Howling Passion (Paranormal Alpha Werewolf Shifter Romance) Read Free Page A

back, allowing the six of them to reunite in peace, until finally, the four  moved off to take their places at the edge of the circle.
     
    Lupe .  The Alpha’s voice was deep and smooth in my head as his bright amber eyes met mine.  I immediately felt the warmth of his welcome, and smiled in return. 
     
    Alpha Michael was an enormous man, easily standing six and a half feet tall.  When I rubbed the side of my face against him, I was met by the muscles of his broad chest.  His strong arms enveloped me, and I felt him kiss the top of my head.  He inhaled my scent, and I sensed his energy shift slightly from love and protection to curiosity, with a hint of arousal.
     
    The Alpha gripped my shoulders and pushed me back half a step to look into my eyes.  Is that old Medicine Man at it again?
     
    Yes , I blushed up at him.
     
    Hmm, his deep voice chuckled.  The corners of his mouth curled up to match his amusement, the grey whiskers of his beard bristling.   Fortuitous timing, Lupe.  This promises to be quite the hunt tonight.   He twisted my shoulders towards the White Queen and released his grip.
     
    “Lupe, it’s so good to see you,” she beamed and swallowed me up in a tight hug.  She was so petite and elegant, the strength and unselfconsciousness of her embrace was surprising.  I bowed my head and respectfully caressed my temple against her high cheekbone.
     
    She held my face in her hands and stared into my eyes.  I could see the amber of mine reflecting in the piercing blue of hers.  Her nose wrinkled and her lips spread into a warm, understanding smile as her voice whispered in my head, Oh, Lupe.  The versipelli won’t work if you masturbate in it .
     
    My cheeks flushed with embarrassment.  She always knew everything that was going on with us, without fail.  But it was always with love and understanding.  We exchanged a knowing giggle, and she pressed her forehead to mine, her long, flaxen hair blowing against my face.
     
    “Will you be joining the hunt tonight, Lupe?” the Alpha interrupted gently.
     
    I looked up at him, keeping hold of the White Queen’s hand.  “Do you really think I should?” 
     
    “There hasn’t been a female participant in the hunt for over a hundred years,” the White Queen frowned.  “I should know.  It was me.”
     
    “Not since Elizabeth,” the Alpha went on, stroking a loose strand of the White Queen’s hair behind her ear.  “has a female been worthy of it.  That is, until you, Lupe.”
     
    “It’s so important that you join the hunt, Lupe.”  The White Queen pressed herself into her mate’s side.  “The younger females of this pack need to see more for themselves than just breeding for these boys.”  She looked around the Caldron at the growing crowd.
     
    I followed her gaze around the circle and caught sight of Connor.  He was talking to a group of young males on the far side.  They were joking and laughing, and beating their chests.  Then I realized, he hadn’t paid his respects to the Alpha.  He had gone straight over to big note himself with his friends first. 
     
    I caught his eye across the snow.  What the fuck are you doing?  Get over here!
     
    Connor flashed me that arrogant grin of his, then shifted his gaze slightly to meet Alpha Michael’s over my shoulder.  I watched on in horror as he dipped his eyes for half a second, then turned his back on us, continuing on with his friends.  I spun on my heel to face the Alpha, mortified that my friend would behave so disrespectfully to the pack’s leader.  Words, thoughts failed me.
     
    “It’s more than just a positive role model we’re looking for, Lupe,” the Alpha sighed.  “If the White Stag of Lycanthus is to be felled tonight, without you…”  His eyes darted over toward Connor.  “It’ll be him.”
     
    The White Queen’s eyes met mine.  I don’t need to tell you how hard we’ve worked to unite the Nine Packs.  You know better than