Beta's Challenge

Beta’s Challenge Seeeley Creek Werewolves Book One By Mildred Trent & Sandra Mitchell

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Beta’s Challenge by Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell Red Rose™ Publishing Publishing with a touch of Class! ™ The symbol of the Red Rose and Red Rose is a trademark of Red Rose™ Publishing Red Rose™ Publishing Copyright© 2011 Mildred Trent and Sandra Mitchell ISBN: 978-1-4543-0091-5 Cover Artist: Nika Dixon Editor: Zena Gainer Line Editor: Bernadette Smith All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Due to copyright laws you cannot trade, sell or give any ebooks away. This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. Red Rose™ Publishing www.redrosepublishing.com Forestport, NY 13338 Thank you for purchasing a book from Red Rose™ Publishing where publishing comes with a touch of Class!

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Beta’s Challenge By Mildred Trent & Sandra Mitchell

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Chapter One ―What will it be ladies,‖ Kyle, their oh-so-gorgeous bartender, asked as he glided to where they sat at the bar. ―I‘ll have a Sex on the Beach,‖ Tia Monroe breathed, looking Kyle over from head-to-toe. ―I‘ll have a Screaming Orgasm,‖ Toya Brown said while wiping the saliva that slipped from the corners of her mouth when she turned and saw Kyle heading in their direction. ―I‘ll have an All Men Are Dogs,‖ muttered Tara Bennett as she looked at her friends as if they were the most pathetic things on earth. ―I‘ve never heard of an ‗All Men Are Dogs‟, Tara. Are you sure that‘s an actual drink?‖ ―Oh, my bad, I guess I was thinking out loud again. Sorry, I‘ll have a Screw You.‖ Laughing and shaking his head, Kyle said, ―Coming right up, ladies.‖ Waiting for Kyle to leave, Tia turned to Tara. ―Why do you always have to be such a bitch about everything? That man hasn‘t done a thing to you and you‘re

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ready to chop his head off just because he had the misfortune of being born with a dick. Which, I might add, if you got one, you might lose some of that bitchiness and be a little more pleasant to be around.‖ ―First of all, you don‘t know what—‖ Toya cut her off. ―Stop it you two. Every time we go out it‘s the same thing. Tia, you‘re the biggest flirt this side of the Mississippi and Tara, you are a little uptight. I came out to have a good time and I refuse to let either of you fuck up my night. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to the ladies room before my drink arrives.‖ With that, Toya jumped down from the barstool she‘d been sitting on, adjusted her skirt to make sure all of her ―business‖ was where it should be, then headed to the ladies room. ―I‘m sorry, Tia. I guess I have been acting a little bitchy lately. You know I love you like a sister and would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship. It‘s just this case and the shit that dumb ass man did to his wife that has me riled. Even worse is the fact that she took it for so long before she decided enough was enough.‖ ―Yeah girl, I know. Just try to loosen up a little and let‘s have some fun tonight.‖

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Loosening up and having some fun is what Tara planned for tonight. Associates of the law firm Three T –Triple Threat or The Terrible T‘s as they are know in the legal world—and longtime friends, Tia, Toya, and Tara, being family law attorneys, dealt with spousal abuse cases in particular, and those would take a toll on anyone‘s psyche. Having seen the things men, and women, will do to have their way was something none of these independent women would ever get used to. Toya made her way back to her barstool just as Kyle delivered their drinks. Tia picked up her drink immediately and placing the stirring straw in her mouth, took a long lick of the straw. Kyle smiled then walked away to assist other customers. Tara and Toya looked at each other then both turned to Tia. Toya said with a knowing, sheepish smile, ―I guess that means you two are hooking up again tonight.‖ Tia looked at them aghast. ―What are…?‖ ―Save it, bitch, we‘ve known about the two of you since the start,‖ Tara said before Tia could put into words her protest. Tia, giving in, just smiled at her two friends and said, ―Ya‘ll are some nosy bitches.‖

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The night was going along well. Tia, Toya and Tara had downed three drinks a piece and had literally, let their hair down, when Tara spotted the finest, no that does not quite describe the man correctly, the ―FINEST‖ man she had ever seen in her life. He was six-five with the smoothest looking golden brown skin. Silver-gray eyes like you would see on a Siberian husky, accented by the bluest-black, waviest, most brilliant hair ever to grace a man‘s head and face. His broad shoulders tapered down to a slim waist with thick muscular tree-trunk thighs. And that butt? Oh-my-gawd. The man had an ass that made you want to sit there all night bouncing quarters off it. Tara sat mesmerized, trying not to stare while fidgeting in her seat to stop the flow of juices from her sopping wet pussy from leaking down the barstool and pooling in a puddle on the floor beneath her. ―Damn, do you see that pristine specimen standing across the room?‖ Tara asked Toya and Tia as she salivated in her drink. Taking an overly exaggerated interest, Tia sat straighter in her seat and looked around. ―Where? Where? In what direction are you looking, girl? Point him out,‖ Tia said reaching over to grab Tara‘s upper arm and give it a little shake. ―There,‖ Tara stated, as she pointed in the man‘s direction. ―Stop pointing you fool. That is so rude,‖ Toya remarked as she, too, looked in the direction Tara pointed.

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He stood on the other side of the dance floor, talking to two other equally attractive men. He looked around nonchalantly, and all of a sudden lifted his nose in the air as if scenting something. He looked around the crowded club then turned to her, those piercing eyes boring a hole right through her. ―Shit, shit, shit,‖ Tara stated as she caught his gaze. Another flood of fluids rushed to her already sopping wet slit and she, not able to sit still any longer, jumped off the bar stool and made a beeline to the ladies room, literally pushing everyone in her path out of the way. Tia and Toya looked at Tara as if she had lost her mind. ―What the hell is wrong with her?‖ Tia asked Toya as they watched Tara practically bowl over anyone in her way as she made her way to the bathroom. ―The hell if I know but if they don‘t get out of her way, we are going to have a riot in here because she ain‘t taking no prisoners,‖ Toya said chuckling at the sight of her friend bulldozing her way to the bathroom. As soon as Tara hit the bathroom door, she rushed to the sink and turned the cold water on high. She splashed her face several times, but the water didn‘t seem to cool her heated flesh so she wet several paper towels then went into a stall. Tara removed her panties and used the cool paper towels to cool her overheated pussy. She sat on the toilet with the cool paper towels for what seemed

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like forever until her body temperature regulated to her satisfaction. Looking at her panties, her mind went back to the reason she was in this stall with, now hot, paper towels still held against her pussy and her drenched panties lying on the floor. ―What the hell got into me?‖ Laughing to herself, she dropped the paper towels in the toilet, flushed, grabbed the panties off the floor and exited the stall. Going to the trash receptacle, she tossed the panties then returned to the sink. She washed her hands and splashed more cool water on her face, staring at herself in the mirror and wondering what she would do if she saw the man up close. If seeing him from afar had this much of an effect on her, seeing him up close would cause spontaneous combustion. Chuckling to herself, she dried her hands, threw the paper towels in the trash, then she headed back to the door. She opened the door and took one step out. When she looked up, it was into silver-gray eyes and a beautiful, perfect white set of teeth showing through the most sensually lush lips. ―Hi beautiful. My name is Gabriel, Gabriel Young.‖ Holding out his hand to Tara, he waited for her to take it and introduce herself. After a minute or so of her standing there shell-shocked, he dropped his hand back to his side and said, ―Are you going to tell me your name? You know it is the polite thing to do.‖

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Tara felt so stupid. She knew her neck and face had turned two shades lighter. Her mocha complexion didn‘t really allow for a blush but she could feel the heat radiate up her spine and neck to pool at her cheeks. ―I‘m so sorry, Gabriel. My name is Tara,‖ she said, holding her hand out to him. Taking her hand and bringing it toward his mouth, Gabriel said, ―Well, beautiful Tara, would you care to dance with me?‖ ―I‘m not sure that would be such a good idea. I don‘t really dance and I‘m here with my friends. I think I should go back and—‖ ―Just one dance and I will lead. Please don‘t hurt my feelings by turning me down.‖ ―Okay, just one dance.‖ As they walked back into the main area of the bar, Gabriel raised his hand as if acknowledging his companions and when they stepped onto the dance floor, the tempo suddenly became a sultry slow number that would cause them to get intimately close while they danced. ―Did you have anything to do with that? I‘ve been coming here for a while and I have never remembered the DJ playing any slow songs.‖ Gabriel laughed, a low, sultry guttural sound that made her toes curl in her shoes, and another gush of fluid threatened to leak from her still throbbing slit. ―My beautiful Tara, I don‘t think I have ‗that‘ kind of pull. Nevertheless, I am glad

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he has seen fit to make my one and only dance with you a memorable one.‖ With that, Gabriel grabbed her hand in one of his and the other snaked around her waist, just above the curve of her ass. He pulled her so close she thought she would go through him. She melted into him and simply enjoyed the feel of his hard body pressed against hers and his strong arms wrapped around her. They talked a little about nothing in particular as one slow song ran into another and then another. By the end of the third song, Tara was ready to leave the dance floor and get a drink. Gabriel thanked her for the dance and conversation by again taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. He then headed to the table where his companions awaited. Tara knew she had the look of a college student infatuated with her professor in her eyes when she finally reached the bar and her friends. ―Girl, what the hell? You were so close to that man you couldn‘t tell where he ended and you started.‖ ―Who, Gabriel? He is nice, isn‘t he?‖ ―Nice! Tara,‖ Tia said, snapping her fingers in front of Tara‘s face. They continued to talk and drink for the rest of the evening and every now and then, Tara would glance over to where Gabriel was sitting, catching him watching her. The night was coming to an end and the bartender announced last call.

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―Ladies, it has been another fun evening ending with the same result. Going home alone,‖ Tara remarked as she picked up her bag. ―It doesn‘t have to end that way. You have the hottest man in this place practically drooling all over you. Do your thang, girl,‖ Tia said, grabbing her bag and slipping her feet back into her pumps. ―I am NOT like you and you know it. I can‘t just drop my drawers at the drop of a dime. I need to get to know someone before I let them put their hands in the cookie jar,‖ Tara quipped. ―At the rate you‘re going, the cookies in that jar will be old, stale and brittle as hell before anyone gets close enough to think about putting their hands in it,‖ Tia replied. ―Fuck you, too, Tia,‖ Tara threw back over her shoulder as all three reached the door. ―You guys be careful going home and don‘t call me until in the morning. I think I had too much to drink and I‘m going home to crash,‖ Tara told Toya and Tia as she headed in the direction of her vehicle. ―You be careful, too, Tara,‖ Tia said heading toward her own vehicle. ―Are you sure you are okay to drive, Tara? It would be pretty shitty for one of the top lawyers in this town to get a DUI on her way home from the club,‖ Toya, always the levelheaded one, asked.

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―I‘m fine, Toya. Go home and dream about the dick you won‘t be getting tonight. I know I am,‖ Tara shot back. The both laughed and walked on. As Tara crossed the lot to her car, a familiar scent hit her nose as a strong gust of wind rose out of nowhere. She felt light-headed and started to sway. Strong hands caught her waist, steadying her. ―Thank you. I don‘t know what…‖ ―I think maybe you‘ve had too much to drink. Are you sure you are okay to drive home?‖ Gabriel said as he slowly turned her toward him. He stared at her as if he could eat her alive, right there in the parking lot. ―Yes, Gabriel. I am fine. Just a strong wind and a smell… Wait! Are you following me?‖ ―Yes. I wanted to make sure you go to your car safely,‖ Gabriel said as he slowly released Tara‘s waist, making sure she was steady on her feet as he did. ―Right! Or did you just want to see what kind of car I drive?‖ Tara inquired. ―Okay, there is that, too,‖ Gabriel chuckled. Shaking her head chuckling to herself, Tara placed her key in the lock then looked back up at Gabriel. ―Thank you again for catching me. Don‘t want to think about what my face would have looked like if it had met the gravel in this parking lot.‖ ―Goodnight, beautiful Tara. I will see you again.‖

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Tara didn‘t know what to make of that comment so she got in her car, closed the door, started the ignition and headed home. Gabriel stood there and watched as Tara pulled out onto the road. He could feel his two companions walking up behind him, but never took his eyes off Tara‘s car until the taillights were no longer visible. ―Did you tell her Gabriel?‖ Tomas, Gabriel‘s second-in-command, asked as he walked up to Gabriel‘s right side. ―No, Tomas, I didn‘t. However, she is my Prima. She verified that when she scented me on the breeze. I think it‘s best for me to take my time. I will go to her tomorrow and let her get to know me a little better before I tell her anything. It won‘t matter much. She is my Prima and now that I have found her, I won‘t let her get away.‖ Adrian said, ―We better get out of here. We don‘t know if Mikal or any of his flunkies have figured out where we are so we still can‘t afford to be out in the open.‖ ―You‘re right, of course,‖ Gabriel said as he, Tomas and Adrian walked toward Gabriel‘s Audi Q7, got in and drove off.

On the way back to their temporary residence, Gabriel began thinking about the day he left the pack. The events of that devastating day still weighed

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heavily on his mind. Gabriel realized Mikal, the alpha of his former pack, had lost most of the packs respect due to their altercation. He could not believe the mandates Mikal put into place to ―preserve the pack‖ as he called it. More members of the pack had tried to leave, only a few of them making it out—Tomas and Adrian being two of the ones successful. Reaching ‗home‘, Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian walked into their house after carefully scenting the surrounding area for any potential threats. Noting nothing out of the ordinary, they went in. Gabriel‘s mind continued to replay that fateful day and the events he‘d heard about since then. He‘d heard the females were being raped on a daily basis and beaten if they fought back. The men who would not take part in the rapings and beatings were raped and beaten themselves. The young were witnesses to all this and were threatened with the knowledge they would receive the same if they refused when their time came. Gabriel also heard that because of the escalating violence, Mikal had placed the blame on Gabriel‘s head and had issued a bounty for his capture. He was to be brought back to the pack‘s grand meeting room where he would be ‗dominated‘ by Mikal before the entire pack. Domination was Mikal‘s only form of power. He felt that if he could dominate, in any way possible but especially sexually, he had the

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power to rule. Gabriel had not known this about his longtime friend until he became alpha. Gabriel removed his clothes and took a long shower. The heat of the water cascading off his toned body did little to soothe him. He should have been elated that he had found his Prima, the one person fated for him, his perfect match, and his soul mate. Instead, Gabriel lay in bed, ‗seeing‘ the same scene over and over. He had been so proud of Mikal for becoming alpha and choosing him to be his beta. They had been friends since they were five-year-old cubs wrestling in the fields and chasing their parents‘ tails. They were inseparable. Wherever you saw one, the other was not far behind. However, he could not believe his childhood friend would rationalize the treatment of their females in such a way. Mikal had always been one to run around and fuck any female that would spread her legs for him, be it in human or wolf form, but to make it mandatory was beyond all rational and humane thought. Exhausted and defeated, Gabriel turned his thoughts to his Prima. He lay there thinking of Tara. Her smile lit up the room like an early spring morning sunrise. Her mocha skin looked like the silkiest, richest, most expensive chocolate he‘d ever tasted and it was as soft as a baby‘s blanket. She smelled of strong alpha female—feisty and opinionated, yet with a subtle hint of ultra femininity that would set any man‘s soul on fire. Her light brown eyes, almost

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catlike, reminded him of creamy caramel. Her voice rolled over his skin like the thickest honey and her hips, good lawd, the woman‘s hips had a sway that would put any siren‘s song to shame. She had long muscular legs that showed she was no stranger to the gym. Her C-cup breasts were high and firm and when they‘d danced, her taut nipples poked his chest through their clothes. She fit his body like a well-tailored suit, one he was dying to get into. His dick was hard enough to hammer nails into a brick wall now. Thinking of her had worked him into a frenzy of need Gabriel wasn‘t sure he would be able to extinguish. Slowly, he moved his hand down his torso, paying extra special attention to his now equally hard nipples. He grabbed the base of his member and began stroking himself. Thoughts of Tara writhing beneath him, a light sheen of sweat covering her body, played and replayed in his head. His stroking became faster and faster. He moved his free hand down and stroked his sac. He would not last much longer and the visions were becoming more and more vivid. A few more strokes and Gabriel arched off the bed, a tight grip on his dick, and spilled his seed on his belly. A few jets even reached his chin. After a few moments of aftershocks and some leisurely strokes, Gabriel was able to get his breathing back under control. He rolled out of the bed and went to the bathroom to clean up. Returning to the bed, he lay back. Thoughts of Tara danced through is now lazy, semi-satiated mind.

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―The next seed I spill will be inside of you, my Prima,‖ Gabriel promised himself as he released his mind and drifted into a fitful sleep.

