Alphas Unwrapped: 21 New Steamy Paranormal Tales of Shifters, Vampires, Werewolves, Dragons, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Michele Bardsley

  Heart of the Jaguar Series: Savage Hunger, Jaguar Fever, Jaguar Hunt, Jaguar Pride, Jaguar Christmas (Oct 2016)

  Vampire romances: Killing the Bloodlust, Deadly Liaisons, Huntress for Hire, Forbidden Love

  Heart of the Cougar Series: Cougar’s Mate, Call of the Cougar, Taming the Wild Cougar (Oct 2015), Covert Cougar Christmas, a novella (Dec 2015)

  Lori’s Wolf Pack

  Rolf’s Wicked Winter

  By

  A K Michaels

  © 2015 by A K Michaels All Rights Reserved

  This book, or any portion thereof, including cover art, may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission by the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter 1

  Rolf could hear Lori’s laughter as he chased around after the cubs. She was sitting on the porch sipping coffee, the smell causing his nostrils to flare. “Enough,” he exclaimed, bending over and huffing loudly.

  “You’re getting old, Beta.” Lyall’s voice holding a hint of laughter as he joined his mate on the porch.

  “I think you’re right, Alpha.” Rolf smiled, walking over to stand at the stairs leading up to his oldest friend. “How’re you settling in, Lori?”

  Lori smiled widely. “I love Pack life, but learning all the nuances, who goes where in the pecking order, and keeping tabs on what I need to do, is hard work.”

  “I’ll bet,” Rolf chuckled. “It’s hard enough for us Wolves to keep track, for a human to come into the middle of this must be very difficult. You know to ask me if you have any queries, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Lori stated. “I know, Rolf, and thank you. The notes you sent over for me were such a help.”

  “It’s nothing, happy to help. How’s the weather affecting you? It’s darn cold, but we don’t feel it the same as humans. Is Lyall keeping the cabin warm enough for you?”

  Rolf barely restrained his laughter as Lyall growled, Lori patting his arm as she replied, “I’m fine. I wear extra layers now. When I had the fires blazing inside, poor Lyall was sweating like nothing I’ve seen before. His face was red and he was obviously uncomfortable, but the silly man didn’t tell me why. It was Althea who told me, but only after I’d gone asking her to check him out ‘cause I was worried about him.”

  Lyall shrugged. “Hey, I didn’t want you to be cold.”

  “We’re due some snow next week, just in time for Christmas.” Rolf looked to the sky, sniffing and nodding. “I can smell it in the air.”

  “My first Christmas with the Pack,” Lori said quietly, her eyes finding Lyall’s and smiling.

  “We usually have a huge party in the Club House in the evening.” Rolf frowned, turning to his Alpha. “That reminds me, is it okay if I go to the hunting cabin in a few days? We’ll need extra meat for the party. And I know our Wolves have been out collecting some tasty morsels, but, if you can spare me, I’d like to head over there and see what I can get. You know there’s wild turkeys around that area, and what would Christmas day be without turkey?”

  Lyall’s arm wound around Lori’s shoulders, tugging her into his side. “Have you organized the rotas?”

  “Sure have,” Rolf replied, his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the handrail.

  “Have you checked the guards all know what hours they’re working?” Lyall raised an eyebrow.

  “Yup, all taken care of.” Rolf cocked his own eyebrow in return. “Archer knows I want to get away for a couple of days, so he’ll look after things while I’m gone.”

  “Which one is Archer?” Lori asked, frowning.

  Lyall looked down at her as he answered, “He’s the one that looks after things when Rolf is too busy or away. He’s really tall, thin, skin as dark as midnight, with a smile as wide as the Mississippi.”

  “Oh, yes, I’ve spoken to him a few times.” Lori’s face blushed. “I’m so bad with names, though. I should know this stuff by now, I’m sorry, Lyall.”

  “Hey.” Lyall kissed the top of her head. “I know it’s hard for you. You don’t have the connection we do, we know people by scent as well as sight, so don’t apologize. It’s a large Pack, honey, and Archer is kinda quiet and keeps to himself.”

  “I still feel . . . shit, what’s the word?” Lori screwed her face up. “I’ve got it—inadequate. I feel inadequate at times.”

