Page 87 of Wolf Unleashed
“Same here, sweet cheeks.”
Tiernan grabbed Rafe before he could shoot over and rip the shifter in two. “She’s got this, Rafe. If you jump in every time someone’s being difficult, you’ll undermine the respect she’s trying to earn from the entire group.”
“I know I promised her, but I didn’t know they’d all be assholes. What do you expect me to do? Walk away and leave her unprotected?”
“Hardly unprotected. Maddox is on the other side in the tree line, watching over her. He traded shifts along the border again, as he does every time it’s her turn to train the recruits.”
“Alright, everyone. Strip, shift, and split into two groups. Left group takes the path through the cliffs and the right group heads toward the lake. You’ll find a huge boulder at each location marked with a flag. You need to move that boulder here. Figure out how to work as a group. Last group back will be cleaning out the septic tanks.
The ten shifters quickly followed her instructions. Rafe waited until both groups disappeared.
“Boulders?” Rafe asked. “Why do we need boulders here?”
“We don’t. But Tarco said he needs help cleaning out the septic tanks. Don’t worry about the boulders, Heir. The next group of trainees can move them back,” Alyssa said as she picked up Ronan’s clothes.
“You’re not to call me Heir in front of these… these…”
“Shifters?”
“That’s not the word I wanted to use.”
“Let me guess, you’d rather I call youmatein front of them, so they know exactly who I’m mated to. As if they couldn’t guess by the way you’re always hanging out here watching. Or the way Maddox hides where he thinks I won’t notice him.” She turned sharply to Tiernan. “You’re the only one not here watching over me. Why?”
“Soren’s been keeping me busy scouting out territory to the north. There’s been some issues with the bear shifters up there,” he said, grabbing her by her waist and pulling her in close. “I work long hours during the day to ensure I have my nights to spend with you.”
She angled for a kiss, which made Rafe slightly jealous. Tiernan and Maddox had the freedom to kiss her in the middle of the pack. Not that Rafe didn’t, but he preferred to appear professional in his role as heir.
Alyssa grabbed his hand before he could walk away and give them privacy. “You and me, Alpha, later tonight. Okay?”
“I keep telling you, I’m not the alpha here. It’s not appropriate to use that title for me.”
“You just said I couldn’t call you Heir. And besides, you’remyalpha,” she pressed her lips against his, stirring such feelings it was nearly impossible to pull away. As he kissed her, the scent of another male invaded his nose. His wolf reacted as strongly as him, trying to force a shift. Then he realized Alyssa still held Ronan’s clothes.
“Are you taking his clothing as punishment?” Rafe asked, pointing to the pants and shirt in her hands.
“Don’t worry, he won’t be naked. I left him his other clothes.”
Rafe peered over her shoulder. “The panties?”
“He didn’t say they weren’t his, and he didn’t admit to stealing them, so I’m making an honest assumption that they’re his. And if he has a problem with that, well, that’s his problem.”
“You’re wicked,” Tiernan laughed.
“I’m pissed off,” she said, shoving the clothes into his hands. “Take these and throw them in his cabin or burn them. I don’t care which.”
“It’s just going to make him madder.”
“He’s been giving me trouble at every turn. Time he learns you reap what you sow.”
“Want me to kill him for you?” Rafe asked.
Her mouth fell open. With one finger, Rafe pushed her jaw closed. “You really need to keep that mouth close, precious, before I use it for my pleasure.”
“Ooh, that’s tempting. But I’m still on duty. And I don’t want you killing my recruits. If you follow your instinct to kill every guy who looks at me wrong or gives me flack, I’ll have no recruits left to send to the DSA training program.”
“I just wanted you to know I would kill any of these assholes for you if you want me to. No questions asked.”
“Don’t you have something heir-like to do?” Alyssa remarked, glaring at him.
