Mating the Alpha by Ivy Sinclair Page A

part about his death. Markus had an uncanny sense of being able to predict the future and read a room like a book. He was too smart to go for an evening run and accidentally step into an old bear trap. After he started building the White Oaks community, he had a team comb the woods for weeks to uncover and disassemble every bear trap they could find. It wasn’t entirely implausible that one had been left behind, but I didn’t believe in those kinds of coincidences. Add in the suspicious head wound, and I was more certain than ever that someone had intentionally murdered my brother.
    My bear growled again across my consciousness. I beat it away even as I reached the end of my prepared remarks. I heard the rumble and roar of the crowd as they began to cheer, and I ducked my head slightly.
    “ Always appear humble ,” Markus’s voice whispered in my mind. “ Especially when you are the smartest guy in the room. ”
    Humility wasn’t on my list of strong suits. It was something that I had to work on every day. Markus’s lessons had spanned the last ten years, and thank God I had been smart enough to pay attention. Whenever I hit a place where I didn’t know what to do next, I simply asked myself “What would Markus do?” It was a technique that worked well in almost every situation.
    I raised my hands and waved at the crowd before backing away from the podium. Doc Walden stepped forward and started to give instructions on the rest of the agenda for the evening, which was basically an invitation to the open bar and the opportunity to get hammered for free. The Grizzly Clan had opened its coffers big for hosting the Summit this year. I was certain the evening events would be talked about just as much as the negotiations that would be discussed during the day.
    “That was quite a speech.” I had forgotten that Vivian Reddon was still on stage with us. She moved closer to me and leaned in. “I had wished that we’d met before today, but after hearing that speech, I’m glad we didn’t. Consider it an excellent first impression.”
    “Thanks,” I said. I had no interest in the blonde bombshell. I would have patted myself on the back for showing such growth of character if her presence hadn’t sent Maren flying for the nearest exit. I knew exactly how it all looked, and I couldn’t blame her. It was a painful reminder that there were hours between me and the next time I’d be able to talk to Maren and calm the situation.
    Doc Walden’s portion had ended, and he was moving toward the other end of the stage. “Can you excuse me?” I didn’t wait for Vivian’s reply before making a beeline for the older man.
    I pulled up to my full height as I came up behind him. I wanted to make sure that he felt my presence. “Doctor, a word?”
    He turned slightly. “There are several representatives waiting to chat with you, Lukas. You should probably start making the rounds before they have too many drinks. I suggest starting with Mr. Reddon. We can speak later if you wish.”
    I stepped even closer. It took everything I had not to bare my teeth. “We’re going to talk right now.”
    A hooded expression rolled across his face, and for a moment I thought that he was going to resist. For some reason, the idea of physically wiping the smug look off his face pleased me. But then he gave me a short nod. “Very well.” He gestured toward the back of the tent, and I stalked in that direction.
    I saw the crease in the flap, and I stepped outside into the cooling night air. The tall, full trees around us blocked most of the stars, and that made me uneasy. I was most comfortable when I had a full view of the night sky. That was why, even in the ten years that I spent in the city, I never felt fully comfortable there. It wasn’t my home. I spun on Doc Walden as soon as he emerged from the tent behind me.
    “What the hell was that stunt you just pulled?” I hissed. “Don’t you think it would have been wise to have a