Return of the Alpha (2 page)

Chapter 2

CRAVEN

Craven was incredibly busy, but that was the way he liked it. When he'd agreed to become beta, he hadn't realised how much work there was to be done. Security in Darmoor territory had been little more than a joke when he'd arrived. Although he had every respect for his alpha, there was no denying the territory had suffered over recent years because of speculation over Zema's future. The neighbouring packs had been allowed to take liberties. Incursions had become commonplace, and there had been a growing fear that a full-scale attack might occur at any time. Although there was still a lot of work to do, Craven was beginning to think the worst was behind them.

Being busy had another benefit. It stopped him from worrying about Louise for a few hours. He blamed himself. He should have known she couldn't have gone through everything she had, and come out unscathed. In the days immediately after he'd found her, they'd been too busy trying to escape from Milton and Lassiter for her to stop and think. Even when they thought they'd found a safe refuge in Darmoor, she'd been ambushed by Kata—someone Louise had considered a friend. It had all been too much for her. She'd still not fully recovered from the shock of discovering she was a shifter. Worst of all was the memory loss. He would look at her sometimes, and could tell she was racking her brains—trying to remember. Maybe he'd been wrong to hold certain things back from her. Initially, he'd thought it would be better if she remembered in her own time. Now, he wasn't so sure. Maybe he should have told her everything he knew. Maybe he still would.

“Craven!”

The voice snapped him back to the present. It was Shak—Craven's second-in-command at Territory Security.

Craven didn't need to be told there was a problem. It was written all over Shak's face.

“Where?” Craven asked.

“Black Woods. Seven wolf-shifters. They've attacked one of our males.”

“How is he?”

“I'm not sure. Details are still sketchy.”

“Which pack?”

“No confirmation as yet. My guess would be the Othway. They're closest to Black Woods. Shall I despatch the local guard?”

“No. This is the third incident involving the Othway. I think it's time I had a few words.”

“I'll come with you.”

“No. I need you here. I'll call in on the local guard en-route.”

Shak wasn't happy, but knew better than to argue with Craven.

*********

The head of the guards, at the outpost closest to the Black Woods border, had been surprised to see his beta turn up unannounced. After a quick briefing, Craven had selected three shifters, based upon the head of the guard's recommendation, to accompany him to the Black Woods. In the time it had taken Craven to get over there, the injured Darmoor shifter had been confirmed dead. Two other members of the Darmoor pack had been seriously injured. Such wanton acts of aggression could not be allowed to go unpunished.

There were seven intruders in total. They had a young female wolf cornered, and appeared to be taunting her. Craven silently conveyed his instructions to the guards by his side. The attack was swift and devastating. Craven had taken out two of the Othway wolves before they knew they were under attack. His guards quickly overpowered and slaughtered another four. That left just one of the infiltrators. Just as Craven had ordered, the largest of the seven—the one who appeared to have been the ringleader—was still standing. A few moments earlier, the wolf had been terrorising a helpless female—now he was surrounded by four of Darmoor's finest.

“Are you okay?” Craven asked the female.

She nodded, but she was clearly shaken.

“What's your name?” Craven asked the Othway wolf.

The wolf glanced left and right—weighing up his chances of escape if he made a break for it. They were not good.

“Yorvan.”

“Your pack has already been served notice that we'll no longer allow unauthorised incursions into our territory. Does your alpha know you're here today?”

The wolf didn't reply.

Craven took a step forward and swung a paw. The contact sent the Othway wolf rolling across the ground. When it regained its feet, blood was running from a gash beneath its left eye.

“I asked if your alpha knows.”

“No.”

Craven could smell the lie. Just as he'd expected, the alpha of the Othway pack hadn't taken kindly to Craven's warning. This incursion had probably been encouraged, if not actually organised by the Othway alpha.

“Listen to me, Yorvan. You're to return to your territory now.”

The guards all looked at Craven. Surely he wasn't about to let this piece of worthless shit escape.

“Go to your alpha, and tell him to meet me on the border in two hours.”

“I can't tell my alpha what to do. He'll kill me.”