  “Don’t ever feel that,” Lyall told her firmly. “You’re a hell of a woman, Lori, and to come in here and deal with everything that you’ve had to deal with, well, it’s nothing short of miraculous. So what if you have a bad memory for names. Heck, sometimes I don’t remember what day it is.”

  “Ain’t that the truth?” Rolf laughed. “He’s right, Lori, you’ve done an amazing job so far. Everyone here respects you, so don’t put yourself down.”

  “Hmm, I suspect you guys are just trying to make me feel better.” Lori looked between them. “But I’ll take it. Today is a good day, and I’m not going to feel bad about not knowing everyone’s name.”

  “That’s the spirit.” Rolf grinned before turning back to Lyall. “So, is it alright for me to take off for a couple of days?”

  “Sure.” Lyall stared hard at his Beta. “You going alone?”

  “Yes, as usual.” Rolf shook his head. “I don’t know why you ask me that every time. I like to have a little quiet time every so often, so, shoot me.”

  Lyall guffawed, his laughter loud as Rolf glared at him. “Rolf, you’re the only Wolf I know that likes to be by himself.”

  “It’s not often, Lyall, but just sometimes I feel like I need some peace and quiet.” Rolf motioned to the young cubs still tearing around the open ground in front of the Alpha’s cabin. “I don’t get that here, and if I bring back some extra treats for the Camp, then all’s good.”

  “I’m sorry.” Lyall left Lori’s side, coming down the stairs to stand next to Rolf. “You work very hard for the Pack, you’re entitled to time off. Go, enjoy, and get your hands on a few of those huge wild turkeys.”

  “Thanks.” Rolf sniggered. “I’ll do my best. I’ll have my phone with me in case you need to get in touch, though I’ll be Wolf a lot of the time so don’t expect an immediate response.”

  “As usual.” Lyall patted Rolf’s shoulder. “Enjoy.”

  “I will.” Rolf turned away, waving as his long legs strode towards his cabin, throwing over his shoulder to Lori as he went, “Take care of the old man while I’m away.”

  He heard Lyall’s growl and Lori’s laughter before she shouted, “I will.”

  Weaving around the cubs that were still playing, he relished the thought of some much needed solitude. He loved the cubs, the Camp, the Pack and his Alpha, but every so often he needed some time on his own. He always came back invigorated and ready to tackle anything the Pack could throw at him. As Beta, he was kept busy, organizing everything from the safety of their Camp to making sure there was enough food for everyone. Not to mention dealing with some petty bickering along the way. Yes, right about now, he needed some alone time.

  As he grew nearer to his small cabin, he saw Archer sitting on a log, his usual knife in his hand as he whittled away at a piece of wood. “Hey.” Rolf raised a hand as he changed directions to join his friend. “What’re you making this time?”

  Archer’s eyes didn’t leave the knife as it moved quickly over the wood. “I’m making a toy dragon for one of the little ones. She said I always make Wolves and she didn’t want a Wolf, she wanted her very own dragon.”

  “A dragon?” Rolf chuckled. “I bet I know who it was too, Rayna. Am I right?”

  “Yeah,” Archer stopped working, bringing the emerging figure to his lips to blow away some spare shavings. “She has some imagination that one. A dragon, jeez, I had to go online just to get some idea of what to do.”

  “You know there are rumors that dragon shifters exist, don’t you?” Rolf teased, keeping a straight face as Archer’s eyes widened.

  “No, you’
re joking.” Archer cocked his head to the side. “Aren’t you?”

  Shrugging, Rolf smirked. “It’s definitely been spoken about and what are we? Most of the population thought we were a myth until relatively recently.”

  “I suppose,” Archer’s brows furrowed. “Scary thought. Dragons are dangerous. No?”

  “I’ve no idea.” Rolf shrugged. “I guess we were thought of as dangerous too.”

  “True.” Archer looked at the small figure that was emerging from the block of wood in his hands. “It’d be a sight to remember.”

  “Sure would.” Rolf leaned against a nearby tree. “You still okay to look after things for a few days? I want to get going as soon as I can, if that’s alright?”

  “Sure,” Archer replied with a smile. “I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of until you get back.”

  “Thanks, I’ll make sure I get you a bottle of that Scots whisky you love.”

