by Desiree Holt
Gregory stopped trying to attack and slowly swung his head to see what had happened to his side. He caught sight of the stick poking out from between his ribs, and staggered. He turned back to Holton, who was fully human now, and had scooted back, getting out of the way of the injured wolf. He could shift back to wolf if needed, but he had a feeling this fight was done. Gregory glared at him in anger and pain, and Holton thought for a moment he would attack again, but then his front legs folded.
He remained in that position for a moment, and Holton thought he would slump right down, but then, with what appeared to take intense effort, Gregory managed to make it back to his feet again. With his tail tucked far beneath his body, his haunches right down, Gregory gave them all one final glare, and then staggered from the small clearing and vanished between the trees.
Both Joel and Ruby had already shifted back to human, and they ran over to Holton.
“Do you want me to go after him?” asked Joel.
Holton shook his head, his hand clutching his injured ribs. “No. He knows he’s done.”
“Do you think he’ll die,” asked Ruby.
He was mindful that Gregory was still Ruby’s uncle. No matter what he had done, or tried to do to them, nothing would change that. “We’re shifters, not vampires. I don’t think we can be killed with a sharpened stick.”
“And the stick would need to have been in the heart,” Joel pointed out.
“Yeah, good point.” He moved, and all of the lacerations and bruises he’d suffered during the fight made him wince. “We’ll go back to the compound. Valerie will have to leave now, too, so I’ll tell her where we last saw him and send her after him. I’ll let anyone else who wants to go with her leave, as well. I’m sure Gregory still had more than a couple of supporters. I’d rather not have to worry about having them around.”
Ruby reached out and took his hand, looking up at him with her beautiful blue eyes. “You’re alpha now.”
He nodded, and then leaned down and kissed her. “And you, my love, are my mate.”
Chapter 12
The remaining members of the Dark Ridge wolves were waiting anxiously back at the compound for news of what had happened.
Holton knew this was going to be a difficult time for them, especially as none of them would have seen the change in leadership coming. Alphas never remained in the same position their entire lives, but there was normally more of a buildup to the change in command, and the rest of the pack would have been notified about the challenge. In this case, however, there hadn’t been time, and it had been Gregory’s underhand attempt at getting rid of any competition that had led to his own ousting. Explaining this to the rest of the pack wouldn’t be easy, however, and he didn’t know how they would respond. What if they all rebelled against him? Where would that leave him?
With Ruby and Joel at his side, they entered the shifter compound. They’d already gathered up their clothing and dressed, so they wouldn’t be entering naked and vulnerable. It was important for him to show nothing but strength, now. Word had started to spread that something had happened. Several other wolves had heard the howls and snarls from the forest and, as they didn’t know the details, both tension and rumors had been running wild.
People began to emerge from their homes as the small group made their way through the compound, toward the meeting house Gregory had ruled from only a matter of hours earlier.
Did they sense it on him, the change in power? Did they already feel in their wolf’s blood that he was their alpha, now?
News of their return filtered through the compound, and, by the time he reached the meeting house, most of the Dark Ridge wolves were either waiting for him there, or were following behind.
He climbed onto the platform, forcing himself not to wince at the throbbing pain in his ribs. He pushed the pain from his mind. His ribs would heal, but if he didn’t do this right, the rift in the pack might never mend. The two people he needed most were with him—Joel, who would be his new beta, and Ruby, his alpha female. He wished his sister, Alyssa, was here to see this, too. He hoped where ever she was, she was happy. She could come home now, if she wanted. He’d even accept her new mate as well, though he assumed if they’d set up a new pack of their own, with them as alpha and alpha female, they wouldn’t be happy accepting a lower rank in a larger pack.
With everyone gathered, Holton cleared his throat and addressed the pack.
“Many of you will be wondering what happened out in the forest tonight. I will keep this to the point. There were no outsider shifters. That was a lie. Jaco Nickoli was hurt by members of this pack after Gregory ordered it. The whole thing was a ruse to get me into the forest so Gregory could frame the outsider shifters for killing me, when in fact he wanted me dead himself.”
A murmur rose up among the crowd, and he continued. “Gregory saw me as a challenge, and he wanted to eradicate that challenge. He ordered me killed and, when my brother and Ruby took my side, he demanded they be killed, too. I wasn’t going to stand by and allow that to happen. Gregory was right to feel threatened by me. I challenged his position as alpha and I won.”
He paused, looking across the crowd to see how the news would be taken.
Would anyone confront him?
He noticed a couple of the older male members slinking off at the back, no doubt going to grab their belongings and families, so they could leave to find Gregory. That was fine. He didn’t want others around who would cause him trouble. Valerie had also vanished by the time they got back. She must have sensed trouble, communicated with Gregory in the way only long-term mates could, and headed into the forest to find him. Holton wondered where they would go now.
Someone spoke a word in the crowd, and it was picked up by another and another. It took a moment for Holton to understand what was being said and then he realized what they were chanting.
