Whispers and stares followed me as I made my way to Greta’s tent. I wasn’t about to stop and chat. How was I supposed to explain what happened? For them to have thought I was captured, it meant that Alec told them that right away. Then, he went and got himself captured. What did the residents think when they saw Alec hauled off? Or had he managed to get captured away from them?I shook my head, trying to make myself stop worrying about the logistics of the strangest failed rescue attempt. And yes, he failed. If he went into captivity with the intention of trying to turn one of my assailants, he was doomed from the start. The fact that Kyle turned was pure luck. Without him hearing about my mark, it never would have happened.I avoided eye contact when I saw Mario walking toward me. I felt awful. We had borrowed his car, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk.“Hey, Lola, I’ve got a new car arriving next week. Want to help me build the engine?” Mario asked.I looked up at him, surprised that
The only way I’d truly hurt them would be to take the power from them and put myself in charge. I couldn’t deny that seeing them meet a bloody end wouldn’t be a nice addition, but I knew what I had to do. I was going to fight for the pack that refused to fight for me. There was always going to be someone weak they’d try to break and I couldn’t let it keep happening. I had to stop them. And I had to make sure they couldn’t ever hurt anyone else again.I stood. “Thank you.”“Don’t thank me. You’re the one who’s doing all the work,” she said.I smiled and gave her a nod before making my way out of the tent. Kyle was standing outside, waiting for me. He tensed like a soldier standing at attention. Having him around was going to take a lot of getting used to.Trusting Kyle was going to be damn near impossible, but I was going to need help. I needed to know if he really had my back. There had to be a way to test him, at least a little. Kyle was still a mystery to me. He’d been a fixture of
“You need some rest,” Kyle said as he started walking. “First shift takes a lot out of you. I’ll show you where they set us up.”“Technically, it won’t be my first shift,” I admitted.Kyle’s brow furrowed. “Alec mentioned that the curse wasn’t an issue anymore but I didn’t know you’d shifted.”“Well, since I’ve decided to trust you and all, I guess you should know.” I matched his pace and walked alongside him, hoping his sense of direction was better than mine. “After you and your friends threw me in that cave to die, I fell through a hole and thought I did die.”“Not my friends,” he cut in.“Fine. Your former alpha.” It sounded both strange and comforting to say those words. The unsaid was that I was his current alpha. It was a bizarre feeling. Especially since our pack was currently at two members.“What happened?” he pressed.“I honestly don’t remember, but my wolf forced the shift and got me out of there. Alec found me and brought me here.” I winced when I said that part. Another
I followed Kyle up the steps that led to the front door. He opened it and we walked into a cozy, bright, welcoming space. A worn couch covered in blankets sat on one side of the room, on the other was a double bed with a patchwork quilt. A lamp on the bedside table was on, giving the space a warm glow. On the right was a little alcove with a window. It held a small table with three wood chairs around it. To the left was a single door. My guess was that it was the bathroom.No kitchen or other rooms, but it was enough space for the two of us. The cabin was homey and peaceful. Despite the fact it had been Alec’s home, I felt at ease here. It didn’t look like it had even the slightest bit of Alec’s personality. I knew the cabin had once been Greta’s and it looked exactly as I’d imagine a space she’d decorated should look.I walked to the door and opened it to reveal a tiny bathroom complete with sink, toilet, and shower. It sure beat peeing in the woods. “Not bad.”“You sure Alec lived h
Kyle was holding out another sandwich as soon as I walked in the door.“You were watching?” I grabbed the sandwich and took a bite. This time, I was going to make myself actually eat it.“I didn’t listen, but I kept an eye on you,” he said.I probably should have been upset, but it was oddly comforting knowing someone had my back. Sure, things with Kyle were weird, but if he wanted to cause me harm, he’d have done it already.“You okay?” he asked.I wasn’t sure how to answer that. Kyle knew more than he’d shared and largely because I’d asked him to keep it that way. If he was being honest about not listening, he didn’t know what our conversation had been about. For all Kyle knew, it was a lover’s quarrel.My stomach tightened and the food in my mouth tasted like ash. Was it ever going to get easier to sort out my feelings about Alec? Did it matter if I was just going to return to Wolf Creek, anyway?“Do you think I have what it takes to be alpha?” I asked.“You can’t be any worse than
“I still don’t know if I want to know,” I said.“I get that.” Kyle took a deep breath. “Alright, let me see if I can explain without telling you. So, shifter politics 101: The alphas are linked with the higher alphas, right?”I thought back to my high school Shifter Politics class and tried to recall the structure. “Shit. I’m going to need a crash course in all this. I don’t remember this stuff and if I do it, I’m going to do it right.”“That’s not why I’m telling you this. You think Ace is doing anything by the book?” Kyle looked skeptical.“Probably not,” I agreed. “But I’m not Ace. I will do it correctly.”“I know you will but here’s the thing, Lola. If you are alpha, you’ll be connected to the higher alphas.”“You mean the king.”He nodded.“So?” I wasn’t following why any of this would matter. “It’s not like I’m the one who made the toxin or was cursed. They can’t punish me for what my grandfather did, can they?”Kyle blew out a frustrated breath. “Lola, you have to hear this eve
