An Alpha's Claim Read online

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  Copyright © 2013 by Naomi Jones

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright.

  This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

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  Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC

  1589 Skeet Club Rd. Ste. 102-237

  High Point, NC 27265

  www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

  Cover Art: Marteeka Karland

  Editor: Cindy Davis

  Proofreader: Novellette Whyte

  Formatting and ebook conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/

  ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-314-9

  This book is dedicated to all my family, friends, and fans who have been patiently waiting for this story.

  NOTE ABOUT EBOOKS

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  CAVEAT

  This work may contain adult language and sexually explicit scenes. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

  Glossary

  Therian shifter: A person with the ability to physically transform into various animals.

  Chapter One

  Nathan Romero walked through the forest ignoring everything around him. The singing birds and beautiful green Douglas furs did nothing to ease his anger. He looked around with only one purpose. Nathan searched for humans with the help of his shifter pack. The incident of one of their own being hunted was still fresh in his mind. Even though the trail of blood was gone, the images were forever imbedded in Nathan’s memories. His pack had heard the screams of pain before seeing their fellow pack member struggling to make it back to safety. Her pup, fear in its eyes, dangled in her mouth. That image alone was a constant reminder to everyone when it came to keeping their guard up. Someone might get killed next time.

  He moved along allowing his senses to pick up anything out of the ordinary. The smell of fresh air and fallen tree branches filled his nose. Something in Nathan’s peripheral vision caught his attention. The sun made the object glimmer brightly. Shifting back into human form, he walked to it. Nathan picked up the empty shotgun shell and crushed it in his hands.

  A group of humans thought they were above the law and had decided to go hunting for mountain lions during the off-season. Nathan had gone through proper channels to restrict as much of his land to hunters during hunting season. This time they overstepped their bounds. Miraculously, she and her cub survived but that was a wake-up call for him. One of their own had been attacked on his watch and their child witnessed it. It wasn’t Nathan’s pup, but he felt like every child in this pack was his. Blood or not they were all a family, and no one fucked with his family.

  Nathan had everyone overseeing the area. There would be no repeat attempts like this on any pack member. The humans had been found but weren’t killed. Instead he made an example of them by removing one of their limbs. Hunters no longer came close to the area, but Nathan continued to enforce twenty-four-hour patrols on his home.

  “Fucking humans and their guns,” Nathan growled. His ears perked at the sound of footsteps coming closer. The rustling in the bushes made him turn. Dagger, Nathan’s baby brother, walked toward the front and shifted into human form. The others quickly followed.

  “Nothing. We can’t find a trace of any humans in the area or any lurking around the forest. I guess they got the message,” Dagger said, a little too cocky for Nathan’s comfort. For the sake of his pack, Nathan truly hoped that Dagger was right.

  “I wouldn’t say that just yet,” Anik, the only lion shifter in the pack, said as he stepped out of the bushes. “There’s something you need to see by the creek.”

  Nathan gave orders for all but four of the pack to follow. Anik lead them to where a beautiful clouded leopard lay sleeping by the creek. There were only two problems: One, clouded leopards are historically known to be found in East Asia. Two, there were no leopard shifters in the pack.

  They had a trespasser on their hands, but this one was a shifter. And female. Nathan took in her feline form. She lay next to the edge of the creek. The yellowish coat of her fur had dark spots with black outlines around them. Her front paws were folded under her chin while her stout legs and long tail lay straight on the fallen leaves.

  If this shifter wasn’t trespassing, he might’ve thought that the soft purr she emitted in her sleep was almost cute. Almost cute didn’t cut it. She was trespassing and needed to be dealt with. What amazed him was she allowed herself to lower her guard. A creature like her must have acute senses similar to himself. Nathan went to approach but ended up stepping on a tree branch, breaking it. The leopard stirred and rose slowly.

  Regine Hamilton stretched out her paws, trying to wipe away the fatigue. Great run and great nap, she thought before shifting into her human form. Between the humming insects, chirping birds, and flowing water, she’d finally found her little slice of heaven. Dipping her hands into the water, Regine splashed it onto her face, loving the cold sensation. With summer days already upon her hot days turned into humid days. Today the weather had been tolerable so she decided to run for a little while.

  She stretched her arms straight up, twisting her upper body from left to right. I’m definitely coming back here, Regine thought, smiling to herself. Now if I turn into a peregrine falcon, I should make it home in no time at all. But if I shift into a snow leopard, I could go through the trees like I did before but that would be boring. Being able to shift into multiple animals had its advantages. Most shifters she came across could only turn into one animal.

  Heavy footsteps drawing closer put her on alert. Had she not gotten so comfortable, she wouldn’t have been caught unawares. While there were several shifters in the area, only five males were approaching. Four of them were wolves, though she couldn’t place the other shifter.

  Allowing her hands to fall to her sides, Regine turned around slowly. She could feel her heart pounding. Not in fear but interest. She couldn’t recall ever being this close to a wolf shifter. Let alone four of them. The lion shifter standing to the side was also a treat for her since Regine had never seen one. Regine looked at each of them but the wolf in the center stood out the most.

  The wolf’s golden orbs stared back at her with something she couldn’t describe. His black-and-brown fur stood up when he took his first step. Then another and another until he took his human form. Regine had to force the rising heat in her body back down. The man who stood before her overshadowed the others by far.

  The sun shined on his olive skin and wavy, black hair. His muscular shoulders tensed as if the heat were a burden. Regine felt herself getting lost in this man’s very presence. Until he spoke.

  “This is private property. Anyone caught trespassing can be subject to whatever punishment I see fit,” he said in a tone so dangerousl
y 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.