“Al-pha, al-pha, al-pha, al-pha…”
More and more people picked up the chant until they were all repeating the two syllables, growing louder and louder.
By his side, Ruby stepped forward and took his hand.
He had the final laugh. He had the position of alpha, he had the pack, and he had Ruby.
* * *
When everything died down, Ruby allowed Holton to take her back to his place. She guessed it was their place now they were mated, and she was alpha female. That title still felt strange, as though it didn’t belong to her. Earlier that day she’d been the alpha’s niece, and now she was the alpha’s mate. Her head felt like it was spinning. She had an important position in the pack, a new mate, and a new home.
Though she was overjoyed to be mated to Holton, and for them to be alphas of the pack, she couldn’t help the melancholy that settled upon her shoulders. Perhaps she was just overwhelmed. So much had happened in the last couple of days, she’d been left reeling.
Holton must have noticed she’d fallen quiet. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Just a bit overwhelmed, I think. Plus, I know Gregory was an asshole who tried to have us both killed, but he was still the only family I had left. It’s weird to think he’s not in the compound any more. I think I’m just feeling a bit … Untethered.”
He took her hand and pulled her against him. “You’re bound to be, but we’re family now, you and I. I know it hurts, but try to remember that. I’ll treat you better than that son-of-a-bitch ever did.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up into his face. “I know you will. I’ll get used to not having Gregory around—it wasn’t as though he ever did anything special for me. I guess he was just the last connection I had to my mom and dad, and not having him here makes them feel further away, too.”
Holton nodded, and lowered his head to press his forehead against hers. His long hair fell around her face, his dark eyes staring intensely into hers. “I understand how it feels to suddenly not have family around. I know losing Alyssa isn’t the same as how you lost your parents, but that doesn’t mean I don�
�t miss her.”
“Do you think your sister will come home, now you’re alpha?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t even know where she is. They might have started a new pack by now, but I’ll get everyone to keep their ears to the ground.”
Holton’s hand reached up and brushed her hair from her face, the backs of his fingers tracing down her cheek. “You know, if it had all gone horribly wrong back there, I’d have done whatever I could to try to make it back to you. I would never have chosen the pack over you.”
She nodded, and forced a smile. “I know that. I’d have done the same. I always thought I’d put the pack before everything else, but you taught me differently.” She thought for a moment, and then said, “What about now, though? You’re alpha, and I’m alpha female. We have to put the pack’s needs at the forefront of everything.”
“I’ll always consider the pack, but you’re my first priority, Ruby. Nothing else will come above you. Nothing.”
Her heart lifted. She’d always insisted she didn’t need to be looked after, but perhaps it was okay to let someone else take care of her.
Her mate.
Her alpha.
About the Author
Marissa Farrar has always been in love with being in love. But since she's been married for many years and has three young daughters, she's conducted her love affairs with multiple gorgeous men of the fictional persuasion.
The author of more than twenty novels and numerous short stories, she has been a full time author for the last six years. She predominantly writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but has branched into contemporary fiction as well.
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Taming the Puma
Carolyn Spear
A lone hunter needs no partner...
DEA Agent Rico Ibarra hunts those who peddle poison to the young and weak. He also works on his own, his puma form making him the perfect tracker. The last thing he needs is a partner to get in his way.
A wounded woman stands on her own...
Max Anderson starts a new chapter by joining the DEA. Viewed as a traitor by her former unit for turning in her former abusive lover, a dirty cop, she won't bow to any man again. Least of all her new chauvinist training agent.
This hunter may have met his match ... and his mate.
Chapter 1
Hunting down drug runners was a dangerous but rewarding job. One he did best alone.
“I don’t need a partner, Chief. And I sure as hell don’t want one.”
Undercover DEA agent Federico Ibarra stalked toward the door, muttering but knowing full well he wouldn’t win this argument. Maybe if he ignored it, it’d go away.
“Walk away if you want, but you will train Agent Anderson. Dismissed.”
Dismissed? Ha. He was already three steps out the door. Director Mann was a good boss but he worked alone. He heaved a sigh. Hunting alone was in his blood. Babying a newbie wasn’t. Train him and move him along would have to do. Then he could get back to normal standard operating procedure. Finding his prey and bringing them down. Getting the drugs off the market and out of the hands of dumb kids.
The now dull ache flared at the thought of his baby sister and her single experiment with drugs. Now it was his mission to eradicate illegal drugs.
He was good too. Too good to be slowed down by a new agent fresh from the farm. Just a long weekend Mann promised. He’d have him trained or gone, no matter what his boss said.
The personnel file lay on top of a tall pile of unsolved cases: kids who overdosed on the same Special K Gloria had used. Everyone knew his pet project and secretly funneled information to him whenever a similar case crossed their paths. If Chief Landry knew or cared, he didn’t let on. As long as Rico did his job, the place could fall down.
