Swan & Hatchling Read online

  A Swan for Christmas

  &

  A Hatchling for Valentine’s

  A Vale Valley Bundle

  (Kellan & Vic Vale Valley Season 1 & 2)

  Featuring:

  Kellan & Vic’s New Year’s Eve

  From A Bundle of Joy

  A Swan for Christmas

  (Vale Valley Season One, Book 4)

  A Swan for Christmas (Vale Valley 4)

  Copyright ©2018 M.M. Wilde

  First Edition

  Cover design by Fantasia Frog Designs

  Edited by Barham Editorial

  Published by Knight Ever After Publishing

  All Rights Reserved

  This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer-to-peer program, for free or for a fee. Such action is illegal and in violation of Copyright Law.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

  Dedication

  I’d like to give a huge thank you to author Giovanna Reaves for inviting me to be a part of the Vale Valley world that she created. I’ve grown to love this mysterious, secret town that is a sanctuary to those special beings—whether shifter, magical or from an omegaverse world—who are in need of love and a permanent home. It’s been an honor and I hope to tell more Vale Valley stories in the future!

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue/Bundle of Joy Story

  More Vale Valley

  About the Author/Social Media

  Need more mpreg? Join the Facebook Special Delivery Reader Group for mpreg authors M.M. Wilde, Giovanna Reaves, Michael Mandrake & L.M. Brown: https://bit.ly/2AnxUKA

  An Alpha wolf and an omega swan can’t be fated mates… Right?

  Abandoned by his swan herd and lost in a snowstorm, Kellan has nowhere to go. When he’s near death, he’s discovered by a wolf shifter in the woods surrounding a mysterious town filled with magic and hope. Could there also be love?

  Vic, the owner of Vale Valley Inn and Restaurant, has been alone since a virus claimed the lives of most of his pack. He’s found acceptance and built a good life for himself in the beautiful town that has become his home. Still, facing another Christmas without a mate is heartbreaking, even if he’s accepted that he’ll never find his true wolf omega.

  When Vic rescues Kellan, he plans to do anything he can to help the skittish man forge a new life in Vale Valley. He’s all too familiar with having to start over. But as they grow closer, something else starts happening that he’s not familiar with—the mating pull and a swan’s heat.

  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.

  “Take these, too.” The man shoved a pair of brown socks at him. “I’m worried about your toes. You can get frostbite a lot quicker than you’d think.”

  As Kellan started to yank one of them on, he tugged a bit too hard on his bad ankle. “Ow!”

  “Are you hurt?”

  The man sounded very worried.

  “I… I fell. Twisted my ankle.”

  Kellan peered up at him, he couldn’t help himself. His curiosity had gotten him into plenty of trouble over the years, but he wanted to see the stranger, needed to know what he was thinking, if he was annoyed with Kellan or truly as concerned as he seemed.

  Oh…

  The man was even more handsome now that he could get a good look at him inside the lighted cab.

  “Lemme see.”

  Kellan held up his foot for inspection, peeling the top of the sock back enough for an appraisal. The man frowned as he checked it, lightly poking it where there was some swelling at the ankle bone. Kellan hissed.

  “Is that tender?”

  Kellan nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Okay.” He lowered Kellan’s leg, and the same as it had been when he’d set Kellan down in the truck, he felt the loss of the man’s touch somewhere deep inside. “It doesn’t appear too bad, I’m thinking you’ve got a mild sprain. When we get back to the inn, I’ll get you a wrap for it.” He twisted his body around then plucked a fluffy down jacket from behind the front bench seat, then presented it to Kellan. “Put this on too. I don’t know how long you were out there like that, but I’m thinking it was lucky I came along when I did.”

  Kellan’s stomach roiled as he held the coat in front of him, not wanting it to touch his skin. The man’s scent was there, but so was another one. A sickening one. “I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful, but…” He wrinkled his nose. “This is filled with smelly old dead feathers!”

  The stranger furrowed his brow, his elbow draped over the steering wheel as he considered Kellan. “I don’t understand. It’s filled with goose down. Are you allergic?”

  Kellan gasped then threw the garment, the jacket smacking the man in the face. He sputtered and choked then pulled it away, clutching it in his lap as he frowned at Kellan again.

  Oh dear. Already I’m making him not like me.

  “What was that for?”

  “I’m sorry! But those are my cousins’ feathers! I mean, not my actual cousins, probably, but I don’t know where they came from or how they got there. If they were being used outside in a nest with the fresh air, that would be one thing, but they’re suffocating in that synthetic fabric.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of the man’s mouth and Kellan huffed. He didn’t see what was so amusing.

  “Now I understand why I found you out in the Vale woods. You’re a goose shifter who needs a home.”

  Kellan crossed his arms and huffed again. “I am not a goose shifter. I’m a swan.”

