Page 1 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
Prologue - Rex
“Hey, James!”
I turn quickly towards the voice, responding to the alias as if it were my real name.
It almost feels like it is. I’ve been answering it for over a year.
“Hey, Genevieve,” I say. “What’s up?”
She hurries over to me, crossing the grassy field between the cookout area and picnic tables. All the younger pack members have gathered for a party in the hills to celebrate Gen’s birthday—and just generally get up to no good out of view of the elders.
“Have you seen Scarlett?”
My heart twists in my chest a little, but I don’t let it show. I take a quick sip of beer as I shake my head.
“Not yet, sorry.”
“Okay, cool. I just thought you would know.”
“Why would I?” I ask, feeling a little anxious.
“Oh, come on,” Gen laughs. “We all know you guys are seeing each other.”
“Is it obvious?” I mutter.
“No,” she answers, shaking her head. “It’s just a strong suspicion at this point.”
“That’s good, because we really haven’t—”
“If you say so, tough guy,” she laughs again. “Let’s just say, if it hasn’t happened yet, we all know that it will. You should hear the things she’s been saying about you.”
“Like what?” I exclaim, almost jumping off my feet. “What did she say?”
“And there it is,” Gen laughs. “Your reaction tells me everything I need to know.”
Fuck! I just screwed up like a goddamn rookie!
I try to backpedal. “Well, I have a right to be concerned if someone is saying things about me, no matter who it is.”
“Sure,” Gen giggles. “Just let me know when she gets here because I want to cut the cake, and then Brian’s going to get out his guitar to play for us soon.”
“No problem,” I answer, relieved to see her walking away.
Where is Scarlett?
The party started just before sunset, and night has fully fallen now. The sky is perfect—deep black, lit by tiny stars glittering like crystal. The wind is light and warm, promising good weather right up until dawn.
And most of us will probably still be partying then, too.
I finish my beer and look around anxiously, wondering where Scarlett is. The right thing to do would be to join a group of guys chatting or tossing a ball around, putting as much distance between me and Scarlett as possible.
But I can’t do it. Tonight might be the last night I ever see her.
All the more reason to stay away from her!
I have lived with the Eccles pack—the long-time enemies of my own pack, Rose Hollow—as an undercover agent. Sent here to gather information and discover what kind of threat they may be to us, I never expected to break the number-one rule of infiltration.
Never get involved with your subject.