Now he was saddled with new agent Max Anderson. He flipped open the folder and scanned the cover letter to see what he had to work with. Former military police, left after five years, local enforcement drug interdiction with a K-9 unit, and school resource officer with a K-9 partner. Okay, dogs like him. So what?
A whiff of jasmine, sandalwood, and amber caught his attention. The scent of woman, leather, and subtle cologne filled his senses, increasing the difficulty to focus on the file. He drew in the scent as it approached, accompanied by the click-click-click of thick heels on the floor. Cowboy boots, he’d bet, even though she was a football field away. His cougar senses were like a perimeter alarm, picking up on friend or foe from a mile or more.
Folder fell to the desk and he pivoted to see what the sexy-smelling woman looked like. A pinup girl beauty walked toward him with a purpose. Full breasts jostling through starched cotton and curvaceous swaying hips made his pulse quicken. He couldn’t wait to see how he could help this damsel in distress. Probably a brother or sister buying or selling, a neighbor cooking up meth, or the punk on the corner pushing weed. He’d help her with her problem, then help her out of those sensible khakis and uptight white button down shirt. Maybe leave the cowboy boots on for fun.
The redheaded siren walked right up to him and stuck her right hand out.
“Nice to meet you, Agent Ibarra.” Flashing green eyes and pert nose above her pink painted lips filled in her heart-shaped face. What would they look like in the throes of passion? Her expectant look roused him from his fantasy. His new partner would be here soon, he had to get a hold of his libido.
“Yes. I’m Ibarra. Rico Ibarra.” He grasped the offered hand, surprised with her firm grip. “Have a seat. What can I do for you?” He sank into his worn leather chair and waited for her to take the seat opposite.
She remained standing with an eyebrow raised. “I was told you were expecting me.”
He quickly got to his feet, mentally flipping through his calendar. Busted two drug mules three days ago, waited for them to pass the product for evidence, booked them yesterday and finished the damnable paperwork today. Nope, nothing came to mind.
“Well, you’re here now. What can I do for you?”
Her demeanor and stare irritated and a frisson of suspicion inched up his spine. No, it couldn’t be.
“I’m Agent Anderson. You’re supposed to be my new partner, sir.”
Her peaked brow indicated she thought he was uninformed. Damn right, he was in the dark. His partner couldn’t be a…woman!
Taking a step back, he noticed the room had gone silent, everyone watching. Waiting for his explosion. They knew he was a solitary hunter. He made no bones about it. Well, they’d get no show today.
“Come with me, Anderson.”
Without another word or a glance in her direction, he strode toward the double doors, pushing through them and descended the stairs. Four floors below, the boot steps and perfumed woman followed at a safe distance. Good. It would take four levels to calm his frustration and the animal within. There was no hesitancy in her steps, though, so clearly she didn’t know what she was in for.
Pushing through the doors to the gym, he unbuckled his shoulder holster. The doors behind him swung open then closed and the footfalls continued. He scented no fear. This woman had a strong constitution, he had to give her that much.
Fabric pulling free alerted him that she might have a clue what was coming. At the counter, he placed his holstered .45, his wallet, and his watch. No need to scratch her while teaching her a lesson. Show her who’s boss and what she could expect in the field if caught on the job.
Without a sideways glance she stood next to him, almost as tall as he was, and unloaded her phone and her watch. Apparently she thought she might get the best of him. Ha! He had flexibility that outmatched her solidly built form. No sexy Rubenesque she cat couldn’t get the best of him.
Wordlessly, they remov
ed their shoes and he blatantly watched, the crotch of his pants painfully restricting his appreciation when she stripped off the business like button shirt to reveal a skintight tank beneath. Bodacious didn’t begin to describe her fine feminine figure. No skinny females for him. He needed a woman who was his equal in bed. It was a damn shame he’d have to shame her to get her to quit or transfer. Maybe she wouldn’t hold a grudge and give him a tumble when she got over it.
She positioned herself in the center of the practice mat with her back to him.
“You know, this is for your own good.”
Still and silent she stood.
Arrogance goes before a fall. She might be good but she had no idea what she was up against. His feline instincts gave him an edge no one else had.
He stalked round her, just out of reach. Her eyes were closed. Admiration ran warm through him. She was using her other senses. Sounds and impressions were powerful allies when dealing with unknown forces.
His steps depressed the mat so she knew where he was. But his speed of attack would catch her off guard.
He pounced, wrapping his arms about her shoulders. With lightning speed, she shifted and used his weight to pull her down on top of him. Her well-placed elbow knocked the wind out of him and she smiled down into his face.
“Did I pass?”
He used the moment to flip her on her back and straddled her, his crotch uncomfortably tight as it pressed against her belly.
“Just because you took me by surprise once doesn’t get you a pass in my book.” Her stern look challenged him and damn how he’d love to see her naked in this position beneath him. Only her mouth would be open and moaning his name.
“What does?”