“Well, now you know why Alec said he was dangerous,” Kyle said. “And you know that we have to be careful.”My brow furrowed as I thought about all the new information and what it meant for me. “I can’t be alpha, can I?” It surprised me how much that hurt. Until that moment, I wasn’t aware of how badly I wanted to help the people of Wolf Creek. Even if they never did anything to help me.I looked up at Kyle. “If I won the challenge, the king would feel me. He’d know, wouldn’t he? He’d know we were blood. I’m guessing that’s what all this is about.”“There’s a way to fix this,” Kyle said. “Your father is willing to help.”“Why would he help when he could turn me in to get on the king’s good side? Or kill me himself, even? I remember my history classes well enough to know how murderous and dangerous Spencer was. You think a man like that cares about his kid?” I tensed. “Holy shit, you said he already knows about me. Alec told him about me. I’m already screwed, aren’t I?”“Calm down, Lola
When Kyle insisted I take the bed, I was too tired to put up a fight. I climbed in and snuggled under the sheets. The blankets smelled like Alec. And why wouldn’t it? It was his bed.My throat tightened as I thought about everything I’d learned. Aside from my pack hunting me, there was a chance my father’s family would kill me if they ever found out I was alive. Then there was this new news about Alec. I didn’t know if it was the truth, but if Alec sold me out to earn the cash to help me, where did that leave us?Asshole could have explained it to you.I realized that if he’d told me, I’d have refused to comply. I would have taken my chances with the royal family rather than return to captivity in Wolf Creek. Alec would have known that. But he should have given me a choice.Why would the shifter king even care about me? I was nobody and I had no interest in getting involved in royal politics. Shit, if not for the mark on my hip, I wouldn’t even be going back to Wolf Creek. It was possi
The entire household was buzzing as they finished preparations for the Solstice celebration. The longest night of the year happened to fall on a full moon, which meant one party of epic proportions.I took a deep breath as I prepared to greet the guests. While having the alphas of the packs for visits had almost become routine, this gathering was different.Alec took hold of my hand. “You’re going to be great. Nothing bad is going to happen. This is what you’ve been working so hard for the last year.”He was right, of course. And he’d been by my side for every step. I was truly grateful to have such a strong and supportive leader by my side. We’d found a balance in the last year, working together to improve pack relations and begin the process for positive change for all shifters.Tonight we took that a step further. While we’d been working to break down the years of animosity between us and the witches, our alliance was still in its infancy.Shifter and witches both held sacred conne
While my old pack was busy peppering Kyle with questions, I took Alec aside. “You doing okay?”“Yeah,” he said. “I know Kyle’s going to deal with this mess well.”“And you and I get to deal with the bigger mess,” I said. “If my uncle was authorizing Wolf Creek’s use of the toxin to take out their neighbors, what else don’t we know?”“I know Spencer said to give them a chance, but you sure you want a council that enabled that behavior to stick around?” Alec asked.He had a very good point. “I’m not sure I do want them around. But I do think we need to learn from them and find out what has been going on for the last few decades.”“You’re not out of the woods yet. You’re a walking target, you know that, right?” Alec asked.“I know. I wish I wasn’t used to it,” I said. “But at least I’m not alone this time. I’ve got you, Sheila and Malcom. And the four of us can work together to figure out who we can and can’t trust.”“They’re good shifters. Even before Malcom shared his story, I got the
“If it were me, I’d have a couple of guards escort him to his home and give him an hour to pack. Then, I’d kick his ass out.” Horace took a deep breath. “That toxin has been the black mark on my time of service. I would be honored if you’d allow me to help you destroy it.”“I’d like that,” I said.“Guards, escort him to his home. Check the roster for his inner circle, past and present. Kick them all out.” For once, the strict rules and lists for who was considered the alpha’s inner circle worked to my benefit. All packs had to keep records. As long as Ace has been in power, he’s kept track. The positions were valued but there were shifters who’d turned them down. Everyone knew working for Ace meant good things for your family, but it might cost you everything.A pair of my guards escorted Ace away. Several members of his inner circle followed him. Wolf Creek deserved a chance at peace.To my surprise, Viki, Ace’s wife approached me. She had yellow and purple bruises on her face, nearl
