Unexpected Alpha

By Tielle St. Clare

Rowan’s a patient man.

As a Lone Wolf, he lives outside of the Pack, but he’s been watching Craigh for almost a year, waiting for the right moment to stake his claim.
He’s not in any rush. If Craigh wants to act like a Top when really he’s a hot little Bottom Boy, that’s fine. Rowan knows the truth.

Until Craigh challenges the current Alpha. There is no way his sweet Omega will survive the fight.

But how can Rowan stop his future mate from dying when Craigh insists on being noble and doing the right thing?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tielle St. Clare
• Release date: Feb 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311303486

Book preview

Unexpected Alpha

by Tielle St. Clare

Unexpected Alpha

Copyright © 2015 T. L. Green

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by Erin Dameron-Hill / EDHGraphics

All rights are reserved. This e-book is licensed for individual readership only. No portion of this e-book may be resold or redistributed in any format.

To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at www.tiellestclare.com

Author’s Note

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and events are creations of the author’s imagination.  Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter One

Rowan watched the group of a half dozen men strut into his bar. He sniffed the air, checking their scents. It was more habit than necessity. He knew this crowd well enough. As the only regional bar owned by a werewolf, The Distant Howl was a common hangout for the local Pack.

Drinks for everyone, the mouthy Phillip called, twirling his finger above his head, making it look like he was calling for a helicopter to take off. Considering it was four in the afternoon, Phillip would be buying drinks for his friends and two other bar patrons. Cheap bastard.

And from past experience, Rowan knew Craigh would likely be covering the group’s tab at the end of the night. The gentle giant wouldn’t say no to his friends.

When Rowan had suggested Phillip might be taking advantage of him, Craigh had blushed, stammered something about childhood friends, and paid the bill anyway.

Craigh’s loyalty to his friend had often made Rowan wonder if they were lovers, or fuck buddies at the least. But Phillip was straight. He didn’t even fake gay well. If he was fucking Craigh, it had nothing to do with pleasure. It would have to be about power, dominance.

Rowan’s inner beast snarled at the thought of any wolf dominating Craigh—except him, of course.

He forced air into his lungs, reminding his wolf they hadn’t claimed Craigh so they couldn’t make demands on his behavior. Still Phillip bore watching.

And if Phillip was buying drinks—the little shit—it meant Craigh would be sticking around for a few hours.

Rowan licked his lips as he stared at the sexy wolf standing at the back of the small crowd of shifters. He’d been watching Craigh for more than a year now—ever since he and his group of Lone Wolves had moved to the edge of the McNeil River Pack’s land. Rowan thought he’d been remarkably patient, staying in the background, giving Craigh some space but damn...that sweet thing needed to be fucked, hard and deep.

Very few people would look at Craigh and think sweet thing. The kid was over six feet and pure muscle. Muscles Rowan intended to make good use of—with his lips, his tongue and his teeth. His cock twitched at the idea of marking that pretty skin with a few well-placed bites. Plus, with all those muscles, Rowan was convinced he could ride Craigh long and rough and the sexy man would take it and love every stroke.

But that was for later. He’d waited this long. He could wait a little longer. The kid was just so shy, quiet. It made Rowan eager to see him scream in pleasure—and maybe a hint of pain.

Rowan stepped up to the front of the bar, grabbing glasses and taking orders. After the myriad of drinks was shouted across the counter, he started mixing. He’d been doing this for years and could combine a cocktail while carrying on a coherent conversation about everything from the latest happenings on soap opera drama to existentialism in modern art. Surely discovering the reason for Phillip’s sudden philanthropy wouldn’t be difficult.

Are we celebrating something? Rowan asked as he placed the third drink on the bar. It was Craigh’s. Gin and tonic, heavy on the tonic. The kid didn’t drink much.

Craigh reached out and wrapped his fingers around the base of the glass, his gaze lifting briefly to meet Rowan’s. Those pretty green eyes stared for a moment then dropped away. Sweet. Fuck.

Yes! Phillip raised his fists in the air. Alpha challenge.

Rowan’s spine snapped upright. An Alpha challenge was a big deal. He scanned the wolves before him, wondering which one had dared challenge the current Alpha.

As a GDLW—God Damned Lone Wolf for those on the outside—Rowan didn’t track Pack politics much but he knew the local Alpha was a beast—strong and just a bit crazy. A dangerous combination for someone stupid enough to challenge him.

Who? Rowan asked as he placed the next glass on the counter.

My man— Phillip clapped his hand on Craigh’s shoulder. Craigh.

The air rushed from Rowan’s lungs and it was all he could do not to gasp. Craigh? His sweet Craigh had challenged the Alpha?

Are you insane? The question erupted before Rowan could stop it.

Craigh’s head snapped up. The quiet, submissive man raised his chin and faced Rowan. Craigh’s throat convulsed in a tight swallow.

No. The word echoed through the silent bar. He has to be stopped.

The hard line of Craigh’s lips quavered but sincerity glowed in his eyes.

Tension rippled through Craigh’s friends. Rowan couldn’t tell if it was because they were offended by Rowan’s question or if they agreed with him. Either way, this wasn’t the place for this discussion.

That’s right, and my man here is the one to do it.

The possessive tone to Phillip’s statement made Rowan’s wolf howl.

And the little shit really needs to stop touching my man. The thought spurred his wolf’s nature and Rowan had to fight the urge to leap across the bar and rip out Phillip’s throat. Looks like I need to claim Craigh soon, Rowan thought.

Then the first round is on the house, he said to soothe all the ruffled fur in the room. His announcement prompted a crash of cheers from the group. Except for Craigh. He lowered his gaze and took a sip from his watered down G&T.

Phillip’s hand squeezed Craigh’s shoulder, pulling him close. We’re going to show our boy a great time. Craigh fell against the other man, his drink sloshing over the edge of the glass, coating his fingers, but he said nothing. A few drinks and we’ll find some sweet little thing for you to drive your cock into.

Craigh’s lips bent into a weak smile. Rowan didn’t know if it was caused by lack of interest or embarrassment. Possibly both. Rowan had seen Craigh with other men before. Usually human, always obvious bottom boys. None of them lasted beyond one night. Rowan’s wolf ignored each of them.

Once he claimed the pretty Omega wolf, those little encounters would stop. For now, his wolf dismissed them as inconsequential. If Craigh wanted to practice topping before he finally fell into Rowan’s bed, it didn’t matter.

The wolf chuffed in Rowan’s head as