Alpha A Paranormal Encounter (2 page)

"Positive." I took a step back. "Now get the hell out before Pop gets home." Vincent nodded but I could still see a wild fire burning in his eyes. He touched a strand of my wet hair, and I gulped.

"You do know what would happen if you mated with a full human, right?"

"How is Robby?" I muttered, changing the subject.

"Not good." His disapproving glare made me feel a bit guilty, but I wasn't a gypsy fortune teller. How was I supposed to know that Robby would be the one to get hurt?

"I'm sorry. I never meant for anyone to get hurt."

"Don't betray me," Vincent warned. I sighed, thinking back to our time in high school. Vincent was more reasonable back then. His wolf half brought out the worst in him - the reckless piece of his soul that only cared about one thing . . . himself. "Three days left, love. Get used to me barging in while you're in the shower." He raised his eyebrows, sneaking one last look before leaving.
Total wanker.

Three

I could smell the scent of spicy sweat and timber as I walked towards Nikki's Pub. I'd caught the smell through an open window while scrubbing dishes.
He
was okay, and
he
was nearby. My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing his face again, this time as a woman. I smoothed my red curls and adjusted my halter top - a rose red that matched the color of my hair. My long lashes were perfectly curled and my favorite pair of jeans made the lines of my hip bones visible.

The sky was black but street lamps illuminated St. John's Street. The small market town was loud with laughter and the local pubs were bustling with townspeople. I passed a few dark shop windows before being overwhelmed by the scent of boos and cigarettes. My eyes shifted around the bar as I stepped into Nikki's with high hopes. All I wanted was a peek - reassure that the man from the woods was alright.

My gaze moved from the pool tables, and then to the bar. A jolt of energy surged through my spine down to the tips of my trainers as I spotted a man with thick blond hair sipping a mug of Ale. His wide set shoulders stretched his black sweater and the authoritative way he set his drink on the counter made my heart hammer. He was alive and healthy.
Okay, now bugger off before someone else gets hurt!

The empty seat next to him caught my eye. Simply learning his name wouldn't hurt, would it? I yearned for his hands to stroke my bare skin. My stomach did somersaults as my feet moved on their own. I walked closer, taking in his alluring aroma of after shave and timber. I tugged at my halter top and bit my lip as I sat down.

"What he's having," I said to the barman, barely glancing at the man next me. I felt him stare as I crossed my legs and pouted my lips. It had only been seconds but I couldn't stand the silence. I had to hear the deep booming of his voice one more time.
Just his name. Then get out!

"Long day," I said. The man's moss-colored eyes met mine and I was instantly gobsmacked. His square jaw and glorious figure overpowered my ability to think straight. All I could think about was the way he'd kicked Vincent like a lowly squirrel, and grinned as he felt my auburn fur.

"What gave you that indication?" he replied. His voice commanded my attention. His bicep involuntary bulged as he took another swallow of his drink.

"Just a guess." I shrugged. He smirked. "Visiting? I've never seen you around before."

"Norway," he replied. That explained the damage he'd done with a single hunting knife - the way a Viking warrior attacked his lunch. "And I am anxious to get back home."

"You must have made the mistake of wandering around after dark," I joked. The barman slid me my drink and I took a large gulp, resisting my urge to choke. Ale wasn't my drink. Actually, I didn't really have a drink. The foul smell of alcohol had always smothered my senses.
Damn canine nose.

"Beklager? What makes you say that?" He set his drink down and studied me suspiciously.

"It was a joke," I nervously replied. "There are dodgy characters round here."

"Of course," he sighed, taking another sip of his Ale. Our conversation wasn't going well. The man stared at the mahogany counter, seemingly lost in thought.

"I'm Red," I said, hoping he'd change his mind about me after another look.

"Red," he chuckled. "Is that your real name?"

"Nickname. . . For obvious reasons."

"Dag," the man said with a nod. My heart hammered even faster when he finally softened his expression, letting his eyes wander over the curves of my face. His gaze briefly settled on my eyes. "Can I ask you something, Red?"

"Anything."

"What sorts of animals have been spotted in your forest?"

"Oh," I hesitated. He leaned closer, eager to hear my response. Was he trying to make sense of what had happened? "All sorts really. Deer. Wild boars. Wolves." His eyes grew a little wider.

"What sorts of wolves?"

"Greys mostly," I responded, forcing down another sip of my drink. "Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity I suppose."

"But I'm sure there are others," I quickly added. "Wolves with different coats."

"Like
red
perhaps?" The eager look in his eye immediately returned. A tingling sensation worked its way up my back. Dag was thinking of the red wolf that had led him to safety. He was thinking of me.

"Sure," I agreed. "I take it you saw one?" Dag nodded. His thick locks moved when he shook his head, giving off an even stronger scent of aftershave. It drew me in, making my canine hormones pulse through my veins.

"Ja. I saw one not too long ago." He stared down at the mahogany counter. "The most beautiful coat of fur I've seen on an animal. . . But you don't want to hear about that." He chuckled.

"Well," my voice trembled. I cleared my throat. "I don't mind. I mean, that's half the reason I took this seat. You look like you need to talk." And the other half was that my attraction to him was too strong to ignore.

"And the other half?" Dag replied. "The other half of your reasoning?" He grinned as I tried not to blush.

"Information like that requires around round of drinks," I smiled. His grin grew even wider as he eyed my red curls and chestnut eyes.

"How about supper?"

"Uh . . ." I tried not to choke on my own saliva. My chest drummed so rapidly I was sure Dag could hear it. "Right now?" I looked down at my outfit.

