The Alpha's Virgin Prize (Mated for Life 1)

Caleb ran a hand down his face. “You were using my pack to cover your tracks.”

“A pack. You’re one big happy family. I heard how excited your men were. They wanted this mating to come about. They’re so desperate for their own matings.”

“Don’t change the subject. What happened?” Caleb asked. “I know bears are simple creatures but I never thought of any of them as weak. You using my pack to hide, to hunt, I have a right to know what’s going on.”

Joe finished dealing with his wound and sat back. “As you know, bears are close and we do have one alpha.” He sighed, grabbing a bottle of whiskey. “A few months ago, our leader was overrun by what I can only describe as a rogue bear. Vicious. I watched him kill my brother right in front of my eyes. He banished all men, even the mated ones. Poisoned others. Any that stood up to him died. The women, they became his. He was so strong, I don’t know how he managed to overthrow us. There were thirty men. We had our own little commune. We worked the lands, all of it.”

“And now?”

“I’ve been going through the motions all these months, playing normal, hoping that animal would move on. I don’t know what’s left, but I got word from one of the other men yesterday. We’re being hunted now, wiped out. That man’s head was delivered to me last night. I had to get away, to run. I intend to bury him today, out in the woods.” Joe kicked a box over to him, groaning as he did. “I better heal soon.”

“This diner has been around a lot longer than you.”

“It was once owned by my aunt. She was human and she left it to me. I always managed it for her. This is the only home I have left. I’ve been living in denial until last night.”

Caleb stared in the box and stepped back.

“This rogue, did he have any supporters?” Caleb asked.

“None. Like I said, he was more than a bear, twice the size of any bear I’ve ever known. He doesn’t need an army. When he turns, Caleb, we all should run.”

He needed to think. “Don’t leave town.”

“I’ve got nowhere to hide. I just want my life back. Our alpha’s gone, but I know there are others out there.”

“Who’s his beta?”

Joe cringed, a look of shame on his face. Caleb knew it was him.

“Then you come to my pack. We’ll protect you.” Even as the offer left his lips, he couldn’t believe he’d give his enemy a home.

Stepping out of the room, he made his way out of the diner.

“You’re paying for my door,” Joe called out.

“I’m not paying for anything.” He went straight to his truck, climbed inside, and headed to where his pack was waiting.

Brian was there as he returned. “Where is everyone?” he asked.

“They’re out gathering wood and tending the gardens. What is it?”

“Get them. We need to talk.”

“Bethany called,” Brian said.

This made him stop. “What?”

“She wanted to talk to you, said it was urgent.”

He clenched his fist so tight, his claws began to prick his palm. There was too much shit on his mind.

“You need to go to her.”

“Trouble is coming,” he said. “Get the men.” He wanted Bethany more than anything else, but he needed to prepare them for what was going to come. He’d put them all in danger by agreeing to allow Joe to stay with them.

Once all of his men were home, he told them everything Joe had disclosed to him.

“He could be lying,” David said.

“You know we can’t trust the bears.” This came from Reese. “We shouldn’t trust anyone.”

“And if he’s not lying?” Caleb asked.

“As if a bear would admit to using us to hide. It seems so … wrong. Surely you don’t believe it,” Brian said. “It’s too easy of a cover story.”

“But it would explain why he would even risk using the wolves for protection. You guys were out there last night. I don’t know. I think there’s more to this. I’ve told him to come here.”

“That’s real stupid of you,” David said. “We shouldn’t have to take care of a fucking bear. They’re messy.”

“You’ve been close to one?” Reese asked.

“They stink. Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for all of his customers, that damn diner would stink.” David shook his head. “He’s not staying in the house.”

“You’re also going to have to keep an eye on him tonight,” Caleb said.

“And why is that? Why do we even need to get meddled in any kind of this business? I say fuck him and let him deal with his own bear problems. We’ve got our own. Like the fact we’ve still got the full moon as a little problem,” Reese said.

“Until we know for sure this isn’t some kind of fluke, we’re taking care of Joe. I don’t like it any more than you guys, but we need to do whatever we can to keep us all safe. A rogue bear coming to town and sniffing out some wolves, it’ll be too tempting for him to simply kill his bear and leave us be. We all know the risks. We’re going to have to deal with it the best way we know how. Now I’ve got other pressing matters.” He left the house, going back to his truck.