Claimed by the Alpha (A BBW Shifter Menage Romance) (Mate of the Alpha Book 2) by Sierra Wolf Page B

voices rose over the soft hills beyond Curtis’s home, and I knew that he’d taken the pack out for an early morning hunt. Given the rival pack’s behavior over the past few weeks, I was concerned for the safety of the pack. It had proven to be safer for the wolves to hunt in smaller groups. The whole pack together attracted attention, but Curtis was bullheaded, and my reluctance had hurt him. The pack would follow whatever command he gave, and I knew in my heart that he’d sent them out for a long morning hunt. All together, the pack was strong, but they attracted attention, and it would be much easier for the rebel pack to find them. My heart beat fast. The pack was in danger. Even though I was not yet initiated or claimed, I knew they were my family, and I would do whatever it took to save them.
    I walked out into the hallway, still wearing my nightgown, and the worst of my suspicions were confirmed. The halls were empty. Usually, there would be a bustle about this time of morning, with pack members coming and going, grabbing breakfast in the great hall, and getting ready for the day’s work. I’d grown used to seeing beautiful half-dressed men and women and the occasional wolf walking down the hall. This morning there was nothing. I went to the one person I knew would be here. Though Harry was an unofficial pack member, he did not hunt with the others. It just wasn’t what a bear did.
    I went to his office at the end of the hall. Sure enough, he was there, working on payroll.
    “Harry, what’s going on this morning?” I knew damn well what was going on. But I wanted confirmation.
    “Pack’s out for a hunt,” Harry said, not looking up from his computer screen. “They’ll be back soon.”
    “Harry, look at me.” He did. When Harry was crunching numbers, he looked like an accountant — entirely human, with no trace of the bear he became. He looked at me, his blue eyes cool. Maybe he wasn’t aware of the danger. “What about the rival pack?” He knitted his brows, as if he hadn’t thought about the pack or what it meant that they were out for the first time together this month.
    “That’s a good point, Cass. I’ve been absorbed in this stuff all morning, and I hadn’t thought about what might happen.” He cringed and stood. “We’d better go see if we can get Curtis back here. I’m betting he didn’t think of it either.” Harry gave me a knowing look. “Do you think this is about the claiming ceremony? It’s coming up fast, isn’t it?”
    “I think it could be. I wasn’t all that enthusiastic about … becoming a shifter. No offense.”
    “None taken,” said Harry. “It’s a big commitment. But Curtis has never been anything but. He probably doesn’t realize the decision you’re facing.” He paused to think. “I’ve known him for years, Cass. He’s probably very hurt, and he doesn’t know a way to get that out besides hunting. Go get dressed. We’re going to go bring them back, if we can.” I went back to my room and slipped on my jeans and a long sleeve shirt, along with the boots I’d gotten after I’d moved in here. Going out in the woods was dangerous for a human in this area, and my heart gave a great leap.
    After we’d gotten ready, Harry and I headed out in the direction of the forest. It was a cold, misty morning, more common than you might think in our area of California. But the mountains cast a shadow over everything come fall, and we were recipients of the chill and mist. Harry had dressed in loose clothing, and I anticipated that he might shift if we encountered the rivals. They were very aggressive, and Harry had been our secret weapon against them. We heard agitated howls as we approached the wood. It sounded like the two packs had found one another. There were distant growls and the rustle of leaves.
    “Oh no,” I said to Harry, grasping his arm. “The packs are fighting. This could lead to war.” He cast me a worried look, and we walked on in the