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Jaded Beasts VI, Dog & Pig

Dog – Exceptionally smart and truthful, these silent and steadfast creatures can be relied on by their loved ones, despite their tendencies to be overanxious. Besides their bad habit of find fault, they are victorious in their dealings with life.

Pig – Wonderful friends to have the boar is a truthful and heartfelt creature that often shies away from other beings. Despite its impulsive nature and quick temperament, they tend to forfeit their existence for the betterment of another’s.

Enchanting, Lizzie T. Leaf
Transformed into a dog, Cayde MacAllister is taken home by bewitching vet Dr. Amanda Livingston. Now if he could only get the spell reversed! 

Excitable, Leigh Ellwood
Werewolf Chandler Van Horn is hexed into a vicious, fang-baring...Chihuahua! Will Attorney Lindy Harris cure his infliction by mating with him?

Secret Order of the Boar, Kara Andrews

Jonin Lee is content with his life and job at the space agency, until meeting Sabine Morgan , who treats him like a swine.

Prophecy of the Boar – Mila Ramos
As the last of her kind, Ailsa must fulfill a sacred prophecy with the one man she believes betrayed her.

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EXCERPTS

Enchanting

By

Lizzie T. Leaf

Chapter One

Randall McAllister pulled his car into the driveway and leaned back against the headrest letting sounds of Barry Manilow’s Mandy wash over him as he studied the house. Goddess only knows what he would find waiting for him on the other side of the red double doors. The havoc his twin sisters created during the course of a few hours alone made him wince, but a whole day left to their own devices…he shuddered as he imagined the possibilities of what the two fifteen year olds could get into.

Usually, Granna Lila stayed with the Demon Duo when their mother traveled. This time his luck didn’t hold and Jorgia, their mother, made a frantic call to him last night asking for his help.

Jorgia held the position of High Priestess of the witches’ council. She intended to put a new proposal to a vote before the general membership at convention this year to add a Member at Large to the council. Anticipating objections from some of the council members who felt this diluted their power, she’d her asked her mother to come prior to the two-week conference and lobby the more liberal individuals for support. Lila had retired from the governing body several years earlier, but still carried considerable influence with the council as well as the general membership.

Sighing, Rand flipped the lock release and climbed out of the car. Opening the back door, he lifted the pizza box from the back seat and felt his stomach respond with a rumble when the scent of pepperoni tickled his nose. He’d missed lunch because of a conference call and survived the afternoon on a pack of stale crackers he kept in his desk and coffee strong enough to eat the plating off a spoon.

Silence greeted him when he entered the house. “I’m home.” His announcement received no response and he cast his eyes around in nervous anticipation. The hairs on the back of his neck tickled, a sure indication that Charmela and Charisma were up to something.

Muted voices drew him toward the back of the house and the kitchen. “Mel? Riz?” Still no answer, just the sounds of an argument in progress, which was their normal way of communication. “Mom should have named them Imp and Spawn,” he mumbled as he neared the entrance to the kitchen. Sadly, even Simma the giant black cat that was the family’s familiar had more common sense than his sisters.

Standing in the door, he ran the fingers of his free hand though his short black hair as he watched the dual mops of carrot curls bent over a book spread out on the counter. By the powers, they had dragged their mother’s Book of Enhancements out of the cabinet above the refrigerator. The trouble the two could create from that book would be anything but enchanting.

How could the three of them come from the same mother? He shook his head in wonder as the thought drifted through his mind. Granted they had different fathers, but both male parents had been human. Maybe it was a good thing their mother fell in love with non-magical beings. The thought of the potential powers that could be brought into play if the twins weren’t half human was terrifying. Even so, they seemed to have inherited not only their share of their mother’s abilities, but his also. His limited magic abilities, which he didn’t consider magic, consisted of the occasional feelings of problems or doom when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and unfortunately, that usually happened when he was around his half sisters.

“Look, stupid. I told you, that’s wrong. You didn’t pronounce the last word correctly.” Green eyes glared at the mirror image standing beside her.

“Did too. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Just because you’re two minutes older doesn’t make you the boss.” Riz’s resentment of being the younger of the duo had always been a sore point and she brought it up often.

Rand rubbed a hand across his brown eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose between them. A migraine threatened to erupt. Maybe he could distract them with the pizza and then they’d discuss why they had the book out in the first place. Both girls knew this particular guide to magic was off limits to them unless their mother or grandmother used the enormous volume in their training of the ever curious pair.

“Here, I’ll show you.” Rand knew the superior tone used by Mel, the elder of the two, would set off another heated argument, but watched in fascination as she raised her hand and pointed her index finger toward a plant in the corner to the left of the door.

Words spilled out. “You will breathe the air as animal. Come alive as I direct. Shamba-Ha…”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Rand bellowed and watched in horror as Mel’s finger turned toward him.

“Loh.” Mel’s head followed the direction her finger pointed at the sound of her brother’s shouted question.

Rand felt a jolt of power flow through his body similar to an electrical surge and the box containing dinner fell to the floor. When the pain and shocks subsided, he realized he was lying on the floor with his nose pressed against the cardboard. The fall must have heightened his sense of smell because he had never detected such a strong aroma from food. His saliva glands kicked in and he could have controlled the weather easier than the drool pooling from his mouth.

