The Alpha's Choice: A Paranormal Werewolf Romance (Roadside Angels Motorcycle Club Book 3) (2 page)

The note to Ray took more time.  She attached the story she had written about the biker with the good heart, and then, after tweaking the story of the biker gang implicated in the murders in the town, she attached it as well.  Her note to Ray said she hoped he saw what she saw in the tough news story.  She asked him to note how she was able to suggest something of the weird happenings in town in her repeating of the superstitions of some of the townspeople who talked of werewolf attacks.  As Lex had asked, she was careful not to suggest that there was any truth to the rumors. In fact, she made it clear that the far more likely and less romantic explanation was illegal animal importation.  She also hoped he liked the human interest story, which she had ruthlessly stripped of anything even remotely personal.  No one would ever know that she had any interest in Alexander Cole beyond as a subject for her story and in contrast to the biker gang.

As she shut down the laptop, she heard a vehicle coming up the long drive and looked out to see Lex’s truck barreling toward the house.  She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips, and the tingling of anticipation that made her wipe her hands on her jeans to quiet the feeling.  She stood up, wanting to go to him and wondering if she should be throwing herself at a werewolf,,,and in the presence of a werebear for crying out loud!  Although she knew instinctively she had made the right choice, she was still floored by the idea that a shapeshifter was real, and even more by the idea that one was her man.  It was like a giddy secret she knew she could never share, but which she would cherish forever.

A quiet knock on the door made her decision for her.  She was not a shrinking violet.  Opening it, she noted immediately Lex’s sober mien.  At once, her own indecisions and confusions were forgotten.  “What’s wrong, Lex?”  She reached out and touched his arm.  It was a soft touch that was meant to comfort him.

He sighed and the weight of it struck her heart with dread.  “Two more dead, and one of mine is implicated.”  His voice was as heavy as his sigh.

“Oh no!  Who now?”  Pity clutched her heart, as she thought of how the people of Rojo Arroyo must be frightened by all this unexpected violence to their neighbors, and worried that they may be next. 

“Hobos.  Everyone knew them.  And Jeff was the last one to be seen with them.”

Tammie could see how upset he was, and she wrapped her arms in comfort as far as they could go around him and rested her head on his chest.  She felt his arms encircle her completely and squeeze gently.  They stayed like that for a long moment before he pulled her away to kiss her lips softly.

“Come on, Bear sent me to get you for lunch.”

Tammie chuckled, despite the grave news.  When Lex looked down at her in puzzlement, she said, “It’s just the way you said…”  She blushed when she saw his gaze sharpen immediately with understanding and lust.  She hung her head, and the deep rumble of amusement that followed that made her look up again. 

“If you’ll let me, I’ll have you for every meal of every day for the rest of our lives,” he said, his voice husky, as he pulled her face up to kiss her properly before helping her up onto the kitchen stool.  He was apparently unconcerned that Bear was witness to his public display of affection, so Tammie was determined to be cool as well—though she couldn’t quite meet his eyes as she settled herself comfortably on the seat. 

“I have to put an end to this, Bear,” he said, reaching for one of the huge fish sandwiches that were set on a platter on the counter.  He served Tammie’s plate as he spoke, and then he and Bear sat down at the same time, each taking a swig of beer.

“What’s the plan?”  Bear took a big bite of his sandwich and listened as Lex explained his idea.

“Well, first, I’ll post bail for Jeff and bring him and Ginny back here.  Lancaster was most likely the one who set him up.”  Seeing Tammie’s and Bear’s puzzled looks, he explained what Jeff had told him.  “I can’t risk their lives.”

Tammie spoke up.  “And then what?”  She had a funny feeling Lex’s plans would involve some kind of significant danger to him.  She didn’t think she was ready to face losing him just when she had finally found him and had reconciled her mind to who and what he was.

“I’m going to call him.  See what it is he’s demanding.” 

“I think we know what he wants, Lex,” Bear said.  “If he’s being paid by any of those assholes in that racist organization in the Prime lands, what he wants is you...dead.  Because it’s what they want.”

Bear’s words were raw and uncompromising.  Tammie felt their import whipping through her.  She had known from what Lex had told her that there were elements in his society who didn’t like that he was to be the new Prime, but to hear it spelled out so plainly was a shock to her system.  She put down the sandwich she had barely touched and watched Lex’s face grow even more serious. 