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Chapter Two

―Have you located Gabriel, Tomas and Adrian yet?‖ Mikal Mitchell, alpha of the Seeley Lake, Montana pack, asked as he sat back in his chair with his fingers steepled in front of his nose. ―No, Mikal. We have looked everywhere, we‘ve had sightings of them, but have not pinpointed their exact location.‖ ―That‘s not what I wanted to hear, Valeen. You are my beta since Gabriel decided he couldn‘t deal with my rules concerning the pack. I expect more of you. Don‘t make me regret my decision in making you my second. Now, go out and don‘t come back unless you‘ve either located them or have them with you. Remember, no one touches Gabriel other than to subdue him. Am I clear?‖ ―Yes, Mikal,‖ Valeen said and hurried out the door. As Mikal sat there, his thoughts went back to the day when his childhood friend and second in command betrayed him before the entire pack. The entire pack was assembled in the great hall of the alpha‘s house. There was so much despair among the pack Mikal could feel it in the air. He had just

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informed the pack of his new plan to increase the packs size and strength when Gabriel, outraged to no end, stepped forward. ―I do not agree with your mandates for the pack. Females are to be cherished and honored above all others. We must not treat our women as subordinates if we are to survive and become a stronger pack,‖ Gabriel had proclaimed much to Mikal‘s disbelief. He went on to say, ―This isn‘t right and I can‘t go along with this.‖ The other pack members watched the altercation, eyes full of fear, nodding their heads in consent. ―You don‘t have the authority to question me on this or any other mandate I proclaim, Gabriel. I am the pack alpha. I say our pack will grow and become a force to be reckoned with as our numbers increase and our strengths grow. Our women‘s purpose is to birth and rear our young. Doing away with that ancient concept of every male having his one true Prima allows for stronger relationships amongst the pack because there is no clear fraternal parentage established, thus the males would protect the young as well as the females with their lives because the young could very well be his own,‖ Mikal roared back at Gabriel. ―But at what cost, Mikal? Loyalty by fear? Our women have no choice in the matter. All they will become are objects to be used and/or misused as the men see fit. Is this your idea of strengthening the pack?‖ Gabriel retorted in disgust.

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―If you disagree with my mandates, you are free to leave, Gabriel. Just remember, if you choose to leave, there is no forgiveness should you change your mind. This will be considered an act of treason and you will never be welcomed in the pack again. You will be without pack companionship or protection. I will also ensure you will not be welcome in any other pack either. This I promise you,‖ Mikal stated standing now in front of Gabriel, gaze burning a hole thru him. Gabriel looked Mikal straight in the eyes, sighed, shook his head, then simply said, ―As you wish, Mikal.‖ Gabriel turned, looked at every face in the meeting hall, bowed his head and walked out never looking back.

Tara woke with the worst hangover in the history of alcohol. Her mouth tasted as if someone had poured an entire bottle of Elmer‘s glue in there while she slept. Her head was so heavy, it felt as if it was connected to a mason block and the block was anchored downstairs in her living room. She did not even try to open her eyes. Contemplating how she was going to pull of the maneuver of getting out of the bed, Tara groaned at the anticipation of the coming pain. Deciding the best way to get up would be to roll out; she slowly rolled to the side of the bed closest to the bathroom, making sure not to lift her head off the pillow as she did. After accomplishing that feat, she slid off the mattress until her

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knees hit the floor. Then she crawled to the bathroom with her head hanging a mere three inches from the floor. Once she made it to the bathroom, she stopped, frozen. Tara slowly rotated her head toward the toilet and stayed in that position, trying to figure out the best way to do this. Being one of the top African-American female attorneys in Montana was of no use to her in this case. She was ruthless in the courtroom, here in her own bathroom, on her hands and knees, proved a bigger challenge than any case she had to date. ―Okay, Tara, where do you go from here?‖ she muttered to herself, trying to come up with an easy way to get on the toilet. After a couple more minutes of contemplation, she finally decided the pain was inevitable and stood. The room began to spin as soon as her feet were planted firmly on the floor. With the last ounce of energy she had, she pulled her pajama pants down and flopped on the toilet, hoping she hit her mark. As she began relieving herself, she quickly realized she still had her panties on. ―Fuck it. I am not getting back up. They are wet now anyway. Damn.‖ After sitting on the toilet ridiculing herself for her stupidity for about twenty minutes, she finally got up, took off her remaining clothes, threw the panties in the trash, and took a shower.

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An hour later, Tara made her way downstairs to the kitchen and poured herself a mug of coffee. Just as she raised the mug to her lips for that first sip, the phone rang causing the mug to slip and hot coffee splashed on her hands. She ran to the sink and ran cold water over the burn, forgetting about the phone. Her answering machine picked up. It was Toya calling to see if she was okay. She sat at her island and drank her coffee saying she would call Toya back after she finished. Tara had just finished her first cup and was on the way to the counter to pour her second when the doorbell rang. ―Who in the world can this be, this early on a Saturday morning?‖ she mumbled as she headed to the door. ―Who is it?‖ she asked as she reached the front door. ―Gabriel Young, beautiful Tara.‖ Tara did drop the mug this time. ―Shit, shit, shit.‖ ―Did I catch you at a bad time?‖ ―What are you doing here and how did you know where I live?‖ ―I will be more than happy to answer any questions you have if you will let me come in.‖ ―Hell, naw! I don‘t know you well enough to let you inside my house. I don‘t even know how you knew where I live. You could be some kind of stalking serial rapist, for all I know, and I prefer not to bring that kind of shit into my home. Why

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are you here so early in the morning anyway?‖ Tara said, all the while cleaning up the mess she made when she dropped the mug on the floor. ―It‘s not morning, Tara. It‘s two o‘clock in the afternoon and I told you I‘ll answer all your questions once I see you. Are you all right? You sound a little strange. Is anything wrong?‖ ―My man is here with me and I don‘t want to wake him,‖ Tara lied, hoping that would get him to leave. ―There‘s no one in there with you, Tara. I would know,‖ Gabriel replied. ―What are you, some kind of whack job? You don‘t know anything about me. We danced at the club last night and then you went your way while I went mine,‖ Tara said getting a little nervous. All the cases she‘d worked involving stalkers and abusive men was starting her mind on a roller coaster ride she didn‘t want to find herself on. ―I know more about you than you think. Just let me in and I will tell you everything,‖ Gabriel said, impatience beginning to seep into his words. A cold chill raced up and down Tara‘s spine. What did he mean and how did he know anything about her when they just met last night? Tara backed away from the door and rounded the corner. As soon as she cleared the front foyer, she turned to the stairs and ran up them, taking them two at a time. She tripped on the last step but quickly got up and headed to her

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bedroom. She ran to her bureau and opened the drawer containing her ninemillimeter, checking the clip as she ran to the widow to look down. When she opened the curtains to look out, Tara screamed and jumped back, dropping the gun in the process. Gabriel was outside the window standing on the ledge that couldn‘t have been more than three inches wide. Righting herself, Tara turned and headed back toward the door to her bedroom. Before she could reach it, strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against an even stronger, solid chest. Tara screamed. Gabriel placed his hand over her mouth. ―I won‘t hurt you. I only want to talk to you. I am going to remove my hand now. Please, do not scream. Give me a chance to explain.‖ Then it hit her. That scent. The same scent that had her swooning in the parking lot at the club. Tara calmed instantly, her body warming to a fever pitch.

Gabriel knew the moment the Primale scent hit Tara. Only the true Prima for each male would be affected by the scent. ―Now that you‘re calm, I‘m going to release you. Please let me talk to you and explain everything okay?‖ Slowly, Tara nodded her head in agreement.

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Gabriel slowly released her and as soon as she was completely free, Tara bolted through the door, down the stairs and headed for the front door. Before she could get the door opened, those strong arms and even stronger scent overtook her again. This time, Gabriel didn‘t release Tara. He walked backward with her in tow until they were in the living room. He sat down on the couch and placed Tara in his lap. Gently grabbing her chin, Gabriel turned her face toward him and raised it enough to force her to look him in the eyes. He kept his hand over her mouth though to prevent her screams. He could not afford for her neighbors to come investigate the cause of the commotion. Tara, being the stubborn female she is, would not open her eyes. ―Open your eyes, Tara,‖ Gabriel said sternly but softly. ―I am not going to release you until I explain. A lot of this is going to be hard to believe but I can prove everything to you. I do know you and if you just allow yourself to calm down long enough, you‘ll realize you know me as well.‖ Tara slowly opened her eyes. Once she looked into those silver-gray orbs, all protests left her body. She so wanted to melt into his arms but the rational side of her brain screamed, „Bitch, are you crazy?‟ Deciding to side with the rational side for the moment, Tara gave a small nod of acceptance and listened.

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―You are my Prima, Tara, my mate. I am a werewolf, formerly of the Seeley Lake pack. I was the Beta until I left because of a disagreement with my alpha. Tomas, Adrian, and I are on the run now as there is a price on our heads, especially mine, set by my former alpha and childhood friend.‖ Tara tried to speak but it came out mumbled through Gabriel‘s hand. Gabriel removed his hand but kept his arm firmly around Tara‘s waist. ―Serves you right. I am about ready to put a price on your damn head, too. Breaking and entering, holding me hostage in my own home… Wait, wait, wait, wait a damn minute! Did you say you‘re a werewolf?‖ Tara asked. ―Yes. That, among other things is what I said Tara,‖ Gabriel said trying hard to hide the smile playing on his lips at how his woman‘s brilliant mind could process so much at the same time. ―Okay, now I know you‘re some kind of psycho.‖ Tara started squirming, trying to get away but Gabriel held her with minimal effort. ―Let me go and get out of my house!‖ Tara screamed at the top of her lungs. Gabriel placed his hand back over Tara‘s mouth. ―I can‘t do that Tara,‖ he said. ―Not until I make you understand.‖ Tara bit the palm of Gabriel‘s palm, making him remove his hand from her mouth. ―You can‘t make me understand a damn thing. The only thing you can do is

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let go and get out,‖ Tara said in her “Don‟t fuck with me” voice that made most men piss their pants. ―Tara, please—‖ Gabriel started only to be cut off. ―Fuck you!‖ Tara yelled, still squirming, trying to get loose. ―Not until I finish explaining,‖ Gabriel said with a smile that would melt a glacier. From what Gabriel could smell, it also had Tara‘s panties getting a little wet. She stopped struggling and looked at him. ―You are a cocky son of a bitch, aren‘t you?‖ Tara said, the fight slowly leaving her. ―Only where you‘re concerned.‖ Gabriel said. ―Yeah, well, you may as well wipe that shit-eating grin off your face because nothing you tell me is going to make any difference. As soon as you let me go, I‘m going to call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering and holding me hostage,‖ Tara said with bravado she really didn‘t feel at that moment. ―That would probably work, too, if I‘d actually broken in, which I didn‘t because you left your window open.‖ ―Semantics,‖ Tara said. ―Your right. Okay, listen, Tara.‖ Gabriel tried again only to be cut off again.

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―No, Gabriel, you listen. You can‘t just barge in my home spouting fairy tales about werewolves and mates and…‖ Her words trailed off as Gabriel closed his mouth around hers in a kiss so sensual, it should be labeled as a lethal weapon. Gabriel broke the kiss after realizing breathing was a necessity he couldn‘t do without only to open his eyes and stare into the dreamy look in Tara‘s eyes. His resolve snapped. He had to make her understand. Snapping his fingers in front of Tara‘s face, Gabriel rose from the chair, then turned and set Tara back down. ―Tara!‖ ―Huh?‖ Tara answered automatically to hearing her name. ―Look at me, Tara.‖ Gabriel said again, snapping his fingers a couple more times.

Tara looked at Gabriel, still a little fuzzy headed from the kiss. Gabriel had walked to the other side of the living room. He began to remove his clothing one piece at a time. Tara‘s mind was so confused, she didn‘t even register Gabriel was standing in her living room naked as the day he was born. One second Gabriel was standing there staring at her, the next, a giant red wolf stood in his place. Tara thought she was still hallucinating from the fog-induced stupor caused by the kiss and the slight headache left from the hangover so she just brushed it

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off. That is until a furry head rubbed against her hand. Tara shook her head then looked down. She was up and over the couch in one leap. ―What the fuck?‖ Tara yelped as she looked for anywhere she could get quickly to get away. Slowly she began backing toward the kitchen. If she could get to the cutlery set, she could get a knife. She had to find some form of weapon and a knife seemed to be the most appropriate one for this situation. ―Nice doggie. Stay. Play dead. Roll over. Don‘t bite me, doggie.‖ Tara said hands out in front of her as she made her way to the kitchen. The wolf kept pace with her. For every step she took, it took one, too. When she backed herself into her kitchen island, she knew she was stuck like chuck because by this time, the wolf was right in front of her. Tara stared at the wolf, which seemed to be laughing at her, if a wolf can laugh. Reaching back on the counter top, she grabbed the first thing her hands touched, a telephone book, and hurled it. The wolf sidestepped it and continued to stare. That momentary distraction was all Tara needed. She leapt up on the counter and began throwing everything within her reach. The wolf lazily dodged everything that came his way.

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After she ran out of things to throw, she looked around for an escape route. Being on top of the island counter didn‘t leave her many options. She looked back at the wolf. It had sat on its haunches, staring at her. Too exhausted to continue, Tara threw her hands up and said, ―Okay, you win.‖ She sat down heavily onto the countertop and gave into the madness. At that very moment, the wolf blurred and Gabriel was again standing in front of her. A very naked Gabriel at that. Eyes glued to the enormous erection pointing at her, she said, ―That thing looks dangerous. Can you please put it away?‖ she asked, licking her lips all the while. With a sensually devilish smile plastered on his face, a chuckle sounded from deep within Gabriel‘s chest as he walked back to the couch where he left his clothes and proceeded to dress. Tara thought her heart would beat right out of her chest at the sight of his strong back and gorgeous ass. She wanted to jump down off the counter and take a bite out of his cheek. Why shouldn‟t I? He broke in my house, held me captive, started telling me all these stories about Primales, Primas, and mates, and then turned into a wolf in my damn living room . Since I‟m dreaming, I may as well enjoy it, Tara rationalized to herself.

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With that thought, Tara jumped down, walked straight up to Gabriel and ran her hand up the inside of his thigh. ―Tara, you‘re playing with fire,‖ Gabriel hissed through gritted teeth. ―Unless you want me to strip you naked and fuck you right here on the living room floor, you may want to back up.‖ Tara was undeterred. ―This is my dream, Gabriel, so you do what I say.‖ With that, she pushed him hard in his back causing him to fall forward and land on his hands and knees. Tara got down on the floor behind him and began to lick every piece of flesh she could reach, starting at his ankles. When she got to his ass, she gently massaged his cheeks and lowered her mouth for a bite. She bit each cheek, then laved the bite with the flat of her tongue. Gabriel thought he would loose his mind at the sensations her explorations were creating, but in all fairness, he felt she deserved this control. He would let her have it, even if it killed him. When Tara reached the crack of his ass, she contemplated her next move. She had never been one for the more kinky things about sex but she figured since it wasn‘t real, she would chance it. She flattened her tongue on his heavily hanging ball sac and ran it all the way up to the base of his spine. The reaction she got from Gabriel was all she needed to further her actions. She focused on his asshole, swirling her tongue

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around and around. Slowly, she eased the very tip of her tongue past the first ring of tight muscles and pulled back. Something similar to a low growl came up from Gabriel‘s throat and she reveled in the fact that she could bring that out of him. She pushed her tongue back in, further this time. He slowly rocked back, pushing her even deeper. She moaned and the vibrations caused stars behind his closed eyelids. ―I‘m going to mess up your carpet if you keep that up,‖ Gabriel managed to get out between clenched teeth. ―I can have it cleaned,‖ was all the response Tara gave before she slid further down to take his sac in her mouth. The electricity that ran through Gabriel‘s body at the first hint of her warm mouth engulfing his balls was too much. Before Tara knew what happened, she was flat on her back, undressed from the waist down and all ten and a half inches of Gabriel‘s rock hard dick was lodged to the hilt in her sopping wet pussy. ―This is not how I envisioned our first time, but you leave me little choice. You, my beautiful Tara, are a very dangerous woman.‖ ―Just shut up and fuck me, Gabriel. We can sort this all out later.‖ At that, Gabriel set a pounding pace. Tara locked her ankles at the small of Gabriel‘s back and reached under her legs to grab his ass.

