Her Alphas

by Gabrielle Holly

  Though she’d tried to block them out, Alex’s thoughts and feelings of loss and confusion had crashed into her mind. He seemed to be growing more annoyed with her by the day. His belief that Gwen had orchestrated Jenny’s attack in order to get her way had gained a foothold in his subconscious. Rather than discuss it with Gwen, he’d just retreated into his own anger.

  She had been losing sleep over how to fix things, but this morning, every worry seemed to have disappeared.

  Gwen sprang out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Cringing as she peeled back the dressings on her calf and thigh, she looked down, expecting to see mangled flesh. Instead, her leg was smooth and flawless. The bandages had traces of blood and little bits of black thread that Gwen recognized as stitches, but her skin showed no signs of trauma.

  Cool.

  Shucking off her T-shirt and panties, Gwen stepped into the tub and turned on shower. The sensation of the hot water hitting her body was amazing. She felt each individual droplet exploding across her skin and sighed. As she twirled the bar of soap between her palms, the clean aroma drifted up to her nose. But it wasn’t just one scent, it was a thousand. She picked out lavender and aloe, vanilla and mint.

  Dropping the bar back into the dish, she smoothed the lather over her skin. Her hands left warm trails behind with every stroke. Gwen worked the suds into the curls between her thighs and an explosion of sexual energy radiated from the spot.

  Oh. My. God!

  Gwen’s clit crested through her lower lips and she massaged the throbbing bud. It was as if she were touching herself for the first time. Her nipples puckered and grew so hard they ached. Lowering herself into the tub, Gwen draped one leg over the cool side, and plunged her fingers in and out of her slick pussy, then raised her other hand to one breast and squeezed hard at the tingling pink center.

  She was aware of everything—the full feeling in her cunt, the sting of her pinched nipple, and the prickle of countless drops of water teasing her skin. The orgasm was immediate and intense. Gwen grunted and bucked, sliding across the slick porcelain as her moans echoed off the tiled walls.

  As soon as the first climax had subsided, another began to build. She came twice more before the hot water ran out and she was forced to step out of the tub and towel off. Even the rasp of the terrycloth was erotic.

  Gwen might have stayed in the bathroom all morning, diddling herself into oblivion, if a stronger urge hadn’t overcome her. She was starving!

  Not bothering to dress, Gwen made her way into the kitchen and stood in front of the open refrigerator. She pulled out everything high in fat or protein and set it on the counter—eggs, steak, butter and cheese. Popping a delectable chunk of cheddar into her mouth, she set the cast-iron skillet on the stove to preheat. As she was unwrapping the butcher paper from a ribeye, a premonition hit her like a physical jolt.

  Tommy.

  Gwen dropped the meat on the counter, grabbed the afghan from the sofa, and wrapped it around her torso as she headed for the cabin door.

  He was standing on the front porch, just as she knew he would be. She jerked open the door and he looked her over from head to toe. A wicked grin jerked up one side of his beautiful mouth. She sensed he was shielding his thoughts, but one unmistakable notion broke through. Want.

  The emotion was so strong, she was amazed how cool and confident he seemed outwardly. He held out a paper bag and a thermal carafe. “I made coffee and picked up donuts from Old Town Bakery. Are you interested?”

  Gwen stepped aside to let him in and he surveyed the mound of food on the counter then laughed. “Okay, well consider this an appetizer. Why don’t you dig in and I’ll cook the main course?”

  Protesting was not even an option. Gwen was ravenous. She grabbed the thermos and bakery sack and sat down at the kitchen table. Tommy brought her a mug, a carton of cream and the sugar bowl. Gwen shoveled four heaping spoonfuls of sugar into her cup, then added the coffee and a generous splash of cream. Before taking a sip, she pulled a glazed donut from the bag and ripped off a bite. She moaned as she finished the rest of it.

  “Good, huh?” Tommy asked.

  Gwen could only nod and move on to the next pastry. Tommy dropped a huge pat of butter into the skillet and the instant it made contact with the heat, it released such a heavenly aroma that Gwen’s mouth flooded with saliva.

