An Alpha's Claim (2 page)

“This is private property. Anyone caught trespassing can be subject to whatever punishment I see fit,” he said in a tone so dangerously low it made Regine step back.

She looked over at the other wolves, only to get distracted by the man’s deep voice. “One word from me and they’ll tear you to pieces.”

The man stepped forward until he towered over her. If he wanted to make sure Regine got the hint, she got it loud and clear. “Because you’re a shifter I won’t kill you. But if I ever see you on this property again, you won’t live to regret it. Now leave before I change my mind,” he growled, keeping his angry eyes on her. She wanted to say go to hell but being out numbered by a bunch of carnivorous animals kept her quiet.

Falcon it is,
her mind screamed as she cracked a little smile toward the man, who clearly needed to get laid. Slowly, Regine shifted into the bird and flew off.

Chapter Two

Almost a year later…

Regine walked to the hospital parking lot and located her car. The power of the full moon was taking effect, and it brought out her desire to run. The moon always caused her body to go into overdrive. It had been a while since Regine had done so.

Labor and delivery had their hands full tonight. The full moon always sent her patients into overdrive. It didn’t matter if they were human or shifter. Regine laughed. Having been a labor-and-delivery nurse for two years, and a waitress before that, she should be used to it
.
She had thick skin and had learned to live by one rule: Never take it personally. Over the years, she hadn’t, which was the main reason she was able to continue working in labor and delivery. Plus, she loved babies. All the yelling and screaming was quickly forgotten once a child was born.
Babies always bring out the best in people,
Regine thought, as she jumped into her car.

She dialed her sister, Naya. “Hey, brat.”

“Hey, yourself. Are you on the way to the compound?” Naya asked a little too excited for Regine’s comfort. After Nathan’s threating demeanor, Regine had kept her distance. It was sheer luck that she’d run into one of the wolves belonging to Nathan’s pack. Like Nathan, Bryce was a man a woman wouldn’t forget. Regine was amazed Bryce remembered her.

Regine didn’t know why he chose to invite her to meet everyone but figured it would be nice to be around other shifters. She was all set to say “no” but Bryce explained why Nathan had behaved so violently toward her. Regine sympathized with the situation and after Bryce’s assurances about her safety Regine chose to sweep the first meeting under the rug. What she didn’t realize was that her anger still lingered over what happened.

She still wasn’t keen on setting foot on any property ruled by Nathan, but the Alpha’s little brother helped change her mind. “Don’t let my brother’s title or past indiscretions get in the way of what you know in your very soul is the right thing to do.”

After meeting the rest of the members of the Centennial Pack, she had been staying at the Romero Compound. She still had her house but being around them made her feel like she belonged. Most of the time.

“Regine, are you listening to me? Are you on your way?” Naya asked.

“Sorry, my mind drifted for a second. I’m on the way there right now.”

“Did it drift to Alpha Nathan? I still can’t believe you’re denying your attraction to the man,” her sister said.

“Young lady, there is nothing to deny because I’m not attracted to the asshole Alpha,” Regine all but yelled into the phone. All she got for her denials was an earful of Naya’s laughter.

Nathan Romero. The man was the bane of her very existence and the stuff of her wet dreams. Their first meeting had been dreadful. It wasn’t her fault that Colorado Springs was so beautiful. The trees, scrub oak, and the clear creek had called to her. Who knew that her nice long run at the base of the Cheyenne Mountains would end with her being threatened?

“Yeah, yeah, keep lying to yourself, Regine. But in all seriousness I know it took a lot to look past Nathan’s behavior. I also know you did it for my sake and I really appreciate it. But pack aside, since summer school is almost over, I was hoping…”

Regine knew what Naya wanted: a fully equipped Nissan Murano®. With all her sister’s hard work, she certainly deserved it. The car Naya currently had was on its way to the junkyard but that was all R8egine could afford at the time.

“Let’s make a deal,” Regine offered. “If you make the dean’s list, I will say yes to anything you want.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Start considering a major.”

“Already done. There’s a program within the biology department that I’m looking into. It’s MCD—molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.”

