Claudia nodded and looked away. “But will you stay? Is the attraction strong enough to keep you here?”
Kyra went to her, taking her hand. “Are you asking me to, because so far all I’ve heard you say is you want me away from you.”
Claudia linked her fingers through Kyra’s. “Stay because you want to be with me not because we’re mated.”
Kyra gave her a little smile. “That’s the only reason I would,” she admitted. “I’ve so fallen for you, and here, near you is where I want to be.”
Claudia pulled Kyra to her, one arm curving around her waist and holding her tight. “Kyra, sweetheart,” she murmured. “I’m irrevocably in love with you.”
Kyra laughed and threw her arms around Claudia. “I feel the same way about you, my handsome alpha.”
Claudia took a step away from her and led Kyra to the couch in the small room. “I want you on my pack’s security. You have experience and it’s that or join the police force.”
“I couldn’t function as a cop, Claudia. I’ve been flying without a net way too long to follow their rules.”
“You’re a hunter like me,” Claudia said. “We don’t have a hunter. No one has been born with the skills or the mark, but I think you have the skills to do the job.”
Kyra nodded. “I am a hunter. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been so successful in this business. I can blend in almost anywhere.”
“I noticed your scent is pretty weak to non-existent unless you’re wearing perfume.”
“I’m a sun coyote. I shoot laser light that can become pretty dangerous depending on how I use it. I can heat up and channel light through me which will either make me invisible or turn me into a mini bomb.”
“That’s what you did at the meeting?” Claudia asked curiously.
“Yes. It’s stronger since we mated.”
“Stronger?”
Kyra grinned. “I’m in control, Claudia. I know how dangerous I am if I lose it, but you’ve only seen the tip of what I can do.”
“I hope you don’t have to use your powers to get us out of this mess with Russo.”
“I probably will,” Kyra said. “But I’ll do whatever it takes to help my alpha protect our home.”
Claudia smiled and cupped her face. “Kyra, I’m so glad you called me that night. You’re my dream come true.”
Kyra leaned toward her, stealing a kiss. Claudia kissed her back softly.
A rap on the door drew a groan from Claudia. “I’ll be right back. Hold that thought.”
Kyra blew a kiss at her. “Don’t take too long.”
When Claudia was gone, Kyra smiled and squeezed her eyes closed as she let out a soft squeal of delight. “Today is the first day of the rest of my life.”
The sound of voices had her turning to the door. Claudia came back seconds later with guests trailing after her. The two alphas and their mates.
“Hello, Kyra,” Cordelia said with a smile.
“Kyra.” Adalyn gave her a nod.
The two alphas greeted her as well before they all sat down.
“What’s going on?” Kyra asked.
“We need to talk,” Mallory said. “About an alliance.”
“I know you’re not sold on the idea,” Sam said. “But Mallory and I both agree it’s going to be necessary.”
Claudia sat down next to Kyra and took her hand. “Kyra was just saying the same thing.”
“Russo probably won’t go away until he gets what he came for—this town,” Mallory said. “We can’t let that happen even if it gets some of us killed.”
“It might,” Kyra said. “He’ll go after people you love, you, your pack, and your businesses.”
“For destroying our club, he owes a heavy debt,” Mallory said. “We will rebuild, we’re going to make him pay in spades for it.”
“So, what can we expect?” Adalyn asked. “Kyra, you seem to know him, according to what Sam’s told me.”
“I know him some,” she said. “But what I don’t know, I can find out even if that means going undercover in his organization.”
“No,” Claudia snapped with a shake of her head. “I’m not allowing you to walk into the lion’s den.”
“It could be dangerous,” Kyra agreed. “He’s already killed several undercovers which is part of the reason my agency was brought in. We do work for the government on occasion.”
“Then, let’s table it for now,” Sam said heavily. “I have to believe there are prices on my head as well as Cambrie’s. That will make this a little difficult. The list of moles you gave us will help, but we’ve decided to leave them in play for now.”
“Kyra also brought up an idea that I’m not sure would work,” Claudia said. “But I thought I’d let you guys decide.”
“What is it?” Mallory asked curiously.
“She proposed we form our own coalition of sorts,” Claudia said. “We’ll have to work together anyway to end Russo and get the other cartel out and keep them out.”
“And what of the drugs?” Adalyn asked. “How will you stop the flow of them?”
“We can’t,” Sam said on a sigh. “We’ll just have to do what we can to stifle the flow.”
“Getting information might not be that easy,” Kyra said.
“We’ll need a small committee of hunters, so to speak, to do all the investigations into the threats and keep their ears open for drugs moving through,” Claudia suggested.
“They’ll need to set up some safehouses,” Kyra said. “In case evacuation is needed.”
“I guess you’re Mist’s head hunter,” Sam said. “Your expertise will help us get things in place we might not normally think of.”
“A team of two to four from each pack should do it,” Kyra said. “More will only cause problems right now. We can assign people for help as need be.”