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―You act as if I‘m made of glass. All that dick you have and you won‘t use it. Either give it to me like you mean it or get up,‖ Tara growled, looking Gabriel straight in the eye. Gabriel unlocked Tara‘s ankles, flipped her over, and dragged her ass high in the air in less time that it took for Tara to take her next breath. When he shoved is dick back into her pussy, he tried to come out her throat. ―Aaahhh! Gabriel!‖ ―Oh no, Miss Shit-talker. You wanted it, take it. All of it. You‘re going taste my dick for the next month. By the time I finish, you won‘t be able to walk for at least a week. If you‘re not careful, I‘ll take that juicy ass of yours and claim it, too.‖ Gabriel pounded Tara so hard, she was scooted across the floor. She knew when he finished she would have carpet burn like a motherfucker. Still, she didn‘t care. She pushed back as hard as she could. Gabriel reached under Tara and found her clit. While pinching it hard between his index finger and thumb, he slammed into her in rapid-fire succession, hard as a jackhammer. Tara exploded, screaming Gabriel‘s name to the heavens. At that same moment, Gabriel‘s roar sounded like a lion warning off an intruder. They rocked together for what seemed hours until their breathing slowed and their heartbeats

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returned to a normal rhythm. Lying them down on their sides, Gabriel spooned close behind Tara nuzzling her neck while rubbing circles on her hip.

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Chapter Three

―That was amazing,‖ Tara said breathlessly. ―You are amazing,‖ Gabriel said as he placed a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. Slowly, he eased out of her body and rolled to his side, taking her with him. He laid her on top of him, her back to his front. ―Now that is what a dream is supposed to be like.‖ ―My beautiful Tara, that was no dream as you will soon realize once we gather enough strength to get off the floor and into the shower.‖ ―Didn‘t I tell you this is my dream and you do as I say?‖ ―Yes, ma‘am,‖ Gabriel said. ―Good. Now, let‘s get that shower you were talking about, dream man.‖ Slowly they pushed themselves off the floor. Tara noticed her shirt was wide open but really didn‘t pay any attention to it. They ascended the stairs and headed to the bathroom. Once there, Tara adjusted the temperature of the water until it was just right and removed the rest her clothes. ―Maybe I should take the front, Tara. I feel it will be best.‖

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―Would you please stop? OH SHIT! What the hell…?‖ Tara screamed as a million tiny needle pricks assaulted her chest as the spray from the shower rained down on her. ―What did you do to me, you prick? My chest is on fire.‖ ―I tried to warn you, my love, but your hard-headed stubbornness wouldn‘t allow you to listen. You have carpet burn, sweetheart.‖ ―What the fuck do you mean I have carpet…? Oh shit! Look at my chest. You did this, you ass.‖ ―Testing a man‘s ego and sexual prowess is never a good thing to do when you‘re on the floor.‖ Gabriel struggled to hold back the laugh that was trying its hardest to erupt from his chest. ―Would you like for me to take the front now, Oh Mighty Queen of the Dream?‖ ―I don‘t like you, Gabriel,‖ Tara said while moving past Gabriel trying very hard to make sure their bodies didn‘t touch. ―Yeah, well, I think I love you already, Tara,‖ Gabriel replied, suddenly somber and serious. ―Here, let me care for you as a mate should, then we can go back downstairs and finish our conversation.‖

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Forgoing the couch downstairs, they stretched out on Tara‘s bed. While Gabriel applied antiseptic ointment to the burns, he told Tara everything about himself. Tara listened intently. Her legal mind coming up with all the charges she could slap Mikal in the face with. After Gabriel got to a stopping point in his tale, Tara said, ―So let me get this straight. Mikal believes females are no more than baby-making machines and holes to scratch men‘s itches?‖ ―That is one way to put it, yes,‖ Gabriel said. Then Tara continued, ―And now he has a vigilante group on the hunt for you, and basically you‘re walking around with a big-assed red bull‘s eye on your back and a sign hanging over your head reading: I‘M SO FUCKED?‖ ―Again, that is another way of saying it but basically, yes.‖ ―I see. So now I have that same target and sign on me because you have decided I am your Prima?‖ Tara said, ire beginning to rise the more she thought about it. ―Unfortunately, yes,‖ Gabriel said with a sigh of regret. ―That‘s just fucking great. Thank you so very much for that special gift, Gabriel. Just what every girl wants. A hot ass man with ten-and-a-half inches of fabulous dick that he knows how to use, I might add, and a bounty on her head for

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enjoying the best sex she‘s had in her entire life. How did I get to be so lucky?‖ Tara said, venom dripping from every word. ―I will give my life to ensure your safety, Tara. I would never let anything happen to you,‖ Gabriel said as serious as death itself. ―Thing is, Gabriel, I feel the same way you do. I can‘t hold against you the decision you made because I would have done the same thing,‖ she said with a sigh of resignation. ―So where do we go from here, Tara?‖ Gabriel asked. ―Right now, we go eat. Afterwards, we figure out our next step.‖ After they dressed, Gabriel took Tara asked her if she would accompany him to his home to meet Tomas and Adrian. Once they arrived, Gabriel scented the area to make sure there were no threats then got out and went around to the passenger side and opened the door for Tara. Gabriel introduced Tara to Tomas and Adrian then began preparing a meal. Once the food was on the table, the four of them sat and talked through one of the most scrumptious meals Tara had ever eaten. ―The package just keeps getting better and better, Gabriel. I am impressed. Tall, handsome to a fault, sexy as hell, big dick, can use said dick, knows first aide, has a beautiful home, and now a gourmet chef. What more can a girl ask?‖ Tara grinned into her wine glass as she took a sip.

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―Can we please not talk about Gabriel‘s sexual aptitude? I just finished eating and I would like to keep it where I put it. Thank you very much, Tara,‖ Tomas almost growled through clenched teeth. ―Here, here,‖ Adrian added. The four of them sat for hours telling their life stories, laughing, joking, and ragging each other mercilessly. Gabriel smiled at Tara, privately in wonder at how well she was taking everything and how she seemed to fit in as if she has always been there. It was two in the morning when Tara finally looked at the clock. Where had the time gone? Stretching, she said, ―It‘s been fun, guys, but I think it‘s time for me to get home.‖ ―Give me a minute and I‘ll drive you back,‖ Gabriel said, getting up from the floor in front of the couch where he had been sitting massaging Tara‘s legs while they talked. Once Gabriel was ready, he grabbed Tara‘s hand and led her toward the door. Tara said her goodbyes to Tomas and Adrian. ―I‘ll see Tara safely locked in, and then be back,‖ Gabriel said to Tomas then closed the door. Once safely locked in the car and on their way, Tara turned in her seat to face Gabriel. ―Listen, Gabriel, I‘m not saying I believe everything you said, but I am

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open to further deliberation if you can give me time to digest what has already happened.‖ ―I‘ll wait a lifetime for you, Tara.‖ They finished the twenty-minute drive in companionable silence until they pulled into Tara‘s driveway. Gabriel parked the car and turn off the ignition. Leaning across the seat, Gabriel kissed Tara soundly. ―That‘s not fair. Many more kisses like that and there won‘t be any more deliberation,‖ Tara said as she reached for the door handle while unlocking her seatbelt at the same time. ―Goodnight, Gabriel.‖ ―Let me walk you to your door.‖ Gabriel didn‘t give her a chance to argue. They walked to the door hand in hand and once there, Tara unlocked it. Gabriel made no move to come in. He simply stated, ―Goodnight, my beautiful Tara. Lock yourself up tight and don‘t forget to close and lock your bedroom window.‖ ―Will do.‖ Tara tiptoed up and placed a slight kiss to Gabriel‘s cheek.

Gabriel stood there making sure he heard the lock on the door then the window upstairs being closed and locked before heading back to his car. He started the engine, backed out and headed home. Once he arrived back home, he walked in, locked the door, then went into the living room. He sat heavily on the couch, laying his head back and covered his face with his hands. Sensing Tomas standing in the door, Gabriel exhaled dramatically.

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―What am I going to do, Tomas? I have to protect her because you and I both know Mikal is not going to stop until he has proven his point. I cannot ask her to give up her life to become a fugitive with me. We all know it‘s just a matter of time before they close in on us. We aren‘t that far from the pack and depending on who he is using to track us, it won‘t be long before they find us. We may have to relocate farther away to make sure Mikal doesn‘t find out about Tara. I can‘t ask you and Adrian to traipse across the country following me. You didn‘t ask for any of this and neither did Adrian nor Tara. I have really messed up.‖ Tomas pushed away from the doorframe and walked to Gabriel. Laying his hand on Gabriel‘s, he said, ―Isn‘t that exactly what you are doing my friend? Look, Adrian and I knew what we were getting into when we left the pack to follow you. Don‘t you know we will follow you anywhere we must? Having Tara come into the picture only strengthens our resolve. We would die to protect her, as well you know.‖ Lowering his hands and raising his head, Gabriel looked Tomas straight in the eyes and said, ―Yes, and I pray to Mother Earth and all of her servants that I have not doomed her nor either of you.‖ Gabriel said, grasping Tomas‘s hand in a show of brotherhood.

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Mikal walked into his bedroom and looked at the most beautiful she-wolf he had ever laid eyes upon. Of all the women he‘d fucked in his life, Sasha was the only one he‘d ever loved. He undressed, climbed in the bed and mounted her prone body. In one massive push, he seated his hard dick to the hilt. He pumped in her five or six times then stopped. Letting out a sigh, he said, ―Is the thought of my touch so bad that you would deny me the pleasure of your passion? You once freely gave your passionate fire during lovemaking. I would get rock hard just thinking about you. Now, you just lie there as if in a trance, oblivious to my presence. Nothing I do brings about that passion I seek.‖ Sasha was the only member of his pack whose opinion of him truly mattered. ―Why must it be this way, Sasha? I would give you the world if only you would love me again like you once did,‖ Mikal said as he lay upon her, dick still inside her, still rock hard. ―You took my passion when you gave the order allowing any male breathing the freedom to use me as they saw fit,‖ Sasha all but spat back at Mikal. ―I could not show favoritism towards you. That would have weakened me before the pack,‖ Mikal said. ―You are weak, Mikal. Only a weak man would need to rape and beat a female to have her,‖ Sasha ground out thru gritted teeth.

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Feeling his rage crawling near the surface, Mikal‘s stare bored a hole into her. For her, he fought his true nature and barely tamped down that rage. ―All of this would have been so much easier if the pack had just tried to understand. No one would even try. Everyone just looked at it as barbaric. No female would have had to experience mistreatment if only she gave willingly. What if I had left the old laws in place and your chosen Primale was unable to give you young?‖ Mikal inquired of Sasha. ―I would have loved him the same and helped the other pack females rear their young. That is what pack does, Mikal,‖ Sasha said, not trying to hide the venom in her words. ―Bullshit. You would feel less of a female and the pack would have shunned you. No one ever thinks the male is at fault in such matters. It is always the female and I would not have put you through that,‖ Mikal roared in response to Sasha‘s words. ―That would be my shame to bear, not yours. Your only fear is that you would not have been my chosen Primale and there would have been nothing you could have done about it,‖ Sasha said and turned her head, dismissing him as much as she could with him lying atop her.

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―Not true, my Sasha. I would have had your Primale killed then claimed you as my own. No pack member would have disagreed,‖ Mikal stated as casually as if her were talking about the weather. ―Then you would have had to keep me shackled to the bed as you do now and my lifeless, soulless body would have been your only consort. You can use my body forever, but you will never again have my heart, Mikal. And the really sad part of all this is at one time, I would have literally killed to be your Prima and stand at your side,‖ Sasha said with all the finality she could muster. ―Fine, Sasha. If that‘s the way it must be,‖ Mikal roared as he pulled out of her body, dressed, and stormed out the door slamming it behind him. Marcus and Vonn, two of Mikal‘s officers, jumped up as Mikal stormed into the living room of the alpha house. ―Would you like us to take her back to the pack now?‖ Vonn asked in a voice just above a whisper. ―NO!‖ Mikal roared. ―She is not to be released until her heat is over. Any young she births will be mine. No other is to touch her. IS THAT CLEAR?‖ Mikal said in a tone that brooked no argument. Vonn and Marcus looked at each other and took a step back. ―Mikal, wouldn‘t that cause unrest among the pack?‖ Marcus tentatively asked.

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―I am the alpha of this pack. I am the absolute law. If any wishes to challenge me, he may step forward.‖ Mikal paced back and forth, clenching and unclenching his hands into fists. He was pissed; more so at himself for turning Sasha against him than at anything else. How could he win her heart? He didn‘t want a lifeless body in his bed. He wanted passionate nights and words of love and loyalty. He now knew that any hope he had of having this with Sasha was no more and that pissed him off even more. Both Vonn and Marcus fell to one knee, presenting their throats as a show of complete respect and loyalty. ―Good,‖ Mikal barked as he walked around his desk. Just as he sat down, the phone rang. ―What?‖ ―Mikal? We have found them,‖ Valeen said into the other end of the line. Mikal listened to everything Valeen said, writing down the necessary information. ―Well done, Val. Well done.‖ Mikal hung up. Feeling a little better with the news he‘d just received, Mikal decided he didn‘t need Sasha‘s passion or her words of love. He just needed to get a nutt and an heir and she would provide both.

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―Vonn,‖ Mikal said, ―go to the meeting room and gather the camcorder and other equipment. Make sure the batteries are fully charged. We have a movie to film.‖ ―Yes, Mikal.‖ Vonn left to room to do as told. Smiling from ear-to-ear, and chuckling to himself, Mikal walked back into his bedroom. The thought of finally exacting revenge on the one person he felt deserved it more than any other being on earth had his dick suddenly hard as steel. Closing the door, he started undressing as he walked toward the bed. Sasha lay there stoically. Mikal said, ―Unfortunately for you, Sasha, I have just received news that has me so excited, I feel I will explode if I don‘t release some of this excess adrenalin-laced energy.‖ ―I hate you, Mikal. You‘ll never be half the man Gabriel is.‖ Sasha spit the words out like acid. That comment cut Mikal‘s soul deeper than he thought was even possible. His gut felt like it had been ripped to shreds, gasoline poured on it, and lit with a struck a match. ―You will regret that comment, Sasha, and for that, I am truly sorry,‖ Mikal said as he once headed to the bed. This time, no matter what, he would do what he came to do.

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He walked to the bed and untied her ankles. Sasha kicked and squirmed, trying to keep Mikal away from her but he flipped her onto her stomach and easily retied her ankles. Walking to the head of the bed, he grabbed three pillows and jammed them under her belly, raising her ass high in the air. He removed the remainder of his clothes and climbed onto the bed between her spread legs. His seed from their earlier session leaked from her slit. He grabbed the base of his cock and rubbed it up and down her slit, using the moisture to slick his cock in preparation for what he was about to do. Once his cock was slick enough for his liking, he positioned the head at Sasha‘s asshole. Sasha went ramrod still. In one violently forceful jab, Mikal bottomed out in Sasha‘s ass. The scream that ripped from Sasha‘s throat was one of ultra agony. The forcefulness of Mikal‘s invasion in her ass was more than her body or mind could handle and as darkness met her, she passed out cold. Mikal, unaware that Sasha had passed out, pummeled her ass as if his dick was a jackhammer and he was trying to break through a ten-foot thick concrete wall. Her words ringing in his ears like a mantra. ―You will never be half the man Gabriel is.” How dare she. He was twice the man Gabriel could ever dream of being and he would prove that to not only Sasha, but the entire pack.

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He pounded Sasha for what seemed like hours. When Mikal felt the familiar burn signaling his orgasm was upon him, he pulled out of her ass and shoved his dick into her pussy. He began stroking harder and faster until his orgasm crested and he shoved into Sasha farther than any man had a right to be inside a woman‘s body. He threw his head back and howled his release. After the sensations of his orgasm calmed and his breathing was back to normal, Mikal got off the bed. ―Can Gabriel give you that, Sasha?‖ No answer. With the blind rage now dissipated, fear gripped Mikal in a vice around his heart. Moving closer to the bed, he pushed Sasha‘s hair clear from her face. She was out cold. ―What have I done to you my love?‖ Mikal knelt down by the head of the bed and pushed Sasha‘s hair from her face. Panic began to set in. Mikal ran his fingertips over her cheek. He went into the bathroom, gathered oil, washcloths, towels and a bowl of soapy water. Coming back in the room with his supplies, he untied Sasha‘s wrist and ankles. Gently he bathed her, taking extra precautions between her legs and at her breasts. Once he finished cleaning her, he massaged her entire body with the oils. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on Sasha‘s forehead. ―Why can‘t you love me the way I love you?‖ Mikal whispered in Sasha‘s ear.

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Sighing in defeat, he took all the supplies back into the bathroom. Mikal quickly showered and dressed. Heading to the door, he glanced back at Sasha. ―Why can‘t you love me the way I love you?‖ Mikal whispered again. ―Gabriel, this is entirely your fault. It‘s time to face your demons, boy, and I am going to be the one to bring them to you,‖ he said as he gently stepped through the door, silently closing it behind himself.

