The Alpha Wolf, Hunter Brothers Trilogy, Book Two

By River Norwood

Clean -- Historical -- Shifter -- Romance

Amos Hunter was alpha of his small pack, and he did everything he could to protect them, provide for them, and be a good leader and brother. After his littlest brother had found his mate, he was happy for them. He just missed his own, which he'd not met, yet. One day in town, they were picking up supplies when his mate stumbled into him and knocked him down running straight out of the saloon.

Rebecca Stanton had been doing her best to survive her simple, but boring life. Kidnapped and sold to a dirty saloon owner, she was locked in a room and trapped. She'd do anything to get out, including burning the building down. She just didn't know how much trouble it would cause until she'd been caught running out, indebted to the man that caught her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: River Norwood
• Release date: Jan 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005462895

River Norwood

River is simply trying to make her dreams come true. She loves writing, reading, music, and hot chocolate in this coffee saturated world. Not that there's anything wrong with coffee, it's just not for her. She is daring to explore the worlds and characters she creates in her head, and she puts it on paper to share with you. You may like it, you may hate it. She doesn't know, but she writes anyway! All she is hoping for is to create a temporary escape for anyone who would like to get away for a little while and explore a new world.

Book preview

The Alpha Wolf

Hunter Brothers Trilogy

Book Two

by River Norwood

Smashwords Edition License

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Violation of this copyright will result in prosecution.

Copyright 2019 River Norwood

Published by River Norwood at Smashwords

Table of Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Legend of the Transit

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Connect with the Author

Dedication

Dedicated to those who have supported me, who do support me, and who will support me in my future writing. Thank you for everything.

I also dedicate this book to Carla. She was new to my writing, but gave me such encouragement and support; I’m thankful we got to know each other and became good friends!

-RN

Legend of the Transit

There was a young man who had been attacked by a pack of wolves. Many had bitten him drawing his blood, almost killing him. He barely survived the foray, but it had changed him. Several days later, he had discovered that he could see more sharply, hear far away, smell sickness, sense emotions, run faster and longer, and heal quickly with less scarring.

He used these abilities often, and always pushed himself to his limit. One day, he had pushed himself so far that he had turned himself into a wolf. He was very frightened at first, afraid that he would never be a man again. Fortunately, he turned back into a man after several days of roaming, concentrating, willing himself to turn. He mastered this transition from man to wolf, wolf to man expertly. He often changed from one form into another, each suiting his needs in different ways.

One day, he was attacked by a hunter while he was a wolf. The hunter thought to have killed him, but he only pretended to be dead. He thought to transition back into a man, but he was afraid the hunter would be frightened and kill him anyway, for surely some would think it wicked. The hunter bent down to begin skinning him of his fur when he lunged and bit the hunter in the hand, and the hunter fell back surprised. Finally, he turned and ran away as fast as he could from the hunter, though hurt.

He healed, and returned to his life. He was much more careful in wolf form, using his heightened senses more and trusting the animal instincts he had. He had often run into other wolves and packs, but they left each other alone. He knew he smelled different than them until one day, he ran into another wolf that traveled alone. This wolf was not a normal wolf, but smelled of man as much as wolf. They stared at each for some time before he took courage and changed back into a man.

The other wolf seemed to be surprised and unsure, but it wasn’t long before he, too, changed into a man. The first man suddenly recognized the hunter he had bitten that one day in the woods. The hunter was much more frightened, so the first man reminded him of that day when the wolf had bitten him. He knew that it was his bite that had caused the transition for the hunter.

They built a fire and talked many hours becoming brothers, becoming a two-wolf pack. Though the man apologized for the bite and not realizing how it would change the hunters life, the hunter was happy with his transition. One day in their forms as men, they were in a small town eating at a diner. The hunter couldn’t help but notice the woman that served them, and as the evening continued, he decided that he had to have her, to marry her, to mate her. That fateful night changed him, and he would not leave her.

The first man did not understand his brother’s obsession with the woman, but respected the man’s wishes. He stayed as they courted and married, but he felt the need to wander. He continued on traveling alone, but visited the hunter and his wife often. It was months later before he had found his own mate in a town not far away, and he understood everything his brother had told him. She became his everything, and they married and moved to live in the same small town as the hunter and his wife. They shared land and farming, living next to each other.

