An Alpha’s Choice
A Talon Pack Novel
By
Carrie Ann Ryan
An Alpha’s Choice
A Talon Pack Novel
By: Carrie Ann Ryan
© 2015 Carrie Ann Ryan
ISBN: 978-1-62322-099-0
Cover Art by Charity Hendry
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.
For more information, please join Carrie Ann Ryan’s MAILING LIST.
To interact with Carrie Ann Ryan, you can join her FAN CLUB.
Author Highlights
Praise for Carrie Ann Ryan….
“Carrie Ann Ryan knows how to pull your heartstrings and make your pulse pound! Her wonderful Redwood Pack series will draw you in and keep you reading long into the night. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the new generation, the Talons. Keep them coming, Carrie Ann!” –Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of CRAVE THE NIGHT
“Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to draw readers in with passion, raw sensuality, and characters that pop off the page. Any book by Carrie Ann is an absolute treat.” – New York Times Bestselling Author J. Kenner
"With snarky humor, sizzling love scenes, and brilliant, imaginative worldbuilding, The Dante's Circle series reads as if Carrie Ann Ryan peeked at my personal wish list!" – NYT Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione
"Carrie Ann Ryan writes sexy shifters in a world full of passionate happily-ever-afters." – New York Times Bestselling Author Vivian Arend
“Carrie Ann’s books are sexy with characters you can’t help but love from page one. They are heat and heart blended to perfection.” New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Rylon
Carrie Ann Ryan's books are wickedly funny and deliciously hot, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. They'll keep you up all night!” USA Today Bestselling Author Cari Quinn
"Once again, Carrie Ann Ryan knocks the Dante's Circle series out of the park. The queen of hot, sexy, enthralling paranormal romance, Carrie Ann is an author not to miss!" New York Times bestselling Author Marie Harte
Praise for the Redwood Pack Series…
“You will not be disappointed in the Redwood Pack.” Books-n-Kisses
“I was so completely immersed in this story that I felt what the characters felt. BLOWN AWAY.” Delphina’s Book Reviews.
“I love all the wolves in the Redwood Pack and eagerly anticipate all the brothers’ stories.” The Book Vixen
“Shifter romances are a dime a dozen, but good ones aren’t as plentiful as one would think. This is one of the goods one.” Book Binge
“With the hints of things to come for the Redwoods, I can’t wait to read the next book!” Scorching Book Reviews
“Ryan outdid herself on this book.” The Romance Reviews
Praise for the Dante’s Circle Series…
“This author better write the next books quickly or I will Occupy Her Lawn until she releases more! Pure romance enjoyment here. Now go put this on your TBR pile—shoo!” The Book Vixen
“I, for one, will definitely be following the series to see what happens to the seven.” Cocktails & Books
“The world of Dante’s Circle series is enthralling and with each book gets deeper and deeper as does Carrie Ann’s writing.” Literal Addiction
Praise for the Montgomery Ink Series…
“Shea and Shep are so cute together and really offset each other in a brilliant way. “ Literal Addiction
“This was a very quick and spicy read. I really enjoyed reading about Sassy, Rafe & Ian. I really hope there will be more of these three in the future.” Books n Kisses
Praise for the Holiday, Montana Series…
“Charmed Spirits was a solid first book in this new series and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.” RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Thoughts
“If you’re looking for a light book full of magic, love and hot little scenes on various objects, then this book is for you! You’ll soon find that tables are no longer for eating meals of the food variety … Bon appétit!” Under the Covers
“The book was well written and had the perfect setting the steamy bits where really really hot and the story one of sweet romance. Well done Carrie” Bitten by Love Reviews
Dedication
To those lost in the darkness.
There is a light, a break in the bleak.
Don’t give up.
Acknowledgements
Five years ago when I wrote about Kade and Melanie in An Alpha’s Path, the first novel of the Redwood Pack series, I never thought I would one day be writing a book about their grown son living in a world where the terrors he faces are even more dangerous than a demon with a plan of world domination. From the cover colors, the title, and to the idea that there is an answer through the darkness, Finn’s story comes from his father’s path. I knew that going in, only I didn’t know I was on that same path as well.
I’ll be honest and say Finn and Brynn’s story broke me. These two took a toll on my heart and my brain, but in the end, after rewriting their complete story three times, An Alpha’s Choice is ready for you.
I want to thank Kennedy Layne for holding my hand during my drafting stages. You have no idea how much you helped me by just listening. Thank you Chelle for taking me on during my panic and bringing their story to life with your edits. I adore you and now I know that we have a bright future together with our words. Thank you Rebecca and Dr Hubby for your help along the way. Finn and Brynn are brighter because of you. The Sprinting Ladies are always there for me, so thank you Shayla Black, Carly Phillips, Julie Kenner, Lexi Blake, Kennedy Layne, Angel Payne, and Jenna Jacob.
