Read Online Wolf Claim (Wolves of Willow Bend Book 3) by Heather Long - Free Book Online Page A

demonstrated not only his awareness, but also his comfort with his power. His meeting them at the rest stop, however, threatened a danger she hadn’t expected.
    First meetings between dominants in familiar territory were tricky enough. Inter-pack politics aside, protocol demanded they acknowledge Dalton as Alpha, cede to him a certain amount of authority, and gain his permission and agreement to be within in his territory. Although he’d invited them, these situations required a certain set of behaviors and interactions, almost scripted in their formality.
    Which was why they were supposed to meet him at his house. There, Owen would be comfortable accepting Brett’s status because he would be firmly within Brett’s territory and home. Courtesy softened the blow of politics and dominance games. But right then? In the open? When Owen wasn’t expecting Brett and what had to be a half-dozen wolves with him? Particularly because Owen was a dominant male and the most senior member of Willow Bend—worse, she was with him.
    A better recipe for danger she couldn’t imagine, unless…wait, she was with him. “Owen,” she fisted his shirt and kept her voice as low as possible. “I know you’ll hate this, but let me greet him. I won’t move an inch from you, but let me say hello.”
    The line of Owen’s back stiffened further, if that were possible. The tension radiating off of him was a palpable force. He didn’t immediately shut down her suggestion, so she continued.
    “I can afford to be pissy with him and call him on this crap.” When Owen’s chin dropped a fraction, she knew he was considering her idea. “He won’t hurt me, he can’t even afford to take offense.” Not that he would. Healers usually had a lot of leeway in packs, even with the most dominant of dominants. She’d seen Emma kick Toman out of her house before and shut him down so hard, yet the older Alpha had merely smiled and acquiesced.
    “If he touches you…”
    She didn’t dare let Owen go there. “He’s going to, you and I both know that. A hug. A kiss. He’ll greet me, it’s normal.”
    His near sub vocal growl left her panties damp. God, she adored the thick-headed male, even if he drove her crazy. Maybe because he did. Frankly, she looked forward to yelling at the Alpha for interrupting what had promised to be an interesting discussion.
    Their time was up. Dalton was within earshot. She refused to present anything but a united front to the Alpha of Hudson River.
    Owen dropped one shoulder and angled his body in a manner so subtle that if she hadn’t been touching him, she wouldn’t have noticed. Accepting his invitation, she took a single step to face Dalton.
    “Alpha.” Her wolf rose within her and, while she’d never possessed a particularly violent wolf or had any real struggle with her temper, the animal was as curious as she was disapproving. Assessing the Alpha, she found him different, but whether he had the strength to lead or to handle their presence with grace remained to be seen.
    “Miss Whitford.” Brett Dalton’s deep voice was equal parts rough and cultured. “Welcome to Hudson River.” Instead of sweeping her up into a hug the way Mason would, he held out his hand, the tacit acknowledgement of a request rather than a command.
    Point to him, but she wasn’t averse to making her feelings known either. “Please forgive me, Alpha, but I’m not feeling the kind greeting. Why the ambush? We were scheduled to meet you at your home.”
    For his part, Owen said nothing, but he remained a tangible force at her side. Her wolf crouched within her, watching the Hudson River Alpha with wary anticipation. Friend or foe? He’d invited them, but she trusted Owen. If a fight broke out, he would kill the man in front of her as swiftly as he could. That left the six in the woods.
    Dalton raised his eyebrows and kept his focus on her. Her attempt to hold his attention wasn’t meant to be more than a transparent ruse, and she