash him and cage him?”
“He’s been the sweetest pup I’ve ever seen until now,” Randall said, shocked at the dog’s reaction. Pulling him back, he held the dog tightly until he calmed down. “The doc is just going to scan you, pup. I’ll hang on to you the whole time, okay?”
He was shocked when the dog gave a quick bark and licked him like he understo
od what Randall was saying. Looking up at the Sheriff, Cameron shrugged his shoulders and went to get the scanner. When he came back, Randall held the pup tightly as the vet ran the wand over the dog’s neck.
“I got nothing, but I want to check his teeth,” Cameron said, setting the scanner aside. “When he growled, I saw something. I think he’s sick.”
“All right, just stay calm, little buddy. The doc’s going to check you out,” Randall cooed as he held the dog up so his muzzle was facing Cameron. The doctor snapped on some latex gloves and reached for the dog’s mouth. Randall watched as the pup just about opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue for the doc.
“Shit,” Cameron hissed as he pulled away from the dog. “We can’t keep him here. He’ll get every animal here sick.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Randall asked, pulled the pup closer to his body. “Is he going to be okay?”
“I don’t know,” Cameron answered, taking off his gloves. “He’s got parvo, Randall. It doesn’t seem to be either of the two most dangerous strains since he’s not lying in your arms like a wet noodle. But he’s going to need intensive and constant care for a few days, which we can’t give him here. If this spreads, we’re going to have to put all the animals down. I’m sorry.”
“No,” Randall growled when Cameron went to take the pup from him. “Tell me what to do. I’ll take care of him. You can’t euthanize him.”
“Sheriff, he’s already been vomiting blood,” the vet said gently. “Even if you help him, there’s no guarantee he’ll make it.”
“I’ll take that chance, doc. I won’t just give up on him because he’s sick,” Randall stated firmly. He was a little shocked with himself that he was fighting so hard for the pup he’d just found. He had a feeling this dog had wiggled into more than just his shirt. “Please, Cameron? We’ve been friends for years. I’ve never asked you for anything, but I’m asking you now. Help me save him.”
The doc was quiet for a few minutes, searching Randall’s face and then the pup’s when he gave a whimper. “All right, I’ll do what I can, but I can’t make you any promises.”
“Fair enough,” Randall agreed. “What do we do?”
“Right now, I’m going to give him a shot to help with the nausea and put in an IV,” Cameron explained as he grabbed fresh gloves. He kept talking as he walked around the exam room and grabbed supplies. Randall watched in awe as the doc filled IV bags with all types of other fluid combinations. “He’s going to need this IV constantly for a few days. Today’s Friday, so I’ll stop over Sunday to see his progression and what we do next.”
“We’re going to make you all better, little guy,” Randall whispered in the pup’s ear. “We need to listen to what the doc says, and you be a good boy.”
The pup whimpered as the doc gave him a shot in his neck, twisting Randall’s heart. Then Cameron inserted an IV port into the dog’s leg, taping it down. “When you get him home, hook up one of the bags. Take it out only when you’re not watching him or he’s got to go out, okay?”
“You got it, doc,” Randall answered as he took the bag full of supplies. “We’ll see you Sunday.”
“Call me if he gets worse. You have the number to my cell,” Cameron said, giving them a weak smile. “Parvo works fast, Randall. I just don’t want to get your hopes up.”
“I know, but I have to try,” the Sheriff answered as he gave the doc a wave. Randall found himself chuckling as they made their way back out to his cruiser. Who would have thought finding a dog peeing on his leg earlier today would lead to all of this? Glancing down at the beagle, Randall realized he was glad he found the pup in time to try and help him.
* * * *
I loved the feeling of being held in my mate’s arms. Glancing around the house Randall had called home as we entered the front door I took it all in. It looked comfortable, every part of it carefully selected to fit my mate and everything in its place.
“Let’s hit the bedroom so I can change out of my uniform before we get you set up, okay?” Randall said to me as we climbed the stairs. I waited until we were in his room and my mate set me on the bed before shifting to human form.
“I like the way you look in your uniform,” I said quietly to Randall’s back. I almost laughed when the good Sheriff slowly turned around to face me like something out of a horror flick.
“What—I mean, h–how?” Randall stuttered, his hands still at his necktie, frozen from when he was trying to take it off.
