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Chapter Five - Repercussions
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The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Six - Mates?
Byron’s POVI had to admit the jeans suited her yet she had deliberately flouted my order. I wouldn’t tolerate that. So what if she was weary and troubled. I hadn’t been in any other state since I became Alpha. It went with the territory of ruling a pack, something I guessed she was no stranger to these days.Had I seen her at that mating ball last year? I doubted it. Because Seb would have led me to bed her. I was more cautious.He’s my alter ego, taken from my middle name. Gregor might have a split personality or something. Goddess knows what’s wrong with Liz’s wolf, Tanya.We’d been thrown together at a difficult time all because of her happy-go-lucky brother.Mo was almost out of her mind with grief and tended to take it out on her inferiors. The investigation I’d started without telling her was well under way, though no leads as yet.Trevor was the Alpha of a southern pack who’d chosen to live with us, allowing his younger twin, Tony, to take over. He’d gone missing shortly after
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Seven - The Challenge
Liz’s POVI decided a trip to the kitchen was a good idea. I was hungry now and would only get lost if I tried to escape. Sure, I knew enough not to venture into the desert. Other than that my sense of direction was hopeless. Orienteering was a complete mystery to me. And the Alpha would only drag me back, personally or otherwise.He had granted me the right to keep in daily communication with our Beta so I could serve them remotely. It may just be enough until any takeover.Hoping I wouldn’t receive a hostile reception, I headed downstairs in the jeans he seemed to dislike and a long sleeved blouse. My hair was piled up in a messy bun, though there was little I could do about the dark circles. I’d brought cosmetics but didn’t feel inclined to use them now, not when I was probably going back to bed afterwards.The Alpha had mentioned a garden. Perhaps I could sit out there, though I wasn’t about to test my boundaries tonight.I encountered Beta Lucas in the corridor.“Going somewhere,
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Eight - What Reptile?
Liz’s POV If there’s one thing I can’t stand among all nature’s creatures it’s a snake. Sure, spiders fall into the creepy crawly category and I hate close contact with them but by and large we go our separate ways. A reptile isn’t cold blooded for nothing and tends to strike first and fail to regret later. “Is it poisonous, Alpha?” “Very. If you hear a rattle … ” “Stop winding her up, By,” Mo said. “Oscar’s harmless and ancient. He’s a milk snake, they’re non-venomous.” “He likes his rodents, though.” Was he testing me? I decided it wouldn’t hurt to respond in kind. “You’d better watch out then, Alpha,” I said. Mo covered her mouth with her hand, trying to control her spluttering. “Right,” he said. “Upstairs with you. Now!” And I realised I’d crossed a line. “Lighten up, By. Liz didn’t mean to insult you.” “Yes, she did. You know I don’t accept that from anyone. Especially when there’s a witness.” “What are you intending to do to her?” “Make her handle Oscar,” he said.
