The Alpha Takes a Mate by Sam Crescent Read Free Book Online Page B

wardrobe, he searched through her clothes. She always dressed modestly without too much skin on display.
    When he was satisfied he moved to the bed. Climbing under the sheets he wrapped his arms around Elle. She muttered something in her sleep before settling down against him. Stroking her hair, Brandon stared up at the ceiling.
    Why had the fates given him a human mate? He didn’t understand why he’d been given something so fragile. Holding her close, he counted his blessings at the fact he’d finally found her.
    The noises outside penetrated his mind. He heard his pack enjoying the afterglow of a good run.
    In a few weeks the other species would descend sending his quiet town into disarray. His pack and the humans were always anxious during those visits. The vampires unnerved the locals while the bears scared the people with how large they were. The witches and warlocks were always bickering over some battle they lost. Rubbing his eyes, Brandon tried to push the stress from his mind.
    He listened to Raymond as he moved to Elle’s door. The scent of garlic came under the door. Her father had placed a bulb of garlic outside the door. What was going on with this family?
    Brandon hated garlic. He hated the stuff in his food and the scent. Pulling away from Elle, he walked to the door, picked up the bulb and went down the stairs. He placed the garlic on the kitchen counter and covered the offending bulb with a cloth. Hunting through the cupboards he found a tin of scented spray. He sprayed the lavender scent all over the kitchen.
    When he was satisfied with the lack of garlic scent, Brandon walked into Raymond’s study. He wasn’t used to sleeping straight away after a run. The study was filled with books of old volumes on paranormal and cult creatures.
    Open on the desk was a volume dedicated to vampires with regards to the last decade. Brandon had never seen such an extensive collection of books on paranormal creatures. Everything he knew was what his father taught him. He’d met most of the species of the Otherworld. The species he hadn’t met he’d been told he never wanted to know.
    Sitting down in Raymond’s chair, Brandon pulled the book into his lap. There were several pictures of vampires with sharp fangs. Blood-suckers. Holy water. Garlic. Mind control. So many words connected with vampires.
    He really needed to find out everything Raymond knew about the vampires. All the sectors of the paranormal community kept information about their kind hidden from each other in order to protect themselves. Vampires were far older than many sectors and could manipulate everyone. Brandon wondered if Raymond knew more than the books told. Placing the book back on the desk he saw the book on the wolves underneath it. Curiosity got the better of him. Pulling the book out of the pile, he opened to the first page.
    A loud scream rent the air. A chill settled over him.
    ****
    Her mother had been acting strangely for the past couple of days. Elle watched as her mother looked out of window touching her neck. She’d never noticed the marks on her neck before. Two dark points were highlighted against her neck.
    “Mom, are you okay?” Elle asked.
    “I’m fine, dear. What’s it like being sixteen?”
    “Fine. Mom, what’s going on?” She watched as her mom moved toward the back door.
    “Nothing. I’ve got a little gift for you.”
    Her hand went to the door knob. Elle watched the door open slowly. She knew if her mother opened that door something bad was going to happen.
    “Mom, what’s going on? Please, shut the door.”
    It was night , and her father had told them both to stay in at night. The city wasn’t safe no matter the time of day.
    “Nothing is going to hurt us. You’ll see.”
    “Mom, no,” Elle said.
    The door opened , and she screamed.
    The dream broke apart.
    “Wake up, Elle.” Brandon stood over her.
    Pulling away from him, Elle scrambled to her feet. Her parents were stood looking at