The Reluctant Alpha (14 page)

“Fishing for compliments, are we?” Cam leaned down, letting his lips taste hers in a small kiss.

“No, just curious. You really think I’m gorgeous?”

Cam placed a hand on her bare ass, pulling her ever closer. “Yes, and if you don’t want me taking you right here and now you better get some distance between us.”

Chastity’s hands moved, one moving up to tangle in his hair as the other reached down to fondle his own ass. “Hmm, that doesn’t sound so bad. Here in the forest with nobody around.”

Cam’s eyes widened as her face flushed scarlet, one of her hands popping to cover her mouth. “I don’t believe I just said that!”

He laughed as she started to breathe faster, her eyes never leaving his as he kissed her again. This time devouring her mouth as his hands discovered her body slowly. Her scent invading his mind and soul as she melded to him as if she were made by the Goddess just for him. He was desperate to be inside her, desperate to make her scream as he brought her to orgasm after orgasm. Desperate to have her beneath him as he thrust deep inside her, spilling his seed with no barrier between them.

Cam’s head shot back, his head throbbing as he gently put a few inches distance between them. “I think we need to stop.”

Chastity’s eyes showing her arousal as she looked at him frowning. “What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.

“Nothing,” Cam lied, “but we’re not doing this here!”

Cam felt panic rising inside him at what he was feeling for this woman. He’d never, not once, felt anything other than a passing sexual attraction to anyone and he wasn’t about to start now. A relationship was the last thing he wanted, or needed.

He felt regret at the loss of her lips and at the look of confusion on her face, but he would not allow himself to be pulled in by her beauty. Her face blushing even more at his rejection as she moved away.

“Sorry,” she muttered, “I don’t know what came over me.”

“No need to apologize.” Cam wanted her back in his arms and almost closed the distance between them, only just managing to stay where he was.

“I better get back.” She turned to leave and his hand shot out, grasping her shoulder to turn her around.

“What?” he scowled at her. “What are you talking about? You’re coming with me back to Clan land where you’ll be safe.”

Chastity looked at his hand, shrugging it off. “I don’t think so.”

“Are you mad?” Cam’s voice rose as tension crept up his spine. “He was about to hand you off to two of his men and you’re going back? What’s wrong with you?”

A snarl escaped her lips, her expression fierce as she spat back at him, “He didn’t though and you obviously have a lot on your hands, so I’ll go home and stay in my room until it’s over.”

Cam fought to control himself, wanting nothing more than to fling her over his shoulder and take her back to the Camp. “Seriously? You’re going back there?”

Chastity nodded and as she did so he saw the anguish in her face.
Had he put that there?
He stepped towards her, “Please, come with me.” Holding a hand out and willing her to take it.

She looked at the hand then up into his face. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you earlier.”

Then she turned and ran, surprising him as she transformed mid-stride, her gloriously white Wolf galloping away. Cam’s first instinct was to go after her but a strong hand on his shoulder stopped him.

Whirling around he came face to face with Jinx. “What the hell are you doing here?” Cam asked as his eyes sought, and found, the rest of his Wolves in a semi-circle around the clearing.

“Jacob told us where you were going and, again, you don’t think I’d let you go off alone.” Jinx didn’t look happy as he went on, “You really need to rethink things, Sin. If you thought for a moment we wouldn’t follow then you’re just plain stupid.”

“How long?” Cam looked around, seeing the twins and Mac’s Wolves but not seeing Jacob’s.

“How long have we been here?” Jinx asked, not waiting on a reply. “Since you pushed her away and embarrassed the hell out of her.”

“I didn’t!” Cam almost shouted as his eyes came back to land on his best friend.

“Yeah, you did. Kinda low even for you, Sin.”

Cam turned away, not welcoming the reproach in Jinx’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to embarrass her.”

“Well you did and now she’s gone back to a place she might not be safe.”

“Fuck!” Cam clenched his hands into fists, wanting to hit something. “I’m not sure what happened. She was in my arms and felt so good there and then I … shit I don’t know what I was thinking but you know me. I don’t get involved. Ever.”

Jinx sighed, “Yes, I know you, but sometimes you act like an ass and one of those times is now.”

“Where’s Jacob?” Cam looked again and still couldn’t see his beast.

