Brave: Alumbra Pack, #4

By AJ Renee

A lifelong crush on her pack's beta would only lead to heartbreak… or would it?

 

When Carrie Somers returns to her pack after years in captivity, she's annoyed to realize her childhood crush is as strong as ever. If only ending her attraction to Lance were as easy as shifting into her wolf.

 

No matter how thrilled she is to be reunited with her family, she's holding on by a thread. Between her overbearing family, the town gossips, and running into Lance at every turn, she is near her breaking point. How can she move on if everyone keeps walking on eggshells around her?

 

Though young himself, Lance Selba had never imagined his mate would be a were as young as Carrie. Needing to hide their status until she was more mature, he leaned on his elders for support and agreed to a spell that would help safeguard the pair. Years later, Lance decided it was time for the spell to be removed and talk to her about it, but before he could ask, his world crashed down on him with news of her abduction.

 

After Carrie rejoins their pack, witches remove the spell. His mate has been through hell, and no matter how much he and his wolf demand they claim her, they can't. Lance must ease himself into her life, and she's not making it easy on him.
 

Secrets, no matter how innocent or well-meaning, have a way of hurting the ones they are trying to protect. Can Carrie find it in her heart to forgive the people who love her the most, or did they wait too long to tell her and the deception is one too many?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AJ Renee
• Release date: Jan 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223943730

AJ Renee

AJ Renee grew up in a military family and moved around until her family settled in Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a M.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.S. in Psychology. She currently resides in Nevada and spends her time with her Air Force husband, three young daughters, dog, and cat. She loves to travel and see family and friends whenever she gets a chance. She has a love of music, movies, and anything that can make her laugh. AJ believes in reading books with humor and mystery that end in a happily ever after to help ease our minds and hearts of life’s daily struggles. AJ would love to hear from you! You can join her newsletter at: http://bit.ly/2bdqx9f and/or email her at: [e-mail]. For news on the release of No Going Back or other works, and to connect with AJ Renee go to her website.

Book preview

Prologue

Lance

Lance Selba took in the empty shell of what had been his home for the last decade. Gone was the medical bed his father had slept in for the last six months. There was no trace of the threadbare furniture his father had refused to replace at Lance’s suggestion. The heavy scent of lemon, from the cleaner Lance used to scrub the house top to bottom, mixed with the scent of death in the air. His stomach attempted to revolt at the pungent mix.

His father, Angel Selba, had been a proud man who’d allowed his injuries to turn him into a shell of his former self. A freak accident had sentenced him to a wheelchair, his injuries so severe that not even his werewolf healing could help.

With the alpha’s blessing, the small family had moved to the edges of the pack territory, to gain a bit of privacy amid the pitying glances.

Looking forward to seeing you at the shop, Alton, the Malite Pack alpha, said through their pack connection.

Lance’s chest tightened with nerves. He wasn’t entirely ready to slide back into the pack, but his father was no longer tethering him to the house he’d called home.

Yes, sir, Lance replied as he pulled the door closed.

A small chuckle vibrated in his chest, easing his taut muscles. When one door closes, another opens.

The sudden amusement disappeared as quickly as it had come. The mere idea that his father’s life could be whittled down to something as simple as a door placed a bitter taste in his mouth.

At twenty years old, Lance knew there would be hundreds if not thousands of theoretical doors presented to him in his life. An abundance of opportunities and experiences waited to be had. The larger-than-life man he’d called Dad was more than the angry and depressed man he’d become. He certainly was not an inanimate object.

Shame colored Lance’s cheeks as he pulled the door shut and took the few steps down two at a time, ignoring the spot a ramp had once been. He yanked the driver door open and tossed in the duffle bag with his belongings. His gaze raised to the wood cabin before he shook his head and twisted the keys in the ignition.

Lance focused on the engine’s roar as he backed out and pointed the truck toward the Malite den, which also served as an autobody shop in their small town of Hellam, Vermont.

As he got closer, his inner wolf seemed to come out of the stupor he’d been in since Lance’s mother’s passing. For the first five years of their self-imposed exile, Maribel had exuded strength and grace when caring for his father.

