Bryce Evans
Authors: Big Bad Alpha [Ashland Pack 2]
Big Bad Alpha by Bryce Evans
Big Bad Alpha
The Ashland Pack Series
Book Two
by
Bryce Evans
© Copyright June 2013 JK Publishing, Inc.
All cover art and logo
© Copyright 2013 by JK Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Edited by Caroline Kirby
Artwork by JK Publishing, Inc.
Published by
JK Publishing, Inc.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales are entirely coincidental.
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This book is the second book in the Ashland Pack Series. It has been a work in progress. I had a lot of help getting this book completed and out for your enjoyment. I had a lot of fun writing it and stretching the boundaries of my imagination.
I would like to acknowledge my Editor, Caroline Kirby, who helped get this book completed and stretched my imagination. Every author needs a good editor and I thank you, Caroline Kirby.
Thanks to my family who have supported me and made this dream possible. Also, I would like to thank my fans that continue to read my books and ask when the next one is coming out. You don’t know how much that helps me get the book completed and make it better and better for your enjoyment.
I hope you like the book and would love to hear from you.
You can contact me at:
[email protected]
and Bryce__Evans on Twitter.
Bryce Evans
Table of Contents
Books Available from Bryce Evans
Excerpt from Once Forgotten Twice Loved
Excerpt from The Perfect Reflection
Mace stood in front of the fire, staring at the flames. Only the crackling of the wood and the sounds of the children’s laughter while playing outside could be heard. His hands were at his back, as he moved his head and looked at his desk that was full of papers. He could hardly remember the color of his desk. Sighing, he turned back around to look at the flames again. Something didn’t feel right. He moved his shoulders and felt the crack of his bones. He ran last night in the woods behind his house so his wolf should be at peace, but he was far from it.
I
’m the Alpha of the Ashland Pack and I can’t escape these feelings of something missing in my life. It’s feelings that I’m not accustomed to either. I have made sure that all my tasks were completed. I have spoken with all my Protectors and my Second, Damen, about what needs to be done. I have left nothing unattended. I can’t put my finger on what is bothering me. Everybody sees the change in me. Hell, I even see myself changing. I don’t go out anymore or hang out with the guys. I can’t find the drive to do it anymore.
His sister told him that he was lonely and to hold on because he would meet his mate soon. Mace didn
’t know if he wanted a mate anytime soon.
There is still so much to get done, so why would I want a mate? So many new people are moving into Ashland wanting housing
, and the school isn’t big enough for the influx of new children. Houses and new schools need to be built to accommodate the people. The Twisters Council leader Felix Ross is moving their base of operations to Ashland, too. Why does he want to be near the Trinity? Everyone is asking for my attention. There is always a problem to solve, a decision to be made, and I’m always way too busy to even date. And where should I start looking to find my mate anyway? It’s like finding last year’s Easter egg. You look and look but always come up empty-handed.
His sister, Adrianna McDonald, had found her mates six months ago. She is now mated to his best friend, Cade Maxwell, who is the Alpha of the Viston Pack, and Samson Ward, who is the
Leader of the Vampire Council. Adrianna found out that she was the Trinity. He wasn’t sure she liked it at that time. It was quite a shock for her, but Adrianna was an incredible woman and handled all the responsibilities that have been placed on her. Mace knew he would always protect her, be there for her, even if she had her mates to do that for her now. The Trinity was only spoken about when the Elders taught them about the myths within their history. Even the Elders didn’t believe the Trinity would ever occur in their lifetime. She would be the leader of all three supernatural groups, bringing them together so they could flourish and co-exist.
They only spoke about the Trinity briefly during their history lessons. Now lessons are added for the new generation
’s training to explain the Trinity. Adrianna had powers that nobody else had. She was part wolf, vampire, and witch. Nobody ever had the three—two yes, three never. She was learning more everyday about her new powers. Adrianna would use her powers only for doing good work. She is considered the leader of all the werewolf packs, vampires, and witches and warlocks. Adrianna has allowed her mate, Samson Ward, to continue to lead the Vampire Council and her biological father, Afton McKenzie, to lead the Werewolf packs. Felix Ross, the leader of the Twisters Council, was also moving to Ashland. Adrianna advised Felix that he would continue to run the Council until further notice. Adrianna had a lot to work out but planned many changes in the near future.
