Rebecca (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Alpha Marked Book 4) Read Free Page B

plethora of bodies surrounding him.
    The female changed her path, turning left and down a side hallway, her steps grinding dirt into the plush patterned carpet. As he entered the new hall, he caught sight of a flash of brown and then she was gone with a quick right turn.
    Aidan’s cell phone vibrated, and he spared it a glance. Carson must’ve still been waiting, and the man was texting him. Increasing his pace, he hit reply.
    Hunting. South hall.
    They were surrounded by conference rooms, places meant to accommodate meetings between Alpha Pairs and Marked females. When she ducked into a room on the right, he knew there was one way in and one way out.
    He jerked to a halt outside the door and breathed deeply, savoring the seductive scent. He wanted it, wanted to bathe in it and coat his skin. The wolf ached to roll in the aroma and let it cover every strand of fur.
    A sign to the left of the door caught his attention, and he added to his text.
    Bad Doggie meeting room.
    Aidan rolled his eyes. The Ruling Alpha Mate and her idea of jokes.
    Carson was quick to reply. WTF?
    Yeah, he understood his partner’s feelings. Get here.
    With that final reply, he tucked his phone in his pocket and reached for the door. Aidan’s skin rippled, his wolf lurking beneath the surface and ready to pounce. It was like a cat, crouched and prepared to leap when the moment was right. It wanted the woman on the other side of the door more than it’d ever wanted anything .
    Which scared the shit out of him.
    But that didn’t keep him from gripping the handle and pressing the lever to disengage the catch. He tugged, and the panel swung toward him, granting him entrance, and more importantly, gifting him with more of that sugary scent. He drew the flavors in until they sank into his blood. The wolf howled in appreciation, urging Aidan to move into the space and hunt her.
    Fur slid free of his pores and just as quickly sunk back into his skin. The animal wanted out, wanted to pursue her, but the beast also knew it was easier to talk to her without a wolf’s snout.
    There was something else in her flavors. Or rather there was something missing from her scent. She wasn’t a wolf, but one hundred percent human. Which meant that, because she was at the Gathering, she was either Alpha Marked or Warden Born.
    For the first time in his life, Aidan felt a hint of hope and… desire. Not a hard-on that was easily served by any woman who dropped to her knees. No, this was a soul-deep craving.
    Aidan stepped into the room and scanned the interior. Tables and trios of chairs were scattered throughout the small area, the furniture setup specifically for Tests of Proximity. They were all very scheduled and rigid, specific times when Alpha Marked could sit with Alpha Pairs to determine if they were a match. The Ruling Alpha Mate described it as werewolf speed dating. “Sniff? No burning marks? Next!”
    Honestly, it was good that structure was in place. He couldn’t imagine what it’d be like if wolves were allowed to run rampant and pounce on every passing female. This kept everyone safe.
    Well, everyone but the female he hunted. This chase was so far out of bounds it was ridiculous, but the animal inside him wouldn’t let him break off his pursuit.
    He let the door swing closed behind him. The loud scrape of metal on metal and the final echoing thunk of it latching bolted through the room. A low whimper followed on its heels, and he swung his attention toward the source. His quarry wasn’t in sight, but that didn’t worry him, or the wolf. They’d find her.
    He took a step farther into the room, and her scent surrounded him. His cock twitched and hardened, not filling his jeans, but enough to make it uncomfortable to walk. No matter. This woman was the first female he’d wanted since… ever, honestly. He fucked plenty of women, but they’d always been after Carson. Aidan was always an afterthought to them. Which made him go through the motions rather