Looking back, Lance recognized the signs of her deteriorating state. Both his wolf and he felt partly to blame for not doing something, anything that would have prevented him from becoming an orphan.

His wolf grunted and stretched, and Lance imagined the sound of unused limbs creaking.

Peering at the rearview mirror, Lance’s eyes widened at their altered state. A pale-yellow hue shone back, instead of his usual brown. He swallowed thickly, thankful the road into town was empty. Sucking in a breath and adjusting his bottom in the seat, he nearly sighed with relief at the return of his brown irises.

Lance’s wolf paced in his mind as he registered each new scent in the air. Humans, weres, pets, and the changing of the season filled him with both excitement and anxiety. By the time he turned into the shop, his fingers were playing a rhythm on the steering wheel without his consent. Spotting the first were under an engine, Lance gripped the steering wheel and willed himself to calm.

He backed into a parking spot in front of building five and shut off the engine. Whispers reached him from within the cab as a few curious weres moved to the entrance of the bays.

They’re just curious, Alton said.

Lance forced himself to leave the truck and spotted Alton watching him from the side of the building. He’d only seen the alpha a few times over the last decade, but the man had not aged, thanks to their werewolf genetics.

Welcome home, Alton said, a kind smile tipping his lips.

The emotion rolling off the alpha was genuine, and the muscles in Lance’s chest loosened. His wolf, on the other hand, kept taking peeks out of Lance’s eyes, searching... for who or what, Lance didn’t know.

Lance cleared his throat as he stood by the open door of his truck. Thanks.

The single word came out rough from little use, his voice deeper than he remembered. Over the last year, his father hadn’t spoken much, if at all. Lance had been in tune to his needs and took care of him with minimal dialogue.

Let’s head inside, and I’ll introduce you to them in a little. Sound good? Alton asked.

Lance nodded and shut the door, willing his feet to take him toward the alpha. With each passing minute on pack land, his senses seemed to come alive more. It was as if he were coming out of a long, deep hibernation. His wolf shook out his fur coat and took in every detail around them.

Alton led them into another building. In town, we have an apartment building where most of the pack likes to live. I thought you might prefer to stay here until you’re ready to be around them all the time. At Lance’s silence, the alpha’s brows drew together. Unless, of course, you’d rather be in town with them? Lou just suggested this as an option after his last visit out there.

Linoleum tile lined the floor under his feet, and the walls were a glossy off-white. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of at least three other weres and the faint smell of Pine-Sol. Alton stood to the side, unmoving, reminding Lance he expected an answer of some sort.

I’d like it here, for now.

Alton guided him to two separate studio apartments. Once you decide which one you want, the key is in a drawer in the kitchenette. Let’s head back outside. I’d like to introduce you to the others.

Lance followed two steps behind, returning the way they’d come as Alton informed him more about their pack. He did his best to follow along, but the agitation rolling off his wolf with each passing second had begun to concern him.

Oh, there’s Lou, Alton said before the beta turned to face them.

Lance, Alton, how are things going? Lou asked as he closed the distance between them.

Good, I showed him two of the apartments back there, and we were heading to bay two to introduce him to—

One by one, the hairs on Lance’s body stood on end. An electric current sizzled along his flesh.

Alton’s brows pinched together in concern. Lance?

Son? Lou asked.

Mate! his wolf growled, though Lance was unsure he’d heard him correctly. His stomach flipped. What?

What’s going on? Alton asked at the same time a sweet voice yelled, Boo!

Lance froze as his wolf tried to surface, and he nearly shifted on the spot, but his wolf was pushed to the back of his mind by a powerful alpha force. Dropping his large head to the side, his wolf exposed his neck.

Sucking in a shuddering breath, Lance lowered his gaze toward the voice. Large eyes peeked up at him from around Lou’s leg. Long blonde hair that looked to be spun from rays of sunshine fell over her small shoulders.

Hi, the young girl whispered, her wolf shining in her eyes.

Alton? Lou snapped, anger and confusion coating the two syllables.

Mate! Lance’s wolf growled through clenched teeth, his neck still exposed to Alton’s power.

Alton nodded. I know, Lou. Lance? I need you to go pick your apartment and stay there until one of us comes to you.

