Bryce Evans by Big Bad Alpha [Ashland Pack 2] Page B

frustrated breath as he stared at the rundown house. 
    “ Already taken care of, Alpha,” replied Damen.
    “ Thanks, I’m ashamed I’ve been so preoccupied that I haven’t done anything about this,” Mace replied as he thought about how he had been so worried with the influx of new people moving into town and feeling restless, like something was missing from his life, and now this woman who consumed his every thoughts. 
    “ Well that’s what I want to talk to you about.  With all the new people moving in and all the extra things to do, have you had time to look at Reece’s background check and his qualifications?”  Before Mace could answer Damen, Star walked out onto the porch staring at her new Alpha.  Mace had read the background on Reece and Star and the way she was treated by the Cason Pack.  He knew he needed to put Star at ease with him and let her know she was safe here. He wanted to make sure this time to not scare the girl with his rough attitude.
    “ Hello there, Star.  I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to come out here and meet you like a proper Alpha, but I’m glad that you are here and I want to officially welcome you to the pack.  Can I give you a hug?”  Star was hesitant but allowed Mace to hug her.  “Thanks, Star, I know we will become good friends.  You start school next week, right?” 
    Star hesitated, and then nodded.  She wasn’t used to an Alpha behaving like him.  She shivered as she remembered the treatment of how Ralph Cason treated her family. 
    Mace saw Star shiver and it broke his heart.  Star felt like family to him.  Maybe it’s because of everything she had been through.  No Alpha should terrorize his wolves.  An Alpha was made to be the leader of the pack and guide his wolves into prosperity and happiness.  “Star, I hope I can prove myself to you.  Alphas aren’t supposed to hurt their pack.  I’m not like Cason.  I won’t hurt you, but I know I have to prove that to you.  In time I hope you will learn to trust me and come to understand the Ashland Pack is not like your old pack, sweetheart.”  Mace smiled at Star, who was still weary of Mace, but she smiled back and that was a start. 
    Reece stood at the door listening to Mace talk to his sister.  He liked Mace right off the bat and now he knew why.  He was not only his mate but Mace was a good Alpha by the way he spoke to his sister and from all the good the members of his pack showed.  If a pack had a bad Alpha then most of the pack would also be bad.  Just like the Cason Pack. 
    Ralph Cason was an evil son of a bitch.  He terrorized the wolves in his pack.  His parents stayed behind when they should have left with him.  Little did he know that Ralph Cason threatened to hurt Star and him if they left.  Reece felt guilty over this, but he had to protect Star at all cost. Many of the pack wanted to leave but were afraid of him and his staff.  Reece could tell that Mace wasn’t like Cason.  He seemed to be kind and had a love for the members of the pack.  It was a huge family atmosphere and that was what made the decision for Reece to bring Star here to Ashland.  Reece didn’t know how to tell Mace that he was his mate.  He knew he needed to find out more about Lexy Redden and Mace, too.  If he was going to spend the rest of his life with these two people then he knew that getting to know them was the beginning.  But this was not going to be easy with his one mate being the Alpha and him not knowing if Lexy was mated. Reece was looking forward to getting to know Mace better, and he jumped at the opportunity of playing poker tonight. He had Star to think about first and that had to be priority for him.  She had been through enough. However, if he could pull it off, it would be one hell of a life.
    Reece watched as Star smiled at Mace then took his hand, leading him into the house.  Reece knew that it touched Mace when she let her guard down long enough to try with her new