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

by Michele Bardsley

  “He’s the least of my worries right now. Rachel is going to have to make a decision and soon. I don’t blame her for what she’s feeling, but it’s not like it can be changed now.”

  Sirens wailed in the distance. They turned the corner and rounded their bikes in silence, the sound of their boots crunching on the graveled ground filled the space. “Maybe you need to take a couple days off and spend time with her. Let her know you can’t continue like this….

  The ground under him swayed, everything tilted, something hit him in the face.

  Hard.

  “Hey Roderick?” Cyn was shaking him.

  What the hell? He’d just face-planted onto the black top. Roderick rolled onto his back. Swirls of light swam before him. “What just happened?”

  “I think you’re going to have to tell Julian. Something is definitely wrong.” Cyn helped him get to his feet. “You’re damn lucky it didn’t happen while we fought.”

  “You think?”

  CHAPTER SIX

  RACHEL PACED ACROSS her living room and once again glanced at the wall clock. Roderick was extremely late -- which meant she’d be late for work. Good thing the need did not appear to be as strong today. Maybe it was beginning to wane. Picking up the cell phone, she considered maybe the urgency of the bonding was ebbing. He’d explained to her it would become bearable over time, and they wouldn’t need to be together daily. Just thinking about their lovemaking brought the familiar rush of heat, which pooled in all the wrong places.

  With the phone cradled against her ear, she headed to her bedroom to get dressed. She wasn’t sure what kind of day she’d have at the library today. If Roderick didn’t appear, it would be the first day since they’d mated that she’d face without first seeing him. Panic clenched her midsection at hearing his deep voice, the message short. “Rod’s phone —leave a message.”

  “Hi, just wondering if you are all right. Please call me.” I miss you. She wasn’t ready to let him know how strong her feelings for him had become. What if something happened to him? Was he lying in some dark alley dying? What if it was all because of her not moving in with him?

  “Oh God.” With trembling fingers, she scanned her contacts for Cyn’s number.

  “Hello?” The Scot’s deep timbre did little to settle her nerves.

  “I haven’t seen Roderick today, he hasn’t shown up…” Rachel felt like an overbearing housewife at the words, but she plugged on. “Do you know where he is? Is he all right?”

  “Uh, yeah,” he hesitated. The cryptic reply made her want to reach through the phone and crush his windpipe. “He’s asleep.”

  “Oh.” Rachel wasn’t sure what else to say. “Okay. Well I left him a message. Thanks. Bye.”

  “Hey Rachel.” Cyn stopped her from hanging up. “You need to talk to him. He’s probably going to punch my face in for telling you this, but he’s having a hard time with, err... never mind. You just need to talk to him and the sooner the better.”

  After calling the library to let them know she was taking a vacation day, Rachel jumped in her blue Honda Civic hatchback and headed to Roderick’s house. With Christmas coming up, things were slow at the library. However they were planning several events the following week, so she’d have to work extra hours to make sure all went well.

  The hour-long drive to Roderick’s house gave her time to think and practice her words. She’d made a decision, she would ask him if he’d rather move into her townhouse, or else she’d move in with him. At the same time Rachel planned to inform him that she wanted to get married. Not that she was old fashioned, but if she was tied to a man for life and possibly having his child, then she wanted a marriage certificate.

  The Protectors lived in an oversized log cabin with architectural lines that could easily grace a magazine cover. The imposing, well-built structure gave the impression of easy access, but she knew a complex security system kept track of anyone that neared the home. She pulled into the driveway and stepped out of the car after palming a remote that allowed her entry onto the grounds without setting off the alarms.

  The interior of the house was silent when Rachel let herself in with the key that hung on the same ring as the remote.

  The muted sound of rock music came from the direction of Cyn’s bedroom and she smiled shaking her head. How could the man sleep with music constantly blaring?

  Padding to Roderick’s bedroom, apprehension swirled around her like a thick fog. He’d not come to her today, had not even called. So here she was checking in on him. When she reached for the doorknob, Rachel couldn’t make herself open the door.

