Code of the Alpha: Shifter Romance Collection

by Lola Gabriel

  The bell sounded inside the restaurant, indicating to the patrons that the kitchen was now officially closed and Asra quickly started to clean up her space. She placed the chocolate and the other ingredients back in their designated places—she liked an orderly station.

  She sat on the high stool while Connie mopped the floors of the kitchen and while she and Connie waited for it to dry, Connie turned to her.

  “I’m really going to miss you when you leave,” Connie said sadly.

  “I won’t be gone forever, you know. I’ll still come to visit,” Asra said as she took off her apron.

  “Are you scared?”

  “Why would I be scared?” Asra asked with a frown.

  “I don't know, probably because you’re going to give birth to a wolf baby,” Connie answered.

  Asra’s blood ran cold in her veins and she slid off the stool. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me,” Connie answered and her eyes flashed. “Don’t act stupid.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Connie,” Asra maintained. She briefly glanced at the door, but she knew it would be impossible for her to get to it in time. She wasn't as fast as she used to be, and she stepped backward slowly. “Connie, whatever it is that you want—”

  Before Asra could say anything, Connie grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. Her grip was tight, and Asra struggled to free herself.

  “Asra,” she heard Cole’s voice, but it sounded so far away

  Asra’s body jolted and she sat upright on the couch, with Cole sitting by her side. There was worry in his green eyes and she caught her breath.

  “Are you okay?” Cole asked.

  Asra looked around her and was relieved to see that she was in her home. Cole watched her expectantly and she sighed.

  “I—I’m fine,” she stuttered and glanced at him. “I guess I just had a bad dream, and I may have to quit my job at the restaurant."

  “Why do you say that? Was it another warning?”

  “No, I don't think so. It was just weird,” she frowned and stretched out her arms in the air. “I didn't even realize I fell asleep. Wait. How did you get in here?”

  Cole flashed her a smile and shrugged. “I panicked when you didn't answer the door, and I took the liberty of letting myself in.”

  “I hope you didn't break anything,” she sighed and glanced down at the leather woven necklace around his neck. “What’s this?” she asked.

  He looked down and touched it, revealing a white fang on the end of it. “I got it from my mother, a really long time ago.”

  “Where did you find it?” she asked.

  “Well, it kind of found me.”

  What the hell does that mean exactly? she wondered to herself, but by the sentimental way he looked at it, Asra thought it was much better not to ask.

  “It’s interesting-looking. It that a fang?” she asked instead.

  “Yeah, it’s my grandfather’s, actually. He was a healer and a concealer. He could protect himself from his own emotions.”

  “And now you’re wearing it to do the same?” she asked with a frown.

  “No, I just want to feel close to my family again.”

  “We’re your family, too,” she pointed out, not trying to make him feel guilty, but all she had ever wanted for him was for him to accept himself for the wonderful man he was. He had made sacrifices for them, seeming like the villain, when the only thing he wanted to do was keep them safe. His family never understood that, but then again, neither did hers.

  “I know that, babe, but...” His voice trailed off and he looked down at the fang again.

  “You don’t have to explain to me, Cole. I get it. I really do. If you miss them so much, though, why don’t you go find them?”

  “I can’t do that. They hate me, and I don't even blame them,” he answered gruffly. He cleared his throat and shook his head briefly. “Anyway, I have to show you something.”

  “As long as it’s not my own fang necklace,” she retorted with a wink.

  “No, I promise. You probably have enough trinkets of your father to outweigh the weirdness of this,” he pointed out and touch the fang.

  “Right. So, what is it?”

  “It’s outside. I can’t really bring it in, you know,” he answered slowly.

  “So, basically, what you’re trying to tell me is that I need to get up from this comfortable couch?” she sighed miserably.

  “Come on; I’ll help. I promise you’re going to like it.”

  “Well, that sounds intriguing,” she said hesitantly, and he helped her up from the couch.

  He led her to the front door and turned to her. “I need you to close your eyes first.”

  “No,” she whined. “You know I hate surprises.”

  “I promise you’ll like this one,” he grinned and she bit her lip apprehensively.

  “Fine,” she muttered and closed her eyes. “Is it an ice cream truck, because I could sure do with a fruit pop right now.”

  She heard the front door open and felt Cole’s hand wrapping around hers. “It’s not an ice cream truck, although I have to admit, it would have been a great idea.”

  Asra chuckled as he carefully led her down the front steps and down the pathway leading to the driveway.

  “Cole, I’m not liking this,” she griped.

  “Just hush, okay?”

  She sighed, internally rolling her eyes at him, and when they came to a stop, she was relieved and surprised that she didn't trip, not that Cole would have allowed her to, but still.

  Being pregnant made her incredibly ungraceful, and she would find the most random bruises on her body due to her clumsiness.

  “Okay, babe. You can open your eyes now,” Cole announced triumphantly.

  Asra was almost too afraid to, but as soon as she opened them, she was pleasantly surprised. A silver SUV stood in the driveway, and she scowled at Cole. “You bought an SUV.”

