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  Reaching the top of the hill, she inched out of the draw, scenting with her nose and tasting the air with her undulating tongue as she breathed deep to slow her breathing.

  There. The scent of the stranger was potent. Masculine. Heavy in the air with the thick musk of power and significance, the scent cried out Alpha.

  Shit! Part of her had hoped it was a friend, come to pay respects. Another part hoped it was simply a stranger passing through…a human stranger. She’d been wrong on both counts. This Alpha male was here with intentions.

  Stalking over the rise, Willa kept her ears pinned back, her shoulders down. She inched over the grassy knoll until she finally located him, walking determinedly toward the farm. Below her, with the wind in his face, he wouldn’t scent her.

  Damn! He’s frickin’ big! The guy was built like a brick shithouse. Thick arms and legs, broad shoulders, massive chest. His pitch-black hair gave him an ominous look, even without seeing his face.

  This is it! She drew in a breath, preparing herself for what was to come. The plan? Barrel down the rise and hopefully take him by surprise. If he was here for a challenge, she’d have the element of surprise and hopefully wouldn’t die today. If he wasn’t here for a challenge, then he’d learn not to waltz into her territory uninvited.

  Steeling herself against what she was about to do, Willa sent up a quick prayer to her former Alpha. Garner, protect me now!

  Then she was moving. Racing down the hill at a break-neck pace, she knew she’d do some damage if she could just reach him before he sensed her approach.

  Back legs propelling her forward, the distance between them closed rapidly even as she sized him up, trying to determine the best way to strike.

  The distance to him seemed to drag on as time slowed to a near stand-still. Her breathing heavy in her ears, and the impossibly fast thundering of her heart blocked out the fact that the wind had suddenly died down. When she was feet from him, Willa lunged.

  Chapter 2

  Sailing through the air toward the stranger, Willa felt her heart soar with the realization that she’d successfully snuck up on him. The feeling disappeared just as quickly as it’d arisen when the stranger spun and shifted mid-movement. It was the fastest thing she’d ever seen. One instant he was a full-size man walking down the hill, the next he spun with unbelievable speed and shifted mid-turn. Hell, she even thought she saw a smile draw his lips up before he shifted.

  Mouth open wide, her teeth came nowhere near locking on their intended target. Instead, she was caught mid-air and slammed to the ground, her own momentum driving the force. On her back, she twisted and writhed, ignoring the fact that the wind had been knocked out of her. Her struggles only served to send pain shooting through her body. Bastard had his teeth sunk into her throat. It was a death hold. Any second his teeth would clamp shut, and with one jerk, she’d be bleeding out onto the grass. She’d lost. In the blink of an eye, she’d already lost! The realization was jarring and heart wrenching. I failed!

  Huge even in wolf form, Willa thought the man was probably the largest wolf she’d ever seen. Stilling, her chest heaved from her exertions as her angry eyes locked on his, waiting for his final blow. He’d either rip her throat out, attempt to mount her, or let her up so they could continue their battle. Some Alpha’s preferred to toy with their enemies before granting death. Honestly, she’d prefer that over him trying to slide into her. The mere thought had her jerking in his hold, only serving to sink his teeth deeper into the tender flesh of her throat. The pain was intense, forcing moisture to pool in her eyes, but she willed the pain-filled tears back. Her eyes narrowed on his.

  Suddenly, his jaw tensed and a vicious growl rolled from his chest. She tightened her muscles, expecting her death, but she refused to blink; she refused to look away. Either would be a sign of submission and she was not submitting.

  He was scary-looking, his eyes intense, and dark, sparking with bursts of yellow and gold as if the man was fighting the wolf for control. A scar cut through his left eye, the silken, midnight color of his fur parted to expose healed skin. The wound was old.

  The intensity with which he watched her was suddenly matched by his breathing, as if he’d suddenly realized he was in a battle. But that wasn’t what unnerved her. It was the odd sensation that rolled through her belly and shifted to flutter in her womb, sending heat coursing through her. She felt momentarily weakened by it. Fear flared to life at her sudden vulnerability, and adrenaline coursed through her, renewing her violent struggles. Then, she caught his scent. He didn’t smell like any wolf she’d ever known. No, his scent was unique. It was…wild with just a hint of familiarity.