“I’m a shape shifter,” I answered, knowing what Randall had been asking, even if he hadn’t found the words.
“That’s not possible,” Randall whispered, taking a step back.
“Would it be easier for you to have this conversation with a talking dog?” I chuckled, leaning back on the bed on my hands.
“That was you I heard in the parking lot?” Randall asked, even if it was more a statement.
“Do you really need me to answer that?”
“Stop answering me with questions,” Randall snapped. I shrank back a bit, not liking that my mate seemed angry. Randall must have noticed the change in me, because he took several deep breaths before speaking again. “What’s your name?”
“Toby, Toby Walker,” I answered softly. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good with outsiders. I don’t leave the pack very often, or ever, really.”
“It’s okay, just give me a few minutes to digest this,” Randall replied, nodding. He closed his eyes as he took off his tie, as if he expected me to be a dog again when he opened them back up. When he did, I was careful not to have moved. “Can you shift back to a beagle? I need to see this.”
“Sure,” I said with a shrug and focused on the change. The air around me vibrated, and moments later, I was back in beagle form again.
“Holy fuck,” Randall gasped, walking toward me. He tentatively reached out a hand and rubbed my head.
“I love when you touch me,” I said, getting a yelp from Randall in response. “Sorry, I thought you were okay with me talking in dog form.”
“I’m a lot of things right now. None I would call okay.” Randall snickered as he moved to sit on the bed. I immediately climbed up on my mate’s lap, putting my front paws on the large man’s chest. I still couldn’t get over how lucky I was to be mated to such a stud. Randall had to be at least six-three and two hundred and fifty pounds of solid muscle. What called to me were his light green eyes that almost looked yellow in certain light.
“Do I get to see you naked now?” I asked when the silence dragged out.
“What? No!” Randall exclaimed and moved me from his lap. “I’m not into dogs, thanks.”
“Oh, of course,” I replied, completely hurt as I hopped down off the bed. “I’ll wait for you downstairs then.”
“Toby, wait,” Randall yelled after me as I raced from the room. But I didn’t stop until I was in the living room. I felt as if my heart had been ripped from my chest. Quickly shifting, I went to the bag the vet had given us and pulled out one of the IV bags. I plugged it into the IV port in my hand before hanging it up on the lamp by the sofa. I shifted back to a pup and snuggled on the couch.
I started to get tired after the day’s excitement and started to drift off. Moments later, I was wide awake when Randall sat down on the couch next to me and started rubbing my stomach.
“I didn’t mean to be so callous, Toby,” Randall said gently. “This is quite a shock to me. I need you to cut me some slack here.”
“I get it,” I answered, my leg kicking out when Randall scratched my favorite spot. “Is it better if I don’t talk?”
“No, I’ve got lots of questions,” Randall chuckled. “I’m simply trying to figure out where to start.”
“How about why I’m sick?”
“Okay, yeah, we can start there,” Randall answered, picking me up and holding me protectively. “Are you going to be all right? Can we help you?”
“I don’t know, but I’m grateful you were so willing to try,” I said quietly
. “My whole pack is sick. But parvo for us isn’t as bad as it is for real dogs since we’re really only part dog. Some of us left the pack in search of help and a cure.”
“How did you guys get it?”
“We don’t know,” I answered, rubbing my face against my mate’s chest. “People started getting sick, nothing big at first. We thought a stomach bug was going around the pack. But then people started getting worse. Friends and family started vomiting blood, losing babies, and a few even dying. That’s when we realized this was more than some bug.”
“And so you left to find help?” Randall asked, rubbing his hands over my coat as if he’d done it every day for all our lives.
“Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to find my mate. I thought they were just a myth.” I snickered. Then it hit me what I’d said. I put a paw over my face and turned my head away, waiting for Randall to freak out.
“Um, did that have something to do with you peeing on me?” Randall asked, turning my muzzle back toward him. “I was going to ask you about that anyways. I mean, what the fuck, man?”
“I’m sorry about that,” I whispered. “I couldn’t stop myself from marking you. It was instinct.”
“Marking me?”
“I marked you as mine. We’re bonded mates now,” I answered, completely excited. I stood back up on my back paws and licked Randall’s face. “We get to be together always.”
“You mated me without even asking me?” Randall growled, pushing me off his lap. “What the fuck does that mean?”
