FATED TO THE WOLF PRINCE
The Hunted Omegas
APRIL L. MOON
Copyright©2024byAprilL.Moon
Allrightsreserved.
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Mylabwasmysafeplace.Allthefamiliarrowsofshinybeakers,medicaltestingequipment wellloved,ifalittledated andmydesk,shovedofftothesideandsoburiedunderbrightlycoloredPost-itsandscientificjournalsthatthedented surfaceofthewoodhadn’tbeenseeninages.Itwasquiet,serene,and
“OhmyGod, Brielle!” Leigh’s urgenttone as she burstthroughmylab door withoutknocking, as usual shattered my blissfulconcentration.Ispunaround,turningmybacktothebankofmachinerytotakeinheroutragedappearance.Shewasin her exercise gear, blonde hair fallingoutofa messybun, and her cheeks were hotred “You’re never goingto believe this! Pleasetellmeyoucheckedyourpackmailthismorning?”
“Umm,no.IvisitedMr.Coffeeandcamestraighttomylabtochecktheresultsoflastnight’stestrun.”
“Ofcourseyoudid,”shesnarledasShay,themuchquieter legofour best-friendtrio,knockedsoftlyandpushedthrough thedoortostandbehindher.
“Don’tsnapather,Leigh It’snotherfault”
LeighspunonShay,eyesnarrowed.“Don’tactlikeyou’rehappyaboutthis youwon’teventalktoanyofthemeninthe pack!Thisisanoutrage!Atravesty!Aviolationofourtwenty-firstcenturysuffragetterights!It’s,it’s ”
“A mandate fromthe high alpha,” Shay finished succinctly, though a deep flush stained her cheeks fromLeigh’s frank assessment.
“Amandate? Whatdoes itsay?” Istepped forward anxiously Mandates were never good news, and theyalways shook thingsup. I’ve been shaken enough in my twenty-seven years of life, thanks.Ilikedmylittlelabandmybestfriendsandmy sleepy,backwater-Texaspack
“Itsaysthatshiftersarecavemenwhothinktheycandragusaroundbyourhairatawhim!Well,Iwon’tstandforit.Alpha Toddisabouttogethispeltshaved,andIexpectyoutwohussiestoholdhimdownwhileIusetheclippers,capiche?”
HernostrilsflaredasshelookedbackandforthbetweenmeandShay.
“CanIactuallyseethemandate,please?”IaddressedthequestiontoShay,sinceshewaskeepingacalmhead.Shesilently profferedtheletterclutchedinherhands
Thepaperwasthickandcreamy,heavierthanexpected almostlikeafancyweddinginvitation.Thehighalpha’ssealwas stampedonitwithdrippingpurplewax Iunfoldedtheletter,andmyhandsstartedtoshakeasIreadthefirstfewlines
By decree of High Alpha Kosta, son of Konstantin, son of Kasmiro, ruler of the nine great packs, a great pack gathering has been called The alphas of each pack, along with their seconds and thirds, are hereby ordered to report to Pack Blackwater grounds within two weeks of the date of this summons They shall accompany all unmated pack mates over the age of twenty, who are to participate in a series of matching activities.
The wolf shifter bloodlines have been weakened in recent centuries, with our numbers perilously in decline This gathering is necessary to find the true mates that have been denied to so many by the global nature of the world today. This gathering will usher us into the future of pack life by ensuring the continuation of our species for centuries to come “All unmatedpackmates?Worldwide.” Holy hell in a handbasket.“AndwhereisPackBlackwaterterritory?I’venever evenheard ofit.” Ipassed the paper backto Shay, notbotheringto read the restrightnow. Leigh’s head looked like itwas abouttoexplode,shewassolivid
“Oh,thatwouldbeKane’snewterritoryinAlaska.Youknow,Kosta’s son.Nepotismmuch?Basically,thisisonebigold matchmaking effort so alpha daddy dearest gets his pride-and-joy prince mated off right away, to keep his own bloodline strong. Pah! Whydon’t theythrow inthe ODLtoo? Make us all good and miserable.” She threw her hands up and started pacingbackandforthinthe much toosmallentryway
“Leigh!TheODL,really?We’renotomegas.We’resafefromthem.Andthere’snopointconfusingtheissue.”
LeighwavedawayShay’schastisement,notputofffromherrantingintheleast.
“Imean,atleasthe’skeepingitfair.All thesingleguyshavetocometoo,”Ioffered,tryingtoappeaseherinsomeway, evenas mymindwas reeling.IhadtogotoAlaskaandmeet…everyunmatedmalewolfinthehighalpha’s territories.My handswouldn’tstopshaking,soIpickedupmycoffeecup Itookasmallsip Itwasalreadycold,butitwassomethingtokeep myhandsbusy.
“Fair, sure Youreallythinkthatolddaddy-oisgoingtobefinewithuspickingsomeoneelseifwematchwiththeprince? Fated mates.Youcan’tforcethat!Youfindyourmatewhenyou’resupposedto,notwhensomepompousassholealphawaves hisfurrytailateveryone!”
Shegesturedwildlywithherhandswhileshetalked,puttingthefamiliarpilesofPost-itsattheedgeofmydeskingrave danger.
“Leigh,it’sgoingtobeallright Thematingsignsdon’tlie Ifyoudon’tsparkfortheprince,youwon’thavetodealwith it.”Shay’stonewasquietbutfirm.Ilovedthatgirl;shewasalwayssosteady.
“It’sjustridiculous!It’sthetwenty-firstcentury I’llmatewhoIdamnwellplease,andanyonewhodoesn’tlikeitcango biteatree!”Shestoppedpacingandleanedbackagainsttheofficedoor,hershouldersvisiblydeflating.
“ThisisaboutMarcus,isn’tit?”Iaskedsoftly “No,ofcoursenot,”shehuffed,butlookedguilty.
“It’sokaytobedisappointedthathefoundatruemate,Leigh.Youwereinlovewithhim.”
“Iamnot disappointed,okay?I’mhappyforhim Truematetrumpsall,andweallknowit Itjust yeah,itsucksthatI’m backwhere Istarted, and he’s offand mated and his wife is alreadypregnantwiththeir firstpup.” Her voice cracked, so I abandonedmycoffeecuptowrapherinahug
Shayjoinedusfromtheother side,andwemadeabestiesandwich.Wolvescravedtouch,andwecouldnomorelether ridethroughthispainalonethanshecouldbearitalone.
Sheloweredherforeheadandresteditbetweenours.“I’msorry,guys.IsworeIwasn’tgoingtogetupset.Isworeit,and yet here I am, the idiot who caught feelings and can’t let go, eventhoughthe writinghas longbeenonthe wall. It’s… it’s startingtofeellikeit’s never goingtobeme,youknow?”
“Nottobringlogictoanemotionalparty,butofthethreeofus,you’reabsolutelymostlikelytogetmatched.You’reoneof the strongestshe-wolves inthe pack, you’re outgoing, and people love you I’mthe actual weakest wolfinthe whole pack Nobody’sgoingtomatchwithme,butI’mokaywiththat.I’llcheeryoutwoon,andthenwecanallcomehometoTexas,and myonetruelove.”Iwaggledmyeyebrows,andtheybothgroaned.
“You’vegottostopcallingthislabyouronetruelove.It’sweird,evenforus.”Leighrolledhereyesatmystupidjoke,but shewasn’tlookingasmiserableanymore.So,missionaccomplished.
“Besides, just because you’re a lower designationinour packdoesn’t meanyou’ll be the weakest from all the packs Every pack has a psi, not just ours. I’msure you’ll find someone, if your wolf is ready.” Shay squeezed my hand before steppingback
Mywolf.Sure,shewas raring tocomeoutandfindmeamatch.Not.
I wasn’t only the weakest wolf in the whole pack the psi, only one step above an omega, and those were no longer allowed to exist but I could barely shift It was humiliating, and I was sure it was going to come up during all the compatibilitytesting.Moreoftenthannot,Iskippedthefull-moonpackrunsbecausetherewasnopoint.Maybefourtimesa year,mywolfcameouttoplay,andshewastheliteralruntofthelitter Iwassmaller,weaker,andIcouldonlyholdtheshift for about ten minutes before I blacked out. And that was before I woke up naked and human. I was a real catch by wolf standards
Ishudderedatthethoughtofevery unmated male wolf in the world seeingwhataloserIwas.Definitelystayingmarriedto mylab.
“Comeon,let’sallgograbbreakfasttogether I’msureeveryone’sgoingtobeupandtalkingaboutthis,”Leighsuggested Withonelastlookoflongingatmymachines,Iflippedoffthelightstomylabandlockedthedooronmywayout.
Theresultswouldbethereafterbreakfastwithmypack
The boardsplinteredandsnappedinhalfbeneathmybloodyknuckles,butIdidn’thesitate.“Another!” Ibarkedatmytop enforcerandsecond-in-command,Gael Hepulledafreshboardfromthestackwithoutcommentandbracedhimselfforthenexthit.Irearedbackandsnappedmy fistthroughit Justlikethedozenbeforeit,itwashollowcomfortformyraginganger Mydamn,meddlesome,didn’t-know-when-to-quitfather…Ifell backwitha snarl before Gael couldpull another board fromthestack,andplantedmyhandsonmyhipssoIcouldpace Icouldn’tsitstill,orIwasgoingtostartpunchingholesinthe sideofmybarn,andI’djustbuiltthedamnthing.Icouldn’taffordrepairsrightnow.
Notwithaquarterofthewolfpopulationoftheworlddescendingonuswithintwoweeks.
“Whydoeshethinkthisisagoodidea?Onegiantmatingmartisn’tgoingtoresultinanythingbutbloodshed Thatmany unmatedmalesinoneplace,withallthosepheromones…It’sgoingtobechaotic,andpeoplearegoingtogethurt.Whywould hedothis?”Iwasmostlytalkingtomyself,butReedanswerednonetheless,fromhispositionleaningcasuallyagainstoneof thebarn’ssupportbeams.
“Perhapsbecauseyou’reinyourthirties,andhe’stiredofwaitingforyoutowooandbiteawomanonyourown,hmm?” Igrowled at himinresponse. Mywolfpressed to the forefront, searchingfor the danger causingmyrage. Whenall he foundwasourmosttrustedpackmatesinanotherwiseemptybarn,hecurledupwithanannoyedhuff. You too, buddy. I’m not ready to be mated yet, and you ’ re going to have to deal Hedidn’tdeignthatworthyofaresponse,droppingoffintosleep Thoughhedidflickhistailatmeasifflippingmethebirdbeforeclosinghiseyes. She-wolf-hungry bastard.
MywolfhadbeendelightedwhenI’dgottenthecallfrommyfatherthatmorningdeclaringmypackgroundsthesiteofthe firstall-packgatheringincenturies.Theideaofallthoseeligibleshe-wolveshadsenthimhowlingandyippingwithglee.Me, ontheotherhand,notsomuch.
“Regardlessofwhy” GaelgaveReedapointed not-helpinglook “we’vegotalotofworktogetdone,andhesaidto startexpectingpeopleinaslittleasoneweek.Wherearewegoingtoputeveryone?We’vegotsomeroomsinthelodge,sure, but onlyone bunkhouse has beencompleted If we put the entire packonit, we could advance the schedule, and have the secondonedoneforsure,andthethirddriedin,ifnothingelse…”
Igroaned,stilltoomadtofocusonthedetails,eventhoughthefinaldecisionhadtobemine Thatwasthedealwithbeing Alpha;yougotallthepower,yougotalltheresponsibility.Itwasn’tnearlyasfunasitwascrackeduptobe.Forcingmyselfto calm,Iclosedmyeyesforamomentanddrew inafew deepbreathsthroughmynose.Thefamiliarscentsofsawdust,earth, andsprucefloodedmysenses,bringingmeafewinchesbackfromtheledge.Theoverbearing,domineering,meddling Stop, Kane. Focus.
Ishookmyheadtoclearitandgavehimadecision “WepulleveryoneexceptMariseandNeo,becauseweneedthemfree todofoodpreparationaswell.Gracelynisobviouslyunavailable,giventhepregnancy.Everyoneelsecanpitchin.Accelerate thesecondbunkhouse,makeeveryroomadouble,andifthethirdbunkhouseisn’tdone,thatcanbewheretheguysbunk,and theearlyarrivalscanpitchinbeforethefestivitiesstart.Wecanalsoputpeopleupinhere,ifneeded.Itwouldn’tbethefirst timeanyofushavesleptwild.”
“Soundslikeaplan,Alpha”Gaelduckedhisheadinacknowledgmentandexcusedhimselffromthebarn ThatonlyleftmeandReed,mythird.
“Doyouwanttotalkaboutit?”
“No,”Isaid,alreadybacktopacing.Iranmyfingersthroughmymessyhairforwhatfeltlikethetenthtimeintenminutes.
“It’snotgoingtobesobad TheotherAlphaswillknow whotheirhotheadsare,andwe’lldoourbesttokeepeveryone busy.Gracelynis enjoyingher bed-restduties ofactivityplanner.Thatwas smart,bythe way give her somethingtodoup frontsoshefeelsimportant,evenifshecan’tbeupandabout.”
Gracelynwasouronlypregnantshe-wolf,andReed’scousin.Sweetasalamb,untilyoutickedheroff.Thensheknewhow touseherfangs.
“Yes,well,Ican’thaveherhurtingherself,canI?Adamwouldtrytotakemyheadoff” Hechuckled,thesounddarklyamused.“Heisevenmoreoverprotectivenow.”