“He’s following her back a little, just to make sure she’s safe.”

Cam frowned at the thought of his PI following his white Wolf.
“What the hell? My white Wolf?”
he thought as his heart sped up all on its own.

“We better get back, we’re still on their land.” Jinx was looking around too, obviously checking for trouble.

He didn’t want to go back, Cam wanted to race after Chastity and apologize but then his head went all crazy on him again.
“What for? You don’t want to lead her on.”
So he nodded then morphed quickly, tearing back the way he’d come as his insides felt empty. As if he’d lost something precious.

Several times Jinx’s beast nipped at his hindquarters, obviously wanting him to stop, but he steadfastly ignored him. Running on, and eating up the miles back to Camp. Cam didn’t let up until he was back where his clothes were stored. He morphed quickly before grabbing his clothes and storming off.

He could feel his friends’ eyes on him as he left. Their scrutiny only making him quicken his pace to leave them behind.

He was pretty sure he’d never heard that tone from Jinx before, or seen the look on his face. Cam felt bad enough without his friend making him feel any worse but it was for the best. Chastity couldn’t get any ideas about him, no, definitely not happening.

He’d been a lone Wolf for so long and he had no plans on changing that. He had a business to run, a lifestyle he enjoyed, a woman was not on his agenda. Never had been, never would.

~
Chapter 1
2
~

Chastity ran as fast as she could, desperate to get far from the humiliation she felt; at her own behavior and Cam’s obvious rejection.
“How could I have been so stupid and let my guard down?”
she thought again and again as her beast weaved in and out of the trees in its path.

She’d never gotten close to anyone, not once, and now she felt stupid and shame ran through her like lava burning inside. As a She-Wolf she’d had sex, every adult female had, but never had she felt anything between her and the male. Chastity knew if she’d been in human form that tears would be streaking down her face and felt grateful her Wolf couldn’t show that weakness.

Why the hell had she acted like that? She had no clue, only knowing that both she and her beast were drawn to Cameron Sinclair like a child to candy. She thought he’d felt it too but she was obviously mistaken. He’d pushed her away as if he’d been burned and she felt mortified as she saw him staring down at her; almost panting with desire.

“Jeez, you are an idiot!”
she berated herself as she grew closer and closer to the Camp. How she ever thought that someone like Cameron Sinclair would be remotely interested in her was the dumbest thing she’d ever thought. Chastity forced her heart to close, her mind not to even think on the handsome man, or his magnificent midnight black Wolf. She would not make another mistake like that. Never again.

“You only have yourself to depend on. Nobody else,”
she thought again and again as her Wolf slowed its pace, dropping down and creeping along to the bottom of the tree that she’d climbed down earlier.

She morphed quickly and started to climb, her long legs and strong arms making short work of the task. In mere moments she was climbing through her window and let out a long sigh of relief. As Chastity moved to stand upright something hit her full in the face and she fell like a stone.

Her eyes watered, her nose and mouth hurt like a bitch, and she fought to take a breath as a booted foot kicked her in the stomach. Her Wolf howled, wanting to be let loose to protect her but then her brother’s voice entered her consciousness and she stilled, not moving as her heart beat frantically in fear.

“What do we have here?” Philippe’s tone cordial and almost friendly as she stared up at him through her hair. “Sister, welcome home! I assume you were out meeting the other traitors?”

Chastity sat up, her stomach hurting so much she felt she was going to puke. She grabbed a robe from the chair beside her and covered her nakedness. “What? What are you talking about, Philippe?”

Philippe bent down, his hands on his knees as he stared into her eyes. Chastity could see the anger clearly but she could also see something else. Something that looked like pure insanity.
“I’m not getting out of this alive,”
she thought as she waited on him to answer.

“Traitors, you’re not stupid, you know the meaning of the word and I’ll bet you know exactly who I’m talking ‘bout!”

“No,” she answered and shook her head furiously. “I don’t, I promise I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Wrong answer.” Philippe lashed out, backhanding her and sending her sprawling back to the floor.

Chastity could taste the blood from her split lip as she scrambled to get some distance between her and Philippe. “Please! Tell me who you’re talking about. I only slipped out to go for a run. You
know
I hate to stay inside but I didn’t meet anyone. I didn’t even
see
anyone!”

