by Juniper Hart
“I wonder how many more are like him in the Senate or in the White House or—”
“It’s not our battle to fight, Simone.” Theo pulled her down onto his lap and studied her face pensively. So much had changed in her disposition since she had turned. Simone was fearless, determined, and ready to right all the wrongs which had been bestowed upon them both, regardless of the cost. Theo understood her desire to explore her newfound talents, but the fear she had lost seemed to grow inside him.
He needed to lay low and not bring attention to himself and Simone. If anyone discovered what Lane had done… For months, Theo had been on pins and needles, worried that Lane or Henry would change their minds and bring them all before the Council.
They won’t do that. It means certain death for all of us. Raven, Laurel, and Landon will show no mercy. Alec is the only one who might side with us. But it had almost been a year, and slowly, Theo let himself believe that the vampire and witch hybrid valued their own lives more than their loyalty to the Seven.
“It’s so easy for you to say that,” Simone pouted. “You didn’t get set up by your own father. He was inadvertently working with Fassot, and he was trying to bring me down with him!”
“But he didn’t, did he? Rachel cleared you through tech, and Cinnamon was caught stealing those files. There is no connection to you and Lanthcomb. You need to pick your battles, Simone, and this is not the battle to fight.”
“What battles can we fight?” she asked jokingly, but he could read the seriousness in her eyes. “I’m not working, Theo. I’m bored. I need to do something, anything!”
Theo nodded slowly, realizing that was half the problem. Of course she would be bored.
“I haven’t been working much either,” he admitted. “Maybe it’s time to get back out there and book some more missions.”
Simone frowned. “You would go back to work for a man like the Senator?”
Theo laughed. “Let me rephrase that. It’s time to get back out to work, but with my eyes wide open. I’ll never again work against my country. Due diligence all the way. Do you think Rachel might like a job?”
Simone blinked twice, and a broad smile broke out over her face. “I’m sure Rachel would love to get the hell out of Harper-Morris! What about Toni? Can she come, too?”
“I don’t know…”
Simone’s smile faded. “What’s wrong with Toni?”
“Well,” Theo drawled. “Nothing, but I was already going to hire someone else for around the office.”
“Who?”
“Brandy Ellerson.”
Simone whooped and playfully punched him in the arm. “Really? You’d sooner have that hussy in the office than Toni?”
“Of course,” Theo replied earnestly, and Simone glared at him, unsure if he was kidding or not.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been replaying the punch you gave her in my head since the day you did it,” he told her, “and I gotta admit, I’d love a replay.”
Simone burst into laughter and threw her arms around his neck.
“That’s the most twistedly sexual thing anyone’s ever said to me,” she told him, kissing his lips softly. “But I’ll make you a deal.”
“Hm?” he prompted, kissing her back. “What’s that?”
“If Toni or any other woman touches you the way that woman did, I will clock them just as easily.”
“Hot.” They shared another kiss and stared into one another’s eyes. “I love you, Simone Ruiz.”
“I love you, Theo Veriday. But you can call me Collingwood now. After all, I’m Enchanted, inside and out.”
Alpha Protectors
Shifter Romance Collection
Alpha Protectors
Text Copyright © 2019 by Juniper Hart
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.
First printing, 2019
Publisher
Secret Woods Books
[email protected]
www.SecretWoodsBooks.com
Alpha Protectors Prologue
Only Gabriel’s profile was visible under the pale light of the half moon, his strong jaw firm and defiant. The breaths of his pack escaped in streams against the frosty air, rows of glimmering yellow, green, and blue eyes staring expectantly at their leader. Their uncertainty and anger were nearly palpable.
“You must consider yourselves fortunate,” he growled, sensing the mounting animus in the queue. “I have selected you, above the thousands of others who could have shared your fate—and I assure you, I did consider thousands for this honor.”
A low murmur of discontent rippled through the Lycans, and Gabriel bared his teeth, the silvery white flashing maliciously through the night. It was not the reaction he had expected.
“You are only the beginning,” he promised them, willing their unhappiness to dissipate.
They are ungrateful. I should have known better than to take criminals and conmen into my fold.
Yet he knew that was precisely why he had chosen them; their moral compasses were awry, if not altogether broken.
“What does that mean?” a furious voice demanded. The smallest wolf stepped forward, his paws padding awkwardly on the freshly fallen snow. He licked his snout, the grey of his fur rising as his eyes clashed with Gabriel’s.
“It means I have fulfilled my promise to you, Aiden. As you can see, you are now like me: a Lycan, a true shifter and member of the Enchanted.”
The confusion seemed to be lifting, and the males began to look about, blinking as the reality of their situation sank in.
“And now what?” Aiden insisted. “What does this mean for us?”
Gabriel stifled a sigh, wondering if the tiny wolf would always be so exasperating. It would be a terrible shame to have risked turning Aiden only to be forced to terminate his life.
