fate of the alpha - episode 2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

up’ could attract unwanted attention. You need to protect your pack by maintaining a low profile.”
    Ophelia gazed at Ainsley with those unblinking obsidian eyes. She seemed to want a response, but Ainsley had no idea what she was supposed to say, so she nodded.
    “That will get tricky with new construction, Ainsley. You need to be up for the job. We would rather disband this pack than risk being outed to the public.”
    Ouch.
    But Ainsley had to admit she was actually right. And the magical stuff was out of control too. What if someone had come walking up Princeton during that fight?
    Ophelia seemed satisfied to see that she was taking things seriously.
    “Tomorrow night is the full moon.” She gave Ainsley a small smile. “We will run together.”
    Shit. Tomorrow.
    What were they going to do about Sadie?
    Ainsley was pretty sure Ophelia would know whether or not Sadie would shift. But she could see already it was better not to ask.
    Clearly, the Federation wouldn’t want to entrust a pack to an alpha who let one of her own into an out of town hospital in a coma.

                                   

    CHAPTER 7
    E rik made his way back out to the truck. When he got in, he realized the envelope with his ID and papers was clenched so tight in his fist it was crumpling.
    He threw it on the seat next to him and looked over at it like it was alive. Son of a bitch. How was he going to do this?
    It was probably best just to power through. He backed slowly out onto Main Street, and prayed the Millers’ house wasn’t up one of those ninety degree driveways he’d seen on the way in.
    He passed a Rite Aid - the first sign of any franchise. Without any fanfare, the little town ended and he was following the creek around a curve on Main. He turned left over a bridge - more the suggestion of a bridge, really, hanging merrily above the creek without guard rails or expansion joints. The side of the mountain edged so close, it was practically touching the passenger side door. On the driver’s side, the creek separated the road from a row of 1920’s bungalows. He passed the Millers’ house and circled around taking another small bridge to get to it.
    He squeezed into a small spot in the front of the house, right along the retaining wall for the creek. Erik tried not to imagine all the misfortunes that could befall the F150. Instead, he hopped out and climbed the stairs to the front porch of the little white bungalow.
    A beautiful wooden bench and matching wooden swing faced each other on opposite sides of the porch. They looked handmade. In between them, an army of baby dolls and bicycles choked the grassy green astroturf rug.
    Erik knocked gently on the front door. The sound of little feet inside thundered toward him.
    “Ruth, Rachel, Zeke, only grown-ups get the door!” A woman’s tired voice cut through the hubbub.
    The door opened with a click to reveal the speaker, LeeAnn. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, with light brown hair to her shoulders. To her credit, she was dressed and made up, with a clean sweatshirt and jeans. Erik wasn’t sure he’d be able get himself together if Ainsley were trapped in a mine.
    Two little girls peeked around her legs. One sported two ponytails, the other had one.
    “I’m Erik, Erik Jensen. The sheriff said you had a room to rent?” He tried to make himself look less imposing than usual and as a result probably came off a little weird.
    “Oh, okay. Hi. I’m LeeAnn. Girls, please let go of my legs so we can show this gentleman the spare room.”
    “It’s NOT a spare room. It’s MY room!” an angry little voice said from inside the house.
    “Sorry about Ezekiel. He’s worried about his daddy. Are you in town to help with that?”
    Erik swallowed past the lump in his throat, “Yes, I’m here to try.”
    “Are you a drill specialist?”
    Oh fuck.
    “Nope, I’m a psychologist.” The lie was already getting easier. “When the men come out