Page 31 of Rescued by the Alpha

that Artur would make a good leader once he grew older and was mentored by their father who had always been a highly revered Alpha and leader. Nic observed as Artur poured his third shot.

“Do you drink like that every day?”

Artur slammed down his glass, the contents sloshing out and onto the wood cabinet. “What the fuck business is it of yours? Huh? I heard from Alex you’re out in your private sanctuary in the woods, fucking your barely-legal human—”

“He’s twenty-six, idiot.”

“You’re a fucking idiot!”

Nic held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I was out of line with the idiot remark—”

“You’re outta line with everything! Go back to your cabin, Mister I Know Everything and take your human with you.”

“He’s not a human anymore.”

“And another thing—wait, what?” Artur stopped flailing then swayed a bit before stilling.

“Whaddya mean he’s not human anymore?”

“I turned him. He’s a shifter now, my fated mate.”

Nic ducked as Artur’s glass flew in his direction, shattering against the wall behind him. His wolf grumbled and growled, scratching to come out, ready to claw and snap his jowls. Sink his teeth into flesh.

“That’s bullshit! You’re just making that up to fuck with me!”

Their father rushed into the room from the hallway. “Hey! What’s going on here? Knock it off!”

His hair might be disheveled and his wrinkles more deepened, but his father still appeared as strong as ever. Drink and sloth hadn’t tainted him, it would seem. Maybe Alex is wrong about hishealth. At least his father’s arrival had momentarily calmed Nic’s wolf.

Artur barely registered their papa’s admonishment, glaring at Nic as he continued his diatribe.

“You still can’t have pups, that part hasn’t changed, so I don’t know why you’re here interfering with everything. The council wouldn’t choose you over me. You practically begged them to have me take your place, and even if Dara isn’t with me, I’ll find another woman to be my mate.”

Not like that, you won’t.

Their father had been finger-combing his hair and seemingly trying to get caught up on what was

going on while Artur had ranted. “Nic, good to see you.” He turned to Artur. “What in the god’s names has you so damn angry that you’re smashing my glasses?”

“He’s trying to take back the title of Alpha. Tell him he can’t do that.”

Their father stared at Artur for a moment, then gave his head a slight shake before turning to Nic again. “Is that true?”

“The only true thing that’s happening right now is that I wanted to discuss the rumors going around that the Yukon Delta Pack is going to challenge us and what we wanted to do about it. I believe the council needs to be brought in regarding this matter. But as our Alpha, you’re the only one who can bring this to their attention.”

His father glanced down and he ran his hand over the top of his head. They all stood in silence as they waited for this response. With a heavy sigh, he lifted his gaze. “Yes. The council needs to be called to session so we can discuss the possible threat.”

“Bull. Shit!”

Right as Artur swept his arm across the cabinet which sent the whiskey bottle crashing to the wood floor, Alex opened the door with Elam and the kids right behind her.

“We’re here! Roast is piping hot and ready to be torn into!”

Artur made a snarling sound, and without another word, marched past everyone and out of the cabin, with Elam yanking Greg out of the way before Artur knocked the poor kid over.

Greg peered up at Alex. “Mommy? Why is Uncle Artur so mad?”

Nic covered his mouth. Alex met his gaze and he could practically hear the words in her mind saying ‘because he’s an asshole’.