All Chapters of The Alpha's Collateral: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Liz’s POVThat night I couldn’t get to sleep for worrying. As acting Luna of the Moon Tides pack I’d been doing a lot of that lately.Someone began to hammer at the door.“Open up, in the name of Alpha Byron,” a loud voice urged.If this was Ricky playing a prank, I would give him a piece of my mind. He was always forgetting his key.I descended the staircase which led to the foyer only to see one of the Omegas had beaten me to it.“What should I do, Luna?” Jeannie asked.“Let him in, of course,” I snapped. Though I wasn’t mad at her.Those bolts were heavy and stiff and she was so small. It seemed to take an age given that she had to fetch a stool.The words of reproach died on my lips when I saw the men outside. There were three of them dressed in the colours of our Alpha neighbour, leaf green and earth brown.What a time for our Beta to be away visiting his grandpups.My legs began to tremble as I saw Eric lying prone close to the fountain.“Can I help you?” I managed, wondering ho

Liz’s POVFrom the moment I opened my eyes and saw him I was lost. I did my best to hide it, even from myself. Maybe that was why I didn’t fear him at first. Then things became a little heated – Dad always said I’d trip over my own feist – and I was so embarrassed to know he’d seen my panties. Crimson was an unusual choice but they were one of the few clean pairs I had. Other than that I packed thongs.Answering back only brought me more humiliation and left me without them in front of him and another man.Shame didn’t show because of my anger and I wasn’t aroused, which didn’t surprise me. Tanya obviously didn’t like his wolf; she was notoriously picky. This was going to be really frustrating in more ways than I had anticipated.At least he allowed me to contact Beta Ian. It would have been nice to hear a friendly voice but it wasn’t to be. Part of me wondered why.On hearing that I would be sharing Alpha Byron’s quarters I feared the worst. Whether or not he took me as his slave my

Liz’s POVI couldn’t think straight at that point.“You wouldn’t – he didn’t – ?”“Join me for breakfast. I usually eat up here. What would you like?”I couldn’t help myself, I yawned.“Can I let you know later, Alpha? All I want to do right now is sleep for a week.”“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” he said.“Maybe an hour?” I wheedled.Was I flirting with him? This had to stop, right now.“You’re not listening, Lizzy, and it’s making my wolf angry.”“Is that how it works? I wouldn’t know.” I saw his face and launched into a hasty explanation about how I didn’t hit it off with mine.“Ridiculous. Impossible. Untrue.”“I only wish it were.”“Look, Lizzy, my order is a standing one with the Omegas. I like toast and a boiled egg. Shall I tell them to double up?”I froze, only now realising how it was bound to look, me sitting there in his bedroom with him. Was there a table or did he usually eat in bed? My wolf either didn’t know or wouldn’t say.“Yes, please. What time?”“Fifteen

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,

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