Pack Security (Were Chronicles) by Crissy Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

time.”
    “Okay.” Shawn smiled. “I won’t push right now. You know you can always talk to me, don’t you?”
    “Of course.”
    “All right.” Shawn lifted the lid off one of the cups and Max followed suit. The smell of the fresh coffee was good and his stomach growled. “I brought some of muffins too.”
    “Thanks, man.” He dug into the bag and chose one of the banana-nut muffins. He bit into it and moaned. God, those were so damn good.
    “How are things going here?”
    He chewed and took a long sip of his coffee. Alpha Shawn wouldn’t know what had taken place between him and Cassie the night before, but Max still found himself shifting his feet nervously. “I…uh…well…we…”
    “Max?”
    As he took another drink, he mentally cursed himself. “Everything is okay. I’ve only just really started. I have some ideas on how to increase security and add a few more cameras without being too intrusive.”
    “Good, good. After this mess is over, I hope to talk you about the rest of the Pack.”
    That sounded like his Alpha wanted more than just a favor. “Well, you know that I’m happy to help in any way that I can, but I’m not a security expert or anything. Don’t you have people for that?”
    “Yes, but they’re not Pack. I want someone who I can trust to oversee them.”
    “You want me to do it?” Max asked in disbelief. That was a major responsibility. He wanted to contribute to his community, but he wasn’t sure he could handle such a large job.
    “Absolutely.”
    “I’m not sure I’m the right person,” he said honestly.
    His Alpha didn’t know everything that was going on in his head. If he did, there was no way Shawn would want him.
    “You’re the perfect person. You’re a strong leader, smart, dedicated, loyal and compassionate.”
    He felt himself blush at the compliments. Even though he knew he wasn’t those things, at least not anymore. “I’m not sure.”
    “It’s something that I want you to think about. Take care of things here and see if you can find out who broke in to Cassie’s studio, then make sure your sole focus is to protect her. The rest will work itself out.”
    He sure as hell hoped so. He nodded.
    “I knew I could depend on you.” Shawn patted his back as he passed Max. “I’ll show myself out. I want to stop by and have a quick word with Alex while I’m here.”
    Max stood speechless as Shawn did, in fact, leave on his own. He wanted to be polite and at least walk the man to the door, but he couldn’t seem to make his feet work. His Alpha’s words were still bouncing around in his head.
    Shawn believed in him. He wished he was as sure as his Alpha. Before his last mission had gone to shit, he’d had the confidence that Shawn was showing in him. He’d even been a little bit cocky. It was weird how one day could change all of that.
    All he’d ever wanted to do was make a difference. To help people. When he’d left Canyon, he’d been a young man determined to show the world what he’d been made of. He’d joined the Navy and had known just weeks into boot camp that he’d found his place in the world.
    He thrived at the physical part of training. He enjoyed pushing his body to its limits. The brothers he’d connected with were like an extension of his Pack. He’d been overseas and still thought he would spend his entire life in the service.
    Eight years after he’d first joined, he’d applied to the Special Forces Units. It had taken everything he had to make it mentally and physically. Even so, he had never felt better in his life. The first several missions had been simple gathering of intel. He hadn’t really been in danger. Then he’d been transferred to his new team and everything had changed.
    Under the cover of night, he’d found himself in some very fucked-up situations. Still, every time he’d made it back home, he’d been proud. When he’d been promoted and given his own squad, he’d vowed to bring each member home with him