Charming The Alpha Read Free

for an electric candle in the oval window that faced the street. Hannah knew her mother had gone to bed long ago. She never stayed up the nights Hannah visited Pea.
    As she slid off the wolf's back in front of her porch, she used the white wooden railing to steady herself, putting her weight on her good leg. The wolf shifted back to its human form and grabbed Hannah by the arm as he lowered his face to her level.
    "Never again, you understand? Stay out of the forest," he growled.
    She wanted to speak, to tell him she'd keep visiting Pea no matter what, but his intense gaze made her speechless. The warmth of his breath on her skin made her want to feel the heat of his naked body against her. She felt wanton and lustful, two words she'd never use to describe herself, at least not until tonight.
    His dark blue eyes flashed yellow. Quickly pulling her closer, his lips were on hers, his head tilted. As his tongue pushed into her mouth, she reached up to slip her fingers into his hair, hoping he wouldn't stop kissing her. As his silky scruff gently scratched her chin, she attempted to press herself against him.
    "No!" He barked before turning away, his eyes still glowing. "Damn human temptress. Stay out of the woods!"
    Before Hannah could say anything, he was gone. She stared at the forest, disappointed in his leaving so quickly. Wondering if he was watching her from the shadows, she silently cursed her ankle for keeping her homebound. She waited in the moonlight for a sign, some proof he was really there but none came.
    Giving up, she entered her home and hobbled over to the kitchen table where she removed her boots. A lock of her hair fell into her face and she pushed it aside and over her ear like she always did. Wait a second, she thought. Moving her hand in front of her face again, she realized she smelled like him, a combination of the woods and fresh air mixed with his natural musk.
    As she thought about him, she smiled. She couldn't explain it, but there was something about this man she found irresistible. Something more than just his incredible looks or amazing kiss. Removing her cloak, she sniffed it happy to find his scent there too. She carried her cloak to the couch, draped it around her, and willed herself to dream about the rugged werewolf.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    "Hannah, wake up," Hannah's mom said as she shook her shoulder gently. "Go to bed. The couch is no place to sleep, its uncomfortable."
    Hannah slowly opened her eyes as she tried to remember what happened the night before. Did I dream that? Rubbing her eyes she caught the werewolf's scent again and sat up. Her mother paced the room as she spoke, reminding Hannah of a caged animal as Eliza kept her footing within the confines of the faded floral throw rug. Hannah watched her, her hands punctuating her sentences as she rambled on about things Hannah didn't care about enough to listen to.
    Glancing towards the picture window that faced the backyard, she wondered what time it was. The sky had the gentle glow of morning. She hated morning. And why was her mom already up?
    It wasn't like her mother to wear the same thing twice in a row, but Hannah was sure those were the same sweats she wore when Hannah left to visit Pea the night before. Giving her mom a closer look, she also realized she had traces of makeup on. She never wore makeup unless she went out. Add to that the nervous babble her mother did after every full moon for the past few years.
    The pacing confused her too. Hannah couldn't remember when that began, but it was long enough for her to find it endearing instead of worrisome. She wondered if it had to do with her visits to Pea, but she knew what would happen if she asked. As Hannah wrapped her cloak around her like a blanket, she tuned back in to her mother's yammering.
    "Pea would've killed me if I slept on the couch. And what's on your cloak? Is that mud? Oh Hannah, can't you be a little more careful? Give it to me and I'll throw it in the