“Then, I guess I’ll give them what they want.  Or at least, let them think I am.  I have the number Lancaster gave Dave after the last run-in he and his boys had with the cops at the border.  I’m going to give him a call.”

Tammie’s heart skipped a beat.  “That’s like catching a tiger by the tail, isn’t it, Lex?  Or like bear baiting?”  Her heart skipped another beat, as she looked apologetically at Bear.  “Sorry, Patrick, I don’t mean…”

Bear smiled at her.  “I know what you mean, and you’re right.”  He turned serious eyes to his friend for a moment before turning back to her.  “But Lex has no choice, does he?  This lowlife is killing people and endangering the security of all shifters, not just wolves.  He must be stopped.”

Tammie felt fear skittering around inside her.  She was very much afraid that Lancaster and his goons would stop Lex, too, and her heart would be broken forever.  But she was the mate of an Alpha wolf, the next Prime of his nation.  She couldn’t believe she had just thought that! She wouldn’t start giving in to her fears now.  She had to show him she was as tough as he thought she was.

The rest of lunch was silent.  Tammie could only imagine what Lex was thinking, and it occurred to her that there was something she could do to take some of the stress away.  “I’ll come with you when you go to get Ginny, Lex.  I’m sure she could do with a little company, don’t you think?”

She could see him considering and hoped he wasn’t going to object.  She needed to do something to feel a part of his life, and it needed to be more than be his bed bunny.  She was relieved when he nodded.  Once lunch was over, he and Bear retreated to his office, and Tammie distracted herself scrolling through the channels to find something to watch.  It was going to be a long day.

CHAPTER TWO

“Self-control might be as passionate and as active as the surrender to passion...”

~ W. Somerset Maugham

Lex was glad of Tammie’s company, as he drove to get Jeff.  When he had left earlier, the crowd had been very vocal, and he sensed that if Jeff were caught in it, he wouldn’t come out of it well, especially since he wouldn’t be able to defend himself as best as he could.  He had seen a few lynchings in his time, and he knew how brutal they could be.  The last thing he wanted was to have to use his energy to dazzle people into forgetting what might happen if things went south.  Better to avoid trouble than to fix it when it broke.

Everything seemed suspiciously quiet when he finally parked in front of the station.  The road was empty, which shouldn’t have made his hair stand on end, and his shifter senses stir.  This was a small town, with few tourists, and locals who knew better than to walk around in the heat of the day.  Still, he stepped out of the truck cautiously and looked around him, sniffing the air but finding no giveaway scents.  He led Tammie into the station and felt his unease grow at how silent it was.  He tried not to hurry into Dave’s office, where he found the chief slumped over his desk.  He rushed over and checked his pulse.  It was steady, as though the chief were asleep.  There didn’t seem to be any signs of a struggle, and his nose didn’t detect any other shifters. 

He pulled his phone out to call an ambulance, but just then Dave moaned and dragged his head up, steadying himself by planting his hands on the desk.  Lex put the phone away and went to stand over him.

“Dave?  What happened?”

The chief ignored him, trying to stand and collapsing back into the chair.  “Jeff…” he began, and Lex was out of the room before he finished his sentence.  He found Jeff in his cell, somewhat the worse for wear.  The cell door was open, and when he approached, Jeff stood up, ready to fight till he saw who it was.

“What happened?”  Lex’s question was harsh as he came to stand in front of Jeff.

“I dunno, Lex.  I was in here dozing when I heard what sounded like a thud.  Then nothing for a couple of seconds, and then they were here.”

“They?”

“The shifter and his goons.  He stood by and let them have at me.  I couldn’t take them out, Lex, because that would just have caused even more trouble.  So, I let them think they had me.  He must have bought it, too, because he came over to look when they stopped kicking me, pushed me with the toe of his boot, and walked out.”

“Did you recognize the shifter, Jeff?”

“No, but my guess is he’s one of Lancaster’s crew, because I recognized the toughs he had with him.  They ride with the Rebels.”

“Come on, we need to get out of here.”

“I won’t go anywhere without Ginny, Lex,” Jeff said stubbornly.

