Stephani Hecht - Chances Vindication

Raised in complete isolationRaven shifter, Chanceknew little of the shifter world. While he realized that the Ravens were at war with feline shifters, he didnt understand just how deep the hatred went until he took refuge with a coalition of felinesfelines who sometimes seemed more likely to kill him than protect him from the Ravens hunting him. Living among his enemies, while being hated by his own kind, Chance withdraws into himself and begins to lose hope that hell ever be happy. To make things worse, Chance finds himself drawn to Thomas, a Lion shifter who despises all Ravens.

When Thomas is assigned to guard Chance, hes not happy. His job is to kill Ravens, not babysit them. But as time passes, Thomas realizes hes attracted to the shy, sweet man. But years of war against the Ravens, along with his own personal demons, lead Thomas to resist the draw he feels for Chance. Then Chance is taken captive and Thomas realizes how much his little Raven means to him. Will he find Chance in time, or will they both lose all hope of ever finding a happy ending?

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Chances Vindication

Copyright 2011 Stephani Hecht

ISBN: 978-1-55487-979-3

Cover art by Martine Jardin

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Chances Vindication

Lost Shifter 13

By

Stephani Hecht

Chance often heard people use the term the elephant in themiddle of the room. Hed never thought about how that poor elephant must have felt though. Yet as he found himself, the lone male Raven shifter, sitting in the center of a cafeteria full of feline shifters, he couldnt help but feel a connection.

He slouched down in his chair and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. All the while, wondering why hed been so stupid as to show his mug there in the first place. Usually, he would have never come to the cafeteria at all, instead taking his meal in the privacy of his apartment.

But he thought that it would be safe to venture out this one time, since most of the coalition was attending the wedding of their leaders sister to a Wolf shifter.

Instead of the solitude hed anticipated, Chance found that one-third of the coalitions soldiers had stayed behind.

Since they were working on a skeleton crew, their schedule was wonky, too. So theyd had their shift change at seven in the evening instead of the usual six-oclock. Which meant that Chance now found himself smack dab in the middle of their dinner break.

He stared down at his uneaten tray of spaghetti as he strove not to feel all the hate being directed his way. Felines and Ravens were bitter enemies and the fact that Chance hadnt lived with other Ravens since he was four didnt matter to the felines. Nor did they care that Mitchell, the leader of the coalition, had granted Chance and his sister, Dulla, sanctuary. They just looked at him and saw a hated foe, plain and simple. Chance knew for a fact the only thing that held them back from attacking him right there on the spot was the strict hands-off edict given by their leader.

Otherwise, Chances ass would have been the newest entre on the menu.

Glancing up from under his long fringe of black bangs, Chance stared at the one feline who seemed to occupy most of his thoughts. A Lion shifter named Thomas. The man had been assigned to guard and guide Chance as he became accustomed to the coalition lifestyle. The only problem was Thomas hated Chance, whereas Chance harbored a secret attraction to the Lion. One that made Chance lay awake most nights, his body tense with frustration and unanswered need.

Who wouldnt drool over Thomas though? Standing at around six-five and pure muscle, the guy had a body that was both drool-worthy and pant-a-licious. That was even before one added in his short, carefully styled blond hair that just begged to be messed up, and sparkling blue eyes that turned dark whenever he got emotional. Plus, Thomas had a certain way of carrying himself. A dont-fuck-with-me vibe that made Chance feel protected and skittish at the same time. Which was a combination hed never thought possible.

Letting out a sigh, Chance tugged at his own hair, painfully aware of how unattractive he must be to any feline.

Since he was a Raven, he had dark hair, pale skin and dark eyes that some called soulless. It was so bad that Chance couldnt even look in the mirror anymore, not wanting the painful reminder of who he really was.

Chance let out a sigh as he shifted his gaze back on his food. He could stare and dream of the shifter all he wanted, it still wouldnt change the way Thomas felt about him. The man never made it a secret how he hated all Ravens and that included Chance. Not that Chance could really blame the guy. Ravens were heartless bastards who only lived to destroy. Just look at his family. The reason theyd left their pack or murder as Ravens call them, was because the elders had put a death order out for Dulla because of her learning disabilities. So as a result, he, Dulla, and their foster brother, Xavier, had been raised in complete isolation.

He glanced over at his sister, Dulla. She didnt seem to have any problems acclimating to their new home. She sat at a table with five felines. They were a tight clique whod taken her under their wing and they were all fiercely protective of her. It didnt appear to bother them at all that she was a Raven. Be it because of her gentle disposition or her slight learning delay, but they had no problem including her.

Even though he knew it was petty, Chance couldnt help but wish that some of that love could be pointed in his direction. Not that he was an attention whore or anything, but hed at least like to not be treated like a leper. As it was, his was the only table that had one occupant. All the others were filled to capacity. Meanwhile, he looked like some lone Raven island in the middle of a sea of kitties.

So when somebody plopped down in the chair across from him, Chance jerked in surprise. He glanced up, further shocked to see it was Dalton, the only Lynx shifter in the coalition. At nineteen, he was a year younger than Chance, but the gap seemed even larger due to Daltons innocent attitude. The way the Lynxs dark hair flopped over his wide, bright green eyes, further added to his youthful appearance.

You wont believe what happened to me, Dalton exclaimed.

II wont? Chance stammered, still stunned that anybody other than his family was talking to him.

No, you wont. Its the worst and best night I ever had.

I would have thought that youd be in the group that went to the wedding, Chance said, scrambling to keep up with the conversation.

I was.

Then why are you already home?

My guardian dragged me back. All because I was talking to some Wolf shifter. Okay, maybe I was doing a little more than talking, but he was really, really hot. Daltons scowl morphed into a dreamy smile. He was a damn good kisser, too.