  Maybe her mother was right. Not making up her mind to move in together had finally put him off and he was looking for a way to break it off. Was it possible?

  Rachel swung around, stalked back to the front room and screamed.

  What could only be described as a god stood in the middle of the space. An arched eyebrow was his only response to her shriek. Olive skinned with a muscular yet sleek physique, the man had almost blue-black hair that was combed away from an indescribably handsome face.

  “Who are you?” Rachel asked nearing him instead of the smarter move, which would be to get away. “You’re one of them aren’t you?”

  Before he could answer, Roderick and Cyn burst into the room from opposite directions, both holding swords and neither fully dressed. In fact, Roderick wore only boxers and Cyn was completely nude. The men froze at spotting the newcomer. Roderick’s eyes widened when noting her presence.

  Both men dropped their swords to their sides simultaneously.

  “Hello Julian.” Cyn was the first to find his voice. The man then had the nerve to cross his arms over his chest and lean on the doorjamb, his eyes darting between the other three people in the room. Rachel tried hard not to stare at his nude physique.

  Roderick cleared his throat and dropped his gaze to Cyn’s private area. “Do you mind covering your naked ass?”

  “And miss what’s about to go down? I don’t think so.” His Scottish accent seemed heavier in his amusement.

  “Cyn.” Roderick motioned toward Rachel.

  The Scot returned a bland stare, but at least he was decent enough to grab a throw and wrap it around his waist before dropping onto the nearest couch.

  This was Julian? Their leader? He didn’t seem old enough, perhaps twenty-three, twenty-four at the most. Yet when she studied him closer, he seemed more ageless than young.

  Julian remained quiet, an aura like that of a panther about to pounce on his prey exuded from him. He didn’t look directly at anyone in particular yet seemed to take it all in.

  Roderick moved to Rachel’s side and placed a protective arm around her waist pulling her not just to him, but also slightly behind his side. “I can explain…”

  A muscle twitched along Julian’s jawline and his furious gaze slammed into them. In the next instant Roderick flew across the room, and crashed into the opposite wall.

  Rachel shrieked.

  Before he could fall to the floor, he was thrown again, this time bouncing off the fireplace wall before crumpling onto the floor. Bricks from the hearth surrounded him as he struggled to his feet only to be flung back against the first wall and held there by some invisible force. Roderick seemed to struggle to breath and Rachel rushed at Julian.

  “Stop it!” She hit the Roman in the chest. “Leave him alone.”

  Julian didn’t even flinch. Roderick continued to flail and struggle when Julian’s black gaze jerked to her. “This is Protector business, go wait in another room.”

  “Like hell!” Rachel kneed him in the groin, satisfied when he grunted and doubled over. At the same time Roderick collapsed to the floor and she raced to him. His glazed eyes met hers for only a moment before he jumped to his feet, grabbed and threw her behind him, his trembling body blocking her view of the asshole Julian.

  “Get her out of the room Cynden.” Julian’s soft Italian-accented command laced with rage gave Rachel goose bumps.
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  “I’m not leaving.” She peeked around Roderick to glare at the man. “You are crazy if you think I’m going to wait in the next room while you kill him.” She swung toward Cyn. “And you, why don’t you do something?”

  Julian didn’t speak, instead his gaze met Roderick’s. They were communicating telepathically, she didn’t know how she knew this, but her suspicions were confirmed when Roderick grunted and nodded in response.

  “He’s not going to kill me Rachel. Go on, wait in the bedroom. I need to talk to him.”

  Rachel didn’t budge until Roderick pulled her to him. His hand on her elbow, he walked her towards the doorway. His beautiful silver eyes were clear again when they met hers. “You’ll only make things worse for me by not doing what he asks. Please just go and wait. I’ll be all right, he won’t kill me.”

  “Without even touching you, he just beat the crap out of you!” Her voice rose as she dared another glare at Julian. “How can you be sure he won’t murder you?”

