Wild Cowboy

by Fel Fern

  

  Ashfall Mountain 4

  Wild Cowboy

  [Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic Romance, Alternative, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves, MM, HEA]

  Aiden’s entire world comes crashing down on him when he’s forcefully dragged into the world of violent shifters. His humanity is stolen but not only that, Aiden’s become the monster he hates. The only thing Aiden has going for him is Ryder. Aiden feels like he’s had a nothing but a string of bad luck, but his fortune is about to change. The heat between Ryder and him is off-the charts but the handsome and dangerous werewolf has secrets of his own.

  Ryder’s been fighting a losing battle with his wolf for a very long time. Aiden sees right through his bullshit and his jokes. Aiden keeps him balanced. Aiden’s a keeper, his fated mate but Ryder had his own internal demons to fight. When the monsters who Turned Aiden into a shifter come back for him, Ryder can’t take them all. He’ll need the strength of his wolf and his pack to fend them off.

  Length: 27,000 words

  WILD COWBOY

  Ashfall Mountain 4

  Fel Fern

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Wild Cowboy

  Copyright © 2020 by Fel Fern

  ISBN: 978-1-64637-203-4

  First Publication: August 2020

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2020 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.

  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 or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Fel Fern loves penning M/M erotic romance.

  A sadist who loves watching her heroes break their backs trying to earn their happy endings, Fel likes throwing in the occasional dash of the unknown to the usual romantic concoction.

  www.felfern.com

  https://tinyletter.com/authorfelfern

  For all titles by Fel Fern, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/fel-fern

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  WILD COWBOY

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  WILD COWBOY

  Ashfall Mountain 4

  FEL FERN

  Copyright © 2020

  Chapter 1

  Ryder Fuller eyed his half full bottle of beer, then proceeded to down its contents. His sixth or was it seventh this evening? Ryder kept hoping the alcohol would dull the aches on his body or his mind. Shifters didn’t get drunk easily. Monsters like him especially needed an excessive amount of alcohol for it to take effect.

  “Another one, barkeep,” he told the bartender over the loud country music.

  The dark-haired man sitting next to him at the bar, a local in his early fifties and a human, eyed him with open hostility. He wasn’t the only one, but Ryder didn’t give a damn. Tom, the burly bartender in his late forties, opened another beer and set it in front of him.

  “You shouldn’t encourage him, Tom,” called the bastard next to him. “Monsters like him should stay on the mountain, where the rest of the murderous bastards belong.”

  Ryder didn’t know when he hopped off the stool. He suddenly was in front of the human, fisting his shirt and glowering at him. He bet his eyes were no longer normal, not the usual brown but gold. He could feel his teeth lengthening to fangs. The human looked ready to wet himself, but then, a twisted smile formed on his lips. The bastard wanted Ryder to punch him, make an example of him.

  The townies never hid the fact they distrusted the groups living on Ashfall Mountain, Murder Mountain as some of the locals called it. Why wouldn’t they? Ryder and the rest of the broken shifters living on the mountain were branded dangerous, on the verge of turning Feral. The only reason the Paranormal Government let them be was because they were hoping the three groups would eventually kill each other off.

  Ryder took deep breaths and released the human.

  “Aw. The beast lost its nerve?” the human asked.

  Ryder roared into his face, making the human freeze up. Shit. Ryder could sense his animal hovering at the surface of his skin, ready to let loose. Cause damage. His other pack members didn’t know about his little trips to town. Ryder couldn’t remember when he started doing this. Drinking his sorrows away. He just got sick of looking at the mated couples in his pack.

  First, it had been Dom and Teddy. Kris and Sam, and now, Alec and Chip. Alec, for crying out loud. That bastard was a loose cannon. How in hell could Alec score a mate faster than Ryder?

  He envied them all. Hated them.

  Maybe hate was too strong a word.

  Ryder still needed to let off some steam. The bar went silent. Some humans were looking at him and the asshole who wanted to pick a fight with him. Half a dozen humans against little old him? Ryder would decimate them. Humans were so fragile. Easily breakable.

  He didn’t want this. All Ryder wanted was to be left alone. Get roaring drunk before driving back home and passing out. Then it would be a new day to annoy everyone in his pack again.

  “Hey, there’s no need for this bullshit,” said a new voice.

  The speaker was a skinny stick of a human with dark gold hair and the lightest shade of blue eyes Ryder had ever seen. On a human at least. The guy was in his mid-twenties and was wearing the bar’s T-shirt. His name tag read ‘Aiden’ and the most delicious, intriguing scent came from him. It was there, underneath the smell of beer and French fries. Something sweet.

  Ryder released the silly human who wanted to pick a fight with him. The angry human shoved him away and walked out of the bar.

  Ryder only had eyes for Aiden who flashed the prettiest smile at him. Most humans and submissive shifters were downright afraid of him but not this one. Maybe Aiden had a few loose screws in his head, too?

  “Thank you for letting him go,” Aiden said. “Hank’s a hot-headed fool, but he only gets that way after his third beer. Tom? Give him another beer. It’s on me.”

