by Gwen Knight
Whisk’er Away
Meet Your Alpha Series, Book 4 (Cruising with Alphas)
Gwen Knight
Copyright © 2018 by Gwen Knight
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations are entirely coincidental.
Cover Designer: CT Cover Creations
Created with Vellum
Kendra Daye once had everything she desired: a pack she cherished and a mate she adored. But when a new up-and-coming alpha challenges her husband—and wins—her perfect world shatters. One year later, Kendra is still haunted by the memory of her dead husband and their life together. So, when her sister suggests a vacation, she agrees. A shifter cruise sounds like the perfect escape from her grief ... until she meets Leo, a sexy lion shifter who makes her heart beat again. But Kendra can't outrun her past—no matter how desperate she is to find a new future.
Leo "don't-call-me-Leopold-cuz-I'll-punch-you-in-the-face" Clapak is determined to enjoy his last vacation before taking over the pride. A week of booze, women, and sun sounds like the perfect way to ring in his new life of paperwork, responsibility, and—oh, right—fending off unwanted arranged marriages. But when he meets Kendra, his priorities shift. Someone needs to remind this sassy werewolf that life is worth living. He just needs to show her that he's the right man for the job, because Kendra's wolf sure makes him want to learn to howl.
WHISK’ER AWAY is part of Gwen Knight's Cruising with Alphas Series!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Burn For You Excerpt
Meet Your Alpha
About the Author
Also by Gwen Knight
1
Leo
Mothers, I tell ya. Wonderful people, in theory, but definitely bred to drive their children crazy. And mine was no exception. Apparently, it didn’t matter how old or successful I was, she still insisted on sticking her nose in my love life. Hurry up and settle down, would you? Think your papa and I wanna be the only ones without grandbabies? We’re getting old, kotku. Even now, that damn endearment set my teeth on edge. Trust my mother to walk around calling me sweetie in front of our whole pride. I loved the woman—I did—but sometimes…
“What about Star? She’s a lovely woman.”
“Her name is Star, Mother,” I deadpanned while continuing to shuffle through a stack of paperwork, my brow furrowed in an attempt to dissuade further discussion. Not that it helped. Determination was my mother’s middle name. And when she wanted something—watch out.
“You can’t mean to hold her name against her? Blame her dreadful parents for that.”
Dreadful parents you suddenly want as in-laws. I might have laughed were the conversation not so damn annoying. Star’s parents weren’t the only ones with horrible taste in names. Mine had chosen Leopold for me—a name older than dirt itself. Of course, seeing as my parents were older than dirt, it made sense. Star’s parents were almost as old as mine, but while my family had focused on building a company and a legacy, Star’s had spent their time singing songs and smoking grass. It didn’t matter that the hippie days had long since died out, they remained as dedicated as ever.
“Star is a very sweet girl. Very docile. You two would make a wonderful couple.”
I cleared my throat and focused on a specific page, reading the same line three times over.
My mother’s chair creaked as she leaned forward. “Would you at least look at me? I didn’t raise my son to be so rude.”
It took every ounce of willpower not to roll my eyes. “Mother, we’ve been through this. Many, many times.” I gestured toward the stack of paperwork overwhelming my desk. “Papa wants me to take over the pride and the company. You know what that means. Long nights, early mornings, and lots and lots of coffee.”
“Bah.” Her wrinkled brow knotted. “Your papa built this company from scratch. Not to mention ran the pride and took care of me at the same time. And we had you! So, don’t give me that nonsense about being too busy to find a mate. Now, if not Star, then who? Need I remind you that your friend Mila has already given her parents two beautiful boys?”
Oh, God, not this again. “Mila got knocked up at fifteen.”
Mother waved a dismissive hand. “That doesn’t change the fact that she fulfilled her duty to her family. And her parents love those children to death. Is this really so much to ask?”
“Jesus, Mother. I’m not going to knock up some random woman just to appease your biological clock.”
“No one said she had to be random! Surely someone in our pride has caught your eye? Plenty of available lionesses, many who would love to become the future alpha’s mate.”
A growl threatened to spill past my lips, but I quickly swallowed it. My mother meant well, I knew that. And while she frustrated me beyond reason, I refused to lash out at her. Being an alpha meant I controlled the beast within, not the other way around. Instead, I drew a deep breath and folded my hands on top of the paperwork. “I refuse to mate with someone who’s only interested in rank.”
“Oh, Leopold.” My mother shook her head, her silvered locks spilling around her shoulders. “How do you think your father and I came to be married? Must you be so stubborn?”
“Guess I get it from you,” I retorted.
Her mouth thinned. “Don’t you sass me, boy.”
A hard knock on my office door saved me from uttering the sarcastic comment hovering on the edge of my tongue. Probably for the best, too. My mother was kind and loving, but she was also a lioness, capable of clawing off someone’s face in under two seconds. Throughout my life, I’d witnessed two epic spats, and they’d left lasting impressions. Both had resulted in the deaths of two females who’d believed they could take my mother’s place at my father’s side.
