Cameron’s Redemption

By Kayla Gabriel

Sexy, listless playboy Cameron Beran has a secret. Everyone assumes that things just come easily to him, that he's not serious about settling down or finding a mate. In truth, he's just been waiting for the right moment, the right woman. When the stars align and put Alexandra Hansard in his path, he knows that his time has come.
Independent, no-nonsense Alex is new to the world of werebears, and she's only looking for a mate to further her own political aims. When she's thrust into Cam's life, she sees an opportunity - for a business relationship, nothing more. If she happens to find Cameron wildly arousing, that'll be her little secret.
After destiny throws them together, they embark on the beginnings of a newfound relationship... a term that means very different things to both Alex and Cameron. Trust is hard to come by, especially for a playboy and his fiercely stubborn mate. When all the secrets come out, Alexandra and Cameron will have to choose, and the stakes couldn't be higher...

• Language: English
• Publisher: KSA Publishing Consultants, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 26, 2020

Book preview

One

Alex Hansard had never felt so utterly out of place in her life as she did sitting in the stiffly formal law office of Mr. Magnus Turner, Esquire, attorney at law and member of the Berseker Alphas’ Council. The very man that was now eyeing her with a distinctly unfavorable glance as he flipped through the neatly stapled sheaf of documents she’d given him, presenting the position she represented and the petition she hoped he’d sign.

Alex needed Mr. Turner to be the first Alpha Berserker to take an interest in her cause and help her take her equal rights campaign to the next level: presenting and petitioning the Alphas’ Council, the ruling body of all Berserkers in the United States.

Though she’d dressed for the occasion, fitting her curvy body with a tailored black pencil skirt and a feminine, cream-colored silk dress shirt paired with snappy black heels, Alex still felt under dressed as she stared at her elegantly-suited present company.

Her hand came up to touch the back of her carefully upswept tresses, making sure not a single flame-red lock was out of place. She frowned when she realized that she was acting nervous, and pulled her hand back to her lap. Pursing her lips, she stared back at the gentleman behind the big oak desk.

The first problem with your case, Miss Hansard, is simply that Berserkers are not ruled by the same laws as humans. You’re using human law and logic in your arguments, and that won’t cut it with the Alphas’ Council, Mr. Turner wheezed, giving Alex a long look over the top of his thick black glasses. His hair might be silver, going to white, his strapping werebear physique in certain decline, but his piercing gray eyes were crackling with intelligence.

Alex fidgeted in the stiff leather chair, letting her gaze wander around Mr. Turner’s darkly-wooded office. As a ruling member of the Alphas’ Council and a lifelong attorney, Turner was the preeminent expert on Berserker law. He was also a friend of Gregor England, the Berserker who’d brought Alex here today to present her case.

Gregor sat beside her now, wearing an impeccable dark suit and looking dashing, wearing his age much better than Turner did. Gregor was only fortyish to Turner’s sixty-something years, still trim and youthful-looking. Dark hair, tanned skin, an easy smile. It was only his distinctive cobalt blue eyes that gave away the secret he and Alex shared.

Alex pulled her gaze from the Alpha who had caused such a tumult in her life during the last few months, and turned her thoughts back to the present issue.

And the second problem? Alex asked, raising her gaze to meet Mr. Turner’s.

The second problem is the topic. Berserkers are ruled by Alphas, Alphas are inherently male. There aren’t a lot of Alphas who would be interested in adopting new laws to favor the rights of women and half-breeds, Mr. Turner sighed.

Alex felt her face flushed as fresh anger rose to the surface. As a member of both those categories, a woman and a half-werebear, she resented Turner’s words even as she recognized their truth.

There are more women than men in the world, Mr. Turner, Alex said, keeping her tone even. Even in the werebear community, women slightly outnumber men. As for half-breeds, there are far more of us than you might realize.

Alex cleared her throat and adjusted in her seat, pride straightening her spine.

Though she’d only found out about her werebear heritage a handful of years earlier, and she’d discovered her relation to Gregor England mere months ago, she felt strongly about Berserker causes. The Alphas’ Code was antiquated and outdated, incompatible with human doctrine in North America.

