Stephani Hecht - Savage Awakenings

An outcast among his own kind, Rat has always withdrawn from others and lived life by his own rules. Rejected and shunned so many times, hes resigned to the fact that hell always be alone and almost convinces himself that hes happier that way. That all changes in one instant when he receives a call from a lost shifter named Keegan.

Scared and on the run from Ravens, Keegan is in hiding and Rat knows if he doesnt go rescue the man, hell be dead within hours.

What Rat doesnt expect though is to fall instantly in lust with the lost shifter as soon as they finally meet. Thats the last thing either one of them needs or wants though. Not only is Keegan still adjusting to the fact hes a shifter, but theres also the fact hes the feline leaders younger brother. Which means the man is off limits. But as they face more danger and get closer, Rat knows hes powerless to fight his growing attraction to Keegan. Will Rat finally be able to let go of his past to embrace a future with his new lover, or will he forever be destined to live life alone?

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Savage Awakenings

Copyright 2010 Stephani Hecht ISBN: 978-1-55487-492-7

Cover art by Angela Waters

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Lost Shifter Series Book Three By

Stephani Hecht

To Cody. Thanks for all you do for me.

Rat vowed to himself that he wouldnt tap out.

No matter how much his arm screamed in agony thanks to the piece of shit puma shifter who had him in a classic wrestling pin. His other hand was pressed onto Rats head, his fingers biting into the scalp hard enough to leave bruises. Rat tried to push up, just enough to get some air that didnt reek of vinyl, rubber, gym shoes and week-old sweat. That only made the Puma grunt as he smashed Rats head down harder. He seemed to take sadistic pleasure in making Rat eat the faded blue mat in the training room.

Even though Rat was built, this guy still had fifty pounds on him and he wasnt shy about using it. He gave Rats arm another vicious twist.

It hurt like a mother fucker, but Rat held back the cry of agony. The Puma still must have sensed his pain though because he gave a mocking laugh even as his sweat dripped onto the back of Rats neck.

Gross, Ive always heard you were a slob, Antonio, but this is fucked up.

That comment earned him another arm wrenching, this one so vicious Rat heard the bone pop. He held his breath waiting for the telltale snap that would let him know it had broke, but it never came. Looked like Antonio wasnt willing to take things that far. Public humiliation was one thing, actually breaking the limb of the feline leaders favorite computer tech was another. That still didnt mean that Antonio couldnt hurt him, though, and he was doing a damn good job of it.

Rat, bit the inside of his cheek to hold back a yell as he tried to breathe through the pain.

No, Rat wouldnt give and cry uncle not even if his arm was ripped off and shoved down his throat.

Come on, Rat, just give it up, the over two hundred pounds of idiot on top of him urged.

Not going to happen. Hed die first.

Antonio, Ive told you a million times, Im not going to fuck you no matter how many times you beg me just to give it up. By the way, thats a pretty lame pickup line, even for someone as desperate as you, Rat goaded, knowing his mouth was the best weapon against this dumb-as-shit meat-head.

True to his norm, ol Tony had to pause, while his pea sized brain worked out Rats comment.

Thats not what I meant, he finally said, his voice uneasy and unsure.

Even though his arm felt like it was being torn in two, Rat rolled his eyes. God, this asshole took dumb to a whole new level. Rat raised his head enough to glance around the training room only to find they now had an audience. Several dozen feline shifters and a few Hawks were all standing around, watching the pathetic Cheetah getting his ass handed to him.

It may have been amusing had he not been said Cheetah.

Besides, drooling all over me is not the way into my pants. I like dirty sex, not messy sex.

Believe me when I say theres a big difference.

Rat realized that may have been one too many snarky comments when Antonio increased the pressure on the back of his head. He sucked in a breath as the mat ripped at the various piercings on his face. Soon the tangy, coppery scent of his own blood, slammed into his nostrils.

Why are you even in here with the real soldiers? Antonio sneered. The last thing we need is to be wasting our time on a loser who cant hold his shift. Shit, you even look like a pansy freak. That whole Goth look may make the girls wet with appreciation, but to everyone else it just shows what a nancy you are. Go back to your little office and those stupid computers you like to pretend are important.

That comment stung even more than the beat down, but Rat would stop breathing before he let it show. Instead, he allowed his body to go slack, like he was accepting defeat. As soon as he heard Antonios triumphant chuckle, he knew he had him. The jerk let go of Rats headactually let go like some idiot, which gave Rat the out hed been waiting for. Snapping his head back, Rat connected with the mans nose.

Even though the move made his arm hurt even more, as soon as he heard the Pumas howl of pain Rat knew itd been worth it. If Antonio had been human the blow would have broken his nose, instead it just caused him a whole bunch of hurt.

His grip let up enough for Rat to send his elbow back in a quick, hard jab.

This time something did break. A rib judging by the sounds of it. Rat followed it up with another head butt, surprised when he connected again since he didnt think Antonio would fall for the same trick twice.

Yep, definitely one of the dumber assholes around.

As soon as Antonio rolled off him, Rat sprang to his feet and looked down at his opponent. Even though his upbringing had taught him to always kick prey when he had it down, Rat didnt.

Instead, he cocked his head to the side as he watched Antonio writhe around in pain.

Looks like I win, he said in a cool voice.

This doesnt prove anything you stupid freak, Antonio snarled. He cupped his hands to his nose, blood soon trickled between the cracks of his fingers.

Rat refused to let that remark hurt. He knew he was different. Not only did he not have any control of his animal form, but hed taken great strides to make his human side unique too. While most of the shifters serving under Mitchell, wore their hair military length and dressed the part of soldiers, Rat refused to go along. Hed dyed his brown hair a dark black with blue highlights streaked through the spiked front. Add in his numerous piercings, the kohl around his eyes and his black nail polish and Rat was as far from regulation as one could get.