  “Yeah.”

  “But what about your motorcycle?”

  “What about it?” he shrugged.

  “Where is it?” she asked.

  “I sold it.”

  Her jaw dropped slightly and she looked back at the SUV. “You sold your motorcycle. But you love that thing.”

  Cole turned to her and took her hands. “I did, but you and our baby can’t drive with me on that thing. Besides, it was time for me to get rid of it, because I have the two most important people in my life to look after, and make sure that you don’t worry every time I drive somewhere on my deathtrap on wheels, as you so gallantly referred to it.”

  A proud smile erupted on Asra’s lips and she said, “You’re so amazing, you know that?”

  “I love you, both of you. Forever.”

  “We love you, too.”

  Cole smiled happily and led her to the SUV. He opened the door and smiled. “I even got our little boy a car seat.”

  Asra’s heart overflowed with love and pride as she gazed at Cole, excitedly talking about the car, and the future with her and their son. He had made a huge sacrifice giving up something he loved for them. For their safety. Asra felt like the luckiest woman in the world to be blessed with not only a man who would literally do anything for her, but a beautiful future, which she knew would be perfect.

  Cole seemed to notice the way she was staring at him and he smirked as he closed the door. “What?”

  “I’m just thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life, and you’re already the most wonderful dad in the world.”

  Cole stood quietly and Asra noticed the unshed tears in his eyes. “I love you so much,” he whispered as he choked up and put his arms around her.

  “I love you too, baby,” she breathed into his shirt.

  Forever.

  The End

  Epilogue

  Silver Bay, Minnesota

  The full moon was high in the sky, and as Cole stood outside the newly renovated family home they had spent many years living in, a smil
e spread across his face. Over the last few months that he and Asra had started to settle into their new lives as almost-parents, Cole had changed a lot. He had set aside the fears and the guilt of the past. He didn't want it to have any impact on his future with Asra, or their son, or his life, for that matter. He wanted to be free, and the only way for him to do that was to accept that everything happened for a reason, and that even though bad things had happened to him and his family over the years, he was not a victim of his circumstances. He was stronger and better than that, and he had Asra to thank for changing his mindset about everything. He wanted to not only make her proud, but their son as well. He also wanted to be proud of himself for a change. He had accomplished so much in the short while since knowing Asra. He remembered his mother had told him that once a wolf imprinted, it changed their life forever.

  Cole, being almost six centuries old, had begun to think that it would never happen for him, but Mother Nature knew that he needed to be ready for his mate, and in a place where he would be accepting of himself.

  “Hey,” he heard behind him and glanced over his shoulder at Asra walking down the pathway.

  A warm smile appeared on his lips, and for a moment he marveled at the wonder of his mate. Her protruding stomach made her look shorter than she already was, but he could not help but think that she was the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Ever.

  “Are you okay out here?” she asked and took his hand in hers.

  “I’m fine. I was just thinking about what I’m going to say to them,” Cole answered, his jaw tightening slightly.

  “You shouldn't worry about that, you know. If they didn't want to see you, or give you a chance to make things right, then they would not have agreed to come.” Asra’s voice was calm and soothing, exactly what he needed to settle the turmoil inside him.

  “You always know just what to say to make me stop freaking out on the inside. Did you know that?” he said to her.

  “I did, but I think it has a lot to do with this little critter,” Asra said and placed her hand on her belly. “I think he’s going to be like you. He’s far too chilled out to be a witch.”

  “You think?”

  “Your wolf blood flows through my veins, and it is much stronger than I thought it would be. I’m actually beginning to think I might be able to transform soon,” Asra said with a chuckle.

  “Wouldn’t that be something?” Cole laughed and pulled her close to him.

  He grew quiet and his heart pounded in his chest, and he was pretty sure that Asra felt his heart rate accelerating.

  “Hey,” she said with a little more urgency, and he glanced down at her. “Everything will be fine.”

  “My brothers—”

  “Hush,” she said and placed her finger in front of his mouth. “Everything's going to be great. I promise.”

  “And if it’s not?”

  She furrowed her brow and was silent for a few seconds as she pondered to herself. “Then I’ll do a quick spell that can seal off the house, locking you five inside so you can sort your shit out on your own time.”

  “Please, don't do that,” he begged with mock desperation.

  “Don’t make me get out my wand,” she chortled.

  “Thank you for pushing me to do this,” he whispered to her.

  “I can’t take the credit for this. You wrote the letter to them,” Asra said.

  “Yeah, but you found them,” he countered.

  Asra shrugged modestly and kissed him on the lips. “You’re welcome.”

  As he and Asra stepped inside the house, he closed the door behind them. He had done all he could to get his brothers here, and now everything was ready. He had renovated their family home, wanting them all to reunite, as opposed to how they split up sixty years ago. He wanted them to be together, even if it was for only one night.

  There was nothing left to do but wait for them to arrive.