  Tommy seasoned the meat with salt and pepper then dropped it into the melted butter. He started a second pan for the eggs and by time Gwen had made her way through her third donut, he’d plated a rare steak and three eggs sunny-side-up.

  Table manners suddenly seemed a low priority and Gwen tore into the food. Every bite was a revelation. She enjoyed it with abandon, making sounds like porn star.

  The Cat King laughed. “You know, your grocery bill is going to go through the roof. You’ll burn five—maybe ten—times the calories you would have as a human, and once you start running around, howling at the moon, it’ll be even worse.”

  Gwen stopped chewing and stared across the table at him. He winked. “But you make sure not to lose any of those incredible curves. Promise?” Want.

  Cream trickled from Gwen’s pussy and she squirmed in her chair then swallowed hard. “I want you too.” Hearing herself voice the thought she’d had since laying eyes on him only ratcheted up her longing.

  Tommy groaned. “God, Gwen—there’s nothing I want more—but it’s kind of complicated.”

  Gwen reached up and loosened the end of the afghan she’d wrapped around her body and let it fall open. “Doesn’t seem very complicated to me.”

  When Tommy’s gaze swept over her bare breasts, she could feel the heat of his appreciation. She stood and walked around the table, stopping inches in front of him. This time when his eyes flashed amber, she was certain it wasn’t an hallucination.

  Reaching out, she swept the back of her fingers over his cheek then traced the sharp line of his jaw and chin. He stood motionless as she ran her thumb around the limits of his full lips then slowly shoved it into his mouth. Tommy closed his eyes and sucked hard. The sensation radiated up her arm then exploded into her most erogenous zones.

  “Tommy,” she whispered.

  He wrapped his big hand around her wrist and pulled it from his mouth. When she looked up, his golden eyes were locked on hers and she could hear his galloping heartbeat. “Gwen, we have to slow down. This is much more—”

  “Complicated. Yeah, I know,” she finished for him before reaching behind his head and weaving her fingers through this long hair.

  The jet-black strands felt like silk and she moaned before closing her eyes and pulling his face to hers. The world flashed white the instant their lips touched. The entire universe seemed to implode until they were enveloped in a silver-blue cloud of light.

  Tommy hesitated for a moment before returning the kiss—crushing his lips against hers and probing her mouth with his tongue. The scent and taste of him was more delicious than any food had ever been. In that moment, Gwen thought she could live on a steady diet of Tommy Longtree for the rest of her life.

  Sliding his hands around her waist, Tommy pulled her to him. It felt as if the floor had dropped away and Gwen was floating in his arms. The physical connection was intense, but the spiritual one was even more so.

  Gwen felt empowered by the mystical force that surrounded them and in an instant, she knew Tommy was right. They had to wait. Something much bigger than their attraction to one another was at play.

  She loosened her grip on Tommy then stepped back and looked into his golden eyes. “Do you feel it?” she whispered.

  He nodded then stroked her cheek. “Yes, I feel it.”

  Laying her hand on his, Gwen leaned into his touch. The sexual energy still surged through her body, but she now felt she had some control over it. A feeling of peace washed over her. She was certain that every strange turn her life had taken to this point had led her to Tommy and that her adventure with him was just beginning.

  Gwen was los
t in the amber glow of his stare, eager to find out where their journey would lead, when a powerful insight burst into her mind. She turned toward the door, not at all surprised to see Alex McKenzie step into the cabin.

  * * * * *

  Alex knew the Cat King was there before stepping onto the porch. He could smell him. But, it was Gwen’s scent that caused his base of his spine to tingle. If Alex had a tail, it would be tucked between his legs. His instinctive response to her superiority both confused and humbled him.

  While the rest of the pack had been out running under the moon, Alex had spent a long sleepless night in the shaman’s cabin discussing Gwen. He dreaded having to deliver the news.