“That’s great news. Is there anything else?”

“I was hoping you would introduce me to the pack. Before you say anything, I understand why you made me wait. But it’s been a year
and
you’re constantly over there. Can you please consider it?”

Regine rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Deal. Start looking for a reasonable vehicle. Tuition, room, and board are not cheap.”

“Really? I can’t believe you agreed. Before I forget, after study group I’m coming to your house,” Naya blurted out. “Lex is being a jerk and I don’t want to go back to my dorm tonight.

“Fine. You know where I’ll be. Talk to you later.” Regine hung up and pulled off her earpiece. She knew her sister would be safe coming into Nathan’s home. Not only was the Centennial Pack the strongest, they were the most diverse. The pack consisted of many types of shifters including panthers, bears, mountain lions, and tigers. That fact alone made Regine join regardless of the flaws
in leadership.

When Regine was invited to come into the fold, she observed how Nathan treated others. For him, every single shifter was his equal. Even the less-experienced shifters who he took under his wing were treated with respect. Regine could honestly say that Nathan was one man she’d follow. No questions asked. Once Nathan Romero welcomed you into his pack, no one ever wanted to leave. She hadn’t wanted to leave either.

Normally one to admire all the beauty Colorado had to offer Regine’s attention was on the asphalt that led to the place she considered a second home. Regine couldn’t wait to get out there.

Chapter Three

Nathan looked out his window and watched the shifters run off. The moon was at its highest peak, but he didn’t feel the need to travel with the others. Xack and Bryce were leading them so Nathan could be alone with his thoughts. The two shifters were natural leaders. Outgoing wolves, they worked hard with the Pack to make sure everyone was working up to their best abilities.

The Centennial Pack was growing fast and becoming the most well-known pack in the western region. Relocating to Colorado Springs had been the best decision Nathan had made.

Once their small pack had settled into their new home more shifters started coming. Most of them were looking to strengthen their abilities because no one showed them how. He had first thought about turning them away but Nathan remembered his father’s words. “A true pack leader embraces the strengths and weaknesses of his members.”

Looking around his home made Nathan’s heart swell with pride. The Centennial Pack consisted of all types of shifters. Dagger, Bryce, Xack, and himself were the only wolves, but they were the pack leaders because they were the strongest and also possessed a natural leadership that the entire pack respected.

With more shifters joining, Nathan set up surveillance for the safety of the pups. Some of the others walked perimeters making sure no one trespassed on the property. That’s how Nathan found her—Regine Hamilton. The exotic, chocolate-skinned shifter who refused to speak to him unless it had to do with a pack member took up his thoughts every waking minute. He’d been having a very bad day when they met. Regine left without a word but when she came back, excitement swept through Nathan. It immediately dissipated when he realized she was set to leave upon discovering he was present.

To this day he didn’t know how Dagger was able to sway her into the fold. He was simply glad his brother did. Because of how he behaved when they first met, Nathan received the cold shoulder unless it had something to do with other pack members.

Once the women learned of Regine’s skills as a labor-and-delivery nurse, they’d practically hovered over her. There was no way Nathan could ask her to leave. Since she didn’t have a house on the property, it meant that Regine had to stay with him. Her presence in his home was both a great advantage and a great disadvantage.

Even with Regine close she was still very far. Nathan didn’t know why but it hurt that she couldn’t move past their first meeting. What was more confusing was the fact that he cared. Her opinion of him shouldn’t matter, but it did. The more Regine came around, the more Nathan found himself watching her.

The sound of Dagger coming down the stairs pulled Nathan from his thoughts. “Waiting for Regine, I see. She’s running late tonight. Someone must’ve given birth or something.”

“What makes you think I’m waiting for her? Can I not enjoy the silence of my house?” Nathan said before a certain lion shifter caught his attention. “Why is Anik still here?” Nathan asked through clenched teeth, watching him walk out to the backyard.

“Like you, Anik’s waiting for Regine. The only difference is she speaks to him.”

