Alpha Sheriff

By Kathryn Kohler

Hoping to escape her old life and start anew, Kari Stockton moves to a remote Montana town.  
The task of dealing with the new human in town falls to Sheriff Noah Chambers, the Pack Alpha.
Deal with her?
One look at her and Noah will not only risk everything to keep the sassy, sharp-tongued female safe, but he'll also fight tooth and claw to claim her as his mate.

 

THIS IS A STEAMING HOT TALE OF A SEXY ALPHA MALE WOLF SHIFTER AND THE WOMAN WHO STEALS HIS HEART.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovestruck Romance
• Release date: Jun 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201316112

Book preview

1

KARI

My new house didn’t look nearly as nice in person as it had in the picture. What did I expect? Everyone, or their best friend, had Photoshop these days. Oh, well, desperate times called for desperate measures. And I was desperate. Desperate enough to rent a house in Half Moon, Montana, sight-unseen. No thought, no preparation. When I’d found the rental listing, I’d been using a coffee shop’s free Wi-Fi, already a thousand miles from the place I used to call home.

I’d had no destination in mind since my cross-country trip began exactly eight hours after my now ex-boyfriend crossed the line for the last time. All I knew was I wanted to get away from a douche and a big, fat liar—and fast. I also wanted to be somewhere no one would think to look for me. I waited until he left for work, packed my essentials, and took off. Destination—away.

Far away.

The quiet little mountain town of Half Moon seemed like a good place to disappear. It was far from Texas, and smack dab in the middle of absolutely nowhere. He’d never find me. Hopefully, though, I would find myself.

The woman I’d spoken to on the phone, Mrs. Nelson, said she’d leave the key in the mailbox. That didn’t seem very secure, but she assured me that crime was nonexistent out here. Everyone knew everyone, and nobody locked their doors. She did warn me about the wildlife in the area. But animals didn’t scare me. People did.

I reached into the metal mailbox and felt around until I found the house key.

Here goes nothing…

I unlocked the front door, and stepped over the threshold into the place I’d call home, at least for the foreseeable future.

The inside was nicer than the outside. A little dusty, but fully furnished. The furniture was worn but clean enough. Smiling faces greeted me from the framed photographs that hung on the walls, a family at various stages of their lives.

Apparently, Mrs. Nelson had hightailed it out of her home pretty fast, too. She’d said that one of her children was having a hard time and she wanted to live with him. She hadn’t said more than that, and I didn’t ask. I don’t like people prying into my affairs, so I sure as hell wouldn’t stick my nose into hers.

I walked back out the front door and opened the hatch of my SUV. The overflowing car had my entire life crammed inside. Seven boxes. My life fit into seven boxes.

Most were filled with clothes and art supplies. Then, there was my easel. I’d never go without it. I’d left everything else back in the apartment I’d shared with Matt, and now these boxes were it. They contained everything I considered essential to a second chance. Not much, but all mine.

Since I’d packed lightly, it wouldn’t take long to unpack my belongings and find new locations for all the items in the boxes. Positive vibes coursed through my veins, putting a spring in my step that hadn’t been there in months. Years, really. This was a new beginning. Out here in this quiet little town, I had a chance to bury the ghosts of the past. No one knew me out here, which meant I could re-invent myself.

Going solo was a little daunting, since the only person I could depend on was myself. But that also meant nobody could judge me for my past mistakes. Nobody would hassle me. If I put my head down and focused on myself and my own journey, I could fade into the background until the new and improved Kari was ready to emerge from her cocoon like a butterfly and be introduced to the world.

A flash of blue and red lights caught the corner of my eye, and I turned, expecting to see a loose dog or some random hoodlum. I stared, watching the flashing strobes as they approached, my heartbeat picked up speed the closer the vehicle came. The police cruiser glided up to the curb at the end of my driveway and came to a halt.

No. No. No.

How could he have found me? I didn’t leave a trail. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going. Fear and panic constricted my chest. I struggled to inhale a breath. Clearly, the cop car was here for me, but why? My mind whirled with possibilities. I’d only set foot in this town less than an hour ago, and I’d been good. At least, I didn’t think I’d broken any laws between Half Moon and… my old life.

