Read Untamed (Wolf Lake) for Free Online Page B

day I was born that one day I would replace him as alpha. When the time came, he decided to step aside rather than fight me."
    Nafarius had come into his maturity right on schedule, growing itchy with the need to meet the challenge of his pack being led by a weaker male. The wolf in him didn't recognize familial relationships, uncaring that their alpha and father were one in the same.
    Nafarius rubbed his hand up and down his mate's back. Feeling her care and concern, he was reminded again that she had once been human and this was a lot to take in.
    "So, when I broke our agreement..." Nafarius said, speaking over Sam's head.
    "My father snapped," Natasha finished. "The agreement, his plans for the pack's future were the only things holding him together."
    Roland shared a look with Nafarius, both of them knowing the ramifications of an unhinged alpha.
    "What about Craig?" Roland asked. "As beta, it's his responsibility to see to your father. He dishonors Dimitri and endangers the pack by hesitating."
    Sam watched Roland, realizing that as Nafarius' beta and the only other male strong enough, the responsibility to put her mate down would one day fall to him.  
    In that moment, Sam didn't know if she loved or hated Roland for it.
    "Craig wouldn't do it," Natasha said quietly.
    "So you tried." Roland felt fear war with wonder at the idea of the female trying to take down her father.
    "I failed," Natasha said, remembering the ease with which her father had fought off her weak attack.
    "It wasn't your responsibility," Nafarius told her quietly. No youth should have to suffer through putting a parent down.  
    "If not me, then who?" Natasha asked, scanning the faces around her. "My father is dangerous. He can't be left to - "
    "I'll do it," Nafarius told her quietly. "I owe you and your father that much."
    Sam felt the heavy weight of responsibility settle on her mate. He would protect the pack, even if it meant putting down an alpha he once considered a friend.
    "And my pack?" Natasha asked, guilt eating at the relief she felt at seeing her father's fate sealed. Unfortunately, her father wasn't the only one she needed to see to. She hadn't told Nafarius or the others that she had been cut from her pack. At the moment, it wouldn't change anything and would only complicate matters.  
    "That depends on them," Nafarius said. "Once your father is gone, it will open the way for another alpha to step forward."
    "None of them are strong enough to hold the pack," Natasha said. "Not from you or the others."
    "Others?" Sam asked.
    "An alpha that isn't strong enough to take over his own pack will see this as an opportunity." Roland answered. Even with their remote location, it wouldn't take long for word to spread that Natasha's pack had lost its alpha.
    "The werewolf version of a corporate raid?" Sam asked.
    "More like a hostile takeover," Natasha said. "The new alpha usually kills all of the other males before they can challenge him."
    "You wouldn't...?" Sam asked, leaning back to stare up at her mate.
    Slowly, Nafarius nodded. "It's in our nature," he said. He wouldn't hide anything from his mate, trusting that Sam was strong enough to accept what he was - what she was. "Any potential threat would be sought out and destroyed, and a pack without an alpha is dangerous."
    A heavy silence fell.
    Natasha felt powerless, unable to save her father or protect her pack. "I need some air," she said. What she really meant was she needed to escape. "And maybe a place to clean up."
    "There's a stream - " Sam said.
    "I'll take her," Roland offered. He ignored the alpha female's surprised start, avoiding her eyes as she looked from him to Natasha.
    "I have a few things you might want to take with you," Sam offered Natasha, quickly slipping from the room.
    Natasha stood stiffly. Nafarius and Roland had their heads together, furious whispers flying too fast for her to follow. She had no doubt as to their topic of conversation.
    "Here you go," Sam said,