Why did his head feel so strange? He pushed up with his arms and paused for a moment to let the dizziness pass. Okay, I made it to my hands and knees. Time to stand up. A push with his knees and he went nowhere. Looking up from his lower position, he saw two pairs of emerald orbs staring down at him in horror.

“What’s wrong?” Damn, his voice sounded more like a growl. He looked down and jumped at the sight that greeted him. Holy shit. The vision of black, curly fur covering a small paw where his long fingers should have been, sent his heart racing. What the hell was going on here?

“Mirror. Mirror, get me a mirror. Quick!” He looked up at the freckled faces hovering above him. “Get me a damn mirror. Have you gone deaf?”

Getting no answer to his question, he turned to search for the needed object himself, but fell flat on his stomach with a thud.

“Oh dear. What have you done?” Riz demanded of her sibling.

“Me?” Mel glared at her twin. “You’re the one who wanted to get the book down. I know better than to listen to you. We always get in trouble with your brilliant ideas.”

Damn it all, couldn’t they see he had some kind of problem here from their foolishness? There was no time for another of their stupid arguments. A growl and sharp bark startled Rand with how menacing it sounded. Both sisters jumped and stopped their verbal battle.

“Oh dear, I don’t think he knows.” Riz chewed on her bottom lip.

“What? What don’t I know?”

“You tell him.” Mel pushed her twin forward.

“No. You.” Riz stepped back.

“Somebody damn well better tell me something and fast or I’m going to gnaw their ankle off.” Rand felt his brow furrow at the thought. Now where did that come from?

Simma, his mother’s black cat, walked by and shot a look of disgust in Rand’s direction. “Probably from the fact you’re a dog and thinking like one.”

“I’m a what?”

“I don’t believe I stuttered my friend. A dog. A black Scottie dog to be more precise. Sort of cute if one likes dogs.” Simma sat down and inspected a paw before he licked the fur and proceeded to wash his face. “It appears your sisters have once again blundered in their magical efforts.” The cat’s tone dripped with boredom and he followed his comment with a loud yawn. “Oh well, not my problem.”

He ambled out of the room leaving Rand to wonder what his mother saw in the snooty, conceited creature. The urge to chase reared its ugly head, but he resisted. A more important issue needed his attention. The trouble-making witches in front of him were the priority of the moment. If he could get this walking thing coordinated, he’d show them a thing or two.

 The twins held a whispered argument by the sliding glass door to the patio while he struggled in synchronizing the movement of four legs. After several attempts, he finally succeeded in achieving the desired standing position and all four legs working together instead of against each other. Baring his teeth he advanced toward them in a stalking crouch, a growl rumbled low in his throat.

“Oh, crap. I need to pee.” The urge hit suddenly and he rushed toward the door.

“Open the door. He’s going to bite us.” Rand wasn’t clear on which girl screamed the command or who opened the door, and didn’t care as he rushed out into the evening dusk looking for the nearest bush or tree.

I can’t believe I’m peeing on a tree trunk with my hind leg in the air before any and everyone. Oh well, better get used to it until you can figure out a way to communicate with the two brain trusts and get them to find a way to undo the damage they’ve done.

What was that? Something moved by the fence. Damn, it’s the Henderson’s cat. I hate that big yellow tom. Can’t understand why Simma hangs out with him. Well, I’ll just show him who’s boss.

No, wait. I’m not a dog. I’m just temporarily under a spell and I will not lower myself to act like the animal whose body I inhabit. Oh, but it’s a cat and a cat I hate. What the hell. May as well have some fun.

Screaming Rand’s name, the twins chased after him as he bounded across the yard in pursuit of his natural enemy. He wasn’t sure at what point their voices faded until he could no longer hear them. The only certainty was he wanted to do major damage to the beast that zigzagged in front of him.

Man, I’m tired. Doesn’t that jerk ever slow down? His sides ached from running so hard. Wait. He’s cutting across the street and there’s a concrete barrier there. If I cut over here maybe, I can catch him when he doubles back.

He heard the sound of screeching tires and had the sensation of flying through the air before everything went black.

Excitable

by

Leigh Ellwood

Chapter One

“And then she just...disappeared. There's no other word for it. Disappeared, in the middle of an auditorium full of Mission: Jupiter fans.“ Jenna McCoy wrung her hands tightly, bearing her knotted knuckles against her lap. It looked almost painful, but Jenna's attention was focused more on her monologue. Her face exhibited another kind of anguish—every word spoken revealed her emotions. “It was like something from the show itself,“ she continued. “One minute she's on the dais answering the same damn questions she does at every con—what was your favorite episode, who was your favorite guest star, blah blah blah...”

Wild gestures cut the air, and an added eye roll lent the young woman a fanatical air. All the same, Jeffrey thought she looked rather enchanting. Dare he say it, attractive, even borderline sexy with her pert features, expressive eyes and pixie haircut dyed dark red. “Identity crisis” had been the excuse for the drastic change in her appearance, she had said, as her boss' mysterious disappearance drove her to such extremes.

He watched her babble on about Dina Joseph's exit from this existence, his gaze panning first to Jenna's smallish breasts, then to the tightened juncture between her thighs, made evident in the ripples of her short skirt. Occasionally the hem would creep up the woman's legs and allow Jeremy a view of shaded rump.

Then suddenly his eyes darted upward and he looked again at her hair. Briefly the question of whether the rug matched the curtains flitted through his mind. Assuming Jenna didn't shave the rug. Jeremy smiled.

