ALPHA
Demon Chaser
(Book 2)
By
Charlene Hartnady
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright and Disclaimer
Description
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Author’s Note
Coming soon
Copyright and Disclaimer
Copyright ©February 2014, Charlene Hartnady
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
Copy Edited by Kimberly Reichmann
Produced in South Africa
Published by Charlene Hartnady
PO BOX 456, Melrose Arch,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2176
[email protected]
ALPHA is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author
Description
Demon Chasers…
Protectors of humanity. Sworn to uphold the peace. Oath bound to keep the existence of demons a secret.
Gray, a newly appointed Alpha and half blood demon wolf, can only turn during a full moon. With only three days before the next cycle, time is running out to convince the highest ranking female wolf to become his mate. Success will see him become a full blood. Failure will spell his death. It is only a matter of time before the challenges start coming in.
Ashlyn, a hard ass Demon Chaser just happens to be human and the pack’s newest resident. She is there on Demon Control Agency business. Her attraction for the new Alpha can’t be allowed to stand in her way, after all, Gray is already taken. More importantly, she has a serial killer to catch, and then she needs to get the heck out of wolfville.
For both their sakes…
Dedication
My hero in this story is a warrior and a gentleman. A brave fighter to the very end and for that reason, I dedicate this book in the loving memory of my Uncle Tony.
Chapter 1
Gray looked into eyes made from pure liquid poison.
“Let’s get two things straight”−the female demon wolf paused−“I hate you and I don’t want this union. Step down now before you get hurt.”
It was either the words themselves, or the calm way in which they were delivered that got to him. He grit his teeth, his natural instincts pushed at him to force her to submit while his rational side pushed back in an effort to be more understanding of how she was feeling. In the end, there was sweet little he could do about the situation.
Somehow he managed to grind out, “Our feelings have nothing to do with this. It’s not about what we want. The pack is at stake.”
Alisha made a sound that told him he was full of it. “It’s your needs and wants that you are concerned with, this has nothing to do with the pack.”
“You will have to trust me on this one.”
She shook her head, a look of utter disbelief clouded her perfect features.
Gray’s instincts bristled; his demon clawed at him, it continued to demand her submission. He ran a hand over the light stubble on his head and squeezed his eyes shut, fighting for control. “This has to happen, there is no other way.”
“I don’t care. Find a way that doesn’t involve me.”
With challengers closing in, his options were limited. It was either take Alisha as his mate or he would most likely die. Where would the pack be then? The clock was ticking, he needed to be strong. Needed to believe that he could get through this.
“I’ve made my decision. You have three days to come to terms with it and to prepare. Once the full moon hits, we will mate. If you give me a chance I will prove to you that I can be a faithful and strong provider. I will do my best to make you happy. We can make this work.”
“There is no way in hades I’ll let a bastard mongrel like you touch me.” Her voice remained even, but her eyes narrowed as she spoke.
Once upon a time, he’d actually found this female attractive. More than just attractive, hounds, as a young wolf he’d have given his left canine for one night with her. Right now…he’d give anything just to get out of it. All he knew was that he couldn’t blame her for hating him since she believed he’d killed her future mate, his half brother Bain. That didn’t change the predicament they were all in at the moment though.
“Sorry to interrupt,” the petite Demon Chaser rounded the corner and entered his suite without permission.
Bain would never have stood for such a breach of protocol. Especially from a human. The muscles in his shoulders cramped as he remembered why she was here. Taking a calming breath, he turned and faced her wondering how much of the exchange she had heard. He found himself hoping that she hadn’t been standing there long.
Ashlyn stepped further into the room, her head held high. She maintained eye contact, her gaze moving between himself and the female demon wolf. Alisha growled. The Chaser didn’t flinch, in fact, her chin cocked to the side in an arrogant lilt.
Impressive.
“We need to talk,” she paused, her eyes brushing over the female demon wolf. “That is, when you get a chance. I’ll be in my room.”
“We’re done. You may stay,” Alisha said, as if she were granting the Chaser permission to be there.
“You’re too kind. Thanks ever so much. What is it that I should call you? Your highness, Alpha bitch...or maybe just bitch?”
Alisha growled, low and deep. She flashed a set of healthy canines. The Chaser widened her stance. The pressure in Gray’s head increased. Was he going to have to break up a cat fight today as well? Could things get any worse?
“I don’t have time for this.”
He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Alisha turn and stalk out with all the menace and cunning of a wolf and all the sleek grace of a cat. The woman was a beauty, highly intelligent and strong. Yet the thought of tying himself to her for the rest of his very long life just wasn’t appealing. He shook his head as he added the undesirable fact that she was his brother’s leftovers.
