The Reluctant Alpha

by K. S. Martin

  “This really is all yours? But you’re so young and you own it outright? How did you afford all this? Are you sure that you aren’t doing anything illegal?” Her small white teeth were worrying her bottom lip again and she studied him.

  “This is really all mine. I have a knack at the stocks, but yeah sometimes I do some light hacking and that’s illegal but, I earned all of my money legally, I promise. The feds aren’t going to rush in here and take it from me. You have nothing to fear, you are safe here with me.” The corner of his mouth curled up. “Well, mostly.” He held back a snicker but straightened up when she studied him. He could see the wheels turning in her pretty head so he dropped the innuendoes. “So, let’s see the rest. You should know your way around. I expect to see a lot of you here in the future.” Her eyes snapped up to his.

  “Why would you expect that?” She looked confused, which confused Dylan.

  “I told you that you’re my mate. That means we live together, have a life together, children, etc...” Cami burst into laughter and he was even more confused.

  “Uh, no. I don’t think so. I’m not anyone’s mate. One day I may accept a proposal from a suitable young man but no, no mate.” Dylan took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’m not.” She insisted setting her jaw. He let it drop for now.

  “Fine. Let’s see what you can do then.” He took her hand and led her to his workout room. The thick workout mats covered the floor in the large room. There was a heavy bag, a speed bag and a weight bench against the wall. He had no need for a treadmill. He would rather run outside, rain or shine. Dylan closed the door and shifted into his wolf. Cami screamed and covered her eyes. He shifted back and laughed. “You didn’t believe me did you?” Her head shook but she wouldn’t look. He pulled her hands from her eyes. “Cami, this is real. It is not a dream.” Her chin quivered. “It’s okay, you’re safe.” He pulled her into a hug and held her there for a long moment. She melted against him and all he wanted was to carry her into his bedroom and claim her but instead he said. “Now, please don’t be afraid. I’m going to shift into wolf. I want you to feel my fur, run your fingers through it, and look into my eyes. Okay?” She nodded and he slipped into wolf. He was very large and muscular, much like he was as a man. His fur was dark brown just a shade lighter than his hair. He had lighter fur around his muzzle and in his ears. He was quite beautiful as a wolf, she thought. She petted his head like she would if he were a dog. He stood up with his paws heavy on her shoulders. He was taller than her and bent his neck to peer into her eyes. His eyes flashed and she gasped then grabbed his head burying her fingers into the thick dark fur beneath his ears. She scratched and he licked her. Cami made a face. She hated dogs that tried to bathe you.

  “Ugh. Stop Dylan.” Cami tried to push him away but she couldn’t budge him, he was easily two hundred pounds. His breath was hot and damp on her face. His huge furry head nuzzled her cheek then he hopped down and shifted back.

  “Now. You try.” Her lip lifted into almost a snarl. “Come on.” She threw up her hands.

  “Try what? I don’t understand what you want me to do.”

  “I want you to shift. You felt my fur, imagine yourself covered with it. Imagine yourself with eyes that flash, what it must feel like to walk on four feet. Close your eyes and concentrate.” Cami’s face twisted in disbelief but she closed her eyes and thought about what it would be like to be a wolf. Nothing happened. Dylan spent the next two hours coaxing, shifting, ordering, cajoling, begging, and explaining.

  “This is useless. I told you I am not a wolf person. In fact, I’m not entirely sure that I’m not dreaming all of this because I can’t believe that I got into your truck and left Frankie’s with you. Let alone came here to try and turn into a wolf.

  “It’s not useless and you are a wolf. We can all smell it on you. Even Turner knew that you were wolf. He thought you knew then begged me not to discipline him when he figured out that you really didn’t know. Frankie has figured it out and Henry has been studying you since you rolled into town. He can’t figure out why you don’t shift and why you aren’t aware of your abilities. You have us all stumped because the rest of us starting shifting during puberty. At first it just happens but eventually you learn to control it.” Dylan took a breath. “Do you want something to drink sweetheart? Beer? Soda? Bottle of water?” She was nodding.

  “Bottle of water, please. All of this concentrating has made me thirsty.” She smiled sweetly at him.