“Can you find her?” Jenna's eyes sparkled like glass, unshed tears formed a shield that reflected the overhead light of Jeremy's office. The young woman appeared close to ethereal in their somber, wood-paneled surroundings—leather office chairs, bookshelves stuffed with ancient titles Jeremy hadn't bothered to read, a framed oil painting of a foxhunt. Aesthetics mostly, for the benefit of clients expecting an atmosphere of professionalism from a private detective. Jeremy cared nothing for it, or for the job; he merely kept up the facade of legitimate work to appease the Pack council, all of whom insisted each wolf in the family integrate with the general population seamlessly.

That would change, Jeremy knew, once he was named Alban's successor, and he could shed the nine to five drudgery that made civilian life so boring. For now, the distraction that was the lovely Jenna McCoy made the job tolerable at best.

“You are aware,” Jeremy began, leather upholstery squealing as he shifted closer to his desk, “that what happened to Ms. Joseph isn't unusual.”

“It's not?” Jenna's voice betrayed any attempt to hide her sarcasm. “You'll have to forgive me, then. Where I'm from, it's not that common to see people with pointy ears ripping holes in the fabric of the time/space continuum for people to step through.”

“Not time, alternate reality. The time/space continuum is actually a myth, as far as I'm concerned,” Jeremy said quite plainly. “Nobody has yet to prove time manipulation is possible, so I'm not inclined to believe it.”

Jenna sighed, exasperated, and slouched back in her chair. Jeremy could sympathize somewhat; the young man hadn't expected to have such a conversation today, and likely hadn't believed in things like elves or alternate dimension until two such creatures broke with protocol and exposed themselves before a gaggle of sci-fi geeks. Jeremy had heard from Alban that the Federation elders decided in the end to let the matter die. That the indiscretion happened at a science fiction convention lent the possibility of the event being part of the show. Meeting with Dina Joseph's assistant, Jeremy wondered if Alban or anyone in the Federation was aware that Jenna—an actual sane person swimming among a sea of Spocks and Sulus—witnessed the elves taking Dina.

“I don't believe it,” Jenna said, assertive. “It had to have been some kind of illusion. Smoke and mirrors bullshit. Those men kidnapped Dina Joseph.”

Jeremy tried not to cluck his tongue to chide her. He should have expected Jenna would grasp for a logical explanation. Most “normals” did when presented with clear evidence of the fantastic. There was always smoke, a mirror, a trapdoor...She probably didn't believe in werewolves, either, never mind that one sat across from her.

Hmmm...Maybe she could be persuaded to open her mind if he could get her to open her legs so he could work his own “magic.”

Resting his chin on the heel of one hand, Jeremy absently waggled the fingers of the other under the guise of stretching. Jenna's reaction was inspiring, and he enjoyed the look of sudden surprise and mild ecstasy on her face. She might be thinking her crossed legs were so tight the pressure affected her clit—she had no idea Jeremy caused the growing tingle in her panties, and that excited the werewolf all the more. His cock hardened in his slacks, and he felt grateful for the huge mahogany desk between them. To feel pleasure during a dull work day was always welcome, but such improprieties seldom made for repeat business. Lord only knew how many referrals he'd get from Jenny after she experienced the best orgasm of her life.

“Not necessarily. It's impossible to kidnap the willing,” Jeremy said. He traced the alphabet in the air, delighting as Jenna squirmed to every curve and sharp line. He dotted an i and she nearly jumped out of her chair in response to the phantom touch on her clit. “Can I get you something?” he asked, almost teasing. “You look suddenly...uncomfortable.”

“I-I'm fine,” Jenna wheezed, looking about the room. “Hot in here.”

The air ran full blast, and Jenna was in short sleeves. Jeremy settled back in his chair and momentarily twined his fingers. She needed a second to rest. “Very well.”

“And how do you know Dina went of her own volition?” Jenna demanded. “You weren't there.”

“But you were, and did you see her struggle?” Swish, Jeremy now conducted a symphony with his forefinger. Beethoven's Eroica, almost aptly named. Jenna grasped the arms of her chair and cringed.

“No...”

“Did she shout for help? She was in a crowded hall filled with fans. I'm sure any one of them would have come to her aid if she requested it.” He reached an arm forward and drummed his fingers on the desk, rubbing one forefinger in a suggestive manner. Jenna should be feeling the breach to her soaking wet core now, he surmised.

“Uh...”

“Ms. McCoy, it would be unethical of me to take this case,” Jeremy said. “For one, you cannot prove Dina Joseph is a victim of kidnapping. I wouldn't doubt, were we able to round up every geek, nerd, and dweeb in the tri-county area who attended that convention, they would tell you she went willingly. For two, I'm not too keen on breaching any alternate dimensions where I don't belong. Besides, with all the different realities out there, it could take years for us to find one where your Dina now lives. For three, and this is the big one...”

Yes, Jeremy sneered. He rested his hand in his lap, brushing his wrist against a thickened erection as his thumb and forefinger rubbed together rapidly. This was going to be a very big one, he could tell by the thin trail of sweat gleaming at the young woman's temple. He delighted in her pursed expression and fidgeting manner as she obviously willed her body to suppress the orgasm building inside her.

They were almost home now. This was going to be big with a capital B, which rhymes with C, and that stands for...

Come...on man! Dammit!

