Trey's Partner

Trey's life has been one of protection and privation. Facing a hungry winter, he leaves his mountain home and family and goes looking for work in the human world. The "wolf school" seems like a good choice. He might not know much about the modern world, but if he can learn to work with a human, he'll earn a good living, never go hungry again, and help his family survive, too. It's just a job, and he doesn't understand why some shifters are so fussy about who they team up with. Finding the perfect partner is a no-brainer for Trey. He just needs someone he trusts and can work with — someone who isn't overly emotional. Trey easily finds the right partner — as long as his choice agrees to it. As long as no emotions get involved. Heat level: very low 45,000 words A Shifters and Partners Novel EXCERPT I was running slowly along the road toward the wolf school when I saw and heard a truck coming up behind me. It rumbled loudly, and the lights were starting round the bend. I moved as far off the road as I could without stopping and leaping into the brush. I kept a wary eye on it, though, and was prepared to jump if I had to. My skin crawled every time a vehicle passed me on this narrow road. I didn't dare run in my wolf form, knowing there would be people who were afraid of me or tried to run me down. But my human form was slower and didn't feel much safer, frankly. I didn't know how many people every year might die by being hit by cars after dark. I didn't want to be one of them. This truck slowed down when the driver saw me, and then slowed further, till it was moving alongside me, idling and rumbling, trying not to go faster than me. The driver rolled down his window. "You need a lift? It's not safe on this narrow road." I took a quick look at him, then a longer one. He looked like a regular human, and smelled like one, too. The other hints I got off him weren't of danger, but they weren't of some random good Samaritan, either. I stopped running. He stopped the car, but left it idling. I listened to what my instincts and senses were telling me. The man was only a little older than me, with very short, stubbly hair on his head. He looked like he'd been through stressful things: the lines around his eyes, the way he looked troubled and even a little angry, and like he hadn't had much sleep. I smelled his stressed sweat, and could feel the concern for me radiating off him. He wasn't just concerned, or being kind: he was really afraid for me in a way that made his adrenaline and stress level ratchet really high. Did he know something bad was coming? More likely, he'd known someone who got hurt running along a road, and wanted to keep it from happening to anyone else. I could give him that. I nodded and moved toward the passenger's side, to his obvious relief. "Thanks. I'm going to the wolf school." I waited. His brows rose slightly, but he just nodded. I got in the truck and he started down the road again. "Me too," he said after a minute. He tapped the wheel, and didn't look at me again. He was still tense, but no longer afraid. He sent off vibes that said to me "stay away." I looked out the window and didn't try to talk, since neither of us wanted to. The pickup was worn but comfortable, with its ratty fabric seats. It was good to catch my breath, and the land rolled past so much faster than it had while I was running. I was drenched in sweat and exhausted. It was hard being up all night in human form. It would've been so much faster as a wolf.