Her brother raised a hand to his mouth, a finger tapping his bottom lip. “You certainly sound as if you’re telling the truth. But, you’re a good liar, aren’t you, sister dear?”

He moved so fast she didn’t have a chance to defend herself, his fist smashing into her face before he kicked her hard, this time catching her hip. She thought she heard a loud crack but pain was blinding her senses so she couldn’t be sure. What she was sure of was the pain that lanced through her head and body from the assault. Once again she thought,
“He’s going to kill me.”

Philippe paced back and forth, his fist hitting his thigh as he ranted and screamed down at her. “You
do
know! First Silas, now Pascall and Quincy. Where are they, Chastity? Tell me and tell me
now
or so help me you’ll never leave this room alive!”

Chastity felt the hot tears running down her face as she realized the danger she was in. She couldn’t answer him because she had no clue where Pascall and Quincy were and she knew Philippe wouldn’t believe her. She knew without a doubt she was going to die.

*****

Jacob followed the white Wolf all the way back to her Camp and knew she must’ve been very upset because not once did she realize he was there. He almost yipped in a parody of laughter as he saw her climb the tree with expert ease and crawl back into, what he assumed, was her room.

His beast relaxed slightly as he saw her get to safety and turned to make the journey back to Clan land. Jacob’s massive Wolf only taking a few steps before he heard the noise of Chastity being attacked, the sound unmistakable to him. Snarling he went back, listening carefully and his anger rose as his heart sank.

She was in danger and it was her own brother that was inflicting the wounds. Jacob’s first instinct was to get in there and kill Dupont and he was just about to transform when he heard footsteps, seeing about a dozen guards taking their places around the Alpha’s cabin.

Shit! He was good but probably not
that
good! He needed to get help, fast.

Jacob’s beast rose to the challenge, eating up the ground at a speed he’d never achieved before. His massive heart beating wildly with the strain as he desperately ran to get help for the She-Wolf. He could hear over and over again the angry words, the thuds of punches and he was certain her brother had kicked her, more than once. Jacob heard the sounds and his anger grew as he almost flew over the ground.

He was all the way back to the Clan Camp when he saw the others up ahead. They were all still Wolf except for Cam who was stomping away and Jacob morphed quickly, shouting loudly, “Cam, get your fucking ass back here! She’s in trouble and we need to go
now!”

Jacob saw Cam’s back stiffen before he whirled around, shouting, “What? What the fuck’s going on?”

Cam ran back over stripping off the clothes he’d only just put on. Jacob spoke quickly, “Her brother’s beating the crap outta her. I was gonna go in but there’s about a dozen guards so I hightailed it back here. We’ve got to get moving, Cam. I think he’s gonna kill her.”

Cam roared, his face a mask of hatred as he morphed, taking off like a bat out of hell back the way they’d all just come. The other Wolves followed, Jacob taking a moment to take a drink from the hose beside the clothes drop off point, before he too went Wolf and ran after the others.

*****

Cam had never felt such strong emotions in his life. Roiling through his system as his beast pushed itself to the limit, crashing through underbrush and weaving in and around trees that got in its way. His heart beating so quickly he thought it would surely burst as he cursed himself. If he hadn’t pushed her away Chastity would’ve come back here with him and be safe. It was his fault she was now in danger.

His anger grew and grew, with every step he took he felt it boiling up to almost choke him. The thought of Philippe Dupont laying a hand on his beautiful white Wolf causing him to think on the many ways he would make the man suffer.

“Nobody touched her! She was his!”

As this thought invaded his mind he almost slowed down in shock.
“What the hell?”
he thought as he carried on running for all he was worth. His? When did that happen?

“Probably the first time I saw her,”
he finally admitted to himself.

He only hoped they got there in time because if not then he knew he would wreak havoc on that entire Pack. The Goddess herself wouldn’t be able to stop him.

His beast snarled as the land fell away beneath its great paws, and Cam knew Jinx was right at his back. The twins and Mac were slightly farther back, unable to keep up with the pace he set. Jacob was with them, bringing up the rear, his massive Wolf protecting them from a surprise attack.

Six, there were six of them and at least a dozen guards awaited. Cam knew he would’ve taken them all on himself to protect Chastity but two to one were still good odds. These guards had never dealt with five angry Highlanders and one badass PI. Cam couldn’t wait to get there and let some of the rage that was inside him free. If he didn’t release it soon he was certain he would explode with fury.