Jeremy's fingers stilled with the piercing whistle that filled his ears. Rather than bask in the sound of Jenna McCoy's orgasmic cries, he had to settle for a noise only he could hear, a shrill private summons from Alban.

His presence was requested at pack headquarters, immediately.

Jeremy sighed heavily and released Jenna from his mental hold. The young woman exhaled roughly and blood returned to her hands as her grip on the chair relaxed. She looked around in a daze, as though waking from a dream. Word tried to expel but the young woman only seemed to manage a few wheezing syllables before Jeremy stood.

“Ms. McCoy, go home,” Jeremy gruffly ordered of her. “I don't doubt Dina Joseph is happier now than she has even been, and if I were to find her I know she wouldn't want to come back here and spend the rest of her life signing autographs in VFW halls for dwindling population who can remember when she was an A-lister. Mallory will see you out, I have an appointment I just remembered. No charge for the consult.”

You would have charged plenty if I had just five more seconds, he thought with mild annoyance as he bolted out of his office, past his secretary, to the bank of elevators in the hallway. Mallory appeared unfazed by her boss' abrupt departure. Assigned to work for him by the Pack, she well understood the eccentricities involved in the job.

Jeremy lumbered through the first set of doors that slid open and turned to face Mallory, who looked up from the game of Internet solitaire she had been playing. She arched an eyebrow and smirked. “Eroica?” It was hardly a guess.

Jeremy only smiled and let a grand gesture swath the air before him. He took great pleasure in watching his secretary gasp as the elevator closed on her brief ecstasy.

Secret Order of the Boar

by

Kara Andrews

Chapter One

Red Rock Space Center

Abiquiu, New Mexico

Little time remained before the space station began approving applications for the exodus of people to the newly built community on the moon. Jonin Lee aspired to live on the station, but he didn’t hold such high hopes. If he wanted to be considered, his application had to be flawless. He had fabricated some information, but there was no way the corporation could know about his personal life, the life he kept hidden.

“So I lied. The corporation would laugh me right out of their offices if I told the truth on the application.” Jonin knew his friend Lou thought he was crazy.

“Why would you want to live on the moon? I mean, it’s dark up there and there’s no atmosphere.”

He laughed, knowing Lou would never travel in space.

“There’s atmosphere on the station. I want to leave this depressing planet. I’ll get a new start, a chance to do something with my life.”

“You could make a difference here. Look what you’ve done so far. You could convince the people to revolt. They would listen to you.” Lou's voice rose.

“Shhh, keep it down. I don’t want anyone to know about it. My application probably won’t be accepted anyway. But what do I have to lose? Just my dream of leaving Earth behind. Life is too methodical. It’s devoid of the little pleasures. I want excitement.”

Lou chuckled. “Your wish just might come true. Look who just walked in.”

Jonin turned and became mesmerized. As he stood in the center of the space station that overwhelming sensation came, the anxiousness he'd gotten whenever Sabine came on the floor. The low tone of the machines usually got on Jonin’s nerves, but he didn’t notice the flickering lights and sequenced numbered data rushing by on the screen. Not today—not right now. His head rose higher above the partition between the workstation cubicles to see her. Her name, he’d been told, was Sabine Morgan, an unusual name. It sounded old-worldly to him, but then again, he likened everything to having a connection with old-world and ancestry. He did want to meet her, and knew she was an important person at the corporation. When he was ready, he’d meet her. That wouldn’t happen until he accomplished the goals of the SOB. His personal life was put on hold, and that even included women.

His friend snapped his fingers, bringing him back to reality.

“Lou, I just can’t stay here. People don’t have the deep ties to a God or Gods anymore. There’s no solace to get us through the rough times. I can’t help being spiritual, it’s in my blood. You know this has been instilled in me since I was a kid. All those nights listening to my parents and grandparents telling stories of my ancestors affected me.”

“No one will go against the corporation, except you. You’re the only one who can help Earth’s inhabitants. I can’t believe you’re not jumping at the chance.”

Jonin wouldn’t let Lou’s enthusiasm affect him. “I only created the Secret Order of the Boar to inspire and help those who have the need for enlightenment. We’re all just ordinary folks trying to figure out how to belong and cope in this rigid world.”

Lou laughed low. “That’s why you’d be perfect, Jonin.”

“I can’t do it. I just want to keep up the traditions of my ancestors, that’s all.”

“You mean performing old-time magic so you can transform yourself into a boar?”

Jonin had a strong belief in the rituals, even if Lou didn’t. “The night of our birthright is coming up. I’ll only stay in that state for a brief period and then will return to my human state. It’s the only way to achieve enlightenment.”

He had taken great lengths to make certain he used the correct opiates and measurements dictated by the old text he’d read in the ancient scrolls. Enlightenment would give the Secret Order the answers they sought, and once they had them, they could figure out what to do with their lives. He already made his plans, but others still needed guidance. Tonight, he’d take it one step further.

Sabine Morgan always diverted his attention, and his gaze shifted when she moved closer. Whenever she was within sight, Jonin couldn’t concentrate on the computer screens or anything around him. She looked sexier than any woman at the space center, not that there were many woman working at Red Rock. The RRSC was located in a desolate area, well away from civilians, and in such a rocky, hilly terrain where it would be difficult to trespass. Security had an easy job, since the center was positioned on the top of a high cliff.

