Page 6 of Forced Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #3)

Even running as fast as I can in my wolf shape, I can’t keep up with Winnie. I was counting on catching her before she could get to the road and speed up, but I completely underestimated how badly she wants to get away from me.

I was also considering jumping in front of the car… but now I’m not so sure she’d stop.

I consider going back to my car, but I can still catch a faint hint of her scent on the wind, so I follow it. My mind is so jumbled up, I can barely think, and I’ve wandered far into the side streets before I even realize I’ve lost her scent.

Fuck! Where is she? I have to get her back—now!

The terror of losing her races through my blood, energizing me with crackling anxiety. I don’t know if it’s because I need her to keep the alpha position, or if I’m scared I’ll never see her again.

I do one last trot around to make sure I’ve really lost her scent trail, then I throw my head back and howl. It doesn’t take long before two of my boys appear, racing down the street towards me.

My bunch of misfits—Flint, Austin, Dylan, Giles, and Logan. We’ve been together so long and have been through so much, we’re brothers for life.

“What’s the deal, boss?” Dylan asks as he stops in front of me. “I left Flint in charge at the manor. Logan’s there as well, and our other boys are around town. We came as soon as we could.”

“Yeah, boss,” Austin says. “That was one hell of a howl. I expected to see you being thrashed by a mob of thugs sent by the elders.”

“They wouldn’t dare,” I growl, my voice resonating with the voice of my wolf as I shift to human. “And I told you not to call me boss.”

Dylan shrugs, laughing. “Since it’s all we talked about when we were growing up, and now you’ve finally done it, I think we should use the word as much as possible.”

“In front of the others, maybe,” I answer. “But not between us. I’d never put myself above you.”

“I know,” Dylan says, reaching out to grip my shoulder. “You’re going to change things for everyone. I really believe that. But what got you so riled up you had to call us all the way out here?”

“My mate,” I reply, trying not to scream in frustration. “She got away.”

Dylan’s eyes widen. “You did the thing? The bride-for-hire thing?”

“Yeah. I met her at the lake. It’s… It’s Winnie Ramses.”

Austin lets out a low whistle. “Lucky man. I saw her once, with Krista, at a school dance. She’s a super cutie.”

“And well-connected,” Dylan adds. “Galen’s pack is strong and well-respected across the Range. With her support, you could get all the other packs behind you and turn this pack to your favor.”

“How so?” I ask, cocking my head. I was resolved to the idea of being hated in this town for the rest of my life.

“A lot of people know her, man. She’s hung around with Krista since they were kids. The whole family and most of the pack know her and love her. If she sticks up for you, your power will be absolute.”

Dylan’s words give me a warm, tingly feeling as I imagine the triumph of passing laws that will help the town and having people support them instead of fighting me. My emotions twist again, though, when I remember the one thing I need to make this plan work.

Winnie.

“Yeah, well, she got away from me,” I snap. “Do you see her anywhere here? No. Because she fucking took off. I have to find her—now.”

“Shit,” Austin mutters. “If she got to the mountains or the next town, you’d never get the ceremony done on time.”

“I know!” I yell. “Find her!”

“I know some friends of Krista’s live nearby,” Dylan says. “Let’s check them out.”

I follow my boys as we start down the street, where I watch them bang on doors and question people.

Even though I know all of them would protect Winnie with their lives, I can tell that none of them is lying when they say they haven’t seen her.

They didn’t even know she was in town. Everyone’s scared to stick their head out.

Instead, they pray that my position is forfeit and tthat hings can go back to normal when one of the others takes my place.

Just as we’re about to hit the fourth house, a strong blast of cold wind rushes down the mountain. There’s ice on the peaks and a snowstorm gathering strength across the Range, ready to hurl itself into the town.

If I don’t find her before it hits, I won’t have a chance!.

Then, I catch it. Just the slightest hint of strawberry and vanilla, teasing my tongue. I close my eyes and open my mouth a little, rolling the scent in the back of my nose.

Luscious.

“Guys,” I mutter. “Back to the manor. I think I’ve got her.”

Behind me, one of them says some sharp words to the resident of the house and slams the door. I shift and start to lope down the street, keeping my eyes closed as I fully lock on to the scent.

Soon, we’re tearing through the side streets and then the wide, tree-lined road that leads to the manor. The scent gets a little stronger, and I pick up my pace.