His senses catching the scents of the Camp as they closed the distance to the Wild Ranch Pack. Cam using every power available to him to alert him to danger as they sped along. So far there were no outlying guards in place so his pace didn’t slow, running as fast as he could to reach his white Wolf.

Far quicker than he remembered, they were soon on the outskirts of the Camp, slowing their pace and catching their breaths. Cam could sense the guards, all around the house, but none anywhere else. Not very good security if none were guarding the approach to their Camp but that was something that was beneficial to him and his Wolves as they crept onwards quietly.

Jinx stayed near him as Mac and the twins peeled away to cover their flanks with Jacob staying behind them all, just in case. Cam saw two men at the rear of the cabin, standing chatting as if there was nothing in the world to fear when a shrill scream rang out.

Chastity! Cam growled and leapt forward, knocking both men so hard they flew backwards, their heads hitting the cabin, before falling unconscious to the ground. As screams rang out from Chastity he ran to the left, running straight into two more men.

He didn’t think, only reacted, as his beast dealt with them quickly and with lethal force. His ears picking up fights from all around as shouts of alarm rang out. Cam’s beast ignored the melee around him as he fought to reach the door. His only concern to reach Chastity before Dupont killed her.

Cam’s thought process focused on eliminating anyone that stood between him and his She-Wolf. As he reached the stairs up to the door, two of the guards had morphed, their beasts snarling and snapping as he approached. Not even stalling he carried on and as his powerful hind legs propelled him upwards a flash of red fur sprang from his right. Jinx.

His best friend’s Wolf tore into one of their enemies as his own black beast stalked the other. He could smell its fear as he drew nearer, it didn’t surprise him when it turned tail and bolted. Cam’s Wolf roared as it smashed open the door, morphing as soon as he was inside and bolting up the stairs. Her blood and scent driving him onwards as he arrived in a hallway. Cam didn’t even slow down, knowing exactly where she was as he ran down to the last door on his right and kicking it open with all his might.

The sight before him causing his rage to erupt like a volcano; Chastity a bloody heap on the floor and a man standing over her with her blood on his hands and boots.

“Who the fuck are you?” the man snarled, a wild look in his eyes that Cam had seen only once before on a rabid dog.

“I’m the one who’s bought your land from under your fucking nose. I’m the one who’s going to rip you apart for touching her!” Cam’s jaw clenched so tight he thought his teeth would break.

“Really? You?” Dupont huffed, looking Cam up and down. “You don’t look much.”

Cam snarled, using one of his rare abilities; morphing his fingers into long razor sharp claws. Only the very oldest of their kind being able to do this, however, he’d been able to do it for a long time. Usually hiding it from others. Today he reveled in the surprised look from Dupont as he saw the claws and also the fangs Cam allowed to erupt.

The long canines causing him pain in his jaw as they stretched his mouth to its absolute limit. His eyes burned with hatred as he moved across the room, his eyes flitting to Chastity’s prone body on the floor. Blood rushing through his system, together with the adrenaline affecting him so that he couldn’t discern her heartbeats.

A moment of panic ran through him at the thought that she was dead. Had they been too late? He fucking hoped not because he felt as if his heart was being ripped out of him as he returned his attention to the Alpha.

Dupont taking advantage of Cam’s distraction to punch him viciously on the jaw, knocking his head to the side before he roared and struck out. Cam’s claws raked along Dupont’s chest, tearing his clothes to shreds and leaving deep cuts in their wake. The scent of blood mingling with that of Chastity’s pushing Cam’s anger to the boiling point.

He needed to get rid of Dupont and get to Chastity and the only way he could see was to kill him. However, the Alpha wasn’t going quietly or easily, as his own roar bellowed around the room, dropping down and side swiping with his leg. The blow hitting Cam’s ankles and causing him to lose his balance.

Cam’s fury was like lava inside of him, trying to burn its way out, as Dupont’s body barged into him, knocking him fully to the floor. The Alpha’s hands raining blows down onto Cam, one particularly severe punch causing him to almost lose consciousness. Shaking his head furiously he could hear Dupont laughing maniacally as his hands found Cam’s throat.