“I’m not going to react well to that.”
He acknowledged that with a nod. As an alpha he could not expect his people to appreciate all his actions. Simply obey them. Except, now that he thought about it, she had not sworn loyalty. Her voice had not been among those acknowledging him as alpha.
He touched her chin. He had meant to jerk her face up to his so that he could stare directly into her eyes. But instead of a harsh push, his fingers caressed. He urged her face toward his and she complied without hesitation. Not because she obeyed but because she wanted to challenge him silently. Because her eyes were her message. And from her hard, cold look, he saw what he had always known would be there.
She was an alpha, too.
Smaller, yes. And definitely weaker. But she was an alpha female with all the glorious challenge that entailed.
“You will submit to me,” he said. Behind him, he heard a rustle. Movement that should be stopped, but his attention was on her and he would not waver.
“Not if you hit me.”
His nostrils flared at the illogic of that response. Dominance was established physically. Except as he inhaled, her scent filled his mind. The lure and temptation of a female who was nearly as powerful as him.
“You will submit,” he repeated. “I will not need to hit you.”
“I will submit if and when you deserve me.” Then she lifted a brow. It was a strange expression and one that he—again—needed to analyze using his higher brain function. It was neither challenge nor defeat. It wasn’t a logical look, but it was an affectionate one. And from that place, he reasoned it was a good thing. Even more, he devised an appropriate response.
He smiled. And she did in turn.
“There you are,” she murmured.
“Yes,” he said, feeling that her words had made it so. He was still one creature—both man and bear—but she brought a second purpose to his life: to please her. It was as if his mind had climbed a step. First, establish dominance. Second, please the female. What would be third?
Before he could answer, a rustle interrupted his thoughts. He didn’t know whether he smelled the scent of aggression first or heard the cock of a pistol. Either way, he reacted immediately.
He spun and fired the gun.
Two shots, direct to the chest.
A wiry white man slammed against the back wall, then slid down, dead. His pistol flopped to the floor.
Behind him Alyssa cried out. Simon had his hand out to keep her from moving. Everyone else simply stood, though the scent of fear spiked in the room. As did the smell of blood and gunpowder.
“Who was he?” Simon asked, his voice sharp and loud.
It was the cop who answered, his voice dry with satisfaction. “Nanook’s beta. He ran the drug operation. Probably thought he’d take you out and step into alpha.”
“A real leader would not be so stupid. He could not have survived as alpha.” He glanced over to the big black man. “You would have killed him first.”
The man’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t deny it. “He killed my little brother. Was just waiting for the right opportunity.”
Political maneuvering within the clan. Simon acknowledged it at the same moment his higher cortex began tabulating problems. He was now leader of an organization that had a history and a structure. The Griz had a role in the community: selling drugs and countless other things. He might be in charge, but that was simply a matter of appearance. And fear. He would need a lot more to effectively lead these people.
He turned to the cop. “Do you know about the drug organization? Who buys, who sells?”
The man straightened. “I’m on the gang side, not narcotics. But yeah. I know.”
“Then seize it. Take it. Do whatever you have to, but end it.” He watched carefully to see who objected, who appeared angry. There were a few, and he noted them. The others showed worry, but not anger. And a few were clearly pleased, including the big black man.
One however, flushed hot then cold. He was a handsome Caucasian with soft hands and a fondness for smoothing down his hair. Simon focused on him.
“What did you do for Nanook?”
The man froze for at least a heartbeat. But then he lifted his gaze to meet Simon’s eyes. “I was his accountant.”
Money man. Nervous money man. “Nanook owes money?”