  To her horror, her stupid wolf stopped struggling for fraction of a second and tilted her head at her as if to ask, ‘should we be interested?’

  Willa jerked, using her paws to shove at his chest, which pulled the skin of her throat even further, causing one pain-filled tear to slip free. She felt her flesh tearing, and the massive black wolf growled in displeasure.

  Lightning fast he shifted, and before she had time to jerk up from the ground his large hand clamped her throat where his teeth once had.

  On his knees, holding her to the ground, the man was just as impressive as his beast. Bronze skin loaned itself to the dark image he exuded. Piercing eyes, a scar that was just as wicked in his human form as it was in his wolf’s, and a jaw covered with the same black hair as that of his wolf’s. He was huge all over. She absently noted that he hadn’t regenerated clothing. It was an ability the shifters of the northwest had mastered, and the fact that he was still nude was unnerving. Does this mean he’s from the east? It didn’t matter. What mattered was that even as a man he was stronger than her wolf. Towering naked above her, he could do what he wanted with her, and that had her staying in wolf form.

  “Who are you,” he demanded, his lip curling back and his shoulders hunching as if he were attempting to hide some unknown pain.

  She kicked out with her front paws, hoping to gain enough leverage to twist herself to her side and then up, but he caught them both in his free hand and pinned them to the ground. Fuck! Her stand as an Alpha was truly pathetic. Embarrassingly so.

  The stranger leaned closer, dark brows spearing down over angry eyes as he repeated, “Who. Are. You?”

  “Let her go!” She heard Arden shout, and she tensed. Damn him!

  The stranger didn’t even bother to take his eyes from hers. Uncaring of who had issued the command, he let his eyes travel over her muzzle and down her coat before they jerked back to hers.

  ***

  Barron had scented the wolf slinking up the hillside flanking him. Having spent the past seven years living in the wilds of British Columbia as part of a pack of wild Alphas, there was little he couldn’t scent out in the open.

  “Who are you,” he demanded, a bit too much anger lacing his tone. For some reason, pain had seized him when he’d touched her. No, it’d happened after that. When he looked her in the eye. What in the fuck! A growl rumbled forth as shocking pain zipped through him once more, emanating from where his hand was locked on her throat. Fighting down the inexplicable agony that kept welling up in him, he snarled and shoved it back in order to focus.

  He was annoyed the female’s pack would permit her so far from their den without an escort or protection. When he’d caught sight of her out of the corner of his eye, he’d assumed she was merely a pup due to her slight stature. Until she’d charged! Hell, part of him was still impressed at the bold act, but now, holding his hand to her bloody throat as she kicked out at him, he wondered if it wasn’t just plain craziness. He pinned her tighter to the ground, wanting her to still, for the pain from their contact to cease. Why in the hell so slight a female would think she was any match for him… Definitely not a pup. No, this full-grown female was mature, and if his nose was correct, which he knew it was, she was ripe, which had his lusty wolf taking notice.

  “Who. Are. You?” he demanded again. Suddenly a voice cal
led out, causing her to tense under him.

  “Let her go!” The voice was male, but young. Too young to be challenging him. Her child perhaps? He didn’t bother looking up, which was foolish. His wolf was cocky, confident that it would scent any danger or real threat before it arose.

  Still holding the female down, he simply stared at her. He’d expected her to show submission to his clearly more dominant wolf by showing throat or lowering her eyes. She did neither, so he waited for her to shift. They needed to talk.

  A tear leaked free of her angry green eyes, and he felt a twinge of guilt, and something else he couldn’t really define, but he didn’t loosen his hold. She’d attacked him, and now needed to know that he was the dominant. Still, he couldn’t keep his eyes from flicking to her throat. The wounds were deep and jagged where she’d tried to pull away from him. To his disgust, his wolf snorted its approval that they’d marked the female. It wasn’t a true marking though, not made with claiming intent. He couldn’t help but wonder if the deep gouges would scar.

