The Reluctant Alpha

by K. S. Martin

  “Come on now. I’m right here and I’ll keep you safe.” He murmured in her ear. Cami nuzzled his neck, her lips brushed over his pulse point. “Oh darlin’ don’t do that, I may not be able to stop myself.” Cami kissed his neck, his cheek, and then his mouth. A growl rumbled through his chest as his erection grew against her. Cami rubbed herself against him. “Oh shit sweetness, do you know what you’re asking?” Dylan lowered her to the bed still wedged between her thighs. Softness rubbed hardness. His mouth found hers. Dylan kissed her deeply. His tongue explored her minty mouth. Her ankles unlocked, Cami lifted her hips against him, and he growled again. Dylan unbuttoned her pajama top then lowered his head to her breasts. “Are you sure?” She nodded reaching for him. His fingers worked quickly until she was bare to the waist. He pressed kisses to her warm vanilla scented skin, his tongue traced the rim of her navel, and she lifted her hips again. “Easy girl.” The lightning flashed outside again but the storm was moving away and it wasn’t nearly as bright as it had been a moment ago. Cami tensed and grabbed at him frantically but he caught her hands easily, kissing each one in turn, she calmed. The thunder rolled quietly, the storm was moving away fast.

  “Dylan, I need…” She reached for him. He shushed her and pulled the pajama bottoms off of her. “Please…” She whimpered. Cami wanted him, she’d started out afraid of the storm but when she’d jumped into his arms it became so much more. The scent of him so close aroused her beyond belief. His pulse had pounded against her lips and called to something buried deep within her. She wanted him, to stay with him, she’d known this man two days but felt a connection to him, one so deep down that she couldn’t ignore it. It didn’t matter that she’d only known him for a minute, her soul cried out for him and she needed him, craved his touch, his warmth.

  “I know sweetness.” He shucked his briefs and settled in the cradle of her thighs again. Cami’s fingers wrapped tightly around his penis and placed him at her entrance.

  “Now Dylan.” She pulled him closer with her heels against his backside. She was trying to kill him. That must be it. She kept saying that she wasn’t his mate and that she didn’t want to be his mate but then she did this. She wasn’t giving him a choice. He was only going to ease her fears when he brought her in here, sex was not his intention. As much control as he had, and as strong as he was, even Dylan couldn’t stop this now. No man could have.

  “Oh sweet Jesus Cami.” Dylan buried himself to the hilt, she cried out. He stroked against her. He couldn’t stop, he couldn’t think, he wanted her, to claim her, he want to stay buried inside of her for the rest of his life. God, she was so hot and so wet, it was heaven. His body rejoiced, ached for her, for her pleasure, her satisfaction, her heat, and her submission. “Look at me.” He barked at her. Cami’s eyes flew open and focused deep emerald green pools on his amber ones. She smiled up at him and caressed his face with her fingertips. His head lowered for a kiss and when his lips met hers, she climaxed crying his name. Dylan couldn’t last, he wanted to, for her. He wanted to bring her to another climax screaming his name over and over but just as he’d thought in the bar, he was as out of control as a first time pup. The tingling heat started at the base of his spine and raced through his veins. It streaked over his nerves until his sack tightened and he poured his soul into her. His woman, his mate. His body was alive and rejoicing at having found her. He would never let her go, she would always be his. His heart pounded with need for her, with love for her.

  ***

  Cami heard birds chirping outside but the room was not flooded with morning sun. She stretched. Where? Oh yeah. Dylan’s house and his bed. Cami opened her eyes. Amber eyes were studying her. He smiled and she nibbled her lip. “Good morning sweetness.” His lips brushed hers softly. “So you’re scared of thunderstorms huh?” Cami nodded. “It must be hell at Frankie’s then under that tin roof.” She nodded again. “It won’t be a problem anymore. You’ll move in here.” He kissed her nose.

  “I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right.” She gripped the sheet covering her still nude body in her fist.

  “It is right. You’re my mate.” Her head shook vigorously, he was gorgeous all sleep rumpled. “Cami, listen to me. You are my mate, whether you like it or not, nature says that we are perfect for each other. It seemed right last night, it felt right, hell it felt…perfect. Just listen,” he said when she started to protest. “If you feel that strongly about not being my mate all you have to say is ‘I don’t want to be your mate Dylan, I reject you as a mate,’ and it’s over. We’re both free, but if you want to give us a chance, just say, ‘I accept you as my mate.’ But sweetness, you should know one thing first, it’s getting more difficult to ignore the mating urges that I am getting. I would appreciate an answer, a real one, soon. Also, I do not intend to reject you, as far as I’m concerned it’s a done deal. We just have to sign on the dotted line as it were. Meanwhile, get dressed, I’m going to make breakfast, then I will take you home so you can get to which ever job you have today. Where do you work on Saturday’s?”