  Ryder sat back on his seat, watching Aiden finish handing out the orders at another table.

  “Aiden’s a good kid,” Tom told him in a quiet voice. “Stay away from him.”

  Ryder narrowed his eyes at Tom. “What makes you think I’m interested in him? He’s human, and for your info, he’s a grown-ass adult. What, you his boyfriend or something?”

  “No, just his boss,” Tom grumbled. “But I don’t like the way you’re looking at him. Like he’s prey.”

  “Prey’s a good word, my friend.”

  “I’m not your friend. I only tolerate your presence because I consider you harmless. I get it. Everyone has bad days and you look like you just want a quiet drink, but Aiden’s—”

  “Off limits,
I get it.” Ryder raised both his hands in mock defeat.

  He barely knew Tom, but Tom’s bar was the only one in town that didn’t kick him out. Ryder should keep away from that tasty human who had the guts to look him in the eye, but the problem with Ryder? Ryder was a man of opposites. He had a problem with authority. If someone told him not to do this or that, his nature was to piss that other person off.

  That was why he was cut up in the first place. Before coming here, Ryder had a run-in with his insane Alpha. Talon was a bloodthirsty prick and loved to fight. Ryder shouldn’t have provoked him.

  Pissing off Tom? Not good. Besides, no matter how tempting Aiden was, Tom had a point. Aiden was way out of his league. Too good for him. He could tell that just from watching Aiden interact with his customers. Aiden had that megawatt smile for everyone, but Ryder liked to think Aiden reserved a special smile just for him.

  God. Ryder was pathetic. Off the deep zone. Maybe he did drink too much.

  Ryder nursed his free beer. Aiden tried to catch his eye a few times, but Ryder avoided looking at him and focused on his beer. Ryder and this cute little human were from two different worlds. In the end, Ryder would just end up hurting Aiden. That was what happened to everyone who tried to get close to him.

  Aiden returned to bar to relay new orders for Tom. The human’s scent wrapped around him, teased him. Aiden simply standing there brought out Ryder’s wolf. The temperature around him suddenly spiked. Ryder’s skin felt fever hot. He needed to get out of there. Get some fresh air.

  If he didn’t bolt, Ryder would end up doing something he’d regret. Like grabbing Aiden by the shirt and planting one on those tempting lips just to find out if he really tasted as sweet as Ryder imagined. He’d crush Aiden’s slender body against hard one. Undo Aiden’s pants with his quick fingers. Ryder cut that line of thought.

  Something was wrong with him tonight. He usually never ran out of jokes. Conquests voluntarily fell on his lap without Ryder needing to do a thing. Flirting was natural as breathing. There were always willing humans who wanted to find out what it was like, having a one-night-stand with one of the dangerous animals who lived on Ashfall Mountain. To them, Ryder and the others were curious experiments, something to giggle and gossip about with their friends.

  Ryder could barely tolerate furry fanatics tonight, but Aiden was different. He didn’t seem to care who or what Ryder was. A refreshing thought.

  “I noticed your beer’s empty,” Aiden commented. The human flashed that megawatt smile at him. Fearless human. Ryder could eat him all up and spit him right out. “Do you want another?”

  “Are you flirting with me?” Ryder drawled. Heat crawled up Aiden’s neck and cheeks. Aiden reminded him of a human tomato. “Because it’s really cute.”

  “Cute? You’re the most interesting guy in this bar. That’s all. Is it a crime to indulge in some friendly talk?” Aiden demanded.

  The human was losing his bravado, Ryder could tell. Aiden’s heartbeats spiked up and his breaths quickened.

  “Not to mention the sexiest piece of ass,” Ryder added.

  Aiden laughed, putting his hand over his mouth.

  Ryder narrowed his eyes. “What’s so funny?”

  “Well, I can’t get over how cocky you are.”

  Tom finally set a couple of drinks on Aiden’s serving tray, but the human didn’t budge. Interesting.

  “That’s me.” Ryder tipped his cowboy hat to Aiden. “Shoo, cute human. You’re better off without a monster like me.”

  “I don’t think you’re a monster,” Aiden said in a low voice. “I know what you are, but I’m not scared of you.”

  That did it. Ryder fisted Aiden’s shirt and tugged him close. The human gasped. Ryder stood up, practically towering over the tiny human. Didn’t Aiden understand Ryder could easily break him in half if he wanted? Crush those fragile bones like it was nothing? Ryder wouldn’t do any of those things of course. Aiden didn’t mean him any harm, but he wanted the human to understand what he could be getting into. That Aiden couldn’t handle a damaged shifter like him.

  “Let him go, Ryder. Kid’s only playing around,” Tom said from behind the bar.

  Ryder didn’t pay Tom any attention. He licked the side of Aiden’s neck, tasting the salt of his sweat. Aiden shuddered instead of shoving him away. Curious reaction. He took that sweet mouth. The taste of Aiden flooded down his throat. Sweet innocence. Aiden clutched at the lapels of his faded leather jacket, not letting go.