  The still-shirtless man ran his gaze down Kellan’s body then met his eyes. “A very lovely swan.” He dipped his chin. “My apologies.” He angled his body around, but this time when he retrieved something from behind the seat, it was a red, wool blanket. “Do you have any sheep cousins?”

  Kellan was working up to a snit, but he caught a slight twitch at the corner of the man’s mouth. He chuckled. “Not that I know of.” Kellan ducked his head. “Thank you. You’ve been so nice to me, saved my life. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “It’s okay, don’t you worry about that.” The man’s voice had softened. “Why don’t you wrap that around yourself, though.” He adjusted the thick cover over Kellan’s shoulders and gathered it so the blanket covered his bare legs. “There. That’s better.” The man offered him a smile. “How about I introduce myself? I’m Vic, the Alpha of a very small pack and owner of the Vale Valley Inn and Restaurant. And you?”

  He held out his hand and Kellan let his smaller one be swallowed up by it. After two quick pumps, he released him. As it had been with every other touch from Vic, Kellan was sorry it was over.

  “Nice to meet you, Vic. I’m Kellan, and as you now know, a swan shifter.” Kellan chewed on his bottom lip. “You mentioned your inn. I don’t have any money, or anything at all, to offer you in payment. But I work very hard and I could pay you back if I could stay there for a few days? I’ll even give you double what I owe.”

  Vic shook his head and Kellan’s stomach sank. Oh no. Now what do I do?

  “You don’t need to pay me, Kellan. I’m sure I can find something for you to do around the inn or restaurant if you want to help out. My inn tends to be a place where a lot of the new residents start out when they first arrive. Some stay on and work there, others find the place in town where they were meant to be. For them, the inn is merely a stepping stone to where they belong in Vale Valley.”

  “Wow.” Kellan tilted his head. “Is there something special about Vale Valley? It sounds as though there are a lot of shifters here and people who have nowhere else to go.”

  Vic tugged at his beard, his brow wrinkling. “Yeah, that’s about right. Vale Valley is where a lot of us ended up because we were drifting. The town’s origins are with the Vale family, but there are also a large variety of shifters, Alphas and omegas and even dragons and witches. But we all watch out for each other, keep each other’s secrets from the prying eyes of the rest of the world.”

  Kellan’s eyes rounded, and he clutched the blanket tighter around him. He glanced around, but all he could see were the black silhouettes of the trees. “Dragons and witches? Do they eat the residents or cast evil spells?”

  Vic choke-snorted, then seemed to get hold of himself. “No, little Kellan. Like any town, there have been some unsavory characters, but our residents are all good souls. Even the dragons and witches.” Vic winked. “I can’t think of another place I’d rather be.”

  Kellan considered Vic’s words along with how protected being with the big wolf made him feel. And he’s even an Alpha. Wow. “Vale Valley does sound like a special town. Do you think I’ll be allowed to stay? I can keep secrets, too.”

  “I have a feeling you were led to us, Kellan.” Vic smiled then put the truck in gear. As he reversed out of the parking area, bunches of snow kicking
up behind his tires, he gave Kellan a quick pat on the shoulder. “That’s how it usually works. I’ll have Rosemary Vale, the town mayor, stop by the restaurant tomorrow. If you still want to stay in the Valley, she can add you to the population records.”

  “Then I would belong in the town?”

  Vic shifted gears then pulled onto the small plowed road. “Yes, you would belong.”

  Kellan sniffed back the emotion burning in his throat. Maybe he could have people in his life who truly cared about him and who didn’t think he was worthless.

  Maybe I can have a real home.

  Chapter Two

  Vic glanced sideways at the unexpected find in his passenger seat. On occasion, a newcomer would be drawn to the town, most of the arrivals unknowingly following their gut instinct leading them to their true home. But this was the first time he’d been personally involved in such an event.

  “We’re almost there.”

  Kellan peered up at him. “The town is so quiet. But it’s very pretty. I don’t like cities or anywhere too crowded or noisy.”

  Vic grinned. Definitely led here. “Then this’ll be your kind of place.”

  He found it interesting that Kellan was a swan shifter. He’d never met any avian shifters before. If there were any in Vale Valley, he wasn’t aware of them. Swans were such beautiful creatures—he’d always admired the graceful and majestic birds. Even some of the rooms at the Inn had paintings of swans on the walls. Mateo, one of his buddies and the town’s tattoo artist, had done some excellent pen and ink drawings of swans for him. Those he kept in his private cabin on the inn’s premises.

  Yes. Interesting that I should be the one to find him.

  Yet, that seemed to be the way of the town’s magic. Somehow, the circumstances had been put in place that he would be taking his nightly run in the same area Kellan was in trouble. Vic assumed it was why his heart had been thundering upon his first touch of Kellan and why he’d been so reluctant to let him go. Somewhere deep inside he must have recognized Kellan was a swan.