Page 1 of A Swan for Christmas

Chapter One

Kellan shivered against the vicious chill of the night air. Snow had fallen in fluffy piles, blanketing the unfamiliar forest in white that sparkled where the moonlight filtered through the tall pines. If he didn’t shift back to his swan form soon, he would die.

So far, he’d been able to complete the change every five minutes or so, then warm up for about an hour before he would abruptly change back again. But even though he didn’t have a way to tell time, the ability to shift again still eluded him and he was sure he’d been in his human form for at least ten minutes already.

Why is this happening to me?

While shifting back and forth too many times in a row could make the process difficult until sufficient time had passed—which allowed the energy reserves to build back up—he’d never experienced a situation where he couldn’t stop himself from shifting. His intention had been to stay a swan for as long as possible so he wouldn’t freeze to death.

Until I figure out what I’m going to do.

But none of that mattered in the face of getting out of the elements in the next few minutes. His future would no longer be an issue if he was dead.

Kellan bit back the rising tears as he vigorously scrubbed his arms in a futile attempt to warm up. He stood on a patch of moss under the boughs of an enormous pine but could no longer jog in place to keep his circulation going. When he’d fallen from the truck he’d been traveling in with his herd, he’d hurt his ankle and it had begun to swell. Although the large tree kept him sheltered somewhat from the wind, and he wasn’t standing right in the snow, he was still freezing his ass off.

He closed his eyes, concentrating with all his might, pressing his lips together in a tight line as he struggled to initiate the shift. Kellan let out a helpless whimper. No tingle. No heat simmering beneath his skin. No warning ache in his joints. Nothing.

I’m going to die.

Kellan gasped at the loud snap of a branch. He curled in on himself as he frantically glanced around to discover the source of the noise, his swan at the forefront of his mind as if he was about to shift, even though it no longer seemed possible. His eyes went wide and he covered his mouth with the back of his hand in terror.

Wolf!

Even though he knew he was close to dying anyway, being torn to pieces by a wolf would be so much more horrible than slowly descending into darkness.

The massive beast advanced toward him then paused when it came to the edge of the small river right across from Kellan. He’d been using the narrow waterway to travel on whenever he’d been in swan form, hoping it would eventually lead him somewhere he could seek shelter. But the minimal expanse of water wouldn’t be large enough to save him from being eaten by the wolf. The hulking animal with a thick brown and grey coat wouldn’t be stopped by such a paltry barrier. One hearty leap would place him right in fang and claw range of Kellan.

Kellan jumped then yelped, his feet sliding out from under him, his ass hitting the ground as the wolf instantly changed into a tall, rugged man with solid, corded muscles filling his frame. The man’s gaze bore into Kellan, his eyes still retaining the leftover glow of his wolf. He struck Kellan as being like a lumberjack or hunter. In addition to his hunky body, he wore a long beard, had bushy eyebrows and his hair hung long over one side of his face.

Or maybe he’s just a hipster. The man was also as naked as Kellan was.

“What are you doing out here like that? You’ll freeze to death!” Despite no longer being in wolf form, the stranger easily made the leap across the river.

Kellan’s body shook so hard from the cold, his teeth chattering so violently, that he was unable to form words in response. But the man didn’t seem concerned about waiting to hear what he had to say. Instead, he scooped him up, jumped back over the water and jogged at a fast clip through the woods.

He’s so warm.

His initial instinct had been to fight and struggle, but where would he go? What would he do? He was doomed if he didn’t accept the stranger’s help.

Kellan snuggled against the firm, muscled chest of the man, his heat and scent so comforting. Safe. Surely, his swan would protest if he were in danger? Kellan tensed. Then again, his swan hadn’t been working so well for the past few hours. I need to stay on guard. When it wasn’t even safe to trust his own family, how could it possibly be a wise move to trust a stranger?

“Here we go. Let’s get you warmed up.”

The man slowed as he approached an older pick-up truck with red paint fading in spots and supported by giant snow tires. The lone streetlamp that lit up the gravel-covered parking area was just enough for Kellan to get a vague idea of his surroundings. The man yanked open the passenger side door, shoved a pile of clothing aside, then set Kellan down on the seat. The moment he was released by the stranger, the sharp bite of cold surrounded him again and he noted that the stranger seemed to be in the same predicament. The man rubbed his hands together as he darted around the front of the cab then got in on the other side.

Once he was inside, Kellan’s would-be rescuer fired up the engine and let the heat blast. He remained silent as he dug through the clothing.

“Take this.” The man held out a red and black flannel shirt to Kellan.

Kellan accepted it, not wanting to look up. To act like I’m as good as him. Finn would always berate him if he slipped up and made eye contact.

“T-thank you.”

Kellan shrugged on the shirt, buttoning it with trembling fingers as the truck gradually warmed. He chanced a peek at the stranger, trying not to stare brazenly at his cock when he lifted his ass out of the seat to tug his jeans on.

He doesn’t have any underwear on. Kellan lowered his eyes again, his cheeks heating. He’d never seen such a handsome, hunky man before. None of his swan herd were built that way. Kellan held the fabric of the soft cotton shirt to his nose, inhaling the masculine, gorgeous scent. It was like pine mixed with spice and musk. Never had anything been so alluring to him—which was odd—since they were different shifter species. But then again, Kellan had never met a wolf before, so he wasn’t sure what they were supposed to smell like. Maybe they all had an amazing scent. Wolves certainly seemed very popular amongst shifters.

Unlike swans.