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Chapter Four

After Gabriel had dropped Tara off at home, she showered then called Toya and Tia on three-way. She asked them to come over because she had to talk to someone and could count on them to be bluntly honest. Toya and Tia were the only true friends she had. She knew she could trust them with her life. ―You slut! Talk about me. How could you sleep with a man that stalked you home from the club last night? Even I wouldn‘t be that dumb,‖ Tia yelled at the top of her lungs. ―For once, I have to agree with Tia. Have you lost your damn mind, bitch? We prosecute scum like this all the time and here you are dropping your drawers for one. Not bright, Tara,‖ Toya said indignantly. ―I know, I know,‖ Tara said to both of them, burying her face in her hands. ―What were you thinking, or were you thinking at all?‖ Toya asked Tara. ―Honestly? I thought it was all a dream. I was so fucked up when I got up this morning, I had to crawl into the bathroom and pissed in my panties sitting on the toilet because I couldn‘t get them down.‖ Tara relayed to Toya and Tia. Tia spit coffee across the table and all over Tara and Toya. ―Bitch,‖ they screamed at Tia in unison.

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―I‘m sorry, I‘m sorry,‖ Tia said as she grabbed napkins from the stack they‘d set on the coffee table and started blotting up the spit coffee. ―But to hear Ms. Girdle-Too-Tight talk about how she pissed all over herself because she couldn‘t handle her liquor is hilarious.‖ Tia got up and grabbed a dishtowel from the counter. ―Personally, I say it‘s about time Ms. Uptight got her groove on. I know lack of sex makes you sharper in the courtroom, but damn! You can‘t hold that shit in forever. Eventually it will blow the top of your head off,‖ Tia said, now finish cleaning up her mess and retaking her seat. ―Tia, please. You‘re just a little freak nasty bitch whose idea of loosening up entails whips and chains,‖ Tara said. ―Well, a girl has to have her stress relievers,‖ Tia snapped back. ―And, what is it with this mate thing? Animals mate. People date or fuck, however you wish it be said. What did you call it, Prima? What‘s that all about?‖ Toya asked Tara. ―I already explained that, Toya,‖ Tara said, trying not to let her annoyance show in her words. She had. She had given Tia and Toya every dirty detail about what happened between her and Gabriel. She had told them everything Gabriel had told her. Every detail except one; the Werewolf part. Why couldn‘t she trust them enough to tell

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them about that. How would they react if she did? They would probably have her committed to the nearest asylum. ―HELLO, TARA. EARTH TO TARA,‖ Toya yelled in Tara‘s face. Startled out of her reverie, Tara looked up. ―I‘m sorry, hon, did you say something?‖ ―Where the hell is your mind? If this Gabriel has got your head this fucked up from one roll on the carpet, I have got to meet him,‖ Toya said, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile. ―I agree. I want to meet the Adonis that got Ms. High and Might to drop them drawers,‖ Tia chimed in. ―Shut up, Tia,‖ Tara and Toya sang in chorus. ―I‘m just saying…‖ Tia shot back. ―Well, I‘ll arrange for the two you to meet them. How about we go to Chez Jacques for dinner? I‘ll call…, damn. I don‘t have his phone number. Okay, I can go by his place and invite them to dinner, and meet you two at the restaurant. Deal?‖ ―Deal,‖ Tia and Toya said.

Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian were in the grocery store restocking supplies. They were alert and on guard but the varied scents were making it hard for them to single out any particular one. They hurriedly completed their shopping, paid

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and headed to the car. Gabriel stopped mid-step a foot from the car trunk, two seconds before Tomas and Adrian did. It was already too late. Gabriel felt a slight sting, and then all went black. Coming to slowly and sluggishly, Gabriel tried to piece together what had happened. He could smell Mikal and two other wolves, whom he recognized as Valeen and Vonn. He tried to move but found he couldn‘t. Looking down at his hands, he realized he wasn‘t tied down, however he still couldn‘t lift his hands and could barely lift his head. ―It‘s good to see you again Gabriel,‖ Mikal said, standing over Gabriel with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. ―What the fuck did you do to me?‖ Gabriel managed to get out, although it took great effort. ―Oh, it‘s just a little tranquilizer. I can‘t have you dying on me because that would be the easy way out. You will, however, be my instrument to regaining respect within the pack,‖ Mikal said pulling a chair from the kitchen table, turning it backwards, straddling it and folding his arms along the back. ―See, after you left I all but lost respect from the majority of the pack. The females rebelled against my mandate and violence erupted. Instead of our pack growing stronger and gaining numbers, we are killing one another and the women are purposely shifting to try to miscarry any young conceived.‖

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Mikal took a deep breath and let it out on a slow sigh before he continued, ―If only you could have seen the logic in my mandate and convinced the rest of the pack to also, this could have been avoided. You have done this and the only way to get understanding and respect from the pack again is my dominance over you,‖ Mikal said as he stood, pushed the chair away and walked to Gabriel. Still having a hard time trying to gain enough strength to speak, Gabriel managed to say, ―You don‘t have to do this. What you are trying to do can be accomplished by other means. What happened to you, Mikal?‖ Mikal stopped a few inches away from Gabriel‘s head, got down on his knees, grabbed Gabriel‘s hair yanking his head back and snarled, ―You took everything good I wanted for the pack and threw it in my face. We could have been the strongest pack in Montana or anywhere else for that matter, but you just had to play martyr and fuck up everything. Now, it‘s my turn to do the fucking.‖ Mikal began removing Gabriel‘s clothes with clawed hands. He ripped away the material, taking chunks of flesh along with it. The sedative removed all hope of Gabriel fighting back. It was so strong, Gabriel couldn‘t even feel the rips being made in his flesh. Once Mikal had him naked, he began removing his own clothes. ―I hate it had to come to this, Gabriel. We were so close. Why didn‘t you understand? Why did you have to shame me in front of the pack?‖ Mikal said, a hint of sadness and regret in his voice.

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Gabriel looked into Mikal‘s eyes and simply said, ―You‘ve lost your mind, Mikal.‖ All sadness and regret fled Mikal in an instant. He got back down on his knees beside Gabriel and flipped him onto his stomach. He grabbed three pillows from the couch and propped them under Gabriel‘s belly to hold his ass high in the air. He motioned for Vonn to begin filming. Looking straight into the camera, Mikal said, ―This is what happens to all who choose to oppose me. See your hero.‖ Mikal grabbed Gabriel‘s hair and yanked back hard so Gabriel‘s neck was flexed backwards, showing his face to the camera. ―He has fallen under my domination, as will you all.‖ With that, Mikal rammed his full length into Gabriel‘s ass. Gabriel did not even have the strength to scream. The only sound that emanated from him was a grunt for every stroke from Mikal‘s dick. Vonn walked all around Mikal and Gabriel to ensure he got everything on film. Mikal fucked Gabriel harder than he had Sasha. He fucked so hard, he saw stars behind his closed eyes. ―See, Gabriel, THIS is true power. This is what being alpha is about. Being able to dominate your subjects in every way is what makes an alpha strong. If I had known your ass was so sweet, I would have fucked it a long time ago,‖ Mikal ground out between thrusts.

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Tomas and Adrian, also sedated, could only look on in horror.

Tara pulled up to the curb and noticed the cars parked in Gabriel‘s driveway. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if this was a good time. She said, ―I‘ll just ask him about dinner then leave.‖ She got out of the car and headed up the driveway. Before she reached the door, she could hear a noise coming from what she knew was the living room. Deciding it was better to investigate before announcing her presence, she veered off the driveway to the lawn that would lead to the front window. She was hidden in the bushes and peered in. What she saw would haunt her for the rest of her life. Gabriel on the floor naked, ass in the air, with some man pile driving his big dick into his ass. Tara felt the bile rising up her throat. She was so shocked she couldn‘t move. After what seemed like forever, she turned and sprinted back to her car. Jumping in, she started the engine and pulled out, burning rubber as she left. She was fighting the nausea so hard she didn‘t even notice the tears streaming from her eyes. She drove on autopilot until she reached her home. When she pulled into her driveway and got out of the car, she lost the battle with the nausea and puked until she dry heaved. Somewhat composing herself, Tara walked inside, closed and locked the door. As soon as the lock clicked in place, she began pulling off clothes

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every step of the way heading to the bathroom. The scene at Gabriel‘s played over and over in her head and the only other thought was washing anything and everything Gabriel off her skin. By the time Tara hit the bathroom, she was completely naked. She turned the shower on as hot as her skin could take, climbed in and grabbed the soap. She began scrubbing herself, trying to wash any sign of Gabriel Young from her skin. She scrubbed and cried, cried and scrubbed. She scrubbed so much, her skin was completely raw. Deciding she couldn‘t take any more of the self-imposed abuse, she turned the water off, grabbed a towel, got out the tub and she blotted the water from her skin. Tara was numb all over. Her heart felt as if it would explode and her stomach threatened to upload again. Tara stood staring at herself in the mirror. She knew there had to be a reasonable explanation but her heart wouldn‘t allow her head to rationalize any of it. Still numb, Tara walked in the bedroom and found clothes to wear to the restaurant. She knew if she didn‘t go Toya and Tia would come get her. She was strong. She hadn‘t made it this far being weak. She could do this. Dressed, Tara headed to the door, saying a prayer as she went.

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―I should kill you,‖ Mikal said to Gabriel as he got dressed. ―However, I think what I have is sufficient to serve my purpose.‖ Gabriel could feel the effects of the sedative finally beginning to wear off, but not fast enough to get up and fight. ―Don‘t, Gabriel. By the time the sedative wears off enough for you to function, we‘ll be back on pack grounds and you know crossing those lines will get you killed,‖ Mikal said with smug satisfaction. ―Do know this,‖ Mikal said, reaching down and grabbing Gabriel‘s hair, yanking his head back hard, ―If I ever see you again, I will kill you.‖ With that, Mikal motioned to Vonn and Valeen, nodded to Tomas and Adrian and walked out the door. Gabriel lay on the floor still unable to move much, fury burning up his insides. Vengeance was a tangible taste in his mouth and he would have his fill of it soon. ―Gabriel,‖ Tomas said weakly as he slowly began to get his body to respond. ―You okay?‖ Gabriel asked feeling even more control of his body coming back. ―I‘ll live. You?‖ Tomas responded. ―Same here. Adrian?‖ Gabriel said. ―Been better. What do you think?‖ Adrian responded.

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Leave it to Adrian to always try to make light of any bad situation. ―Gabriel, I have to tell you something you‘re not going to like,‖ Tomas said as he began to move a little more. ―As if I like this,‖ Gabriel chuckled. ―What is it?‖ ―Tara was here. She saw…everything.‖ Tomas said quietly. ―WHAT?‖ The tranquilizer was so strong, it had not only stopped Gabriel‘s body from responding, it had also dulled his senses. ―She was at the window when Mikal was fucking you. She turned and ran away. I‘m sorry, man. We let you down. We should have scented them long before they got the drop on us. I‘m so, so, sorry,‖ Tomas said, now able to sit up. ―Fuck, fuck, fuck,‖ Gabriel said. ―It‘s not your fault, Tomas. Don‘t beat yourself up. We were bombarded with all the scents from the market and didn‘t notice until it was too late. I think we all let our guards down a little and got caught off guard.‖ ―Please, no more fucking,‖ Adrian said now able to push himself to his hands and knees and crawl over to Gabriel, Tomas crawling along beside him. ―Shut up, Adrian,‖ they said in unison. ―I have go, to get up. I have get to her and explain,‖ Gabriel said as he tried in vain to get full cooperation from his abused, drug-laced body. ―Why are you to

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able to get some sort of cooperation from your body and I‘m not?‖ Gabriel asked impatience and anger lacing his words. ―Mikal really wanted you to suffer. Of course he would use more tranquilizers on you than us. We were just to be incapacitated. He wanted you all but dead. It will wear off. Give it some time,‖ Adrian said as he lowered Gabriel to the floor on his side. He lay down on his side in front of Gabriel while Tomas lay on his side behind Gabriel. They lay there cocooning Gabriel waiting for the effects of the tranquilizer to wear off.

Tara arrived at the restaurant, checked herself in the mirror to make sure none of the signs of distress were apparent on her face, making sure she was presentable and composed. She stepped out of the car, checked herself again and made her way to the door. These two bitches were like hawks. They could spot a lie ten miles away in a thunderstorm. That‘s how the three of them came to be the top three female attorneys in the United States, according to Forbes magazine. She walked in the restaurant looking around for Toya and Tia. Spotting them, she informed the hostess she was with their party. Tara walked toward the table with confidence she couldn‘t feel and sat down primly once she reached the table.

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―Well, where are they?‖ Toya asked as soon as she sat down. ―They weren‘t there when I arrived,‖ Tara said, giving her drink order to the server. ―Okay, out with it,‖ Toya ordered, taking a sip from her glass. ―Out with what?‖ Tara said with her most nonchalant voice. ―Come on, bitch. I‘ve known you too long. I know when something isn‘t right,‖ Toya said, setting her glass back on the table. ―Sorry, Tara, even I can see that,‖ Tia added ―Neither of you know what you are talking about. The only thing wrong with me is my chest is burning from my encounter with the carpet and I am hungry as hell,‖ Tara said trying hard not to break down on the spot. She prayed they bought that since, technically, it was not a lie. She had forgotten to put some ointment on her burn and it was irritating her. ―If you say so. Let‘s eat. Afterwards, we can go to the club,‖ Tia said. ―Hell, no. That is what got me in all this mess to begin with,‖ Tara said ―Naw, bitch. Not knowing your limit is what got you in all this,‖ Tia said back. They ate in companionable silence, ribbing each other every now and then. Inside, Tara was dying slowly while Toya watched her like the hawk she was.

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Toya knew something was wrong but also knew Tara was stubborn as a jackass and wouldn‘t say a word until she was ready. Once dinner was finished, Tara, Toya, and Tia got into their separate vehicles and headed to the club. Tara had to compose herself all the way to the club because she knew it wouldn‘t take much more for her to lose it. Once they reached the club, the three of them forwent the normal barstools and headed for a booth in the back. After ordering their drinks, Tia decided she wanted to dance with a rather attractive man she spotted as she walked in the door. Once Tia left, Toya turned to Tara and said, ―Are you going to tell me what‘s wrong or are you going to continue to lie, hoping I let it go?‖ Tara sat back in the seat and nursed her drink for a few moments. She looked Toya straight in the eye and decided she couldn‘t hold it in any longer. Setting her glass down on the table, she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. ―Before I start, I am not crazy,‖ Tara said, staring straight at Toya. ―Just wanted you to know. When I got to Gabriel‘s,‖ she had to pause and recompose herself, ―I didn‘t get a change to ask them. I was walking up the driveway toward the front door but heard a noise. I walked over to the living room window and I…‖ That was the straw that broke the camel‘s back. Tara lost it. Tears streamed down her face. She was shaking. ―I need to go. I can‘t be here right now, Toya.‖ Tara

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grabbed her purse, got up from the booth, and started pushing her way toward the door. Toya grabbed her purse, and started running after Tara. She spotted Tia on the way to the door and shoved Tia her purse explaining Tara left hysterically and she was going after her. Toya didn‘t give Tia a chance to respond as she dashed to the door, made it to her car, crank it up and pulled out headed to Tara‘s house.

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Chapter Five

Tara made it home by the grace of God. She didn‘t even remember getting in the car, more less driving herself home. She walked into the house, forgetting to close the door. She made it to the couch, dropping purse and keys on the floor in the foyer. She was so far gone, she didn‘t hear Toya pull up, or walk into the living room. ―What it is sweetie? I have NEVER seen you like this. You have GOT to tell me what happened,‖ Toya said as she sat on the side of the couch rubbing soothingly on Tara‘s back. Tara took a deep steadying breath then said, ―Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian are werewolves. I got to the house and saw some man running raw dick, about eleven inches of raw dick, in Gabriel‘s ass and he just laid there taking it. Toya, not sure if she really heard what Tara had said, stopped rubbing Tara‘s back and said, ―Run that by me again!‖ ―You heard me.‖ Tara said sitting up and looking at Toya. ―Okay, no more alcohol for you, ever,‖ Toya said getting up from the couch and going to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.

