The Alpha’s Tempting Mate

Garrett

At daybreak the next morning, we get on a plane in Hermosillo. It’s a direct flight to Mexico City. Three hours. I should have called my dad before we left. It’s been almost twenty-four hours since Sedona disappeared, but there’s some part of me that needs to handle this on my own. Prove I’m capable of leading my own pack, keeping my sister safe.

Hopefully, I’m not putting Sedona at more risk by waiting to call him.

I stare at the golden head resting on my shoulder, the shiny waves cascading down Amber’s sleeping frame. She normally has her hair up, confined, out of reach. She holds back her trust the same way.

I finger a strand, rubbing the impossibly silky hair between my fingers.

Mine.

God, I want this little human. Not just to fuck, although that, too-definitely that. But my need for her goes beyond sex. I want to possess all of her-heart, body, soul. I want to mark her as my own. I want to treasure and spoil her, tell her every day how special she is. Guard and protect her so she can let her walls down and let her gift out. Live free.

But it’s not in my genetic makeup to settle down. Besides, it’s not possible. I can’t have her and remain alpha, and my wolf is too dominant to be anything else.

I could pull up roots and live as a lone wolf, but I was raised in a pack, destined to lead one. My wolf is too social to be an outcast. The scorn of the pack and disappointment of my parents would be too much to bear. Even with Amber as my mate, my wolf might come to resent her for what I had to give up to claim her.

It’s time for me to own up to my responsibilities and follow the rules.

Rule number one: Humans and werewolves don’t mix.

The plane descends. Amber stirs, lifting her head from my shoulder and blinking as she takes my fingers and squeezes.

She lifts her face to me, about to say something, but I cut her off with a kiss. Cupping the back of her head, I stroke her lips with mine, taking my mind off my gnawing dread about Sedona with the best distraction ever. I lick into her mouth, sucking her tongue, biting at her lips. She tastes as sweet as she smells.

The plane bumps the ground, and I tear myself away. Time to focus.

I’m tense as we ride in the cab through thick afternoon traffic. Not even Amber’s hand on my thigh calms me.

When we get to the closest hotel, Jared steps up to handle check-in. I wait with my back to the wall, where no one can surprise me. Humans look at me and then away, scuttling to give me space.

“Boss,” Trey says softly, and I realize I’m growling, a soft, low sound that nonetheless intimidates everyone in a hundred foot radius.

As soon as we set foot in the hotel room, I almost turn around. “I can’t do this.” My voice chokes with my wolf. “I can’t be closed up.”

“All right,” Amber says. “Let’s go look around.”

I nod, chest heaving in an effort to get control. “I would if I knew where to go. Anything from Kylie yet?”

“No. Oh wait-it just came in. Here”-Trey holds up his phone-“Kylie found the name of the passenger traveling with a canine on the plane leaving Hermosillo last night. He’s a textile importer with a warehouse here. I’ve got the address.”

A growl rips out of me at full volume. Trey staggers back a little, showing his throat.

“Garrett,” Amber touches my arm, as my vision tunnels.

I’m about to go under.

“You have to keep control. Sedona needs you.”

“Stay,” I grit out.

She nods. “I’ll stay here. Will you leave me a phone? Mine doesn’t have service here.”

I check my phone to make sure it works and toss it on the dresser. “Trey and Jared’s numbers are in there.”

“Boss? When are we going to tell the rest of the pack?”

“We go now, scout out. See if she’s there and if we can get her out. If we need reinforcements, I’ll call in my dad. He’ll bring both packs, and it will mean war.”

Amber

I pace the length of the hotel room. I ordered room service, but I can’t eat the torta-a toasted Mexican sandwich, filled with ham and cheese.

I find myself toying with my hair, and twist it up into a bun, only to yank it down several minutes later. I’m coming apart at the seams.

Crazy Amber.

To pull back Lawyer Amber, I file imaginary civil lawsuits against the men who captured Sedona. List all the ways I could bring them down.

But what if Garrett’s right? What if Crazy Amber is the only one who can save her?

Not crazy.

Garrett thinks my visions are a gift.

I sit cross-legged on the bed. “Come to me,” I breathe, trying to call up the relaxed state I had with Garrett. Immediately, my cheeks heat. I shift on my bottom, ignoring the tickle in my special spot. I hope I don’t have to masturbate or receive servicing from a hulking wolf-man every time I need a vision. I let out a humorless laugh. I need to stop this attachment to Garrett. There’s nothing for us, no future. He made that plain.

Find Sedona. In this, at least, I can help him.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Where is Garrett now?

Pain stabs my head. Fuck. Does that mean I’m holding back my inner sight? I get up and pace around the room. Seeing Garrett’s bag, I rummage through it and pull out one of his shirts.

“Give it to me,” I call out like an absolute madwoman.

Instantly, visions flood my head. Wolves in cages lined up next to one another-dozens of them. One of them, a giant gray wolf, throws himself against the bars, growling.

I come out of my vision, heaving, and throw my hands out to steady myself. My body is charged and ready with adrenaline, as if I had been in one of those cages.

Garrett? I ask. Was that Garrett in the cage?

Urgency throws me off the bed. But what should I do? Another vision swims into focus, and I close my eyes. Garrett leans against my door back in Tucson, showing me how to pick a lock.

I open my eyes. The clock shows six p. m. Precious time lost.

I know what I have to do.