The wives each had child after child, but some of those children began to have qualities that were not fit to a child. Not all of the children were this way, but those that were had difficulty with the others of the town. When the affected children began to grow into manhood and womanhood, they transitioned, though not fully.

They did not transition into full wolves, but only took on their characteristics. Their hair become coarser and grew on their arms, hands, and legs. Claws emerged from their fingertips, fangs grew from where their teeth were, and their eyes glowing. Though their fathers were surprised and somewhat awed, they were not alarmed. Their wives demanded explanations, afraid for their children because the town folk became hostile towards their families.

The two men confessed everything, but promised they would protect them. It wasn’t long before men from the town confronted the families on their land one night with torches and rope, demanding they surrender the children of the devil. Well, no wolf surrenders one from its own pack, and these mothers were unwilling to sacrifice one of their children. It was a small town, so there were only twenty men at most. The man and hunter knew they could hold them off while their mates and children escaped.

They transitioned into their wolves in front of the men, who began to tuck tail as they say and back up. Never had one of them seen such a thing. The two wolves slowly approached the group, growling with fangs bared, stalking their prey as their mates and children climbed into the wagons.

As the wagons began their escape, the men attacked the two wolves stalking them. Twenty men was a lot for only two wolves, but they knew all they had to do was keep them busy as the wagons disappeared into the darkness. It had been a farming town and community, so not many of the men used or own guns. It was a stupid decision on their part, for if they had, this fight would have been much different.

The hunter had been hurt already, jabbed by a pitchfork by one of the farmers. The men around the two wolves cleared as one man with a pistol pointed it straight at the hunter, who was panting and limping badly. He cocked his pistol, grinning as he steadied his aim. The other wolf stood in front of his brother, unwilling to see him hurt further.

Suddenly, the man with the pistol was knocked violently down by a smaller figure. Everyone looked to see one of the children, the hunter’s oldest son, half turned into a wolf, glaring and growling at them. Out of the darkness emerged three more of the children, all half turned into wolves. The four young boys approached slowly, standing tall on two feet, their eyes glowing and fangs bared. Their fathers joined them still in wolf form, and they all slowly walked out of the light emitting from the torches. The fear from the farmers was almost palpable, and they let them go.

Many men were bitten that night, and the two wolves knew that many men would transition into wolves. That is how many came to be the Transits, those who could transition from man to wolf, and wolf to man. It is said that from these men came many more, for some were lonely and craved companionship that only a pack could complete. Then there were some that became rogue, those who wished to be alone, and did not hesitate to bite those who threatened them.

Full blooded Transits who mate with other full blooded always give birth to full-bloods, but not every child will inherit the transition. For some, it is the firstborn, and for others, it is the second born and so on. Full blooded Transits who mate with a human will give birth to half-bloods, and is the same as the full-bloods. Not every child will inherit the transition.

There are many that exist to this day, many that hardly take the form of the wolf, many that hardly take the form of a man or woman. They cannot be told apart from human men and women, and they wish it to stay that way. Too many would be curious, too many would want their furs, and too many would want their blood. It is safer to stay secret. It is safer to stay in the pack.

Chapter 1

Amos loaded up the last of the boards into their wagon as Kato approached with two new bolts of fabric, obviously for Kaitlyn by the look of the dumb grin on his brother’s face. Winter was coming, the air was getting cooler, and he sensed the weather would change quicker than anyone expected.

Kato and Kaitlyn would have their child before Christmas, and there’d be another added to the pack. He couldn’t wait. He was happy for them, him and Bryce both. After a few months though, it wasn’t hard for him to see he was missing his own mate, and he knew Bryce was struggling with it too. Speaking of, where was Bryce?

Think she’ll like them? Kato asked wrapping the fabric in some deer skins to keep them clean from the dusty trail. She’ll want to make curtains and such.

As long as you don’t bring her gray or brown, I think she’ll like anything, Amos answered. Kato nodded, smiling.