Isighedandfinallystoppedpacing “Idon’tblametheman Welosemoreofourwomentobirthingthananywarordisease hasevertaken.It’snowonderournumbersdwindlewhenthepregnanciesaresohard.IfIwereinhisshoes,I’dbeawreckon fourpaws”
“When.”
“What?”
“When you’reinhisshoes You’renotgettingoutofthisgatheringunmated Thesooneryouacceptthat,thebetter Yourold manisonamissiontoseeyoumatedandpaternal,stat.Youknowtherulinglinehastobesecure,andheisnotgoingtoleave youbeuntilitis”
Igrowledagain,annoyedbyhislogic.ThinkingofmyselfinAdam’sshoesleftmesicktomystomach.Sure,IwasAlpha andresponsibleforthewell-beingofmypack,andIlovedthemall Butapregnantmatewasawholedifferentlevelofworry Ihadcontrolinsomesituations,butinmost,mypackmateswerefreetolivetheirlivesandmaketheirowndecisions.
Putting the woman I loved in danger by the sheer fact of being with her, the natural progression from marriage into parenthood,tostartingourownlittlepack ithorrifiedme Thethoughtofmatingwithawoman,impregnatingher,andlosing her andthe babyinone fell swoop…Itwas a goodthingthe mate bondwouldkill me alongside them,because I’dgoferal otherwise Thethoughtleftmeparalyzedwithfear
No,Iwasn’tready.Andnoamountofmeddlingfrommyfatherwouldmakemereadyaminutesooner.Mywolfletoutan annoyedhuffatmylineofthinkingandbeganpacing.Hedidn’tagree,buthe’dhavetolearntodealrightalongwithmyfather.
Twelve days later
The plane ride to Alaska was mostlyuneventful Shayand I read books, while Leighdowned all the tinybottles of alcoholtheflightattendantwouldgiveher.Drinkingforawolfwaskindofpointlesssinceourfastmetabolismsburnedoffthe alcoholsoquickly,werarelyfeltanyeffects Mostofusdidn’tbother Ifmypackmateswantedabuzz,they’dgetfurryandgo racingthroughtheforest.Itwasn’treallyanoptionforme,butIwascomfortablewithmyquiet,studiouslife.
Today,however,wasanexception Leighwasafraidofflying,soshe’dshelledoutallherpenniestostayslightlybuzzed the whole flight. When we landed in Anchorage, we then boarded a rental van and started the ten-hour drive north to the Blackwater pack’s territory. Leighwas so happyto be backonsolid ground, she wouldn’tstop singinguntil she passed out three hours later
ThatleftShayandmewitheightofourpack’smalesandnobuffer.Yousee,Leighmighthavebeenloudandrambunctious, butshewastheperfectbestieforourotherwisequiettrio Shekepteverybodylookingleft,sotheyneverworriedaboutwhat ShayandIweredoingontheright.Perfection.
Butnowshewassnoringsoftly,blondeheadproppedagainstthevan’swindowandasmalldroolspotformingagainstthe glass.Itwastangible,thefeelingoftoomanyeyesonmyskinasIpretendedtoreadmyparanormalromance.HadIreadthe sameparagraphthreetimesinarow?Yes.DidIknowwhatitsaidyet?No.Wasthatgoingtostopmefromgoingforthefourth read?Notintheslightest
Istillwasn’teagertoengage.TheAlphaandhisfirsttwowolvesrodeinthefront,andtheywereallquiet.Buttheother fivemalesweregrumblingamongthemselves,afactIwasdoingmydead-levelbesttoignore
“It’swrong,takingourshe-wolves.Iknowafewofusmightfindmates,butwhatifwedon’t?We’llnevergetachanceif theytakeallourwomen.We’reasmallenoughpackasitis,withouttheoh-high-and-mightyonedecidinghis pup needs first dibsonalltheunmatedshe-wolves.”
ThatwasDante,oneoftheolderunmatedmalesinourpack.Hewasatleasttwohundred,butIdidn’tknowhisexactage. It made sense fromhis perspective to be annoyed about possiblylosinganeligible female to a younger wolfwhenhe still hadn’tfoundhisownmate,butIfounditshockingthatthemenwereconcernedaboutlosingus.
“Well,wewon’tgivehimfirstdibs I’msurethere’ll beopportunitiestomeetsomefineladiesoutsidescheduledhours He mightbe required to behave, butthatdoesn’tmeanthe five ofus can’tdo a little extracurricular meetingand greeting,” Rickysaid,histonedrippingwithinnuendoandhisgrindevious.
Ishiftedinmyseat,uneasyattheideaofourpackplanningtobreaktherulesbeforewe’devenarrived.Thiswasthehigh alpha’sevent.Ididn’timaginehewasthesortofmanyou’dwanttogetonthewrongsideof.Hewas the mostdominantwolf inthenorthernhemisphere,possiblytheworld IriskedaglanceoveratShay Shewasstillflippingpagesinherpaperback, headtuckeddown,buthereyebrowshadcompletelydisappearedbeneathherbangs.Iturnedbacktomye-reader,ignoringthe wordsonthepageasthemencontinuedtodiscusstheirplansfor extracurricular activities
Jonesybrokeinfromthefrontseatnext.“Yeah,anddidyouheartherumorthatyou’reexpectedtobematedatthenextfull moonifthematingsignsshow up?Canyoubelievethat?I’mall downforsniffingsometail,butIhavenointerestingetting shackledyet I’vegotalongtimebeforeI’mreadytodealwithrugratsandamatebond”HewastheAlpha’sthird,buthewas unmatedandapparentlyhadstrongopinionsaboutthepurposeofthegathering,aswell,ifhiseyerollwasanythingtogoby.
Ihadn’theardanythingaboutatimelineforthematingtotakeplace,butuneasegrewinmystomachasthedrivecontinued Itwasn’tpossibletogetafalsematchforyourfatedmate,butthatdidn’tmakethepersonanylessofastranger.Ifoundmyself hopingsuddenlythatwhatI’dtoldLeightheveryfirstdaywastrue,andthatIdidn’tgetmatched IwantedtogohometoTexas, tomylittlelabandmystudyofshiftermedicine.
Iwas onlyallowed to pursue itbecause our packwas so small. Itwas frowned uponingeneral to studythe differences
betweenwolfshifters and humans Ifthe researchwas discovered, itcould putour entire species under the microscope for power-hungry human scientists. I knew the risks, but it was my one rebellion, my refusal to choose a more “appropriate” career I wanted to know why my parents died, and I wanted to know what flaw in the wolf shifter genes had allowed a sicknesstotakemymomdownsolongbeforehertime.Ididn’tcarewhatanyoneelsethoughtaboutit.
“Withanattitude like that, the ladies will be luckyto have you,” Leighslurred, half-asleep as she adjusted her position overtoShay’sshoulderinsteadofthewindow.“Pipedown,willyou?Tryingtogetmybeautyrest,here.”
“Yes,pipedown,allofyou,”AlphaToddsaidfromthedriver’sseat “Andanyonebringingthehighalpha’swrathdown onthispackwillbedealingwithme,areweclear?IexpectyoutobegoodrepresentativesoftheJohnsonCitypack.”
“Yes,Alpha,”themenallgrumbled,butfellblessedlysilentafterthat.
MY NECK HURT, mycalveswerecramping,andIsmelledlikevan.Really,itwastheperfectfirstimpressionforthemilling crowdofwolveswhenwesteppedoffthevanatmidnight.Atleastmyhairlookedgood.WhenLeighhadwokenup,shewas boredanddecidedthatweallneededfancy,intricatebraidsinourhair ShehaddoubleFrenchbraids itwasallIknewhow todo ShayhadgottenaDutchcrownwithtendrilsofherbrunettelocksartfullyframingherface.Minewasacompositionof manysmallerbraidstaperingdownandwovenintoaloosemermaidbraidovermyshoulder Ithadtakentwohours,andIwas prettysureI’dhavetoleavetheminpermanently,basedonhowattachedLeighnowwastohermasterpiece.
Theairwasfreshandcleanwithatingeofcoldthatburnedmydelicatenose,eventhoughitwasMay.Itwaswonderfulto stretchaftersomanyhoursstuffedinthetwelve-passengervanwithonlytwoshortbathroombreaksalongtheway.Mywolf wasoddlypresentwithme,probablyduetotheexcitementandpresenceofsomanyotherwolves.Imentallystrokedahand downhersilveryback Itwasawelcomechangefromherusualsilence,andIhopedshewasabletostaywithmeforawhile
The Alpha’s menunloaded the bags, and inmoments, Iwas jugglingtwo pull suitcases, myduffel full oflab notes, and blood-drawtubesslungovermyshoulder Itwasn’tperfect,havingtofindalocallaborfreezethemuntilIgothome,butIwas hopingIcouldgetawiderarrayofwillingwolvesheretogivemesamplesformytesting.Infact,onceI’drealizedhowmuch thislittletripcouldadvancemyresearch,I’dactuallygottenkindofexcited.
Therewasnoshotinhellofmegettingmatched,butthis? This wasabenefitIcouldgetexcitedabout.Morebloodsamples meantawiderarrayofdatatocompareandsearchforanomaliesagainstmyown.Itcouldmovemeyearsaheadofscheduleon myresearch,butIhadtofigureoutawaytogetthewolvesheretovolunteer Iknewthatwouldbenoeasyfeat
LeighwasalmostasloadeddownasIwas,butShaytraveledlight,withonlyonemidsizedrollingsuitcaseandabackpack slungoveroneshoulder,sosherolledoneofmysuitcasesforme Wewanderedtogethertowardaclipboard-holdingwolfina suitwhoreadoffnamesandroomassignmentsforthelineformingaheadofus.Myheadwasspinningwithpossibilities,soI didn’tnoticewhenthelinemoveduntilShayproddedquietly.
“Brielle, we’re next.” The soft-spoken words were barely audible over the sounds of the milling wolves talking and laughing,butIwasusedtoitandattunedtoShay’svoice.
Westeppedforwardtogether,andasusual,Leightookchargeforourgroup
“JohnsonCitypack,LeighBarnes,ShayWoodlawn,andBrielleMasters.Themalesofourpackareoverthere,aswell.” Shewavedvaguelyatthevan,wheretheguyswereshowingoffanddoinghandstands,forsomeoddreason Ohwait,agaggle ofshe-wolvesonevanover.Spottedthereason.Withaneyeroll,Iturnedmyattentionbacktothesuitedman.Hewaseyeing meoddly,andIstraightenedmyspine.HadImissedaquestion?AquickglanceatLeigh’sandShay’sexpressionstoldmeno. Surelynewsofmyweaknesseshadn’tprecededme,right?Icouldn’timaginemyAlphawouldwanttospreadthatnewsa second sooner than necessary. The man took a longer than usual drag of air in through his nose, then shook his head and droppedhiseyestotheclipboard
“All right,Leigh,youareinroomtwo-oh-eight,witha…Shailene.Isthatyour full name?”Theman,Reed,accordingto hisnametag,casthiseyesbackandforthbetweenmeandShay,waitingforconfirmation Shenoddedsilently,sohetickedheroffonthelist.“I’llmakeanotethatyourpreferrednicknameisShay,sotherewon’t be anyconfusion. Now, Brielle, you’ll be inroomtwo-oh-nine, directlyacross the hall, and bunkingwithCherryfromthe Omahapack Ibelieveherpackcameinyesterdaymorning,soshemayalreadybeasleep,butsheknowstoexpectyou”
“Okay,thankyou.”Igavehimapolitesmile,buthewasstilllookingatmestrangely.
“Whichwayisourdorm?”Leighcutin,andthemanpulledhisgazefrommineslowly,likeittookeffort
“I’ll have one of our wolves escort you.” He peered over his shoulder and scanned the crowd, looking for someone specific “Gael!”Hisshoutwasn’tlouderthannecessary,butitwaslacedwithpowerandahintofanalphabark,whichmade mywolfwhineandshakeherhead.Thismanwastoodominanttobeholdingaclipboard,whoeverhewas.I’dwagerhecould giveourAlphaarunforhismoney,easy.Washeoneofthehighalpha’smen?EitherthatorourpackwasevenweakerthanI thought
Atall, broadlymuscled manwithintense greeneyes jogged over fromwhere he’d beentalkingto aneventaller good gravy, what was he, six-five? brooding alpha wolf. The brooding alpha scowled at Reed, and then his eyes flicked dismissively over the three of us But when they landed on me, they locked on like a missile He was utterly, undeniably gorgeous,andeverythingIneverknewI’dwantedinaman.Darkhairtrimmedclosetohisheadbutalittlelongerontop,sharp cheekbones,andastraightnose Tanskinfromalifespentoutdoorswaspairedwithmusclesthatlookedliketheycamefrom hardphysicallabor.Hisdominancewassothickintheair,Icouldtastethesharptangofitfromhere.Igotafaintimpression ofcitrusandsomethingspicy,thoughthatwasabsurdevenforashifternoseatthisdistance
Strangelyenough,mywolfwasn’twhiningasshehadatReed.ThedarkhairedwolfandIstaredateachotheracrossthe darkfield, and she rose shakilyto her feet, pacingforward, agitated for some reason. There was energy, pure and brilliant, blazingacrossthefieldbetweenus,eventhoughitwasdarkexceptforthehalf-moon Mywolfhowledandpressedforward againstmycontrol,shockingmeintostillness.Iwas barelybreathingas Istaredatthehandsomestranger.As Iwatched,his eyesbegantoglowbrightgreen,hisownwolfpeekingthroughinresponsetomine Gael skidded to a stop nextto us, onhighalert, and Ihurriedlydropped mygaze fromthe handsome, intimidatingalpha across the field Iglanced up quicklyand tookinGael’s thickeyebrows, the scar onhis cheekthatbisected his stubble and endedabruptlyonhisthroat.Histight,blackT-shirtandblackcargopantsmademeguesssecurity,ormaybeevensomeone’s enforcer.Thoughwhythey’dneedsecuritytoescortustoourdormswasbeyondme.Surelytheareawassafe,ifthey’dbrought usallhere?
