Book Title: Red’s Wolf
Author: Beth Laycock
Publisher: Rainbow Romance Press
Cover Artist: Free To Be Creative Co
Release Date: November 10, 2021
Genre: Paranormal romance
Tropes: Friends to lovers, age gap, snowed-in together
Themes: Found family, learning to accept yourself
Length: approx 28 000 words
It is the first book in a series of standalone books/novellas and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
A fairy-tale retelling with a paranormal twist!
Blurb
Concerned for his gran’s health, Red braves the snow-covered forest to ensure she’s safe in the worsening weather. After several encounters over recent months, Red is both hoping to run into the huntsman again whilst also dreading he might because he knows their friendship can’t lead to more, no matter how much he wishes it might.
A glimpse of his huntsman distracts Red and he stumbles away from the safety of the woodland path straight into the danger known as the wolf of Bowland. Shaken, but unharmed, Red manages to escape to the safety of his gran’s cottage to recover.
Despite Red’s reservations, the pair grow closer after they end up snowed in together at the huntsman’s cabin, but can Aldrich help Red accept there is nothing wrong with who he is? Or will Red let his secret and insecurities come between them? Especially when he finds out his huntsman is hiding a secret of his own.
This M/M romance from Beth Laycock features friends to lovers, an age gap, snowed-in together, shifters and witches, and of course a HEA.
As I entered the woods, leaving my bike parked in the makeshift car park in a muddy clearing, I pulled my red coat tighter around me and clutched Gran’s cake box in the other hand.
The snow had stopped but the wind was icy as it found its way through my layers of clothes. I hurried towards the twisted oak tree, my steps silent and spurred on by the thought of seeing the huntsman. Yet my feet also dragged at the same thought.
I liked talking to him, feasting on the sight of him, yet afterwards, when reality crashed back in, I was left feeling so alone. How could I ever be with someone when I had to hide a huge part of myself from them?
“Whoa there, who’s after your tail?”
At the sound of the lilting voice that I’d have recognised anywhere, I almost dropped Gran’s cake. Where had he sprung from? He wrapped his long fingers around my biceps to steady me, and I shivered at the contact even with my coat between us. “Hi.” The word came out far too breathy for my liking and I cleared my throat when he chuckled.
His gaze dropped to the cake as he released his hold on me. “Is that a birthday cake?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s carrot cake. It’s my gran’s favourite. My birthday isn’t for another two days, not until Sunday.”
The huntsman smiled at me and a warmth radiated through my body, and there it was, that pull inside me, like the moon’s tidal force on the sea, beckoning me.
His hand disappeared inside his cloak, and from the depths of the black fur he produced a small box covered in blue and silver shiny wrapping paper. “I’m glad this isn’t late, then.”
My mouth dropped open as I stared at the beautiful box. The huntsman laughed as he held it out towards me. “What is it?” I asked, as he placed it on my upturned palm not holding the cake. I curled my fingers around its edges and gave it a gentle shake.
“It’s a present. You’ll have to wait until your birthday to open it and find out what’s inside.”
I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt. “Thank you…” My words trailed off as I realised I didn’t know his name.
He stepped closer, glancing down at me with a warm gaze. “Aldrich. My name is Aldrich Emerson and you’re welcome.” His head bowed as he told me his name, and I don’t know why but I did the same as I said, “Call me Red, everyone does.”
His beard twitched as a smile lifted his lips. One that I couldn’t help but return. Heavens above, if this carried on, I might even look forward to my birthday for once.
“Red.”
The reverence in his voice as he uttered my name went straight to my cock. I squirmed trying to ease the pressure on my dick but almost groaned as all I managed to do was rub the denim against my rapidly hardening length. I’d never been more grateful for my ankle-length coat.
“It suits you.”
Heat bloomed across my cheeks as if to prove his point.
“I’m assuming you don’t have any plans for your birthday?”
He was giving me ideas of what to wish for if I had a birthday cake and candles to blow out. I shook my head. “Not really. I’ll come and visit Gran and she’ll probably have a present or seven for me.” As I uttered the last words, I rolled my eyes and grinned because no matter how many times I told her not to, she still insisted on buying me far too many presents. “Usually she cooks my favourite dinner for me as well.” My grin faded because I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of her chained to the oven for hours making a roast chicken dinner instead of resting.
“Sounds perfect. Time spent with your loved ones with good food and good presents to unwrap. What more could you ask for?”
The chance to unwrap you. I swallowed hard at the idea of undressing the huntsman. Aldrich. I liked the name—it suited him. Kind of old-fashioned but a strong name, like the rugged man standing before me.
“I should let you go. We wouldn’t want your gran worrying because you’re late.”
His use of the word we made my stomach swoop and I couldn’t stop my lips lifting in response.
“If I don’t see you before Sunday, happy birthday. And I hope you get all that your heart desires.”
And with the word desires, I swear his eyes swirled with streaks of gold, reminding me of chocolate ganache when I stirred gold leaf through it.
I blinked and his eyes were his normal chestnut colour again. He dipped his head, then slipped off into the woods. I watched until he disappeared from sight, blending into the cover of the trees.
His present was still in my hand, and I clutched it to my chest as though I could keep him close after his departure. Curiosity was killing me, and I gave the box another gentle shake, but it didn’t make a sound. It smelt of expensive paper and Aldrich—musky like a damp winter’s day in the forest. I couldn’t believe he’d got me a birthday present. We didn’t really know each other that well but maybe it was a sign he wanted to get to know me better? Who bought someone a present when they didn’t know their name? Someone way too nice to burden with all my shit. Surely no one as attractive, or as mature as Aldrich who clearly had their shit together would be interested in me.
With a sigh deep enough to blow snowfall from the nearby trees, I admitted to myself that he might be interested.
Until he found out my truth.
Beth Laycock’s books are influenced by her time living overseas as well as the gritty, urban landscape of the north of England where she grew up. She has been reading romance since she was old enough to tell herself that line every book lover does—just one more chapter.
As a teenager, she attempted to write her first novel, and many more since then are still gathering dust on her bookshelf. It wasn’t until she discovered the M/M genre that her muse showed up and refused to quit telling her stories about beautiful men finding love together. She hasn’t stopped scribbling them down since. Beth’s muse usually shows up when she is in the shower, is allergic to cleaning, rarely lets her watch TV, and insists she drinks copious amounts of coffee so she can turn caffeine into words.
Beth’s books range from sweet to sexy, long to short, contemporary to paranormal, but a HEA is always guaranteed.
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