Chosen by the Alpha by Mina Carter Page A

turned to the newcomer. The wolves behind him were silent but bristled with tension. She didn’t like the look of them. Or rather she did, and that was the problem. Far from being the normal court dandies, these wolves were all as dangerous as the man in front of her.
    “My Lord Delegate, I assume?” she asked with a smile.
    “Guilty as charged.” A smile spread over her mystery wolf’s face. His expression transformed from growly and severe to heart-stoppingly handsome.
    Her wolf gave a whine, pushing at her to get closer. She didn’t need to because he closed the gap between them. Walked was not the word. No. Instead, he stalked, his eyes riveted on hers like he was the predator and she the prey. After years of being one of the most powerful werewolves in the room—despite his attitude, even Liam knew she could fuck his shit up permanently if she wanted to—to be looked at that way was unsettling.
    It was also sexy as all hell.
    He came to a stop in front of her, towering over her. Usually, she was eye level with men so that was something else new. And she liked it.
    “And...who would you be, my lady?” He tilted his head to the side, and a strand of long hair fell loose, the rest pulled back and wrapped. She clenched her fist to stop herself reaching out to undo it. Something about the way he held himself suggested he didn’t wear his hair like that often.
    “I’m not a lady.” Her voice was raspy, forcing her to clear her throat. Great, how sexy was that? She sounded like an asthmatic frog, right in front of the bloody Lord Delegate. “Isla, Captain of the City Guard.”
    Belatedly, she offered her hand to shake. As a city official, she wasn’t anywhere near this man’s social standing, but the only person she’d ever bow to was Reena, so it was all he was getting.
    “Nick Trevais,” he murmured, taking her hand and rather than shaking it, he bowed to her and lifted it to his lips. “Alpha of the Trevais pack, Lord Delegate, and a man who very much knows when he’s in the presence of a lady.”
    *
    Nick Trevais, while an alpha and leader of his pack, had always been considered a bit of an oddball. He knew that and didn’t care. What people failed to realize about oddballs was most of the time, no one knew what they were likely to do next…which Nick had figured out worked very well for him indeed.
    Like kissing the hand of a very pretty woman when she was least expecting it.
    He savored her little gasp and the sudden flare of amber in her eyes as she reacted to his touch. She was tall and slender with blond hair. He couldn’t tell if it was long or short because it was pulled back into a loose bun. Her scent hit him first, wrapping around him like the coils of a seductive serpent ready to lead him into sin. Once he’d seen her, interest flared like a fireworks display, quickly followed by anger at the man attempting to crowd her, trying to persuade her to take him to bed.
    Nick’s wolf growled within as he straightened, flicking a look of warning at the younger man. The only man this woman would be taking to bed anytime soon would be him. His expression made the other man pale and Liam backed up with some excuse about getting ready for the ball. Nick let him flee, returning his attention to the beauty in front of him.
    “My lord—” He’d managed to discomfort her with the kiss, her cheeks flaming red as she dropped her gaze. Interesting. To have attained the position of Captain of the Guard told him she was as tough as nails, but being thrown off balance by a simple kiss was charming. Utterly charming. As he watched though, she regained her composure and smiled at him.
    “The ball is about to begin and I know the Mistress of the City is awaiting your arrival. If you and your partner would come this way?” At that, she stepped back and to the side, indicating he should precede her toward the ballroom. He didn’t miss her glance through his entourage, searching perhaps for a female wolf.