“We’re going to get her.  Call her while I post bail with the chief.  Tell her to be ready by the time we get there.”

Jeff grinned and caught the phone Lex threw at him.  While he called Ginny, Lex went back to deal with bail and to tell the chief of his plans.  Tammie had made him coffee, and he was sipping it when Lex walked in.  Lex could feel the waves of rage rolling off him—though the chief didn’t express them.

“How’s my prisoner?” he asked, taking another sip.

“Alive,” Lex answered tersely.  “I’m taking him and Ginny back with me to my place, Dave.  You have my word; he won’t jump bail—especially not with his mate to protect.”

Dave passed the paperwork over for Lex to sign, and when everything had been secured, he went back to get Jeff.  Lex could see Tammie was fighting to remain calm, and he walked over to her and draped an arm over her shoulder.  His wolf was going crazy at the mating scent she exuded, but Lex kept him under strict control.  He knew the longer he waited to have her again, the wilder his beast would become; but he needed to secure his pack here in Rojo Arroyo, which had clearly now had a new member added to it, one he wasn’t sure knew everything she needed to know about her mate.  He dropped a quick kiss on Tammie’s head, inhaling her scent despite its effect on his libido. 

“Let’s go get Ginny,” he said to her.

The ride to the diner was quick, and in no time, Ginny was sitting in the back with Jeff, her head on his shoulder, his arm around her protectively.  Lex glanced into the rearview mirror and watched as he stroked her arm. Their lives were in danger, but Lex could feel the peace that settled over Jeff, and he knew his friend was more than able to help Ginny face her new future.  He reached across and took Tammie’s hand in his, pulling her closer, so he could place it on his thigh.  She squeezed gently, and he had to control the growl that rose in his throat at the small gesture of possession.  He knew where they would end up once he got back to the ranch.

Bear had already set up rooms for Lex’s new guests, and he led them to their new accommodations while Lex invited Tamara to go for a ride with him.

“On your hog?” she asked, and he laughed.

“Not this time, baby.  Ever been horseback riding?” 

“Nope.  Never even been close to a horse.  Why?”  She cocked her head to the side.

“I’d like to spend some alone time with you, away from the house.”  He walked over to where she stood by the window and pulled her into his arms.  “I need you.”

Tammie wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.  “A ride sounds like fun,” she said and smiled at him.  He growled and kissed her hard, only releasing her lips when he heard footsteps.

“Go get changed into your cowgirl duds and meet me back here in half an hour, okay?”  He hugged her a moment longer and then let her go, turning to meet Bear who was coming back.

Tammie hurried off, deciding a quick shower was possible, and in half an hour she was back in the front hall.  Lex was waiting for her dressed like a typical cowboy, except he was clean.  His wore high shaft black boots and black jeans.  His black-and-white checkered shirt was tucked neatly into the waistband of his jeans, and his broad black belt had a wolf’s head for a buckle.  He carried a blanket and saddlebags.

“A picnic?” she asked with a wide grin.

“Something like that,” he answered.  “Come on, let’s go.  I want you back home before dark.”

They walked hand in hand down to the big barn.  Once inside, she noted it housed a number of horses.  Lex walked to the last stall, and Tammie’s eyes opened wide at the size of the creature whose soulful eyes stared back at them unblinkingly.  The animal nickered, as Lex stroked him.  Tammie thought he looked at Lex with abject love.  “Is this a shifter, too?” she asked Lex.

“No, Snickers here isn’t a shifter, but he’s aware of what we are.”  He rubbed the horse’s head again, then opened the stall, and walked in.  It was extra-large, and Snickers stood still while Lex brushed his hands down its flanks.  “Ready for a ride, boy?” he asked, and the huge animal moved its head up and down, as though it understood.  “We’ll have an extra passenger today.  A beauty, isn’t she?”

Lex turned his head to look at Tammie, who watched in shock as the animal’s soulful eyes seemed to take her in.  One of them winked at her—before it nodded again—and whinnied.  Lex laughed at the stupefied expression on her face and led the horse out of the stall, before he set about preparing it for two riders. 

“Here,” he said, closing the stall door and handing her a sandwich bag with pieces of cored apples in it.  “Feed him a few treats. He likes apples—and beautiful women.”