  “No need.” Archer lowered his head back to the creation in his hands. “But if you feel inclined, then I won’t say no.”

  “I bet you won’t.” Rolf laughed, as he pushed away from the tree. “Right, I’m going to pack a few bits and get on my way. See you in a few days, Archer, and keep your eyes open for dragons.”

  “Away with you.” Archer waved an arm, chuckling. “You and your stories. You take me in every time, Rolf, every time.”

  “Who’s to say it’s not true?” Rolf muttered as he left his friend.

  His strides quickened, now everything was agreed, he couldn’t wait to get on his way. The cabin that the Pack had built years ago was used mainly for staying over on a longer hunt, but Rolf used it a few times a year just to get away. He loved the solitude, after all, the darn thing was in the middle of nowhere. He’d have to park his jeep a good mile or more away and hike in. He didn’t mind, not when the reward was the place to himself, and some damn good hunting.

  Whistling as he opened his cabin door, he made quick work of stuffing supplies and a couple of changes of clothes in a large backpack. He checked his phone, fully charged, and he knew if he only turned it on while in human form, that it’d last until he returned. There was no point in taking a charger as the cabin had no electricity. A log fire kept it nice and cozy, as did the old, wood burning stove, the light from the flames of the fire were more than enough for a Wolf, and Rolf rather enjoyed the lack of technology when he visited. He couldn’t live without his gadgets and tech for any length of time, but a few days was a welcome break from always being in contact with anyone who wanted him.

  He was always grateful that Lyall never interrupted his time there unless there was an emergency, and that had only happened on one occasion. Rolf hoped this trip would be the same. He double checked he had everything he needed, glad that the cabin was kept stocked with bottled water, coffee, and other basics. As he drank his coffee, black with no sugar, it worked well for him. All he’d added was some veggies (for a stew or two), some mixed spices in a small Ziploc bag, bread, butter and the home-made jam he loved so much that Althea, their Healer made. Anything else he’d hunt for, just the way he liked it. Closing the pack he stopped, turning to grab a bottle of bourbon, a nice nip or two at night was just what he needed, so he stuffed it in the top of the bag before securing it again.

  His Wolf whined in his head as he left the cabin, prancing around, and desperate to be let loose. “Soon,” Rolf told it as he threw his pack in his jeep before going around and getting in, starting the engine and slowly driving through the Camp. “You’ll be running wild soon, my friend.”

  Chapter 2

  Rolf stomped on the gas until he reached the cut-off for the dirt track that would lead him to the cabin, slowing his speed to accommodate the road conditions. The track was littered with potholes, and he made a mental note to get a team out to improve the road. It had been ages since they’d done any kind of work on it, but with the way he was being jostled around, he knew it was time to do something about it. “Damn,” he let out as his head hit the roof, his rear end completely leaving the car seat as he failed to miss one of the holes. Slowing even more, he crept along at a snail’s pace, even though he wished he could speed up and reach the cabin quicker.

  It was less than an hour by car, but the last twenty minutes of the journey was torture, then, to make matters worse, it started to snow. “Shit, you’re not supposed to be here ‘til next week,” he murmured, noting the size of the flakes now falling, and as it grew heavier, he switched on his wipers to clear the windshield.

  His heart sank, hoping the snow would stop, because if it didn’t then it meant his short break would be even shorter. Rolf didn’t plan on getting stuck. Leaning forward to check the sky, “Not too bad,” he said to himself. “I’m sure it’ll go off soon.”

  Driving on, he breathed a sigh of relief when the snow changed to a drizzle of rain just as he pulled to a stop. “Thank goodness,” he said, relieved, grabbing his pack and getting out, mud sloshing under his boots as he pocketed his keys and started the trek to his little slice of heaven.

  Rolf slogged on, his feet sticking in mud as he drew closer to the cabin, his boots were a mess and his thighs were beginning to ache from pulling his feet clear of the thick sludge the rain had created. He wished he could have just run in Wolf form, but he needed his backpack with his supplies, and he didn’t relish having to carry the heavy pack in his jaws. So, on he trudged, getting filthier by the second.

