Read Resisting The Alpha (Werebear Shifter Romance) (The Crane Curse) for Free Online Page A

jeans and an old college sweatshirt stood up from the middle of a group of children, towering over them. Her brows knitted together and she scowled before storming over to the car like an angry giraffe. Rafael jumped out of the driver's seat as if he was expecting trouble.
    "Seriously, Rafael? You really can't take no for an answer can you? Can't you act like a good stalker and hide? You have to show up in this ridiculous car?" she said.
    As Rafael quietly took her abuse, Erich exited the sedan. He stood beside Rafael listening to her tirade finding it interesting to see such fire from a simple human. It was obvious Rafael was infatuated with the girl Erich recognized as Pinky Smythe, the daughter to the man they were there to meet with. Erich did find her pretty, but he was willing to bet it was her quirky personality that drew Rafael in. Rafael was always a sucker for a free spirit.
    "Rafael, when you're done here please join me inside," Erich said before walking towards the front door.
    "Wait, you mean you're not here to see me?" Pinky said sounding dejected.
    "No sweetheart, but if that's the kind of greeting I'd get if I was I'd be sure to show up here more often," Rafael said, his New Orleans accent coming through in full force.
    Rafael caught up with Erich as he climbed the few steps onto the porch and rang the doorbell. A lanky, bald man with warm brown eyes answered.
    "Erich! I've been expecting you," he said as he pushed open the screen door and let the men into the house.
    "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us Mr. Smythe," Erich said. "I'd like to introduce you to my associate Rafael."
    "Yes of course, I know Rafael. You forget I know everyone, even if I haven't met them. And please, call me Jerry."
    Jerold "Jerry" Smythe led them through the house to a room in the furthest part of the home. Out of the windows the chains on an empty swing set rattled in the breeze. The office had wood paneling and large metal filing cabinets along one of the walls. Along a side wall was a gold polyester couch that sat perpendicular to a simple metal framed desk with a wood grained table top. As Erich and Rafael sat in black leather sling chairs, Erich thought they stepped back in time to the 70's.
    "Jerry, I'm not sure how much information they gave you over the phone," Erich said.
    "I don't need information, I am information. One moment, let me get my daughter. I'm grooming her to take over."
    Jerry left the room and soon Erich heard Pinky's voice coming down the hall.
    "I don't understand, Dad. We run a nursery school. What more is there?" she said.
    "You're more stubborn than a mule, Pinky!" Jerry said, his voice echoing from the hall into the office. "Just try to stay quiet for a few moments and maybe you'll learn a little more about what your family has been doing for centuries. If you weren't so busy running after shifters all the time you'd realize we have important work going on here."
    As they entered the room Jerry smiled warmly again before turning to Pinky and pointing to the couch. After she slumped down on the corner, Jerry began speaking again.
    "Pinky has a lot to learn, and some of that is patience. Please forgive her," he said as Pinky folded her arms in front of her chest. "I don't usually talk about the purpose of the school here, but since I have my daughter's attention for once I'd like to give you some background. I trust that because both of you men are on the Council that you will be discrete."
    "My family were one of the first settlers of Leeds Point back in the 1700's. It became apparent very quickly that Leeds was a very special place as far as paranormal activity was concerned. As a matter of fact, there have been reports of a portal hidden in Leeds that connects us with the spirit world, but that's a story for another time. One thing that is certain is that creatures of all types have always been attracted to Leeds Point. This is why so many shifters and other beings live in our small