Lance moved one leg to follow the order, but his wolf fought him to remain in place. Taking in the young child, now in Lou’s arms, Lance became overwhelmed with a wave of peace washing over him. He smiled at her, and the tension in both his and his wolf’s body melted away.

Hi, I’m Carrie! I’m sowwy I scared you! Will you be my friend?

Lou interjected. Carrie, honey—

Hi, I’m Lance. I think one day we’ll be the best of friends. It was my pleasure meeting you. Lance filled his lungs with her sweet scent, memorizing it and knowing it would be some time before he saw her again.

When his mother died, Lance thought he wouldn’t survive another loss. Then his father died, and he learned he could survive that one too. Walking away from the sweet child his wolf had announced was their true mate was the hardest thing he’d ever done in his short twenty years. But Lance knew it was the right thing to do. He hoped his alpha and beta had a solution because while the connection he felt to the child was entirely innocent, it was too weird, even for him. Only a few minutes had passed since he’d laid eyes on Carrie, and he knew his happiness was tied to hers.

Keep her safe! his wolf demanded.

A while later, the alpha and beta entered the small studio he’d chosen, without Carrie.

Where is she? Lance asked.

Lou narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. She’s five years old, Lance. Five!

Alton ran a hand against his face and sighed. Lance, I need you to understand... This is the first time either of us has come across someone meeting their mate at such a young age when the other is—

I’m not some sick dude. She’s a kid. I get it. I— Lance sighed. We just need to know she’s safe. God, this is so damn weird! Until a little bit ago, I wasn’t entirely sure coming back into the fold was where I belonged, but now it’s like I’m exactly where I am supposed to be. Like every cell inside of me needs to know Carrie is safe and happy. Does that make any sense?

Yes, Lou whispered.

That’s great, because it doesn’t to me, Lance said and sat on the edge of the bare mattress. He lowered his head into his hands and groaned in frustration, Carrie’s angelic face coming to the forefront of his mind.

I had my wife, Linda, come get her. I promise she’s safe, Lou said.

Lance scrubbed his face and sighed. Thanks.

Okay, this is what we’re going to do, since this age difference is beyond inconvenient. Mara, a witch we know and trust, is on her way over. She’s going to cast a spell to hide your mate status. It will tone down your wolves until the time is right.

He nodded, relieved the older weres had a plan. Okay.

After that, I suggested to Alton you do some jobs out of here. Get some training and certifications that can help the shop and pack, Lou said.

He studied Lou for a moment. You’re getting rid of me.

Lou shook his head and sat to Lance’s right. No, son. I know what it’s like to have a mate. Your wolf is going to want to be near her every chance you can get. It’s not going to be easy, and I think this will help the time pass, so it makes it more bearable.

Lance’s wolf growled and showed his displeasure at the plan. Lance also didn’t like it, but he couldn’t imagine a way to be there and not be near her. The alternative would only look like he was grooming her in some sick and twisted way that made him want to vomit.

He pushed his fists against his eyes, stopping the pressure threatening to build behind them. Fuck! Lowering his hands, he faced Lou and studied him long and hard. Grief was written all over the large beta’s face. Lou didn’t want to send Lance away, but he wanted to protect his daughter the same way Lance wanted to protect her. Fine.

Fine? Lou asked.

Lance shrugged. I mean, things are far from okay, but my instinct to keep her safe and do what’s best for her is sort of taking over.

Lou grinned. I’m proud to add you to the family, son.

A soft knock sounded on the door. That’s Mara.

That was quick, Lance muttered, his gaze moving from the alpha to the beta.

She—

Doesn’t want to be indebted to your pack any longer, Mara said. She was average height, her salt-and-pepper hair pulled back into a ponytail.

Alton chuckled. It hasn’t been all that bad, has it?

Mara rolled her eyes at Alton, the defiant act different than the calm energy Lance sensed around her. Is this him?

Lance pushed to his feet and stared at the woman with annoyance.

Aww, look at this pup trying to be an adult, Mara said, a perfectly shaped brow rising in challenge.

Let’s just get this over with, Lance said.