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Nine - An Unusual Sleepover
Liz’s POVByron wouldn’t allow me to return to my room other than to fetch a nightie. I was dreading having to share his bed. He’d vowed not to take advantage but I doubted he would be able to keep his hands off me simply because I was female and available.Maybe I was doing him a disservice, but Ricky wouldn’t have hesitated to claim one thing and do another. It had happened before to several unfortunate Omegas within our pack and even the late Gamma’s daughter had to be consoled by none other than yours truly. The only fortunate thing was that his liaisons hadn’t resulted in any illegitimate pups so far. Or maybe that was a worrying thing in terms of our pack’s future.Yet if we were to merge on my marriage or even before and Alpha Richard was still missing, would it really matter?I bit my lip, feeling bad for thinking like that. Tossing and turning, the covers corkscrewed around me, I was unprepared for the tirade from my mate on waking. It was four a.m. and he hadn’t had a wink o
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Ten - A Culinary Delight
Byron’s POV“What are we doing today, Alpha?”Her soft voice roused me from my bitter thoughts and fetched the imp to the surface.“I will be drowning in paperwork, as usual. You, Lizzy, will be sunning yourself in the garden.”“Oh?”She raised a barely-there brow which I guessed was down to her colouring rather than a salon.“Mo’s bringing the pups out of confinement. I thought you might like to join them.”“Of course. That sounds delightful,” she said.I sensed her enthusiasm was real and only hoped it wasn’t because she wouldn’t be spending all of the time with me.“Philip will be close by, either him or Ned. I can’t remember now.”“Ned?”“One of the guards who brought you here.”“Okay. Should I change again?”I considered that.“Just add an apron.” Which brought me to the devilish part. “You’ll be cooking later, Lizzy. We have important visitors coming for dinner tonight. I want you to prepare a soufflé.”The look on her face was priceless.“Alpha, I may be no stranger to the kitc
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Eleven - A Painful Lesson
Liz’s POVHis eyes had darkened to stormy now. I turned and ran but it appeared he was able to lock the outer door remotely. I heard a loud click just before I grappled with the doorknob.“Please, Byron, don’t do this,” I begged.“We’re mates, Lizzy. I need to introduce you to my tastes.”So all this was a test? Not one I was keen on passing in any way.“Are you going to whip me in there?”“I knew it,” he said. “You’ve been in this kind of dungeon before.”“Not willingly,” I told him.It was hard to admit but I didn’t want him to think I enjoyed this type of thing. I didn’t.His eyes narrowed.“Do you have a safe word?”“There was no point.”His growl was frightening. I took a step back.“I’m not angry with you, Lizzy.”“You could have fooled me,” I muttered.“Come closer.”He beckoned me with his finger, much like my uncle used to do. I had so many triggers yet, somehow, the dark side of Byron – Seb – didn’t repel me. Why was that? I wondered.His lips grazed my neck as he instructed
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Twelve - Proving Malleable
Byron’s POVI knew it would be wrong to smirk and employed my best poker face.“No, because you’re bound to get things wrong again. Hopefully on purpose, just like the bratty sub you are. And if you’re not, I’m going to train you up to be one. Because that’s what I like and I think you will, too.”“Is it because I’m stubborn? Ricky always says that.”I closed my eyes.“Please tell me he wasn’t a part of it in any way.”“What? Goddess, no.”“I prefer to say you’re mine to shape,” I said. She seemed to like the sound of that. “Drink that water.”I was pleased to see she didn’t hesitate. It made me proud.So, most of my burning questions had been answered. I had still to discover if we were compatible sexually. There was no rush. I told her that, adding that I could always summon one of the Omegas to satisfy me.Liz surprised me considerably by objecting strongly.“I would hate knowing you were with someone else now that I know we’re fated mates. They say it’s painful.”“Does this mean y
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Thirteen - Take Me
Liz’s POV“Do I have a choice?”I was becoming concerned that Tanya would come to the fore and that I would shift. It had never happened before but she was stepping out of her comfort zone and it made me uneasy.“She hasn’t said no,” he said, as if addressing a third person.I glanced behind me but we were the only ones in here. Unless he had a viewing room. I had to ask.“Is anyone watching us?”“Why, are you intending to be naughty?”“No, Byron.”“That’s a shame. I can assure you the wall mirror isn’t hiding an audience in another room. But you’ve just given me an idea. Do I have your consent?”I sighed.“Yes.”“And you remember the safe word system?” I repeated it back to him and told my Alpha mate I was good to go. “Stand up, pet, and face the mirror. I want to make you feel positive about your body.”“How?” I asked, seeing the mole on my thigh and the bags beneath my eyes.Byron came up behind me without warning and began to caress my hip. He was bare chested and I was conscious