“Ace Grant, I strip you of your title and your role as alpha of Wolf Creek,” I said.“No, you can’t do that. You can’t. I earned this.” He stood, his hands balled into fists.For a moment, I thought he might charge me. My guards moved closer and Alec stood in front of me.Ace took a step back and Alec’s tension eased. He stepped aside, but stayed right next to me.“You stole the title,” I said. “You didn’t work for it. You didn’t earn it. You didn’t prove anything to gain it.”“He doesn’t even have a mark,” someone shouted from behind. The gathered shifters cheered in response.“Send him to the caves!” Another voice called. The cheers grew even wilder.I smirked, knowing I had been correct. I was never alone here, we were all prisoners.“Please no, have mercy,” Ace said. “I already lost my son. Isn’t that enough?”“You don’t want to be trapped in the caves?” I had no intention of sending him there, but I had to admit I was enjoying hearing him beg.“I didn’t betray anyone. It’s not a
Wolf Creek was ready to greet the royal family when we arrived. The entire pack turned out, everyone gathered in front of the barn as requested.I could see them waiting as we approached, careful to keep myself hidden from view behind the guards and accompanying council. I didn’t tell them why I wanted to return here, and I was certain they were expecting some kind of happy reunion.Alec was already seething with rage, the emotion far more intense than it should be. My wolf clawed at my chest, wanting to get out to comfort her mate. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just sensing Alec’s emotions, I was feeling his inner wolf. And he was pissed.My wolf was distracted by her mate. Her feelings toward Wolf Creek secondary to his discomfort. It was interesting that Alec’s hate toward Wolf Creek was two-fold. I could feel his personal vendetta against my old pack mixed with a need to protect and defend his mate. In a strange way, it was kind of sweet.“Let me take lead on this,” I said to hi
The four of us stepped through the double doors and the members of the council rose when they saw us. They had been seated at a long wood table, with a dozen chairs. At one end of the table there was a chair twice the size of the others. A crackling fire glowed in a wood fireplace behind it. The floor was dark wood and a red and gold rug sat under the long table. The chandeliers above the table were made of antlers, a very different aesthetic from the crystal I’d seen in the other parts of the home.“Thank you for waiting,” I said, trying to sound more calm and commanding than I felt in the moment.“Of course, your highness,” one of the men said.I walked to the larger chair and sat down. The gathered males took their seats. One side of the table was my family, on the other, the four males who made up my predecessor’s council. It was an odd arrangement, but if Spencer thought it was worth hearing what they had to say, I’d give it a chance.“We are honored that you’re willing to meet w
Breakfast with my friends felt familiar and safe. Sheila, Malcom, and Kyle had mostly waited to eat until we arrived. The guards stood outside the room, and at my instance, the staff was willing to leave the food and let us serve ourselves.To my friends’ credit, they all steered the topic of conversation toward random things that were unrelated to our current situation. It was as if they knew I needed a little break before I had to figure out how to do the job I’d committed to when I took down the old king.We ate till we were all stuffed and laughed at Malcom’s stories about trying to learn how to fix a car and accidentally setting it on fire. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pictured Mario’s face. “I bet he never let you near his car again.”“Only if I’m trying to fix it. Driving I’m fine with. It’s when you give me tools that it causes an issue.”“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said.“Your highness,” a male voice said.I turned and saw one of my guards. Malaki, I think.He was holdin
I stretched out my hand and he took it. The two of us silently followed Spencer. I didn’t need to look behind me to know that my guards were following me. It was one of those things I was going to have to get used to, I supposed.“Have you seen her this morning?” I asked.“Not yet,” Spencer said.“You think Star can help her?” I asked Alec.“If anyone has a chance, it’s her,” Alec said. “She figured out an antidote to that toxin. And you’ve seen what else she can do.”That was part of my concern. What if Star hadn’t been able to help my mom? If she couldn’t, I wasn’t sure anyone else could.As we continued down hallways lined with doors, and up a few flights of stairs, I considered what I would even say to her. Everything in my mind about my mom was so full of conflict. I wanted to help her, but she was also such a source of pain for me. She might not have been in control, but why did she have to do that to herself in the first place? Why did she flee to Wolf Creek of all places? Why
I woke to the sound of knocking. My eyelids fluttered open as a warm pair of arms pulled me tighter. A smile spread on my lips as the events of last night came flooding into my mind.Of course, the good memories of three rounds of fucking fantastic sex with Alec were followed by the memory of the challenge. I sat up, nearly elbowing Alec in the process.“What’s wrong?” His voice was groggy.“I beat the shifter king last night,” I said.He chuckled. “Yeah, you’re the queen. We already knew that.”“Right, but that means there are people expecting things from me.” I had ideas. Big ideas. Things I wanted to change, but I wasn’t sure what the protocols were or what hoops I’d need to jump through. Spencer had said he’d help.I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was ten in the morning.Holy shit.They must have ended the party without me and nobody bothered us all night.I guess there were perks to being the shifter queen.The knock sounded again and I scrambled off the bed, grabbin