Their house was almost done, and Amos couldn’t wait to have his room back again. A porch railing, a set of table and chairs, and then a crib, and Kato would carry Kaitlyn over the threshold. Though it was ready to move into, Kato wanted everything to be perfect. Amos couldn’t blame him either.

Did you see where Bryce went? he asked, looking around them once more.

It was an old habit, making sure he knew where his brothers were at all times, but it was one he had a hard time breaking. After his father and mother died, he was the alpha of their small pack. His brothers were his responsibility.

When Kato started going to the fights, Amos had a hard time letting him without dragging his youngest and wildest brother back where he could keep an eye on him. Instead, he let him go where Kato got into trouble rescuing Kaitlyn, who had improved all their lives and was a sweet addition to their pack when she married him, though it had taken time.

Kato’s brows furrowed in thought. I didn’t see him over by the store or on my way back, he answered as he looked around.

Thinking of the fights, Amos glanced over towards the barn where they took place that was just to the right of the supplies store. His stomach dropped as he watched Bryce shake hands with Charlie while tucking something inside his coat pocket. Payment? For what?

Maybe he— Kato cut off his sentence when he saw his brother as well. They glanced at each other as he approached them.

Bryce looked up and saw them, and Amos could tell he was regretting something. Whether it was them catching him doing business with Charlie or possibly participating in the fights, Amos didn’t know. Bryce walked up to them casually.

How is Charlie these days? Kato asked glancing back to the barn with a casual wave to the man.

He waved back, and Amos wanted to break his arm. Charlie was no good and only cared about the money. Every time they were in town and Charlie had a chance, he’d talk to them about fighting. He even tried to wrangle in Kato again, giving him the excuse of having a child on the way and needing to provide for his family.

He couldn’t have insulted Amos more. As alpha, he took care of, protected, and provided for his own pack. They didn’t need to risk themselves for money. They didn’t need the extra money anyway. Granted, Charlie didn’t know anything about their pack, much less being transits. It just didn’t help Amos’ resentment of the short man.

Fine, Bryce answered calmly as he stopped next to the wagon. He rested one arm on the side and crossed one ankle over the other as he glanced at Amos and then around them.

Calm. Collected. Observant. This was Bryce. What the heck was he doing with Charlie? Amos knew he was getting worked up, and no doubt his brothers could sense it. Just when he was about to ask the hundred questions going through his mind, Bryce spoke up.

Let it go, Amos, he said with a sigh. I don’t really want to talk about it.

Amos couldn’t help the resentment that heatedly rose in his chest, but he kept his mouth clamped shut. Bryce was a grown man of twenty-three, only a couple years younger than him, who had lost his parents, been helping him with the ranch since they found the land five years ago, had helped him with Kato when he wanted to throttle his little brother, and was his beta. They had always shared everything, talked about everything, and now ---

We should head back to the ranch, Kato stated. Kaitlyn’s close to her time.

Technically, Kaitlyn still had some time, a month maybe. It was obvious to Amos that Kato was a nervous wreck, but if it was his mate, he would be too. Looking over to Bryce, his brother gave him a nod conveying respect, comradeship, and brotherhood. Amos knew he could still depend on him, but did Bryce know he could depend on him as alpha?

Just as Amos put his boot on the wheel to climb up to the wagon seat, screaming erupted from the streets. The three brothers looked to see smoke billowing from the top of one of the boardwalk buildings.

Fire! people shouted as they ran to help.

Amos and his two brothers immediately sprang into action, their speed much quicker than other men. In emergencies, being a transit definitely had its benefits.

It was the saloon that was on fire, though there was more smoke than flames which meant they still had time. Before Amos did anything, Bryce charged into the building. He called out to him, worried the front wasn’t near as bad as the back of the building. Kato was gone, and then finally appeared around the corner approaching him.

Men are lining up and making a water line with the pump out back. The fire’s from one of the rooms in the back of the building, he stated.

Amos cursed, wondering why Bryce charged in blind. That was more of Kato’s style after all. Well, not anymore with a wife and child on the way.

Worried for his middle brother, he ran to the swinging double doors when someone ran out of them and straight into him,