Resisting the Alpha
Chapter 5

Bronson approached him. Should we go after her, Alpha?

No. She’ll be back. Just like a bad penny, she turns up at every event we have. All we have to do is plan something else and she’ll show up.

Bronson smiled. That’s an interesting mate you’ve chosen.

Micah snorted. Not me. The wolf. If it were up to me, I’d gag her and tie her to a chair.

Or the bed? Bronson smirked.

Micah had to admit the idea had possibilities. He’d have to try that another time, assuming he could wrangle the woman back into his bedroom. Something told him it wouldn’t be an easy task. She’d be wary now. It was clear as day that she felt something for him, but she was running scared. Miss I-have-to-be-in-charge had liked the fact he’d taken that control from her, but she’d never admit it.

You’re just going to let her slip away? Sean asked, coming to stand beside him.

She isn’t going far. It’s not like I don’t know where to replace her. If she isn’t at her place, she’s with Josette.

Bronson growled. I think the omega should be taught a lesson. She shouldn’t have run off with your mate like that. It was her duty to keep your mate here.

Bridget is Josette’s best friend. It’s only natural that Josette would want to go with her. Besides, Micah said dryly, it didn’t look like she was walking out of here on her own. Bridget practically dragged her to the car out front. I don’t think Josette could have broken away if she had tried.

Weak-a*s woman, Bronson grumbled.

“Watch what you say about Josette,” Micah warned.

You’ve always been soft where she’s concerned. She’s the weak link in the pack and you know it. If we ever went to war, you’d probably have all of us defending her and getting our asses kicked. Hell, no one here wants her. If her mate is in the pack, it’s obvious he doesn’t want such a pathetic woman.

Josette may not be the strongest of us, but she has her talents. Micah narrowed his eyes at Bronson. “You would do well to remember, that one day she will have a mate. And I’m sure he’ll want to kick your a*s for your treatment of her. And you know what? I’m going to let him.”

Bronson stiffened and his lips thinned, but he jerked his head in a nod before turning and storming off. Sean clicked his tongs together, drawing Micah’s attention.

You know he’s been discontent these past five years or so. Ever since that wolf from the West Virginia pack turned him down, he’s had his tail in a knot. I think that’s why he’s working his way through the female population, not caring if they’re wolf, witch, or other. He has to prove to himself that he’s still got it.

When he replaces his mate, she won’t appreciate the fact he’s become something of a male whore, bedding any halfway attractive woman who looks his way.

Understanding lit Sean’s eyes. “Bridget gave you grief over the female wolves you’ve been seeing? Or maybe testing is a better word for it.”

She wasn’t pleased.

Think she’s going to hold it against you? I mean, she looked pretty ticked for a woman who was newly mated.

She doesn’t know, Micah mumbled. I told her I nicked her with my teeth, but she brushed it off as me just being too rough. Said she’d liked it.

Sean’s eyes widened. You mean she’s been hanging around Josette all this time, and she doesn’t understand the significance of you breaking her skin while you were…? He motioned.

Nope. She’s clueless.

Which means we have an alpha female running around out there who could do some serious harm to someone, and she doesn’t even realize that it would backlash onto the pack? Dude, her hormones are going to be raging out of control as your DNA melds to hers.

Micah snorted. That woman’s hormones are always raging out of control.

Magnify it by ten.

The serious look in Sean’s eyes sobered Micah. His wolf had a good point. If Bridget was hell on wheels on a normal day, she’d be like a raging she-demon with his DNA coursing through her. But there was no way to warn her about the changes to her body without outright telling her they were mated. He liked his balls attached to his body, so that wasn’t on the top of his to-do list.

Let’s just hope she doesn’t set anything on fire or do something stupid and get her a*s hauled off to jail. I could get her out on bail after explaining the situation, but it would look bad on the pack that we’d let her run free. Micah scratched the back of his neck. What are the chances she can go a week without getting into trouble?

Sean snorted.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Micah stared thoughtfully at the gate where his mate had disappeared from sight. If they made it through the week in one piece, it would be a miracle.

Do you believe him? Bridget fumed. Throwing me over his shoulder like that? As if I were a wayward child.

Josette smiled.

What’s that look about? Bridget demanded. You replace this funny?

I just don’t believe Micah is the sort of man to participate in those types of activities with a child. I have no doubt he very much saw you as a woman when he hauled you into his bedroom.

Bridget’s cheeks flushed. And just what do you know about what went on in there?

Josette tugged on her ear. “Everyone knows what happened in there.”

She felt her face flame even more. Great. She finally had the best o****m of her life and the entire pack was privy to it. The next time she saw that mangy cur, she was going to skin him and use him as a throw rug.

I don’t understand why you ran from him, Josette said. You should be thrilled you’ve found your mate.

Mate? Bridget shrieked.

Josette nodded. Didn’t he break the skin on your shoulder?

It’s just a scratch. He didn’t bite me.

Doesn’t matter. Josette worried at her lower l*p. If she didn’t stop, she would likely make it bleed.

Why are you worried? Bridget asked. “You aren’t tied to that mongrel.”

That mongrel is a wonderful alpha, a considerate man, and I know for a fact he would do anything in the world for his mate. You should be grateful his wolf chose you.

“Grateful? Grateful! He took away my choice. If he wanted me as a mate, he should have asked. Not marked me like a fire hydrant on the curb.”

Josette covered her mouth, but not before Bridget saw her smile.

“Sure. Laugh it up. It isn’t your life that’s been turned upside down!”