  Power surged through the air and the female under him shifted, light fur dropping away to reveal equally pale skin and long, flowing white-blond hair. Clothes regenerated, but it was a slow, almost forced process, which told him it was a recently learned trait.

  The she-wolf’s throat gave way under his hand to soft skin that slid with the slickness of her blood. His hand tightened as he saw—to his shock—that she was actually smaller in human form than he’d anticipated. Great! Guilt was back, biting him with full force. Her scowl helped lessen it by a fraction.

  Damn, she’s beautiful. And not beautiful in the generalized way he thought of women. He loved females. All women. He appreciated all colors, all sizes, all shapes. He simply loved the female form, and he found great pleasure in the hundreds of trips he and his fellow Alphas had made to the cities of Canada over the years to seek out female companionship. But, this female was different.

  Full, petal-pink lips were set in flawless skin that looked ethereal framed by her impossibly light hair. Her green eyes were striking. He’d never seen the color before, almost neon in her anger, making him think of the first growth of spring. She was…magnificent.

  “The tears are the result of the pain!” She snarled, drawing his attention from his curious perusal. “Don’t mistake my physical discomfort for weakness.” She scowled up at him from under long, sooty lashes. “I am not afraid of you!”

  Of course she was afraid of him. Everyone feared Barron Kane. He wanted to smile at her bravery, but didn’t.

  “Let her go!” the young male voice called again.

  Barron didn’t look up, but saw the briefest flash of fear in the woman’s eyes as she flicked her glance toward the sound.

  “I won’t hurt him.” He ground out evenly as he loosened his hand. For some odd reason he felt compelled to soothe the small female. “I didn’t want to hurt you either. But you attacked me.”

  She was back to scowling at him. Good. He liked it better than seeing worry on her soft features.

  “Who are you?” He asked for the third time, releasing his hold on her throat but keeping her hands pinned. Maybe if he gave a little, she would too. He watched her slender throat convulse as she swallowed, and he wanted to wince as he watched blood pour from one of his bite marks.

  “You know who I am.” She accused. “What are you doing here? I’m not accepting challenges yet. I’ve got two more weeks. Leave!”

  Damn! This feisty little female had his wolf snapping to attention. It was her scent. His wolf wanted to roll in it. It was fresh, clean, female, and…fertile.

  “I said leave her alone!”

  Okay, three strikes was enough! Barron’s head snapped up, and with a practiced snarl, his clear ire sent the small, dark boy who’d issued the command stumbling back.

  “Don’t!” The female’s soft plea had him lowering his gaze back to hers.

  There were two boys standing near them. The blond was even younger than the brave dark one. Looking at them, he wondered if the younger was hers. They shared the same fair looks. Inhaling deeply, he sought out a matrilineal tie that would bind her to her child. There was none. The female had no offspring. His eyes cut to the side, and he noted that others were approaching. All pack by the scent of it.

  “How many?” He demanded.

  The female understood him and immediately responded. “There are seven of us.”

  Good girl. It was wise of her to give him the information. Alphas didn’t like surprises. Barron’s head snapped up and he eyed the ring of wolves that slowly approached. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting when he’d agreed to do a favor for his brother. The circle was comprised of…children! One female looked older than the rest, but even she couldn’t be more than late teens.

  He did a swift count. Six, including the female pinned beneath him, which meant… He turned and flared his nostrils when the scent of male hit him. His head snapped up and his eyes narrowed on the man reluctantly walking up the rise. Alpha? Had to be.

  Barron released the female and was on his feet in an instant. Still naked, he turned to square off against the pitiful excuse for a leader who’d permitted a slight female to protect his perimeter. Fucking coward! Even though the male was much smaller than him, he had no qualms about teaching the chump a lesson.

  Chapter 3

  “NO!” The female screamed, and rushed to stand in front of him. She held out her hand as if to fend him off. “He is not challenging you!”

