Page 1 of A Swan’s Love Song

Chapter One

Sean sat cross-legged on the living room floor of Kellan and Vic’s cabin, watching as Kellan

gave baby Erik his bottle. Kellan couldn’t nurse Erik because, well, swans didn’t do that. The little

hatchling had come out half wolf and half swan, but Kellan was a hundred percent avian. Erik got his

wolfy side from his dad, Vic.

Kellan was also Sean’s only friend. He’d had another friend in another life, but he didn’t want

to think about that. The memories were recent and sharp—much too painful to face. If it hadn’t been

for Kellan, the bravest and most kick-ass swan he’d ever met, he wouldn’t be in Vale Valley where he

felt safe for the first time in years.

With a roof over my head and a good job.

Kellan set the bottle down on a pine wood table next to the couch. He lifted the three-month old

Erik onto his shoulder, rubbing and patting the snuffling and wiggling baby’s back. Sean couldn’t help

but stare in awe. He still couldn’t believe that such a young swan had gotten an egg and baby of his

very own. Having his own family was all that Sean had ever wanted. If he could find a mate who he

could love and who loved him back, he would have as many eggs as possible.

Sean lowered his head, sniffing, blinking away a few errant tears as he was reminded once

again that he had no one anymore. His entire herd had been wiped out by a murderous gang of swans

who had been after what his parents had left him when they’d died.

It wasn’t fair that they all were killed because of me.

The knowledge that he’d caused everyone’s death was what upset him the most.

“Sean, could you hold Erik a sec while I rinse out his bottle?”

He jumped to his feet, more than happy to help his friend. He loved Kellan and Vic’s baby so

much.

“Sure. Take your time.”

Kellan chuckled as he handed Erik over. “Don’t worry. You can hold him as long as you want.”

Sean gave him a lop-sided smile. He supposed he was rather obvious when it came to his

excitement over the infant. “Thanks, Kellan.”

“Thank you. I love this little dickens with all my heart, but he’s a lot of work. I thought babies

slept at least once in a while!”

Sean considered the happy, cooing baby in his arms as he sat down. “I’ve seen him nap lots of