by Frey Ortega
Caer Tarw 1
Capturing His Heart
Welcome to Caer Tarw in beautiful, scenic Ireland, home of beautiful flora and endemic fauna, as well as…Minotaurs?
Rabbit shifter Hayden Somerset wastes away at home, having nothing to do and having no sense of progress in his life. One day, he is given an invitation he can’t refuse: an all-expenses paid trip to Ireland for three weeks, sponsored by the Supernatural Council.
As soon as he gets to Caer Tarw, the stage is set: mating season is close by, and the purpose they were all invited for was to help the Minotaurs find their mates. Hayden is among the lucky ones, finding Minotaurs Brian Connelly and Ronan Breckenridge, who are lovers, and are Hayden’s mates.
But not all is well in their tiny slice of paradise. Hayden is clueless about Minotaurs and knows nothing about them. Ronan and Brian are clueless about how to bring their rabbit into their world. How exactly will they capture their rabbit’s heart?
Note: This book contains double anal penetration.
Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 35,691 words
CAPTURING HIS HEART
Caer Tarw 1
Frey Ortega
MENAGE AMOUR
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Amour ManLove
CAPTURING HIS HEART
Copyright © 2015 by Frey Ortega
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63259-224-8
First E-book Publication: April 2015
Cover design by Jess Buffett
All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
To Cree Storm and Grace Ryles, who inspired me to write something new and different!
And also to my dad, who told me I was writing “bromances.” I still giggle to myself to this very day at the description.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
CAPTURING HIS HEART
Caer Tarw 1
FREY ORTEGA
Copyright © 2015
Prologue
“Please hear our petition, Councilmembers. If you don’t, our people will die!”
Brian Connelly looked at the man beside him, eyes wide with incredulousness. Elder Jennings did have a penchant for the dramatic, but he didn’t quite know if their issue was a matter of life or death.
The man on the other side of Elder Jennings, Ronan Breckenridge, was Brian’s best friend and his mate. Still, at their leader’s dramatic words, he rolled his eyes.
“While I highly doubt your words considering you Minotaurs are immortal, Elder Jennings, I will let you proceed, if only because you are next in line and the Council is hearing petitions from people today,” Councilmember Xiang drawled, gesturing towards the three of them with her hands. “So, do go on.”
The woman was made of iron and vinegar probably, judging by her annoyed facial expressions that looked like she was about to vomit acid bile all over Elder Jennings. Council member Xiang was one of the three representatives currently in session, and was a woman who was tough as nails and probably even had a bowl of it for breakfast every day, possibly with the liver of an infant.
Then again, that mental image might have just been Brian’s aversion to her and the fact that she seemed to detest anyone who approached her.
A dragon shifter, Xiang was considered the steeliest and most frigid woman one ever met. With her hair always in a tight bun on her head without a lock in place and her clothes always meticulous and groomed, Xiang was the epitome of cleanliness. She never looked like she was out of place anywhere, through sheer confidence alone. Still, she wasn’t without her merits. Being a representative of the dragons meant that she was tough, she was probably a little bit on the vicious side, but first and foremost shewas service-oriented. Why would she be a councilmember, after all, if she wasn’t?
“The mating season is close, Councilmember, and you know how dangerous we can be during that time,” Elder Jennings explained. Though he was not an elder by any means—considering the fact that Minotaurs stopped aging sometime in their adult life—the man, with his salt-and-pepper hair, his more-than-strong physique and his sheer sexual magnetism and attractiveness, was still the leader of the herd and considered the Elder. “The last experiment you all did to keep us tame during that time didn’t do anything at all.”
“I disagree, I think it was a smashing success,” Council member Chalmers said. Xiang rolled her eyes, but Chalmers continued. “We gave you Caer Tarw, and now you have a land to settle on instead of rampaging through the countryside like a pack of
wild bulls!”
Brian could feel Elder Jennings’s annoyance, and he had to say that he could feel it, too. There was a twinge of anger at the Council member’s words. Minotaurs were not rampaging, wild bulls, and a Councilmember should have known better than to say that. Chalmers was a bit of a prick, after all, but it came with being a Siren. They were always rather full of themselves.
