Page 26 of Claiming His Virgin Mate

“Okay, what are we doing here?”

“We are going to have a run, you and me. You are going to learn to control your Wolf. Today is lesson one. I will shift first and wait for you over there. Come out when you are ready,” he said and walked behind some trees to Change and wait for her.

Most Shifters were comfortable with their nudity, but it was always a bit awkward for teenagers. And there was the whole new big brother thing he was still getting used to.

“Give me a few minutes,” Joelle called when he moved out of sight.

“You got it, kiddo,” Alex said.

The air shifted and he tensed. They were not alone in the forest. Alex bared his teeth, shirt in hand, and growled at the intruder. Only, he was the intruder, as it turned out.

“Hello,” even if Alex had never met the man, his icy blue gaze would have given him away.

Rafe Maccon stood tall and enormous, and just as perfectly at ease in the Pine Barrens as the three men and one woman who flanked him on either side.

“Hello,” Alex nodded and bared his throat in deference to the man.

The sheer Alpha power radiating from the Werewolf was of a magnitude Alex had seldom felt. But his reputation preceded him, and he was, for all intents and purposes, a good man. A deadly man, but a good one.

“Is that Joelle?” the blonde woman asked, and moved around him.

“Yes, I was going to take her for a run.”

“I see. And why would you do that?” Rafe inquired.

“My Tiger recognizes her as family, Alpha. You see her sister, Maggie Flint, is my mate.”

“Maggie?” his eyebrows rose with his surprise, “That is a surprise indeed after what you and ISP have done with her hotel.”

“That was not what it seemed-”

“I know, Alex. I am aware of everything that goes on in my town. Well, eventually, in some cases. You know, the Macconwood Pack territory covers most of the North American Continent.”

“I did hear that, yes,” Alex said.

“This attack on one of my own, in my backyard as it were, I happen to take personally,” the Alpha’s eyes gleamed with his Wolf as he spoke, and Alex wisely kept his gaze averted, “Unfortunately, I did not catch Edward Coleson in time to prevent the theft of the payments that made your takeover possible. But maybe that was the Fates working after all,” Rafe finished with a smirk, and Alex exhaled.

He really did not want to start anything with the Alpha of the Macconwood Pack. Had nothing but the utmost respect for him and his, but yeah, he was right. That lowlife Edward Coleson had whatever he got coming to him. Alex just hoped he could be there when it happened.

“Have you found him yet?” Alex asked.

“As a matter of fact, one of my best men is closing in on him at the moment. We will know more soon. But first, how about that run you promised young Joelle over there?”

Alex turned to see the small, red-furred she-Wolf following a large buff colored female. Cat Maccon had Shifted with the younger Wolf, and the two barked playfully before trotting away, leaving the males to Shift and follow.

“I’d like that,” Alex grinned.

“Alright,” Rafe nodded.

“Don’t worry if you fall behind, pussycat,” a younger Wolf Alex recalled as Liam dropped the friendly challenge, and just like that, it was on.

Alex’s Change was swift as he took a running start and leapt over the prone form of the male who was still Shifting. He heard their stunned gasps as his nearly half-ton Tiger landed on his feet and snarled back at them.

Friendly, sure, but all Shifters had a bit of a competitive streak, and Alex was no different. The woods were thick and budding with life at this time of year. Spring came fast in New Jersey, as he well remembered from his youth.

But he didn’t know the woods that well yet, and the Wolf Pack had him beat when it came to finding the best hiding places. Still, the run was invigorating. He chuffed as he followed the many-colored Wolves through the copses of trees and shrubs.

He could live there, he realized suddenly. He would too. If Maggie said yes. Everything hinged on his ability to woo his sweet mate.

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