Wild scenarios ran through my head. Had Matt reported me missing? Had he reported my car as stolen? How had he found me?

I wouldn’t put it past that psycho asshole to pull something like that as revenge. He’d always warned me I would regret leaving him. I wouldn’t be shocked to find out he’d enacted petty, spiteful retaliation even from thousands of miles away.

The door to the police cruiser swung open, and a tall, hulking figure in a khaki uniform stepped out. The officer was alone, but that didn’t make him any less intimidating. His broad, muscled shoulders and chest strained the buttons of his uniform shirt as he moved. Bright blue eyes stared at me from his ruggedly handsome face, his dark hair swept carelessly across his forehead. He placed a wide-brimmed hat on his head and sauntered towards me.

If my heart wasn’t beating out of my chest, he would have looked sexy as hell as he swaggered cockily up the driveway, obviously one hundred percent red-blooded male. Dominant and in control. Just the kind of guy I was always attracted to. Trouble.

The shiny brass badge pinned to his shirt made my throat constrict and my palms slick with moisture. He’s not a man, Kari. He’s a cop.

Hey, there. He tipped the brim of his hat as he approached, his voice deep and gravely.

I planted my hands on my hips and shot him my best stink-eyed glare. I was terrified of what was about to happen, but I wasn’t about to show this back-woods country law man the slightest bit of fear. If I did, the situation might spiral way out of control. Stand tall, Kari. Stand tall.

Can I help you, officer? I focused on keeping my voice as steady as possible.

He hooked his thumbs in his belt. No shame. Yes, ma’am. I heard there was something going on out here at the Nelson place. Thought I’d come by and check things out.

I’ve been in town for like five minutes. How the hell did you know I was here?

He tilted up the brim of his hat and gave me an even closer look. You’ve got a little fire in you, don’t you?

You didn’t answer my question. I was suddenly trying not to wither under his penetrating gaze.

It’s a small town. News travels fast.

I spread my arms and gestured to my car and the house. This is news? I’m news? A woman moving into a house?

He grinned, a dazzling display of straight, white teeth. Like I said, it’s a small town. His blue eyes danced with amusement taking some of the edge off him, making him seem less intimidating and more approachable.

Red flags waved left and right as I studied him. His features were perfection. Masculine bone structure, chiseled jawline, broad shoulders. Serious hottie. And from his mannerisms, he knew it. Yep, he was my type alright.

Ahem… My previous type.

I came here to start over. Reinvent myself. And that applied to my love life, too. No more dominant, sexy, alpha-type males for me. Nope, Johnny Law here was definitely off limits.

Well, nothing to see here, Officer.

He chuckled and shook his head. Where are my manners? I haven’t introduced myself. Sheriff Noah Chambers, at your service, ma’am.

I took the hand he extended. His sure, strong grip enveloped my hand, lighting electric sparks along my skin. Kari Stockton, my voice was a little too breathy for my liking. Serial killer.

His eyebrows shot up.

I slid my hand from his and plastered my best bitchy smile on my face. Well, you’re treating me like a criminal, Sheriff. I figured you assumed I was one.

He frowned, eyes narrowed. I’m not treating you like a criminal.

You rolled up here with your lights on, I flung my arms in a wide arc dramatically gesturing my point. I mean, I appreciate that you didn’t activate the sirens, too, and alert the entire county, but this isn’t exactly a welcome wagon reception, Sheriff.

Please, my friends call me Noah.

Sheriff, it is then. I crossed my arms over my chest defiantly.

If I had to guess, I’d say he was about six foot three or four. At least that’s what it seemed as he stared down the bridge of his nose quietly studying me.

I didn’t care if he was a foot taller than me. Big, burly Sheriff Noah Chambers might be a hotshot around town, being law enforcement and all, but I couldn’t give a crap. I no sooner pulled in my new driveway, than I have this mountain hick giving me a hard time? Hell to the no. Probably just came here to let me know to watch your step around these parts, little lady. Well, it was up to me to make it clear that he couldn’t push me around. You teach people how to treat you. I learned that one courtesy of my Matthew, my now ex.

Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Damn, even his voice affected me. Masculine, deep and gruff, almost a growl, it sent tingles straight to my girly parts. I’m really just here to welcome you to Half Moon.

I raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. "Is that the story you’re