Like it or not, he knew beyond a doubt that he would do what he had to do to secure his position as Alpha and to ensure the survival of this pack. He just wouldn’t do it at the cost of his own conscience or sense of who he was by forcing her. She didn’t know that though, and she and the rest of the pack would just have to assume at this moment that he would take her like it or not. So, he had to win her over. For both their sakes.
Gray turned and looked out the window. The thought of his other options were more stressful to think about than his first one. He could take one of the lesser females, but that would lower his chances of success. He could take the third option which, for him, was just plain ridiculous. Why would they even add an option that was based more on personal desire than the survival of the pack? The elders must have enjoyed themselves while creating that one, because the final Lore was never going to happen. No use wasting precious time even thinking about it.
No, he needed to focus his thoughts on the option with the highest chance of success. The Lores were clear enough about that, and he knew that the chances of a half blood wolf like him changing successfully into a full blood demon increased when his chosen ma
te was a high ranking female – the higher the better – and the bond had to be completed under the light of a full moon. He was tough, but with challengers circling him he knew he wouldn’t survive another moon cycle without the change. He knew it as sure as he stood there. Alisha was his best option, and the next full moon was in three days. His decisions right now could not be based on anything but the simple fact of the highest chance of success. The future of his pack depended on it.
The sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention and he turned to see Ash watching him cautiously. Christ. He was so preoccupied that he had forgotten she was standing there. He closed down his emotions and asked, “Any developments?”
“Some DNA evidence from a brown hair found on the second victim has finally come back. It confirms our suspicions.” Two women had been killed and a third left for dead. All the evidence pointed to someone from his pack. When he stayed silent, she continued. “A Chaser at the CSI lab confirmed wolf DNA and it’s definitely female. We’re looking for a brunette female demon wolf.”
“Damn,” he’d hoped that Bain had been responsible. “Most wolves have dark hair so it doesn’t narrow it down much. How’s the girl doing?”
She shrugged out of her trench coat and the light weight garment clunked as it hit the table. She didn’t wear it to guard against bad weather, the coat was a clever conceal for an array of weapons. Her hand went up, briefly touching the holstered gun at her chest. “Still in a coma. The doctors say it’s a miracle, but she’ll live. Her throat’s a mess. I’m sorry Gray, but she’s going to need reconstructive surgery on those scars.”
“Keep forwarding the accounts to me,” he couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible. He’d been so hell bent on proving Bain the killer that he hadn’t investigated the deaths properly. “Please tell me the girl’s protected.”
Ash flicked a wayward strand from her face. Hair the color of a snow storm. A white blizzard against skin so pale. Even her eyelashes were like threads of silk. He’d heard humans refer to each other’s complexions as peaches and cream and never understood the term. Until now. Hell, she even smelt of peaches and soap and strangely enough of gunpowder. An intriguing combination.
“Two Chasers three shifts a day. She’s safe.”
“Good,” he could breathe again. “I’m going to assist you on this myself, but if I can’t be at your side then one of the other wolves must accompany you.” He may not be in favor right now, but he still had a select few who were loyal to him. “Let’s just say that things are a little…unstable at the moment so I don’t want you out of your room alone.”
“I can take care of myself.”
That same feisty defiance that had kept her from reacting to Alisha. It appealed to him in ways it shouldn’t.
“I don’t doubt your abilities, but I still don’t want to take a chance on anything going wrong while you’re in my care.”
An eyebrow arched and she crossed her arms. A move that drew his eye to the swell of her breasts. She might be a petite little thing, but she was definitely all woman. He looked back into eyes that had gone from soft glacier to stormy blue.
“Let’s get something straight. I’m a Demon Chaser. Firstly, I hunt and very often kill demons. Demons that make you doggies look tame, and secondly I am not in your care. I’m here on official Agency business. The Demon Control Agency sent me to do a job, one which I damn well intend doing. I do not need babysitting.”
His mouth twitched, but he forced back the smile knowing it would make things worse. Even though he was an Omega, a mongrel outcast, he’d never had a problem with women. Not with female demon wolves and never with humans. Yet, today, he’d managed to piss off both without even trying.
“You have quite the reputation as a kick-ass slayer and I’m sure you eat demons for breakfast, but please humor me. Your brother would have my tail if anything happened to you.”
She dropped her arms, lowering her eyes to her gun for a fraction of a second, making him think she was more nervous than what she was letting on. Why the agency sent a human to investigate the murders was beyond him. Someone in his pack was a killer. Murdering beautiful, young human woman much like Ash and he would make damned sure not a single sun bleached strand on her head was touched, and he’d do it himself if he could help it.
