Read Online Alpha Lion: BBW Lion Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant - Free Book Online Page A

at least a few times a week, though, trying to get his fingers on our assets.”
    “Can he do that?” Sam asked. “Does he have any legal right as a member of the pride?”
    Dale shook his head. “My grandfather set everything up in his own name, and my father wasn’t about to cede control to anybody else. I didn’t want to continue that tradition, but I’ve been concerned about Chapman for a while, so the only other person who has the authority to make decisions about the pride’s assets is Lynn.”
    Sam nodded, satisfied.
    “But he wants control. I’ve never understood why, because he doesn’t like the studio and he doesn’t seem to like most of the members of the pride, either.” Dale shook his head.
    “Some people are just like that,” Sam said softly. “All they want is control.”
    Dale knew that all too well. “I used to hope that I could win Chapman over,” Dale said. “But he wanted to take over the pride after my father died, and he’s never been happy about me being in charge. He’d take over by force if he could, but the only way is through a challenge.”
    “A fight?” Sam asked.
    “It’s one of the traditional pride customs that we do still observe,” Dale said. “And really, it’s not that great of a sign as to whether someone will be a good alpha. But it makes the pride feel like the alpha’s authority isn’t absolute, that it’s not a total dictatorship, because if they don’t like what I’m doing, they can challenge me.”
    Sam frowned. “Could they win?”
    Dale shook his head, smiling, and Sam sat back, looking comforted. Then she frowned again. “How did you become alpha?”
    Sam was obviously wondering if he’d had to fight someone else. Dale didn’t know if the reality was better or worse.
    “My father was our last alpha,” he said, trying to keep his voice completely even. “He passed the position to me when he died.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry,” Sam said. She reached out a hand, and hesitated.
    Dale took it, and enfolded her fingers with his. “The point is that no one is going to challenge me. Not even Chapman, because I’m a much better fighter than he is.”
    “Does the martial arts make much of a difference when you’re in lion form?” Sam asked, curious.
    “Not as much as when you’re a human,” Dale said. “It helps you be more aware of your body and what it can do, more aware of the world around you and what it’s doing. It helps your reaction times and your agility, no matter what body you’re in.”
    “Huh,” she said. “I guess that makes sense. Are you better martial artists in human form, just because you’re shifters?”
    Dale nodded. “That’s why I’ve never wanted to do tournaments. It wouldn’t be fair. And when we’re teaching, it’s very important for us to remember that we’re stronger and faster than an ordinary human is. I only let shifters start teaching after they’ve had a lot of experience sparring with non-shifters and I’m confident that they can teach them effectively.”
    “Responsible,” she said fondly. “So Chapman doesn’t do martial arts at all.”
    Dale nodded. “There’s no way he could defeat me in a fair fight.”
    “What about an unfair fight?” Sam asked suspiciously.
    “It’s hard to cheat,” Dale said. “The whole pride comes and watches. Both parties have to be uninjured and to have consented to the fight with witnesses. So he couldn’t spring a fight on me when I was hurt, or anything like that.”
    “Hm,” Sam said slowly. “Okay.”
    “Just stay away from him for now,” Dale said. “If he ever shows up and talks to you, come find me right away.”
    The thought of Alan getting his hands on Sam was horrifying. Not that he’d ever seen Alan hurt anyone, but…Dale knew he could, and would if he felt it was necessary.
    Sam nodded. “He doesn’t sound like someone I want to hang out with, anyway. Anybody else that’s a problem?”
    “Alan has a friend, Freddie, a young guy. A