Havoc's Fox: The Legacy Series, page 1
Contents
Cover Credit
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
About This Book
A Note to the Reader…
Characters and Connections
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
From The Author
About The Author
Cover Credit
Christopher Coyle
darkandstormyknight.com
Thank you for creating such wonderful covers from the bits and pieces that clutter my mind.
Sandra R Neeley
19387 Sunset Rd
Franklinton, LA 70438
authorsandrarneeley@gmail.com
Independently Published
By Sandra R Neeley
82,306 words.
Havoc’s Fox
A Legacy Novel
by Sandra R Neeley
Copyright © 2024 SANDRA R NEELEY
All rights reserved.
Thank you for purchasing and/or downloading this book.
It is the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and/or distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes without express written permission from the author.
Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales, is purely coincidental. The characters are creations of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademarked ownership of all trademarks and word marks mentioned in this book.
For you, my readers, who’ve stayed with me all these years. It is your faith in my words, that keeps me reaching for the next story.
Thank you.
About This Book
Fated mates shouldn’t know each other as children. They should be able to grow, experience and evolve just like everyone else, then find their mates after they’ve grown up. Unfortunately for Havoc and Analise, they grew up together from infancy. Mistakes were made, hearts were broken, and they went their separate ways. But now, fate is tired of waiting. It’s time to see this thing through.
Years ago, Analise walked away from family, home, and all that she held dear. She’d had no choice, either walk away, or suffocate from the unending pain surrounding everything that once represented safety to her. It turned out to be the right decision at the time. Her life is more than she’d ever dreamed it would be. She travels the world visiting various archaeological digs and is highly respected in her field of artifact identification and restoration. She’s got a friend to spend time with when it’s convenient for her, who’d very much like to be called more than friend. And she’s moved on from the heartbreak of her childhood. She’s fulfilled, more-or-less.
Havoc has spent the last six years raising his daughter, being both father and mother to her. She’s what keeps him going. He’s not interested in anything or anyone else. He’s built a successful career in the construction industry, but despite that, he’s never outgrown the need to prove himself as a good male. It stems from the fact that he broke the heart of his fated mate while still in high-school. He hadn’t meant to, he’d just been a dumb kid, stumbling around trying to find his way. But he’d hurt her nonetheless. Despite there being no hope for them, he’s never stopped loving her. There will never be another for him. So, he spends his days being the best father he can be, the best employee, the best male. Since he’s unable to change the past, it’s all he can do to make an uneasy peace with the past.
Neither Havoc nor Analise has been home since their traumatizing break-up as teenagers. They’ve each moved on in their own way. The thing is, though, neither has ever forgotten. And lately, something is calling them back to the place it all began for them as children. They both inexplicably feel the need to go home. Some would call it the holidays, or even homesickness. They’d be wrong. It’s fate. Fate is tired of waiting. It’s time to see this thing through.
This book is a work of fiction. All characters, plots and circumstances, situations, and everything it entails are products of the author’s imagination, except for the actual places and organizations mentioned. Those are all fully acknowledged copyrights and trademarks of the subject entities. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademarked ownership of all trademarks and word marks mentioned in this book. All else is human-dreamed, human-imagined, and human-created.
Warning: This book is intended for mature readers. This book contains situations, sexual and otherwise, as well as violence both real and implied that may be disturbing for some readers. If you are offended by these subjects, please do not buy this book.
A Note to the Reader…
This story is not only the continuation of the stories of the kids of Avaleigh’s Boys, it is a crossover between the worlds of Avaleigh’s Boys and Whispers From the Bayou. It was not an intentional decision, it just kind of happened as I started writing. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. For those who are a little foggy on the characters of both, I’ve included a Character Listing and their connections.
Characters and Connections
These characters are grouped and identified with their siblings first, then their parents, as this book is a look into their lives, not their parents.
From the Avaleigh’s Boys’ World
(Marchande’ siblings (Bane is their father, and is also Bam’s brother))
Brandt Marchande’, 23, Black Bear Shifter, and Alpha of the Legacy Clan.
Daisy Marchande’, 26, Black Bear Shifter, she’s a Healer.
Their parents are Bane(Black/Grizzly Bear Shifter) and Janie(Human) Marchande’ from Avaleigh’s Boys series.
(Sanders siblings)
Barron Sanders, 24, Grizzly Bear Shifter with a few extra abilities courtesy of his mother.
Tessa Sanders, 13, Ice Dragon Shifter.
Their parents are Kaid(Grizzly Bear Shifter) and Delilah(Ice Dragon Shifter) Sanders from Avaleigh’s Boys series.
(GreyStorm siblings)
Remi (Remington) GreyStorm 28, Fire Dragon Shifter.
Angelle GreyStorm, 20, Human.
Both Remi and Angelle are adopted.
Their parents are Daniel and Avaleigh GreyStorm from Avaleigh’s Boys series.