“HowcanIhelp,Reed?”
Thetwosharedalong,lingeringlookbeforeReedbobbedhisheadinourdirection Mentalcommunication?Maybethey werepackmates.“Canyoupleaseescortthesethreetoroomstwo-oh-eightandtwo-oh-nine?” “Absolutely.Ladies,thisway.”
Heturnedandmarchedoffthroughthemillingwolves,nottakingthetimetomakesurewefollowed.Reedgaveusafinger waveindismissal,thenturnedhisattentiontothegroupofwolvesbehindus.Isnuckaquickglancetowardthealpha,butwas nearlyrolledoverbyawaveofdisappointmentwhenIfoundhimgone It’s for the best, Brielle Get your head out of your tail.
“Wasthatweird,orwasitjustme?”IwhisperedtoLeighandShayaswehalftrottedbehindGaeltokeepup Luckily,he wastallandeasytospot,orelsewe’dhavelosthiminthebustle.
“Definitelyweird.HottieMcHottersonhadtotaleyesforyou,babe.”
“Uh,noway.Didyoufeelhowdominanthewas?Mywolfdidn’tlikeit.”
Leighsnorted,shakingherhead.“Yourwolf?Shebarelycomesouttoplay.Don’tblameintimidationonher.That’shardly fairtothepoorgirl”
“I’mserious,Leigh!She’sbeenalerteversincewesteppedoffthebus.”
“Huh,well,that’s probablya goodthing Somanywolves mightbe able topull her outofher shell Maybe she needs a strongeralpha?”
OurconversationcametoanabruptendasGaelopenedthedoortoamassive,log-cabin-stylelodge.Theplacetoweredat leasttwostories up,withbeautiful dormers cutintoagreentinroof Thedoublefrontdoors werepaintedamatchinggreen, makingtheplacefeelnaturalandlikeitblendedintotheforest.Ifitwasn’tacountrymansion,anyway.
Wetrailedupthefrontstepsonebyone,andGaeldroppedthedoortohelpwithourbags
“Sorry,Ishouldhavethoughttocarrythoseforyou.Geez,whathaveyougotinthisone,rocks?”
“No,notrocks,”Isaid,indignant
Leighlaughed,notbotheringtocoverhersmirk.“Didyoupackawholebagoflabequipment?WhyamInotsurprised.”
“Hey,I’mninety-percentsurethatyourentiresecondbagisshoes.Layoff.”Ileveledherwithapointedglare.
“Shoesarenecessary Labequipment ”
“Is also necessary,”Iargued.
“Uh-huh Because we’ll have so muchfree time for youto workwhile we’re here courtinghotwolves” She leaned her forearmupontoGael’sbicepandgavehimawink.“Likethisfellahere.What’syourstory,hotstuff?”
Mycheeksburnedatherblatantflirtation,andIwasn’teventheonemakingashowofthings
Theman’seyebrowsnearlyflew offhisfaceashegentlyremovedherarmfromhisshoulderwithtwolongfingers.“No storyworthtelling,princess.Now,ifwe’vegoteverythingtogether,I’ll show youtoyour rooms.I’ll findsomebodytohelp bringtheextrabags upstairs,youcanleavethemhere”Hegesturedtothebaseofthestaircase,whichgracefullycurvedup andupintothegiantlodge.
The interior was everybitas beautiful as the exterior whenwe stepped inside Furnishings were a little sparse – there wereonlyafewchairshereandtherealongthefrontwall,tuckedbesidethewindowsouttotheporch.Butthecraftsmanship wasimpeccable.Exposedbeams,burnishedfloors,andasoftoff-whitepaintonthewalls,providedtheperfectbackdropfora gorgeousmuraloftwohowlingwolves.Theyweresidebyside,thesmallerwolftuckedagainstthelargerone’sshoulder,asif theyweremates.
GaelgrabbedLeigh’sshoesuitcaseandoneofminefromShay,thenjoggedupthestairslikeitwasnothing.Iwastornfor amoment,butultimatelydecidedtoleavemysuitcasefullofclothesatthebottomofthestairs.Icouldgetmoreclothes,butit wouldbeveryhardtoprocurethetestvialsandlabnotesinanareaasremoteasthis Somehow,Idoubtedmyusualtwo-day shippingbackhomewouldapplyhere.
AsquicklyasIcould,Ihurriedafterthethreeofthem,pushingthoughtsofthebeautiful strangeroutofmymind Iwould neverbestrongenoughtomateawolflikehim,evenifIknewI’ddreamofthoseeyes,brilliantlyglowingandcallingtomy wolf,assoonasmyheadhitthepillow
Mywolfwaslosinghisdamnmind,andIhadtogetoutofhereor Iwasgoingtoembarrassmyself.WhenGael slidtoa stop next to Reed and I temporarilylost sight of the mysterywoman, I managed to wrest backmyusuallyunshakable controllongenoughtojogawaytowardthebackofthedormitories.Itwasdarkandquiet,withnoneofthehustleandbustleof the wolves arriving and greeting old friends at the front As soonas I rounded the corner, I stopped, leaning my forearms againsttherough-hewnexterioranddroppingmyforeheadtomyfists.
Deepbreathsinandoutbegantosettlemywolf,thoughhewas so restless Thatwoman whoevershewas hadsethim off.Idon’tknowhowlongittookformetoregainmycomposure,butwhenIstraightenedandturnedaround,ReedandGael werebothstandinginfrontofme,looksofconcernetchedintotheirfaces.
“What?”Igrowled,eventhoughIknew exactly what Throughthepackbond,they’dfeltmywolfdemandingcontrol,and mequietlyfightinghimbackintosubmissioneversince.
“That’swhatI’dliketoknow,”Reedsaid,voicedeceptivelymild Hemusthavepassedoffhischeck-induties,because hisclipboardwasnowheretobeseen.
“Younearlylostitrightinthe middle ofthe crowd, man Ican’tremember youlosingitsince we were teenagers What triggeredyou?”Gaelasked.
Myshouldersweretight,heatpricklingbetweenmyshoulderbladesasIstaredbackatthemandconsideredwhattosay. Finally,Isettledonthetruth
“Thewoman.Oneoftheonesyouwerecheckingin.Ourwolves…noticedeachother.Butminepanicked,forsomereason, andstarteddemandingthatwegotoher, protect her Whichisridiculous,becausethere’snotapredatorintwohundredmiles dumbenoughtoapproachthismanywolves.”Theydidn’tbotheraskingwhichofthethreewomen,becausetheyalreadyknew. I growled in frustration and ran my palms back and forth over my shorn hair. I wanted to punch a mountain-high stack of boards,butthatwouldn’tfixthis.Becausemywolf?Mywolfwantedtofollowherscenttrail,trackherdown,and protect. Itwasutterlyridiculous.
Theyexchangedaknowinglook,andIsnarled “Spititout!Don’tstandtherelookingsmug!”
“Ithinkyoujustfoundyourmate,brother.Congratulations.”Gaelwasthefirsttospeak,hisgrinsowide,itthreatenedto splithisfaceinhalf
“No,there’s no way.Therehastobeanotherexplanation.”
Reedtuckedbothofhishandsdownintohissuit-pantspocketsandrockedbackontheheelsofhistoo-shinydressshoes. “Shefeltittoo,Kane.Shelookedlikeshe’dseenaghost,andhereyesgloweduntilGaelsnappedheroutofit.They’rebrown, bytheway.Likeicecrystalscoatingapinebranch.”
Agrowltoreoutofmychest,mywolfangryagainthatourfriend,packmate, blood brother,knewmoreaboutherthanwe did.
“Do youthinkyou’d be reactingthis stronglyfor anyother reason? Did yousense thatshe was introuble insome way? Maybe packproblems? We couldinvestigate,” Gael offered,holdingupa handinthe universal gesture for settle down, you hotheaded dipstick
Iturnedmybackonthemforamoment,closingmyeyesandtryingtofocusonthequestion Couldthathavebeenit?Iwas averydominantalpha.Iprotectedthefemalesandyoungofmypackfiercely,andwehadazero-tolerancepolicyfor abuse. Mywolfwouldhavereactedthatstronglytoanyshe-wolfindanger,except WhenIletthememoryflowbackthroughme,itwasn’tangerfrommywolf.Thememoryofhersmooth,soft-lookingskin andgorgeous,thickbrunettebraidunderthemoonlightfrozemeinplace Desireburnedthroughme,thickandhot,andIfeltmy pantstightenuncomfortablyinphysicalreactiontothememory.Ibitbackagroan.Mywolfwantedher.AndifIstoppedlying tomyselfformorethanthreeseconds,IwouldhavetoadmitthatIwantedhertoo.
Iwantedherunderme,totrailkissesoverherbareskin,asheenofsweatmakingherglowaswemovedtogetherunderthe moonlight,onasoftbedofleavesoutintheforest.TomakeherscreammynameinecstasyasIsankmyteethintoherneck, leavingbehindamating
“No!No.”Ispunonmyheels,glaringatmytwobestfriendsasItriedtoforcetheheatedimageoutofmymind.“Sheis not mymate It’snotpossible Sheisn’tnearlydominantenoughtobeanalphamate Theshe-wolvesinourpackaren’tbad,but eventhey’drunroughshodoverawolfasweakasthat.Itwassomethingelse,andIdon’twanttohearanotherwordaboutit fromeitherofyou Areweclear?”
“Crystal,”Reedsaiddrily.
The softsound ofgrass crunchingcaughtmyattention, and myeyes snapped to the corner ofthe building. Had someone beeneavesdroppingonthatconversation?Gael hadthesamereaction,andasnarl fell fromhiscurledlips Hetookoffafter whoever itwas.WhenIroundedthefrontofthedormitory,Inearlyranintothebackofhimwherehe’dstoppeddeadinhis tracks
“Who was it?” I asked, but he didn’t have to answer, as my next breath drew in a heady, impossible-to-miss scent of delicatejasmineandripe,sweetapple Mate
Brielle
Humiliation,burningandmiserable,nearlyatemealiveasIranfull-tiltthroughthefrontdoorofourdormitory,andstreaked backupthestairstowardmyroom Myroommatehadn’tbeentherewhenGaeldroppedusoff,butafterfifteenminutesof waiting,I’dcomebackdowntograbmyownsuitcase.Ofcourse,ithadn’tbeenthere.SoI’dwanderedoutfront,lookingfor Gael andheardhisvoicecomingfromthebackofthebuilding
WhatI’dheardafterthatnearlybrokeme.Theman,Kane,thoughtIwashismate?Andhe didn’t want me becauseIwas tooweak?
Allmyworstfearswereconfirmedinthatonemoment,andIdidn’tstoptothink,justbolted.Iwasgoingtotakeashower hotenoughtoburnawaytheembarrassmentofthisawfulencounter,andthennevermakeeyecontactwiththemanagainaslong asIlived HethoughtIwashismate?Hehadanotherthingcoming Ididn’twantamateatall,letaloneapompousonewho caredmoreaboutdesignation thanaperson’scharacter.Hecouldtakehismatebondandstuffit,rightuphisegotisticalarse. Islammedthedoortomyroomshut,flippedthelock,andshovedopenthebathroomdoor Thebig,beautifultilesandthe gleamingbathroomfixtureswereblurredbymytearsasIwrenchedopentheglassshowerstalldoorandcrankedthewaterall the wayto hot Iwas goingto scrub the memoryofhis hurtful words rightoutofmyskin, ifthat’s whatittookto forgethis dismissive,hatefultone.Istrippedoffmyvan-scentedclothesandkickedthemintoapile,thenrestedmyforeheadagainstthe crystal-clearglassdoor,lettingmyeyesflutterclosedwhileIwaitedonthewatertoheat.
Atleastnooneelseknew Iwouldneverspeakawordofit,noteventoLeighandShay Therewasnoneedtospreadmy humiliationaround,andsurelyhe’dbeavoidingme,so,noharm,nofoul. No mate either.
Aninsistentknockattheouterdoorpulledmefrommyself-righteousanger Itwasprobablymyroommate Didn’tshehave akey?Ipushedthebathroomdoorclosed,soourfirstmeetingwouldn’tbewithmebucknaked.Theroombeganfillingwith steamasanotherpersistentknockpoundedonthedoor.Withagroan,Igrabbedoneofthefluffywhitetowelsfromthefloating shelfonthewall,andwrappeditaroundmyself.Itcovered mostly everything,butIhadalittlemorejunkinthetrunkthanthe averagewolf,andtherewasaslitovermythighthatIcouldn’tgetclosed.
