Kiara remembers what life was like living free–before she was taken by demons and bred to gladiators so that the new generations of wolves would retain their ferocity but forget their freedom. Mated to top gladiator Grit, she has a son with this surprisingly gentle lover who is also planning their escape. When Grit is killed in the arena, his close friend Bolt upholds his promise to protect Kiara and the cub.
Bolt and Kiara have loved each other from the moment they met, but they buried their feelings because she was mated to his best friend. When Grit dies, despite their guilt, Bolt and Kiara surrender to their desire for each other. Will their love be strong enough to help them win freedom from their evil masters?
Interview with Werewolf and Gladiator, Bolt
As a reporter for an underground newspaper for members of the rebellion against the demon masters, I’ve met many interesting and courageous people. Today I’m talking to Bolt, werewolf and gladiator in the Detroit tower.
How long have you been in the tower?
Too long.
When you escape, do you plan to return to your pack?
I’m not sure my pack still exists. When I was taken, many were killed. The fighting was still going on when I was rendered unconscious. I woke in the tower and have had no contact with my pack. I hope there are other survivors.
Have you befriended any other wolves here?
Friendship isn’t easy to come by in the tower. We have many wolves from different packs. In the wild, wolves depend on each other for survival, but here, we’re expected to destroy each other. Although we generally don’t fight wolves from our own gladiatorial houses, most have lost feelings of loyalty to our own kind. My close friend, Grit, was a wolf of honor. He was like a pack brother to me, but he was recently killed in the arena.
In the tower, wolves are expected to mate. Have you been given a female?
I’ve tried to avoid taking a mate here. I have no desire to father captive wolves, born solely to shed blood in the arena for the amusement of demons. Now that Grit is dead, though, I have claimed his mate, Kiara. She’s a magnificent woman and deserves to be treated well.
It sounds like you have genuine feelings for her. Are you in love with her?
It’s not wise to admit to loving anyone, at least not here in the tower. The demon masters use emotions like love against us.
How long do you think it will be before the demons are overthrown?
I have no idea. I only hope that it’s long before cubs like Grit’s boy, Jett, are trained for the arena. I want the next generation of wolves to know the same freedom Kiara and I once enjoyed.
When you escape, do you plan to remain with Kiara and Jett?
For as long as she’ll have me. My promise to love and protect them won’t end with our escape or even the end of the demons’ reign. It’s for always.
I’m sorry to cut the interview short, but the magic that allowed me to enter the tower, unnoticed, and speak to Bolt has almost faded. If I’m caught, it will be death for both of us. I hope Bolt’s words will help strengthen others. He’s still fighting for freedom, even within the confines of the demons’ tower. The rest of us need to keep fighting as well, on the outside.
Fangs and Fists 1: Bolt
by Kate Hill
An erotic paranormal romance from Changeling Press.
Excerpt
Bolt came to her again that night.
As before, the guards opened the door abruptly.
Kiara had been pacing the cell while Jett slept soundly in the adjoining room. She turned toward the door, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Wearing only his loincloth, Bolt entered behind the first guard. His blue gaze flew to Kiara. The guards said nothing, but left them alone, closing the door behind them.
“Bolt,” Kiara said, meeting him halfway across the room.
They embraced tightly and he covered her face with gentle kisses.
“I had a strange conversation today,” she whispered in his ear, hoping that if the masters were listening, they wouldn’t be able to hear her. “A huntress said we should be ready tonight.”
“Yes. Her name is Zari. She’s been planning this escape with us for months. Me, Grit and a couple of others. Victor is fighting again tonight. His opponent is one of ours, a wolf named Glacier. Since killing Grit, Victor’s next fight has been greatly anticipated. From what I’ve heard, most of the demons in the tower will be watching.”
“You really trust her? This Zari woman?”
About Kate
Always a fan of romance and the paranormal, Kate Hill started writing over twenty years ago for pleasure. Her first story, a short erotic vampire tale, was accepted for publication in 1996. Since then she has sold over one hundred short stories, novellas and novels.
When she’s not working on her books, Kate enjoys reading, working out, spending time with her family and pets and running the Compelling Beasts Blog, dedicated to antagonists, antiheroes and paranormal creatures. She also writes under the name Saloni Quinby.
Links:
http://www.kate-hill.com/compellingbeastsblog
https://www.amazon.com/Kate-Hill/e/B002BLS7OW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1485103167&sr=1-2-ent
http://www.facebook.com/katehillsaloniquinby
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16157.Kate_Hill
https://plus.google.com/110359814167605096582