Dagger’s response did little to diminish the tension Nathan was feeling. It was clear that the lion shifter and Regine were close. Nathan often caught them talking together quietly. Whatever it was that they discussed, it was clear from Anik’s reactions that he objected.

Their pseudo-secret talks had started a few months back. After talking with Regine, the two had run off together and stayed gone for hours.

Nathan wasn’t sure which bothered him more: the fact that Regine and Anik were close or the fact that Regine was close to everyone except for him.

Generous with her personal time, Regine would stay in his home on her off days so that she could monitor the status of the expectant mothers. A few of them had been considered high risk and put on bed rest. Nathan had a round-the-clock obstetrician living at the compound, but the pack females still wanted Regine by their side. She kept them calm in the worst of situations.

The mothers weren’t the only ones who liked her. So did the pups. Regine took time to laugh and play with them. Of course, once she checked in with the expectant mothers and made her rounds, she’d run off with Anik to God knows where. Even with the extra patrolling that Nathan gave Anik, he and Regine still managed to get away.

“I don’t know who’s going to drive me up the wall first. You, Regine, or Anik,” Nathan said, looking back out his window.

“First off, I’m your brother. Driving you up the wall is my job. Secondly, your jealousy of Anik and Regine’s quality time will be your undoing.”

“Dagger, I’m not jealous of the time they spend together.”

“Which is why you constantly attempt to keep Anik patrolling anytime Regine stays over. And why you get upset anytime you see them talking.” Dagger’s sarcastic tone suddenly became serious. “You’re not jealous at all.”

Nathan knew his brother had a soft spot for Regine…and so did everyone else. Regine was strong, smart and had natural leadership abilities. All the qualities he could appreciate in a woman. Regine left such a great impression she had everyone asking if she planned to stay.

He remembered the first time he’d seen her run. Not only didn’t struggle to keep up, Regine had led the pack back to the compound, proving how quickly she picked up knowledge.

Their run had also proven just how attracted Nathan was to Regine. hen Regine stripped down she had his full attention. It took all his strength not to push her hair aside and mark her as his. Only the warning in those beautiful brown eyes made him reconsider that. What man wouldn’t want to make love to her? Including himself. His desire for Regine only increased over time. The more he saw her; the more he wanted her.

Regine would be the perfect mate.
Nathan blinked in surprise at that thought. It didn’t anger him, but amazingly it didn’t frighten him either. Nathan knew Regine would never accept his claim after how he’d treated her.

“She’s pulling up right now.” Dagger’s voice broke through his thoughts but Nathan kept his attention toward the now-empty backyard. “You know there is a way for you to get back into Regine’s good graces.”

“Right now, Dagger, an apology is the furthest thing from my mind. Don’t you find it odd that they only talk in private? Or the fact that they spend so much time with each other?”

“No, I don’t. Anik is the only lion shifter in the pack and Regine is the only one of us who can shift into other animals. Maybe that’s their common ground. I also find it funny how you’ve noticed their every move. You’re starting to sound like a jealous mate.”

Nathan turned away from his brother in an attempt to show just how uninterested he was in Regine. His little brother’s muffled snickers weren’t helping either. Sometimes it irked him that Dagger could see through his mask.

Their ears perked up at the sound of her soft footfalls coming toward the door. The pounding of his heart intensified in hopes that she’d at least acknowledge his presence.

The sounds of the front door opening made both men turn to look. Nathan felt his mouth go dry at sight of the woman walking in.

“Hi, Regine.” Dagger smiled at Nathan before addressing her.

“Hey,
Dagger
. How are you?” Regine asked closing the door behind her.

“I’m good. How was your day?” Dagger asked and walked over to give her a hug.

“Aside from some light traffic my day was good.”

Nathan felt himself getting angrier the longer Regine ignored him. Anik suddenly approached as if reading Nathan’s mind. The way Anik was so protective of Regine was honorable but unnecessary. Nathan had seen Regine shift into the most deadly animals. Her most recent shift was a manticore: a medieval beast from Persia comprised of a lion’s body, the face of a human, and a tail resembling the stinger of a scorpion. Therefore, protecting herself was no challenge.