“Tell him to be there at three PM. If he doesn't show, there will be a full-scale attack on Othway territory before the end of the day. Our numbers are much greater than yours, and our wolves much stronger. You can tell him that if he doesn't meet me, he'll be responsible for a massacre.”

Yorvan looked shell-shocked. Craven waved the guards aside to allow the wolf to walk away. 

“You may return to your outpost,” Craven told the guards, once the Othway wolf had disappeared from sight.

“But sir, they may come back in numbers.”

“You have your orders. See that the young female is taken to the medical centre.”

*********

Craven hoped word of this hadn't reached Louise. He didn't want to give her anything else to worry about. From the sun's position, he could tell it was almost three o’ clock. Sure enough, he picked up the scent moments later. The sound of twigs breaking under foot came next. It sounded like a solitary wolf, but he couldn't be absolutely sure. Then he saw him; a magnificent specimen of a wolf. He was much younger than most alphas. Certainly several years younger than Craven. He'd encountered many of the alphas from the adjoining territories, but not this one. He knew his name though: Cable.

The two wolves were moving towards one another now. Neither of them dropped their gaze for even a moment. When they were five metres apart, they both stopped.

“So you're Craven.” Cable's thoughts were as clear as if he'd spoken them aloud.

“Cable, I assume.”

“By rights, this meeting should be between alphas. I don't usually associate with Betas.”

“I'm sure I can arrange for you to meet with Zema. If that's what it takes to resolve this issue.” 

“No need. From what I hear, you're effectively the alpha already.”

“Zema is alpha of Darmoor.”

“Well, of course, you
would
say that. I hear you were an alpha in another territory.”

“Terroun.”

“And that you survived as a lone-wolf for decades. Impressive.”

“My past has nothing to do with why I asked to meet with you.”

“Quite. Still I find it helpful to know who I'm dealing with. Particularly when they have made threats against my pack.”

Craven found it hard to read Cable. If his show of confidence was a bluff, it was a good one. “We'd prefer to live in peace with the Othway. We don't seek conflict.”

“That's not the message that was delivered to me. I understand you were responsible for the death of several of my pack.”

“Your wolves came onto Darmoor territory. They've killed at least one of our pack, injured others, and terrorised a young female. That's unacceptable. I asked to see you because I want to make it crystal clear what will happen if there is a repeat of this. If even one Othway wolf comes into our territory without permission, we will destroy you and your pack.”

“I like you, Craven.” Cable said.

Craven didn't know how to react to that.

“And because I like you,” the alpha continued. “I'll agree to your request. No Othway wolf will come onto your territory. You have my word on that.”

Craven studied the wolf's eyes. Cable appeared to be sincere which was strangely disconcerting. It shouldn't have been so easy.

“Why are you in Darmoor?” Cable asked. “You'd been a lone wolf for so long. You must have travelled through many territories. Why choose Darmoor?”

Craven wasn't about to admit it was because it had been so easy to get past their security.

“No reason.”

“Darmoor may be a larger territory than Othway, but the Darmoor pack has always lacked ambition,” Cable said. “You don't strike me as someone without ambition—without drive.”

“I need to get back.”

“Of course, and I won't delay you further. As I've already said, I like you. I think you could do far better than Darmoor. Why not join Othway? I could use a strong beta such as you.”

“Forget it. I'm happy where I am.”

“For now, maybe. But things change. If they do, you know where to find me.” 

With that, Cable left—leaving Craven to ponder on what the alpha had said. His talk of 'ambition' could mean only one thing. Cable planned to extend his territory. Craven had met alphas like Cable before. Milton for example. They were a danger not only to the neighbouring packs, but often to their own pack too. First thing in the morning, Craven would give orders to boost the defences on this stretch of border.

Chapter 3

LOUISE

“Louise?” Craven called from the living room.

Shit! I hadn't expected him back just yet. I checked my reflection in the mirror again—maybe I'd get away with it. “Hi!” I tried to sound as bright and breezy as possible.

“What's that?” he said.

Damn it. All that make-up and yet he'd still noticed.