Maybe she’d losther key Istomped across the room, tryingto force downmyannoyance infavor ofa friendlysmile I reallywasn’tfeeling.I’dletherin,sayhello,andthenlockmyselfinthebathroom.Wecouldgetacquaintedtomorrow.WhenI snatchedthedooropen,itwasn’tashe-wolfontheotherside,but Kane TheonewhonotonlythoughtIwashismateafterone glance,butwho’dalsoimmediatelydismissedandrejectedme.Standingthere,lookinghotterthansin,whileIwasin
Ifelttheblooddrainfrommyfaceaswelockedeyes,andthenhisdroppedtoskimdownovermytowel-cladform.The lookwasaspotentasaphysicalcaress,andIhatedmytraitorbodyasgoosebumpsappearedonmyskineverywherehisgaze trailedoverme.Afteramoment,hisattentionsnappedbackuptomyface,andwestoodthereinheavysilence.
Myangerbegantobuild,shovingawaythedesirethathe’dpulledupfrommybellywithhisblatantperusal Itookastep backandslammedthedoorashardasIcould.Butratherthanasatisfying thwack intotheframelikeI’dexpected,hestopped thedoorwithlightning-fastreflexes,fingerswrappingaroundtheedgeandpushingitcarefullybackopen
Ibitmybottomlipasitswungwide,revealinghisthundercloudexpression.Hewasn’tsnarling yet buthewas pissed. Hisangeranddominancehungthickintheair,andthisclose,Icouldsmellhisaddictivescent orangeandcinnamon,likea delicious,glazedgingerbreadcookie Mymouthwaswatering,whichwasabsolutelythewrongreactiontoapissed-offalpha Whywasn’tIfreakingoutrightnow, or, Idon’tknow dissolvinginto a puddle ofpsi-wolfgoo onthe floor athis feet? A questionforanothertime,whenhewasn’tlookingatmelikehewantedtosetmeonfireforbreathing
“Whywere youeavesdroppingonour conversation?” There was a hintofa growl to his question, and Ibristled atthe insinuationthatIwassomehowinthewrong
“Excuseme?Areyoukiddingmerightnow?”Itookanangrystepforward,thebackofmyarmnearlybrushinghischest whereIclutchedmytoweltighter crap,Iwasstillnaked tocovermyboobs.“Gaelwassupposedtofindsomeonetohelp
bringuponeofmybags,andwhenitwasn’there,Iwentdownlookingforit Iheardhisvoiceandwalkedaroundto ask him where my bag was. ”
Heliftedasingleeyebrow skeptical ofmystory,nodoubt eventhoughitwastrue Wewouldn’tworryaboutthepart whereI’dsaggedagainstthebuilding,moredistraughtthanIhadarighttobeabouthisfrankandunkindassessmentbeforeI’d bolted
“I’msorryyouhadtooverhearthat.”
Irockedbackonmyheels,shockedthathewasn’tfightingme,angry,accusing Hewasjustgoingtoapologize?Whenhe wastheonewho’dsaidthemeanthingstobeginwith?
Whatwasprobablymeanttoappeasemytemperonlystokedithigher.
Isteppedforwardandsurprisedmyselfwiththegrowledgingmywords “Yes,poorweakwoman,toobeneathyoutobe consideredasatruemate.Icouldn’tpossiblyhandlebeingtoldyoudon’tthinkwe’recompatible.Well,listenhere,buddy I don’twanttobe your mateeither!So,stayawayfromme,andeverythingwill bejustfine”Ihadtakenanunconsciousstep forward,butdidn’trealizeituntilhiseyeslitwithamusement,andhedroppedhisgazedowntotakeinmyarm,pressedtightly againsthisT-shirt-cladchest
Suddenlyflusteredattheheatradiatingoffhim,Itookapointedstepbackinsidetheroom,notdroppingmyglare.
“What’syourname,littlewolf?”
Thewordswerebarelymorethanalowrumble,sowhydidtheyhitmelikeastreakofliquidheatstraighttomycore? Ipursedmylips,stubbornlyrefusingtoanswer.Thenhesteppedforward,crowdingintomypersonalspace.Hewasclose enoughthatthelittlehairsonthebackofmyarmbrushedhim,butnothingmore Not true contact Sowhywasmyarmtingling likeI’dstuckmyfingerinalightsocket?Flusteredagain,Itippedmyheadback,lookingupathissofteningexpressionashe studiedmyfacelikehewantedtomemorizeit.
No, he doesn’t want you!He thinks you ’ re weak and unsuitable!
Thelittlevoiceinthebackofmyheadwasstillscreamingatme,butwhenheliftedalarge,tannedhandandoffereditto me,palmup,mybreathcaughtinmythroat Myownhandfloatedupwithoutmypermission,hesitatingbrieflybeforesinking slowlydowntobrushagainsthiswaitingpalm.
As soonas myfingertips brushedhis calloused skin,Ifeltit Heat Itexplodedthroughme, feelinglike a thousandstars bursting,floodingmyveinsatonce.Igasped,pressingdownintothesensation,andclaspinghispalmagainstmyown.
He grunted, rockingbackslightlyonhis heels, as we stood there like idiots, holdinghands and staringinto eachother’s eyes.
“Hey,Brielle,what Oh.Well, hello there,Mr.Tall,Dark,andDelicious.What’syourname?”Leigh’sflirtatiousvoice sentaprickleofuneasethroughme,andIbarelybitbackasnarlatmybestfriend Whenhesteppedbackandturnedtoanswer her,hedroppedmypalm,andIfeltthelosslikeaphysicalwound.
“Kane”
Thesinglewordfellfromhislips,butitdidn’tclickuntilIheardShay’ssoftgaspfrombehindLeigh. Kane.Iknewthatname,eventhoughIhadn’tplaceditearlierinmyanger.Kane,Kane…
The high alpha’s son Oh,Goddess.
Brielle.Thenamesoundedlikesunshineandtheoceanbreeze,crispandperfect,somethingIwantedtocaressandsavoron mytongue Itfither,anditwasburnedintomymemoryrightalongwithherfacialexpressionwhenourskintouchedforthe firsttime.Pure,unadulteratedbliss.
I’dfeltthesame,buthadbeenunabletotearmyeyesfromherface,thiscompletestrangerwhohadalreadysunkherclaws straightintomyheart.
How?Howwasitpossibletofeelsuchasoul-deepconnectiontoacompletestranger?YetIcouldnomoredenyitthanI couldmylungstheirnextbreath.She…shewasmine.Mymate.Buthowcouldshebe,whenshe’dneverhavethestrengthto leadapackbymyside?WhenIdroppedherhandtofacethecuriousshe-wolfacrossthehall,realityhadrushedrightbackin, souringthemomentandmystomachalongwithit
“Kane,” I answered her, though I felt the need to run straight into the woods and shift so I could sink into that animal oblivion Becomenothingmorethanpawsandfurandfangsandclaws,diggingdeepscratchesintotheearthasIpushedmyself fasterthanmyhumanbodycouldevergo. Soon,Iquietedthebeastinsideoninstinct,thoughhewasoddlycalmgivenallthat hadjusthappened content,even
“Well,well,well…youarequiteaspecimen.And,Brielle,whyareyouwearingatowel?Invitingthestudshomealready? I’mproud.” The she-wolfgave Brielle anexaggerated wink, and she blushed profusely, the red creepingup her neckto her cheeks “I’mLeigh Nicetomeetyou”Shesteppedforwardboldly,ignoranttotheearth-shatteringmomentherfriendandIhad justshared.Itfeltwrong,pressingmypalmtohersinahandshake,butitwouldberudeofmetorejecttheofferoffriendship.
When she gripped my hand, I felt nothing, but froze when an aggressive growl ripped fromBrielle’s throat I dropped Leigh’shandimmediatelyandspunbacktowardBrielle.
Sheslappedahandoverhermouth,clearlyshockedatherownreaction.Withoutanotherword,sheslammedandlocked thedoor.Mywolfhearinghadnotroublepickingupherfootstepsrunningtothebackoftheroom,andtheslamofthebathroom dooramomentlater.WhenIturnedback,Leighandhersilentfriendwerebothstaringatme,slack-jawed.
“You youtwoaremates?AndhereIthoughtitwasgoingtobeMr Suitfromcheck-in You’renot at all hertype,butI shipit.”Shegrinned,theexpressionsomehowlasciviousratherthanfriendly.
“Pleasekeepthistoyourself,”Isaid,addingahintofalphacommandtothewords She frowned as she feltthe compulsion, butdidn’targue. Couldn’t argue, and Ifelt like a jackass. But… Ialso wasn’t readyforallandsundrytoknow,andIdidn’tthinkBriellewouldbeeither.Ineededtimetoprocess. And run,mywolfadded, onhisfeetandprowlingnowthatBriellehadhiddenawayfromus.
“Haveagoodnight,”Imurmuredandtookmyleave,thefeelingoftheireyesstillburningmybackasIreachedthestairs andjoggeddown I RAN, and Iran, and Iran. Trees blended together, meldinginto one endless mass ofcolor atthe edges ofmyvision, their uniquescentscoalescingintoonebeautifulmelodyof wilderness ItwaswhereIwasmostcomfortable,andIrelishedletting go,leavingtheresponsibilityofbeingthehighalpha’sheirbehind.IfIdidn’t,Itwouldcrushme.
MywolfandIwereastrongteam,andIwasgratefultohavehissharpersidewhenIneededtomaketoughdecisions He’d never steeredmewrong,whichwas whyhis fixatingonBrielleas our matewas sounexpected.Shewas whollyunsuitable, softandpliantandintoxicating,yes;butevenstandinganinchfromher,Icouldbarelyfeel her wolf.Shehadone.Reedhad seenhereyeslightfromwithinbackattheclearing
Mywolfgrowledatthethought,stillhatingthatReedhadsomethingofourmatethatwedidn’t,evensomethingassimple asthefirstglimpseofherwolf’seyes.
Soon,Ireassuredhim,andheranfasterbeforeskiddingaroundatreeandheadingdownamountain,arrowingstraightfor the rivers’confluence. The mightyYukonand the Tanana cradled our territory, and the place where theymet had a kind of powerthatnootherdidinthisarea Ihadn’trealizedhowfarwe’drun,butIcouldnomoremistakethesmellofthatplacethan thesmellofmyowncabin.
Mypawsduginaswerandownhill,sinkingfartherintotheearthasmyfrontpawsboremyweightdown Itwasn’tlong beforetherushingwater grew louder andthetreesbroke,revealingthesurgingwaters.Itwashome,inaway.Andapower cradle.Ididn’tknowhoworwhy,butIcouldsenseitjustthesame.I’doftenwonderedifthiswaswhatdrewmeheretobuild apackofmyown Islowedtoastop,tonguelolling,attheriver’sedge Thisplacesoothedme,italwayshad,andsolongas mypackcalledAlaskahome,Iknewitalwayswould.
I lay down on the bank, belly flush against the cool, damp earth, and rested my head on my paws, thinking over the whirlwindeventsofthelasttwoweeks.Mostofthembroughtastrongsenseofpridefrommywolf.We’dpulledtogetherasa packandknockedouttheconstructionoftwohugedormitoriesinashortamountoftime We’dbeenhandedthehugechallenge of hosting this event for the packs, and we’d delivered. It was an honor, and an obligation of enormous proportions. We weren’tdoneyet,ofcourse,butIwasdamnproudofmywolves.
And thenIthoughtabouttoday The influxofpackafter packfromall over, squeakinginbefore the final deadline Most wereunmemorable,blendingintoabluroffacesandscents.Therewasonethatconcernedme theRussopack,fromVirginia. They’dbeengivingmyfather ahardtimefor decades,constantlychallenginghisleadership Thefactthatthey’dshownupa dayearlyand withtwelve male wolves withgrins onsent myinternal alarms jangling. If anyone were to trysomething, it wouldbethem.
Gaelagreed,andhewaskeepingacloseeyeontheirpackmembers.Hecouldhandleit,butI’dbestayingonmytoesas well.Ihadnodoubtsthey’dtrysomething,butwe’dbeready.
The NorthernTerritories packwas equallylarge, but their onlythreat was some overlyaggressive she-wolves They’d beeneye-fuckingmesincetheysteppedoutoftheirtransportvans,butIcouldignorethat.Themalesoftheirpackwereoldand long-since mated, and the females were the daughters ofthe packleadership, hungryfor mytitle more thanwho Iwas as a person.
Then,attheculminationofitall,wasBrielle.
Brielle.
Evenhernamehadmywolfsittingup,lettingoutashortwhineonthebankthatdisappearedintothemistyvoidabovethe rivers Hewantedher,wantedtobiteher,claimher Rightnow,withnowaiting Hedidn’thavetheman’scompunctionsabout gettingtoknowsomeone,orhowherlackofstrengthwouldaffectpackdynamics.
She is strong, mywolf growled, startlingme He rarelybothered to formwords Our connectionwas soul-deep, and I understoodhimwellevenwithoutwords.Asimplefactofanintertwinedlifetime.
She is not She is psi And a psi can hardly rule over alpha she-wolves
Hesnarled,andleapttohisfeet,notdeigningtorespond Instead,weturnedandracedbackupthesteepbank,arrowing towardthetreelineasifagrizzlywasafterus,butIknew,evenifhewouldn’tspeakagain. Hewasrunningbacktoourmate
WE WERE close to the pack headquarters when the distinct feeling of unease ran through the pack bonds, sparking my awareness ItwasReed,andthetugonthebondsleftnodoubtsthatwhatevertheproblemwas,itwasurgent Mywolfkicked ourspeedupanothernotchwithoutquestion.Reedwasmybloodbrother.Ifheneededus,weranlikethewind.