“With all due respect, Councilmember Chalmers, what you gave us was not a solution. It was a solution to ensure we wouldn’t be trampling through the crops and trying to hump everything in sight, but considering the Council gave us a broken-down fortress that we had to rebuild for ourselves, and the fact that the very halls we’re currently in were built by Minotaur hands, I do think you need to take this more seriously!” Elder Jennings snapped. Chalmers’s eyes widened as he took a step back.
“Now, now, no need to get testy,” Chalmers said, and just as he was about to say something else, Xiang’s perfectly manicured hand raised and smacked the Siren upside the head.
The sound of a resounding thwack echoed into the great hall.
Brian stifled the urge to laugh, and when he turned to look at Ronan, he saw that his lover was, too. He caught his gaze, and the two of them rolled their eyes.
“You’re right, Elder Jennings, and for that, we apologize. How may we help you with this issue?” Xiang said, her voice as calm as possible while Chalmers rubbed his head, muttering and pouting.
“Every mating season, as per the tenets enacted hundreds of years ago, we Minotaurs stay away from the public eye to make sure we cause the least amount of destruction as possible. Last year, you gave us Caer Tarw, which was built specifically to house us and possibly our rampage. But wouldn’t you all say that finding us mates during this time would be a better solution? It ensures no more rampaging needs to be done,” Elder Jennings said. “Look, some of us have even taken to mating each other, just like Brian and Ronan here, and while we are very happy that some of us have taken to mating each other, even they acknowledge that they need a third to make their union whole. We need to bring people to Caer Tarw, and not just the Minotaurs.”
Councilmember Xiang pondered it for a moment. She turned to look at the mostly silent member to her other side, as she crossed her arms and gently ran her hands down her billowing robes.
Councilmember O’Shaughnessy was always the quiet one. She had a soft, serene smile on her face as she ran her fingers through her silver hair. Flapping her beautiful angelic wings behind her idly, she tilted her head towards Xiang as the dragoness leaned in to speak to her. Truly, the woman was the very personification of the Pegasus she was.
“Is there anything we can do for the Minotaurs for this coming mating season?” Xiang asked, just as Chalmers spoke, in a haughty scoff.
“Why don’t we just host a party for them? Scour through the data of all the single men in each pack, coven, herd, or kit, and send invitations out to eligible bachelors, just like in a fairytale? We all know that Minotaurs prefer men over women, and that their mates still end up pregnant anyway, so why not, right?” Chalmers said sarcastically, rolling his eyes at the end. “Preposterous. We can’t help you find your mates. You should be able to find them yourself in the time allotted you.”
Elder Jennings was about to retort, and Brian could even see his mate bite on his cheek to keep himself from saying something that would get him seized and thrown into a prison when O’Shaughnessy spoke.
“That actually doesn’t sound like too bad of an idea,” the Pegasus said.
Chalmers gawked.
“We have the resources and the researchers to whittle down a list of about… maybe fifty to a hundred eligible young men to come visit Caer Tarw?” the Pegasus said. “We will only invite those of mating age, of course.”
Xiang raised her eyebrow before smiling. “Surprising that such an inspired idea can come from Councilmember Chalmers.”
Chalmers’s expression of surprise turned into one of indignation. “Of course a good idea can come from me! I’m a member of the Council, after all.”
“We can issue invitations on behalf of the Minotaurs, Elder Jennings, but the actual event will be hosted by your people. Caer Tarw isn’t directly the jurisdiction of the Council, after all. It is territory belonging to the Minotaurs and you alone,” O’Shaughnessy said, that smile ever apparent on her face. “We will find you eligible men of mating age who may need the accompaniment of your kin. I understand how difficult it is to be in a situation where you cannot do anything during mating season. Just as the male elephant shifters go through musth, we all have our own intricacies during the mating season.”
Xiang nodded. “I suppose we have to talk a little bit more about finding the right candidates for mating season. I shall see to this detail.”