  Barron’s eyes shot from her to the man who’d stopped halfway up the hill. His anger turned to rage at the coward’s display. “ALPHA!” He snarled down the hill. “Here.” He pointed to a spot in front of him. This fucker’s got some explaining to do. “NOW!” he growled.

  In front of him, the female held out her arms, motioning for the pack to back up. They did—including the Alpha. Barron’s gaze sliced to the female. Why was the pack following her command?

  Her eyes flicked to the side, toward the male he’d presumed was Alpha. “He’s my Beta. I am Willa Hutchinson.” She lifted her chin with confidence. “I am the Alpha here.”

  The words had his mouth falling open in shock as he eyed the male he’d thought was Alpha, the male who still refused to approach. His gaze cut between the man and Willa several times before he spoke. “The fuck you say?”

  Willa’s face reddened and he realized his words could easily be construed as an insult. Honestly, he was so astonished at their pack dynamics that he was completely dumbfounded.

  He eyed the circle of wolves again. Can this be right?

  A growl from the female brought his attention back to her, and he realized it was time to clear the air. “My brother sent me. Funny, he thought I’d actually be welcomed.” He could sense her sudden interest.

  “Who is your brother?”

  He pinned her with dark eyes. “Evander Kane.” He was surprised, and a little jealous, to see the warrior woman’s relief at simply hearing Evander’s name. Her features instantly relaxed and she looked almost…hopeful.

  “Is he here?” She eyed the area behind him expectantly. “Is he coming?”

  “No, he’s not coming.” Barron growled in displeasure at how easily the woman’s eyes had dismissed him when she believed Evander had accompanied him. “He sent me.”

  When her shoulders fell, he felt offended. “I’m as able a man as he.” He grinned mischievously. “If not better.”

  He heard her barely whispered, “Doubtful.”

  Wanting to get a rise out of the small Alphina, he made a show of rolling his shoulders and bunching his arm and leg muscles before relaxing with a cocky grin. When her eyes jerked down and then up just as quickly, he smiled.

  “Oh for Christ’s sake, put on some clothes,” she spat, turning her head to the side.

  Satisfied that she’d gotten a good look at him, all of him, he waited a second before allowing an effortless ripple to wash over him, leaving him clad in jeans, hiking boots, and a tight-fit
ting thermal shirt. “Better?” he murmured.

  The woman rolled her eyes. “What. Are. You. Doing. Here?”

  “Evander said the Alpha here needed my help.” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “He spoke of a male Alpha.”

  A flash of pain washed over Willa’s face, then just as quickly disappeared when she cleared her throat. “Arden, show him to the guest house.” Then his little spitfire turned to leave.

  “Hey!” He hurried to close the distance between them, stopping when the circle of young wolves closed in on him. Their threat was a joke, he could kill them all without even breaking a sweat, but he admired the clear respect they held for Willa. “Whoa!” he held up his hands. “Not attacking.”

  Willa turned to frown at him. She stared for several seconds before motioning with her head for her pack to move back.

  When they eased back, Barron dropped his hands and asked, “Where’s the true Alpha?”

  Willa snorted. “You’re looking at her.”

  That little tidbit had Barron’s brows shooting down. Female Alpha’s were mated into the position within the pack, and that information didn’t sit well with him. His ego didn’t take the blow well. She’s taken? He hadn’t scented a male on her. “Where’s your mate,” he asked, a little too gruffly.

  “What did Evander tell you?” She glared at him as she crossed her arms over her full chest, one rounded hip cocked out as her delicate brows speared down.

  “Not much. He needed a favor. I owed him a favor. He sent me here.”

  Willa watched him for long seconds before finally dropping her arms and answering his question. “I have no mate.”

  “Your mate is gone?” He tugged his eyes up from her breasts to stare at her. “Is that why I’m here? To babysit until he returns?” He knew by the sudden glinting fury in her eyes that he’d offended her.

  “Garner was our Alpha, our father. He’s dead.” A wave of anguish rolled through her, but she used her anger to tamp it down. “Arden,” she spoke between clenched teeth. “Show Evander’s brother to the guest house.” She turned to leave before barking, “Cortez and Keryn, why don’t you assist.”