(McCullen Siblings)
Hellen McCullen, 24 (Havoc’s twin), Wolf Shifter, with a bit more Lion blood in her than the rest of her siblings.
Havoc McCullen, 24 (Hellen’s twin),Wolf Shifter, and Harley McCullen, 6, Wolf Shifter, and Havoc’s daughter.
Ronan McCullen, 19, Wolf Shifter.
Hellen, Havoc, and Ronan’s parents are Maverik(Wolf Shifter) and Valerie(Lion Shifter) McCullen, from Avaleigh’s Boys series.
Maverik has two other children from a previous relationship who are mentioned. Maia, from Riley’s Pride, and her brother Matty. He’s shown in several of the Riley’s Pride and Avaleigh’s Boys stories.
(Marchande’ siblings (Bam is their father, and is also Bane’s brother))
Analise Marchande’, 23, Fox Shifter.
Emmalyn Marchande’, 21, Bear Shifter.
Their parents are Bam (Black/Grizzly Bear Shifter, and Bane’s brother) and Everly (Fox Shifter) Marchande’.
(Goldstein Family)
Jobe, 40, Human, and his wife, Maggie Johnson-Goldstein.
Jenn (Human) Johnson-Goldstein, 12, Daughter.
Jobie (Human) Johnson-Goldstein, 11, Son.
Jobe’s adoptive parents are Goldy (Lion Shifter) and Sadie (Human) Goldstein.
(Nobles Siblings)
Christian Nobles, 23, Lion Shifter.
Jonah Nobles, 17, Lion Shifter.
Raeann Nobles, 15, Lion Shifter.
Their parents are Vince (Lion Shifter, and Valerie’s brother) and Natalie (Human) Nobles from Avaleigh’s Boys series.
(Other)
Marie-Claire, 24, (Human), the mother of Havoc’s daughter.
From the Whispers From the Bayou World
Tempest, carries a Dragon inside, but also has the magics of the original elementals through her mother.
Her parents are Lily(Ancient Elemental) and Carrik(Dragon) from Whispers From the Bayou series.
Lily, possesses the magics of the elementals, and is the strongest of them all.
She is Tempest’s mother, and Carrik’s wife.
Her parents are Carnage (Gargoyle) and Carolena (Human), from Whispers From the Bayou series.
Carrik (Dragon shifter).
He is one of the original ancient Dragons.
He is Tempest’s father, and Lily’s mate, from Whispers From the Bayou series.
Carnage, (Gargoyle).
He has a severe speech impediment.
He is Lily’s and Boon’s father, and Tempest’s gr
He is Carolena’s mate, from Whispers From the Bayou series.
Carolena, (Human).
She is Lily’s and Boon’s mother, and Tempest’s grandmother.
She is Carnage’s mate, from Whispers From the Bayou series.
Boon, Gargoyle.
He is Lily’s brother and Tempest’s uncle.
He inherited the appearance of the Gargoyles, yet has slightly more human features.
His parents are Carnage and Carolena.
Gargoyles age much more slowly than most other species, and when mated, their mates’ life spans become tied to theirs.
Original to the Legacy World
Bailey, (Human), her parents own the coffee shop and she’s Tempest’s new best friend.
Kiernan, Fox shifter, adopted by the Legacy shifter clan.
Mate to Abby, father to KJ, brother to Shaun.
Abby, Fox shifter, adopted by the Legacy shifter clan.
Mate to Kiernan, mother to KJ, sister to Addie.
KJ, Fox shifter, adopted by the Legacy shifter clan
His parents are Abby and Kiernan.
Shaun, Fox shifter, adopted by the Legacy shifter clan.
Brother to Kiernan.
Addie, Fox shifter, adopted by the Legacy shifter clan.
Sister to Abby.
Preface
Final scene from the Epilogue of Brandt’s Rule, Legacy, Book 1…
“You just caught us. Another twenty or thirty minutes and I’d be shutting it down,” Bailey said.
“I was shocked you were open when I drove by, but when I saw you inside and the open sign, I just had to come in. My mom tells me how good your coffees are and I need one so bad.”
“Long day?” Bailey asked.
“I was in Malta. Then flew out of Malta yesterday to make a connecting flight. Two long layovers later, I finally got a rental car at the airport in New Orleans and here I am after a two hour drive. I’m exhausted.”
“What were you doing in Malta?” Bailey asked.
“Helping catalog and safely package some recently discovered artifacts so they can be sent to my lab in Boston for a complete restoration before they return to Malta for display.”
“Y’all don’t get to keep them?” Bailey asked.
“Not keep them, but we usually do an agreement that will allow us to exhibit the artifacts for a specified length of time before returning them to their home country. And these will be under the same type of agreement, but I’m not sure on the time frames. My attention is more focused on restoring the items to their former beauty. I can’t wait to see them once restored. That part alone can take years.”