Actually, it is. Now that you’re the alpha female, you shouldn’t spend as much time with me. You’ll have responsibilities in the pack and you’ll need to help keep the peace. They don’t like me. They’ll see it as a betrayal if you keep hanging out with me. Josette gave her a sad look. Micah gained his mate, and I wouldn’t begrudge him that for anything, but I’ve lost a friend today.

Like hell! I don’t care what that Alpo-munching cretin or you might say. You’re my best friend, Jo, and nothing is ever going to change that. You’ve hauled my a*s out of one jam after another and I’m not about to repay you by turning my back on you. If the pack can’t accept we’re friends, then that’s their damn problem.

If they don’t accept you, the females will be able to challenge you, Bridget. You can’t win against a wolf.

Bridget tipped her chin up and stared down her long nose at Josette. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

What’s that supposed to mean? Josette asked with a scrunched face.

My dear girl, it means that I’m going to trade in my Tiffany’s choker for a flea collar.

Her eyes widened. But it’s forbidden to create a wolf!

Then I guess we’ll have to go to the one man who doesn’t give a rat’s a*s about the rules, won’t we? She smiled.

The werelock.

Bridget nodded. “I think it’s time we paid a visit to Cade and Breena, even if we are interrupting their special time.”

I don’t know, Bridget. I don’t think Micah is going to like this.

Let me worry about Puppy Breath. If he asks, you had nothing to do with this. I’ll even tell him you tried your damnedest to talk me out of it. She held her hand out. Deal?

Josette shook her hand, although a bit reluctantly. Deal.

Bridget slid into the passenger’s seat of Josette’s small car, pausing to look up at her friend. Coming?

Josette sighed and nodded, walking around to the driver’s side. Once she was in, buckled, and had the engine going, she gave Bridget a pointed look.

“I’m not putting on a seat belt. You can give me the death glare all you want. It won’t work.”

Josette shook her head and pulled away from the curb. They arrived at Breena’s, and noticed Cade’s motorcycle and the witch’s car were both in the drive. Bridget got out, climbed the steps to the front door and rang the bell. When no one answered after a few minutes, she rang it again. Still no answer.

Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called out, Quit making puppies and answer the damn door!

First came a crash, then a peal of laughter as Breena looked down at them from an upstairs window. What are the two of you doing here?

I need a little mojo. Tell Cade to cover up. There are some sights you can never un-see.

Breena snorted and pulled away from the window. With a few curses hurled Bridget’s way, the door jerked open after a few minutes, revealing a glaring Cade. Breena nudged him out of the way and pulled Bridget and Josette into the house.

What are you doing here? Breena asked. I was going to call in the morning and invite you two out to dinner.

How about drinks and dancing, if I survive my request? Bridget asked.

What request could you possibly have that you wouldn’t survive? Cade asked.

I want you to make me a wolf.

Cade’s eyebrows rose.

Bridget pulled her shirt to the side, showing him her shoulder. Micah decided to make me his bitch. Figure I might as well live up to that description.

She won’t listen to reason, Josette said.

Interesting. Cade studied the marks. And he just let you walk away?

Let? Breena gave her husband an exasperated look. “Since when does anyone let Bridget do something?”

Point taken. You realize this could be painful?

Could be? Bridget asked. “Not will be?”

Cade shrugged. Some people take right to it, and since you already have Micah’s DNA in your system, it’s possible you won’t have any bad side effects. But if you do … well, expect chills, sweats, nausea and sensitive sight and hearing. Basically, you’re going to want a quiet, dark room, just like you would with a migraine. And a bathroom nearby, just in case.

Her lips twisted. You mean in case I hurl. What a lovely picture. She blew out a breath. All right. Let’s do this. What do you need from me?

A lock of your hair will do. Just a few strands to mix with the potion. Since you’ve been bitten, you have wolf DNA in you already, so we don’t have to worry about that sample. Cade held out his hand and she plucked a few hairs and handed them over.

How long does it take to work? Bridget asked.

You’ll be transformed by morning, but you won’t shift for the first time until the full moon. The downside to being made a shifter is that you’ll have to rely on lunar cycles for your power. A born shifter can shift at any given time, and shift back just as easily. It’s going to be a slow, painful process for you starting out.

Got it. Pain. Suffering. I guess this is payback for all those times I made my dates wait on me to get ready and then ordered the biggest steak on the menu.

Breena coughed, but it sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

Bridget rubbed her hands together. Let’s get started.

Slow down. Cade smiled. It’s going to take me about an hour to brew the potion. After that, you need to take it home to drink it. I would recommend that you not stay alone.

I can stay with her, Josette said.

Uh, no. You need to keep your control freak alpha away from my house until I’m ready to see him. Whether this works or not, tomorrow night we’re going dancing. Breena, you’re coming too.

Breena smiled. Why don’t you get Seraphine to stay with you? She can join us on our girls’ night out as well.

Bridget nodded. Sound plan. Okay, werelock. Go do your thing. I’ll just browse through your drink selection in the kitchen. I’m suddenly parched.

Cade snorted and walked off while Bridget headed toward the kitchen, Breena and Josette on her heels. She hoped like hell this worked. Of course, if it did, she supposed she’d have to cut down on the dog jokes. Maybe she should have asked to become a puma instead. Wouldn’t that have made Micah choke on a hairball…!

Bridget smiled. She might not like this whole mate thing, but she was going to have fun torturing the alpha for many years to come. Assuming she let him live that long.