  Ryder sucked on Aiden’s upper, then his lower lip. Teeth and tongues clashed, but Aiden relented and parted his mouth. Ryder thrust his tongue down Aiden’s throat. So good. This human felt perfect against him. The beast stirred inside him, opened its eyes, and whispered one lethal word in his head.

  Mate.

  Ryder pulled himself away from Aiden and sat back on the stool, wondering what the hell he was doing. His pack mate and best friend, Alec, always said he was a magnet for trouble. He was doing it again. Here on unfriendly territory.

  “Stay away from me,” he told Aiden, voice harsh, inhuman. He pulled his hat down to hide his glowing amber eyes.

  “You warn me, then you kiss me. Now you’re telling me to leave you alone? Who the hell do you think you are?” Aiden kicked at his stool, fuming. The human swiped his tray of beers from the bar, nearly falling on his feet. Ryder caught the tray easily. None of the bottles and glasses toppled over or broke. A good balancing act if he said so himself.

  Aiden scowled at him, grabbed the tray, and started to serve his customers. Ryder sat down, stared at his drink. Tom put another beer in front of him.

  “Wise decision letting him go,” Tom said in a low voice.

  “He’s not mine to keep,” Ryder whispered, more to himself than anyone. He took another pull, felt his phone vibrate in the back pocket of his jeans. Ryder took it out, saw it was a message from Dom, the pack Beta.

  Dom: Cats are in town. If you’re still there, check it out.

  Ryder scoffed and sent Dom an emoticon of a laughing wolf. By cats, Dom meant the crazy-ass werepanthers of the Black Claws Pride. They were one of the groups living on Ashfall Mountain. Badly decimated. The big cats made the monumental mistake of pissing their pack off. In the end, the panthers’ old Alpha, Cyrus, died in the last war.

  Ryder thought the Black Claws would disband or their remaining members would scatter. He guessed they were still around. Not like he had anything better to do. Ryder downed his beer. He made a trip to the men’s room to piss, then paid for his tab.

  He gave the noisy bar a once-over. Huh. Aiden had left.

  “Is Aiden on his break?” he asked Tom, who frowned at him.

  Finally, the human bartender said, “Yeah, he went out back to smoke.”

  Ryder didn’t figure Aiden to be a smoker. He decided to have one last peek at the unicorn he could never have, before he’d check what the Black Claws were up to.

  Chapter 2

  “Stupid, arrogant cowboy,” Aiden muttered. Aiden remembered everything. The shifter’s devious smile, the strands of dark brown hair peeking from his hat, and those eyes. They glowed like tiny suns set in his face. Freaky eyes but that didn’t scare him away.

  He looked at the unlit cigarette stick he held between his fingers. He’d been trying to quit, but his brush with that sexy shifter left him shaken. This was on him. Aiden had a weakness for bad boys. Always did. He ended up getting hurt.

  Same happened with his pig of an ex, Dan. Dan thought he was a badass. Dan was a fox shifter who rode a Harley, but Dan had nothing on this guy, this stranger who had pulled him close for a soul-shattering kiss only to shove him away.

  Aiden took out his lighter, a heavy, metal square box carved with a snarling beast on the front. It used to be his grandfather’s. What the hell? His nerves were shot. Aiden still needed to get by for a few more hours until the bar closed at midnight. An hour or two of cleaning up after that.

  He lit his smoke and inhaled. Aiden closed his ey
es. That felt good, although guilt sat heavy in his chest. Aiden promised his best friend, Jerry, he’d finally quit this unhealthy habit. Aiden crushed his cigarette under his sneakers. If that annoying hot shifter was still in there, Aiden would give him a piece of a mind right after his second smoke.

  Light hit his eyes. Aiden raised his hand to his face to see a dirty old van entering the narrow alleyway. They weren’t expecting any deliveries tonight. He waved his hands at the van.

  “Hey, it’s a dead end. Back up,” he said. The van stopped right next to him. The driver lowered the window. Aiden took a hesitant step backwards as two pair of yellow eyes glowed in the darkened interior. Shifter, but he doubted this was the friendly kind. Run, a voice in his head whispered.

  “Can you help us out? We’re lost,” said the driver.

  Aiden looked at the sketchy van then back at the door which led to the bar’s kitchen.

  The greasy-haired driver with the scar on his cheek leaned out the window and showed him his phone, which had a large crack right down the center. Seeing it was a GPS app, Aiden relaxed a little.

  “My signal’s lost, see?” the driver said.

  “Oh. No problem. Let me help you out. Where are you guys heading to?” Aiden asked, pulling his phone from the front pocket of his jeans. The hiss of the van’s sliding door made him look up. A pair of strong arms grabbed him by the armpits. His phone slipped from his fingers.

  His mind refused to work, to connect the dots immediately until he could smell his kidnapper’s putrid and warm breath against his ear.

  “It’s your lucky day,” said the growly voice.

  The instinct to fight kicked in. Aiden lunged and hit at his captor, or he tried to. His efforts only earned him laughter from the shifters. Aiden twisted in the guy’s arms. No use. The bastard was inhumanly strong. The black interior of the van loomed closer and closer.