She has to be there! I’ll destroy anyone who thinks they can keep her from me!

As I get to the main drive, I see more of my boys gathered out front—Flint, Giles, and Logan.

They are acting as security for the elders, just like I told them to.

I can’t let any of those wily old fucks out of here.

They could plot against me, raise up their loyal pack members, and depose me by force.

I’m not going to let that happen—and luckily, I’ve got a pack of fiercely loyal brothers to back me up.

“What’s the word, boss?” Flint asks. “I heard the howl, but sent the others out so I could keep watch here.”

“Good,” I answer once I’m human again. I stride swiftly towards the doors. “No one has left the manor, have they?”

“No. We’re running patrols around the house to make sure the exits are clear. Council members and the Brents are safely locked inside.”

“Okay. Has anyone seen Winnie Ramses?”

“No,” Flint begins, then frowns in confusion. “Wait, what?”

“She’s my mate,” I hiss. Flint’s my best friend, but I’m beyond endurance right now. “I met her at the park, and she took off. I tracked her here.”

“I don’t know her scent,” Flint admits, his eyes going wide. “I wouldn’t know it if she were here.”

“Fuck,” I growl, realizing I have nothing of hers I could use to help the boys track her.

I shove Flint out of the way and barge into the foyer, where a large group of people are milling around, most of them in the parlor. I notice others coming out to see what the commotion is.

I stride into the foyer, walking so quickly that people have to dive out of my way. It’s mostly the extended family of Roderick’s here for the wake, but all official council members are here, too.

When I come into the doorway, I see the elders sitting around the fire. They appear to have their heads together in a conspiratorial manner. A low growl rumbles from my throat and echoes around the room.

“Alpha Damon,” Regina says, inclining her head respectfully. “What can we do for you?”

Her fake grin and sweet tone grate on me so badly, I want to rush right over there and smack the smile straight off her face. Instead, I growl so loudly, half of Roderick’s family trembles and backs up.

“Nothing, Regina,” I say in a low voice. “Just stay right where you are.”

She blinks innocently, but I don’t wait to hear any more of her bullshit. I turn and jog down the hall, following that faint hint of strawberry that seems to be getting stronger.

Is she really here? That would almost be too easy.

Running to Krista would make sense, though. I pick up my pace, my mind racing ahead, anticipating the moment I see her again.

My hands twitch as I think about holding her, keeping her by my side as the elders perform the ceremony, and the sweet release of finally securing my alpha position.

Then it’s just me and Winnie. I know she’s scared, but she just doesn’t know me. No woman has ever resisted me. Not once did I get close enough to kiss them, anyway.

The scent of strawberry and vanilla gets so thick around me, I feel like I’m drowning in cotton candy. Stopping in front of Krista’s room, I savor the smell for a second before I start banging on the door.

“Let me in, Krista!” I demand. “I know you’re in there.”

“Go away!” she screams. “Just leave me alone!”

Winnie’s scent seems to fade a little, and panic floods through me. In an act of pure adrenaline, I kick the door down—even though it’s aged mahogany and almost as hard as stone.

Krista screams at the top of her lungs as I charge into the room. She’s sitting on a little couch, trying to look casual and really overdoing it.

“Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb with me!” I yell, crossing the room and grabbing her arm. “I tracked her scent here.”

“What?” Krista asks, her eyes going wide with fear.

“Winnie!” I scream. “Where is she?”

Krista’s face relaxes into a little smile. “You’ll never find her. It’s already way too late. You’ll never be alpha, Damon.”

I stare into her face for a few moments, my body going completely numb. A cold, steady calm floods through me, replacing the burning rage.

“Lock her up!” I yell, hurling her at one of my guards. “I’m following Winnie’s scent up the mountain. She can’t have gotten far.”

As my guys drag Krista away, I look around the room for something I can use to give my brothers the scent. I can’t find anything Winnie actually owns, so I just direct them to the window and hope they can catch her scent from there.

“Yeah, I got it,” Flint states. “Female wolf went in and back out this window. It’s thin, but damn, she smells sweet.”

“She does,” I agree. “Good man. I need five of you to get on her trail right now and follow me into the mountains.”