  River bit his bottom lip as the house he had tried to forget for nearly sixty years appeared in the distance, and he gripped the steering wheel of his SUV. The house towered above the overgrown plantation and River inhaled deeply through his nose. Even though it had been such a long time since he was here, everything felt exactly the same as he remembered. He glanced through the side window of the SUV and saw the exact spot where he and his brothers stood after the fire, moments before they went their separate ways. Their angry voices still echoed through his mind, but the most vivid memory he had from that night was the emptiness he felt while he walked away from them. He had been the first to leave, and even though at the time it felt like the wrong thing to do, it turned out to be one of the best decisions he had ever made in his life. When he left, he gained his independence, something that he had never been given while living with his family. He was constantly viewed as the ‘baby’ of the house, and treated that way as well. River was strong, but no one believed in him, or at least that was how he felt.

  “Could you please remind me why you forced me to come here?” he asked with a sigh and looked beseechingly at Quinn.

  “Because you’ve been sulking ever since you received the letter from him in the mail,” Quinn answered with a shrug as she glanced out the window. “And you’d kick yourself if you didn't come.”

  “Is that so?”

  “He’s your brother, Riv.”

  “That’s exactly why I didn’t want to come in the first place.”

  “Stop being such a baby,” Quinn said and rolled her eyes. “Even though you would rather get shot with a crossbow than admit it, I know that you’ve missed them. I can see it in your eyes.”

  River had to hand it to Quinn. For a human, she was rather perceptive, and he loved scouting around inside her mind, although she taught herself how to block him out of her head.

  River and Quinn had spoken about her becoming a wolf, but she had not been ready to give up her human side. It was already difficult enough for her to lie to her mother about River, and it would be even worse if she had to become a wolf, too. On the plus side, River had been incredibly understanding about her wanting to stay human for as long as she wished. He wanted it to be her choice and hers alone, without the influence of him or anyone else.

  River was proud of her that she fit in so well with his pack, and she assumed the role of Alpha’s mate like a total pro.

  “Plus, if Cole didn't want to see you, or any of your brothers, he wouldn't have sent you a letter in the first place to meet him here,” she said, and he gazed at her. “He made an effort to reach out, which is more than anyone of you had done. No offense, of course, honey.”

  River’s jaw relaxed, and he nodded. “You’re right.”

  “I know,” she beamed and turned her focus to the road ahead. She leaned forward and pointed to the house that was now in front of them. “Is that it?”

  “Yes, that’s it,” River answered and stopped the car, switching off the ignition.

  “Wow,” she gasped and unfastened her seatbelt. “It’s so beautiful. It’s nothing like you described it.”

  “He renovated it, that’s why,” River muttered. “It used to be perfect.”

  “Looks like we’re the first ones here,” Quinn observed as she climbed out of the car.

  “If they’re even going to show up,” River mumbled again as he got out after her, and she turned to him with crossed arms.

  “If you’re going to be pouting and acting like a sullen teenager the whole time, you’re welcome to stay in the car,” she warned him.

  “You’re mean,” River grumbled and held out his hand to her. “I’m sorry. I promise to be mature about this.”

  “Excellent,” Quinn answered proudly and took his hand. “Let’s go meet your brothers.”

  I’ve seriously waited for this moment ever since he told me about his family, he heard her murmur under her breath, and he smiled slightly.

  As they walked along the overgrown grass towards the house, River took a deep breath, bracing himself for impact. He admired Quinn�
�s enthusiasm, and wished he could show the same level of excitement that she did.

  Scout knew the road they drove on like the back of his hand. He had spent many days driving his father’s truck on this very dirt road, and even though it had been such a long time ago, it felt like only yesterday when he was last there. He felt nervous, terrified even, and not even Rayven’s presence beside him made him feel any better.

  Maybe he should just turn the car around right now. He wasn't even sure why he had agreed to come in the first place, even though Cole’s letter was much more convincing than he’d expected. Although he didn't want to be there, he was curious about what Cole wanted to say to them. His words were well chosen but cryptic, but that was Cole. He took after their mother in that way, using flowery and whimsical words to grab your attention.

  Still, Scout wanted to leave and never come back to this god-forsaken place.

  “Stop it,” Rayven said suddenly, and he glanced over at her.

  “What?”

  “You’re doing it again, and you should really stop,” she answered. “And don’t look at me like that. You know exactly what’s going on in that mind of yours, but unfortunately for you, so do I.”

  Scout sighed, not wanting to say anything, as he knew that he was clearly outnumbered, even though they were the only two people in the car.

  “There’s someone else there already,” Rayven pointed out, and Scout noticed the SUV standing on the grass.

  “It’s River,” he said immediately.

  “How do you know?” she asked, clearly impressed by how he didn't even hesitate.

  “He’s my brother, Ray. I know his scent almost better than I know yours,” Scout answered, not realizing how corny his words sounded until he said them.

  “Ah,” Rayven gushed and placed her hand against her chest. “See, you love them.”

  Scout rolled his eyes at her and drove up to the house, parking his car beside River’s.