  In the years since his change, Alex had been with countless human women and several female werewolves. His libido was insatiable and sex had become an irresistible drug. The humans gave him unimaginable pleasure, and mating with his kind was always a magical experience. Yet once he’d met Gwen, he’d given up all other partners.

  It had been challenging to turn down the many willing females who pursued him in both worlds, but he knew any encounter would pale in comparison after he’d been with Gwen.

  He’d almost convinced himself that it was their combined chemistry that made their union so special. Alex wanted to believe that no other two beings could create the passion and heat they shared. It took Jenny’s attack to make him admit that it was Gwen’s unique magic alone that fueled the fire.

  The indifference he’d felt immediately after the attack—and in the days that followed—left him empty. Alex’s scientific mind had searched for answers he knew he would never find. On the last morning of moon week, he’d sought out insight from Jeremiah Morgan.

  The pack shaman said he’d been expecting the visit. “I sensed your confusion, Alex. To be honest, I had the same feelings about Gwen after she was bitten.”

  They’d sat in silence while Jeremiah smoked his pipe and Alex tried to formulate the right question.

  “She’s not a were now, is she?” Alex had finally asked.

  “Not exactly.”

  “But she’s not still human either, right?”

  Jeremiah blew a smoke ring toward the ceiling. “Definitely not. I don’t believe she ever was.”

  Though the answer seemed outrageous on the surface, it struck a chord with Alex, as if he’d always known its truth. “Then what is she?”

  The shaman shook his head. “I’m not certain. We knew she was special because of her paternal lineage as a human consort. What do we know about her mother?”

  Alex had searched his memory. Gwen hadn’t said much about either of her parents—just that neither was still living. “Nothing,” Alex finally answered. “Do you have a theory?”

  Jeremiah shrugged. “Well, my friend, it’s just that—a theory. After seeing the Cat King with her in the operating room—and hearing your description of their first meeting—I began to wonder…”

  When the shaman didn’t finish his thought, Alex broke in. “What? You think she’s a shifter?”

  “No, a Halfling. It would be extremely rare. Shifters and regular humans can’t produce offspring—at least none that would live to maturity. But, perhaps it’s possible if the human—in this case Gwen’s father—had some sort of mystical makeup, which as a legacy consort he did.”

  “Why wouldn’t she have told me?” Alex thundered.

  Jeremiah reached out and patted the alpha’s shoulder. “Easy now. It’s possible she didn’t know. I suppose it’s possible her father—even her grandfather—didn’t know. We need to give her the benefit of the doubt, Alex. If this is the case, we are dealing with something unprecedented.”

  Alex furrowed his brow. “How so?”

  “If Gwen Chaney came to us already walking the divide between the real and shadow worlds, that would make her very special. Now that she has the blood of the wolf in her veins as well, she will emerge from the next lunar cycle as the most powerful being on the face of the earth.”

  Gwen didn’t bother to cover her nakedness and Alex couldn’t help but take in her beautiful curves before dropping his gaze to the floor. “We have to talk,” he said.

  “I should go,” Tommy offered.

  Alex sat on the couch then nodded toward one of the armchairs. “No, stay. This concerns you too.”

  “Well, this sounds like a conversation worthy of clothing,” said Gwen. “Why don’t you two make yourselves comfortable while I go throw something on?”

  Tommy was expressionless as he settled into the chair near the window, but Alex could feel his emotions. Protect.

  Alex shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’m not here to hurt her. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’m pretty sure nobody—and nothing—can.”

  Gwen returned from her bedroom and sat down in the matching armchair across from the sofa. “Well?”

  She and Tommy leaned forward, seeming to hang on Alex’s every word as he told them what had been discussed in the shaman’s cabin the night before. “What do you know about your mother, Gwen?”

  “Not much. She died a few days after I was born—some sort of infection. My dad raised me.”

  “What about your mom’s family?” Alex asked.

  Gwen shook her head. “She had none. At least that’s what she told Dad.”

  “And do you know how your folks met?”

  “Yeah, Dad was on spring break with some college buddies—camping in the Black Hills in South Dakota. He met Mom while out hiking around—”

  “Custer State Park,” Tommy finished quietly.