Six months ago, Mace also learned that he even had magical powers of his own. Their mother, Olivia McDonald, was a witch and when they were born, they were gifted magic through her family descendants. In the last six months, Adrianna had taught him some spells, but most of his training came from Selena.
He can zap the hell out of you now, but the rest Selena advised will happen when it happens. She said there was no way to tell what powers he would have or when he could get them. He knew many spells now. Selena had been teaching him all the basic spells first, then she started teaching the advanced ones. Mace liked magic, but he knew his main strength came from his wolf. Selena said that was what made him so much more powerful.
Selena McPherson was a powerful witch. She was also the mate to Adrianna
’s real father, Afton Mackenzie, for many years. Afton is the Supreme Alpha and leader to the entire werewolf nation consisting of thousands of wolves, numbering packs, and had decided to move his base of operations to Ashland to be near his daughter.
I get along great with the Supreme Alpha. He is very considerate of my pack and me. He includes me in most of the changes that take place concerning the packs. Afton Mackenzie is a very honorable man and my sister
’s real father. It was quite a surprise to find out six months ago that my father, Cale McDonald, wasn’t Adrianna’s biological father. Afton loves my sister and has kept a watchful eye on her since the day she was born. He has been a segregate father to me since he moved here to Ashland. He was very close to our parents, I just didn’t know how close. But I respect him and in the end, it doesn’t change my feelings for Adrianna, she is and always will be my sweet little sister, no matter how badass she can be if needed, and make no mistake, Adrianna is the baddest ass there is.
Mace laughed at this thought. Adrianna could defeat anybody, wolf, witch and vampire without
breaking a sweat. It was disturbing to think she was so powerful, but he was so proud of her. Mace knew it had to be hard on her mates when she could easily overpower them, but Adrianna was different and had a kind soul. She never acted better or arrogant toward anyone.
Life changed for everyone six months ago when they had to fight Magnus McPherson, who was Selena
’s brother. He had given his soul to the dark side and tried to kill them and take Adrianna as his mate in order to take her powers. They battled Magnus and his minions at Seige Field. With the help of their friends, Magnus was defeated and killed. Unfortunately, they were all changed after the incident. Nobody knows how many other people were involved with Magnus McPherson. But Mace knew there were others out there who waited to finish what Magnus started. Adrianna and Selena have worked on finding the accomplices who helped Magnus. However, that seems to get harder and harder because those people were scared and whoever they were vanished. Mace feared that Eli Cord and his brothers would try to come back and get Adrianna, but no one has heard or seen them. They escaped prison but after their mother, Dalley, was killed, they haven’t been heard from since. Mace knew that Adrianna could handle herself, but he wanted to protect her. Plus she had guards around her all the time.
Mace's life had grown more stressful with the new responsibilities and people who were moving to Ashland to be close to the Trinity, but
my sister is the one I worry about the most. She is so loving and giving to everyone. I want to protect her from herself sometimes. She spreads herself thin with all her duties. She is pregnant now with her first child, but she tries to accommodate everyone in whatever he or she asks of her. She means the world to me and is my only sibling. I have always felt that I have failed my baby sister, but she always knows when I’m feeling that way and finds a way to let me know how much she loves me.
New houses were being built everyday in Ashland, and Viston, Georgi
a, than anywhere else in the state. Cade Maxwell last week had fifteen wolves petition to be members of his pack and sixty people petitioned the Ashland pack.
Damen McDonald, Mace
’s Second, was overworked with the influx of people petitioning acceptance into the pack. He needed another Beta to help him. Damen wouldn’t ask for help, but Mace knew he could use it. He couldn’t have Damen thinking he didn’t trust him. Mace knew that soon he would have to make a decision on whom to select as his new Beta but not everyone could be a Beta. The person would need to be a very strong and powerful wolf. They would need to know how to handle security issues, crises within the pack, and it wouldn’t hurt if they were past military. Mace dreaded the thought of who to choose within the pack. He knew that nobody in the pack had all of the qualifications needed to be the next Beta.