"Tomorrow night," his voice commanded. "The Italian place down the street."

"I'll be there." I twirled a piece of my hair, forcing myself to keep calm as he stood up. His sturdy frame towered over me and I inhaled another whiff of his scent. A pulse of electricity burst through my body as my mind fantasized without my permission. I wanted to be held in Dag's arms. I wanted to please him in every way possible.

While Dag pushed through the doorway, a familiar face with flaming eyes glared at him. Vincent was leaning against the wall outside. I could see his dark figure clearly through the pub window.

Four

"Vincent is a fine choice, Imogen." Pop was the only one who called me by my given name - Imogen. His slicked back hair was gray and he had on his brown fishing vest. I brought a fresh pitcher of orange juice to the table as the two of us sat down for breakfast.

"You make it sound like he's my
only
choice," I replied, filling both our glasses with OJ.

"No," Pop protested as he took a huge bite of his toast. He wiped his scraggly face as he shook his head. "But Vincent will provide and you're lucky to have caught the interest of such a strong alpha." My mind wandered to even stronger alpha - one who could challenge Vince and take his place with ease. Too bad Dag was only a man.

"What if I were to choose someone else? Someone outside the pack?"

"You mean a shifter from another town?" he replied, taking another bite of toast. The only other pack I know of resides all the way in Ireland."

"What about a human?" I asked. Pops coughed and spat out bread crumbs.

"Imogen . . ."

"Hypothetically Pop," I added. "What if you were to turn a human . . ."

"Imogen," he interrupted. He raised an eyebrow and clenched his teeth. "You know the code. Turning a human is out of the question. And for good reason." He let out a huge breath, settling himself down before taking a sip of his orange juice.

"Good reason?" I watched him let out a sigh as I nonchalantly lathered jam on my toast.

"Mixing blood lines is . . . well very unwise. A human who has been turned can't control his animal half like a full-blooded shifter can."
Vincent . . . in control? I don't buy it.

"But it's been done before, right?"

"A hundred years ago," Pop laughed. "When our ancestors were fools." I stared down at my fork. Pop was right. I could never ask Dag to give up his freedom like that. That is if he was even interested. My heart sank. My meeting tonight would be the last. I would have to say goodbye. What my loins yearned for could never be fulfilled. I could never be intimate with him without betraying the code.

"Can't they be trained," I continued, searching for any possible solution.

"Most humans aren't very strong-willed. No." He glanced at me as he finished his breakfast, giving me a foreboding look.

"This is all hypothetical Pop," I reassured him. "I know the rules." Pop jumped up just as a sudden banging on the door shook the window panes. The door swung open and Vincent stormed in. His cheeks were red and his forehead was moist. His t-shirt had sweat stains along the lines of his muscular pecs. He'd run all the way here. He looked at me as he caught breath.

"Pop," he said out of breath. "There's something you should know." He looked me again, his eyes resting on my beating chest.

"Come to tattle," I muttered through my teeth. Vincent shot me a scolding look. He'd seen me at Nikki's last night sitting next to the man he hated. But I couldn't believe had resorted to breaking my father's heart. Vincent normally had no problem confronting people. Besides, my chat with Dag was just that. A chat.

"Vincent my boy," Pop said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"It's Robby," he replied, clenching his jaw. "He's dead."

Five

The man in front of me made my heart race and my whole body tingle. He smelt like freshly cut timber and evergreens. I could see the outlines of the muscles on his chest through his navy sweater. He'd combed his dirty blond hair for our night out and when he grinned, revealing a pearly smile, I thought I might melt.

Getting away from Vincent and the others wasn't easy. Robby's burial had been short with only members of the pack present. Vincent had said a few words about his fallen ally, including a brief bit about his last hunt. With a fierce look of anger and raging canine hormones, Vincent's agenda was clear as day. He wanted revenge. He was plotting to kill Dag, Robby's murderer. During the ceremony I'd stayed silent, knowing what needed to be done. I'd sat down to supper intending to say goodbye, and thinking of ways to persuade Dag to leave town. Tonight. Not an easy task.

"You are a woman of few words," Dag commented. "Is there something wrong?" I could feel his genuine concern when I looked at his moss-colored eyes. My heart pounded and even though I came bearing horrible news, I was starting to sweat. The urge to do more than just talk was overpowering - an energy I'd never experienced with Vincent.

"I uh . . ." How was I suppose to go about this? I couldn't simply ask him to leave town. I needed a reason. A "normal" reason.

"I apologize if I am coming across too strong," he responded.

"No it's not that."

"You don't have to tell me your real name," he chuckled. "I will just call you Red."

"It's not that either . . . it's just . . . something's happened."

"Are you in trouble?" Dag asked, firmly setting down his cup.

"Yes," I gulped.

"Do you need assistance?" His square jaw tensed.

"Um . . . actually yes. There
is
something you can do to help."

"Name it," he agreed as he gazed at my wild curls. I sighed, looking down at my trainers. This was the part I'd dreaded. I had to force myself to say the words.
This is for his own good.

"You have to leave town." My shoulders drooped. The look on Dag's face made me regret everything I'd said, but it was too late. He sat back in his seat nodding. His expression tensed as the soft look in his eyes quickly turned to ice.

"If you didn't wish to join me tonight all you had to was say so."

"Dag, I want to be here. Trust me, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. I just don't want to see you get hurt. You
have
to leave."

"Is there something going on I should know about?" He studied the restaurant, glaring at every table with clenched fists.