“It means,” Gabriel barked, “that we will rule the Lycans as our forefathers expected of me. There is not a stronger or more powerful pack than the one before us. I saw to that when I found you. You, my friends, are the best cutthroats, thieves, and killers on this side of the country, and together, we will run the lands as we see fit.”
A swell of excitement rose in the group, and Gabriel exhaled, realizing that his initial fears were unfounded.
They merely needed time to understand. Going forward, they will follow, obey, and respect me as their alpha leader. Mortals are so malleable.
But his glee was fleeting as a sardonic chuckle met his ears.
“Are you not missing something, oh, fearless leader?” Aiden taunted him, shifting his scrawny head about. Gabriel scowled.
“I miss nothing!” he hissed, advancing on Aiden. To his dismay, the smaller Lycan did not falter. “You would do well to remember that.”
“I beg to differ, my lord.” The sarcasm dripped like cuts of glass into Gabriel’s ears.
“If you have something to say, Aiden, I suggest you get on with it.”
Aiden smiled, his upper lip raising over his razor-sharp teeth. “Women, Gabriel. There is not one female in the mix.”
A wave of humiliation washed over Gabriel, and he stepped back, caught off guard by the observation. The others instantly began to nod, muttering their agreement.
“Silence!” Gabriel spat before the matter descended into chaos. “I have not forgotten such a thing. After all, how else will we mate?” The pack fell into silence and waited for him to continue speaking. “Of course there will be women,” Gabriel concluded. “Four, whom I have specifically chosen, just like you.”
“Four?” someone cried out. “Only four?
”
“Four is more than enough,” Gabriel insisted. “Lycan females are not the same as mortal women. They are much more dangerous, more unpredictable. We will have four in our pack. They will be turned on the next full moon.”
The aura of the night changed, the pheromones of the new pack rising dramatically at the idea of having female flesh running at their sides.
“You are dismissed,” Gabriel told them. Instantly, the pack fled into the night without another sound of protest. He remained in the field, his snout raised toward the heavens as he considered his plight.
Damnation! Gabriel cursed. Where will I find four worthy mortal women to turn by the next full moon? And how will I do it without the Council of Seven knowing what I have done? If Landon Burke learns that I have created a super pack with myself as the alpha…
He cringed at the notion of being brought before the Enchanted Council. The outcome would be swift and the verdict, merciless. Of that, he was certain.
Gabriel was not sure where he might find these women on such a timeline, but he knew that if he wished to keep his pack aligned to do his bidding, he would need to give them what they desired.
If my men wish for female companions, then they shall have them.
Claiming His Mate
Alpha Protectors
1
“Do you understand everything I’ve just told you?”
Marcel’s jaw locked slightly, and he nodded stiffly, struggling to keep the expression from the councilman.
“Yes. Of course,” he answered, lowering his gaze. He could still feel Landon’s eyes burning into him.
“You seem displeased,” Landon commented almost lazily, as if Marcel’s answer didn’t affect him either way.
“I’m fine,” Marcel replied quickly. He wasn’t fine at all. How could he be, after what he’d been told? Not told. Ordered. I’ve been ordered.
“Marcel, there is a reason I asked you to do this task,” Landon continued, exhaling as if the younger Lycan was giving him an argument. “You have surprised me in the past year.”
His blue eyes shot upward to meet Landon’s. It wasn’t what he’d expected to hear.
“Surprised you? How?” he asked curiously, warming to the compliment.
“Honestly, I didn’t think you were mature enough to handle your pack,” Landon said smoothly. “I was fully expecting you to choke.”
Marcel bristled slightly, the moment of pleasure subsiding. He should have known better—Landon Burke was not renowned for his social graces, after all, and his reputation had preceded him, even if Marcel had never met the Lycan face-to-face.
“I was never worried about myself,” he growled, darting his eyes downward again. Landon chortled.
“No,” he agreed pleasantly. “You wouldn’t be. When I was as young as you, I thought I knew better than my superiors, too.”
You’re hardly my superior, Marcel thought before he could stop himself, causing the older being’s eyes to narrow.
“I may not command you directly, Marcel,” Landon told him brusquely. “But I am still very much in control of what happens among the packs. Moreover, I have enough experience in this world to know not to think about something that can be read so easily. Even by your age, I knew how to manage my thoughts.”
Marcel glowered but didn’t retort. In the end, it was true. He was the youngest alpha the world had seen in centuries, and although he had stopped aging at twenty-seven, he was still only twenty-nine years old. Landon was much, much older.
“I didn’t mean any disrespect, Landon,” Marcel told him quickly. “Forgive me. Your… request took me by surprise. I’m just processing it.”
Landon shrugged as if he’d already forgotten what they were talking about.
“You’re a good kid, Marcel, but you have a wild streak that you need to control,” he told Marcel. “I’m telling you this as an ally. If you allow your temper to prevail, your pack will stage a coup and leave you out in the cold.”
A chill slithered through Marcel, and he peered at Landon speculatively. Was he warning him about something he already knew, or was it just a friendly warning?