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―You don‘t believe me, do you? You think I‘m crazy, don‘t you Toya? I told you at the club. I am not crazy, Toya! You don‘t have to treat me like a child having a temper tantrum,‖ Tara said suddenly, rage blinding her and causing her to lash out at Toya. ―I‘m not treating you like that Tara, you are just upset—‖ Toya began. ―Don‘t you DARE talk down to me, Toya. You can get the fuck out of my house if you came here to pity me,‖ Tara said now mad enough to spit nails. ―Tara Marie Bennett, don‘t you DARE take this shit out on me. I am only trying to be here for you. If you want to take this shit out on someone, take it out on the one that caused the fucking problem,‖ Toya said now letting her temper getting the better of her. They were about to go toe-to-toe when the doorbell rang. Tara looked at Toya then looked toward the door. She was in no mood for company and really didn‘t want to be bothered. Toya, on the other hand, decided if it was who she thought it was, Tara really needed this confrontation and headed toward the door. ―Don‘t open that door, bitch. I am in NO mood to deal with anyone right now,‖ Tara said to Toya‘s back. ―Toya, I mean it,‖ Tara added. Toya ignored Tara and opened the door. She was right. Gabriel, Tomas and Adrian stood on the other side. Not saying a word, Toya stepped to the side and let them in. Closing and locking the door behind her, Toya returned to the living

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room. When she rounded the corner from the foyer, she saw Tara standing on one side of the coffee table in a defensive stance while Gabriel was on the other in a pleading one. Tomas and Adrian, at least she assumed it was them, were standing off to the side watching. ―Tara, please. Let me explain,‖ Gabriel started hands held out by his sides, palms up. ―Explain what. That you like taking dick as much as you like giving it? Is that what you want to explain, Gabriel? And from what I could see the dick you were taking is bigger than yours so your asshole must be on fire right about now,‖ Tara said now standing tall with her arms crossed over her breasts. That statement caught Gabriel off guard and he had to stop for a moment. He knew this was not the time for smiles but couldn‘t stop the slight upward curve of his lips at the thought Tara had seen Mikal‘s dick. ―So what were you doing looking at Mikal‘s dick?‖ Gabriel said. ―That was Mikal,‖ Tara asked, all anger flowing out of her like a rapid running stream only to be replaced with a fear so profound her knees almost buckled. She ran around the coffee table right into Gabriel‘s waiting arms. Sensing the immediate explosion had been avoided, Toya, always the voice of reason, motioned for everyone to take a seat. She retreated to the kitchen and retrieved the coffee, cups, cream and sugar, placed them on a serving tray and

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brought it back into the living room. Once everyone had poured their coffee, Tara looked at the three men and said, ―So what is this about you three being werewolves?‖ Gabriel shot a scolding gaze in Tara‘s direction. ―What? I was out of my mind after having just seen the man I love being fucked by another man,‖ Tara said, with no remorse in her voice. ―Telling that particular detail…Wait, wait, wait. Did you just say you love me?‖ Gabriel had to do a mental double take on Tara‘s words. ―Did I…? Oh, shit. I did say that, didn‘t I?‖ Tara, also caught off guard by her words, admitted shyly. ―Yes, you did,‖ Toya and Gabriel sang in unison. Every set of eyes in the room were on Tara. Gabriel scooted closer to Tara, wrapped his arms around her and held on for dear life. Tara‘s mind was the center of a whirlwind with thoughts and emotions. She knew she had to be honest, and this was the time to do just that. Pulling back enough to look Gabriel in the eyes, Tara breathed deeply then said, ―Gabriel, this all happened so fast. I am still confused. However, I must admit to myself if no one else, you fill a void I didn‘t realize I had. Thinking about it, if I‘m to be truly honest with myself, I do love you. Crazy as it sounds, I do.‖

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Gabriel grabbed her and his mouth came down on hers as if she were his lifeline. The kiss went on for what seemed like forever until a throat cleared, bringing them both back to the here and now. ―Others are still in the room, and Tara, you have some more explaining to do,‖ Toya said, gaining their attention. ―My apologies, Toya, you‘re right. First, let me introduce you. This is Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian.‖ Tara pointed to each man in turn. All attention turned to focus on Toya. Toya nodded and sat back in the chair, crossing her legs. Gabriel stood and walked to the end of the coffee table directly in front of Toya. He sat on the edge with his elbows on his knees. He looked straight at Toya and said, ―I must ask a favor of you. Please do not repeat anything about our being werewolves to anyone. Our secret MUST be kept. Humans won‘t be able to handle the fact that we exist and it could be very dangerous for our kind.‖ Toya, never moving a muscle, look to Gabriel then Tomas, then Adrian then back to Gabriel and simply stated, ―That will be easy because I don‘t believe it anyway.‖ Gabriel heard a low growl coming from behind him. He looked over his shoulder straight at Adrian. The look of pure lust on Adrian‘s face told Gabriel that Toya was his Prima. Gabriel sat up slowly, rose from the coffee table and

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walked back to the couch to sit beside Tara. He then look to Adrian again and called his name to get his attention. It took a moment for Adrian to acknowledge Gabriel but when he did, Gabriel said, ―Adrian, do you mind giving Toya a demonstration?‖ Shook from his lust-induced trance, Adrian gave a curt nod of his head and rose. He began removing his clothes. ―Whoa, big fella. What the fuck are you doing?‖ Toya asked suddenly not so sure of this situation. Her back was ramrod straight and her crossed legs were now shoulder width apart, ready to make a move at any given second. ―Don‘t fear me, Toya. I mean you no harm, but I must be naked to show you what you need to see,‖ Adrian said as he came around the couch, unfastening his pants. Toya jumped up out of the chair and ran behind it. ―You don‘t have to show me anything. I believe you.‖ ―I don‘t think you do,‖ Adrian said shedding his pants and underwear. ―Do all werewolves have big dicks?‖ Tara asked. ―You, beautiful Tara, shouldn‘t be looking at any cock other than mine,‖ Gabriel said, covering her eyes. Tara fought Gabriel‘s hand in her face, trying see more of Adrian until Gabriel‘s mouth found hers again. She lost all thought of Adrian, Tomas, and Toya. The kiss was deep and passionate until the scream from

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Toya let Tara know Adrian had shifted. Breaking the kiss to look up at her friend, Tara said, ―Freaky shit, isn‘t it?‖ Toya jumped over Tara and wedged herself between Gabriel and Tara on the couch. ―He isn‘t going to bite or attack is he?‖ Tara asked Gabriel, beginning to worry. Gabriel laughed at Toya‘s antics and said, ―Bite, no. Attack, maybe. Especially me if you don‘t move away from me. Attack you also, maybe, but it won‘t be the kind of attacking you think,‖ he replied, laughing. ―What‘s that supposed to mean?‖ Tara asked Gabriel sharply. ―It means, Tara, I think Adrian has just found is Prima,‖ Gabriel replied. Sudden clarity of the situation came to Tara like a bolt of lightning. She looked at Gabriel then Toya. ―Oooohhhh! Maybe we should leave them alone. I know they need to talk but I don‘t think they‘ll be comfortable talking here in front of everyone.‖ Gabriel and Tomas agreed and began to get up. Tara looked over to Tomas and said, ―There‘s a spare room if you want to go lie down and watch TV or something.‖ ―No, thank you.‖ Tomas huffed. ―All this pussy and I am not getting any; I think I‘ll head home. See you guys tomorrow,‖ Tomas said as he headed to the door.

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Toya was outraged. ―I KNOW you‘re not going to leave me here with this rabid, growling, overgrown Scooby, are you?‖ she said to Tara‘s back as Tara and Gabriel headed up the stairs. Tara looked over her shoulder at Toya and said ―Afraid so, babe. You can handle it. Goodnight.‖ With that, Tara, Gabriel and Tomas left Toya with a slobbering wolf licking his chops as if her were about to have his first meal after a month of starvation.

Toya couldn‘t move as wolf Adrian padded toward her. He walked right up to her, shoved his shoulders between her petrified legs and shoved his nose in her crotch. She knew he could smell the arousal that leaked from her pussy at the sight of him naked but instead of being scared, now she was just pissed. She swatted his nose with the flat of her palm. ―Back off, Fido,‖ Toya said no longer feeling the cold fingers of fear holding her immobile. Wolf Adrian shook his head to soothe the sting of being popped on the nose. With a low growl, he put his front paws on the couch on either side of Toya‘s legs. Again, he moved his snout to her crotch, sniffing and growling, daring her to hit him again. Tara backed up. ―I‘m sorry. I‘m sorry. I won‘t do it again.‖ She tried to ease up the back of the couch enough to go for a vault over it, but Adrian sensed what

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she was doing and lay the top half of his body in her lap, effectively preventing her from moving another inch. Smelling the arousal underlying the anger had Adrian‘s head swimming and his body humming. Realizing he would get a better reaction from Toya in human form, he began to change. His body shimmered and he was again in human form on his hands and knees with his face buried in Toya‘s crotch. The smell of her pussy and arousal was more than wolf or man could bear any longer so, not giving her a chance to argue, he grabbed her legs and pulled her closer to him while at the same time, opening them wider. Adrian rubbed his face all over her cloth-covered pussy, trying to wipe her scent all over his face. He looked up at her. ―If you don‘t get out of these clothes right now, I will rip them to shreds.‖ Toya, still dumbfounded from watching him shift back into human form, absentmindedly removed her clothes until she was just as naked as he. She hadn‘t realized what she‘d done until she felt a wet tongue swipe her naked pussy. Adrian buried his face in Toya‘s, now, unobstructed pussy. He lapped at it as if he were a cat that had gone a year without cream and was finally given a bowl full. When he pushed his tongue into her warmth, he groaned at the same time Toya did. He brought his knees under his body and rocked back on his haunches. He was going to be here for a while.

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Toya‘s head was reeling. All the events of the night melded together. When Adrian pushed his tongue into her drenched pussy, all other thoughts flew out the window. She tried to close her legs at the onslaught of the overwhelming sensations Adrian‘s tongue was causing, but his wide shoulders prevented that. She was trembling uncontrollably and looked for something, anything, to hold on to. The only thing she could grip was Adrian‘s silky black hair. She curled her fingers in his hair, nails scratching Adrian‘s scalp in the process. Suddenly, that seemed to be a wrong move on her part because Adrian went wild. Before she realized what had happened, Adrian had her flat on her back, on the floor, his dick inside of her balls deep. ―AAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH! OH MY GOD! YOU ARE SOOOOOO BIG‖! Adrian smiled down at Toya. ―This is not how I wanted this to happen, but when you scratched my scalp that was the last of the control I had. Don‘t you know that scratching a lupine‘s ears is the ULTIMATE aphrodisiac?‖ Adrian taunted, beginning a slow, steady, deep stroke inside Toya‘s body. Toya looked up at Adrian and said, ―That‘s a nice little tidbit of information but if you don‘t fuck me right now, I will scratch something else and I guarantee it won‘t have the same effect.‖

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―Yes, Ma‘am.‖ Adrian increased the speed and pressure of his strokes, setting a grueling pace. He fucked her like he was trying to come out through her throat. Toya had no choice but to hold on for the ride. ―I swear I can taste you, Adrian. What are you trying to do?‖ Toya said as Adrian fucked her into the couch. ―I want to you feel how badly I want you,‖ Adrian said between thrusts. ―I want you to know what I have to give and want you to want what I have to give. I will never hold anything back from you, Toya. I will always give you my all and expect you to do the same,‖ Adrian said in rhythm with his strokes. Toya was lost. His words, his actions touched something inside her she didn‘t know was there. She had spent her whole life focusing on her career and not taking the time to find out what else she needed to make her life complete. What Adrian was offering her was EXACTLY what else she needed. Making up her mind that she was willing to trust and believe everything Adrian had just said, Toya pushed Adrian off the couch onto the floor on his back and straddled his hips, never breaking the contact their bodies had. ―Don‘t say you didn‘t ask for this, Adrian. Get ready for the wildest ride of your life,‖ Toya said, adjusting herself to get the perfect angle. ―Bring it on, little girl,‖ Adrian said with a snicker.

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―Little girl? Can a little girl do this?‖ Toya asked as she ground down as hard as she could while squeezed her pussy muscles, gripping Adrian to the point of pain. ―OH SHIT!‖ Adrian yelled out. ―Little, girl huh?‖ Toya said with a triumphant smile. ―I‘ll call you whatever you like if you do that again,‖ Adrian said gripping Toya‘s hips, effectively holding her in place. Toya chuckled, then set out to drive Adrian crazy until they were both sated and unable to move. She rode Adrian for what seemed like hours. Every now and then, she would stop moving and just sit on him, working her inner muscles. That seemed to drive Adrian nuts. ―Adrian, I am so close but I can‘t get there in this position,‖ Toya said in exasperation. Adrian, being one to always lend a helping hand, flipped Toya and had her on her hands and knees. Moving in behind her, he entered her in one hard demanding thrust. That was all it took. Toya flew into a blinding orgasm that stole every ounce of energy her body and mind had left. She collapsed to the carpet, Adrian following her down. Feeling the spasms from Toya‘s slick walls milking his shaft, Adrian pounded into her for another minute then howled his own release.

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After about fifteen minutes of trying to calm their breathing, Adrian asked, ―Am I too heavy?‖ Toya didn‘t even have the strength to voice her response. She just lifted her head slightly, shook it no, and laid it back down again. After another five minutes had past, Adrian slowly rolled to his side, pulling Toya with him. He spooned his body around her with his dick still thumping within her warmth. Toya whimpered at the movement but snuggled into Adrian as close as she could. They feel into a deep, satiated sleep.

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Chapter Six

―Sounds like Toya finally gave in.‖ Gabriel chuckled while nuzzling Tara‘s neck. ―Yeah.‖ Sensing something wrong, Gabriel raised his head to look into Tara‘s eyes. ―What‘s wrong, beautiful?‖ Tara poked her lips out pouting and said, ―Toya just got what sounded like the orgasm of her life and all I can get is some licks, kisses and nuzzles.‖ Gabriel looked shocked and incredulous. ―Oh. My poor baby got an itch she needs help scratching?‖ Tara turned over to face Gabriel and said, ―Yes, and what is the big bad wolf going to do about it?‖ Gabriel tried to hide the smile at Tara‘s slight temper tantrum and began tickling her to remove the pout from her lips. ―Gabriel!‖ Tara screamed. She laughed and laughed. When she was able to catch her breath long enough to speak, she said, ―You are going to make me pee on myself and I think I have lost enough panties because of you.‖

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That gave Gabriel pause. ―How many pairs of panties have you lost because of me?‖ ―Never mind,‖ Tara said realizing she had said the wrong thing. This time Gabriel didn‘t try to hide his chuckle. He stared into Tara‘s eyes, suddenly as serious as life. ―I love you, Tara, with all my heart. I would kill to protect you. I would die if anything ever happened to you. Do you understand?‖ ―Yes, Gabriel, I do,‖ Tara responded with all the love she felt for him glowing in her eyes. Gabriel began kissing Tara, starting with her lips then slowly moving to her neck. He licked, nipped and sucked from neck to breasts, stopping to give each breast special attention. He sucked her nipples until they were hard as diamonds. Once he was satisfied with their stiffness, he moved on. He nipped and licked her ribs on both sides then spent extra time delving his tongue in her belly button. Tara thought she would spontaneously combust. If Gabriel didn‘t get where she needed him soon, she would scream. Finally, Gabriel reached his goal. At the first touch of Gabriel‘s tongue on her clit, Tara fisted the covers on either side of her body, afraid if she grabbed Gabriel‘s hair at that moment she would pull it out. ―Gabriel. I need you inside me now. Please love me the way I need you to,‖ Tara begged.

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Gabriel crawled up Tara‘s body and settled his cock at her entrance. ―Open your eyes, Tara. I need to see your eyes as I love you. I need to see in your eyes that you understand just how much you mean to me.‖ Tara opened her eyes, and then Gabriel entered her in one long slow thrust. ―Oh Gawd, Gabriel. You feel so good inside me,‖ Tara said as she wrapped her arms and legs around Gabriel. Gabriel set a slow easy pace, determined to make love to Tara the way he wanted to the first time. He wanted to emphasize to her just how cherished she was. Tara groaned and lifted her head up to kiss Gabriel soundly. ―I know you want to make love to me, but right now, I want you to fuck me senseless.‖ ―I really wanted to make love to you slowly, Tara, but if that is what you want, I will always give you exactly what you want and need.‖ Gabriel began to pump into her hard and fast. Tara closed her eyes. ―Open your eyes, Tara. I want to see you come. I need to see your emotions,‖ Gabriel said pumping harder and faster. Tara opened her eyes. It was a feat even she didn‘t realize was going to be so hard to accomplish but she promised herself she would. Every down stroke from Gabriel grounded Tara into the mattress. She started to think asking for this had

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been a mistake. That is until she felt the orgasm creeping up her spine. She knew it was going to be one that would rival the one she had the first time she was with Gabriel. ―Gabriel, I‘m going to…OH SHIT!‖ Tara screamed as her body erupted. ―That‘s right, baby. Give it to me. I want to feel your pussy milk my cock. I want to…‖ was all Gabriel managed to say before his own orgasm ripped from his balls. Gabriel collapsed on top of Tara; neither able to speak. After five minutes, Gabriel found the strength to roll over and position Tara so he could spoon his body around hers. With a final sigh, they both fell into a deep sleep.