  “I have a shift at the diner from ten to six then Frankie’s from seven to closing.” Dylan’s lips pursed and he nodded. He did not like the idea of her being on her feet waiting tables for the next sixteen hours. Not one damned bit. His mate did not need to work unless she wanted to but he’d be damned if it would be for sixteen hours straight and he’d be double damned if she would work four jobs. No one should have four damned jobs and live on bologna and cereal. It was time for her to face facts and accept him, now how to convince her of that would be a whole other ordeal.

  “Fine. Get dressed.” His eyes flashed.

  “Why are you mad? What did I say?” Cami asked sitting up holding the sheet against her naked chest.

  “You don’t need to work. Obviously, I can provide for you,” he gestured at the ceiling, “anytime that you want to quit that nonsense, you just say.” Her brows furrowed. He got up and padded out of the room in a pair of striped boxer briefs.

  “Wow.” Her eyes widened and her jaw went slack. He really was gorgeous. His back was defined with muscles, his legs long, muscled, and powerful and that ass! There should be a sculpture of that ass in a museum somewhere, never was there a more perfect mound of muscle created. She blushed at how she’d wantonly dug her heels into it. Cami went back to her guest room to find her clothes. They were missing. “Cute Dylan.” She went into the closet and found jeans that were too long, but she did find a dress that fit and put it on. She borrowed underclothes. That was kind of icky, but what choice did she have? She went barefoot into the kitchen after brushing her teeth. The betas were relaxed at the huge rectangular glass table that dominated the room drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. Dylan was at the large stainless steel stove with bacon frying, and flipping pancakes. “Good morning guys.” Mike smiled at her with a look that she couldn’t decipher. Pete only nodded and sipped his coffee. “Can I help?” She asked Dylan. He shook his head and said nothing. He was still mad at her. Well, too bad. She met him what? Five seconds ago? Sure, they’d been intimate but she wouldn’t be the first girl to sleep with a man without marrying him the next damn day. Cami poured herself a cup of coffee and perched on a stool across the counter from where Dylan was working.

  “Did you see him?” Dylan asked without turning around. Mike turned a page in the newspaper. Cami had obviously walked into the middle of their conversation.

  “Yep but he gave us the slip. We know that he was in Georgia for awhile, but we never could catch up with him again and then well, we just needed a break when we hit a two week dry spell. You know how it is, four months is a long damned time to be away.”

  “We all leave for Georgia at noon then. I want to know if he’s still there or if he’s moved on. We take two vehicles this time. I want that damned pup back here ASAP before I have to fill Henry’s damned shoes.”

  “You should just take the position Dyl, hell we’ll follow you. You know that.” Pete said folding his paper and sipping
the coffee noisily. “You’ll be great at it and it will be a huge relief to Henry, we stopped by there yesterday before coming here, he looks like death on a cracker man.” Dylan nodded and piled four more pancakes on the platter then dumped an egg mixture in another frying pan. “You know you’re perfect for the job, Mike and I aren’t going to challenge you, let Henry go in peace.”

  “Let’s give it one more shot if that’s what Dylan wants Pete.” Mike gave him a look. “Dylan has always been prepared to take Henry’s place but I think he feels its Junior’s responsibility besides the fact that Henry wants to say goodbye. At this point it’s more about that, about Henry getting to tell him goodbye and for Henry to apologize for whatever he feels sorry about.” Dylan nodded. “We heard he’s using an alias too Dyl, he’s going by Hank, Hank Summer…”

  “Summerfield.” Cami finished for him. They all stared at her now. “What? I know Hank Summerfield. He’s the man that I told you about in Atlanta Dylan. He’s the one who told me how great this place was.” She finished softly when Dylan came to stand in front of her, his biceps standing out as he braced his hands on the counter separating them.

  “Where is he Cami?” Dylan was dominating her again.

  “That’s who you’re looking for?” Dylan waited. “I don’t know. We aren’t BFF’s. He used to come into my bar, I told you, and he was there most nights. It was on the outskirts of Atlanta and come to think of it, I think a lot of the guys were wolves.” Dylan grabbed his phone from the charger and dialed.

  “Betty. It’s Dylan. Cami won’t be in for the next few days, pack business. Thanks.” He gave her a look when she started to protest and her mouth snapped shut. He called Turner, Frankie, and the Constance the librarian, all pack members and all knew better than to question the soon to be alpha. He stirred the eggs while he spoke and by the time he finished his phone calls, the eggs were ready and the bacon draining on a paper towel. Dylan filled a plate and put it in front of her then filled his own. Pete and Mike hurried over when Dylan sat down beside her on a stool. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Eat up. Then pack.”

  “Pack what? I don’t have anything here and the pants in there are too big for me.” He nodded. Cami’s brow furrowed. “Dylan, I need to work, I can’t go with you. Just drop me off at Betty’s when you leave.”