Wewovebetweentrees,dodginglimbsandleapingoverdowneddeadfallwiththeeaseofapredatoronahunt,kickingup dirtasweflewpastobstacles.Reedwaswaitingforuswhenweroundedthecornerofthemainlodgeandskiddedtoastopto avoidhittinghim.Hehadapairofgraysweatpantsinhand,soIquicklychangedback.Hedidn’tbeataroundthebushashe passedmethepants
“TheODLishere.”
Myheadsnappedup,shocked “What?Whywouldtheybe?Wedon’thaveanyomegashere Thesearealladultwolves,of agetobemated.TheODLdoestheirfoulworkwhenwolvesarebabies.”
“Iknow,andItoldthemthat,butthey’rerefusingtoleave”
Isnarled,irritatedatthesnaginourotherwisesmoothexecution.Myfathercouldbehereatanytime hewouldn’ttellme when,becausethatwouldruinhisfunofsurprisingme,butIknew itwouldbesoon andIwasn’tgoingtohavetheOmega DefenseLeaguehangingaround,causingascene
“Wherearethey?”
“Ihadthemescortedtoyouroffice.Didn’tfigurewewantedthemstinkingupthehallways.”Hesneered,andIsharedhis opinion TheOmegaDefenseLeaguewasanecessarypartoflife,orsoweweretold Ifyouaskedme,theywererelicsofa bygoneeraandawasteofgoodwolfkind.
“Let’sgo Thesoonerwegetthemoutofhere,thebetter”
“Couldn’tagreemore,Alpha,buttheywouldn’tleaveunlesstheyspoketoyou.”
Igrowled,notsurprised,buthighlyirritated
Istormedthroughthemostlyquiethalls,myangersimmeringhotterthecloserIgottomyoffice.Itwasnecessaryatevery birthtoallowamemberoftheOmegaDefenseLeaguetocomeandtestthechildforomegapowers.Butwitheverywolfbeing testedandfoundnottobeomegaatbirth,therewasnocallwhatsoeverforthemtobehere,unlesstheywereafterGracelyn’s baby,whowasn’tdueforanothermonth,atleast.
Besides,itturnedmystomach,whattheydid Killinginnocentbabiesjustbecauseoneoftheirdesignationhadturnedbad hundredsofyearsago?Itallseemedlikeabadmyth.Omegaswerereputedtohavespecialpowers,strongenoughtoshiftthe dynamicsofevenawholepack Mostweresaidtohavegentleeffects:healing,fertility,persuasion UntilNarcissa
Narcissawasthefirstandonlyomegatoever havethepower ofwar,andsheusedittogather toher thestrongest,most bloodthirstywolvestheworldhadeverseen.Thenshewentonamissiontofindherfatedmate,andnonewoulddobesides BranCadogan HighalphaofallEuropeatthetime Whenshematedhim,herplotsexpandedpastonebandofangrywolves andsuddenlyencompassedacontinent.
Butthatwasamythfromthepast,andthethreeodiousODLrepresentativesinfrontofmewerea right now problem Alesserfae,ashifter lynx,bythecat-pissreekofhim andavampire,eachwearingpolishedsilverarmorstampedwith the interlockingODLinsignia. Theystared imperiouslydowntheir noses atGael as Ishoved the office door open, lettingit bounceoffthewall.Gaelwasleaningforward,bothpalmsplantedwideonmydesk,gloweringback.
“To what do I owe the displeasure?” I refrained fromsnarling, but didn’t soften my glare. The lynx stepped forward, duckinghisheadbrieflyinashowofrespect
“AlphaKane,weareheretoinvestigateareportofomegamagic.Wewillbeasefficientaspossible,butdueprocessmust befollowedanytimeareportisfiled”
“Iwanttoseethereport,”Gaelsaid.Hewasstandingatmysidenow,armscrossedoverhischest,butnolessdomineering fortheshiftinpose.
The lynxflinched backfromthe alpha barkpushingthe words and held up bothhands. “Mycomrade will be happyto provideit.”Hewavedforthevampire,whostrolledforwardinalazywaythatpissedmeoff.Igrowled,liftingjustoneside of my lip as he dropped the paper to mydesk rather than placing it inGael’s outstretched hand Rude, smug bloodsucker Bastard. Gaelignoredtheslight,pickingupthepaperandscanningitbeforepassingittome WhatIsawmademegrowllouder Anonymous tip: Omega magic sensed at the Pack Blackwater gathering.
“That’sit?Thisiswhyyou’vestormedintomyofficeinthemiddleofthenight,withnothingtogoonandnochildrentobe assessed?”
“Iwouldn’tsayno children,”thelesserfaedrawledfromhispostagainstthewall,lookingbored.“Mysensestellmethere isone,unborn Themotherseemstobeindistress,whichcanbeanearlysignofomegaenergies”
Reedlunge-steppedforwardangrily,anunusualbreakinself-controlforhim.Wewereallonedgetonight,andthesefools weren’thelping Gracelynwashiscousin Ofcoursehe’dtakeoffenseatthemsniffingaroundherandherpup Iplacedahandonhisshoulder,urginghimtobackdown.Ihadthiswellinhand.
“As you’re aware, due process is to be notified withinthree days ofbirth. Our pregnantmother is notdue for atleasta month Therefore, you’ve arrived regrettably early As you yourself have already stated, there is only one child on the premises.Andunlessyou’vefailedspectacularlytofulfill your statedpurpose…therecouldn’tpossiblybeanyadultomega energieshere Now,you’llseeyourselvesout,andremembernottostepfootontomyterritoryagainunlesssummoned”Iheld upahandtowardthedoor,acleardismissal.
The vampire bristled, but none of themmoved for the door Ared haze teased the edges of my vision at their blatant disrespect,andmywolfpushedtotheforefront.Thelynxshiftercringedback,clearlyaffectedbymydominanceandire,but stubbornlydidn’tbudge.
Itwasthefaewhodaredspeakagain,defyingmyorders “Normally,youarecorrect,sir,butwithareportofanykind,we havetwoweekstoinvestigateanypotentialomega ”
Thedoor tomyoffice slammedopen,revealingmyfather,facetwistedina snarl as he stalkedforward The factthathe wasgrayingatthetemplesdidnothingtolessenhisterrifyingpresence,andevenafterfivecenturiesoflife,hewasinprime physicalcondition.Hisdominancedwarfedmine,afactmywolfbristledagainst.
“Whatisthemeaningofthis?”Thewordswereice-coldandcalm,andevenItookahalfstepbackattheunspokenthreatin them.
Thelynxcrumpledtothefloorunderhisgaze,butthefaeandthevampirestoodfrozen,asifclutchedinhisfist.
“Speak!”hebarkedagain,thistimelacedwithfull power,andwordstriedtospew forthoutofmyownmouth.Onlythe factthattheorderwasn’tdirectedatmepersonallyallowedmetokeepthemin
Thevampiregrimacedaswordspouredoutagainsthiswill.“Weareinvestigatingareportofomegaenergies.Wewillbe herefortwoweeks,aspertheInterspeciesGoverningCouncil’swrit Wehaveprovidedacopyofthereportandwilltakeour leaveforthenight.”
Myfather tookanother menacingstepforward “Youcandoyour cowardlysniffingfromadistance,butifyoutouchone haironasinglewolf’sheadundermyprotection,I’llendyou,councilbedamned.Leave.”
Thefaereacheddown,scoopedupthequiveringlynxunderonearm,andhauledhimoutbehindthevampire,who’dused hissupernaturalspeedtoboltoutthedoorsofast,heseemedtovanish Myfather’ssecond,Dimitri,shovedthedoorshuton theirheelswithonebootedfoot.
“Sergeiwillseethattheyleavethebordersofyourland Isensedthemandpostedhimatthedoor Oneday,wewillberid oftheODLentirely,andtheir foul ways.”Hestrodeforwardanddroppedeasilyintooneofmyguestchairsacrossfrommy desk “Sit Tellmewhat’sgoingon”
took my seat reluctantly, something about my father’s swooping in and booting the intruders frommy office leaving me feelinglikeachastisedchild,notapowerfulalphainmyownright Iknewitwasn’tfairtothinkthatway hewasleaderof allwolves,afterall.OfcoursehewasstrongerthanI,withmyonepack.
Itstillrankled,thefeelinglikesomeonerunningtheirhandthewrongwayupmywolf’sback,andIdidmybesttoshove asidemywoundedprideasIfacedhimacrossthehand-carvedcedardesk.
“They’veshownupwithabogusanonymoustip,andthey’resniffingaroundouronepregnantshe-wolf”
Reed stiffened near imperceptiblyatGael’s words, and a murderous lightglinted inmyfather’s eyes. We tookwomen’s maternalsafetyseriously,asitwasdeeplypersonaltous.ForReed,itdidn’tgetmorepersonalthanhisonlycousin’sfirstpup.
“Iassumeyou’vealreadygotanideaofwhosubmittedthistip?”
“WesuspecttheRussopack,butwehavenoproofyet,”Gaelanswered,histoneprofessional.Iappreciatedthathedidn’t gostraightforthepitchforksasmyfirstenforcer,butitalsounderlinedthatIneededtopullbackmyownjudgmentsuntilthere werefactsonthetable.Itwouldn’tdotobeshownasdealingunfairlywithanyofthepacksunderourfamily’scontrol,andI hadtobeforevercognizantofthat Thejoysofbeingalphasonofthehighalpha Allthepoweryoucouldeverwant,inatight, tightmuzzleoffairness.Mywolfrumbledinmymind,annoyedattheman-madedistinction.Hesawthingssosimply.Tearthe throatsoutofanyandallthreats,thenrunthroughthewoodshowlingwithglee.Simple;easytoremember.
“Itake it you’ve alreadygot a planinplace to get that proof? I’d love a reasonto take a strip out oftheir hides” My father’sgrinwasvicious,andIcouldn’tblamehim.They’dbeenakinkinhistailfordecades.
“I’vegottwoofmybestmenonrotation,keepinganeyeonthematalltimes Mymenknow tostayunobtrusive,butstay closeenoughthattheycanstopthemiftheygetuptoanythingdangerous,”Gaelconfirmed.
“Hassling Gracelyn when she’s this close to her due date isn’t dangerous enough for you?” Reed snarled, an uncharacteristiclapseincontrol.Hewasworriedforhiscousin.
“Youknow that’s nottrue, Reed,” Iplacated, standingand layinga hand onhis shoulder. He stilled atmytouch, butthe tensioninhisshoulderswasenoughtosnapalesserwolfinhalf “Gaelisbeingsmart He’snotbeingblindedbytheobvious threatandiskeepinganeyeopenforthewolfthatwaitsindarkness.Youwouldn’twanthimtomisssomethingwhenwedon’t havethefacts,wouldyou?”
“No,Alpha,”hesaid,droppinghisheadandrubbinghiseyeswiththeheelofhishand.Hewasexhaustedandworried.My wolfsenseditfromthepackbond,butevenifhehadn’t,Icouldseeitinthelinesofhisface.“Apologies,Gael.”Hegrimaced towardourfriendandbloodbrother,whowavedhimaway.
“Notnecessary.”
Igavehisshoulderasmallsqueeze “Gorest,bothofyou We’vegotalongdaytomorrow,andnotenoughdarkhoursleft betweennowandthen.”
Theybothgavequicknodsindeferencetomystation,thenlefttheoffice Myfatherstoodslowly,appraisingtheexchange withthoseever-calculatingsteelyeyesofhis.Tomysurprise,healsoheadedforthedoor,butpausedatthelastmomentwith hishandontheknob.
“You’re a good Alpha, son Seeingto the needs ofyour people Butremember thatas Alpha, youhave to make the hard decisions,evenwhenyoudon’twantto.”Hepinnedmewithonelastinscrutablegaze,thenlefttheroom,hismanathisheels.
With the ominous reminder echoing in my head, I flicked off the light and headed for my own bed The one where I definitelywasn’tgoingtohavedirtydreamsaboutBriellekeepingmeupallnight.
Brielle
The millingcrowd ofwolves the nextmorningwas more thanI’d ever seeninone place, and Iknew withouta doubtthe memoryofthisdaywouldbeburnedintomysensesforaslongasIlived,evenifI’dsleptlikeutterpoo Thescentofpine andthesharptangofexcitementmixedwithalowundertoneofbitteranxietyhunglikeacloudoverthegroup,withoccasional snarlsrippingthroughtheairasonewolforanothergottooexcitedandwasimmediatelyroundeduponbyhisAlpha Itwas enoughtoripmefullyoutofthedreamsthathadleftmetorturedandsweating,tangledinthesheets,wishingtheywereKane’s hot,hardbody
NoonewantedtobehumiliatedinfrontofHighAlphaKosta,andhewaspresidingoverthisgatheringthatstartedin I peekeddownatmywatch thirtyseconds.Excitedwhispersrolledthroughthecrowdlikeawave,andIlookedup.Anolder butstillfitwolfhadsteppedontothestage Hewasgrayingatthetemples,butotherwise,therewasnowaytodifferentiatehim fromanyothermalewolfwalkingthegrounds.Thenithitme.
Raw, unfiltered, crushing alpha dominance
Mykneesstartedtoshake,andmypalmsstartedtosweat.IleanedmyshoulderintoShay’sonmyleft,andshelookedupat me,concerned,beforequicklyloopinganarmaroundmyshouldersinsupport SheflickedLeigh’sarmonmyotherside,who wasavidlywatchingtheproceedingswithaheatedglintinhereyes.Whenshelookeddown,Icouldpracticallyfeelherfrown, butshealsoloopedanarmaroundmywaist,bolsteringmebetweenmytwofriendsinasandwichofprotection.