Mikal walked back into his apartment. Immediately, he could smell the change. ―Ah! I‘ve done it. Sasha carries my young,‖ he said to himself, pride bursting from every pore of his body. He walked into the room where Sasha lay and leaned against the doorframe, watching her sleep. He stood there for what seemed like hours, just wishing things were different, and the greeting he would get once Sasha awakened would be a welcomed one.

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Maybe things would be different this time. They were forever connected now that she was carrying his pups. Maybe now she would realize they were meant to be together. If she had just come to him in the first place, none of this would have happened. He refused to feel guilty about the things she‘d forced him to do. Putting aside his pity party over the reality of what was and what may never be, Mikal pushed away from the doorframe and slowly made his way to her side. Leaning over her prone form, he carefully removed the straps from her wrists and ankles. Staring down into her beautiful face, he tenderly ran his finger over the bruise covering her soft cheek, a bruise in the shape of his hand. Allowed his gaze to roam over her a few more moments, Mikal sighed with all the weariness within his shattered soul, then turned and walked away from the one thing he loved above all else in the world. In his office, Mikal sat in chair reviewing the DVD containing his domination of Gabriel. Mixed emotions assailed him. He knew this was something that had to be done but at the same time, he mourned the lost love and friendship he and Gabriel once had. Vonn entered the office while Mikal was still reviewing the video. ―This will ensure the pack views my mandates as ultimate law. If the pack still refuses to cooperate, things will never change and I fear the pack will die out. Why did things have to come to this?‖ Mikal stated to Vonn.

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―Alpha, I feel this will show the pack that Gabriel was wrong in his actions and will prove that your mandates are justified,‖ Vonn stated. ―I truly hope so, Vonn. I would never admit this to anyone other than you, but having to do to Gabriel what was done ripped out a piece of my heart. We were friends for so long, I never would have imagined we would not be,‖ Mikal confessed and sighed as the door of his office was flung open with enough force to crack the plaster and become stuck in the wall. It would seem that his beautiful Sasha was finally awake, and highly pissed off. Sasha stormed into the room with volcanic fire in her eyes, her gaze locked on Mikal. Seeing the murder in her eyes, Vonn moved to intercept her. Flashing her fangs at the Beta wolf, Sasha continued her forward charge. ―Touch me a die, you pathetic lap dog,‖ Sasha snarled as Vonn stepped in her path and reached to halt her progression. Speaking with venom, she asked, ―I take it since I am no longer bound to the bed, I am free to go?‖ Mikal motioned for Vonn to leave them. Vonn nodded slightly then turned and headed for the door. Once the door closed, Mikal, still feeling the pain deep within his soul, said, ―Yes, Sasha. You are free to leave.‖ He sat forward in his chair, a stern look on his face. ―You now carry my young. You have served your purpose. I do not wish to keep you against your will any longer. But before you go, know this.

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Sasha, if you so much as think of doing anything that will cause harm to my young or yourself while you carry them, I will kill you. You may never love me again, but you will not deny me my lineage.‖ Sasha, still standing at the door, looked back at Mikal with the same stern look he had displayed on her. ―I carry these young for the man I once knew, not the pathetic coward that sits before me right now. You think that you are a leader, Mikal? Don‘t make me fucking laugh!‖ Now just as angry as she, Mikal surged to his feet in a fit of rage that made his canine teeth burst forth. ―I am the Alpha of this pack and YOU WILL OBEY ME!‖ he roared, leaning on to his desk. His heavily muscled chest heaved as his rage at having her so openly mock him reach as flash point. ―There is NOTHING within you that is a leader, Mikal! True Alphas put the good of their pack over their own selfish desires! True Alphas don‟t rape and beat women! You are a monster, and I regret the day I ever laid eyes on you. Yes, these pups may have been sired by you but I will burn in hell before I ever allow you anywhere near them and that is my vow to you.‖ With that, she turned and walked out the door without a backward glance. Sighing again, Mikal sat back in his chair. ―Why can‘t you love me again the way you once did, Sasha?‖

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Ring. Ring. Ring. ―This better be good. I was having the most erotic dream and was just about to get some,‖ Tomas said, mad as hell for the interruption. ―Tomas, I really need to talk. Mikal has lost his mind,‖ the voice said on the other end of the line. ―Sasha?‖ Tomas, now sitting straight up in bed, swung his legs to the side and jumped up like the hounds of hell were on his tail. ―What‘s happened, Sasha?‖ ―I need to get away from here,‖ Sasha began, every other word coming out a gasping hiccup. ―Things have gotten so bad since you three left. Gabriel did have some sway over Mikal but since Gabriel is no longer here, the other males of the pack are too afraid of Mikal to even speak up. The females are being beaten and raped on a daily basis.‖ Sasha paused for a moment. ―I carry Mikal‘s young and it‘s only because he tied me to his bed and took me over and over until I became pregnant. It‗s so bad, the males will take the females in human or wolf form.‖ ―STOP!‖ Tomas roared. ―What the fuck do you mean he tied you to the bed? Where the hell are you? I‘m coming to get you. Mikal be damned.‖ Tomas had begun dressing as he spoke. He was so mad, he ended up putting on his jeans before his underwear. It wasn‘t until he sat on the side of the bed to put on his

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shoes and socks that he realized his error, stood back up and took the underwear off. He could go commando for one day. ―No, Tomas, you cannot. He will kill you on sight,‖ Sasha implored. ―Please do not try to come get me. I am at the stream. I had to sneak away and find a cell phone I could use to call you. We need your help, Tomas. Gabriel has got to come back.‖ Tomas, now completely dressed, grabbed his keys off the nightstand and headed for the door. ―Do you think you can get away? We aren‘t far and can meet you somewhere.‖ ―I can try, Tomas, but Mikal has his men watching me like hawks. He is afraid I will try to hurt myself or the cubs. I have to hurry. I‘ve been out of eyesight longer than Mikal allows. Someone will be coming for me soon,‖ Sasha said, her voice tense. She hurried on to say, ―Tomas, Mikal showed the pack the video of what he did to Gabriel. We know something must have been done to Gabriel for Mikal to have been able to accomplish that feat. We still feel Gabriel is a strong wolf and harbor no ill will toward him because of this.‖ ―Thanks for that, Sasha. It means a lot to me and I know it will to Adrian and Gabriel, as well.‖ Tomas started the engine of his Land Cruiser and backed out the driveway, heading to Tara‘s house. He had to get to Gabriel and let him know what was happening. ―Try to stay under the radar as much as possible. If you

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happen to find a way to slip out, call one of us and we will come get you. I love you, sister. I will be there for you throughout your pregnancy and I will be there for your cubs as well.‖ ―I love you, too, brother. If there is any way I can leave, believe me, I will.‖ Tomas had just pulled up to the curb in front of Tara‘s when he noticed a female ringing the doorbell like she was trying to knock it off its base. Pushing his worry for Sasha aside, he silently walked up behind her. ―I don‘t think beating the doorbell to death is going to get anyone to open the door any faster,‖ he said with a smirk on his face. ―Who asked you for your fucking opin—‖ She swiveled around to look at him. ―Dayum! Who are you?‖ Grinning at her wit, Tomas said, ―I am Tomas. And you are?‖ ―In love or lust. Either way, you‘re the man I wouldn‘t mind sharing either with.‖ She moved slightly closer to him as though momentarily forgetting where she was and why she was there. Tomas was about to comment that she still hadn‘t given her name when the door was suddenly yanked open and a very pissed off Tara stood there ready to rip someone a new asshole. ―It‘s about damn time,‖ the woman said, forgetting about him as she shoved her way into the house past Tara. ―I‘ve been ringing this damn doorbell for the last

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thirty minutes. What were you doing that you couldn‘t even get up to answer the door, Tara?‖ She stood in the living room with her hands on her hips. Tara, after having invited Tomas inside, followed into the living room, looking at the woman like she wanted to choke all semblance of life out of her. She mimicked the woman‘s stance and said, ―Tia, what the hell do you want? It is,‖ Tara looked at the clock on the microwave, ―seven-thirty in the damn morning. What can be so fucking important that you are beating up my damn doorbell up this early?‖ ―Toya didn‘t make it home last night. She is not answering her phone. Have you seen her?‖ Tia said exasperated. ―I‘m right here, Tia.‖ Toya descended the stairs looking every bit as pissed off as Tara. ―What in the world is everyone doing up so damn early?‖ Toya asked as she took the final step into the living room. ―Ask Miss Doorbell Killer here.‖ Tara snapped and headed into the kitchen. ―Excuse me, ladies,‖ Tomas said as he headed toward the stairway. ―I need to see the men in the house.‖

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Chapter Seven

―Who is that and what the hell have you two been doing,‖ Tia asked, a little perturbed that she seems to have been left out of the loop. ―Hold up. Did he say men of the house? Oh now I know you two bitches better start talking and fast,‖ Tia said glaring from Tara to Toya and back. Tara and Toya looked at each other and shook their heads. Heading to the couch, they sat down and waited for her to join them. They began explaining the evening‘s events to her while she bounced up and down in the chair, squirming at the juice details. Just as the three of them began laughing at their own corny jokes, three men came bounding down the stairs as if the house were on fire. ―What‘s going on, Gabriel,‖ Tara asked as she jumped up and rushed to one of the men. ―Tomas received a call from one of the females of our pack. Mikal has lost his damn mind. We have to go back and straighten out this mess. Things are worse than we imagined,‖ Gabriel explained as he wrapped his arms around Tara and nuzzled her hair.

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―Whoa, there big guy. You can‘t just go busting in there like gangbusters, thinking you can change things. You have to plan your actions carefully,‖ Tara stated, stepping out of his embrace placing her open palm in the middle of his chest. ―That is the human way of things. Wolves don‘t have politics such as that. The only way I‘ll be able to take control of the situation is by challenging Mikal outright,‖ Gabriel stated, running his thumb over Tara‘s right cheek. ―And if you lose?‖ Tara asked. ―I can‘t lose,‖ Gabriel stated dryly. ―But if you do?‖ Tara argued. ―Okay, Tara. What do you suggest?‖ Gabriel sighed in defeat and headed to the couch, pulling Tara behind him. As he lowered himself to the cushions of the couch, Tia yelled out, ―Whoa, whoa, whoa, here. What is all this talk about wolves and humans? What the hell is going on here?‖ Tia began, waving her arms around excitedly. ―Somebody better start talking or I am going to call the nearest asylum and have them bring a padded wagon here are round up all you crazy mothers,‖ she finished with an elaborate swing of her arms that ended with her hands on her hips. ―Not now, Tia.‖ Toya said. ―What do you mean not now?‖ Tia argued.

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―Not fucking now, Tia,‖ Tara and Toya said in unison, exasperation and annoyance sounding off clearly in both their voices. ―Fuck that. Tell me now,‖ she demanded in her best lawyerly ‗the-bullshitstops-here‘ voice. The ladies were so busy going at each other they didn‘t notice anything the men were doing until a beautiful reddish-brown wolf padded silently up to Tia and rubbed against her leg. Tia looked down, saw the wolf, and jumped so high and so fast, she was over the couch and standing on the top of Tara‘s kitchen island before anyone realized she had even moved. ―WHAT. THE. FUCK. IS. THAT?‖ Tia screamed. The room erupted in laughter. Tara, Toya, Gabriel, and the other man were holding onto one another to keep from falling down, they were laughing so hard. The group looked at Tia then at each other again and burst out laughing again. This went on for at least fifteen minutes. Finally, calming down enough to catch a breath, Tara looked at Tia and asked, ―How the hell did you get over there so fast?‖ ―Yeah, I didn‘t think you could move that fast, Tia,‖ Toya chimed in, still shuddering from her laughter.

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―Never mind that, you crazy bitches. What is that?‖ Tia said as she pointed at the wolf, which now sat on his haunches looking up at her with what could only be described as a ‗doggie smile‘. ―Tia, meet Tomas‘s alter ego,‖ Gabriel said pointing at the wolf. By this time, Wolf Tomas was on hind legs at the kitchen island looking up at Tia with laughter in his eyes. To make matters worse, he was reaching for Tia with his front paws. Tia dodged every swipe, relieved that the ―dog‖ couldn‘t actually reach her. That is until he jumped on the countertop with her. ―Somebody get this damn thing,‖ Tia screamed as she jumped down on the side closest to the front door, and ran for the front door with speed she didn‘t even realize she possessed. She was just about to twist the doorknob when two strong arms wrapped around her waist and brought her body back against a strong solid mass of man flesh. Slowly, oh so slowly, Tia turned in those strong arms to see who held her. When she looked up, she was staring into auburn eyes still bright with laughter. Upon further inspection, Tia soon realized those eyes were the only thing about that body that held laughter because the rest of it was seriously ‗hard‟. Tia leaned back a little further into that hard body and luxuriated in the feel and smell.

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Tomas obviously loved the feel of her warm, voluptuous body pressing against his. His dick was hard as steel. Tia, deciding she owed him for scaring the shit out of her, wiggled her ass on his rock hard dick a little for payback. Tomas growled deep in his throat and said, ―Keep that up woman and I‘ll fuck you right here in Tara‘s foyer in front of everyone.‖ ―Serves you right for scaring the shit out of me, however, that could be fun,‖ Tia teased, wiggling her ass again with a little more pressure this time just to hear Tomas suck in a deep breath. Tomas, whose control was quickly ebbing, backed away from Tia and pushed her arm‘s length away. ―We have more important matters to deal with now and lusting after your juicy ass will have to wait for later.‖ He turned away from her and headed back into the living room where he‘d left his clothes. The sight of all that tawny-brown, silky skin over defined muscles and the size of his cock had Tia panting like a bitch in heat. His ass made her think of being blind artist who was using Tomas as her model. She was more than willing to rub, squeeze, and feel every line and curve to make sure she got everything perfect. ―Down girl. We have work to do here,‖ Tia barely heard Tara say as they settled down to begin discussing plans to take Mikal down and save the pack.

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Tia rushed around the corner just as Tomas bent over to pick up his pants. The sight of his chiseled ass with legs spread just enough to get a glimpse of his sac and now flaccid member was almost enough to make Tia faint. Her knees gave out and she sat down heavily on the floor next to the couch. Tomas looked over his shoulder and smiled a mischievous smile. He knew what he was doing and could smell that it was working. Tia was definitely interested. Once Tomas was dressed, he joined the rest of the group. After picking Tia up off the floor, he settling her in his lap in the armchair and they all began planning how they were going to fix the mess with the pack.

Tara looked at Gabriel, who sat next to her on the couch with intensity in his eyes she prayed he never directed at her. ―Isn‘t there anyone you can talk to about this matter? You can‘t just waltz in there and think to challenge Mikal with everyone there backing him.‖ ―That‘s just it, Tara,‖ Tomas interrupted. ―According to Sasha, the others are against Mikal but are too afraid to speak out or do anything to fix this.‖ ―I know law,‖ Tara said. ―I know there is something we can do.‖ Gabriel sighed and took both Tara‘s hands in his. ―No, baby. Pack law is different as I‘ve already told you.‖ Gabriel began rubbing his thumbs over the back

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of Tara‘s hands in soothing circles. ―Besides, what are you going to do? Walk in the court and tell the judge there is a pack of shape-shifting wolves living not far away and they need legal counsel?‖ With a defeated sigh of her own, Tara said, ―I didn‘t think of that. It just makes me so mad that Mikal is getting away with the things he is doing to the females of your pack.‖ ―My former pack,‖ Gabriel corrected. ―Whatever,‖ Tara quipped. ―Semantics.‖ ―Gabriel, can‘t you contact Marcus, the Alpha of the St. Ignatius pack, for advice?‖ Adrian asked. ―Yes, Gabriel. Don‘t have a decent relationship with Marcus?‖ Tomas added, then looked at Tia still sitting on his lap and said, ―Be still woman or I‘ll drop you on that beautiful ass of yours.‖ Tia gasped with indignation. ―You wouldn‘t dare!‖ Tomas tilted his head, raised one eyebrow, spread his legs and pushed. Tia hit the floor and bounced. ―I can‘t believe you did that. You are so going to pay for that, Fido,‖ Tia threatened, getting up and dusting off her ass. ―Woof, woof,‖ Tomas said.

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―Enough, you two,‖ Tara said, frustrated that she couldn‘t solve this puzzle. Gabriel took Tara‘s hands in his again and continued rubbing them gently. ―I‘ll contact Marcus and ask him for assistance. The fact that he has committed such atrocious crimes against the females of the pack is reason enough by pack law to have him put down. If this goes badly, we may need backup. Marcus will agree with me on this one. He won‘t like the fact that Mikal fails to treat the females with the respect they deserve and will be madder than hell,‖ Gabriel said, getting up from the couch and heading to the stairs to grab his cell from the bedside table in Tara‘s bedroom.