  “I’ll be right back.” Cami waited in the center of the room with her hands clasped behind her back, the picture of innocence. As soon as Dylan was out of sight, she followed the hall to another hall and managed to find her way to the front door. She really needed to get out of this nut house. Insisting that she was a werewolf, really, and he must be crazy if he thought that she was going to mate him just because his cells or whatever came to life. She would never tell him how her body and senses reacted to just the smell of him let alone how he made her feel when he got too close. Maybe he was right about the mate thing because there was definitely chemistry between them. Just thinking about him now, her core was moist and her heart pounding. But he just wasn’t a suitable possibility after all he’d only just bathed for the first time yesterday. She grinned at that knowing it wasn’t true but Mister Cocky deserved the insult. Cami slipped out into the dewy night and took off at a jog across the circular drive. She heard the growls and snarls before she saw them. Two sets of amber flashing eyes. Neither of them could be Dylan, she’d heard him in the kitchen before she slipped outside. Were they real wolves or werewolves? God that sounded stupid and what did it matter which they were, they were going to attack either way. She still doubted that they were real, didn’t she? They were huge, one was black and one was silver, he looked more like the wolves you saw on the nature shows on cable. They were advancing on her. She stood frozen to the spot where she’d stopped when she heard them. Time to move, feet! Cami thought. Their hackles were up and they were dividing and flanking her. Oh God. They may just eat her. Cami stepped backward but didn’t give either of them her back or the opportunity to get the better of her. She could hear Dylan inside calling her name. Shoot. She really should’ve stayed inside. She’d gone from the frying pan into the very hot fire. Two more steps backward. Where the hell was that front door? She didn’t remember running that far. The growls were deepening and getting louder, and more aggressive. Shoot, shoot, shoot. Two more steps, did someone move the damned house? Finally, she backed into something hard and reached behind her for the doorknob. Damn it! A locked truck. What now. Cami was really getting scared and they were only mere feet away and advancing. “No!” She held out her hands at them palms out in a ‘stop’ gesture. “Down.” She waved her hands toward the ground and both wolves went down flat and shifted into men. “Wow.” Cami watched them surprised and looked at her hands. Did she do that? Or more likely, they were friends of Dylan’s and they were messing with her.

  “I’ll say.” Dylan was beside her now she could feel his body heat.

  “What are you?” The dark haired one asked. He was heavily muscled, mid twenties and kind of cute. He had big blue eyes and a five o’clock shadow that was semi-sexy. He wore a blue denim shirt that was several shades lighter than his jeans but she could see the muscles shift under his shirt as he climbed to his feet.

  “I’m not sure what she is Pete but I can tell you who she is, she is my mate. Can you get up any slower?” Pete groaned and slowly lifted himself off the ground, Mike did the same.

  “Holy Jesus Dylan, I feel like I got hit by a damn truck.” Mike muttered. The blonde one was thinner but still looked strong. She considered his abs under the blue tee shirt he was wearing. His sandy hair was long and he wore a scruffy goatee. He was not as good looking as Mike or Dylan but he had a ready smile and an agreeable demeanor like Chris.

  “Do it again sweetheart. Can you?” Cami shook her head.

  “I don’t know.” Cami held her hands up and swatted them
down again but nothing happened. “You guys are playing with me. Very cute.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “And I told you that I am not your mate.” Pete and Mike both laughed and shoved Dylan.

  “I can’t believe it but it sounded like a she-wolf just turned down Dylan. Did you hear that Mike?”

  “Think we have a shot?” Mike asked.

  “No, you don’t. Any luck finding Junior boys?” Dylan asserted his dominance with the degrading title of boys. Both shook their heads. “Come in and have a beer. I was trying to teach Cami how to shift into a wolf. She thinks that I’m crazy.” Dylan turned and stepped toward the house. “Are you coming Cami-love or are you going to take your chances on nature not attacking you out there in the dark again?” She hurried to his side and walked with him to the house. Cami had never met Mike or Pete and decided that they must’ve been out looking for the same fellow that Dylan was looking for like Turner said. These must be the other betas. They were walking behind her. Dylan stepped inside first. “Go to the gym guys, I’ll bring you beers. Cami, your water is already in there.” Cami led the way down the hall. Mike stalked up very close behind her and snarled then growled loudly. Cami shrieked and ran. “What the hell man?” Dylan was suddenly there at her side.

  “I thought maybe I could scare her into shifting, by the way why can’t she shift?” Mike chuckled.

  “We don’t know but cut it out.” Dylan headed back to the kitchen. Cami gave them both sideways glances while she sipped her water.

  “So, you’re Dylan’s mate huh?” Pete asked sitting down on the weight bench. “It’s good for him to settle down. He’ll take good care of you.” She was already shaking her head. “No he won’t or no you’re not?”

  “She said she’s not already. I’d love to take you out sometime Cami. What do you like to do?” Mike grinned at her giving her his sexiest smile.

