Authors: Natalie Shaw

Return of the Alpha (13 page)

BOOK: Return of the Alpha

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Chapter 18

DRAYTON

Drayton couldn't settle. He'd been stuck there for almost two weeks now. The rain reflected his mood. Rain or no rain, he needed to get out in the fresh air. He needed to exercise his wolf. And more importantly, he needed to vent his anger. It didn't matter on whom. A human, a vampire. Hell, even another shifter would do. He just needed to taste blood.

Although he didn't feel it at the moment, he knew he'd been lucky. Craven could have killed him. If the stupid fool had had any sense he would have done. Instead, Drayton had been exiled from Terroun. How dare they? How dare they exile him? He was a born alpha. His destiny was to rule Terroun. Instead, they'd handed the leadership to Rayma. If it hadn't been so tragic, it would have been laughable. Rayma was weak. Much too weak to lead the Terroun.

The door opened behind him.

“I need to go outside,” he said. “I need some fresh air.”

“Don't be an idiot,” she said. “You can't be seen on the streets of Maja. The locals would pick up your scent within a few minutes.”

“This place is driving me insane.”

“Sit down and listen to me!”

Drayton growled. Who did she think she was to order him around?

“I'll tell you who I am.” She'd heard his thoughts as though he'd spoken the words aloud. “I'm the only one between you and certain death. I'm the one who can help you to become alpha—not only of Terroun, but of Maja too. You and I will rule over the combined territory.

Drayton stared at her. From the first time he met Layla, he'd always known she was crazy. Then, she'd had blonde hair and had been at Milton's side—his mate. Now her hair was black, and she had no mate.

“What about Rayma?” Drayton asked.

“Don't worry about him. He's of no consequence. Your main concern should be Craven.”

“What's it got to do with him? He's no longer in the Terroun pack. Last I heard he was to be alpha of Darmoor.”

“That's true, but his ties to Terroun are still strong. Once he learns that you have overthrown Rayma, he won't be able to help himself. He'll feel it is his duty to right the wrong.”

“That might cause us problems.”

“Not at all. That's exactly what we want. We want Craven and his bitch of a mate to come a calling. I have unfinished business with those two.”

Chapter 19

LOUISE

“It's too big,” I protested.

“That's not something I hear you say very often.” Craven grinned.

“Behave.” I thumped his arm. “I hope you don't expect me to clean it.”

“It's the alpha's apartment. I could hardly turn it down now could I? We'll get a cleaner.”

It was a week since Zema had stepped down, and Craven had been appointed alpha of the Darmoor pack. It had taken a few days for Zema and Olivia to pack up their belongings and move out. They'd moved to a small house on the edge of the territory—overlooking a river.

“I heard from Coral today,” I said.

“Is she coming?”

“Yeah. And guess where I've seated her?”

“Are you playing matchmaker?”

“Maybe. Anyway, I think she and Marlow will make a great pair.”

“What about Rayma?”

“I haven't heard back from him yet.”

“I hope he can make it, but I suspect he'll be busy right now.”

Although Craven was already in command of the pack, the official ceremony to swear him in would not take place until the weekend. Despite Craven's protestations, the ceremony promised to be a lavish affair. Marlow, Pirus and Jessie had already confirmed. So had Grosvenor.

“Close your eyes,” Craven said.

“What?”

“Do as your alpha tells you.”

“You're making me nervous now.”

“Good.”

I closed my eyes, and almost jumped out of my skin when he grabbed my hand.

“You really are nervous, aren't you? Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“You always did ask too many questions. Just be quiet and follow your alpha.”

I sensed he was leading me to the bedroom, and I wasn't about to object.

“Open your eyes.”

“Where did you get that?” I'd never seen such an enormous bed. It wasn't just King Size; it was Ultra-Super, in your face, King Size. “How did they get it up here?”

It was way too big to have come up the stairs or in the lift.

Craven gestured to the full-length window.

“They brought it in through the window?”

“Nothing is too good for the alpha's mate. Did I mention that I told them it was your idea? I said you were too adventurous in bed for a normal King Size.”

“You didn't. Tell me you didn't say that.”

“It's true isn't it?”

“Maybe not for too much longer.”

Craven looked horrified. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong. It's just that my tummy might soon be too large for gymnastics in the bedroom.

Craven glanced at my stomach and then into my eyes. “Do you mean—?”

“Yes.” I'd been bursting to tell him ever since I visited the doctor's the previous day, but everything had been so hectic.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Craven ran his fingers gently across my tummy. “If it's a boy, I'd like to call it Hill.”

I nodded. “If it's a girl, we'll call her Alison.”

“What if it's both?” He smiled.