With her fiery hair and her angelic face, Sabine appeared as sweet and delicate as a butterfly sitting on a fragile bonsai tree. Yet Jonin knew that she was far from delicate, and definitely not as flighty as a butterfly. The ugly gray zippered uniform the staff wore looked much better on her than anyone in the center. Jonin’s eyes followed the one-inch thick red stripe on the left side of her body, which passed over her breast, down her curvy waist, running along her sculptured leg, until it ended at her foot.

Red was a symbolic color to him, but he admitted the stripe drew his attention only because it traversed over parts of her body that he so badly wanted to touch, or had imagined he’d touched. Fantasizing about her had become a daily habit. Sabine’s light laughter made him smile—even from across the billet. Her presence commanded notice because of her majestic and self-possessed attitude—an attitude he admired in a woman. Her outlook didn’t much matter to him, because he knew all about her. Sabine was a tigress. Jonin was secretly fascinated by her, and had been since the day she’d stepped foot inside the space center. She had all the confidence and ambitiousness that he wished for himself.

“Are you looking at her again? You are. Can’t take your eyes off her, huh? The computer’s waiting for your input.” His coworker snickered.

Jonin whipped his head around and saw Lou leaning on the cubical wall between their stations. Before answering, Jonin typed in the response and the computer began humming again, making the annoying tone he tried to tune out.

“So what if I am looking at her? It isn’t a crime.”

“You’re way out of your league, buddy. Sabine Morgan’s going to run this place one day. Mark my words, we’ll all be running around like dogs, following her barking orders.”

He almost laughed at Lou’s ill-mannered speech. “Maybe” was all he could manage. Jonin continued to watch Sabine across the center, where she stood with their boss, Mr. Rhimes. After a few seconds, he returned his eyes to Lou. “But she’s a tiger—a fluffy, purring, cuddly...tigress.”

Lou threw his head back and bellowed with laughter, making a raucous noise. “You mean a ferocious, clawing, eat-you-alive, get-what-you-want, kind of tiger, don’t you?”

He couldn’t argue with Lou on that note. She was a “typical” tiger-like person. Anyone who fell under the Chinese Zodiac of tiger usually had the reputation for being too assertive, overbearing, and maybe even domineering.

“I wouldn’t mind being clawed by her.” Jonin hoped she would slow down, take the time to appreciate life, and perhaps notice him one day. Today obviously wasn’t that day.

Lou shook his head. “Man, you’re dreaming. She’d knock you down, step on you, and wouldn’t look back. You’re better off not getting involved with her. She made Jim, the mail clerk, cry the other day.”

“I know. We better get back to work, Lou. Mr. Rhimes is on the floor.” He nodded toward their boss, the owner and CEO of the corporation, who seemed as fixated on Sabine Morgan as he had been. Jonin didn’t like the look of their closeness, or the way his boss stood next to her.

Lou leaned, whispering, “I hear he’s training Miss Morgan as his assistant. They’re spending a lot of time together. He’s a lucky bastard. Yep, pal, she will be our boss one day. I’d try to stay away from her.” He then disappeared as he took his seat back inside his cubical.

Jonin continued to stand, gazing absently at Sabine. What if she had a “thing” going on with Mr. Rhimes? He shook his head, impossible. What could she see in him? Well, maybe a fortune, a means to live her dream, a man who possessed the world. Mr. Rhimes wasn’t exactly young. His graying brown hair was cut short in the latest style, and his threads had been tailor made just for him. There wasn’t anything about him that a woman would be drawn to, except for his money and power.

Jonin wanted to keep watching Sabine, as long as she remained in the area. Her presence always made him happy, and he found himself smiling. Though he’d never actually spoken to her, he hoped one day he’d have enough courage. Sabine didn’t come off as friendly, but he knew the typical tiger mind-set. He’d studied all the signs of the ancient Chinese Zodiac. His sign, the pig, indicated a deep sensitivity, a longing for acceptance and belonging. Unlike Sabine's, the tiger, which was self-assured and controlling.

Not one to invite confrontations, Jonin usually avoided people like Sabine. He supposed that was why being the high wizard of the Secret Order of the Boar gave him such pleasure and satisfaction. When he took on the role of the wizard, he left his “doormat” personality at the door. At each meeting, his confidence overtook him, and he’d turn into the type of man he so wanted to be in his everyday life—almost like a tiger. Wishful thinking, because a boar doesn’t have the same abilities as a tiger.

Tiger—Sabine Morgan fit the bill to the letter. She had every trait a tiger could want. She’d come out ahead, whether it was in the boardroom or bedroom, what with her dominate personality. That was a fact that had drawn him to her in the first place. Her voluptuousness and sex appeal was an added bonus. If the old saying “opposites attract” was true, then they were meant for each other. One thing he noticed about her was the emotional outbursts she’d have when she was under stress. Just two days ago, he’d witnessed that flare of temper when one of the center’s staff had given her the wrong report. Jim, the mail clerk, stood in the center of the station, completely put down. Jonin almost felt sorry for him.

He knew Sabine would be an exciting conquest, whether he pursued her at work or in bed. If only he had the conviction to make a move. Deep down, most tigers had a need of acceptance, but they rarely showed that vulnerability to anyone. To the outside world, they exuded an uncaring, unaffected attitude. Was she any different from the rest of the tigers?

