Werewolf's Way [Chronicles of the Shifter Directive 1] (Siren Publishing Epic Romance, ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth Page B

to howl in anger. Oblivious to his fury, or perhaps enjoying it, another man laughed. “I’m almost jealous. Have you seen Lord Caelyn’s ass? Damn.”
    “Overlords help me…” The sterner one groaned. “That’s quite enough. If anyone hears you discuss His Lordship’s attributes… I don’t even want to imagine the consequences.”
    Undoubtedly, that wouldn’t have been the end of it, but their conversation was cut short when an explosion sounded somewhere outside. The building shook, but admirably enough, the cell held, no crack appearing in its walls or ceiling. Dust rose, and Graham coughed, all the while straining against his chains. Whoever was attacking the mansion had provided Graham with an opportunity to escape, likely the only one he was going to get. But how to use it? This residence might be smaller than others, but the security remained very strong. More importantly, Graham was still trapped here. If the attackers didn’t actually come here and free him, he would likely lose this one opportunity to save himself and find his mate.
    Caelyn. According to the guards and to the draechen prince himself, Caelyn was Shtamakarein’s fiancé. That would make him a target for anyone who hated draechen so much that they would risk an attack here. The thought made panic course through Graham. The anger he felt at imagining Caelyn mating someone else clutched wildly at his insides, threatening to choke the life out of him.
    His wolf went wild, and he started to pull at the chains, despair giving him a strength he hadn’t even known he had. The chains burned his skin as he pulled, and blood trickled down his arms as the shackles cut into his wrists. If this went on like this, he might very well poison himself because of the effect of the silver slipping into his bloodstream. But he didn’t care. It was a small price to pay if it allowed him to save his mate.
    Impossibly, the chains and the shackles finally began to protest the abuse. Even with the pain assaulting him, Graham endured, pulling harder and harder, until at last, his efforts paid off. The silver didn’t snap, not that Graham had expected it to. However, the spot where they were connected to the wall yielded to Graham’s strength and, on his right side, crumbled, releasing Graham’s bleeding arm.
    Graham half expected the guards to rush inside to check up on him, but it didn’t happen. In a way, he guessed it wasn’t really surprising. The draechen had bigger problems than one werewolf losing control while trapped in his cell.
    Outside, gunshots and draechen roars created a chaotic symphony, convincing Graham more than ever of the risk on his mate’s life. Huffing and groaning, he clawed at the cuff still keeping him trapped to the wall. Meanwhile, the sounds of the battle continued to approach, until they reached Graham’s cell.
    The soldiers who’d just earlier lewdly discussed Caelyn’s looks now found themselves assaulted by a dangerous force. Graham couldn’t focus, so he couldn’t tell exactly who or what they were. But something about them felt familiar. They were definitely shifters of a kind, but not wolves. Something about them made Graham wary, which only fueled the fire of his fear for his mate’s life.
    If they’d come here, it had to mean that they were on Graham’s side. He had to believe that. He wanted to. But his wolf was already snarling angrily, rearing toward the door and ready to attack.
    Judging by the noises reaching him, Graham’s guards put up quite a fight. However, the attackers must have been very well organized, as dispatching the draechen soldiers took very little time at all. Finally, the horrible wait ended and the cell opened, allowing several men inside. As soon as he saw them, Graham snarled.
    “Well, here he is,” one of them said. “Now what?”
    “Just give it a second,” another man said. “We’re waiting for the boss.”
    “There’s no time to wait,” someone else argued. “Look,