Mace was going through applications every day from wolves that wanted to join his
pack. People tended to assume that he was on top of the world with all these new people coming into his town wanting to be part of his pack, but it felt strange. Before the battle at Seige Field, he could walk down Main Street and greet people he had known for years. Now he saw at least three or more new faces every day.
There were pros and cons to the influx of new people, but Mace didn
’t like big changes. He felt like he was trying to run a race but stood in quicksand instead. Doom and Gloom should be his new name. He could not stand people who wallowed in self-pity, but here he stood feeling sorry for himself. He had a great life, good friends, and his family was safe. He couldn’t ask for more, but maybe his sister was right and he was lonely, and missed what he didn't have—a mate.
Could that be it? Is that really what is bothering me
?
***
Damen McDonald knocked on his Alpha’s door.
“
Enter!” Damen walked into Mace’s office frowning.
“
I know why I’m in a bad mood, but why are you?” Damon said as Mace turned back around to face him. Damen was the Beta, but he was also Mace and Adrianna’s cousin. Damen was like a brother to him and he trusted him with his life.
“
No reason. Just woke up like that.” Damen stared at Mace. “What?”
Damen snorted.
“What’s wrong?” Mace shrugged his shoulders. Damen arched an eyebrow at his Alpha’s childish shrug. “Can you explain to me what’s going on with you? You are moping around as if you have been dumped. That can’t be the reason since you haven’t been seeing anyone lately. Maybe you need to get laid.”
Mace sighed and moved back to his desk, and picked up the piece of paper in front of him.
“Nobody interests me.”
“
Never stopped you before, Mace. Never stopped any of us. We are just having fun and the girls understand that,” Damen responded.
Mace looked up and sighed loudly at his cousin.
“What do you want, Damen?”
Damen didn
’t like how his Alpha was looking. He acted uninterested and agitated, which wasn’t Mace. Damen looked down at the files he held in his hand. “Well, we have five more applications to join the pack.”
“
Damn, where are these people coming from?” Mace responded.
“
Well most of them want to be near The Trinity. Some are stagnant in other packs. They don’t like either the Alpha or how the pack is being run. Then you have the Rogues who are tired of being on their own. You name it they’re coming here. Plus they heard what a good-looking Second you have,” Damen said as he arched his eyebrows up and down.
Mace leaned back in his seat shaking his head laughing at Damen.
“Yes, buddy, I’m sure that’s it. Okay, I know you have looked over the applications and completed background checks on everyone. Now tell me what do you think about them?” said Mace.
“
Well, everyone checks out except two and that’s what I want to talk to you about.” Mace squinted his eyes at Damen then rubbed his forehead. Damen knew this was a stress reliever for Mace. He only did it when he was stressed out.
“
First, Peter and Mary Redden are friends of Samson’s. Mary is a witch and Peter is a wolf. Mary’s daughter is Lexy Redden and she is also a witch. Peter is Lexy’s stepfather. Lexy’s real father was a human and when she was born, he left them high and dry. Although Peter is her stepfather, he considers Lexy as his own daughter,” said Damon.
Mace shrugs,
“So what’s the problem? We have other people in the pack that are not wolves.”
“
Well since Mary and Lexy aren’t wolves, they also want to petition to be a member of the Ward Clan, too. They grew up with Samson and his family and already consider them as family. But they also want to honor Peter and be part of both. I looked it up and it’s never happened where a family is part of two packs, much less a vampire clan. Now that’s the problem.” Damen sat back as he blew out his breath.
“
I will need to speak with Samson and get his opinion on this. This is very unorthodox, but hey, with everything that has happened this year, nothing surprises me anymore,” Mace said on a sigh.
“
Do you want me to talk to Samson?” asked Damen.
“
No. I’ll do it the next time I see them,” Mace replied.
“
Okay, that’s good. I will accept the other families and get them settled with the pack,” Damen answered. “Now here is the other problem I’m having. We have another person who wants to join our pack. His name is Reece Phillips and he has been out on his own for a long time. When he was seventeen years old, he got into an argument with the Alpha and left the next day. His family chose to stay with the pack these last years after Reece left. However, recently his parents were killed, leaving their daughter, Star Phillips. She is seventeen years old and very shy. Here is the bad part. They came from the Cason Pack.”