Also, thank you Steve Berry for listening to me talk while I tried to get through the plot issues I was having. Who knew a walk on the beach while we were searching for sharks, turtles, and sea glass would help spark the drive I needed to finish this book?
As always, thank you readers for being here with me every step of the way. For those of you just starting on this journey I hope you adore Finn and Brynn as much as I do. For those of you who have been here since the beginning—Finn is waiting…
An Alpha’s Choice
Brynn Brentwood has spent the whole of her life protecting the Talon Pack through terrors only she will ever know. She’s never asked for more in life other than to live to take her next breath and to ensure her family is safe. Regardless of her selfless wishes and the atrocities the former Alpha committed, she has always known that fate would provide for her as it had countless others. Fate is what has carried her through with one exception—upon meeting the one wolf who could be hers, he doesn’t feel their bond.
Finn Jamenson has been broken more than once, left beaten and half dead—and that was before he was an adult and Heir of the Redwood Pack. When called upon to work with their allies, the Talons, he finds himself intrigued with a woman who his wolf doesn’t claim as his own. Though he knows there could be something there, he refuses to tempt himself with a wolf who could never be his when his own mate could waiting for him.
The world changed in a blink of time and now the two wolves must fight as one—ignoring the burning temptation between them—when their people are threatened. With one wrong move, their homes could be destroyed and its up to Finn a
nd Brynn to save them all…if only they could save themselves.
Chapter One
The echoes of helicopter blades chopping into the wind came closer with each passing breath. Brynn Brentwood fisted her hands at her sides, knowing there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
They’d come for her family, her Pack. They’d come for her.
They’d come for answers no one truly wanted to hear, and yet, Brynn knew she’d fight to keep the truth at bay and keep what it revealed safe.
That was her job, her passion, her life.
The humans were coming for them, and the wolves at her back and at her side were as ready as they’d ever be. The reveal they’d always prepared for—and yet had prayed would never happen—was here.
The world would soon know that shifters were real…and close.
Brynn let out another breath, her eyes on the clearing around the wards of the den. When Leo, her now dead uncle, had shifted in front of a live-feed, he’d told the world—or whoever had been watching—that the things that went bump in the night were indeed real. Though her brother Gideon, the Alpha of the Talon Pack, had killed Leo, the ramifications were far from over.
In fact, they were just beginning.
“Brynn, you hear that? They’re coming.”
Brynn looked over at her brother, Ryder, the Heir of the Pack and second eldest of them all. He’d fought by her side to defeat Uncle Leo, the elder named Shannon, the elder, and the handful of others who had tried to take over the Pack. He looked a little worse for wear with blood trickling down his side and dirt on his hands, but they all looked similar. They hadn’t been able to shift and use their full strength to defeat the others. She and her family had been so afraid of showing what they truly were to outsiders, that they’d won the battle without shifting. As it turned out, all that work was for naught, though.
The humans—most likely soldiers—were coming. Were here. She could scent them on the wind, hear their feet pad along the forest floor. Oh, they might think they were being stealthy, but her wolf hearing could sense them.
Another thing the humans would fear about them.
Brynn thinned her lips and nodded at Ryder. “Gideon sent most of the Pack behind the wards and into the tunnels that connect to the Redwood Pack den. They’ll be safe there. The humans can’t see through the wards, nor can they even venture too close, but that won’t stop them from doing all in their power to figure out how to stop us.” They would find a way. Humans always found a way.
“You called your friends at the local precinct?” Brandon asked. He was the Omega of the Pack, the one who helped their emotional aches and pains. He was also her brother—one of the triplets. She couldn’t hear fear in his voice, but there was the determination that came from being a Brentwood.
Brynn nodded. She knew a few people on the local police force, as well as another group of humans in the FBI and Homeland Security. It was her job in the Pack to blend in with the humans when she could, and form connections that might help them if the secret of their existence ever got out.
Only she prayed she’d never have to use those connections. There were wolves and humans who were on their side, strategically placed around the country to protect them if they were ever outed. Now they would have to use that web of protection and alliances and pray it did as intended.
“We can’t just stay behind the wards and pray they’ll go away,” Gideon growled. “We need to go out there and show we won’t lie down, but we also won’t attack first.”
Brynn agreed whole-heartedly. What they did this first day would set the tone for the rest of their lives. Or perhaps she’d wake up from this dream and everything would go back to the way it was.
The first human crawled up the rise, a tranquilizer gun in his hand and his buddies by his side.
No, this wasn’t a dream. This was the real deal. Humans versus wolves.
“Come on,” Gideon growled, taking his mate Brie with him. The fact that Brynn’s big brother would even allow his mate to fight with him spoke of the importance of this first meeting.