“Fine, but if you or any of your puppies gets in my way it’s over. Do you understand?”
This time he did allow himself to smile. “I do, just remember we’re on the same side. Now let me go fetch my lead and I’ll let you walk me to your room. I’ll try not to lift my leg along the way.”
She giggled for a few seconds before catching herself. Finally something that matched her sweet looks because man oh man she might look like peaches and cream, but she was all firecracker underneath.
“I want to go check out the spot where Brice was found.” Left for dead in a side alley like trash. When he found the wolf responsible he would make sure that she was brought to justice.
“That was days ago,” she rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, you doggies and your heightened sense of smell. I thought you Omegas had to wait until a full moon before all your wolf…stuff happened.”
“I can’t fully erupt for most of the month, but there is nothing wrong with my wolf senses thank-you.”
****
There was nothing wrong with the man. Period. From his close cropped hair all the way down the six foot three of him. Solid, muscled, so powerful she had to stop herself from touching because he was seriously off limits.
Agency business took first priority and right now everyone was a suspect including Gray. Ashlyn realised that he most likely had nothing to do with this since up until a week or two ago Gray had been an outcast, but you could never be too careful. More importantly, he was scheduled to marry, mate whatever the hell it was that doggies did, that nasty female wolf. If it weren’t for her sheer beauty, Ash would be feeling sorry for the poor guy. Which was strange because surely she should be empathizing with a woman being forced to marry against her will rather than the man that was doing the forcing, but there was something off about Alisha. Probably just the bitchy attitude. And maybe a touch of jealousy since Alisha was everything she was not, all that olive skin, raven black hair and bountiful cleavage. Not that she’d ever had hang-ups or anything, but she couldn’t suddenly help but wish she could be a little curvier or a little taller. At the very least, it would be fantastic if she could sun bathe once in a while. But no, any time in the sun would just result in bountiful freckles which was not the bountiful she had in mind.
“What time were you planning on leaving?” she asked.
“As soon as you’re ready.”
She’d never met a man with such a deep voice. Timber baritones she wouldn’t mind listening to all day. “Let’s save the walkies for another time then and hit the road.”
“Fine, we’ll take my bike…faster that way,” he half smiled.
“No, no, no…thank-you doggykins. I appreciate the offer, but we’ll take my corvette. It’s just as fast and much safer.”
Gray hitched his eyebrows. “What? It can’t be. Is the big, bad Demon Chaser afraid? ”
Oh, so this was how it was going to be. Interesting. There was only one thing she liked more than looking at a sexy man and that was a little friendly flirtation with said sexy man. Normally she would hope for a little hand to hand combat as well. Not this time though.
“Not big, but definitely bad. Trust me when I tell you that you might be more than just a little afraid with me behind the wheel.”
“Really?” He crossed his arms.
It was obscene how amazing his biceps were and Lordie that perfectly chiseled chest. His build made it hard for her to concentrate on what he was saying.
“So you have control issues then?” he continued.
“I do not.” What a load of bull.
“Well if you’re not afraid and you don’t mind taking a back seat, then what is it?” He uncrossed his arms,
and took a step towards her.
She had to stop herself from stepping back but only because it scared her how much closer she wanted to get. Human men were not this…
Alpha.
So irresistibly male, it made her mouth water. “It’s just that…well…I like to drive.”
“Control issues. Let me guess you’re not good at delegating, are terrible at taking instructions and have to always be on top.” The end of his sentence came out sounding so deep, his words rolling over her like warm, melted chocolate.
“Baby if you’re asking if I’d bend over and just take it from behind, then the answer is no.” Instead of a smart ass reply like she expected, his nostrils flared and his jaw tensed up. Maybe she’d gone too far.
“I’m not asking you to bend over. I’m asking you to let me drive.”
“No!” She ground out the word before another could take its place. One like pity. Truth was, she’d never allowed a sexual attraction to interfere with a case before, had never moved in on someone else’s territory, and had never allowed a man to fully dominate her in the bedroom. Potential danger could be anywhere or with anyone. Best you have your back to the wall and your eyes wide open. Her brother Cole had learned that the hard way by falling for a demon hellion disguised as a human and he had almost died learning it.
If staying alive meant that she was a control freak, then so be it.
****
Why in hounds had he brought up sex?
Her cheeks had flushed during their battering, reminding him once again of peaches and cream. Gray wondered if she’d taste as sweet. He almost groaned, would she be this feisty in bed?
Most female wolves tended to be timid and submissive. There was the odd exception. Alisha. His soon to be mate was on the opposite end of that spectrum. So far right he cringed at the thought of trying to win her. Did he even want to?
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