Charming The Alpha Read Free Page A

wash."
    "No! Just leave it alone," Hannah said then realized her mother was eyeballing her suspiciously. "I mean, I'll take care of washing it myself."
    "Suit yourself. How was Pea? She solve every problem you ever had?"
    "Give it a rest, Mom. Why you haven't visited her? I'm sure she'd love to see you."
    "Are you hungry? How about some pancakes?"
    Hannah's mother always changed the subject whenever she was asked why she didn't visit Pea. Sometimes Hannah used it to her advantage, but this wasn't one of those times. Today she had something else on her mind.
    "Mom, have you ever met a wolf?"
    "A wolf? No, of course not. Why? Did you hear differently? Because you know how the townspeople like to gossip. They'll talk about anything. Even if its not true."
    "I didn't hear anything, relax. I'm just curious. I mean we've lived here my entire life, I've heard you and Pea talk about them so I know they're around, but I've never seen one."
    "Well you're not missing anything. They're wolves," Eliza said, shrugging. "Nothing more than over sized dogs. And they are dogs, trust me on that."
    "Dogs are great. They're faithful, loving, and playful."
    "Is that what this is about? You want a pet? We can get a goldfish or hamster if you want."
    "Will you stop?" Hannah said exasperated. "I'm not five anymore. And the wolves are more than just dogs. They're people too. But how is that? How is it possible? Maybe I've met a wolf before and didn't even know it."
    "Oh you'd know it," she said as she stopped pacing. "Now tell me what Pea said."
    "Stop trying to change the subject, Mom. I'm allowed to be curious about the strange beings in our town."
    "Well then you're going to have to accept that I don't have all the answers. Werewolves keep to themselves, we keep to ourselves. Its better that way. There are fables and folklore of course, but who knows what's true. All I know is that they're horrible, selfish creatures. If you ever do meet one, just keep walking. Its the best thing you can do."
    Eliza wrung her hands together as she finished speaking. Hannah knew something was up but she was too tired to probe. With the cloak still wrapped around her, she kissed her mom on the cheek and smelled something familiar. Her mother smelled like fresh air, like a werewolf. That's not right, she thought.
    "You just got home, didn't you?" She asked her mom. "Why would you hide that from me?"
    "I didn't want you to worry. I was getting ready for bed when I noticed you were asleep on the couch."
    "Where'd you go?"
    "Oh, no where. Just met an old friend for drinks."
    "And is this old friend a werewolf?"
    "What? No! You don't know what you're talking about? And what if it was? But it's not," Eliza said nervously, before studying her daughter's face. "And how would you know what a wolf smells like?"
    Hannah wasn't ready for the tables to turn. She wanted to keep her encounter private for a little longer, especially from her mother who would only give her grief.
    "Just a lucky guess," she said hoping her mother wanted to drop it as much as she did. "Pinky has told me some things. That's all."
    "Oh. Well, ok then. I'm going to bed. Good night, Hannah."
    "Good night, Mom."

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Hannah couldn't stop thinking about the wolf. But if she was going to be honest, she couldn't stop thinking about the naked man. After convincing herself she'd still be obsessing about him even if he was dressed, she grew more curious about werewolves and wondered how she could find out more since her mother was no help. She couldn't believe that after all these years of living in Leeds Point, that she never thought to pay attention.
    Thinking about her best friend, Hannah knew she was the best person to answer all of her questions. Pinky Smythe immersed herself in the offbeat history of their town and its ties to the occult. Not wanting to hear the horrors of how her ancestors were treated, Hannah purposefully kept herself ignorant. But now she needed to find out about this