Alpha by Charlene Hartnady

an asshole?”
    Gray
ran his hand over the stubble on his scalp. “Yeah. I told her she was afraid of
commitment and that was when she got really mad. She wanted me right up until
she could actually have me, then she didn’t want me anymore. Sure sign of
someone that is afraid of commitment. I can see by the look on your face that
you don’t agree.”
    “Human
women, especially really strong ones like Ash, need to be told how you feel
about them and they need to be asked if mating is what they want. Their opinion
and agreement is important.” Phoenix smiled, hitting Gray in the shoulder. “The
good news is that she does want you. What woman would stand against Rage if not
one protecting her man? Fierce little thing, if she wasn’t already taken I
might…”
    Gray
growled low in his throat. “Don’t! Our friendship might not hold up to talk
like that and if you even think of going near her I’ll—”
    “Calm
done. I would never go there. Just agreeing with your taste in women.”
    Gray
couldn’t help but let another growl escape even though he knew his best friend
would never piss in his territory.
    “Listen
to me. Go to her, tell her how you feel about her and then ask her if she will
mate with you. If she says no, then wait a day or two and take her flowers.
Humans love cut roses.”
    “They
like dead plants.”
    “Love
them. If that doesn’t work, sing to her.”
    This
was getting more bizarre by the second. It didn’t matter, dead plants, singing,
he would do whatever it took to get his little Chaser back.

Chapter 10
     
     Ash
had arrived back at the Demon Control Agency looking so glum that once she’d
filed her report, some of her colleagues had insisted on taking her out for a
few drinks. Since the last thing she felt like was going home to an empty
apartment, she had agreed.
    “Thought
you should know that Brice escaped earlier today.”
    “That
can’t be,” Ash put down the cue and turned to face Jack. “She’s still torn to
pieces, shouldn’t be able to get out of bed.”
    “Yeah,
but she’s not human anymore Ash.”
    “Fuck,”
she whispered the profanity. Brice was the most recent victim, the one that had
been left for dead. She’d survived despite all odds and was on the verge of
being cleared.
    “She’s
been declared a double demon hybrid.”
    Her
eyes shot to Jack who looked concerned.
    “Right
now she’s been declared a level 1 threat. Shoot to kill. I’m sorry Ash.”
    She
couldn’t help but think how upset Gray would be since he felt responsible for
her attack. Ash took a big glug from her beer wishing she’d ordered something
stronger. It wouldn’t help to wallow so she turned back to the game. “Yellow
ball side pocket.”  
    “My,
my, Ash, you have just about the tightest ass I’ve ever seen on a woman.”
    She
had always thought that Jack was teasing her. The six foot something Chaser
would be considered good looking by most women’s standards. He always commented
on the way she looked, she’d never taken him seriously though, maybe she’d been
wrong. Then again, he was probably just trying to make her feel better after
delivering the news about Brice. Regardless, Gray had shown her that she could
be sexy, had told her that men were interested even though she didn’t always see
it herself. Her Alpha had acted like such a jerk today, she knew he probably
hadn’t meant for things to go and sound the way they had and hoped and prayed
that he’d figure it out and come and look for her. She’d give him a day or two,
then she’d go and find him. If he made her come looking for him, she’d kick his
doggie ass from here to next Wednesday. Ash lined up the shot and sank it.
    “Brilliant
shot partner,” Jack took a step towards her and opened his arms.
     In
the heat of the moment, Ash jumped into his bear hug. She started to pull back,
but he lifted her and swung her round.
    “Hey,
put me down right now.” It felt wrong to be in another man’s arms even