Tara, Toya, and Tia went into the kitchen to cook while Gabriel, Adrian, and Tomas sat in the living room strategizing in conference with Marcus. As suspected, Marcus was livid once Gabriel informed him of the situation. Tia sneaked a glance over her shoulder at Tomas. He caught her looking and winked. He knew it would annoy the hell out of her but did it anyway. ―You‘ve been keeping me in the dark. Why didn‘t you tell me?‖ Tia asked Tara and Toya as she took the toast out of the oven and placed it on plates. ―I just found out myself last night,‖ Toya stated as she cut up the vegetables, cheese and ham to make omelets for everyone. Cooking always calmed Toya‘s and

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everyone needed to eat. Hell, it was going to be a long ass day and there was no sense being hungry as well as agitated. ―And I only found out two days ago but I didn‘t believe it until like you, I was staring down at a full grown wolf in my living room. Speaking of which, how the hell did you get from in front of the couch to the top of my kitchen island and no one saw you move?‖ Tara asked. ―Don‘t start, Tara,‖ Tia said, pissed that Tara had brought that up again. They laughed and talked while continuing to prepare breakfast.

Sitting in Tara‘s kitchen listening to the ladies debate about what their actual plan of attack should be, Gabriel didn‘t feel it necessary to inform them the plan had already been decided by himself and Marcus over an hour ago. That would lead to another round of arguing with Tara and man, did his woman love to argue. After the arguing was over, though, she would make up with just as much fire as she‘d used in the argument. Gabriel he felt his dick start to harden at the thought of their make- up sex. He was so gone into his fantasy of sinking back into Tara‘s hot, juicy pussy that the sudden vibrations in his jeans pocket damn near caused him to flip backwards off the stool he was currently perched on. Seeing the unfamiliar number on the display, he answered with a snarl, ―What?‖

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It was only when he heard Sasha‘s whispered response that he tempered his tone. ―Sasha, where are you?” he demanded as he stalked from the kitchen, ignoring Tara‘s questioning look as he passed her. ―I …I‘m not sure, Gabriel. I finally got away from Mikal. I ran all night through streams so that he couldn‘t track my scent. I‘m so tired that nothing makes sense anymore,‖ Sasha said, sounding exhausted and scared. ―Okay calm down, Sasha. I want you to call this number: 773-3698. It‘s the number for a cab company. Give them this address, 1328 New Briar Lane, and tell the cabbie I will pay the fare once you arrive. I‘ll be waiting for you.‖ Disconnecting the call Gabriel felt a soul deep relief that Sasha had gotten away, but with her gone and Mikal no doubt hot on her trail, he knew that the time clock had just gotten shorter. Gabriel returned to the kitchen, sat back on the stool, and relayed the conversation to the group. All they could do now was wait.

Tia, Toya, and Tara were cleaning the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Before any of the guys could move, Tara was wiping her hands on a dishtowel and opening the door. On the other side was the most beautiful woman Tara had ever seen outside of a magazine or on TV. She was about a head taller than Tara with cocoa brown

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skin and naturally curly auburn hair. She had the same silver-gray eyes as Gabriel but hers had a tinge of sky blue around the edges. She was lithe and curvy and she was also sporting a black eye from hell, along with bruises and scratches that covered her arms and neck as if she had been choked repeatedly. Dayum, somebody had really whooped her ass. Gabriel, Tomas and Adrian rounded the corner just as Sasha swayed to the right and pitched forward, nose-diving to the ceramic tile floor. Tomas moved faster than the eye and was there to catch her before she hit the floor. ―Take her upstairs to the guest room and lay her down, Tomas. I‘ll bring her something warm to eat and something to drink.‖ Tara said as she hurried back into the kitchen to get Sasha something to eat and drink. She put everything on a serving tray and headed toward the stairs. Passing the living room, she noticed Gabriel back on the couch talking with Adrian. Tomas was not there. Not really paying it much attention, she walked up the stairs to the guest room and stopped short. The door was cracked and she heard Tomas‘ smooth voice coming from inside. ―It‘s going to be all right, Sasha. I will keep my promise to you. I will take care of you and your cubs and keep you from harm. I will never let anything or anyone else cause you pain. This I promise with my life.‖ After a brief pause, Tomas‘ voice came again. ―Come on in Tara. I know you are there.‖

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Tara walked into the room and set the tray down on the bedside table. She looked at Tomas holding Sasha‘s hand and decided it really wasn‘t any of her business. She turned back to the tray and began preparing the food for Sasha. ―She is my sister, Tara,‖ came Tomas‘ low almost silent confession. ―I left my sister in the hands of a madman…‖ Tomas couldn‘t finish. The fury was blinding him and taking away the air in his lungs. Tara took the couple of steps separating them and wrapped her arms around Tomas‘ neck. She laid her head atop his and rubbed soothing circles along his back. ―It will be okay, Tomas. She is safe now and we will take care of her,‖ Tara said trying to alleviate Tomas‘ distress. ―Go back down stairs and finish making plans with the guys. I will tend to Sasha.‖ Tomas got up, hugged Tara, said his thanks, and then headed back downstairs. Tara watched him leave the room then looked back to Sasha. She was awake and staring at Tara. Tara took a deep breath and leaned down to help Sasha sit up, placing pillows at her back before sitting on the side of the bed and reached for the tray on the table. Tara picked up the bowl of leftover homemade chicken soup she‘d warmed for Sasha then turned back to see the shame in Sasha‘s beautiful eyes. Sasha began to cry. Tara placed the bowl back on the tray then turned back to Sasha. She

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wrapped her arms around Sasha and held her close. Silently, Tara rubbed Sasha‘s back and let her cry until there were no more tears. Once Sasha regained some semblance of composure, she leaned back against the pillows. Looking Tara in the eyes, Sasha said, ―I‘m so sorry. I had no right coming into your home. I‘m so scared and tired. All I want is to do was speak to Gabriel, see my brother, and know I was someplace safe. I won‘t stay lon—‖ Tara cut her off. ―Stop it. You need us and we are here for you. Let me help you.‖ With that, Sasha gave a curt nod and Tara began feeding her. Tara fed Sasha until all the soup was gone. Sasha drank the glass of ice tea Tara had brought then completely full, curled in the fetal position and slipped off into a peaceful sleep. Tara gathered the remains of the meal and headed back downstairs, closing the door behind her.

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Chapter Eight

Once Tara had put the tray in the kitchen, she rejoined everyone in the living room. Gabriel was pacing, running his fingers through his hair agitatedly. Tara walked up behind Gabriel and wrapped her arms around his waist. ―Come sit down. Worrying yourself sick is not going to help Sasha. She‘s here now and she‘s safe. What we need to do now is figure out this mess with the pack and take care of the remaining females.‖ Gabriel turned and kissed the top of Tara‘s head but could not sit down. He continued to pace for what seemed like hours. ―Gabriel, sit down, honey. You‘re wearing a path in my carpet,‖ Tara said from the couch. He turned abruptly on Tara and growled. Tara narrowed her eyes, raised her eyebrows, stood, and put her hands on her hips. ―Look. I know you are upset, but you better remember who you are growling at and where you are. Now, sit your ass down so we can figure this out.‖ That was all it took to bring Gabriel out of the rage-induced stupor he was in. He fell to his knees in front of Tara, wrapping his arms around her waist. The

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pain of what was happening to the family he left behind, what had happened to Sasha and what had become of his friend was more than any man should have to endure. Tara ran her fingers through his hair soothingly. ―It‘s okay,‖ she cooed. ―I know you‘re hurting. I can see it in your eyes. We will figure this out.‖ ―I‘m so sorry, Tara. I was so far gone, I fear if you had touched me…‖ Gabriel trailed off, not wanting to voice what his mind knew to be true. ―You wouldn‘t have hurt me, Gabriel,‖ Tara said. ―As mad as you are, you would never hurt me. I know that.‖ ―Thank you for having such trust and faith in me, my beautiful, beautiful Tara,‖ Gabriel said clinging to her like she was the only piece of sanity left in his twisted world. Tara managed to get everyone settled long enough to fix lunch. Everyone was eating in companionable silence when Sasha came down the stairs. Tara jumped to her feet and ran to Sasha, forgetting what was left of her lunch. ―Sweetie, you shouldn‘t be up.‖ Tara led Sasha to the couch, shooing everyone off of it the process, helped Sasha stretch out, and grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over her. ―Why are you being so nice to me?‖ Sasha barely managed to whisper to Tara.

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―Because you‘re in pain, you‘re scared, and you need someone to be there for you,‖ Tara told her. They looked at each other, then Sasha glanced over Tara‘s shoulder at Gabriel. ―I think I like her, Gabriel. You made a good choice. She will keep you in line,‖ Sasha said with a wan smile. Everyone got comfortable again in the living room, introductions were made all around, and then Sasha filled everyone in with more details on what happened since the men left the pack.

―Where the fuck is she?‖ Mikal roared. ―She can‘t have gotten that far. FIND HER NOW,‖ Mikal shouted as he paced his office. He was livid. He had sent Vonn to get Sasha only to find out she was nowhere to be found. He knew she thought she hated him for forcing her to carry his young but he never dreamt she would actually go as far as to run away. Gabriel! The only person Sasha trusted enough to go to would be Gabriel. Now that he knew where to find him, he knew where to find Sasha. ―Vonn, wait!‖ Mikal said, coming to a halt in front of his desk. ―I know where she is. Get a few of the men together. We are going on another trip. If Sasha thinks she can run to Gabriel and get away from me, she has another think

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coming,‖ Mikal spoke to Vonn, but his mind was on the hurt Sasha caused by running from him. He loved Sasha more than was humanly possible but he could never tell her. He knew she wouldn‘t return that love anymore and that hurt more than anything else. Regardless of how she felt about him, he would not let her endanger their young.

―Does Mikal know you‘re gone?‖ Gabriel asked Sasha after she finished relaying the story. ―By now, I‘m sure he‘s discovered I am missing,‖ Sasha replied. ―Okay, if he knows, the show down will take place here because I know if it were me, I would come after my Prima, especially since I know you are pregnant,‖ Gabriel said to Sasha. ―We need to get ready. There are too many human eyes here so we‘ll need to go somewhere where two wolves can fight and not draw too much attention.‖ Gabriel said to everyone in the room as he once again began pacing. ―I have a cabin about an hours‘ drive from here. We could all go there,‖ Tara said to the crowd. ―You never told us anything about a cabin,‖ Toya said to Tara.

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―There was never a need to mention it before,‖ Tara responded. ―It was left to me by my grandparents. Since you know my ties with my family aren‘t that strong, I don‘t dwell on anything family related,‖ Tara continued. ―Where‘s the cabin located, Tara?‖ Gabriel asked. ―About an hour from here,‖ Tara said. ―It‘s in the middle of nowhere. That‘s why I never go there. I‘m not sure what condition it‘s in,‖ Tara continued, ―but it should serve our purpose.‖ ―Are you sure you don‘t mind, Tara. This could get very ugly,‖ Gabriel said, wrapping his arms around Tara. Gabriel stared into Tara‘s eyes, realizing he loved this woman so much his life would be null and void if she was ever not in his life. He tightened his arms around her and relished in the feel of her warm body wrapped in his arms. Tara squeezed Gabriel back. She could feel the tension in his body and see the worry in his eyes. She knew what was coming and it scared the hell out of her. What if he didn‘t win the fight? Could she go on without him? In such a short time, Tara had grown to love this man more than life itself. He had become her life. Gabriel, Adrian, Tomas and Sasha had become her family along with Tia and Toya. Tara couldn‘t imagine any of them not being in her life. Squeezing Gabriel one last time, Tara said, ―I would give you everything I have to help you defeat Mikal and protect your pack.‖

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Tara looked every person in the room eye-to-eye. A nod of agreement met her from each person until she once again reached Gabriel‘s eyes. He kissed her as if this may be his last chance. Again he squeezed her tight. Tara leaned into Gabriel, tiptoed up to his ear and whispered, ―I love you, Gabriel. Do what you must, but come back to me.‖ She kissed his neck, unwrapped herself from him, turned to everyone else in the room and said, ―Let‘s get this show on the road.‖

Packed with everything they thought they would need for at least a week, they headed for the cabin, knowing this trip would change their lives. Tara, sitting in the passenger seat, stared out the window the entire drive. Gabriel knew Tara was scheming something but he could not allow her interfere. He glanced at Tara and said, ―Promise me you‘ll stay inside and out of the fight.‖ He released the steering wheel with his right hand and slid it over the seat to grab Tara‘s left hand. Entwining their fingers, he continued. ―I wouldn‘t be able to concentrate on Mikal if I thought you could get harmed.‖ He squeezed Tara‘s hand when he didn‘t get a response.

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―I can‘t make you that promise, Gabriel. I can‘t just stand by and watch you get hurt or worse, killed, and do nothing,‖ Tara stated trying to pull her hand out of his. ―You must. Promise me,‖ Gabriel implored Tara. ―But, I…‖ Tara began. ―Promise,‖ Gabriel said in a commanding, yet gentle voice. ―Okay, dayum. You make it hard for a girl to say no. But if you get yourself killed, I will find a voodoo priestess to bring you back so I can kill you again myself,‖ Tara giggled, with no amusement in it, as she leaned up to kiss Gabriel softly on the lips. Finally reaching the cabin, Gabriel realized it was not far from pack land. He knew it wouldn‘t take long for Mikal to scent them close by and that the fight would go down right here. He looked to Tomas and Adrian and saw the knowing readiness on their faces. He did his best to hide that fact from Tara but knew she could feel something was wrong. Tara, Toya, Tia, and Sasha, were readying the cabin for incoming when loud growls were heard coming from outside. Gabriel and Adrian, alerted to the packs presence before the growls began, came into the kitchen. Gabriel went to Tara and wrapped her in his arms and Adrian went to Toya to do the same.

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Gabriel stared into Tara‘s eyes while holding her close to him. ―Remember your promise. Do not come outside,‖ Gabriel squeezed Tara to within an inch of her life, kissed her hard and possessively, then turned to the living room and walked out the front door; Adrian and Tomas, quick on his heels. Sasha waited a few moments after the men walked out the door then turned to Tara. ―You must keep your promise. We have no idea what Mikal is planning but we know he won‘t play fair. Gabriel must be able to concentrate and the only way he can do that is to know you are safe. Do you understand?‖ Tara‘s shoulders dropped but she said in a whisper so low, only Sasha and the wolves outside could hear, ―Yes, I understand.‖ Sasha‘s heart broke at the defeated look on Tara‘s face. She walked over to Tara, and much to her and Tara‘s surprise, wrapped her arms around Tara in a sisterly hug that the two knew was the start of something that would never, ever die. ―I hate to break up this happy moment, but what are you going to be doing while all hell breaks loose outside?‖ Tia asked Sasha with her hands on her hips. Removing herself from Tara‘s embrace, Sasha looked at Tia. ―I‘ll be outside fighting alongside Gabriel, Tomas, and Adrian. Why?‖ ―Why do you get to go outside, Ms. Thang?‖ Tia quipped.

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Sasha sashayed over to Tia, leaned close to her ear, and said, ―Because I am one of the big bad wolves, Little Red Riding Hood.‖ With that, Sasha turned toward the door, gave Tara and Toya a curt nod, then opened the door and stepped out. Tara looked back at Toya and Tia and said, ―This is going to be bad; really, really bad.‖

―How dare you take my mate,‖ Mikal bellowed circling Gabriel. ―I didn‘t ‗take‟ anything or anyone,‖ Gabriel said, also circling to get Mikal from his back. He knew there were more pack members than had come into the clearing. What he didn‘t know was who was for Mikal and who was against him. He continued to speak to Mikal with a calm his spirit didn‘t feel. ―Sasha came to me after you raped her, repeatedly. And, the last time I checked, you didn‘t believe in Primas or Primales. Those, in your words are “archaic notions,” remember? Therefore, Sasha can‘t possibly be your mate.‖ ―Fuck you, Gabriel. Oh! My bad. I‘ve already done that haven‘t I,‖ Mikal chided. ―Yeah, yeah you did, Mikal. Too bad, as in the case of Sasha, you had to drug me to get it. It must really stroke your ego to know you have to forcibly take ass to get some,‖ Gabriel returned quip for quip.

