Page 2 of Broken Alpha

“Thanks, dear. I was just about to make myself a cup of hot chocolate. Would you like a cup?” she offers. I give her a nod.

“Yes, please, that sounds amazing.”

She gives me a kind smile as she heads to the back and I take her spot at the counter and start to pull out books.

I’ve always loved to read so this job is a dream come true. I get to look at books all day long, plus, Mrs. Taylor lets me take home any of the used books that I want as long as I return them when I’m done. This basically is my own personal library.

After spending nearly two weeks in Twisted Oak begging for a job, I stumbled upon this totally unexpected gem of a bookstore, owned and operated by the sweetest lady in town. I’ve never been big on guardian angels, but someone out there must have been looking out for me.

I flip over a romance book, scanning the blurb on the back. It sounds interesting, but I’ll have to wait to read it. Buying new books is a luxury I can’t afford right now. I stack the book on the counter with the rest and my eyes snag on the cover.

The bare-chested man on the cover reminds me of the man I just ran into and my core clenches as I stare at it. I bet underneath his winter coat and what I assume is a classic lumberjack red plaid button-down, he probably has those same muscles. Definitely a six-pack, if not an eight-pack. Oh, god, and what are those V lines called? The man I ran into on the streetdefinitelyhas some of those.

Get it together, Phoenix!I scold myself.

I don’t know what it is about that guy that has me feeling tied up in knots. I’ve never really been interested in dating or guys in general. Girls either, for the record. I thought maybe something was wrong with me or I was just a late bloomer. Apparently, I just hadn’t met the right man yet.

“Here you are, dear,” Mrs. Taylor says as she sets my mug of hot chocolate down next to me.

I rip my eyes away from the book cover and smile at her.

“Thanks. Anything in particular you want me to do today?” I ask her.

“If you can get these books shelved and then maybe dust around here, make sure that the books are in order. I think it will be slow today. It’s supposed to start raining here soon.”

“Okay, no problem.”

“I’ll be in the back if you need anything.”

I nod as she shuffles off to her office. I take a sip of my hot chocolate and then grab the first stack of books and get to work.

I get lost in the stocking and dusting process, but thoughts of the man from this morning keep sneaking up on me. I feel drawn to him for some reason and I can’t figure out why. Sure, he wasattractive, but I’ve seen other hot men. So, what was it aboutthisone?

And why am I wishing that I could be his?

CHAPTER TWO

GRIFFIN

Iwatch the curvy redhead disappear down the street before I turn and hurry in the other direction. There’s something about her, something… I don’t know. Something I couldn’t quite grasp. If I would have gotten closer, or maybe been able to see more of her skin, her neck, her pulse…

But that doesn’t matter now. I’m running late to meet Ryker and I know he’s going to give me shit about it. We both spent the last eight years in the military, where if you’re not fifteen minutes early, then you’re late.

I met Ryker when we were in basic training for the Army. We clicked right away, probably because we had so much in common. I mean, we were the only two shifters in our whole unit. When he decided to become a Green Beret, I joined him. We’ve spent the last eight years always by each other’s sides and when I was shot a few months ago and decided to get out, he got out, too.

Neither of us wanted to go back to our original packs. We were different people. Different shifters. Ryker and I are closer than brothers, and the thought of going our separate ways didn't sit right. So, when we heard that the Twisted Oak Pack neededa new Alpha, someone to chase away the criminals and lowlifes, we headed here. Straightening out this pack has given my best friend and me a purpose as well as a place to use some of our skills. It's made the transition back to civilian life a little easier.

My wolf paces inside of me and I sigh. He’s pissed at me because I overslept this morning and didn’t have time to let him out for a run. I know he’s going to be on edge all day now and I’m not looking forward to that.

And you think I am?He growls at me. I roll my eyes.

Tonight. You can run tonight. Have a little patience.

He snarls inside of me but I ignore him as I push into City Hall and head toward the conference room that Ryker and I use for our meetings.

“You’re late,” my best friend says and I grin.

“Had to get my beauty rest.”

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