Mr. Rhimes pointed at him from across the center indicating he wanted a word with him, so Jonin waited for him to approach. The apprehensive feeling washed over him, as it usually did, whenever Sabine was nearby. She’d be within an arms reach, and that thought caused him to perspire a bit. Where was that confident SOB when he needed him? Out to lunch—that’s where. He couldn’t help being a bit nervous around her.

Mr. Rhimes stopped beside his cubical, moving close to the metallic-covered partition. “Miss Morgan, have you met Jonin Lee?” He motioned Sabine forward.

“I haven’t, Mr. Rhimes.” She kept her manner professional, but Jonin sensed her tenseness. Her bright-blue eyes rose to his. “Hello.”

“Hello, I’m…” Jonin swallowed his heart. Why was he such a worrywart about meeting her? Hadn’t he wanted to? He’d spoken to many women, but none so sexy and confident as Sabine. Why should he let her affect him? “…Jonin Lee,” he finally got out. His stomach knotted at the thought that he was actually speaking to her.

Her eyes seemed to hold his affectionately. Was he seeing things? His imagination had to be working overtime. She would hardly look at him with tenderness. They’d just met, he reminded himself.

“What is it you do here, Mr. Lee?”

He watched the way her lips moved when she spoke. She clasped his slightly warm hand in greeting, giving it that assured “tiger-like” squeeze. The touch almost sent him asunder. He could imagine what her firm hands could do to him, where they would caress, where they would linger. It was a good thing she stood on the other side of the cubical, because his uniform showed a tell-tale sign of how much she affected him. Damn these tight uniforms.

His cock hardened to a boner, and sexual thoughts imposed their way into his brain, just being near her. Jonin stood there practically absentminded, not answering, letting his imagination rule him. She smiled like a siren about to pounce on a boar hiding among the high weeds. He certainly didn’t want to be pounced on by a tiger, but Sabine—he wouldn’t mind her at all. His inane thought made him grit his teeth. He cleared his throat and pulled himself back to reality.

“I, ah, run the launch systems.”

“Oh, that’s right, Mr. Rhimes told me that. I understand that you want to be part of the experimental excursion to the space station on the moon.”

Jonin’s face became serious when he heard her mention the moon. The subject of the space station was more important to him than anything—well, except for SOB. The Secret Order of the Boar was foremost important right now in his life, but the space station was a goal he’d set for his future.

“I have applied for residency, but I haven’t heard yet whether I’ve been accepted.” He tried to smile, but couldn’t let the sincerity reach his mouth. Mr. Rhimes had to know about his application. Jonin didn’t want to appear desperate and give his boss power over him. He maintained his cool, but professional manner.

At that point his boss decided to interject. “Well then, you’ll be glad to know, Mr. Lee, that I’ve given Miss Morgan the job of approving all the applicants.”

“Really? Congratulations, Miss Morgan.” It was then that Jonin discovered he still held her hand. He released it, and tried to appear dignified and professional. If she was approving the applicants, he certainly wanted to impress her.

“I haven’t seen your application yet, Mr. Lee. Perhaps I should get to know you better. We’ll have dinner tonight at the Skylab Club.”

Jonin practically swallowed his tongue. Her sweet voice didn’t ask, but commanded. She was so much a tigress with all that assertiveness. His blood began to heat, just thinking of spending the night with her. All he could do was nod.

“Good, then I’ll get to know more about you and decide if you’re acceptable.”

Mr. Rhimes smiled wryly, and Jonin knew he was about to say something smart assed. The man exuded a snake-like personality, one that Jonin detested.

“Mr. Lee’s performance has been exceptional, Miss Morgan. He knows when to launch, and he’s been known to make it exciting. So I hear.” His boss laughed coarsely.

Jonin wanted to laugh at his boss’ jibe just to appear supportive. He refrained, and only smiled. Talk about sexual undertones. Was his boss trying to get him and Sabine together? He had to be reading the situation wrong. Sabine seemed embarrassed by Mr. Rhimes’s wisecrack. She lowered her thickly lashed eyes and smiled as though it was private joke between them. Was he the butt of their conversations?

“I need to get to a meeting. Eight o’clock, Mr. Lee. Don’t be late,” she said, trailing a finger across his chest. With that, Sabine turned and marched her sweet sexy ass across the center, with Mr. Rhimes following like a lap dog.

Jonin stood shocked for a few minutes, until he realized his dinner plans conflicted with the SOB’s scheduled meeting. No matter how much he craved a relationship with Sabine, he wouldn’t allow it to interfere with his role at SOB. He sat in his chair, the computer screen flashing its systematic trial run of the next launch to the space station.

How could he be at the Skylab Club with Sabine and run the meeting at the same time? All the meetings were held in the desert, far from town. There was no possible way for him to get from one place to the other in reasonable time. Jonin only had a few short hours to figure it out. Instead of making sure the coordinates were correct in the data, he focused on his problem—how to be in two places at once.

Prophecy of the Boar

by

Mila Ramos

Prologue

The distant past

Home is where the heart, which is what mattered – a house filled with five generations of memories and love. Each family had their own touch, their own special sense of comfort and warmth. Ailsa’s wasn’t any different. The tension of the day and the rigors of psychic training melted the minute the three-story building housing her childhood dreams came into view.

The pressure of being the best and trying to prove herself as a woman working for the Elusion government fled when the promise of relaxation came into sight. She knew even before she stepped through the front door, the smells of her mother’s cooking would assail the senses and tease every nerve in her stomach.