Turner gave her another unfathomable, searching look. The weight of his slow consideration put Alex’s teeth on edge, making her feel like she was some prize thoroughbred being examined before a sale could be made. That look was exactly what Alex hated about werebear laws; she wasn’t an object, something that belonged to a husband or a father or an Alpha. She had a life and a job and a raison d’etre. She was worth more than the sum of the parts or the shape of her body, more than just her ability to produce offspring with Berserker lineage.

May I ask you a personal question, Miss Hansard? Mr. Turner said, his tone unharried.

Alex clasped her hands in her lap to keep from making an exasperated gesture.

Sure, why not? she sighed, pressing her lips together.

Can you shift? he asked.

Alex’s lips parted in surprise. It was not the question she’d expected at this moment.

Yes, she said with a sigh. Though I’m not sure why that matters.

Did you shift at an early age, as most of our kind do?

Raising a brow, Alex held her temper in check.

Not until I was fourteen, actually, she replied.

Do you think your children will be able to shift? Do you think they’ll be full-blooded? What if you were to take another half-breed as your mate? What would happen then? Mr. Turner asked, his questions quick and sharp.

Alex shot to her feet with a huff, barely registering the fact that Gregor did not follow suit.

I think we’re done here. There’s no need to be rude just because you don’t agree with my ideas, she said, giving him her most imperious glare.

Pardon me, Miss Hansard, Turner said, raising his hands. I am only asking you the questions that every Alpha on the Council will want to ask. I bring it up because your personal lineage is the third problem with your case.

My genetics are no one’s business but mine, Alex snapped.

If you will be seated, Turner said, gesturing to the chair she’d vacated.

Alex looked to Gregor, who gave an expressionless shrug. She scowled as she took her seat once more, impatience bubbling up in her chest.

Alphas only care about power and legacy, Alexandra. By increasing the rights of women and half-breeds, you are putting the Alphas’ power and legacy at risk. On top of that, you yourself have no lineage. To be blunt, an illegitimate half-breed woman… There are too many factors working against you.

And what do you suggest? I dress as a man? I lie about having a human mother? I can hardly help either of those things, not that I’d want to change them.

I am suggesting that you consider becoming legitimate, Turner said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his seat.

Alex felt beads of sweat break out on her brow, and it took all her willpower not to turn to Gregor with a suspicious expression. Had Gregor revealed their relationship to Turner without Alex’s permission? She had been very open about her wishes to remain unclaimed.

I don’t think I understand you, Alex said, keeping her words measured.

Take a mate, Miss Hansard. Not just any mate, an heir. Someone who will be an Alpha one day soon. A mate with the power to bolster your claim, give you an edge when he takes a seat on the Alphas’ Council.

That’s ridiculous, Alex huffed. I’m not getting married just because you think it will help persuade a bunch of old men.

Turner’s expression grew hard, and he rose to his feet. Before he could speak, Gregor stood and interceded.

Magnus, thank you, Gregor said, offering Turner a handshake. A clever way of reminding Alex that she was here because of Gregor’s good will, and that she’d promised to be the definition of politeness during this interview.

Yes, Mr. Turner, thank you. I apologize for my rudeness. I am just… very passionate about my cause, Alex said, rushing the forced apology out before she could foul it up.

Turner softened a little, accepting their handshakes.

I’m giving you the best advice I’ve got, I’m afraid, he said. Personally, I think you’re right about modernizing some of the Berserker laws.

He patted a massive book on his desk, a tome wrapped in ancient brown leather, his personal copy of the Alphas’ Code.

Right. Well, I will take your advice under consideration, Alex said, pasting a careful smile on her face.

There was a knock at the door, and a petite blonde secretary stuck her head in.

Your two o’clock is here, Mr. Turner, the woman said.

Ah. A land dispute, Turner said to Alex and Gregor. You’ll have to excuse to me.

Thank you for your time, Gregor said. Alex echoed him, already bored of the exchange. After another round of handshakes, they were free, stepping out of the gleaming lobby on the ground floor of Turner’s office building.

Friggin office on Printer’s Row, Alex grumbled. That’s old Chicago money for you. Turner obviously has more cash than sense.

"Alex, all the Chicago Alphas are like that. Turner is actually the most