CHAPTER 2

Okay, make this quick, eat fast then get back to the sexy woman who’s giving you the fuck me stare. Alex had to adjust his throbbing erection as he walked into the farmhouse. Cynthia was so damn sexy with her long, slender legs and her tiny but shapely butt. She loved to run and it showed on her body. No doubt she’d want to go for a ‘run’ after eating.

“Alex!” Tess shouted from the kitchen table.

“Hey sis,” Alex said, stepping into the kitchen, “how’s the family?”

Cynthia stayed close by Alex clasping his hand tightly.

“Barely started,” she replied, “but it’s getting there.” Tess patted her belly with pride.

Alex was only recently made aware of his sister’s pregnancy. It still grossed him out to think of his sister having sex, even if her future husband Connor was the alpha of the pack. If anything that just made it more awkward.

“Sit down and eat,” she said with a smile between bites.

Connor took the seat beside Tess and loaded his plate with the casserole sitting in the middle of the table. The drab 70’s style green cabinets clashed with the paisley blue aluminum table. None of the chairs matched and most were in various states of disrepair. The linoleum floor squeaked as people walked across and it was covered with the ugliest floral pattern imaginable; you’d wonder who was fired after putting it into production. Across the table from Connor sat Marcus, Alex’s father.

“As I was saying, they’ll be sending some warriors from their pack in the next couple days,” Marcus said.

“Good!” Connor shouted, still filling his plate with an absurd amount of casserole, “You two did just great. That’s three packs now willing to stand up against the bear clans.”

“Sit!” Tess urged.

Two empty chairs remained. At least they were side by side. Alex pulled out the chair that appeared the least broken and offered it kindly to Cynthia who sat graciously, then joined her in the other chair.

“I have your next destination,” Connor said.

Another den?

“The Cliff Walker den.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that,” Marcus said, “They’re a proud warrior pack and most of them itch for a fight. I’m sure they’ll be hungry to join us.”

“Great! You leave first thing tomorrow,” Connor said.

What?!

“We just got back,” Alex said.

“And, you’ll just be leaving,” Connor barked.

“I need some time-”

“You’ll have tonight,” Connor said, cutting him off.

He must be kidding. There’s no way he would push them out the door again so soon without a moment to really rest. Cynthia grabbed Alex’s hand under the table and held it close. It wasn’t fair; Connor got to spend as much time as he wanted with Tess, but Alex couldn’t spend more than one night with his girlfriend.

“Find someone else,” Alex said, causing his chair to screech on the linoleum floor as he stood.

“If you’re a part of this pack then you’ll do as you’re told. Or do I have to remind you who the alpha of this pack is?” Connor narrowed his eyes, staring straight through Alex.

There was no way in hell he could have beat Connor in a head to head fight. He’d seen Connor take down two rampaging bear shifters by himself whereas Alex lost easily to just one. It didn’t help that Connor was almost twice Alex’s size.

“Just do this one, Son. It should only be a couple more days,” his father said.

Easy for you to say, you don’t have a sweet piece of ass like Cynthia to come back to. Alex was fighting the rage in his mind and losing. It took Cynthia’s gentle touch on his forearm to bring him back from saying something he might regret. He sighed heavily, letting the moment go, and returned to his chair which he pulled back under the table.

“This is the last time,” Alex said.

“If I only have him for one night then I’m taking him right now,” Cynthia chimed in.

Marcus laughed the hardest, spilling bites of food into his thick beard. Tess had a horrid look of realization while Connor paid no mind.

“Get out of here,” his Dad said.

Cynthia didn’t even wait for him to finish the sentence. She was yanking Alex to his feet. He toppled over the back of his chair, barely catching himself before falling. Cynthia pushed out of the room so quickly that Alex lost sight of her for a second as he returned the chair upright. With a quick smile and casual salute he left to join Cynthia by the door.

“It’s a nice night for a run,” she whispered into his ear as she stuffed something into his pocket. She smiled wickedly, and with a wink she was outside.

Alex unfurled the item she placed in his care, her panties. They were already wet and smelled of sex. Instant boner. He shoved them back in his pocket and rocketed out the door to see a silver and gray haired wolf sprinting toward the tree line. A billowy sun dress was caught by the wind, slowly finding its way toward the ground.

He couldn’t tear his pants off fast enough.