The Reluctant Alpha by A.K. Michaels Page A

god knows what he’ll do to me!”
    Cam couldn’t help himself, he stepped forward and held her in his arms. “Shh, it’s okay, you didn’t do anything. It was me, so whoever it is you’re talking about will come after me, not you.”
    Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at him. “He’ll know. My scent is on him so he’ll know I was here.”
    Cam could feel her entire body shaking, her dread almost choking him. “First, tell me who you are and why he was after you.”
    “My name’s Chastity, and he’s … was … Silas, the Beta of my Pack,” she stopped, taking in a deep breath. “He’s been after me for a couple of years but I’ve always managed to avoid him, but today he found me when I was out running. He wanted to…he wanted to...”
    Her breathing hitched as she fought for control, Cam tightening his hold on her. “Oh, I think I know what he wanted to do.”
    “Well, my brother said he’s Beta so he can do what he wants.” Her body shook again, in revulsion this time. “My own brother!”
    Cam’s tone was sharp as he spat out, “A Beta can’t just go around taking whoever he wants. Not in any Pack I know anyway, and brothers should fight to the death to protect their sister. Just who is your brother ‘cause I think he needs a good talking to about how to protect a family.”
    A small laugh erupted from her throat but Cam couldn’t see what the hell was funny about any of this. Her next words chilled his blood. “My brother is the Alpha of the Pack, his name’s Philippe but trust me he doesn’t care about me or anyone else and when he finds Silas dead he’s going to punish me. You just don’t understand what goes on in that Pack. Women are second class citizens, available to be used by Philippe and his guards. It doesn’t matter if they agree or not, they are taken by force when necessary. Sometimes, it’s just for fun, a game to those bastards, to see how much a woman can take. They are the worst kind of animals.”
    Cam noticed for the first time Chastity’s accent, French Canadian if he wasn’t mistaken and her words were like music to his ears. “Strange,” he thought as he loosened his grip, stepping back and staring down at her.
    Cam felt his anger growing as she spoke, wanting to get his hands on these so called men. “What? That’s outrageous, no Pack should be like that and no woman should be treated like that.”
    “Oui, but that’s the way it’s been for a long time now and Philippe will hunt me down if I don’t return but if he finds out I had anything to do with this,” she pointed to the remains on the ground, “then I’m as good as dead.”
    “I can get rid of the body, if you think that would help?”
    Chastity’s eyes widened so much they were like saucers in her face and he saw her mind going to work. Barely a moment passed before she nodded once. “Oui, if he doesn’t find him then he can’t know I was involved and he really can’t know.”
    “Okay,” Cam pushed a lock of hair that had fallen over her cheek, his finger tingling at the brief touch. “I’ll do what I can to make sure he doesn’t know you were involved.”
    “Merci!” Chastity breathed out, as if she’d been holding her breath for an eternity.
    “You’re welcome.” Cam smiled, “Chastity, if your brother is as bad as I’ve just heard then maybe you should leave?”
    She shook her head. “Non. I cannot! He would hunt me down and he would not just punish me. He would rip me apart. I cannot leave, not ever.”
    Chastity pulled away from Cam, her head shaking so forcefully her hair swirled around her head. “I have to go. He will miss me soon and send out guards to find me.”
    “Wait.” Cam held out a hand, trying to grasp her but she ducked away from him. “You don’t need to go back. I’ll protect you from him, I promise.”
    “You are kind, and strong, but you don’t know him like I do. He is cruel and depraved and so very strong, I fear nobody can stand up