  “What are you doing asking her out? I got first dibs.” Pete stood up and towered over Mike.

  “Bullshit, since when?” Mike stood chest to chest with him. They both started growling and snarling. Mike’s eyes flashed first, his wolf was near. Pete shifted and pounced on Mike mid-shift, his teeth snapping. Cami put her hands in front of her when the ball of vicious fur and teeth rolled near her and shouted ‘Stop!’ They did. Both lay on their bellies panting and watching her, both wolves changed back into men.

  “Son of a bitch. Stop doing that, it hurts girl. Dylan came into the gym laughing and tossed beers at both of them.

  “Figured out how to do it then?” Dylan tipped a beer back while Cami shook her head. “No? You’ve done it twice though.

  “I told you I don’t know how.” She was getting cranky because she was tired and because she was suddenly not in charge of her own body. What was wrong with her? How could she make them change and how could she make them stop? They were both twice her size and both more powerful than her. This was all so disturbing. “I don’t know how to make them shift either, it just happened or they’re screwing with me.” Dylan decided to take a different tack. He put his beer down and turned to look at both of the betas. It made Cami nervous. What was he going to do? He kept saying that he would protect her and that he was her mate but she got the distinct impression that his mood had changed. She felt like she was in danger now.

  “Quit whining Cami.” Dylan flashed his eyes at her. She made a face and set her jaw. “I mean it. You’re supposed to be special, act like it.” His eyes flashed again. The other two betas backed away from him recognizing the tone.

  “Screw you Dylan!” She turned to walk away and he shifted then pounced. His feet hit her shoulder blades just hard enough to knock her down. Cami screamed and turned back to defend herself. The two betas were wolves again and flanking Dylan. They were coming at her like she was prey. Cami put her hands up. “Back off!” The two betas were thrown back across the mat groaning and Cami knew they couldn’t fake that. Not the way they flew through the air or the awkward tumble at the end. Dylan though kept coming, snarling and showing her long white canines. Cami whimpered when she felt her body change. Her bones repositioned, tendons stretched, joints popped, muscles seized and elongated. It hurt, not like she’d broken bones, but more like her whole body was over worked and exhausted even more than before. Cami was lower now. Everything in the room seemed bigger except Dylan who was now huge and standing over her. A strangled cry escaped her when she felt his warm humid breath. She looked away and down, submitting. Dylan’s head nuzzled her head and he licked her ear. She felt so…safe, so peaceful. He was hers. He wouldn’t hurt her. He would take care of her. For the first time in her life, she felt…calm. Home. She understood what he meant now, how he felt when he scented her. His scent was so reassuring. She wasn’t sure what was happening, she couldn’t speak, and it felt like there was a presence inside her skin with her, something ancient and wise. The beta’s shifted again and stood staring stupidly at her. They were talking and glancing at her. They were so tall, so far away. Cami watched them over Dylan’s shoulder. It was then that she realized that she was on all fours. She was wolf.

  Chapter 4

  Cami growled and backed up. She was frightened and confused now. Dylan recognized the uncontrollable fear in her eyes and quickly dominated her, his teeth sinking gently into her neck until she sank to the mat. With her exposed throat in his mouth, she submitted and rolled onto her back baring her belly. Dylan shifted and sat beside her. “Its okay sweetness, you’re okay. I promise. I’ll take care of you.” He turned to look at the other two betas, “you guys grab a room, and I’ll see you in the morning.” They filed passed her.

  “Goodnight Miss Cami. It was real nice to finally meet you.” Mike reached down and shook her paw. Pete did the same and nodded as he passed by closing the door behind him.

  “Sweetness, now that you’ve shifted into your wolf, you need to learn how to shift back. That should be easier since you know what you feel like as yourself. Don’t you? How you look, how your hair feels slipping between your fingers, what your skin feels like?” She was Cami again. “There’s my girl.” He said softly. Cami’s hand was sharp and stinging across his cheek. Dylan blinked rapidly trying to figure out what happened. Cami put her hands up at him like she had earlier to the betas.

  “Shift!” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

  “All you have to do is ask sweetness, your wish is my command.” Dylan gave her his sexy smile and she did her best to ignore it issuing the command again. Nothing. Not fair. “I don’t think it works on me sweetness. Remember you pointed these at me before and the betas flew across the room but nothing happened to me. I think that it is ineffective on your mate and your alpha.” He kissed her palms one at a time sending shivers through her.

  “I’m ready to go home now.” She said looking up at him through her lashes.

