Behind the small town of Barlow lies acres of vibrant green forest, rushing rivers full of natural life, and animals all preparing for their survival of the autumnal hunting season where the men of Barlow gather together to hunt not only for food, but for sport. Although it is illegal in Barlow to hunt animals for sport, it is not, in any way, illegal to hunt one man, and only one man: Judas Sloan.
Sloan Mansion is the only home built in Barlow forest, there are no cabins, there are no campsites. There is no indication that human life has tread the forest grounds. For that, there is good reason; Judas's home was cursed, and so was he.
When Judas was only an infant, his father killed a grizzly bear who unfortunately was the sister of a well-known Barlow witch. It was an accident, but that did not stop the witch from enacting revenge on his father by cursing his son. Judas was to never be allowed to step foot out of Sloan Mansion for the rest of his life.
After his father dies from years of alcoholism, Judas is left alone in the mansion, with no social contact, no one to speak to but the bare walls of the mansion. That is, until every Autumn where he is hunted and killed. Whoever manages to shoot Judas first, gets a large sum of money. It is a game. To them, Judas is no more human than the rabbits they slaughter. After all he deserves it, his father killed a witch. He was the son of a witch killer.
Judas cannot die. Not until it is natural of old age. Trust him, he has tried many times, sometimes he does it for fun, sometimes it is out of boredom, but he always ends up waking up again. Death does not want him, and neither, apparently, does life. He finds no meaning, until the day the daughter of a famous Barlow hunter stumbles into Sloan's home, and Judas, terrified to be alone again, refuses to let her leave, even if that means becoming the villain the people of Barlow have always thought he was.
Wendy wouldn't dare leave the confines of the warm cabin she shares with her big brother Bo. But, one night, she had no choice but to open the front door where she is found with the barrel of a shotgun pointed at a half-naked wounded man, lying in the snow, drenching it with his blood.
Adam had been hunting the wolf for weeks when he found himself in Colorado at the beginning of their winter. Injured from an attack, he stumbled upon a cabin that carried a heavenly scent and warmth.
Started: 29 June, 2016
Ended: 06 July, 2022 (not completed fully due to health reasons and writing circumstances)
Edited: tbd
Word Count: 43,547
[Trigger warning/Content warning: This book contains sexual intentions, adult language, and discussions of self-harm and suicide.]
*hea guaranteed | soulmate trope | plus-sized/curvy mc | werewolf/witch/fae*
top reviews:
"You know, I just wanna go on record and say, I love this. The whole thing." -er_oconnor
"More please I love it" -chanki-kan
"Ahhh I need more. You have me intrigued Author❤️" -ejherrington
"Great story so far, lots of detail and already not your ordinary werewolf story! Excited to read more." -ArmyWife101
"So glad I found this book and that you're still writing it!!❤️❤️" -this_is_a_name
"Only on the second chapter, and I can honestly say I'm addicted! You're by far one of the most talented writers on here!" -LNTworks
"I like it so far. The characters and the plot are quite realistic and the book is enjoyable...[the author] does not center only on the main characters...that adds more depth to the story. English is not my first language so I also appreciate how well written and neat [the] writing [is]." -ainoa237
"I'm enjoying it sooo much! I'm looking forward to future chapters and that Adam and Wendy get to explore the outside world together" -Emilia
Note: This is the second and last book of the Devout Series.