The Alpha's Secret: The Stonewall Pack Alpha Series, #3

By Tabitha Conall

Werewolves mate in threesomes in this world where packs operate just under the surface of everyday life.  Private investigators Gavin and Liam find their mate, Bridget, while on a case.  But in spite of the mating lust riding all three of them, Bridget resists the urge.  Something stronger than the mating lust keeps her from committing.  Meanwhile, Gavin and Liam discover treachery in her past.  Can they unravel the clues to both mysteries so all three of them can come together at last?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little Death Books
• Release date: Mar 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781501434624

Book preview

Chapter 1

Time to track down the final clue. Gavin picked up the phone. Fiona had hired him to find her father and see if she had any siblings. If Gavin was right, Fiona's father was dead but she had three sisters.

Fiona's Army buddy, Liam, sat across the desk from Gavin. Liam had recently moved to the area and had agreed to help Fiona out with finding her family. He was the one who had hired Gavin for Fiona, and had been helping Gavin out in whatever way he could.

The phone rang twice on the other end of the line before someone picked up and a woman's voice said, Hello?

Something about her voice gave Gavin tingles all over his body. What the hell? He quickly got a grip on himself. We're looking for the Connolly sisters, Deirdre, Maeve or Bridget.

This is Bridget Connolly, the woman said, her voice again sending a wash of tingles over him. His cock hardened.

He ignored it and hit speaker phone. Liam could already hear her with his enhanced werewolf senses but this would be easier. Ms. Connolly, I'm a private detective looking into a case for someone, and I think you could help me. Could we meet somewhere?

What's this about?

I'm not at liberty to say just yet, although if my suspicions are correct, this is something you'll want to know about.

She paused. I suppose we could meet. Maybe someplace public?

There's a restaurant in neutral territory in Marysburg called The Weeping Widow. Could you meet us there for lunch tomorrow, maybe at noon? It was already evening; he'd tried calling the house earlier but no one had been home.

Yes, I can do that. How will I know you?

Just tell the waitress you're meeting Gavin and Liam.

And who is Liam?

Now Gavin paused. How to explain Liam without revealing Fiona? He's, uh, he's an interested party.

She sighed. All right. You can be cryptic. For now. But sooner or later you're going to have to tell me what this is all about.

Just as soon as we're able. Thank you, Ms. Connolly.

Bridget.

Bridget. We'll see you tomorrow. Gavin hung up.

Liam met his eyes. Was there something about her voice?

You too? I have no idea what that was.

Me either. Liam stood. What time do you want to leave tomorrow? He shrugged on his jacket.

How about nine? That'll give us a little time to drive around before we meet her.

Okay. Liam put out his hand and Gavin shook it. Thanks again for showing me the ropes. This is really looking like a viable career option.

Not a problem.

Liam left and Gavin sat down to do a little more paperwork before going home. Try as he might, he couldn't shake the way he'd felt when he heard the woman's voice. Maybe he was just horny; she had a very nice voice, sexy. But Liam had felt the same thing, and that was just strange.

Maybe he'd find out more when he met her the next day. Or maybe he'd have to sit through lunch hiding his hard-on under the table.

***

Bridget parked down the block from The Weeping Widow, a pub/tavern that claimed roots back in the colonial days. It certainly looked the part, with its wood timbers and dark interior. When Bridget told the hostess who she was meeting, she was told they hadn't arrived yet, and was seated at a table for four. She glanced at her watch. Noon, on the nose. At least she hadn't been late again.

A couple of minutes later, Bridget felt a powerful tingling, just like she had the night before on the phone. The outside door opened, and the most delicious smell wafted inside. It smelled like forest and sex and home. She couldn't imagine what it was, but she had to find out. She stood to go look.

Her eyes met those of two wolves. From across the room, she couldn't scent them to know they were wolves, but she just knew. Just as she knew what the scent meant, and who they were.

Her mates.

Bridget's pulse pounded in her neck. She didn't want mates. She'd never wanted mates. Shit. She sat down.

The two wolves walked quickly across the room to her, but she wouldn't meet their eyes. She fought the urge to run. Their chairs scraped across the floor as they sat down.

That's why… one of them said.

The other said, Yeah. That's why. He reached out and took her hand where it rested on the table. Bridget?

She jerked and looked up at him, immediately caught by his eyes like a rabbit in a trap.

We can skip lunch, the other one said. Find a hotel somewhere.

The mating urge must be riding him hard. Hell, it was riding her hard. Her body had turned to a soft mush all centered between her legs. If she weren't so scared, she'd be dragging them out of the restaurant and finding the nearest alley. She pulled her hand away.

I'm Gavin, the big one said. His dark hair and chocolate eyes made him exactly what she'd always found attractive—big, dark and sexy. If only he weren't her mate.

Liam, the other one said. He wasn't small, either, though he didn't have the big muscles Gavin did. Liam was slimmer, lean and mean, his hair cut short in a dark buzz cut. His eyes were a striking blue.

She wasn't sure what to say, so she went with the obvious. I'm Bridget. Her voice sounded small.

Neither of them would take their eyes off her. She felt naked and exposed.

Let's get lunch, Gavin said. He flipped open his menu.

Liam gave a very faint whine, his wolf protesting the delay. He continued to gaze at Bridget. I never thought I'd be lucky enough to have mates.

Bridget couldn't take it. She stood, dropping her napkin onto her seat. I'll be right back. Then she fled to the bathroom.

***

What's wrong? Liam asked Gavin. He'd found his mates. They should be kissing now, on their way to the closest bed. But she was obviously upset. I don't get it.

Gavin gazed at the bathroom door. I don't, either. Something's not right. She's acting…

Scared. But she doesn't have any reason to be scared of us. We'd never hurt her. Liam didn't know what he felt, himself. When he'd first scented her and then seen her across the room, he'd felt so excited. This was what he'd always wanted—mates of his own. Someone to come home to, someone to protect.

Then when he'd seen her body language, his wolf had nearly had a fit. She acted like someone had hurt her. Why else would she be afraid of them, two strangers who'd never done her any harm?

But he felt hurt, too. Why would his mate reject him when she didn't even know him?

Bridget returned to the table, avoiding their eyes. Her hands shook a little as she replaced her napkin on her lap. I'm sorry. I know this probably isn't what you expected when you found your mates. She took a breath. The thing is, I don't want mates.

Ouch. Why? What's wrong with us?

She met his eyes and he felt it like a kick in the gut. Hers were a warm blue, fringed with lashes the color of her reddish brown