Mywolfreveledinthetouch,andImarveledfortheumpteenthtimesincewe’darrivedathow forward shewas Itwas new and unusual, butIliked the feel ofher, evenifIdidn’tknow whatto do withher yet. Iworried, though, thatitwas a reactiontosomanywolvesinoneplace,andthatshe’dfadebackintodistantquiescencewhenweheadedhometoTexas
Shewhinedinmyhead,tryingtotellmesomething,butIdidn’tknowwhat.Thehighalphatookcenterstage,liftingahand halfwayina steadyingwave to the crowd ofclamoringwerewolves inbotha welcomingand calminggesture, butmyeyes weredraggedawaylikemagnetstowardtheleftsideofthestage,wherealineofotheralphawolveswaited.
Two,I’dnever seenbefore.Theyhadsevere buzzcuts,pale,olive-tintedskin,andmidnight-blackhair.Their eyes were coldlysurveyingthegroup,andIknewinstinctivelythatthesewereKosta’smen Iletmygazeskitterpastthem,lesttheylock eyeswithmeandseeitasachallenge.
Yeah, right I’m a weakling from Texas who can barely challenge a sidewalk without falling down I’m not challenging anybody. One look from them and I’d flop over and faint like a friggin’goat.
Theylanded onanother cluster of alphas right at the edge of the stage. If youweren’t payingattention, youmight have thoughtthefiveofthemweretogether,butIcouldnearlyseetheseparationsintheair. Not pack.Thelittledivisionscreamed betweenthetwosteel-eyedalphasandthethreeIrecognized:Gael,Reed,andKane.
Mate Mywolfrumbled,andIwasshockedwhenasoftrumblingsoundechoedinmyownchest Icouldn’ttakemyeyes offKane, and as the tinysound buzzed throughme, his eyes snapped to mine, causingheatto bloominmycore and slowly suffusemybodyliketeasteepingunderthehotsunofhisgaze
He can’t hear that. Surely not? There’s so much noise here.
But even as I denied it to myself, his eyes began to glow green, and he took a half step forward. Gael’s hand on his shoulderstoppedhim,withaterselooktowardKosta,whohadjustopenedhismouthtoaddressthecrowd
There was no microphone, no fancy sound system or megaphone to carry his voice, but the words reached us all nonetheless,lacedwithirrefutablepowerthatsentmykneesbacktoshaking,eventhoughmypackmateswerestillholdingme tight.
Ugh, I hate alphas
“Greetings,pack!”
“Greetings,Alpha!”Werespondedasone,someofuswithlessenthusiasmthanothers.EvenShay,whowasperpetually
silentinthepresenceofmen,whisperedthewordsatmyside,asiftheywerepulledoutagainstherwill “Itpleasesmegreatlytoseeyouallhere,together.Forwhatisthestrengthofthewolfbutpack?Theconnectionisgreater thananyother,saveone:thatofmates Thetruebondthattiesoursoulstogether,intertwiningonelifewithanother Themoon Goddess’sownblessingtohermosttreasuredcreation.Foritwasherownwisdomthatsawwolves,sawhowweconnected, andentwinedthespiritofmanandwolf Anditwashergifttousthatwedonothavesimplemarriagelikehumans No,she knewthatwecouldandshouldfosterabondsodeepthatnotevendeathcanrenderitintwain.”
Ishivered,mywholebodybeginningtoshakeatthewords,andIcouldnomorekeepmyeyesfromKanethanIcouldkeep mylungsfromdrawingmynextbreath.Hiseyeswerealreadyboringintome,andtheconnectionfromacrossthecrowdwas like a physical caress, sweeping frommy neck, tingling past my breasts, and lighting up my sex. My core clenched, and I soaked mypanties, despite the distance betweenus Ishould have felthumiliated, butall Iwanted was more More of him, STAT.
Thehighalphahadcontinuedspeakingwhilewehadourmoment,andLeigh’spinchtothebackofmyarmsnappedmeout ofthelust-filledhazeI’dfalleninto.
“ andthatiswhywewillbeginsimply Everyonewillreporttothebarn,wheretableshavebeensetup We’llworkin hour-longblocks,doingwhatthe humans call speeddating.Youwill have five minutes witheachpossible match,andatthe end,youwillexchangeahandshake.Weknowthatphysicalcontactisthesimplest,mostdirectwaytoconfirmamatematch, butletme be clear: no further physical contactis permitted Alphas, youare expected to control your wolves, and Iexpect decencyandrespectfromeachofyou.”
Heleveledashrewdgazeonthecrowd,stoppinghereandtheretonarrowhiseyes “Thewomanyouarelustingafterright nowmaybeanother’smate,andyouwillnotdisrespectherbybeingmoreforward.Ahandshake,andnomore.Ifyoufeelthat you have found your true mate, please notify the alpha group monitoring the room, and you will both be taken aside and registeredsothatyoumayexploretheconnectioninasafemanner.Myson’speoplehavecreatedaschedule,anditispostedat thebarn.Wellmet,andmaymanytruematchesbefoundthisweek.”Heliftedahandagaininthathalf-wave,half-settle-down gesture,andthenexitedthestage Themalewolvesarounduscheeredsoloudly,thedominantpheromonesroselikeawave I feltmyselfbeginningtosagunderthepressureassomeletloosewithhowls,andafewevenshiftedrightthereintheclearing, unabletocontaintheirwolvesatthepossibility
“We’ve gottogether outofhere!” Leighhissedandbegantoelbow people andstomponfeettomake a pathoutofthe oppressivecrowd.Icouldn’tthink,couldn’thelp,merelyhungthere,overwhelmedandhumiliatedatmyreactiontosomany dominantwolvesinoneplace.Itwasablessingthatourhomepackwassosmall.
Thoughitwas growing,Ithoughtidlyas LeighandShayhauledme free ofthe crowd,earninga glare fromAlpha Todd. We’dhadfourpairsmatedinthelastyear,ahugeboonandwhywehadsuchasmallgroupforthistrip
Oncewebrokefreeofthethrongofsurgingwolfbodies,mylegsbegantosteady,andIwasabletosuckinsomelungfuls offreshair as myfriends depositedmeonabenchmadeofhalfamassivelog,cutandcradledbetweentwoquarter logs to stopitrollingaway.
“Whatwasthat?”Leighasked,droppingintoacrouchsoshecouldgeteyelevelwithme.“Areyouokay?Doyouneedto eatsomething,orwasitjusttoomuchalphajuiceintoolittlespace?”
Isnortedweaklyat alpha juice,butitwasn’ttrulyalaughingmatter.Wewerescheduledtobehereforthreeweeks,andI couldn’tgoweakatthekneeseverytimeweweregatheredtogether,ordinnerwasgoingtogetrealunpleasant,realfast “Idon’tknow,butIthinkitwasjust…toomuch.Thescents,theenergy…I ”Tearswelledinmyeyes,humiliationand shameburningthroughme “I’msosor ”
“Youhadbetternotbeabouttoapologizetous,Bri-belle.Youlistenhere,andyoulistengood.Wearesisters,andwetake careofeachother.Period.We’regoingtostickclosetogether,andifyouneedout,yousaytheword.Capiche?”
Leigh’ssternfacetoldmeshewasn’tkidding,soIchokedtheapologybackdown “Capiche,” I whispered, though the apology weighed heavy in the back of my throat, wanting to burst free. I hated my weakness,hatedthatnoneoftherulesofnormal wolvesseemedtoapplytome,tomyfamilyline “Wehavetenminutes,Leigh.Let’sgetsomecoffeeintoherbeforethespeeddatingstarts.”
“Goodidea Whenindoubt,caffeinate”Shefist-bumpedShay,thenbothofthemloopedarmsaroundmeagainandhauled metomyfeet.“We’vegothottiestostun,andwecan’tdoitwithouttheproperamountofliquidenthusiasm.”
TWELVE MINUTES andthemostenormouscupofto-gocoffeewecouldfindinthedininghalllater,thethreeofusstoodjust insidethebarndoorway,lookingatthepostedinstructionsheets.
Hour One: Women will remain in assigned seats, men will rotate. Fifteen-Minute Break
Hour Two: Men will remain in assigned seats, women will rotate
Fifteen-Minute Break
Catchingthegist,IscanneddowntoseethelistofassignedseatsandletoutarelievedbreathwhenIsawthatweweren’t rightnexttoeachother,butthethreeofuswereatleastallinthesamerow.
“We’reinrowseven,”Iannounced,pointingtoournames
“Let’s get this show onthe rizzy!” Leighclapped and rubbed bothofour shoulders before leadingus past the first few rows,wherenervouswolvesmilled,mostofthefemalesalreadysitting,chattingwiththeirneighbors Shay’sseatwasclosest, soshesatbetweenafiery,pint-sizedredheadandadark,lovelybrunettewithdeepbrownskinandafootofheightonher.A fewseatslaterwasLeigh,butsheturnedtomebeforesitting.
“Doyouwantmetowalkyoutoyourseatfirst?”
I hated the worried lookinher eyes whenshe should be focusingonherself and findingher ownmate. Leighwas too generousforherowngood,anddespitethepainshe’dbeenthroughinthelastsixmonthsofherlong-termboyfriendfindinghis truemateandleavingher,shewasstill focusingonmeandnotonherchancetofindtheloveshe’dbeenaftersinceherteen years
“No,”Isaid,tryingtoinfuseeverybitofbackboneIpossessedintotheword.“Don’tworryaboutme,okay?Thisisaroom fullofhot,singlemenlookingfortheirforeverlove.Youfocusonyou,andthe hotties,”Iusedherwordwithrelish,“aboutto fallinlovewithyou,okay?”Igaveherhandadeterminedsqueeze “I’mgoingtobelikethreeseatsover IfIfaint,you’llbe firsttoknow.”
“Nojokingaboutfainting,”shegrowled,pointinganaccusingfingeratme “Pssh,I’mgoingtobefine.Bored,butfine.”
Withasharpnod,shetookherseat,andIhurriedthelastfew tablesovertomyassignednumberandsankgratefullyinto thecushionedchair.ThefewminutesbeforethestarttimefeltlikeeternityasIlookedaroundtheroom,takinginthesoaring, rough-hewnceilingbeams,oversizedwindows,andsawdustfloors.Thisreallywasabarn,andnotthefancy,million-dollar rustic weddingkind Ithad the faintscentofoil, mixed withthe sawdustbeneathmyshoes and the richearthand pine that permeatedeverythinghere.
Mybutthadbarelytouchedtheseatwhenastreamofmenstartedpouringinthroughthebig,openbarndoors Mynerves ratchetedup,sendinganxiousbutterfliescareeningaroundmybellylikedrunkensailors.WasKanegoingtobeinthisgroupof men?Ibitmylip,scanningalltheunfamiliarfaces.IdidseethemenfromourownpackwhoIrecognized,andthefew who spottedmegavepolitenods,buttheireyeswerewideandeagerforother,newfemales.ItmighthavestungifIweren’tavidly lookingforsomeoneelsetoo.
There,towardtheback
Hewasn’tinthecrowd,mingling,buthestoodjustoutsidethefardoor,scanningthegathering,lingeringhereandthereon anotherwolfbeforemovingon
Protective. Alpha.Mywolfrumbledinside,andIrubbedhardatthespotdeadcenterofmychestwherethesoundwanted to escape. Her feelings added to mine were leaving me flustered and split. I was annoyed with Kane. Sure, there was a physicalpull,butalsohewasapompous,overbearingasswithawholelotofover-the-topego Weweren’tgoingtotalkabout howthattranslatedintopanty-melting,heart-stopping,palm-sweat-inducingenergy.
No,definitelynot HiseyesreachedtherowwhereIsat,andIpointedlylookeddownatthesmallwoodentableinfrontof me. Itwas simple, wide planks cutfromrough-edged boards, butmade withcare. Icould swear IfeltKane’s eyes burning tracksdownthesideofmyface,butstubbornlyrefusedtolookbackup
Ashe-wolf, heavily pregnant and reclining in a big, cushioned chair with an anxious-looking male at her side, blew a whistle.Everyonefroze,andIresistedtheurgetomakeajokeintheresultingsilenceaboutPavlov’sdogs.
Barely
Asmallargumentbrokeoutbetweentheshe-wolfandhermate,butintheend,shestayedseatedwithahuffandaccepted themegaphonethathepassedher
“Hello,hello,everyone!We’resogladyou’rehere,andyou’regoingtohavesomuchfunthenextfewweeks!”Shewaved enthusiastically,andIinstantlylikedher Shewasvivacious,andthewidesmileonherfacewasgenuine Heranklesmayhave beenpuffy mytrained doctor’s eye clocked it fromacross the roomand made a mental note to introduce myselfafter the activityandaskifshe’dtriedanygingercompresses butherspiritwashigh.
“MynameisGracelyn,andIamtheorganizerofalltheactivitiesthisweek Ifyouhaveanyquestionsatall,youcancome andseeme ”Asnarlrippedfromhermate’sthroat,andshegavehimapointedlookoverthetopofthemegaphone,before amendingherstatement “Youcancomeseeoneofmyassistants”Shewavedovertofourvolunteers,eachwearingawhistle oftheirown,likewewereatsomesortoftwistedsinglessummercamp.“Andmy assistants willnotifymeifneeded.Now, todayisspeeddating,togetsomebasiccompatibilityflowing,butthereissomuchmorecoming.Justyouwait!Andforany truematesthatareidentifiedandconfirmedbytheAlphas,I’mworkingonsomefun,secludedactivitiestoletyougettoknow youronetruelove,instyle.”