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Mikal had heard enough. Changing in mid-air, Mikal and Gabriel came together in a clash of teeth and claws. Fighting with the force only two alphas could match, they clawed and bit, trying to inflict the most damage possible. Mikal‘s men noticed Gabriel was about to get the upper hand and decided it was better to interfere in the fight for Mikal than face his wrath if they did not. Vonn was the first to change. Before he could take one step toward the foray, Adrian was on his back, teeth sunk skin deep in his neck, effectively pinning him to the ground. The rest of the men were mid-shift when they noticed Tomas and Sasha had already shifted and were ready. After careful consideration, Mikal‘s remaining men decided to err on the side of caution. They watched helplessly as after what seemed forever, Gabriel pinned Mikal with teeth tightened around his throat. Gabriel‘s jaw tightened, trying to force Mikal to yield. Mikal turned his focus on Sasha with a vengeance that was palpable in the clearing. With an adrenaline-laced burst of energy, Mikal managed to loosen Gabriel‘s grip and slip out of his hold. He turned toward Sasha. His mind warring with his heart over what he was about to do to Sasha, Mikal didn‘t see Gabriel until it was too late. Gabriel hit Mikal with twice the force a wolf his size should possess. In a matter of seconds, Gabriel had Mikal in a submissive position again, jaws

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tightened to the point of ripping suffocation, and then a shot sounded through the suddenly quiet night. Startled by the loud piercing sound, Gabriel released Mikal and backed up. Looking in the direction of the sound, he spotted Tara standing about twenty feet away, holding a double-barreled shotgun.

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Chapter Nine

―Shift now,‖ Tara said calmly. All wolves shifted back to human form. Gabriel and Mikal‘s bodies were covered with lacerations from sharp canines and claws. Although Mikal looked a helluva lot worse off than Gabriel, both were still snarling at each other, and Mikal was swaying on his feet. Gabriel‘s arm shot out with a preternatural speed and knocked him unconscious. Staring down at the prone body of the wolf that was once closer than a brother but now, his most hated enemy, Gabriel threw his head back and howled out all the pain and anguish that was in his heart. He then turned his head to stare at the woman who was the other half of his soul. Tara, seeing the heartbreaking devastation in her man‘s eyes, was brought to instant tears for the obvious pain he was in right now. Part of her wanted to run and wrap her arms around him, but she knew he needed her strength the most right now. She tightened her grip on the shotgun because this shit was far from over.

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The entire trip she‘d sat trying to figure a way around this fight. Tara knew she was not familiar with pack politics, but she also knew there had to be another way to solve this problem without someone getting hurt or killed. Just then, movement from the surrounding forest stopped Tara in her tracks. The entire Seeley Creek pack, in wolf form, began filing into the clearing. Shifting into human form, they began furiously shouting for justice. ―Kill him. It‘s pack law. Pack way. After what he did to you, our females, he deserves to die. Kill him! Kill him!‖ The wolves, now human, chanted to Gabriel. Another shot sounded. Every head turned toward Tara. ―No one is going to die tonight. Anyone wish to argue?‖ Tara slowly turned the barrel of the gun in a circle, making sure every person standing knew she meant business. She also knew she would never be able to shoot any of them but she couldn‘t show weakness for Gabriel‘s sake. ―And, since my cabin isn‘t large enough to hold everyone, we‘ll have to settle this out here.‖ ―Dayum. Are there any ugly, un-sexy were—, ah, shifter wolves in the world?‖ Tia asked, standing in the doorway behind Tara. ―Shut up, Tia.‖ Toya shook her head in Tia‘s direction. ―I‘m just sayin.‘ Look at all those fine asses, tight abs, and dicks…‖ ―That‘s enough, Tia,‖ Tara and Toya stated in unison.

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Gabriel and Adrian barely hid their amusement at Tia‘s observation of the males of their pack. Tomas, on the other hand, looked peeved and obviously didn‘t find the humor in her assessment. Tara continued, and ignoring any further comments from Tia, said ―Mikal,‖ now conscious and sitting Indian style in the middle of the clearing, ―you have been accused of abhorrent, inhumane crimes against your…people. How do you plead?‖ ―I have only done…‖ Mikal started. ―HOW DO YOU PLEAD?‖ Tara said in a no-nonsense voice. ―It‘s a simple, ‗guilty or not guilty‘ question.‖ ―Not guilty,‖ Mikal said, mustering up all the pride he had left. Another uproar began in the crowd. Suddenly, all the shifters were silent and on high alert. Movement from the bushes alerted Tara, Toya, and Tia they had more company. Shifting to human form as they appeared in the clearing, Marcus and his pack members joined the meeting. ―What the fuck are YOU doing here?‖ Mikal growled, starting to get up and thought better of it at the last minute. Marcus lifted an eyebrow then smugly stated, ―One ass whipping a night not enough for you, Mikal?‖ Snickers and muted laughter filled the clearing.

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―He‘s here because Gabrielle and I both called him,‖ Tara stated matter-offactly, aiming the barrel of the gun right between Mikal‘s legs. ―Now shut up or the next shot will guarantee you never rape anyone again,‖ Tara said before Mikal could speak another word. Marcus walked to Tara. ―I do like you, Ms. Tara. You have spunk.‖ Marcus grinned at Tara then turned to Gabriel. ―Gabriel, join your Prima.‖ Gabriel walked up to Tara. Tia, Toya, Adrian, and Tomas joined Gabriel and Tara, taking up positions slightly behind and to the left and right of them. Tara lowered the gun then held her hand out to Sasha. Stunned, Sasha bowed her head and headed to Tara‘s side. ―Seeley Creek pack, brothers and sisters, your alpha has demonstrated he is neither worthy nor capable of being the best leader of your pack. He has desecrated wolf law and values. Pack law demands he be killed in battle to be dethroned, but that is old pack law. We are moving forward starting today and adopting more ‗civilized‘ laws to govern our people, thanks to Tara.‖ Marcus indicated Tara with a slight bow. ―With that said, this will be put to a vote.‖ Marcus looked each and every man and woman in the eye, then said, ―Seeley Creek brothers and sisters, do you wish to have Mikal removed as alpha of your pack?‖ He held up his hand to prevent the uproar he knew would follow his question. ―By show of hands, please,‖ Marcus said with a slight smile.

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U-N-A-N-I-M-O-U-S

Mikal looked around at his pack. How could they agree to this? Even Vonn had his hand raised high. Mikal‘s blood began to boil. How dare they betray him? They never understood him. He was only trying to make the pack stronger. Revenge was due. He would bide his time until he could exact it on the one he held responsible. ―Mikal, do you submit to the mandates of your pack or do you wish to stay with tradition and fight Gabriel to the death?‖ ―Fuck you,‖ Mikal said and spat at Marcus‘s feet. ―That, my friend, you will never do,‖ Marcus said with a smile on his face. ―Now, what will it be?‖ Mikal moved faster than anyone would have imagined possible with his injuries. Hands transformed into paws, he grabbed Sasha around the neck claws, digging into flesh drawing blood. Backing away and pulling Sasha along, using her as a human shield, Mikal bellowed, ―You weak pussies could never understand what I was trying to accomplish. All I wanted to do was make our pack stronger. I wanted our males to have an unbiased need to protect all females and young equally. I tried to ensure unconditional love and respect to each member of our pack through a togetherness

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that is yet unheard of. Why was that so hard for you to understand? Why did it have to come to this?‖ Mikal screamed, spittle flying from his lips. Mikal was so into his self-righteous speech, he didn‘t notice the changes in Sasha until it was too late. Suddenly, Mikal felt a pain he would never forget. Sasha, blood boiling, furiously mad, had partially transformed her hands into paws and with all the force in her body, she curled her paw around Mikal‘s dick and balls, nails digging in, and squeezed for dear life. White dots of pain clouded Mikal‘s vision. The pain was so intense, he couldn‘t even scream. He dropped to his knees, taking Sasha with him. His hold on her loosened and his hand fell away. ―You self-righteous bastard,‖ Sasha began. ―You spout all this bullshit about unconditional love, respect, and unity and yet tie me to your bed and kept me there until I conceived. You took me in ways no female should ever have to experience, then you threatened to kill me if I don‘t agree to carry this bastard young of yours,‖ Sasha said, the venom thick in her voice. She tightened her grip and twisted. ―You don‘t deserve these and if I were in my right frame of mind, I would rip them off to make sure you never do to another female what you did to me.‖ Sasha was shaking so badly, she barely felt the soothing hand land on her shoulder. She spun so fast, her motion wrenched a groan of pain from Mikal.

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―Let go, Sasha,‖ Tara said in as soothing a voice as she could. ―He isn‘t worth it. You‘re with family now and he‘ll never hurt you again.‖ Tara rubbed her back, whispering words of comfort and love to her newfound sister-at-arms. ―It‘s going to be okay. I promise you. We will raise these young and care for you as family should. Look around you, Sasha. See the faces of your family, your pack. They are here for you and so am I.‖ All the while Tara was soothing Sasha with her words, her hands were frantically prying Sasha's claws from Mikal‘s groin. Finally releasing her hold, Sasha fell into Tara‘s arms and wept. ―Let‘s get you inside and clean those wounds,‖ Tara crooned as she helped Sasha up and led her back into the cabin. ―Mikal, again I ask, do you yield? Nod your head for yes or shake it for no. I know you are having a difficult time finding your voice right now,‖ Marcus said to Mikal, barely holding back the laugh threatening to erupt from his throat. ―FUUUCCCCKKK….‖ ―Yeah, yeah, I know. Fuck me,‖ Marcus said, now tired of the routine. ―I think it is safe to say you won‘t be fucking anything or anyone for a while.‖ Marcus returned his attention to the members of the Seeley Creek pack. ―Seeing that Mikal is unable to verbally yield and a unanimous vote has been noted, as the sheriff of the wolf clans in Montana, I decree Mikal Mitchell is no longer alpha of the Seeley Creek pack.‖

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Marcus returned his attention to Mikal. ―You will no longer be alpha of this or any other pack in Montana. You are now subject to wolf and human laws as punishment for your crimes. That brings me to my next order of business. There needs to be a new alpha. We are adopting the human form of justice so we may as well put this to a vote also.‖ ―I nominate Gabriel. He should have been the alpha all along,‖ came a response from the pack. ―I second,‖ came another reply from the pack members. ―And I third,‖ came still another response from the pack. ―Gabriel,‖ Marcus said, ―your pack has nominated you as the new alpha. Do you accept the nomination?‖ ―If I accept, will everyone be able to accept and respect my human Prima as alpha by my side?‖ Gabriel asked, looking out over the pack. ―Yes!‖ came the unanimous response from the pack. ―We will protect her as our true alpha, which she is.‖ ―Will you all be willing to move forward toward a more civilized way of life?‖ Gabriel asked the pack. Again, the ―yes‖ was unanimous. Gabriel nodded and continued. ―Though I don‘t agree with Mikal‘s methods, I do agree that it should be a choice as to whether you take a Prima or Primale.

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That said, there will be no ridicule of those who choose to continue procreation by multitude. Do you agree?‖ Gabriel once again looked around the clearing at the faces of his pack. Silence greeted Gabriel this time. ―I am not saying anyone will be forced to participate. It will be strictly voluntary,‖ he explained. ―Also, if any female is ever harmed or forced against her will, I will turn the entire pack loose on the perpetrator and wolf law will prevail. THIS is NOT negotiable. All in agreement?‖ Gabriel asked and waited for the response from the pack. Unanimous agreement was sealed with the unified howl of the pack. ―I totally agree with Gabriel in this matter,‖ Marcus said, looking out at the Seeley Creek and his pack members. ―So said, are you all of one accord with your new alpha?‖ Unanimous howls erupted once again. Marcus turned to Gabriel. ―Alpha, what shall we do with Mikal?‖ Gabriel walked to Mikal. Kneeling down in front of him, he said, ―Old friend, are you willing to yield to our new ways and mandates? Can you abide by our laws and support our pack as a productive member? Will you be the strength your young need to grow and take their rightful place amongst the pack?‖ ―I will never be a beta to you, Gabriel,‖ Mikal said.

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Gabriel shook his head, stood then said to the pack, ―Mikal has made his choice. He is cast out. He is now a lone wolf to be shunned by all. He is not to be helped nor associated with. All who disagree come forth now.‖ No one moved. No one even looked at Mikal. Turning back to look directly in Mikal‘s eyes, Gabriel said, ―Mikal Mitchell, you no longer are accepted in the Seeley Creek or any other pack in Montana. Your young belong to the pack. Your life is null and void. Gather yourself and what little pride you have left and be gone.‖ Every member from both packs turned their backs as Mikal was ousted. Pride was all Mikal had left and he would be damned if he let Gabriel take that away from him. Mikal got up, dusted himself off and walked out of the clearing, head held high.

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Epilogue

―Girl, how in the hell did we end up here?‖ Tara asked Toya as both of them struggled to get out of their chairs. ―I don‘t know,‖ Toya replied. ―If someone had told me a year and a half ago that I‘d be seven months pregnant, big as a house, and mated to a wolf shifter, I would have kicked their ass just before I called the padded wagon.‖ ―Right, right,‖ Tara said. ―T Tara! T Toya!‖ Shayna and Shane, Sasha‘s twins came running into the den. They couldn‘t say auntie yet so the shortened version was ―T.‖ The twins jumped into Tara and Toya‘s laps—what little lap they could get to. ―Hey, whelps,‖ Tara said as she tousled Shane‘s curly locks. Shane shook Tara‘s hand from his hair then leaned forward and placed his head on her belly. ―BIG,‖ Shane said, rubbing Tara‘s belly. Laughing, Tara said, ―Gee thanks, Shane. You‘re going to grow up to be a real lady killer.‖ ―No, No, T Tara,‖ Shane said, shaking his head, already knowing what Tara had said was a bad thing. ―You‘re right, Shane,‖ Tara said deciding once again ruffling Shane‘s hair.

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Shayna laid her head against Toya‘s belly, rubbing and feeling the baby kick. She sat up and looked at Toya, then asked, ―Hurt, T Toya? ―Like a mother—‖ ―Don‘t you dare use that language around my children, Toya,‖ Sasha said as she entered the room. ―Yes, Shayna, it really, really hurts.‖ Toya cleaned up her response. Sasha laughed as she watched Tara and Toya struggle to get up. ―Don‘t just stand there laughing like a Cheshire cat, bi— er, woman. Help us up,‖ Tara said peeved that she couldn‘t accomplish the feat by herself. Sasha walked to Tara first, helping her stand. Then turned and did the same for Toya. Shouting from the kitchen caught their attention. ―Back off, Fido. I told you I am not your Prima or anything else,‖ Tia‘s voice rang out. ―You know you want me. Every time you think about me your pus—‖ Tomas started, but was cut off by Tara. ―Hey, hey, hey! Children present.‖ Tara stopped the conversation before it progressed to X-rated. ―Tia, why don‘t you just give in all ready? You know Tomas is right. Every time you see him you start squirming in your chair,‖ Toya said holding back the laugh threatening to burst free.

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―That‘s because I think he gave me fleas,‖ Tia returned. Everyone burst out laughing. Gabriel and Adrian walked into the room at that moment. ―What did we miss?‖ Gabriel asked, looking around the room filled with teary eyes and loud laughter. ―T Tia fight Unc Tomas,‖ Shane repeated to Gabriel. Gabriel looked at Adrian and both of them shook their heads. Gabriel walked over to Tara and wrapped his arms around her belly. ―How are my little ones doing today?‖ he said to Tara‘s belly. ―Grumpy as always,‖ Tara replied, pushing Gabriel‘s hands away from her belly. ―Are you ready for lunch?‖ Gabriel asked Tara. ―Yes,‖ Tara said heading toward the front door. Since Gabriel was now the pack alpha, Tara and Gabriel had moved into the cabin permanently. Tara had taken an indefinite leave of absence from work and was doing consultations from home. The pack had purchased the land between their original boundaries and Tara‘s so the pack would have a larger territory and could be close to the alpha.

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They had built several other cabins on the newly purchased land and Toya and Adrian—Gabriel‘s first beta, Tomas being the second—lived in the cabin closest to Tara and Gabriel. They all walked out the front door of the cabin and found their place, sitting around in the clearing with the entire pack. This had become a ritual for the pack because it was felt it would increase camaraderie and any issues that arose could be handled with the entire pack present. They all ate, laughed and enjoyed each other‘s company. Many of the other females of the pack had given birth to young also. Some of them didn‘t know who the sire to their young were, but enjoyed the attention from all the males who were potential fathers. Life was good and the pack was increasing and becoming stronger. Gabriel sat quietly and watched the camaraderie amongst his pack. ―Penny for your thoughts, handsome,‖ Tara said, as she wobbled to Gabriel and plopped down in his lap. ―I was just thinking,‖ Gabriel began. ―I have accomplished what Mikal set out to do and you know what? It‘s a beautiful thing indeed.‖ ―You are the beauty behind this pack, my alpha Primale,‖ Tara said leaning forward and planting a huge kiss on Gabriel‘s lips.

The End

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Author Bio:

Mildred Trent

I am a work from home mother of one 11-year-old, going on 30, son. When I am not working (customer service from home) I have my ereader glued to my hands and my face buried as far in the pages as possible. I love paranormal and interracial romances they are not only sensual, sexual and exciting, but funny too.

Red Rose Publishing Beta‘s Challenge- Seeley Creek Werewolves Book One

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