  When he broke through the trees, he sighed with relief as the cabin came into view. His expert eyes roaming over it to check that everything was as it should be. It wasn’t the first time he, or someone else from the Pack, had arrived to find a bear had damaged it in some way. He smiled when everything looked to be intact. “Good,” he murmured because it meant none of his precious time would be spent doing repairs. He circled the cabin, making sure there was nothing wrong on the sides he couldn’t see on his approach, and, although muddy as hell, everything was fine.

  Opening the door, he kicked off his boots, picked them up and walked inside in his thick socks, padding to the small kitchen and putting the offending footwear beside the sink. He’d clean them later, when the mud had dried and it was easier to knock the muck off. Rolf started to unpack his few supplies, making sure there was enough coffee and making a mental note to send some more basics before anyone else used the cabin. Although there was more than enough for his stay, if a hunting party arrived they’d be struggling to stretch things. He’d also find out who was here last because they should’ve reported that things were running low.

  Once he’d unpacked, he checked his phone, but there were no calls or texts from Lyall, so he turned it off and replaced it on the counter. “You want a good run?” he asked his beast, who answered with a loud yip of assent. “Okay, what say we go get us something good to eat? I fancy a rabbit stew, what about you?”

  Rolf started to strip, folding his clothes and leaving them on one of the sofas in the lounge, apart from his jeans. They were dirty and wet, so he put those over the back of a chair in the kitchen to dry off. He checked the fire was ready to be lit on his return and then grabbed a large towel from the bathroom, leaving it at the door to clean himself when he got back. When he opened the door, the chilly air caused his naked flesh to goosebump. Quickly he transformed, his huge brown beast panting to be let free as it took off into the forest. The massive paws ate up the ground, sloshing through puddles and muck in glee. He never knew why his Wolf loved getting filthy, but it did, and would do so at every opportunity, thank goodness all it took was a quick shower afterwards to clean himself up. He felt its delight at running wild alone, it also enjoyed some solitude, and they both relished the times they could get like this. “Remember we’re after a rabbit,” he reminded it as he sensed it heading toward a group of deer. “I’m not going to haul a deer carcass back to the jeep,” he said firmly as it altered its course away from the larger animals.

  “Rabbit and turkeys, that’s what we’re after.”

>   His beast let out a small yip, slowing its pace, and slinking down to the ground. He could scent the rabbits immediately, several were nearby, and one of them was destined for his dinner plate. If his Wolf managed to catch two then he’d give it a treat and let it scarf one down, here in the wild. A rare occurrence when most hunting was done for the good of the Pack. His beast shivered in anticipation as it slithered along, its senses homing in on the vulnerable wild rabbits, and it barely held itself in restraint when they came into view.

  Slowly, with expert movements, it worked its way closer, staying up wind of the furry animals so as not to alert them. A good dozen or more adults were in a small clearing, bobbing around with not a care in the world. Rolf’s beast edged closer, and closer, before bounding out with lightning speed to catch the nearest. It was so fast that even as his beast broke its neck, some of the other rabbits hadn’t realized there was a threat. His Wolf dropped the dead rabbit quickly, springing after another that was nearby, its back to them, and oblivious that there was a Wolf in their midst. The poor animal didn’t stand a chance, his beast leaping high into the air and landing on it with a deadly pounce. His beast’s jaws quickly dispatched the rabbit, then dropped it as it howled loudly to the sky.

  “Go on, you deserve it.” He gave his beast the go ahead and as soon as he did its teeth were ripping into the animal within its paws. He could feel the excitement as it ripped the rabbit to shreds, feasting on the meat so quickly that it was soon gone. “The other one’s mine,” he reminded it as it trotted over, picking it up in its mouth, and as they turned to head back towards the cabin the snow started to fall once again.

  Loping through the forest, his gait lengthened as the flurry of white quickly turned into a dense sheet. His Wolf’s coat grew heavy as the snow soaked into it, leaving him wetter with every step it took. The Wolf shook its massive head to clear it from the clinging flakes that clouded his vision. Rushing on, now he only wanted to reach the warmth of the cabin, clean up, cook his rabbit, and relax. The snow fell harder, faster, as he ran and he hoped it would stop soon. He didn’t relish the thought of being stuck here longer than planned. If need be, he’d go Wolf and return cross country and pick up his stuff when the snow cleared. It’d be a long, hard, and cold run, but his Wolf was more than up to the challenge.