The door edged open and a blonde head popped through. “Oh, uh, sorry…I didn’t realize you were with your mother.”
“It’s fine, Risa.” I caught my assistant’s gaze and nodded. “What do you need?”
“There’s someone here to see you? He says you have an appointment. He’s a…um…a, well…”
“Vampire, luv,” a deeply accented voice boomed from the hallway. “Don’t be shy ’bout it.”
“A vampire?” my mother hissed, her amber eyes darting to mine. “Why the hell are you meeting with a filthy vampire?”
I shook my head, astounded. “He can hear you.”
Her eyes popped, and color flushed her cheeks. At least she had enough common sense to look embarrassed.
“And he’s more than just a vampire,” I continued. “Kai Abram is the master of the Rapid City Vampire Coven. I invited him here today to discuss
some business matters.”
“Business,” my mother repeated. “Your father never associated with their kind.”
Their kind. I almost shook my head. Instead, I angled for a bit of logic. “Right. And because of that, we’re constantly battling over contracts and fighting over the same turf. A little cooperation wouldn’t hurt either of us. In fact, I have a few proposals I think he’ll agree to.”
“Leopold,” my mother growled. “Your father chose not to deal with the local coven. For…reasons.”
“Reasons I’m sure he believed were once valid. But Papa won’t be in charge much longer. And I have a few ideas that should prove profitable, so long as everything goes well.” I glanced at Risa. “You can show him in, and then head home.”
The petite lioness gave a single nod before ducking out of the room. I listened to the sound of her and Kai’s hushed conversation, then tapped my fingers against the desk to regain my mother’s attention. “We’ll finish our conversation later.”
She held my gaze, her inner lioness fired up. She wanted to say more, I could see it in her scrunched nose and pursed mouth, but instead, she nodded and rose from her seat. I bit back a relieved sigh. If I had it my way, she would never utter another word regarding my love life again—a damn near impossible wish. Mothers were bred to drive their children crazy, remember? They dedicated their lives to sticking their noses where they didn’t belong.
She stalked to the door, her tapered fingernails drumming against her hips as she studied the vampire standing in the entry—a silent challenge of sorts.
“You must be the lovely Mrs. Clapak.” Kai bowed his head, a smirk playing at his lips. “Delighted to meet you.”
Seemed she didn’t quite agree, if her clenched jaw and stiff spine were evidence of anything. Prejudice was alive and well, even now, and especially within the paranormal community. Old dogs, new tricks and all that nonsense. As though sensing my thoughts, my mother shot me one final glare before storming out of the office.
Laughter gleamed in Kai’s eyes as he closed the door behind her. “Well, chap, I don’t think your dear ol’ mum likes me.”
“Lucky you.” I leaned back in my chair and massaged my throbbing temples. In all my life, she was the only person who’d ever actually given me a headache. She meant well, I knew that. But I couldn’t recall a single conversation between us that hadn’t ended with a mind-numbing migraine. The woman knew no boundaries and cared little for decorum. She spoke her mind, often and loudly. Something my father absolutely adored about her—thank goodness.
“I must say, I was surprised to hear from you. I’d heard talk of you taking over the pride, but I tend not to pay much attention to gossip.”
I rose from my chair and circled around my desk, hitching a hip against the edge. “It’s not gossip. My father wishes to retire.”
“And what is it you expect from me exactly?”
“I’m not naïve. I know our people will never get along. And I’m not in the market for a new friend—”
“What a shame.” Kai winked. “I make a grand friend.”
I cocked my head. “That so?”
“Guess you’ll never know.”
“Really.”
An easy grin sprang to Kai’s lips. I got the feeling this vampire was quick to laughter. A bit of a change from the many stereotypes I’d heard over the years. Fanged monsters that cared for nothing except their next drop of blood. Demons caged within the pale husks of their former selves. Woeful beings cursed to wander the earth for all eternity. The whole Nosferatu syndrome. Sounded miserable.
Luckily, Kai seemed anything but.
Without another word, he plopped down on the nearest chair and slung his leg up over the armrest.
“Make yourself comfortable, why don’t you.”
“Thanks, mate. I will.”
I shook my head as I circled back around my desk. “I wanted to discuss a few things with you tonight.”
“Like?”
“Like your warehouse off Omaha Street.”
Kai groaned and dropped his head against the back of the chair. “You and your da are one of a kind. All business. You ever have fun, mate? Or is everything about duty and responsibility?”
I blinked. “What?”
“You and your da. The two of you, a right pair. Shoulda known you’d wanna chat about that blasted building.”
My mouth quirked. Suffice it to say, I liked this Kai. He didn’t seem anything like what I’d expected. “Well, if you hate it so much, give it to me.”
That caught his attention. He froze on the chair, his leg halting mid-swing. “What?”