“Good idea,” Claudia said. “We can appoint our people, and they can set up a meeting and let us know what their plans are.”
“Sounds good,” Sam said. “I—” She broke off at the sound of her cell phone. She pulled it from her jacket pocket and frowned before answering. “Patrick?”
Kyra looked at Claudia who said, “Snow Dog alpha.”
Kyra nodded.
“Hello? I’m with Mallory and Claudia, why?” she said in response to something he said. “Fine.” She covered the receiver. “He wants to talk to us all.”
“Let’s hear it,” Claudia said.
Sam put the phone on speaker. “Go ahead, Patrick. We’re listening.”
“I’d like to extend Mist condolences on the loss of your alpha,” Claudia said.
“Snow Fur condolences as well,” Mallory said. “To what do we owe the call?”
“I want to put all three of you on notice,” Patrick replied. “I thought Jenner was too soft in dealing with you. I won’t make that mistake. Snow Fur and Mystic Snow has taken the lives of some of my people, including Jenner and his family members. No more.”
“You can’t blame us for those deaths,” Sam bit out.
“Jenner did, and agreed with Jericho from the start. I’m going to exact justice on both your packs. And Claudia, I don’t have an actual beef with you, but if you get in my way, it’ll be a target on your back.”
“Bold words from a new alpha,” Claudia replied. “We have other concerns in town.”
“Moving drugs?” he demanded. “I know Summerfield and Blacklaw are involved in that. Mayer, you can get them taken care of with a taskforce or you’ll lose your job.”
“You should worry about your pack at a time like this,” Claudia told him coolly. “They need to heal not consider more bloodshed and loss. If leading them into more death is your primary goal you’ve already failed.”
“We’ll see,” he replied coldly. “I’ve put you all on notice and I’ll be working on establishing a new wolf coalition to take all three of you down.”
“You better batten down the hatches,” Mallory said. “Because this is going to be a nasty war.”
“Then, let the games begin,” he said with a sneer in his voice.
“I advise you to think this over,” Claudia said. “We’ll crush you if it comes to that and take your pack lands apart by three. Those who resist will be buried there.”
“Second that,” Sam said, her tone impassive.
“Third.”
“Then, it’s on,” Patrick growled and ended the call.
“Do you think he means it?” Adalyn asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Mallory said. “He’s been itching for a go at me for years. He’s one of the wolves who abhor female alphas and think men can do a better job.”
“I guess he’s about to get schooled,” Kyra said, leaning into Claudia, who gave her a smile.
“I just don’t think we should tear this town up over him or drugs if we don’t have to,” Mallory said. “But I’m all in if he wants a fight.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
After they were gone, Kyra cuddled with Claudia on the couch. She was worried about what was to come. A town in turmoil and a deadly foe could lead down many roads that they might not be able to come back from.
“The town might find out about us,” Kyra said.
“I know. But we’ll try to keep that from happening. Still, Mallory is right. A civil war has been looming between female alphas and the males in the twin cities. It’s gonna happen whether we want it to or not.”
“Well, I’m in for the long haul.” She looked up at Claudia. “Are you really going to give me a position of leadership?”
“Yeah. Sam said what I was thinking. Anyway, I can’t have an unranked beta in my pack. You’re strong as some dominants and to leave you unranked would only cause problems in the ranks.”
“Yeah. Cause I’m not taking orders from an untested beta or dominant.”
“I’ll tell you who you have to take orders from,” Claudia told her. “Don’t fight me on it, Kyra. I mean, as my mate, you don’t have to take orders, but as a soldier you do.”
Kyra straddled her to better look at her. “You do realize I’m not taking orders from you?”
“Oh, I know that,” she said. “I just hope you’ll hold your tongue in front of the pack unless I bring you in as a soldier.”
“Your top people are who you want me to take orders from during work?”
“Yes. You and Dylan are going to bump heads, but I think you’ll work things out.”
“Let us,” Kyra said. “Don’t coddle me, Claudia. I can fight my own battles.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
“I’m looking forward to earning the pack’s respect as your mate and as a hunter.” Kyra kissed her. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know, baby,” Claudia assured her and cupped her face. “I trust you with my heart, my life, and my pack.”
Kyra smiled. “I’ll call my boss.” She climbed off Claudia and headed to the bedroom for her cell phone. She input Gravel’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Gravel. How’s Wes and Ava?”
“Okay,” he said, his voice tired. “I’ve moved them for their protection. The case has been dismissed for now. The D.A. said all the evidence went missing and with nothing to try the case on, Carlo walks.”
“Of course,” Kyra said and turned her head when Claudia came in. “You want me to stay here?”
“Yeah. Russo is still looking for you. He wants the person who witnessed Dill’s murder dead.”
“I’m not going away,” Kyra said.
“We’ll get him, but it just might not be as easy as it seemed at first.”
“Men like him never go down easy,” Kyra replied. “I’m staying here, Gravel, with my mate.”
“Mate?” he asked. “Are you serious? Who’d mate an ornery old coyote like you?”