Brian’s eyes widened. Did Councilmember Xiang just volunteer to help them out? Even Ronan’s mouth gaped in shock. They turned toward each other, peering into each other’s eyes before smiling. Were they finally going to find their third?
Elder Jennings cleared his throat. His face turned slightly red as he nodded. “Well, er, of course. I didn’t think you cared that much.”
The dragoness smirked. “Don’t ask so surprised. You are still a part of our jurisdiction, and it makes sense for us to take care of you. The Council grants your petition. We will talk once more at a later date. Mating season is only a few months away. We will act with all the haste that is necessary.”
Elder Jennings smiled widely and nodded. “Thank you very much. We will prepare Caer Tarw for a grand celebration as soon as possible.” He turned, beckoning Ronan and Brian to turn and walk along with him, giving a little pump of his fist in happiness and victory.
Councilmember Xiang smiled and nodded. For once, the features of the ironclad woman seemed to soften slightly. “May the Minotaurs have themselves a blessed mating season.”
Chapter One
Dearest Hayden Somerset,
By the order of the Supernatural Council, you are cordially and definitely not mandatorily invited to spend three weeks at Caer Tarw in Ireland. All expenses shall be paid. The ticket provided also grants you access to a special taxi service that will bring you to the grounds, free of charge. Expect beautiful, lush landscapes and three weeks of stay at a beautiful castle near scenic hills, close to the coast and near the beautiful emerald waters.
These luxuries are provided to you as a way of bridging gaps between the supernatural societies. Caer Tarw is the territory of, and under the direct jurisdiction of, the Minotaur Herd. As such, should you choose to join in the festivities, you are required to give your full attention and attendance. There is no caveat to this invitation, but as soon as you arrive, you may notice that you have been specially chosen because of your specific sexual predilections.
We have invited only men of different packs, covens, clans, kits, families, as well as prides to join the festivities in Caer Tarw. With its one-year anniversary of being under the jurisdiction of the Minotaurs, the celebration shall be a welcome respite from the drudgery of what we can only assume is the mind-numbing boredom of day-to-day life.
Present the ticket at any point in time from the moment this letter arrives at your home for up to seven days. If the seven days pass without word of your arrival, we will consider you unable to attend and will invalidate your ticket.
Once again, there is no caveat to this invitation.
Signed under the office of Councilmember Linda Xiang, Supernatural Council
Hayden Somerset couldn’t believe his eyes. Even as he’d adjusted his glasses once, twice, and again throughout the entire evening, he couldn’t believe what he’d just read.
He couldn’t believe it when he showed the special ticket and was given a first-class seat from his hometown all the way to Ireland.
Sweet, beautiful Ireland, with its lush greenery and fields as far as the eye could see. At least, when Hayden finally got out of the cityscape of Dublin and went into the countryside.
; He couldn’t believe it both when he showed the ticket to the taxi services and was presented with his own Town Car, and he definitely couldn’t believe it when the taxi didn’t ask to be paid anything even though the car ride took three hours from the airport to Caer Tarw, which was quite possibly in the middle of nowhere for all Hayden was concerned. They’d passed by the side of cliffs in narrow roads that were right beside the water, and twisted and turned into lush green forests that made Hayden’s inner rabbit scared.
But whatever joke he’d been expecting, Hayden certainly hadn’t been expecting this. The Caer was beautiful. It stood tall and proud, all gothic architecture with windows that had arches and modernized window panes. The dark-colored concrete blocks looked heavy and foreboding, yet the lights that glimmered inside were homely and welcoming. Colorful flowers dotted the flowerboxes underneath certain windows, and the gates were wide open. The courtyard led up to twin staircases that allowed one to enter the main entrance hall of the Caer.
The courtyard itself was pristine. Well-manicured lawns, flowerbeds, and even some small trees were placed in symmetrical positions around the round road that the taxis could use to get in and out of the Caer.
Hayden stepped out of the taxi. The driver smirked. “You’re in for a treat. Caer Tarw is expecting a lot of visitors. Most hospitable grounds I ever did see,” the man said as he walked out to open the trunk of his car. Hayden adjusted his glasses and swallowed down his apprehensions.
“Really? I have no idea what to expect.”