  “Stay.” Her head was shaking. “I have a guest room, a really nice one, it’s girly, and everything. My sister uses it when she’s here. Please?” She was thinking about the lumpy creaky bed in her apartment. “There’s a huge bathtub with jets. I think she left bubble bath and bath salts, your choice.” He coaxed her. “She’s left clothes in there that should just about fit you, you’re more than welcome to them. I’m pretty sure she even left some pajamas.” He was standing over her now murmuring in her ear. With his caramel smooth voice soothing over her nerves, and his fingertips caressing her jaw Cami couldn’t refuse him. She nodded just slightly, and he gave a silent cheer but just smiled at her then took her hand to lead her to the guest room. The betas had a permanent room that they used when they stayed over complete with bunk beds and a mini fridge full of beer which was one of the conditions when they helped him rebuild the place. Her guest room was on the other side of the house from theirs, but was next door to Dylan’s room. “Here it is, my room is there if you need anything just ask. The bathroom is through there.” He pointed to a door across the room. “There are clothes in the dresser and in the closet, help yourself. I think there is a new toothbrus
h in the medicine cabinet too. Okay?”

  “Okay.” She said softly and reached up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.” Dylan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. His hand wrapped itself in her pony tail pulling her head back, she gasped, and he took full advantage of her parted lips. His tongue slipped inside the sweet cavern of her mouth and explored her. He tasted and nibbled her until she kissed him back. Dylan pushed her against the wall trapping her. He wanted her. Her lithe body felt so nice pressed against him but he knew better than to rush her. Dylan’s mouth left hers but his eyes stayed closed, his forehead against hers. His heart pounded, his pulse throbbing in his cock.

  “Goodnight sweetness.” He murmured and struggled within himself to leave her against the wall. Dylan’s door closed softly with a click. Cami’s eyes were still unfocused when she finally drifted into her room and closed her door as quietly.

  “Oh. My. God.” She whispered and let out a breath as she sat on the edge of the bed for a moment. Cami undressed slowly thinking of Dylan, wishing his fingers were unfastening her buttons. Could he be her mate? Whether he was or not, she really wanted him to kiss her again. Cami tasted her lips, tasted him again, a shiver raced up her spine and every muscle south of her belly button clenched sweetly. She filled the tub and squeezed in the bubble bath. It smelled like vanilla. Cami eased into the hot water and soothed her sore muscles and her overworked brain. Today had been too much. First, she’d had that episode in his truck then dinner and the realization that she may be a freak of nature or a Princess, then the confirmation that she was a freak when she made wolves change into men. And the grand finale when she herself changed into a wolf? Yes, she had. She had changed into a wolf, and this was not a damned dream. Crap. She should ask Dylan what she looked like as a wolf, he was beautiful, and what had he said? That he was her alpha. Was he? She remembered rolling over when he put his mouth on her. It didn’t even seem like it was something that she wanted to do, and more like something that her body did of its own volition. Cami washed her hair and rinsed it in the vanilla water then scrubbed her skin with the bath gel that smelled like springtime. She liked the gel a lot. She would have to indulge in some of her own as soon as she had money to burn on frivolities. She climbed out and dried her skin with the huge fluffy emerald green towel. The bathroom had lavender flowers with emerald green stems on the wallpaper and green granite counters and shower walls. The beige floor tiles were rough so that you didn’t lose your footing and fall. It was pretty and she wondered if Dylan’s sister decorated it or if he had for her. Cami looked in the medicine cabinet for a toothbrush and found several. She chose the yellow one and a small tube of minty paste. There was comb in there that she borrowed as well and pulled it through her long hair then borrowed the blow dryer. She padded back into the bedroom with the towel wrapped tightly around her. She could hear thunder rolling in the distance and squeezed her eyes shut. Cami was petrified of thunderstorms. She hurried to the dresser and found a pair of flannel pajamas covered in daisies on a sky blue background. She pulled them on quickly and looked under the bed for cover. Lightning lit the windows and she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. What was she going to do? If she’d been at home, in her apartment, she would’ve hidden under the bed but there were boxes under this one. He used the space as storage. The lightning struck again. It was so close that it looked pink and hissed then boomed loudly as soon as it hit. She squealed in terror. He was there in her door way almost immediately. His hair was rumpled and he looked like he’d already been asleep. The lightning struck again and cracked loudly at the same time. Cami launched herself at him and wrapped herself around him. She buried her face in his neck. Her ankles locked in the small of his back and her arms wound around his neck tightly in a near choke hold. Dylan held her trembling body there for a moment then carried her back to his bedroom.