Hereyessparkledasshelookeddownattheclipboardinherlap.“Okay,theorderispostedonthewall,andmen,you’ll berotatingtotheleftthishour.Ladies,pleasestayseated.We’llblowthewhistleeveryfiveminutestoletyouknowit’stime toshakehands andmoveon Ready,set Go!Meetyour trueloves!”Shegrinnedas shepassedthemegaphonebacktoher mate,whohandedittooneofhermanyvolunteers.ItrackedKanewithsingle-mindedfocusasheapproachedthelineoftables infrontofme,untilabroadchestblockedhimfromview
WhenIlookedup,asmilingGael was standinginfrontofme.He’dbeennexttoKane,butInever saw himmove.Heat filledmycheeks,andIwavedforhimtotaketheseatinfrontofme
He pulled it out and sat witha briefsmile. “Good morning, Brielle, how are you?” he asked politely, thoughthe smile hadn’treachedhiseyes.
“I’mokay Iadmit,though,I’msurprisedtoseeyouhere Itseemedyouthreewererunningthings,notparticipating”
Hechuckled,thesoundalowrumbleinhischestashedroppedhiswide,tannedhandsonthetablebetweenus.“Evenwe don’tgetexcusedfromthehighalpha’sscheming Ifhesayseveryoneunmated,wesayyes,sir”
“Ahh,well,Iguesshecouldn’texcusejustahandfulofyou,then,couldhe?” “No,hewouldn’t Hewantsusallmatedandmakinglittlewolfpups”
Ichuckledatthethoughtandcouldn’thelpmygazewanderingovertoGracelyn,theheavilypregnantshe-wolf.Icouldn’t imaginemyselfmated,letalonepregnantandbeaming. One problem at a time, Brielle. “So,tellmeaboutyourself Howwasthetrip?”Gaelbroketheice,andIwasgratefulthatIdidn’thavetothinktoohard “Itwasgood,butlong.Ienjoyflyingforthemostpart,butLeigh’sabigchicken,soshetriesherbesttostaytipsy.” Hiseyebrowsshotup,andheglancedafew seatsover,whereLeighwasleaningforward,showingoffhercleavageina low-cuttanktoptoashaggy-haired,blondwolf.They’dmakeveryblondbabiestogetherwhocouldbeonsurfermagazines. Hesnorted,andIrealizedbelatedlythatI’dsaidthelastbitoutloud.“Sorry.Whataboutyou?Areyoulocal,or…?” Henodded.“Yes,we’velivedherefortwoyears.Mostlyit’squiet.We’vebeentryingtobuildgoodpackinfrastructure,so westartedwiththelodgeandclearingsomenicehikingtrails.We’vealsogotsomewolvesincommunity-outreachpositions, sowecanensurewekeepupagoodreputationwiththelocals”
“Communityoutreach,that’ssmart.Whatdoyouconsidertobe ”
Asharp,shrillwhistlecutmeoffmidsentence “Oh,well,then,”Istammeredtoastop Hegavemeabriefsmileandstuckouthishanddutifully.Nosoonerdidmypalmgrazehisthanhewincedandpulledit back.Ibarelyevenfeltthewarmthofskinonskin,andIcouldn’thelpbutfrown.
“Gael,why ”
“I’d better get a move on. Your next wolf is alreadywaiting.” He nodded and left abruptly, leavingme confused. Why hadn’thewantedtotouchme?Itwasliterallythewholepointofthisexercise,and Mybrainwentintoafullspiral Didhe findmesorepulsive,hecouldn’tevenbeara handshake?
IknewasapsiIwouldbeanundesirablemateforastrongalpha,butitstillhurt Iwasjustaperson Myintestineswere tryingtotiethemselvesintoaknot,butIshovedtheembarrassmentandconfusiondownasthenextmalewolfsat.
HewasshorterandnarrowerthanGael,withathinnerface,butverykindeyes.WhenIsuckedinasteadyingbreath,the scentofcleanlinenandsomethingmedicinalandherbywashedovermethatIcouldn’tplace NothingthatcomparedtoKane’s intoxicatingcinnamon-orangescent,butnotoffensiveeither.
“Hithere,I’mXander What’syourname?”
“Hi, Xander, I’mBrielle.” I forced a smile, and pushed thoughts of Gael’s oddness out of mymind. If I spent mytime worryingaboutKane’spackanditsidiosyncrasies,I’dbeherealldadgumday
“Beautifulnameforabeautifulwoman.I’mfromWashington.Howaboutyourself?”
THE HOUR PASSED inaswiftlychurningbluroffaces,eachhandsomeinitsownright FirstwasXander,thenOber,asurfer dudewhowas,amusingly,scaredoftheocean James,Brett,Steven Imetthemall,andI’dbehard-pressedtopickthemout ofalineup,besidesthequickmentalsnapshotsIwastryingdesperatelytotake.
Itseemedtobeadivinelawthattherewerenouglyshifters,thoughnoneofthemenImetcalledtomelikeKane,thenext rowoverandtantalizinglyoutofreachforthewholehour.Ididnotletmyselflookhiswayagain,thoughmywolfsulkedatthe backofmymind,unwillingtosomuchassniffanyofthemenwhoclaspedhandswithme,oneaftertheotheraftertheother Finally,Gracelynletouttwoshort,sharpwhistlestosignal theendofthehour andthebeginningofafifteen-minutebreak.I breathedashortsighofreliefandshookhandswiththehandsomeshifteracrossfromme Kevin?IthoughtitwasKevin
“Itwaslovelyspeakingwithyou,Brielle.I’dbeinterestedtotakeyoukayaking,ifeveryou’vegotsomefreetime.”
“Umm,sure.Let’sseeiftheygiveusanyfreetime.”Iforcedachuckle,andheldoutmyhand.Hisfingerswrappedaround mine carefullybutfirmly, justthe rightamountofpressure to invoke a feelingoffriendlyfamiliarity, butjustas withall the
others saveGael,whowouldn’tdeigntotouchme therewerenofireworksandnospark.Icouldseethedisappointmentin hiseyes,andcouldn’thelpbutwonderwhatwaswrongwithme,thatIdidn’t feeldisappointed?
Ipushedbackmychair,gladtostretchmylegs,andmetLeigh’seyes Shejerkedherheadtotheside,andIquicklymade myexcusestoKevinandfollowedherovertogetShay,wholookedwithdrawnandpale.
“Shay,areyouokay?What’swrong?”
Shejustshookherhead,refusingtospeakormeetoureyes,keepingthemfixedonherhands,claspedinherlap.
“Comeon,sweetie,youneedsomefreshair”Leighreachedforherarmtohelpherupandoutofherseat,butsheflinched backandclosedhereyes.Leighfroze,andIdroppeddownontomyheelssoIcouldlookupather.
“Shay,lookatme,please.”
Sheblewoutalongbreaththroughhernosebeforefinallyopeninghereyesagain
“It’sjustmeandLeigh.I’mcompletelyoverthisandreadytogetsomepheromone-freeair.Howaboutyou?”
Shegavemethesmallestofnods,butwouldn’tholdmygaze
“Okay,whenyou’reready,we’llgetoutofhereforafew.Butwewon’ttouchyou,okay?”
Shenoddedagainandpushedunsteadilytoherfeet Shewouldn’tunclaspherhands,eventobraceherselfonthetable She walkedwoodenlybetweenusasweexitedthebarnandmadeabeelineforthewaitingrefreshmenttables,andmyheartached forher.
Shehadn’tsharedwhathadhappenedtoher toendupinfoster care,butas awolf,itwas incrediblyrare All weknew was thatwhenshe’d joined our pack, she was a scared, silentteenwho would cower ifanymanapproached her and could barelyhandlehumancontact,evenfromthepack’sfemales Isuspectedabuseorhumantrafficking,butIdidn’tknow,andshe’d nevervolunteeredtheinformation,evenaswegrewcloserandshecametotrustusovertheyears.
Whenillness tookmymother a year after Shayjoinedthe pack,she hadbeenfirmlybymyside,silentlysupportive,and we’dbeenbestfriendseversince.EvenLeigh,whocouldn’tbemoreoppositewithherneedtotalkamileaminuteandlove offlirtingwiththeunmatedmales,woulddefendhertoothandnail.Wewerebonded,andtherewasnotwowaysaboutit.
Thewholesituationmademefeel liketheworstfriend Ihadbeensowrappedupinmyweirdsituation-shipwithKane thatIhadn’tbeguntothinkabouthowShaywouldhandlealltheforcedtimewithsomanymen.
Theshellofmybestfriendstandinginfrontofme,though,pushedeverythingelseoutofmymind Itapped Leighonthe backofthe armwhile we waited inline for lemonades. She looked over Shay’s head atme, so I leanedintospeakquietly.
“I’mgoingto askGracelynifwe canswitcharound and staytogether for the nextfew rounds. Itmightnothelp, but… I don’twanttoleaveheralonelikethis.”
“Goodidea We’llmeetyoubacktherewithdrinksbeforethenextwhistle”
“Thanks.”Isqueezedthebackofherarm,thenjog-walkedbacktothebarnwe’djustexited.SofocusedwasIonShay’s predicament,thewarninggrowlofGracelyn’smatedidn’tsinkinuntilhesteppedinfrontofme,eyeslowandthreatening
“Oh!Hi,I’msosorry,Ididn’tmeantostartleyou.”Iheldupbothhandsinmybestcalminggesture.“Iwasjusthopingto speakwithGracelynforamoment myfriend,she…sheisn’tdoingsowell,andIwashopingwecouldshifttheseatingfor thenextround ”Thegrowldidn’tstoporeaseup,soIchangedtacks “Also,InoticedthatGracelyn’sankleswereabitpuffy and wanted to make sure she was aware of ginger compresses, which can really alleviate swelling and make her more comfortableattheendofthepregnancy”
Thegrowlsceasedimmediately,andhespuntofaceGracelyn,pullingmeforwardbythesleeve.
“Hi!” she said brightly, leaning forward awkwardly in her recliner I noticed on closer inspection that the dirt was disturbedunderneath,asifithadpuffedoutwhensomeoneploppeditdownhere,possiblywithheralreadyinit.
“Hi,Gracelyn.Ijustwantedtoask ”Her mategrowled.“I,uh,justwantedtotell you first aboutginger,whichcando reallygreatthingsforswelling It’spregnancysafeandoffersaboosttothelymphaticsystem Also,myfriendisn’tdoingso wellwiththisactivity,andIwantedtomakesureifitwasokayifweallstayedtogetherfortherestoftherounds?”Ispewed thewordssofast,shelookedconfused,thenaccusinglyathermate
“Adam,takeawalk.”
“Absolutelynot”
“Adam, take a walk.”Thesteelinherspinewasimpressive,staringdownaphysicallyimposing,dominantwolffromher seatedposition.Hewasn’talpha,buthewasatleastgamma,andIcouldfeeltheannoyancerollingoffhimstronglyenoughthat Iwantedtotakeastepback
Henarrowedhiseyesather,butreluctantlygesturedovertwofemalevolunteerswhowerewaitinginthewings.Whenhe steppedaway,hewasrubbinghispalmoverthebackofhishairinfrustration
Shefixedasmileonme,wavinganapologetichandafterhermate.“Sorryaboutthat.He’soverprotective,withthebaby andall,butit’sgottenworsesinceI’vehadtobeonbedrest.Imadethemcarrymeouthere,becauseIdidn’twanttomissall thefun.”Shehuggedherclipboardtoherchest,thenglancedmeupanddown.“But,Iknowyoudidn’tcomeoverheretohear aboutmywoes!WhatcanIdoforyou seatchange?”
Ifrowned,tryingtoprocess her light-speedinformationsharing.SheandLeighreallywouldgetalong.“Whoputyouon bedrest?That’squiteunusualforawolftoneedit,thoughIcanseeyouhavetheswelling.Doyoumind?I’vebeenstudying medicineforquiteawhile,andI’mourpack’shealerbackinTexas”
ShewavedformetodoasIwanted.“You’reunmatedandalreadythehealer?That’simpressive.Usuallythehealerhasto bemated How’dyouswingthat?”
IshruggedashoulderblithelyasIfeltalongherankle.“Smallpack,sonotmanyoptionswhenDeeandZekewerereadyto retire” Definitelypuffy, and the indents weren’tfillinginnearlyas quicklyas I’d have liked “Iamhappyto speakto your healer, but I’d like to see youona regimenofginger and red raspberryleafstartingimmediately, and Ithinklight walking startingtomorrowwouldbegoodforyou.Whenareyoudue?”
“Amonth,giveortake”Shewobbledonehand,restingtheothergentlyoverherswollenbelly “Andafterwe’redone,I canintroduceyoutoDoc.He’scrotchety,buthe’sgoteverykindofthingintheinfirmary.”
Docsoundedliketheperfectpersontostartwith,andexplainmyresearchto Win-win “Excellent I’llcomebackafterthe event.Speakingofwhich ”
“Youand your friend canstaytogether I noticed she was struggling, and it’s no problem We want this to go well for everyone.”Herwarmsmilewasgenuineandpulledoutamatchingonefromme.
