What happens when a closeted animal activist and were-shifter hires a "problem fixer" to save his friends from being wrongly convicted of murder?<br><br>Ryan Hunter soon finds out when he slinks off to meet a mysterious stranger named Ian West, another were-shifter who possesses not only a dangerous reputation, but also the prestige for successfully performing unusual tasks, regardless of any legal restrictions he might face.<br><br>But to Ryan's pleasant surprise, he finds Ian not quite as menacing as he was led to believe, and also extremely attractive. Sparks immediately fly between them, and Ryan can only hope that once the urgent mission to save his friends is complete, he and Ian might be able to get to know one another better, despite their enormous differences. Not only is Ryan hiding his true sexual orientation from those who know him best, but he has the ability to shift into a raven, whereas Ian, openly gay, has the unique ability to shift into a ferret.  Can the men cope with the hurdles awaiting them in their secret undertaking, as well as those they must face in their personal lives?

Ferreting Out the Truth

Ryan’s jolted out of his thoughts by the car door opening beside him and Ian sliding in with his bag. Ryan is so relieved, he all but throws himself at Ian and kisses him deeply.


“I thought you’d been caught,” he explains.


“I’m fine. We both are. Want me to drive you to the lawyer?”


“Do you have time? I don’t want to inconvenience you any more than I already have.” Ryan wants to stay with Ian, but he’s not sure if the man is sick of him, despite responding to the last kiss.


“Of course I have time for you. Then maybe, if you like, you can come back to my place. I have a good bottle of red wine.”


The nervous knots slowly fade and turn into desire. Ryan nods. “I’d like that.”


They get into the front seat, and Ryan tells Ian where to take him. As they drive, Ryan uses a cell phone Ian gives him to call the lawyer, Renee, and lets her know he needs to see her. He arranges to meet her at her office.


Chapter 11