Hello Readers!

Remember Hots for Mr. Fox? Well this time, it's Cal and Nate's turn in Finding His Fox, book 2 of the Fox Haven series. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you can check it out here.

Years ago, a terrifying monster murdered Cal Yates’ childhood friend. Cal only survived that encounter, thanks to his unlikely human saviour. Little did Cal know that his and Nate’s paths would cross again. Now a powerful enforcer for his pack, Cal chooses to live a solitary existence. Cal believes he’s better off alone but fate has a way of bringing two lost souls together. 

Nate Chambers returns to Fox Haven to attend his best friend’s wedding. Nate has no love for his hometown. It holds too many terrible memories for him, memories Nate has chosen to forget. When Nate’s path converges with a brooding fox shifter, Nate has a sneaking suspicion he’s met Cal before.

Here's a little sneak preview of the first chapter~

Chapter One

Cal

The Past

"We've strayed too far from pack lands, and the sun is about to set. We should head back, Shawn," I said, my voice filled with concern. 

The rustling of fallen leaves and twigs under our sneakers seemed to amplify the unease in my words. I slowed my pace, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. 

The forest here was wild and untamed, with vines hanging from the trees and a distant patch of colorful wildflowers. The earthy scent filled my nostrils, accompanied by the symphony of wildlife sounds.

Shawn, seemingly undeterred, confidently strode past the picturesque area and entered a vast clearing. A solitary, gnarled oak tree with barren branches stood in stark contrast to the surrounding landscape. 

The grass in the clearing was withered and lifeless, sending a chill down my spine. It felt like a foreboding warning, a sign to turn back, but Shawn paid it no mind. 

We were both juvenile fox shifters, allowed to explore the nearby territories without adult supervision, but this was uncharted territory for us. Shawn and I ignored rules and curfews as we embarked on our own adventures.

Shawn playfully punched my shoulder and flashed his infectious grin, the one that made it hard for me to say no. He was more than a friend; he was like a brother to me.

"Come on, Cal. The river is just ahead. After all that running, a refreshing dip sounds perfect," Shawn said, tugging at his sweat-soaked shirt.

His red hair shimmered in the afternoon sun, and his bright blue eyes lit up with excitement. He grabbed my hand without waiting for my response, his way of ensuring we stayed on this impromptu adventure.

I couldn't resist his charm, so I reluctantly followed along, even though something felt off. As we continued, I noticed the large, uneven tracks on the ground. Shawn groaned in annoyance.

A cold sweat washed over me as I studied the monstrous footprints. Deep gashes accompanied the tracks, indicating a formidable predator. 

They were too large to belong to a grizzly bear, the biggest threat in these parts. My stomach churned, and a wave of unease washed over me. 

The primal instinct to flee, to change forms and escape, began to rise within me. However, Shawn appeared unfazed, complaining about the heat as if oblivious to the looming danger.

Something was wrong. The silence was unsettling. No birds chirped, and the absence of buzzing insects added to the eerie atmosphere.

"Cal, are you even listening?" Shawn asked impatiently, snapping me out of my thoughts. I gestured to the ground, gripping his arm tightly. 

"Look at those tracks," I whispered.

Shawn's expression shifted, worry lines creasing his forehead as he finally noticed the tracks. The smell of blood tinged the air, not the scent of animal prey but something far more sinister.

"Shawn, we need to leave," I urged, my voice barely above a whisper.

To my dismay, Shawn began retracing our steps, heading back toward that nightmarish tree. Unable to abandon my friend, I trailed after him and grabbed his shirt sleeve.

"The smell of blood is strongest here," Shawn murmured, his voice tinged with unease.

He was right. The metallic tang of copper grew more overpowering. Shawn pointed to a trail of blood dripping down the thick trunk, and we followed it to its source.

A sudden scream pierced the air, originating from either Shawn, me, or both of us. We hadn't even noticed the grotesque display earlier, a body gruesomely hanging from the branches.

With horror, I gazed at the vicious slashes covering the corpse, realizing it had been mercilessly torn apart. Unable to tear my eyes away, I witnessed the gruesome sight before me. 

The man's body had been mercilessly shredded, leaving deep and jagged slashes across his form. 

What sent a shiver down my spine were the white ropes of entrails that zigzagged among the branches, as if the killer had taken pleasure in using the victim's own guts to adorn the tree.

A wave of nausea surged through me, and I leaned against the trunk, doubling over as I emptied the contents of my stomach. Shawn, too, retched beside me, his face pale with horror.

And then, I saw it. A shadowy figure, agile and covered in dark, wiry hair, leaping effortlessly from branch to branch. It loomed before us, its monstrous form surpassing that of a human. 

Unnaturally long limbs, tipped with six-inch ebony claws, glinted in the fading sunlight, while its fangs, stained with blood and gore, gleamed menacingly. Muscles rippled beneath its hairy exterior as the creature prepared to pounce. 

Shawn's gaze remained fixed on the abomination for a moment too long. Instinctively, I grasped his hand and shouted, “Run!"

For a brief moment, Shawn seemed frozen, paralyzed by fear, but the urgency in my voice spurred him into action. We raced through the forest, our legs burning with exertion and our breath ragged in our chests.

At times, I could feel the monster's putrid breath hot on the back of my neck, driving me to push myself even harder. The limitations of our teenage bodies soon became evident. 

Our muscles strained, and fatigue threatened to overcome us. Then, I heard Shawn's cry of pain. I risked a quick glance over my shoulder. 

Dread coiled within me as I saw him sprawled on the ground, a deep gash marring his face. His left leg bent at an unnatural angle, clearly broken.

My eyes darted to a sharp rock nearby, the cause of his misfortune. Shawn, always agile and swift, had stumbled at the worst possible moment. I sprinted back toward him, desperate to help, but Shawn shook his head, his expression pained yet resolute. 

"Leave me, Cal. Save yourself!”

"You idiot," I shouted, my voice choked with emotion. "I'll never leave my best friend behind!” But even as the words left my lips, the monster descended upon Shawn, tearing into his defenseless form with ruthless abandon. 

It was a horrifying sight, one I couldn't unsee. With a heavy heart and tears streaming down my face, I turned on my heel, knowing there was no other choice. 

I sprinted toward the river's edge, my breath hitching in my chest. In that moment, I felt the weight of despair settle upon me. I knew my own fate was sealed.

Pre-order now on Amazon!

Finding His Fox will be released on August 3rd 2023. Fel and I can't wait for you to read it!

Have an amazing week!

Yours sincerely,

Kara