  Roderick had the nerve to smile. “I’ve known Julian for decades. He’s just angry.”

  Pushing Roderick’s arm aside, she peered at Julian one last time. “You need anger management classes,” she huffed and stomped to his bedroom.

  The soft click assured him that Rachel was out of earshot. Roderick swung back to Julian purposely ignoring the throbs of protest from his bruised body. “You didn’t have to do that. I was prepared to speak to you.”

  “Is that so?” Julian sneered, his piercing gaze searing. “I seriously doubt you were in a hurry to travel to Rome and inform me of your blatant disregard for our laws.”

  “He didn’t plan for this to ha--” Cyn stopped talking when Julian snarled.

  “How long?”

  The abstract question took Roderick by surprise. Mentally, he scrambled to figure out the exact timetable since he and Rachel bonded. “Sixteen days, give or take a day.”

  Julian paced, his hands gripped behind his back. In all the decades he’d known Julian, this was the first time his leader had disciplined him. What could be so bad that Julian seemed at a loss for words? When the Roman finally turned to him, Roderick held his breath.

  “A blood-bond is normally unbreakable.” He stated the obvious. “Fortunately, you did not bond correctly. Our rules are there for a purpose Roderick. There’s a reason why you are not allowed to mate unless the woman is the right one. It has to be a life mate or it will drain you of your powers, your immortality.” Julian turned, his eyes locked on his. “You must give her up. And you will leave the Protectors.”

  Roderick’s mouth fell open. “Are you saying our bonding can be broken? Why do I have to resign as a Protector?” The thumping of his heartbeat thundered in his ears. The only life he’d ever known was slipping from his fingers and he’d yet to understand what Julian expected.

  “When a Protector bonds with someone who is not a life mate, his powers can diminish. You were not just asleep when I arrived, but passed out. The combination of fighting and having to be with her daily is taking its toll on you.”

  “That sucks,” Cyn mumbled under his breath.

  The chair Roderick slumped into groaned under his weight. Julian was right. He was fatigued, barely able to get home every day after leaving Rachel’s house. Today he’d not even had the energy to ride to her place. After passing out in the street, he’d never felt so drained and it had frightened him. Once home, his weighty limbs had barely allowed him to make it from the shower to the bed before he collapsed onto it. “What’s happening to me?”

  Julian’s gaze softened. He neared and placed a hand on Roderick’s shoulder. Energy surged through him, electric tingles raced up his legs through his chest. When Julian pulled his hand away, Roderick jumped to his feet. Every ache and pain was gone, his entire body restored.

  “It’s temporary, perhaps a week or two before your energy will begin to wane again. I would suggest you maintain your distance from her, but the need will become impossible to resist.”

  “Can the bond be broken?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “Does this mean I can remain a Protector?”

  “No.” The reply was clear.

  “Damn it Julian, help me out here. What am I supposed to do? If I can’t break the bond, how the hell am I supposed to get rid of her? I don’t want to quit. Being a Protector is my life.”

  A gasp made them all turn to the doorway. Rachel stood with her hand to her throat. By her stricken expression, she’d overheard his ranting. Without a word, she turned on her heel and raced from the room.

  Recovering late, Roderick ran after her, catching up just as she reached her car. He grabbed her arm. An ache tore through his chest at seeing tears pouring down her face.

  She tried to yank her arm from his grip. “Let me go. I don’t want to be here, I have to get away from you and him.” She motioned toward the house with her other hand. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I thought…I am stupid enough to care for you. All these days of trying to convince me this was more than just a physical thing, you’re yelling at the top of your lungs how you want to get rid of me.” Rachel gulped for air and tried to jerk her arm free again. “Let me go Rod, please.”

  “I can’t let you drive like this. You’re too upset.” He reached for her but she inched away. “Look I’m upset too, I didn’t expect Julian. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Hell, I’m confused by all this and not sure what to do.” He attempted to pull her toward the house. “Please come back inside. Let’s decide together what we need to do.”