“Wow. I envy you. Your life sounds go glamorous.”
Analise laughed. “Oh, Lord, no. Going weeks without a shower, using baby wipes to keep your face and hands from being crusted like the rest of you. Digging in the dirt. Sweating in the heat. And don’t get me started on the bugs!”
“Then why do it?”
“The art. The pieces we find and are able to share to the world. Whether they’re carved marble figurines or vessels to hold scented oils, or amulets and bracelets. It’s all art and it fascinates me. I’d love to stay in my office and just have the artifacts brought to me, but I have to be there when they’re removed from the ground. Sometimes the pieces are shattered and I need to remove a cubic yard of soil around the item to be sure I’ve gotten it all. So, that’s when I get to go on the digs. Not my favorite atmosphere, but to save such rare pieces of art, I’ll brave the heat and dirt and bugs,” Analise said, laughing as she sipped her peppermint coffee.
“Do you ever get tired of traveling?” Bailey asked.
Analise smiled at Bailey. “It’s certainly not the life I thought I’d have. But it keeps me busy, focused, and like I said, I love discovering new treasures to restore.”
The door opened and the sound of a crying child filled the coffee shop.
Analise turned just as the door opened again and a disheveled woman rushed in.
“Goddamn it! You little brat! I told you to come here.”
The little girl shook her head no.
“Honey, are you okay?” Analise asked, walking over to the little girl who immediately stepped behind Analise, clinging to her skirt.
“She’s my daughter, get away from her,” the woman screamed. “She disrespects me, she’s going to get her ass whipped! Get over here, right now!” the woman shrieked, trying to reach around Analise to get to the child.
“You’re not my mom!” the little girl cried.
“Get away from this child! I’m warning you, just this once. You’ll have to go through me first,” Analise said, her voice a little louder, but still giving every indication that she was still in complete control and not the least little bit worried.
“She’s my kid, not yours!” the woman shouted.
“Leave. Now. Or I’m not responsible for what happens if you don’t,” Analise threatened, her voice calm, but clearly laced with threat.
The woman, obviously strung out on something, her eyes wild, her body filthy, finally focused on Analise, her eyes squinting. She stepped closer to Analise, then started laughing hysterically. She looked Analise up and down with disgust, then spat at her. “Oh, you think you’re something special don’t you. You always did. That’s alright, you weren’t shit then, and you’re not shit now.”
Analise had simply sidestepped when the woman tried to spit on her, and now took a moment to really look at her. “Marie-Claire?” In fact, she was so caught up in trying to figure out if the drug addled woman in front of her was actually Marie-Claire, she didn’t notice the door had opened again.
“Oh, you know exactly who I am. I bet you think of me every single day of your life. Which just confirms that you’re a stupid bitch, always were. Couldn’t keep me from your man, I made him mine. Got what you thought you had. And I’m taking that little bitch, too.” She tried to lunge around Analise and grab at the little girl again.
Analise reacted so fast it all happened in seconds. She threw her hot coffee in the woman’s face as she snarled and reared back with one arm, simply cold-cocking her. She hit her so hard she dropped to the floor completely unconscious with blood spurting from her nose as her eyes rolled back in her head.
“Daddy!” the little girl cried, darting out from behind Analise and running to the man who’d stepped inside just in time to watch Analise knock Marie-Claire out.
He scooped his daughter up and hugged her as she sobbed, soothing her as only he could. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. I left you sleeping in the truck, why are you in here?”
“I woke up and that lady kept yelling at me through the window and I didn’t know where you were, so I ran in here.”
“It’s okay. I should have woke you up to run in the store with me. I have you, now. It’s alright. Daddy’s got you.” He kissed her head and her face, drying her tears as he rubbed her back.
“That lady saved me,” the little girl said between sobs.
“I know. I saw that,” he said. He finally worked up the nerve to look Analise in the eye.
When he did, time seemed to both stand still, and rush all the way back to high school for both of them.
“Hello, Analise.”
Analise stood cradling her fist in her other hand, her eyes glued to the man the little girl had called daddy. Her heart pounded as she realized she couldn’t outrun her past anymore. A quick trip home to visit her family for Christmas had pretty much shattered the denial she lived with every day of her life. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back, raised her chin and regarded him as the strong, polished professional she’d become. Cold. Calm. Cool. Collected. No trace of emotion at all.
“Hello, Havoc.”
Chapter 1
“I don’t know how to thank you enough for watching out for Harley.”
“No thanks needed. I’m glad I was here to protect her when she needed it.”
“I’m grateful,” Havoc said.
“Like I’d let anything happen to anyone’s baby.”
“I know. It’s just, I appreciate it.” He smiled sadly at Analise. “You home for Christmas, then.”
Analise nodded slowly. “Was hoping to surprise my parents.”
“Me, too. First time home since… well, you know.”
