The Alpha's Pack by Tabitha Conall Read Free Book Online Page B

‘hello.’
    “I’ve got news. Lots of news.”
    She tuned out as he filled Chris in on finding his mates, the fight with Ted, and the upcoming challenge.
    Jake slid his arms around her waist. “You should get on the phone, too. I can take care of getting food.”
    “I can’t believe we met just this morning,” she said.
    Jake put his head on her shoulder. “It seems like a long time ago.”
    She put her arms over his, where they rested on her waist. “I feel like I’ve known you forever.”
    Sam’s voice broke through, louder than before. “Chris is on his way over.”
    “Why?” Jake said.
    “To help.” Sam set his phone on the bedside table. “He’s my Alpha. He’s also a doctor. And, he’s hated Ted for a lot of years. I figured he might jump at the chance to get Ted out of power, especially if a potentially friendly Alpha took his place.”
    Jake’s eyebrows rose. “I’m friendly?”
    “You’re my mate. And I grew up in Roanoke Pack. I’ll leave if I have to, but I won’t turn my back on them.”
    Jake nodded. “Good enough for me.”
    Sam grinned, his smile a little weak. “That’s what I figured.”
    While they waited for Sam’s Alpha, Deirdre got on her cell and called everyone she could think of from Stonewall Pack, to let them know about Bridget and ask them to show up at the challenge. “You don’t have to tell Ted you’re against him,” she said over and over. “Just show up and be there in case he tries to pull something.” She got a few outright rejections, but mostly lukewarm agreement. No one wanted to go up against Ted. At the same time, they couldn’t deny they’d like a different Alpha. Even if they wouldn’t say so out loud.
    She was just finishing the last phone call when someone knocked on the door. “Sam, it’s Chris,” the man said. A human wouldn’t have been able to hear him through the thick door, but they had no problem.
    Jake looked at Sam for confirmation. When Sam nodded, Jake opened the door.
    Chris stayed in the doorway a moment as he and Jake sized each other up. Chris was almost as tall as Jake, but much bulkier. He looked like one of those really friendly guys who you never want to cross because he’ll whoop your ass. At the same time, he was carrying a doctor’s bag. It seemed a little out of place being carried by a guy who looked more like a bodybuilder than a doctor.
    Deirdre’d had more than she could take of male displays of testosterone, but if she did what she really wanted—including dragging Chris into the room—it would break protocol and make things tense. So she stayed quiet.
    The two men introduced each other and shook hands warily. Then Jake stepped out of the way so Chris could enter.
    Chris carefully kept his back to the wall. “How’re you doing, Sam?”
    “I’m okay,” Sam said. “You didn’t meet my other mate, Deirdre.”
    Deirdre and Chris shook hands.
    “You’re the one from Stonewall,” Chris said. “I think I’ve seen you around.”
    “I think I’ve seen you around, too,” she said. But she hadn’t realized who he was.
    Jake moved to the other side of the bed. Whether conscious or unconscious, she knew he did it so Chris could feel comfortable going up to the bed and looking at Sam’s wound without having the vulnerability of Jake standing behind him. It was a thoughtful thing to do. She went to Jake and slid her arm around his waist.
    Chris stepped closer to the bed. “Mind if I take a look at that?”
    “Sure,” Sam said.
    Chris leaned over Sam. After peeling back the bandage, he poked at the wound. “It’s healing well. Whoever patched you up did a good job.”
    “Thanks,” Jake said.
    Chris taped the bandage back in place, then dragged a chair closer to the bed and sat. “So, what’s this about challenging the Stonewall Pack Alpha?”
    Deirdre told him the short version as she walked to Chris’ side of the bed and sat down near the foot. “So now he has Bridget, and we have to get her