She watched him for a few minutes, casting him an amused glance, and said, “I hope he doesn’t think my hand is a treat!”  Then, she removed a piece of apple from the bag.  Stepping close to the big horse’s head, she held it up to him, and he opened his mouth, baring his teeth slightly to take it from her fingers.

“It’s easier if you feed him from your palm, love,” Lex said, turning to watch her.  When she did as he suggested, he turned back to tighten the saddle.

“He’s very gentle, isn’t he?” she asked, venturing to stroke him down his long face.  She wasn’t as surprised when he winked again and bared his teeth in what she imagined was a horsey smile.  “Are you sure he can handle two people on his back with all that other stuff you’ve put on him?”

“Snickers is a shire horse, honey,” Lex told her, and when she stared at him in confusion, he added, “Think Clydesdale—not exactly the same, but related.  He’s used to carrying and pulling loads.  It’s what he was bred to do.”

“Do you breed horses, then, Lex?” 

He shook his head.  “Yes, but I also rescue some, and then find them good homes.”

“Is Snickers a rescued horse?” she asked.  When Lex nodded, she asked, “People buy huge horses like this one as a rule?”  She was surprised.

“Not only individuals do.  Organizations do as well, such as the ones who sponsor therapeutic animals.  So, I sell some to farms where people who need therapy go to get their treatments.”

“You mean like those dogs they sometimes feature in TV ads?”  Tammie’s curiosity was sparked.  She couldn’t imagine how a huge horse—how any horse for that matter—could be used in therapy.

“Something like that, yes.”  Lex smiled at her.  “Come on.  Let’s get going.”

He took the bag of apples away from her and picked her up.  “Throw your leg over his back, Tamara,” he instructed her, and when she did, he mounted behind her before returning the apples to her trembling fingers.

“Relax,” he whispered.  “Look ahead, not down, and trust me.  I won’t let you fall.”

Snickers turned his head at that moment and speared her with a look that almost seemed to say, “You can trust me, too.”

Tammie felt Lex’s arms at her side as he led the horse out of the barn, and as they rode along, she felt the rhythm of the animal beneath her and the man behind her and tried to follow them.  Eventually, she was so relaxed she could concentrate on her surroundings.  The mountains in the distance seemed to beckon her eye, and as they rode along, she saw some horses running, the scrub green against the hillsides, lone trees, and the hint of sparkling water reflecting the sunlight.  There wasn’t a sound she could identify, and the peace of it sank into her.

“It’s so beautiful, Lex,” she said, turning to look up into his face.  “So peaceful.  It feels like the place you could rest and not have to worry…”  Her voice trailed off as she recalled how many worrying things had happened since her arrival.  “That’s why it’s so dangerous, isn’t it?” she said, turning back to look at the deceptively peaceful scenery around her.

“Appearances can be deceiving, Tamara.”  Lex agreed with her unspoken thought.  “But if you’re careful, you can still enjoy yourself.”

Eventually, he reined Snickers in beneath a large tree and helped her off the stallion, taking the saddle and blanket off his back before letting him wander free.

“Won’t he go away if you don’t tie him up?” she wondered.

“No.  He’ll be fine.  There’s a pond a little ways off that he knows.  He’ll go and drink and then come back to us.”

Lex invited her to sit on one side of the blanket while he emptied the saddlebags, displaying a fine picnic.  Tammie saw cheese, grapes, strawberries, chocolate bars, and wine. 

“What would you like?” he asked her and laughed when she swept a hand over everything. 

He served her some of everything and handed her a paper cup of wine after placing the plate in front of her.  Then, he sat across from her and munched on his own goodies.  He watched her eat, thinking about how sweet she tasted in his mouth, about her breasts, her tongue, and her lips, both sets.  His body stirred as he sipped his wine, thinking of all the ways he would like to savor her.  They were out in the open, and though he would be able to sense any other shifter near and smell them if they were close, he didn’t want to take the chance of doing to her all the things he had in mind.  It would leave him too vulnerable and unable to defend her in the event of an attack.  Still, he could pleasure her, and he would.  Snickers was like a guard dog and would let no one close, nor would he return till Lex summoned him.