“Go to hell,” Kyra muttered and smiled.
“I’m going to have to come down there and meet the woman brave enough to take you on.”
“Do that,” she said encouragingly. “I can’t wait to introduce you to the love of my life. I think you and Wes will love her.”
“I’m sure we will if you do,” he said. “I have to go. Stay safe and out of the limelight. Russo’s leaving town I hear, and he just might be heading your way.”
Kyra ended the call with a grimace. “He’ll recognize me the moment he sees me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have your back,” Claudia told her.
Kyra nodded. “I have too much to live for.” She took Claudia’s hand. “I guess it’s time you told your top commanders about us and the trouble I’m bringing to their door.”
“Yeah.” Claudia held her gaze a long moment and the love in her stare engulfed Kyra, making her stomach flutter. Then Claudia led her from the room.
The End
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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
GETTING NAWTY WITH THE COYOTE
Serenity Snow
Copyright © 2018
Sample Chapter
The elevator was nearly empty tonight as Isa Mann rode it to the ground floor. Eyes focused on the door, which in her mind, was suddenly the wooden wall of a large barn. She turned her head and it was like panning from the wall to the middle of the room where the woman she’d just met stood.
The blood sprayed with each gnash of sharp canines, and the woman’s eyes gleamed with horror as she struggled to get free. She lay on her back in a ripped dress, legs spread wide, as he drove into her. Her face, bruised, scarred, and swollen was contorted in pain.
Then she did get free, and the three men laughed and jeered as she ran for the door on legs spattered with blood and marred by scratches and bites. But hard on her heels was the man who’d been waiting for his turn.
Isa’s heart beat sluggishly as she closed her eyes to escape the last moments of a girl’s life that still haunted her dreams. But there they were inside her mind in vivid detail. Her hands shook, her skin turned cold, flesh pimpling.
The bell dinged and she gasped, the sound catapulting her back to reality. The car emptied out, and Isa punched the disc as silent tears slid down her cheeks to burn her skin.
She’d been a coward. She’d gone there to prove what she’d found was a lie, but all she’d found was truth in shades of red, black, and blue.
She pressed her fingers to her lips and bit back a sob as the car jerked and continued its downward glide.
Isa swallowed convulsively as she quickly wiped at the tears feeling as dirty now as she had every morning for the last two weeks when she woke. None of the men had scented her in the barn that night thanks to the fact she’d bathed with a man’s soap and donned a shirt belonging to one of the men from the party.
The elevator stopped, the bell signaling she’d reached the first floor. Isa climbed off and strode out into the evening. She’d just come off a twelve-hour shift at the small hospital in Mystic where she worked.
As she hurried over the smooth pavement through the deserted lot, she glanced around, the tattoo of her rubber-soled shoes heavy on the concrete. Isa knew someone was watching her and had been since she’d returned from Hartsland.
She’d witnessed three murders and one of them had been someone she’d known well. The others had been strangers, but every detail of that night was burned into her mind, leaving her trapped in a cage she’d never escape from until she did something.
But what?
You didn’t betray pack.
Her phone’s loud ring made her jump, nerves already frayed.
Isa stopped to open her shoulder bag and dig the phone out. “Hello?” she asked tentatively.
“We really need to talk, Isa. You’ve been avoiding me since you returned from Hartsland.”
The
voice in her ear was dark and dangerous and that of a man she’d once thought could do no wrong. He’d been the epitome of strength and goodness whose reputation should never be marred, but her whole view of him had shattered with a single picture.
“I don’t really think we have anything to say to each other, Jerry,” she murmured, hand shaking on the sleek device. “Anyway, I have plans tonight.”
“With her? I know what you do with her,” he said.
Isa closed her eyes briefly as the words scraped over her roughly. “It’s none of your business,” Isa said coldly.
“Do you think your mother would be proud of you when she learns you’ve been sneaking off to that club and playing whore for one of those women? Your family will be disgusted by you.”
Isa knew that—that’s why she’d tried so hard not to be a lesbian, not to give in to temptation.
“Somehow, I think that would be overshadowed by the monster that you really are,” she said softly. “Stop calling me, or I’ll go to the police. I’m sure there are laws against stalking.”
The silence told her she’d gone too far, but Isa already knew her days were numbered if she didn’t find someone to trust with the information she had soon.
“You’ll be sorry, Isa.”
“I already am,” she replied, her voice quavering, and she ended the call. She was sorrier for allowing those two girls to die while doing nothing more than filming their deaths as she watched, legs cramped and frozen in icy fear.
She was done keeping his secrets as of tonight. She had a friend who wasn’t without power, though she might not be able to help. She would be able to give her advice on how to proceed and maybe she’d be able to protect her.
****
In the stand of trees across the street from the hospital, he watched out of sight as she climbed into her car. He knew where she’d go. Isa was terrified and alone. Her best friend was still out of town, providing no one else for her to turn to.
Claiming a Beta Coyote Page 23