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The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Fifty - The Deal
Byron’s POVThe Lycan was heading in the same direction as my Delta and me. It was a free country yet I found it all too convenient. Was he keeping an assignation with my Lizzy? Had she been coerced?Max offered up no explanation though I saw immediately he was spruced up. Released, obviously, and not just on some sort of bail. I knew that anyway, courtesy of a call from the ever helpful Ms Dodds.I couldn’t resist.“Been shopping?”“Not personally, no.”That brief who’d apparently swanned in like he owned the place must have excellent contacts for the Lycan to be kitted out like this and smelling of cologne in such a short space of time. Though I knew they had showers in the Council building and, rumour had it, not just for meetings which concluded late.It was Philip who spotted the pair of them and headed Caitlin off as she was making for the toilets.Liz put her hand to her mouth. “I forgot Mo’s present,” she gasped.Those didn’t sound like the words of a would-be adulteress but S
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Nine - Alpha King
Byron’s POV I ordered Philip to follow Liz, not because I didn’t believe her when she said she was going to sit in on the interview with the Lycan, rather for her own safety and my peace of mind. I knew I could trust him to be discreet, so I cast all worries to the back of my mind and began to write my speech. Being Alpha King elect was such an honour, though the position had yet to be ratified. Was I tempting Fate? I preferred to think of it as being prepared and hoped my late parents would continue to be proud of me, especially as I’d fathered an heir and started to tame the sadistic tendencies. At least I was attempting to change and my sister had told me more than once how proud she was. Even Alphas like praise, especially from a hard-to-impress sibling. I kept protesting that it wasn’t necessary, but she saw right through me. “I hope we can put this business with the Lycan and his sidekick behind us now,” she said, preening herself in the mirror. “Trevor wants to take me to Eu
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Eight - Endgame
Liz’s POV I couldn’t believe my eyes for the second time in a week. Our pup had arrived, prematurely but otherwise healthy, and he was the spit double of my brother. From what I could remember of him at that age. Up again and nursing Rufus Alexander – I’d insisted on the middle name – I peered out of the misted-up window and had to use my sleeve as a makeshift leather in order to observe the scene which was unfolding. Was Byron really going to shoot Michael? Something glittered in the sunlight. Was that a silver bullet? He had to be kidding, didn’t he? I struggled with the catch until I realised there was a better way to attract his attention and one far less dangerous to my old friend’s health. What if shock caused Byron to fire without warning? ‘Have you gone mad?’ There was no response to the mind link initially, other than that our son began to wail. Did he have the bond this early? How should I know? So I made my way carefully down the stairs, crooning softly to my pup, o
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Seven - The Spy
Byron’s POVI had wondered how come the Lycan knew so much about what went on in the general shifter world and especially at Wild Horses. After a few mild ‘chastisements’ and some rather disjointed calls with Liz, in which we were like strangers who had just met on a dating site, I was told to get ready for an outing.Imagine my surprise when we took a chopper all the way to my home. Things were only compounded when I witnessed my mate becoming hitched to my ultimate rival.This couldn’t be right.In fact, it wasn’t. When she lifted her skirts and ran – and I thought she looked gorgeous in the taffeta dress – I was overwhelmed to see she wasn’t heading for the hills. Or, more accurately, the desert beyond our borders.Liz was making a beeline for me and soon flung her arms around my neck.Beside me, Caitlin was scowling as my mate welcomed me home and said now she could “do it all again” with the real bridegroom.I glanced at Max.“What’s he doing here?”“I told you, we have a spy in
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Six - Entranced
Byron’s POV Cedar, such a lovely name. Unusual, too. I felt as if I were floating on air. Then the necessary hormones or whatever kicked in and I had to control my very real rage which emanated from Gregor and something even more supernatural. Her mother had once told me she was a chemistry student who went the extra mile. I supposed that wouldn’t be frowned on here at an academy now run by a witch. Yet it was about to backfire big style. And the joke was on me. For the dozenth time I wished I hadn’t set off on this mission alone. What had I been thinking? Even Alpha Richard wouldn’t have dreamt of doing something as crazy as this. The other girl, Poppy, resembled Carla more. Strange, because they were twins though not identical. I saw her out on the running track and could tell she had talent. But I had yet to set eyes on Faye. That was a concern. Maybe I should just ask my new accomplice. If that was what she was. Because when I approached Cedar, I saw the fear in her eyes.