  Gwen turned to face the Cat King. “Right. How’d you know?”

  “It’s got the largest population of the Western clan.”

  Alex studied Tommy’s face. He seemed lost in thought. “What do you think, Longtree—is it possible?”

  Tommy nodded. “I’d say it would explain a lot.”

  Gwen cocked her head. “But if I’ve been one of your people since birth, why haven’t I shifted yet?”

  “Who knows?” Tommy responded. “The first time usually happens in early adulthood. I’d guess you’ve been delayed because you’re only half Cat. Maybe you never will shift. Then again, now that you’ve been bitten by a werewolf…”

  “So now what? What’s going to happen to me at the full moon?”

  That was the million-dollar question. “We don’t know,” Alex finally admitted. “Jeremiah said there’s no precedent for it. But whatever it is, it can’t happen here in Talbot. We think it’s best to leave right away. I’ve had the network cancel my filming schedule for the next three weeks and—”

  Gwen jumped to her feet. “Excuse me?”

  The command in her voice caused Alex’s tailbone to tingle again, but when she met his gaze, a glimmer of his former attraction to her broke through. It was as though having some answers—no matter how theoretical they might be—had cleared the anger and confusion that had clouded his mind for the past week.

  “Please sit down, Gwen,” Alex said softly. When she had, he continued. “It’s Jeremiah’s opinion—and I agree—that we need to keep this quiet until we know what we’re dealing with. Outside of us, Sergei and Jeremiah, nobody in the pack even knows you were bitten. And since it looks like you’re now part of Tommy’s world and mine, we both need to be there for your first lunar cycle.”

  “Then put me in the fledgling cell. You’re the alpha. Just tell the rest of the pack to stay out.”

  Tommy shook his head. “I can’t enter the cave.”

  Gwen threw up her hands. “Well, where are we supposed to go then?”

  The two men looked at each other and silently agreed on the only logical place.

  “Fine, but I’m bringing my dog,” Gwen said.

  Alex snapped his gaze back to her. Gwen, can you hear me? I can’t hear you.

  She nodded. “Yes, I can hear you both—and you two fearless leaders can wash the dishes while I go pack.”

  Chapter Ten

  Tommy Longtree lived in a beautifu
lly restored stone boathouse on the shore of Box Turtle Lake. Three arched openings rose from the water and were tall enough for large boats to pull into the protected slips. Heavy wood doors could be slid shut to shield the vessels in stormy weather.

  The living quarters were upstairs with banks of tall windows overlooking the lake and French doors opening on to a wraparound deck. Clearly, the west-facing building had been constructed to take full advantage of the sunsets.

  Bedrooms and baths were situated around the rectangular perimeter of the spacious main living space. A pool table was the centerpiece of one end of the room and a seating area was arranged in front of a stone fireplace on the other. Between the two was a huge, state-of-the-art kitchen with high-end appliances and luxurious finishes.

  The décor throughout was stunningly eclectic mix of classic and modern, and Gwen was surprised to learn that every piece of furniture and art had been handpicked by Tommy.

  “Yeah, after the first couple hundred years I got pretty good at arranging knick-knacks,” he joked.

  Jezebel and Bob sniffed around the space then found spots in front of the hearth and flopped down. Alex dropped his and Gwen’s suitcases on the antique Persian rug. “Sleeping arrangements?”

  Gwen bit her lip. She’d been wondering the same thing herself.

  Tommy set the grocery bags on the counter. “Well, there are four bedrooms. Mine’s over there,” he said nodding to the paneled oak door beside the fireplace. “You guys can have your pick of the other three, but I’d suggest they be different ones. Are we all in agreement on that point?”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” Alex said.

  “Absolutely,” Gwen agreed, trying to hide her disappointment.

  After poking their heads into each of the spacious guest quarters, Alex chose the suite directly across the long great-room from Tommy’s and Gwen settled in the middle. Geometrically, it was the farthest the three could be from one another.