With her mom’s hearty meal in her stomach and her siblings’ screams of glee echoing in her ears, she could dismiss several woes that linger in her mind. Banished into the air were thoughts of maneuvers and tactics she needed to memorize. Expelled were the rigors of endurance, so she could apply for the elite squad, Shadow Breakers. Her family felt excited at the prospect, that another generation to the long line in the Elusion military.

Her father, a Shadow Breaker himself, brought home a new story of the dangers, the excitement and dispelled illusions of the privileged group. His years in the service weren’t years she could easily dismiss as risk-free; he would walk through the front door with a multitude of scars and bruises her mother tended to with care. Years later, as he decided whether to leave and live a calm civilian life, his daughter would enter the Elusion government. She couldn’t wait to tell him all the stories of her own training within the academy.

 For now, those thoughts left her mind as she clearly saw him, in her mind’s eye tinkering around the house as his gruff and stern voice reminded her younger brother Henry, and sister Isabella, that they once again left a mess in the living room.

Stepping out of the mobile transport that brought her home, an eerie ill-omened wave burst through her system. Home was the one place she never had to worry about barriers and shields, where doubts were eased and fears conquered. She never had to worry about psychic disturbances pushing into her thoughts or someone trying to probe her brain for answers. But these new sensations, the intensity towards their target, her home, were odd, strange and all kinds of bizarre.

The vibrations curled deep within her stomach, fluttering spikes of jolted energy through her entire body. Shivers changing in proportion and strength started in her stomach. The tremors changed from nervousness to frightening and sinister as it climbed her spine. Impacted by the state of silence and order that touched her ears, the wrongness before indicated the truth; her family had never been known not to be boisterous or energetic.

The house doors were continually opening and closing as her mother slapped her father’s hand out of tasting the food, never greeted her. The habitual greeting when she would arrive did not occur. Her ears fell upon a strange silence as she opened the door to an empty house whose normal state was lively. Closing the door with care, the emptiness of the house void of her siblings’ laughter welcomed her. Toys, on average strewn all over the living room, were cleaned and arranged in a matter not customary.

Ailsa walked down the halls peering into each bedroom with caution. Henry and Isabella may have left with her father to go out on an errand, but where was her mother? Her father, known to take the twins to the grocery store or some other errand he had, so they wouldn’t be cooped up inside the house, were absent. The twins were interesting characters amongst themselves.

When not arguing with each other, they were more often than not running through the house with clever plans of mischief and destruction to whatever lay in their path. These well-crafted plans brought forth by the best mastermind who ever existed, herself, were to teach her siblings the value of plan and action. Still, the unnatural sense of amiss settling in her stomach increased.

The search throughout her home echoed distant noises off the vacant and bare quarters. Gone the sounds of happiness, but it did amplify an abnormal resonance that caught her attention. Did that sound like a whimper? Faint and indistinct, walking towards the source of the sound, nothing came to mind as to what the unintelligible noise could possibly be. She couldn’t pinpoint the location and headed into the kitchen still at unease. Her mother could be in the lower part of the house in the dark garden. The stench of burnt food that had boiled over tinged the air as pots and pans littered the tabletops.

Moving the pots to a safer area, the foreboding sensation traveled from her stomach and now spread to the middle of her back as it made its was through her body. What in the world happened to her family? The cold sweat covered her brow and made its way down her back as she reviewed over possible scenarios. Where were they? Where was her family?

Before she called the local Search and Assist, the noise she’d heard earlier broadcasted itself more clearly. Genuine screams filtered from the backyard. A distant voice boomed orders to proceed inside the house. A second sweep of the house to locate any stragglers triggered her battle training. Crouched down low on the ground, Ailsa crawled with great care, controlling her movements to minimize the amount of noise. She didn’t want to draw attention.

Ailsa snaked with ease on the flooring, moving towards the window in the living room. The voices sounded clear, the tones of her mother and father. They loomed close as she used her senses to determine how many individuals were in presence; the number of unrecognizable accents moving in and out of her range of hearing. Strategic movement and garrison positioning muffled the intonations of her parents pleading for help. She inched closer. If she made any type of sound, detection would be easy.

Her senses alerted, she lifted her body and peered outside the window. Huddled close in a tight embrace, her parents muttered soft words to each other. Words she knew were meant to soothe and calm in the sea of tension. She, though, was outside of that needed circle of tranquility and peace. The pressure in her mind thumped in accordance to her accelerated heartbeat, her nerves trembled and jumped as she continued assessing the area even though her first instinct to run flooded every fiber in her mind.

But it was the whimpers of her siblings, on their knees, which ripped and shredded her sanity. They were babies, children who deserved better treatment. They didn’t deserve to be part of this type of horror. Her mother, serene and calm, held her composure as she whispered into Henry and Isabella’s ears.

Soldierly men, wearing colors she hadn’t seen in her short time at the academy, surrounded her family. Shades and hues ranging from near black to light purple mixed company. It was commonly known that Elusion soldiers wore a brand of violet on their person. Whether it was an arm band indicating the branch of service or insignias solely stating their rank, Elusion military now stood in her backyard. These men looked different though, they were not recognizable. They didn’t seem like armed forces through the expression of themselves, and carried out their business...

Ally, you will stay where you are and not make a sound.

Papa, please, I can’t bear this!

No, Ally, listen to me and stay there.