Flint doesn’t even hesitate; he jumps straight out the window. Before I can follow him, there is a bloodcurdling scream from the hallway.

“Jesus, fuck,” I mutter, turning around and going to the door. “What now?”

“You can’t do this!” Krista’s mother screams. “My baby! What are you doing to my baby?”

“She’s just going to chill out in the cells downstairs for a bit,” I answer, a soft note of threat in my voice. “And anyone else who wants to get in my way can join her. Do you understand?”

Isla Brent struggles against my guys, but they won’t let her come any further down the hallway.

“You can’t do this!” she repeats.

“I’m the alpha,” I hiss, glaring at her. “I can do whatever the fuck I want.”

I turn around and run through Krista’s room, shifting as I leap through the window. When my paws crunch against the light layer of snow, Winnie’s scent rises around me, faint but rich and sweet, drawing me forward up the mountain.

I hear my boys coming through the window behind me, and for a while, the thrill of racing into the mountains consumes me. My wolf lives for this feeling—the pack hunting together on the slopes, free and wild, without the tangle of human emotions.

Urgency begins to trickle through me, though, and it’s got nothing to do with my human side.

My wolf wants Winnie just as badly as I do.

The icy, howling wind suddenly changes direction, hurling a cloud of snow into my face. I stop to look around, and that’s when I realize the blizzard is almost on top of us.

That’s why my wolf was starting to worry. We won’t find her in this!

Dismayed, I watch the clouds of ice and snow rolling towards us. This blizzard is huge, and if we get stuck out here, we might not survive it.

That means Winnie wouldn’t, either.

Fear strikes through my chest at the idea of losing her so completely. My mind is running with images of what it’s going to be like when she finally trusts me. I can almost feel her soft skin under my fingers, the hot rush of her breath on my cheek when she screams for me.

“Boss,” Flint says, appearing at my shoulder. “I’ve lost the scent.”

“So have I,” Dylan agrees. “I haven’t had a clear trail for a while now.”

I tilt my head and sniff, getting only a noseful of snow for my trouble. I shake my head and snort, trying to catch her scent again.

“Boss,” Flint says softly. “We should go back.”

“No!” I yell. “You can go back if you want. I’m staying out here until I find her.”

“You’ll never find her in this!” Dylan cries. “We have other guys out here, too. Would you really put all of them at risk?”

A snarl rips through my teeth, and I turn on Dylan so fast, he jumps and falls over in the snow.

“Leave then,” I mutter. “You fucking cowards. See if I care what you do.”

Flint and Dylan share a look, and I know it well. I didn’t become the leader by pussy-footing around and making the others kiss my ass. I rule with an iron will and swift judgment, punishing anyone who defies me.

It doesn’t hurt that I’m well-known for my quick temper as well.

“Okay, boss,” Flint says, fading back into the snow. “Whatever you say.”

I stand still as they slink away, stretching out my senses and trying to get my bearings. Even in such a heavy storm, I have a strong sense of where I am, and I’m not really worried about getting lost.

I am worried about dying of exposure… because I will fucking die before I go back without her.

I decide to get to the next ridge, then head into the next tree line for cover. The snow is getting deep, and I have to leap through it as the blizzard rages above me, hurling ice down on my head.

By the time I get to the trees, despair is slowly overtaking me. I had so much hope just a few hours ago, and now it looks like I’m going to lose it all—my friends, the pack, and Winnie.

We’ll both die out here. She’ll never survive this storm. I can’t let that happen!

As I finally breach the trees and come into the relative stillness of the grove, I shake the snow off my fur and look around. The blizzard is so fierce, ice and wind are screaming into the dense scrub, and the bushes give almost no cover at all.

Then, I catch it. Just the smallest hint of Winnie’s scent. I tense up, tail high and ears pricked as I put my nose up to look for it again.

My heart sinks when I lose it again, but when I put my nose down to the forest floor, I pick it up again immediately. I focus all my senses on it, shutting out the howling wind and driving snow until the thin trail of Winnie’s scent is my whole world.

I follow it to a tiny, dense thicket. At first, I’m confused because it looks too small to hide in, but when I lay down and press my belly to the ground, a thick rush of her scent blows straight into my face.

Then, I see the brightness of her red hair against the pure white ground, the rest of her body slowly disappearing under the steadily falling snow.

Oh my God… is she dead?