“My pack respects me.”
“They do,” Landon agreed. “Don’t give them a reason not to.”
The younger being wasn’t sure what to make of Landon’s words, but before he could ask anything else, Landon held up a manicured hand and shook his head, clucking his tongue.
“Alas,” he muttered. “I digress. Like I was saying…” He trailed off, his eyes growing harder as he stared at Marcel, stepping toward him with malice in his eyes. Gone was any semblance of comradery.
“I’ll do it, Landon,” Marcel said. “Rest assured. You can tell the Council of Seven that I am on board.”
“This isn’t a Council matter. Not really,” Landon told him, losing the glower. “I’ve already managed to stop Gabriel in many ways. He can’t create any more wolves, but he continues to elude justice. He’s becoming a pain in my ass, to be frank, and I’d like to put a stop to him and his thuggish band of minstrels. However, he’s gotten very good at staying off the radar. He plays the game well, I’m afraid, though that comes with being ancient. It’s good for him, but bad for me.”
“I’m sure you’ll hunt him down,” Marcel offered, not sure what else to say.
“Of course I will,” Landon scoffed. “In the interim, I need to ensure that the women he turned are kept far away from him. There are only four that I’m aware of.”
“I will do my part, Landon.” Marcel stopped to consider his next words carefully. “Are you sure about this?”
“About what? That Gabriel needs to be stopped before he and his gang of cutthroats ruin the unity of the Enchanted Lycans? Yes, I am sure.” Marcel stifled a grunt of displeasure at the condescension.
“No. I mean, are you sure that the women have been turned?” It wasn’t the question he’d really wanted to ask, but it was what had slipped out of his mouth.
“I’m sure.” Marcel nodded and swallowed the next query bubbling from his lips. “You must find Emily Piper before Gabriel does,” Landon concluded. “She is your responsibility to protect. Any other questions?”
Marcel shook his head and sighed as Landon turned away.
“I expect an update,” Landon ordered as an afterthought before leaving.
“Of course.” The door closed, and Marcel sank onto the plush loveseat, shaking his head in disbelief.
What a crock. Like I don’t have enough to do without finding this girl. It was ridiculous to think that Landon didn’t have more information about Emily Piper. Landon was the head of the Lycans, as he had so arrogantly stated. He could have thrown me some crumbs of information; an address, a phone number, something for Emily Piper.
He couldn’t be sure why, but the name tickled his subconscious, like he’d heard it before. No matter how he tried, though, Marcel couldn’t conjure the image of the woman he had been instructed to find.
The visit from Landon Burke had been unexpected, to say the least. Although his life had been relatively short in the grand scheme of the immortal, Marcel had never had the occasion to meet with the Council of Seven. That, of course, was a blessing. It was a rare instance when a meeting of the Enchanted leaders resulted in something good.
Needless to say, Landon’s arrival had given him a bolt of apprehension, and the task he’d been given did not help alleviate the anxiety mounting within him.
Why do I have to find this girl? Marcel groaned to himself. If Landon thinks I’m so young and temperamental, maybe he should find someone else.
But he knew that when Landon Burke asked, the answer was always “yes.” Even if conceding filled Marcel with resentment.
He reminded himself that as pack leader, he was oftentimes faced with unpleasant tasks. He’d already learned that the hard way—several times.
You can’t be the youngest alpha and not expect problems from all angles, he thought. Some of them are just more obtuse than others.
>
A figure appeared in the doorway of the lounge, and Marcel looked up as Snaz, his partner, appeared.
“Was that Landon Burke who just left here?” Snaz demanded, a look of worry coloring his face. “What did he want?”
“Nothing,” Marcel told him quickly, rising from his spot. “I’ve got to get going.”
“We’re opening in half an hour!” Snaz protested. “And the new girls started today!”
Marcel paused and arched an eyebrow in mild amusement. “Since when do you have a problem playing guidance counselor to the new staff? Particularly the women?”
“Since Landon Burke just walked out of here!” Snaz barked back, his eyes shadowing. “Are we in trouble? What did he say?”
“In trouble?” Marcel echoed, annoyance flooding through him again. “I’m the alpha. I don’t get sent to the principal’s office.”
“Except that the principal came to you!” Snaz retorted. “I’m your partner, Marcel, and your second. Don’t hold out on me.”
“Snaz, if there was a problem,” Marcel rasped, clinging to control his increasing anger, “I wouldn’t be standing here having this inane conversation with you. I would have been hauled off to deal with the Council by now, right? I need to go out. You can deal with training the new servers.”
“Are you coming back?” Snaz demanded as Marcel disappeared through the doorway and into the empty club he’d owned for almost five years. He didn’t bother to answer his friend because he didn’t have an answer for him.
The existing staff was in the throes of the last-minute preparations, stocking, cleaning and, arranging to open the doors for the Friday night crowd. They nodded and smiled at their boss but quickly returned to work, like they were worried that they would be reprimanded for taking two seconds to grin at him.