Page 3 of Wolf Unleashed
His father was right in one sense. Sharing a female was difficult, but Rafe was easing into it day by day. The three of them had escaped the DSA a month ago and during that time, they’d fallen into a routine with one another. Rafe no longer had to remind himself that Tiernan was hers as much as he was. More, considering the scout had a blood-bond with her. Rafe envied him for that, even if Tiernan couldn’t feel the bond.
Alyssa eyed the guard Soren had assigned to watch her and Tiernan. With that blond hair and light-colored eyes, Gunnar looked like their ancestors from Scandinavia. It was his size that intimidated most shifters, let alone a tiny human like Alyssa.
“I trust Gunnar with my life, Artemis. And yours,” Rafe reassured her. “No harm will come to you or Tiernan.”
Rafe kissed her on the lips, ignoring the shifters watching him. Many of the pack had overheard him explaining his unconventional relationship. The gossip would spread soon enough. They might as well see that both he and Tiernan loved this female, because neither of them would give her up.
* * *
ALYSSA
“Coming here was a mistake,”Tiernan said, his eyes never leaving the guard that towered over him. They’d been sitting on a log, waiting outside in the middle of the main compound at least an hour under the watchful eye of Gunner, a huge shifter who never smiled or spoke. He stood there, arms crossed over his huge chest, staring at Tiernan and her, but mostly at her.
“We didn’t have much choice. We need help getting Maddox back from the DSA. It was either his pack or yours. And you said you don’t trust your alpha.”
“I didn’t say I don’t trust him. I just know he won’t approve of our relationship.”
“Well, it’s not like Rafe’s father approves. He thinks I’m a whore.”
“I don’t think Liam would object to us sharing you. It’s the fact that you’re human that would be the issue.”
“That didn’t win me any points with Soren either. Two strikes, Tiernan. What if he finds out—”
Tiernan clamped his hand over her mouth and shook his head.
Right. Shifter hearing. And a guard only ten feet away. Rafe might trust Gunner with his life and theirs, but that didn’t mean the blond tower of muscle wouldn’t report everything he heard to his alpha.
Alyssa sat down on a log. The reality of what she’d gotten Rafe and Tiernan into weighed on her. Their packs would never accept her or her relationship with the three of them. She was as much an outcast in the shifter world as she had been in the human one.
“This isn’t fair to either of you,” she mumbled.
Tiernan knelt in front of her. “And it’s not fair to you either. Rafe and I know what we’re up against, but you’re worth it. Have some faith. Rafe won’t let you down.”
“Since when are you his biggest fan?”
“Since he’s been keeping us alive, avoiding those shifters from the other packs for over a month. Believe me, I know how bull-headed and overbearing he can be, but he fights for those he loves. And he does love you.”
She knew that. But did he love her enough to go against both his father, who was also his alpha? Even if Soren didn’t want to turn him away, as Rafe’s alpha the shifter might have no choice but to exile him. What happened if his alpha turned them away? Would Rafe go with her and Tiernan or remain with his pack? She wasn’t ready to lose him, especially after losing Maddox.
As she cupped Tiernan’s face, a tall, lanky shifter approached their guard and whispered to him. “I’ve been ordered to escort you to a cabin for the night,” Gunnar said.
“When can we see Rafe?” Alyssa asked.
“Not tonight. Perhaps tomorrow.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Tiernan said.
Neither did she. But they didn’t have much choice. This pack wasn’t the enemy. All they could do was cooperate and do as they were told. For now.
Chapter Two
TIERNAN
Tiernan and Alyssa followed Gunnar down a barely used path, away from the main part of the pack, to a small cabin. The heavily wooded and isolated area unsettled Alyssa. Her eyes darted in every direction, as if she expected to be attacked any second. Tiernan locked his fingers to hers and squeezed lightly until she looked at him. A slight smile emerged.
Gunnar flung the door open. “You will remain here. Inside.”
As soon as they entered, the door slammed shut behind them. “Friendly,” Alyssa said.