Brynn stood between her brothers, her chin raised as they moved past the wards. Standing behind them and hiding was never an option. Those weaker than her were safe and hidden. Now it was her turn to show the humans the Pack wouldn’t back down, nor would they attack without just cause.
“Don’t kill anyone,” Gideon said as he moved forward. “Only defend yourself. There’s no hiding. Not anymore. But we can make this work. We will make this work.”
She slid through the wards, the warm magic tingling across her skin. Witches and the Pack wolves had woven together the barrier to protect the Talons from the outside world. The strength of the wards relied on the strength of the Pack as a whole. Though her brother and the rest of her family had done their best to increase that strength, she knew they weren’t as strong as the Redwoods. Betrayals and a past paved in blood had seen to that.
Brynn shook her head, exasperated with herself. She needed to get her head out of her ass and out of the past and onto the future. Or more accurately, the present. All they had to do was keep the humans from attacking them outright and keep things as calm as possible and maybe they’d have a chance at not ending up with a disaster in their hands.
When the first tranquilizer dart flew by her head as she passed through the wards, she knew the latter would only be a pipe dream.
Well, hell.
Gideon pulled Brie behind him and his mate let him. When the Alpha was in the mood he was in, it was best for Brie, a submissive wolf, to do as he said. Brynn knew one of the only reasons her sister-in-law was out here, was because Gideon needed to know she was safe, and the only way to do that was if she were near.
It felt like a blink of time later, and suddenly, Brynn had two humans flanking her, their guns raised, ready to pull the trigger. The others ducked and pushed at those who would take them in. Brynn did the same as she elbowed one man in the stomach, took his gun, dismantled it, then punched the other human in the face before he could shoot at her.
She didn’t use her claws, didn’t growl, didn’t shift into her wolf form. She did all of this as the badass woman she was. Yet she knew it would never be enough. She’d fight, she’d scream, and she’d try to win, but unless their world found a balance as wolf and human, she’d never fully succeed.
No one would.
Another human soldier shot at her, and before she had a chance to duck out of the way, a human at her side tugged her closer. Her eyes widened, but he just frowned at her before nodding at some of his men.
That didn’t make any sense. Why wouldn’t he try to take her down as some of his team was? She frowned and looked closer at the humans attacking her family. It seemed only half of them truly shot at them while the others seemed to only want to get closer for some reason. She didn’t understand why, but she knew it had to be important.
Someday.
She looked over at the man who had pulled her away, but he was gone, hidden among the trees surrounding the den.
What the hell?
“Stop what you’re doing and hold up your hands!” a human called out. “We don’t want to hurt you, but we will if we have to.”
She tasted the lie on her tongue. Oh, this human wanted to hurt them and wouldn’t feel a little bit bad about it. Was this what they had to look forward to? Was this the life they would lead for being different?
Her wolf pushed at her, and she tried to breathe. She didn’t know what to do. This was so unlike her, so unlike every other decision she’d made. There was only one other decision in her life where she still had yet to find the right answer, but she wouldn’t be thinking about him right now.
She couldn’t afford to.
Ryder pulled at her waist and brought her closer, just as another human shot at them. She glared at her brother but nodded thanks just the same. She hated to be saved by any of them, but she could at least be grateful.
Standing here and getting shot at wasn’t helping an
yone. They couldn’t just let themselves be taken in, but damn it, there had to be a way to talk to someone, make this…transition easier for everyone. It wasn’t as if they were a complete secret from everyone, but this was getting ridiculous.
They weren’t in a clearing, but rather a gathering of trees that kept some of them hidden. Brynn leaned into Ryder, her wolf aching to get out and fight for the protection of their den.
“They aren’t going to listen to us,” Ryder whispered. “The first people who showed up came with tranq guns that could actually work on us since those darts seem to be freaking huge. Not the best way to start.”
Brynn frowned at the humans trying to surround her family. “They either knew we were already here and are using this as an excuse, or they just come in guns blazing at any threat.”
“They aren’t using actual guns, Brynn,” Ryder said, his voice emotionless.
“I know,” she whispered back. Something far more complicated than the fallout from a live feed of wolves changing into humans and back was going on here. “This was all an excuse to get us. Or something like it. They want us for some reason, and we don’t know what branch of military or government this is. I don’t like this, Ryder.”
“None of us do, and Gideon holding us back is making it worse. Only I don’t know how to make it better.”
Brynn let out a breath then checked her phone. “None of my contacts are calling me back. What the hell is their use after all these years if they aren’t going to help us.”
“We don’t know what’s going on, Brynn. We don’t know who Leo showed the feed to, and we don’t know what others truly saw. The fact that those soldiers are here at all tells us it’s nothing good, but we don’t have the details.”
An Alpha's Choice Page 1