“Thankyou,Gracelyn,Iappreciateit.”
“Of course You better get a move on, though Ninety seconds!” She gave three short blasts on the whistle, warning everyonetotaketheirplaces,soIhustledovertoShayandLeigh.
Wehadalongdayaheadofusstill
groundmyteeth,andcountedtotenasthewomanacrossfrommecontinuedtalkingabouthertwinsister’ssecondsetoftwin girls I’msuretheywerelovely,butifIlookedup,Iwasgoingtoseeherveryamplecleavagepracticallyspillingoutofher lacy,see-throughtop,andatthemoment,itjustdidn’tappeal.Therewasonlyonewoman’scleavageIwasinterestedin,and theshe-wolfitbelongedtowantednothingtodowithme
Granted,I’dearnedthat.
Butwatchingheracrosstheroom,exchangingpleasantrieswithmanafterman,wasstartingtograte Shehadn’tdonemore thanshakehands,thesameasI’dbeenforcedtodooverandoverallmorning,buteachtimeherhandtouchedanotherman’s, mywolfsnarled.Soloudly,infact,thatGaelandReedwerebothfeelingitdownthepackbonds.WhenGaelhadbeenaboutto shake her hand this morning, mywolfhad snarled so loudly, he’d winced and tried to avoid the contact Now she probably thoughtmypackmatewasajerk,but…Iwasn’tmadaboutthat.
Iwanted all her affection, all her attention Itwas royallyunfair, Iwas anass, and Ididn’tsee a damnthingIcould do aboutit.
IcouldnomorestopwantingherthanIcouldstopbreathing;butIalsocouldn’tseeawayforwardinwhichshewasfitto leadalphafemales.Itwasourverynature,tofollowthestrongandprotecttheweak.Shedeservedmyprotection,yes.Butshe didn’tdeservetolead.
Itgrated,butitwas thewayofthepacks Iforcedmyeyes upwhenthestreamofwords stopped,pointedlyignoringthe blatantdisplayofherchestandfixingmyattentiononherface.Theshe-wolfinfrontofmemighthavebeenpretty,ifIwere capable of seeing anyone else that way now But I wasn’t, and her lips were pursed angrily They couldn’t compare to Brielle’s,whichwereasoftpinkinvitationacrosstheroom,andcompletely,whollyunavailable.
Shoot.HadsheaskedmeaquestionwhenI’dbeencounting?
“Areyouevenlistening?”
“My apologies, did I miss a question?” I pushed all the contrition I had into my voice, but she still wasn’t appeased, shovingherchairbackandstanding,armscrossed,beforethewhistleevenblew
Sheglaredangrilyacrossthecrowd,eyeingher nextmatchandpointedlyignoringme.Thankfully,withinafew seconds, Gracelynblewherlittledictator’swhistle,andIprofferedahand Shewasreluctant,butsheshookitanyway,digginginher nailsabittoo hard.
“It was nice talkingwithyou, Kaley,” I murmured, alreadyglancingover her shoulder to see who Brielle was shaking handswith.
“It’sKylie,youasshole.I’llbenotifyingmyAlphaofyourrudebehavior.”
Icouldn’targue,anddidn’ttryasshewalkedoff,alreadybeamingamegawattsmileatthewolftomyleft Iwasninetypercent sure that she’d told me she was a member of the Northern Territories Pack, which tracked. They were the most aggressiveshe-wolvesI’dencounteredsofar Yetfor all her offenseatmybehavior,she’dcometomeetmereekingoftheir Alphawolf,Vance.
The next she-wolf walked up, and I could smell the fear rolling off her, the emotion a sharp, sour smell polluting her normal daisy? Petunia? Icouldn’ttell Itwas floral and sour, and Ihad to resistthe urge to sneeze AtleastthatIcould blameonallergies.
“Hello,I’mAlphaKane It’snicetomeetyou,”Isaid Shequivered,butdidn’trespond.
“Andyouare?”Iinclinedmyhead,attemptingtogetananswer,butthepoor,nervouswomanboltedstraightforthedoor, notlookingback.
IcouldfeelReed’samusedcackleoverthepackbond,andIcutmyeyeshiswayinannoyance.Hewasonlyafew seats
awayfromhisturnwithBrielle,andIhadtobitebackajealousglare Itwasn’thisfault I’dmadesureoneofmymenwason herrowforeveryturn.Ihadn’tmadeitmyself,buttheywerethenextbestthing. So long as they didn’t touch her Mywolf’s hacklesrose,andforamoment,Imistookthesuddenmotionasareactiontotheideaofmypackmatestouchingmymate Not our mate, calm down.
Ofcourse,myeyesrolledbacktoBriellelikestubbornmagnets,pulledtoherliketheplanetsarepulledtowardthesun Constantly, irrevocably. And whatIsaw made mymuscles feel like moltenlead, hotand burningand readyto lunge. Shane Russo Briellehadjustapproachedhistable,andhewassmilingather,leaningforwardandmotioningtotheseatwithabarely hiddenleer.
Igrowled,low inmythroat,unable tocontrol the sound.His eyes flickedmywaybriefly we were all wolves;noone withinafifty-footradiuswasunawareIwasangry,despitethelowvolume andIsawaglintofinterestand,dareIsay, glee sparkintheirunholydepthsasheturnedhisfullattentionbackonBrielle.
Mine! Not his! my wolf demanded, pacing angrily for a second before clawing at the ground and sending dirt flying everywhere.Ittookall mywill,mymanyyearsofpracticedcontrol,nottoshiftonthespot.Irealizedafter afew roundsof deepbreathsthatmyfingernailshadshiftedtoclaws,andIwasdiggingholesintothewoodtableinfrontofmewithhowhard Iwasclutchingit.
Forcingmyhandsoffthedefenselesstable,Isuckedinadeeplungfulofthetimidfemale’swaningsourpetuniascent,butit didnothing,absolutelynothing,formywolf Ormycalm.
Because she wasn’tmymate
Brielle was. And the time I’d spentdenyingit? Her weakness, the factthatshe pushed me away, the factthatitwas too soon…thefactthatIwasn’tdamnwell ready foramateyet?
Noneofitmattered.Becausewhatmywolfknew,IcouldnolongerdenywhenIcouldfeelitdowninthemarrow ofmy bones.
She Was Mine
Mywolfflungbackhisheadandhowledatmyagreement.
Atinklinglaughfilledtheroom,draggingmyattentionbacktoBrielle Herbackwastome,butIcouldseehershoulders shakinglightlyandthecockysmileonRusso’sface.Myhandsbegantoshakeastheacceptancerolledthroughmelikeawave ofburningawareness.Herscent.Herproximity.
Istayedinmyseat,rivetedbythesightofher,evenfrombehindwhenshewasn’tawareIexisted.Hergorgeous,shining, russethair.Thedelicatelineofherneck.
Myfangs descended, the urge to markher lush, perfectskinand claimher a physical need One thatIcould absolutely, under no circumstances,giveinto.Here,inapublichall.
Iwasgoingtowhite-knuckleitthroughthisactivityandasktospeakwithher likeacivilizedman,notaferal rogue We already had one of those to deal with. I couldn’t become the second.
Thatthoughtsoberedmeslightly,allowingmyclawstofinallyretract.Reed’sbrotherDirgehadsuddenlygoneferal two summersback Nobodyknewwhy,ashe’dstayedinfurthisentiretimeandwouldn’tletanyonenearhim inhumanorwolf form despiteReed’smonthlyattemptstocommunicatewithhim.
Iwastoopowerfultogetanywhere near thatledge WithasmuchdominanceasIhad Icouldwipeoutentiretowns In themodernworld,thatwouldbeadisaster thelikesofwhichhadnever beenseenbefore.Dirgewasonlykeptclosebythe presenceofanother,moredominantwolf IfIlostit
Ishookthethoughtfrommyhead.Iwoulddealwiththis,withher, today. Gracelynblew a shortblastonher whistle to signal the end ofthis round, and Istood, grateful for a reprieve. Itwasn’t idealwatchingBrielleworkherwaydownalineofothermen,butatleastshe’dbeawayfromtheRussomutt
Astrawberry-blondeshe-wolfinalong,billowyskirtapproachedmytable,andittookeverythinginmypowertoofferher apassablesmile
“Hi, Alpha Kane. I’mBianca. It’s nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand for a shake first, and a small part of me admired her directness She wasn’t my mate, but she’d be a good match for another dominant male here, I had no doubt PerhapsI’dmentionhertoReed.Heneededsomeonetotakehissharpedgesoff.
Agasp,softasawhisper,sentmyhacklesrisingandmyteethbaringasIlookedpastBiancatowhereBriellehadstoodto leaveShane’stable
They’dhadtoshakehands itwaspartoftheexercise buthe’dtakenitastepfurther.Whenhe’dcomearoundthetable fortheshakeandshe’dofferedherpalm,he’dusedittodragheragainsthischest Shewaswide-eyedandraisedherhandsas iftopushherselfbackoffhim,butshedidn’tmakeitthatfarbeforemywolftorehimselfoutofmyskin.
Brielle
Therewasabrieftearingsound,thenthehall filledwithsnarls,andablur offur andglintingteethcamebarrelingstraight towardme No,nottowardme toward him,Shane Hehadcrossedabouttwelvelineswheninsteadofjustacceptingthe amicablehandshakerequiredfortheactivity,he’dsnatchedmeintohischest.
Hisscentwasallwrong,mywolf’shackleswereraised,andbeforeIcouldevenbegintothinkofhowtopolitelyextricate myself orimpolitely,because what an asshole Kanewasrocketingourway.Shaneshovedmeruthlesslytotheside,andI stumbled,almostfallingwereitnotforReedappearinginfrontofmewithpreternaturalspeed Herightedmewiththebarest of touches under my elbows, then spun us so that his towering frame was between me and the now two snarling, circling wolvesintheaisle.Gaelwasbyhissideahalfsecondlater,thetwoofthemanimpenetrableshield.
ButIdidn’twanttobeshielded Iwantedtoseewhatthehellwasgoingon Ipeeredlikeachildbetweentheirmassive, muscle-cordedarms,gettingaglimpseofasteel-graywolfwitheyesthatwereflatrage,andanevenbiggeronecirclinghim, lipspeeledbacktoshowoffanimpressivedisplayoffangs ThelargerwolfwasKane Mywolfrecognizedhimandhowled herapprovalofhisstrengthanddominance.
Inwolfform,hewasastallasmyshoulders,utterlymassive,hiscoatagorgeousmixofcolors Hewasadarkwolf,with blackovermostofhisfaceandback,andsoftstriationsofbrownandsilvershotthroughout.Hisfurwasthickandshiny,and somepartofmybrainwantedmetowalkupandsinkmyfingersinandsquinchitinmyhands.Ijustknewhe’dbesoftunder mytouch,thoughnothingabouthimwassoftrightnow,andthatwasanutterlyinsane reaction Ishouldbefreakingout.Thesetwomaleswerefighting overme,forsomereason likecompleteidiots.
MyrunawaythoughttrainwasderailedwhenShanedecideditwastimetostopmessingaroundandleapttowardKane’s flank.Kanespuneffortlesslyoutofthewayandlungedlow,snappingdeadlyjawsatShane’sexposedunderbelly.
Hemissedbyinches,andIcaughtmybreath.Therewasn’tmuchthatcouldkillashifter.Wehealedsofast,itwouldtakea lot for either ofthese two to do serious damage, but a total evisceration? That would do it, unless emergencysurgerywas involvedtostabilizethewolfuntilhisnaturalhealingabilitiestookover.Evenashiftercouldn’thandlelosingallthebloodin hisbodythat quickly SowhywasKanegoingforhisgutoversuchasmallthing?
Ihadn’twanted a hug, no butIalso didn’twantto watchthe idiotget gutted infrontofme. Istood onmytiptoes, but couldn’tgetanywherenearthetopsofmyself-appointedguards’shoulders Stupid, freakishly tall wolf-men
Thetwobegansnappingandclawingmoreinearnest,circlingcloserandcloser,liketwohalvesofatwisted,angrypuzzle, andShaneletoutaloudyelpwhenKaneconnectedwithhisbackleg,drawingbloodandelicitingaviciouscrunchingsound thatmademecringe.Thatwasatleastonebrokenbone maybeshattered.
Thatwas enough. This had to end before somebodywentfor the throat. Iwas notgoingto be responsible for anybody dying
EspeciallynotKane,thoughitseemedhehadasolidupperhand.
IelbowedGaeltotrytogetagapIcouldpushthrough,butheheldfastwithagrunt,anddidn’tevensparemeaglance So, insteadoftryingtobudge Reed,Imade a split-seconddecisionandboltedtothe side,dartingaroundReed’s far elbow and straightintothefray.
Theirtwingrowlshadnoeffectonme,theirdominancerollingoffmelikerainoffagoodslicker I’dprocessthatlater andIflungmyselfbetweenKaneandShane,holdingupmyhandstostopthem.Kanebarked,thesoundaclearalphacommand thatmademyhandsshake Evenwithoutapackbondforhimtoconveywords,themessagewas crystal friggin’clear Move.
Hewantedtofinishthefight AndIcouldseeittoo KanewithabloodiedmuzzlestandingoverShane’slimpbodyashis eyesturnedglassy,andhisbloodsoakedintothesawdust-coveredfloorswhileItriedfruitlesslytostabilizehimandputhis intestinesbackintohisbody.
