Read In the Alpha's Bed (Stealing the Alpha Book 3) for Free Online Page B

between amused and frustrated.
    "He's the alpha," said Killian, "And he gave an order."
    The room went silent. Mel pivoted to face Killian. In two huge steps she was in front of him, her hands held tightly by her sides. "This isn't my pack."
    Luke waited before speaking. He would protect Mel from Killian, from anyone who tried to harm her, but he would not undermine her, especially not in this first clash of authority.
    Killian bared his teeth and the faint rumblings of a growl burbled in the back of his throat. "You will respect this pack and the alpha's authority while you remain in the territory," he demanded.
    Mel leaned back, all tension seemingly gone from her. But Luke could still see her clenched fist and wanted to know what she would do next. He didn't think that she could beat Killian in a fight, but if she were to ever accept that she was his mate and fellow alpha, she would need to handle his inner circle without drawing blood.
    She smirked and tilted her head to the side. "Seems to me that if the alpha had a problem with what I said, he'd tell me." She turned and gave Luke her brightest smile. It was utterly fake, and yet he was still affected. "Do you have a problem with me, your big bad alphaness?"
    It wasn't respectful. It was downright insubordinate. But the tension evaporated and Luke saw Brynne and Jonas trying – and failing – to hide their grins. Maya didn't even try to quash her smile and only Sinclair was left looking pensive.
    "See to the town," Luke told his people. “We search at nightfall.” They left, each clasping his arm before heading out.
    "I'd like to see to Cassie," said Krista.
    "Of course," Luke nodded. He led her back to Cassie's room and noticed that Mel followed along with them. Maya split off, but he didn't question where she went. She had plenty of work to do without his meddling.
    They were about to head upstairs when the front door opened. Luke thought it was one of his inner circle returning, but when a barely familiar scent hit his nostrils he stiffened. This was their third partner, Bob.
    The tall black man entered and closed the door behind him. He smiled when he saw Krista and she rushed over to hug him. Mel stayed beside Luke and merely nodded at Bob. There was a good deal of history between the three of them and Luke didn't know most of it. He doubted he would completely understand the drama that went on in a band of thieves.
    When Krista stepped out of the embrace, she was smiling with hope in her eyes. "What did you find out?"
    "It's Ava." If Bob had dropped that bombshell a few minutes before, he might have earned a shocked gasp.
    "We figured that part out," said Mel, completely recovered from the trauma of hearing Ava’s name, or, at least able to hide her emotions now that some time had passed.
    Bob nodded. "She's had her eye on the area for the past three years. A group of vamps only just agreed to help her. She has no plans to stay."
    Luke had spent the last eight years learning the ebb and flow of local supernatural politics. He had dedicated informants in every city in Colorado with a population greater than 100,000, and even more scattered throughout the rest of the region. He didn't know everything that went on in the supernatural world, but he was far from ignorant. Which begged the question: "How do you know that?" he asked. He didn't like the thought of missing out on so much.
    Bob met his eyes and Luke saw a depth of knowledge far greater than a man of about forty should possess. He wondered at Bob's real age, though it would be beyond rude to ask. "It's what I do," was Bob's only explanation.
    Krista was unfazed by that declaration. "And anything for Cassie?"
    Bob let the question stretch out between them for an uncomfortable moment. He eventually spoke. "If it comes to it, there's a favor I can call in." After a pause, he added, "Let's hope that it doesn't come to that."
    "She's just a kid." Luke said. And his sister at that. There wasn't anything he