Terr4tory by Susan Bliler Page A

serious explaining to do.  Funny though, his heart did a little stutter at the thought of the boys in distress.  He tried to dissect the foreign emotions that suddenly weighed on him and had him walking faster.  Is this what it feels like to parent?   Part of him was furious at the boys’ clear disregard, but a bigger part was worried that they needed him, worried they were hurt.  He quickened his pace until he was practically jogging through the mall.  Lifting his nose, he attempted to filter out the scents of the many shops and people to pick up on his boys.  He chuffed a snort.  My boys?
    Hurrying to the music store, he quickly scanned the shop but didn’t see the boys.  He had just made it to the escalator that would take him down to the game shop when he saw Arden and Jase racing up the escalator to him, eyes wide in panic, and chests heaving from exertion.

Chapter 15
    Willa tried to hide her worry as she sat with the girls, all three sets of eyes glued to the door as they waited for the boys.  Drawing in a calming breath, she tensed when she scented Sarya’s tears.
    “Hey.” She spoke softly, taking the girl’s hand.  “They’re fine, baby.  Barron will find them.”
    “I know.” Sarya sniffed as she swiped at her tears with the back of her hand.  “I just hate this.  It was going to be our first good outing since…”  She lowered her head. “Since Alpha Garner died.  I…I didn’t want you to have to worry today.”
    Willa’s mouth fell open.  Sarya, the soft heart, was distressed because she was worried about her Alphina?  “Oh, sweetheart!”  Willa scooted her chair back and crossed to hug Sarya’s shoulders.  “Come on.”  She grabbed the girl’s arm.  “Let’s go win Jase a prize.”
    Sarya smiled through her tears.  Jase was fond of the stuffed animals that packed the skill crane nestled in the corner.  Willa led both girls to the machine and pulled out a dollar to slide it into the feeder.  “Sarya’s first.”
    Soon, all three were engrossed in the game as Sarya had several near misses at a ninja turtle that she knew Jase was fond of.
    “Aww, come on.”  Becca shook the machine.  “My turn!”
    Willa fed another dollar into the machine and backed away to let Becca slide into place at the controls.  She felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise, but it was too late.  Strong hands gripped her hips and yanked her backward.  She lost her footing and stumbled, only to be caught and held firmly against a lithe male body.
    “Easy, sweets!”
    The voice was unrecognizable, and Willa jerked her head around to scowl up at the offending male who still had his hands on her.  Jerking hard, she shoved at the hands on her hips and scrambled to her feet.  She tried to pull back, but the male wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him.
    Willa’s nostrils flared.  Shifter.  Alpha!
    Behind her, Sarya whined and slipped deep into the corner while Becca crossed to stand protectively in front of the other girl.
    Willa ground out, “Take.  Your.  Hands.  Off .  Me!”
    The Alpha laughed and turned to eye his pack.  Willa’s eyes followed.  There were four men in all, and they all looked younger than her.
    The Alpha’s blue gaze turned back to her.  He was tall and wiry with short, spikey hair and was wearing a long, dark coat.
    She scowled at his ridiculous attire.  A coat in the summer?
    He and his pack reminded Willa of the vamps from that Lost Boys movie.  Old enough to be men, but not yet mature enough to lay the claim.
    “Hey, sweets.  I came to town for you!”  The Alpha smiled wolfishly.  “We were going to eat and then come out, but…”  He turned to smile at his pack.  “Two birds, eh boys?”
    The men behind him laughed, and one whistled.  Willa didn’t like the way they were eyeing Becca and Sarya.  She shoved hard at his chest and put some space between their bodies, but the Alpha merely released her waist to hold