  “You’re going. If you need money, I’ll pay you to be our guide. You’ll get five hundred a day plus expenses. You won’t make that here and your time off has already been cleared, you can call it freelance work. You’ll stay with me, end of subject.” Cami’s eyes went wide and her mouth opened then closed then opened again. “No arguments Cami you have a direct order from your alpha.”

  “He’s not the alpha yet.” Pete said softly.

  “He is her alpha, you heard them last night.” Cami gasped and hid her face in her hands. The men chuckled at her rosy cheeks. “Don’t be embarrassed hon, ain’t nothing wrong with making love.” Mike grinned at Dylan’s scowl. “Hey it’s not like I was listening at the door Dyl. You guys were loud.”

  Chapter 5

  “I said that you’re going and you’re going. We won’t be gone long especially if you take us straight to him, a couple of days max. The pack needs your help, I need your help. So, would you please stop taking the damn clothes out of the suitcase as soon as I put them in there?” Dylan snatched a pair of jeans from her and folded them for the third time. When she reached into the case again, he slapped her hand.

  “Damn it Dylan! I said no!” Cami yelled and reached again. Dylan grabbed her hands and pinned her against the dresser. He stood over her snarling into her upturned face. She whimpered and dropped her gaze. “Okay…okay.” She whispered. “I’ll go. I’m sorry.” He nodded and went back to packing her clothes. Dylan shoved every article of clothing she owned into the case. Cami watched knowing that she was not ever going to sleep here again. He wasn’t packing for their trip. He was packing for her move to his house and surprisingly, she didn’t mind that one bit. He was her mate, he belonged to her, and she did not intend to reject him either. A smile curled her lips as she watched him fold her clothes neatly and place them into the beat up white suit case with care.

  “You need new luggage.” He folded the top over and snapped the buckles on either side of the handle. “I’ll take care of it.” He lifted it and looked around the room, not seeing anything else that she needed. He held a hand out to her. “Come.” She took it and followed him to the truck parked at the bottom of the steps.

  “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Dylan. What the hell took you so long? All you got is one suitcase and you were up there for more than a half an hour?” Mike complained. “Oh maybe you were…” Dylan snarled and Mike dropped his gaze.

  “It’s hard to fill a bucket that someone keeps dumping out.” He looked back at Cami who dropped her gaze as well. Mike and Pete snickered as Mike started his truck. “She’s decided though that it’s in her best interest to go with me and to behave. Haven’t you?” Cami sighed but nodded. Pete turned his head to hide his smile thinking that Cami was exactly what Dylan needed. Sassy, bossy, challenging, and fiery, they were perfect for each other. Dylan started his truck and fastened his seat belt. Mike backed out of the way letting Dylan take the lead in their trip. Cami crossed her legs drawing Dylan’s attention. He was not going to last thirty minutes let alone the five hours that it would take them with her bare legs calling to him like they were. He shifted the truck back into park and got out. Everyone watched as Dylan dug through her suitcase and came back with a pair of sweatpants. “Put them on.”

  “I’m not cold.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I didn’t ask you if you were. I said put the sweatpants on. If you don’t, I’m going to have to pull over before we get out of town and fuck you. Put the sweats on.” Cami gasped and struggled into the pants quickly.

  “Really Dylan! There is no need to be crude.” Cami refastened her belt and stared out the passenger side window. He grinned and shifted it into drive again. Mike and Pete were laughing so hard in his rearview that he flipped them the bird out of his open window. They only laughed harder. Cami’s reflection was smirking in the window that she was pretending to stare out of. Dylan couldn’t help but grin as he drove out of town. God she was sexy. They didn’t speak for the first four hours but Cami had to break the silence finally when her bladder would no longer let her remain silent. “I need to pee.”

  “Hold it.” His eyes never left the highway.

  “I said I need to pee. If I could hold it, I wouldn’t have told you. Please find a restroom.” Dylan nodded and held up his first finger in the window. Mike nodded behind him. He pulled into a gas station and refueled while she went, as it turned out, everyone needed to go but Dylan.

  They pulled into Beau Ridge just after six. Mike got two hotel rooms facing the street across from Junior’s favorite bar. They hid the trucks behind the hotel so that they didn’t tip him off. “All this is not necessary guys. Just wait until seven and he’ll be there if he hasn’t left town.” Dylan carried her suitcase and his duffle up the stairs and opened a door with the key that Mike gave him. Pete and Mike would be in the room next door. “Where is my room?” She asked from the doorway.

  “You’re looking at it.” Cami stared at the queen sized bed in the middle of the room. She chewed on her lip. “It’s not like we haven’t slept together before.” He didn’t turn to look at her. Digging through the duffle he came up with new clothes. “Do you want the shower first?” Cami’s brows knitted. “Cami?”

  “I want my own room.” Her hands went to her hips in defiance.

  “No. Do you want the shower first or second?” Her chin quivered. Dylan came over and tugged her into the room then closed the door quietly. “Sweetness, I can’t keep you safe if I’m not with you. If you don’t want to have sex, we don’t have to. Believe it or not, I can control myself.”