She didn’t want to accept her father’s commands, but complied. The masked man, whose identity concealed the truth, wanted something from her father. He was a true enemy.

"He’s lying. I know they have one more child, and she is almost full-grown. Look throughout the house and find her," another voice interjected.

"You know why we are here Captain."

Though this man wasn’t masked or hidden behind concealment, by height alone he overpowered the other men. Her family became his agenda, this much she understood. Repugnance etched the features of his face, and highlighted the scar across his chin. Hatred burned in his eyes as he looked at her siblings.

Why does that man hate us Papa? She stared at the tall man.

Quiet, Ally, or they’ll know you’re here, her father commanded.

He did not wear a military uniform as the other soldiers did. His attire resembled that of a bounty hunter, his tight-fitting suit allowed mobility and flexibility with well-armed weapons aligned along his right and left legs. He stood at ease in a black skin suit cut off at the arms, his strength evident against a muscular and powerfully built body. No badges or symbols of allegiance on any part of his suit indicated loyalty to a specific race. A holographic emblem constantly changing on his chest and the tattooed arm were the only two distinctions he presented. His right arm displayed a Phoenix encased in fire. It looked active as it changed through stages, the bird never stayed in one place. The Phoenix familiar, though the reason why eluded her.

Papa, I know that man with the tattoo.

Things are not what they seem Ally, her father replied.

She watched from her crouched position as the Phoenix-tattooed man stepped forward and said something to her father. Her mother shielded her siblings’ eyes and whispered into their ears. She noticed her siblings’ slump in their mother’s arms – nobody else seemed to notice. What happened to Henry and Isabella?

What’s wrong with Henry and Isabella?

Ailsa, remember what I’m going to tell you from this point on.

Papa, I don’t understand.

Find your Uncle Nick, and tell him to give you our jade necklaces.

What does that mean?

Just tell your Uncle that Ally.

I’ll contact him.

No! Her father stated with firmness. They will pick up your reading. Do not use so much of your power.

Time slipped by faster after her mother’s conversation with Henry and Isabella. The knot tightened in her stomach and her senses flared again. She needed a way to help her family. They were trapped on all corners. It would take a huge distraction for them to slip through and run. Dead-ends met her ideas as she tried to think of a possible way. She needed to find an answer fast before the soldiers found out she was inside the house.

She waited for a sign, for a number of ideas to come to mind, but as she tried to find alternative methods, the tattooed man turned in her direction. Those eyes, she knew those eyes.

Papa? Papa…it can’t be.

She had stared into those eyes once with love-sick infatuation. Dancing nerves with butterfly flutters undid her calm each time the crystal blue gaze turned in her direction at the academy. She knew those hypnotizing eyes that changed shades depending on the intensity of his emotion. She had spent two years with this man. Two years having chats and getting to know each other. This man became her close friend. She thought they shared a special kinship and bond. Each day he helped her to understand the various lessons bombarding her mind. He helped her control her gifts and use them in the service of her government. A man she would give body and soul to if she had a chance. Duncan Walsh. Duncan Rylos Walsh.

Why Papa? Why would Duncan do this?

She fought the strong sense of denial.

Duncan was three years older but she didn’t care. She felt the pull around him in her body and soul. As a Lieutenant in the military, he helped train the new novices at the academy. With his skills in hand-to-hand combat and tactical maneuvers, his delegated authority focused on the Cyrenius Core in the Infinitium. A multi-galaxy coalition working with races and governments through interstellar communication and cooperation, the Infinitium proliferated throughout the planets of Elusion, Eirenah and Atriopius and Cyrenius Core. Throughout the galaxies, for military and interstellar fighting, the Cyrenius Core patented the phrase ‘the best of the best’.

Glass shattered, snapping Ailsa from her thoughts, back to the horror and reality she momentarily escaped.

We trusted him Papa, we trusted Duncan. How could he do this?

Ally, calm down.

No Papa, he betrayed us!

Hush Ally, you’re giving off too much power.

She ducked down out of site should someone noticed, then waited for a few moments just in case a search started.

The man resembling Duncan stared her father down. "Captain this is the last time I will ask you, where is your other child?"

Her father never answered. She couldn’t bear the torture of having to hide while her family remained as hostages in front of these armed men. Her father knew she was close, yet he acted as if the men lost their minds each time they asked about her as he pulled her mother and siblings closer. She had no idea what was wrong with Henry and Isabella, they didn’t respond to any noise. They only lay slumped in their mother’s arms as if…as if…they’d died. With no ideas, no way to stop any whim the military men came up with to inflict pain on her family, she hid and fought the rage as the man she held far too deep in her heart betrayed her trust.

Why didn’t they fight, dammit? Fight! There had to be a way out for them, figure out a way to save them. Why did they not struggle? Why did they not see the only option left was death?

Close your eyes Ally. Close your eyes now, baby.

Stopping in the middle of her thoughts, calm poured through her body. Soft warmth embraced her heart and her mind. An intense peace she had never experienced before flooded every pore of her being. How strange to feel such a soothing and comforting emotion in the midst of danger and peril.

Papa, what’s happening?

Close your eyes now, baby.

She didn’t second-guess or question the words her father said. The soothing feeling increased as she closed her eyes. Horror mixed with guilt and great sadness swamped her heart at the same time as the reassuring blanket in her mind doubled its effect

We love you, Ally.

She opened her eyes too late; multitude shots of light pierced the sky.

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