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Five - Strange Beliefs
Byron’s POVI have to admit I wasn’t worried about Liz initially. Until the news came in from my Beta that she believed she’d given birth and that the females weren’t premature. Did that mean – ? Was she feeling guilty because she had slept with another or, more likely, consented to artificial insemination in order to fool me?I shook my head as if to be rid of the same infection confusing my mate. Illness inevitably brings out the truth and she hadn’t been well for some time.“So, is she still pregnant, or not?” I barked into my cell.“Keep your fur on, Alpha. I was just apprising you of the situation.”“Well?”I began pacing up and down, attracting the attention of the pretty gas station employee who was currently filling up my truck. There’d been an issue with the pump or something. I wasn’t complaining. Those legs were mighty fine.“The medic has confirmed she’s expecting a male.”“Great news, Beta.”I was intending to call my heir Rufus without really knowing why. An outside infl
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Four - The Revelation
Liz’s POVThere’d just been something in the way he said it which led me to think Michael might know more than he was letting on about our new quarry. Well, new to me anyway.And I was right.What did he want in exchange? Only for me to say I forgave him.That came easy in view of the significance.“It’s been bothering me for a while,” he admitted.“You’re saying Lycan Max wants to have all female Alphas? Incredible.”I couldn’t take it in. How was I going to ‘sell’ this to Byron? Because an idea was forming. I could contact this witch person and claim I aspired to more.But how to break the ice?Hi, I’m a spy for a well-known Lycan wasn’t my finest thought, so I kept it to myself. Though having been an acting Luna who was doing almost everything and might as well take over could work. It would be awful to betray my brother like that yet I would only be telling the truth in order to fool her. And I had no desire to become Byron’s equal in name even if, secretly, we both knew I was.Ot
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Three - Honesty
Liz’s POVThat was the first I’d heard of Caitlin Spencer.“Go on,” I said, encouraging openness in my mate. Especially since he’d told me she’d once been obsessed with him.“We met in England.” He looked out of the window. “If you must know she stalked me when I made it clear I wasn’t interested in seeing her.”“Is she a shifter, this Brit?”“Yes, and it gets worse. She obtained a secondment to the Werewolf Council over here, advising them on tech issues. That’s probably why she had access to your contact details.”As an acting Luna, I had to report my number to them each time I changed it. That had only happened once, to avoid taking Ernest’s calls.“And the message? What do you make of that?”“How loud does a peal ring out when it is being peeled. Isn’t it obvious? Cait is threatening your life, Miss Bell.”“Then you’d better make an honest woman of me, quick,” I joked.“Let me do some digging, starting with your friend, Randy.”“He’s no pal of mine,” I snorted.The following day h
The Alpha's Collateral Chapter Forty-Two - Begin Again
Byron’s POVI decided to woo my mate rather than question her and even ordered some flowers. Keeping her close was no hardship and I wanted to demonstrate to Liz that I was a worthy husband. Not the usual Alpha behaviour but I owed her one. Several, in fact.So why wouldn’t she meet my eyes during dinner?Had she fallen for Max?If so I would have to prove myself over the coming weeks or we would have unrest here at Wild Horses – and not for the first time. Ours was a troubled history, though it didn’t prepare you; nothing did. Mo was fond of repeating that to my intense irritation. Though she was quite correct. Especially since our parents were a loving couple who rarely raised their voices in argument.At least, not when I was around.Had absence made my feelings stronger? Time would tell.That night I expressed my joy that she was expecting again but restrained myself from physically proving my love. Our relationship needed work and I wanted to show my rarely seen tender side.Stra