“What?” Why was I even bothering with this charade?

“That bruise under your eye.” He came closer and ran a gentle finger across my cheek.

“Ouch.” I pulled away. “It's nothing. I walked into a door.”

“I want the truth.”

“Honestly. It's nothing to worry about. I went hunting with Bella.”

“Hunting? You shifted?” His scowl had been replaced by a smile.

“Yes. She wore me down. We went up to the plains.”

“What about the bruise?”

“How about you let me tell the tale?”

“Sorry. Carry on.”

“We were chasing a deer. We were almost upon it when another wolf appeared from nowhere. He had the bloody nerve to kill our prey right before our eyes.”

“Who was the wolf?”

“He wasn't Darmoor.”

“Another bloody incursion.”

“Have there been others today?”

“Never mind that. What happened? Did he do that to your face? Is Bella okay? Which pack was he from? I'll make sure they never do it again.”

“Slow down. Too many questions. I don't know which pack he was from. We didn't ask. We just killed him.”

Craven's jaw actually dropped. “You killed a male wolf?”

“Not all by myself—it was a joint effort. He was nothing special.”

“That's fantastic.” Craven pulled me into his arms.

“It is?” I'd been expecting him to be furious at me for putting myself in harm's way.

“Of course it is. It proves you've rediscovered your inner-wolf. Tell me all about it.”

“There's not much to tell. Let's just say he paid the ultimate price for underestimating the female of the species.”

“That's so hot.” Craven pulled me even closer, and I could feel the bulge in his trousers. “Don't you know how horny you make me when you talk wolf?” he said.

“Seriously?
That
turns you on?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

I didn't—the answer was pressing hard against my tummy. “What do you propose to do about it?”

“I propose to fuck you.”

“You sure know how to woo a lady. Don't you mean you want to make love to me?”

“No. I know exactly what I mean.”

 Before I could say another word, he took hold of my blouse, and ripped it open. Buttons shot off in all directions. Almost in the same movement, he pushed the cups of my bra down. I groaned as he squeezed my breasts together, and took one nipple between his teeth.

“Shouldn't we go to the bedroom?” I somehow managed to say.

My words fell on deaf ears. He teased and then sucked each nipple in turn.  I stroked and gripped his erection through the fabric of his trousers. His mouth sought out mine—he bit my bottom lip, and then pressed his tongue inside. I'd never seen or felt such intensity from him before. Was this the first time that he'd allowed his wolf's instincts to take control? Whatever the reason, it sparked something inside me—something raw—something animal.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he said as he scooped me off my feet.

I thought for a moment he was going to carry me into the bedroom, but instead he put me down on the table's edge. Spreading my legs wide, he tore away the flimsy fabric of my white lace panties. His fingers slid easily inside my wetness; his tongue found my clit.

“Oh god!” I lay back on the table—pushing the ornaments aside. One fell onto the floor. Had it smashed? I couldn't have cared less.

My legs were resting on his shoulders as he finger-fucked me while at the same time, he licked, nibbled and teased my clit mercilessly

.

My finger tips made a weird squeaking sound as they slid back and forth along the table-top. “Oh god!” My whole body began to buck as the orgasm rose slowly and then reached its fabulous crescendo.

I could barely breathe; I was still tingling. Only when Craven grabbed my hands, and pulled me to my feet, did I realise that he'd undressed. His face was etched with raw desire. Before I could speak, he eased me down onto my knees.   I ran my tongue slowly around the head of his cock, but his need was too urgent for such teasing. His fingers wrapped around my hair as he pulled me onto him. His shaft slid deep into my mouth and for a second, I almost gagged. I put my hands on his buttocks—I wanted every inch of him. I wanted to taste his release.

When I thought he was just about to come, he pulled me back onto my feet, spun me around, and pushed me forward, so that I was leaning on the table. His foot tapped my ankles
—teasing my legs apart.

“Fuck me!” I screamed. I'd never needed him more that I did right then.