“Give me the warehouse. I know you only bought it to prick my father’s nerves. Outbid him at an auction, right? He went in hoping to get it for a steal and you…”
“Swept it out from under his nose.” Kai bit back a grin. “So, if you know about that, then you must know about the condo he bought.”
I nodded. “Half inside your territory, just to piss you off. In retaliation, I suspect.”
“He housed three of his shifters there. Didya know that? Three! Bastard—no offense—practically spat right in my face.”
“Well, come on.” I laughed. “You did the same thing when you stole that warehouse from him.”
“It’s a warehouse, mate. What’s the big deal!”
“Have you been inside it?”
“What? No. I didn’t care a lick about that shoddy ol’ place.”
I nodded. “My point exactly. So, I propose a trade. Your warehouse for our condo.”
Kai straightened in the chair, his leg sliding off the armrest. I had his interest now. I could see it in the unnatural glint in his eyes. “You serious, mate?”
“Yup. The condo was a dick move, as you said, even if it was in retaliation. I’ve already relocated the three shifters, so they’re no longer in your territory. It’s ready for you to take possession once you sign the paperwork.”
“You’re shittin’ me.”
A grin spread across my face. “Honest to God. So long as you’re willing to trade the warehouse.”
“Bloody ’ell, ’course I’m willin’!”
I laughed at the sound of his thickening accent. I must have really caught his interest. “Excellent. Our pride’s lawyer will contact you within the next couple days to sort everything out. I hope this will be the first step to improving relations between your coven and my pride.”
Kai rose from his seat and took my outstretched hand. “You know, it takes a lot of guts to man up like this. Your da and I’ve been dancing around each other for decades. Always pokin’ at one another, wondering who’d break first.”
I nodded. “They say bear shifters are stubborn, but they’ve got nothing on us lions.”
“Too true, mate. And in appreciation, I’m gonna give you a wee bit of advice.”
“Oh?”
“Your mum. Couldn’t help but overhear a bit of the conversation between you two when I arrived.”
I arched a brow. “Eavesdropping’s rude you know.”
“But can’t be helped sometimes, ya’know?”
I clucked my tongue at him.
“Anywho. I thought ya might wanna know ’bout a little something. It’s fairly new, but I’ve heard lovely things from those who’ve used it.”
Apprehension slammed into me. “I really don’t think—”
“Calm down, big guy. It’s nothing illegal. Just thought you might wanna know about a little thing called Meet Your Alpha.”
“Meet Your Alpha,” I repeated, arching a brow.
“Yeah. Some new company, or website. I haven’t had the inclination to try it yet, but I know the owner. A vamp I’ve known since the dawn of time or some shit. He and his foxy little shifter decided it was time to create a dating website marketed specifically to our kind. Don’t get me wrong, humans are welcome to play, too. But the general clientele is paranormal.”
“And this would help me how?”
“Your
mum. Wants you to put your big boy pants on and settle down, yeah?” He threw me another wink. “Well, here’s your chance, mate. All you gotta do is sign up, and then the world’s yours for the taking. From what I understand, there’s tons of eligible ladies on the site, all looking for their one true mate.”
“Then why aren’t you on it?” I asked.
Kai’s cheeks burned bright. I had no idea vampires could blush, but apparently, they could. “Eh. If I were ready to settle down, maybe. Check it out, all right? Who knows, maybe you’ll find someone nice and agreeable. The world’s a big place. For all you know, your perfect lady is on there right now, waiting for you. Hell, they even organize singles cruises. Wouldn’t mind takin’ part in that, if I do say so myself.”
“Then why don’t you?”
Kai rolled his eyes. “I might like the ladies, bruv, but not enough to settle down.”
“Well, thanks for the tip.”
Kai chuckled and shoved to his feet. “I know what that means. Not on my life, right, mate?”
I coughed into my hand to hide my laughter.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Don’t say I didn’t try to help you, eh? I’ll let myself out, don’t you fret. I’ll be waiting to hear from your lawyer.”
“Right. I’ll pass the info along to him tomorrow. Shouldn’t take too long.”
“Cheers, mate,” Kai called as he strolled out of my office.
Finally alone, I leaned back in my seat and stared across the room. The silence was refreshing for once. ’Course, with how late it was, everyone else was home and in bed. I’d stayed later than normal for my meeting with Kai.
On a whim, I leaned forward, dragged my keyboard closer, and typed Meet Your Alpha into the search bar. Sure enough, the first result was a dating website. I drummed my fingers against the mouse and considered how to proceed. A dating website. On the one hand, that sounded pretty pathetic. What sort of jackass had to go online to find their mate? On the other…the thought of sitting at my desk while searching through countless eligible women piqued my interest. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to date—rather that I didn’t want to date Star. Or anyone else my mother thought worthy. That was all I needed, to spend my whole life knowing my mother had set us up. She’d never let me live it down.