I thought meeting your mates was a joyous affair? she asked.

Let’s just say the timing is off, Alton said.

Mara shrugged and raised her palms to Lance’s temple. You want to erase her from his memory—

No! Lance growled.

No, nothing so severe, Alton said. I just need you to give them more time. Maybe mute their mate status?

Mara nodded. Got it.

She shut her eyes, and her chest rose and fell with steady breaths. Heat radiated off her palms, warming his temples. The ache that had started forming in Lance’s chest since learning about his mate soothed with each passing second.

Mate... his wolf whimpered.

Letting his lids drop, Lance envisioned the young girl. The overprotectiveness he felt for her stood in the forefront of his mind but passed when a numbness settled over him. He imagined a cage within himself that contained their link, waiting for the right time to set fate into motion.

Whoa, Lance mumbled, a wave of dizziness hitting him out of nowhere.

We got you, Alton said as each man grabbed onto one of his arms.

Now we’re even, Alton, Mara said before a large pop sounded, and a plume of smoke swirled where the witch had once been.

She always liked her dramatic exits, Alton muttered.

So... tired... Lance said as lead filled every cell of his being.

How about you rest, and we can introduce you to everyone at another time? Alton said more than asked.

Mhmm...

This is for the best, son, Lou muttered as the darkness took Lance over.

He had the strangest dreams. A beautiful blonde woman bossing him around, his dad burning the kitchen, and his mother telling him everything would work out.

Lance didn’t know how long he’d slept when he finally pried his eyelids open. The smell around him was strange but familiar. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, and his feet made contact with something other than the floor. He spotted his duffle bag before taking in the minimally furnished studio as he remembered how he’d ended up there.

I brought your bag up after we put you to bed. If you need anything, reach out. Otherwise, there is food in the fridge, Alton told him through their pack connection.

Twisting his wrist, Lance saw it was after eleven at night. He’d been out for over nine hours.

He rubbed his palm against his chest with a sigh. It was time to figure out how to pass the years until his mate was ready for him.

Chapter 1

Carrie

Many years later...

Carrie pulled the pillows and comforter off her new bed. Frustration and another feeling she wasn’t willing to investigate thundered in her chest as images of Lance Selba filled her mind. With a heavy sigh, she shoved thoughts of the Malite beta aside and remembered the happiness she’d felt when cuddling her twin nieces. Bringing her shoulder to her nose, she could still smell Juliette’s sweetness. Doting on the newest members of their family had become her family’s new favorite pastime.

While many things had changed since her return, one thing had not—her crush on Lance. Not that it even mattered with their age difference. He looked at her as nothing but an annoying little pup.

Earlier that night, she’d heard a witch proclaim it was time for more of the Malite Pack to meet their mates. Her brother, Luke, and packmate, Daniel, had been the latest to find their true mates. The witch had insinuated it was Lance’s turn, as if she could decree fate.

Imagining a beautiful woman at Lance’s side had her pressing a palm to her upset stomach. She wasn’t sure she could stick around and watch him fawn over his mate, especially not when she wanted to be the one he cherished and treasured for the rest of his life.

Gazing in the direction of the main house, she knew her parents had already headed to bed. Her dad knew more about what had gone down between the witches who’d visited her brother and sister-in-law, Adira, and her pack. She doubted he would tell her even if she begged. Her return had not changed the need-to-know status of certain information under pack leadership.

She still felt like the insecure seventeen-year-old she’d been before her abduction. Lord knew they still treated her like a child. Even worse, they were handling her with care as if at any moment she would shatter like fine crystal.

Sliding under the covers, Carrie realized she was being childish. As the previous beta, her father respected the position and their alpha. He’d never jeopardize the pack or their family. Not to mention, no one had control over who their true mate was. If they did, so much would be different.

It didn’t matter. She doubted she’d ever find her own true mate. Even if she did, he’d want nothing to do with her once he learned she was damaged goods.

Three years in captivity under the Sivellas’ monsters had aged her. Maybe not physically, but mentally and emotionally. She felt two decades older than her twenty years.

Carrie sighed and closed her eyes. She recalled Lance standing in Luke’s living room and