He didn't speak—instead he plunged his cock hard into my wetness. So hard and so deep that it took my breath away. His body slapped hard against mine with every thrust. Somehow, he seemed even bigger and harder than before. Not that I was complaining. Although we were both still in human-form, I was aware that it was our inner-wolves that were in control. Craven was fucking his fated mate—claiming her as his own. I gave myself gladly—pushing back to meet his every thrust.

When he came, he did so with such force that I thought we would break the table beneath us.

“Did I hurt you?” he looked concerned. “I almost lost control there.”

“Almost?” I grinned.

“Are you all right?”

I rolled onto my back so that I was facing him. I was a little surprised to see a look of genuine concern on his face. “I'm fine.”

“I didn't hurt you?”

“Not at all. That was
nice
.”

“Nice?”

“Yeah.” I somehow managed to keep a straight face. “It was
okay
.”

“Okay?” His look of concern had been replaced by one of outrage. Just
okay
?”

“I'm only joking. That was—” I hesitated. “Exceptional.”

Satisfied by that description, he smiled. “I was worried I might have got a little too carried away.”

“Not at all. In fact, I'd like to know why you've been holding back on me. Why haven't I enjoyed the full-on wolf experience until now? I feel like I've been short-changed.” I pouted. “Getting half-measures.

“I wasn't sure if you were ready—”

“Oh, I'm ready. Trust me. That was kind of special.” I kissed him. “I'll expect nothing less from now on.”

“I did hold a little in reserve,” he said.

“You mean there's even more to come?”

He nodded.

“In that case, I can't wait until next time. No holding back? Promise?”

“I promise. Now you've rediscovered your inner-wolf, there's no reason for me to.”

I was already tingling at the thought of next time. I was so grateful I wasn't a human. Shifters definitely have more fun.

We were lying in bed.

“Stop it!” I brushed Craven's hand away. He had an annoying habit of tweaking my nipples.

“It's so hard though,” he said.

“That's because you won't leave it alone.”

“I could levy the same accusation at you.”

It was true. I'd already raised a repeat performance out of him. As promised, he hadn't held back.

When his phone rang, he glanced sheepishly at me before answering it. I'd long since threatened to flush it down the loo if it interrupted our love-making.

“Zema?” he said.

I sighed. I'd lost count of the number of times he'd been called in to meet with the alpha, when Craven was supposedly off-duty.

“When?” he said. “That should be fine. See you then.”

“This is getting ridiculous.” I sighed. “You should tell him you can't be on-call twenty-four seven. “What is it this time?”

“We have an invitation to dinner.”

“With Zema?”

“Saturday night.”

“What should I wear?”

“Damn. I knew there was something I forgot to ask him.”

“Smart arse!” I thumped Craven on the arm. “I meant. What's the occasion? Who else will be there?”

“It's just you, me, Zema and his mate.”

“Did he tell you what it's in aid of?”

“He didn't say much of anything.”

“You know what this means don't you?”

“What?”

“I'll have to buy a new dress.”

“Of course you will. You can't possibly wear the same one twice.”

“We're dining with the alpha. I have to make a good impression.”

“Not just because you want a new dress then?”

“Of course not. You know how much I hate shopping for clothes. I'll see if Bella wants to come with me.”

“I'm glad you decided to go hunting with her today.”

“Me too. I know I've disappointed you by not shifting more often.”

“You could never disappoint me. I just think you have to be true to yourself. All the years you lived as a human, you were living a lie. You're a shifter, and if today is anything to go by, a powerful one. I want you to be proud of who you are. Proud of your pack.”

“I am. Honestly I am. I promise I'll exercise my wolf more often from now on.”

 “Will you go hunting with me? It's ages since we ran together.”

“I'd like that. Maybe this weekend.”

*********

“What's the occasion?” Bella asked.

She'd needed no persuasion to accompany me on a shopping trip.

“We're dining with Zema on Saturday night.”

“In that case, money is no object.”

“I'm not sure Craven would agree.”

“He won't care when he sees how stunning you look.”

I wasn't convinced. Craven was a darling guy, and I could usually twist him around my little finger, but I could still remember the look of horror on his face when he saw the price tag on the last dress I bought. Still, that was some time ago. At least three weeks.