  “No.” Rachel shook her head and placed her hand over her mouth, fresh tears springing to her eyes. “I don’t want to face him again, not right now. Go back inside Rod, talk it out, figure out how we can break this bond so you can get rid of me and I can go on with my life,” she said emphasizing the words he’d said earlier.

  Hands on his chest, she pushed him away. “I’m fine to drive, I really need to get away from you. I’m going home.”

  Reluctantly, he released her arm. “I will come to your house later.”

  Her shiny tear-filled gaze met his and they maintained the contact for a beat before Rachel turned away and slid into the car.

  Her driving seemed to be under control, the vehicle glided away and Roderick raked a hand down his face. He was such an ass. He’d made her cry. Damn Julian for his rotten timing.

  Had she just said she cared for him? His chest tightened.

  “I’m not going to break the bond, so just tell me what I need to do.” Roderick stalked into the living room and stopped short. Julian was gone.

  Cyn remained on the couch, the throw barely covering his midsection. He pointed at a wooden box on the floor next to the fireplace. “Julian left something for you. He said once you make the decision he wants to see you in Rome.”

  “Damn it.” Roderick ignored the item and sank into a chair. “What the hell did he accomplish by coming here? Rachel is upset and offended. I’m confused and you’re still naked.”

  “He energized you, that’s a good thing.” The Scot scowled and shook his head. “Did you just say you’re not going to break the bond? Damn, you’re in love. It’s sad to witness the fall of Roderick the Great.” Cyn’s eyes flickered to the box. “Aren’t you going to see what’s in there?”

  “Describe it.” Roderick asked.

  “What?” Cyn’s brow crinkled. “Describe what?”

  “Love.”

  His roommate shrugged and looked away in thought. “I think it’s like a thorn or a splinter. Something that gets under your skin and it’s hard as hell to get out. No matter how deep you dig for it, you can’t get it out.” At his pained expression Cyn’s brows lifted. “That might be a bad example. Hell, I don’t know. I’ve been close to it once, and from what I remember it mostly turns you into a wuss.”

  Great, now he was even further confused. Roderick pulled on sweatpants and headed to the garage. He rolled his red Ducati Monster onto a cement pad behind it and l
owered the kickstand on the motorcycle. It didn’t really need washing, but he needed something to do so he pulled out a bucket, sponge and a water hose, the entire time deep in thought. Was it possible he felt more than a strong attraction for Rachel?

  Spartans were not an emotional people. He barely remembered his parents ever in the same room with him as a child.

  His mother was a gruff woman, her curt commands to him and his siblings the normal way. One afternoon, after cutting his hand open, he’d run inside his home to find her. With his father off to battle, he’d not thought to find another man lying with his mother. She hadn’t bothered to cover up their nudity, instead had told him to go find his older sister to clean up the wound.

  That was the way of Spartans, it seemed, for when he’d run and told his sister, she’d shrugged it off as if it were normal. Once he was old enough to go to battle, he learned most Spartans did not expect fidelity from the women left behind. They sure as hell didn’t waste time seeking sexual pleasure from other women or men themselves.

  He’d left home before having the chance to marry, Julian finding him when he’d barely begun the change and had only been with one woman.

  Over the years, lovers came and went but he’d never given any relationship an opportunity for more than a passing liaison.

  Roderick finished the chore and put everything away in the garage.

  Maybe he’d call the only mated Protector he knew, Joaquin, a Spaniard. The Protector seemed content when he’d last seen him. That’s what he’d do… call Joaquin and ask him if he was in love.

  Was love what he felt for Rachel? When did his feelings end and the blood-bond begin?

  He looked at his watch; it was getting late and he needed to shower and dress. Mostly he needed Rachel. The thought of her brought a smile and lightness in his chest.

  “Well I’ll be damned, maybe I am in love.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE WOMAN IN the mirror had hollow eyes. They reflected hurt and emptiness that could only come from a broken heart. Rachel swiped away the steam that formed and continued to stare at her reflection.