Stolen by the Alpha Wolf: Shifter Romance (Accidental Theft Book 1) Read online

  Accidental Theft

  Stolen by the Alpha Wolf

  Part 1

  By

  Charlene Hartnady

  Copyright and Disclaimer

  Copyright © January2015, Charlene Hartnady

  Cover Art by Melody Simmons

  Copy Edited by Kimberly Reichmann

  Produced in South Africa

  Published by Charlene Hartnady

  PO BOX 456, Melrose Arch,

  Johannesburg, South Africa, 2176

  [email protected]

  Accidental Theft is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author

  Dedication:

  To my favorite rock star because I’m a cowboy (…okay…cowgirl) who loves a little bit of bad medicine…

  Table of Contents:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Author’s Note

  Books by this author:

  Part 1

  Chapter 1

  Her mouth was bone dry, the gag didn’t help things. The inside of her throat felt like it was caked with a grimy layer of dust. Something was tied around her eyes making it impossible to see. Not a situation she was used to being in. Not even on a new moon night. Stephany didn’t panic easily, so she took a deep breath and then another until she felt her heart rate even out.

  Soon after the wolf had grabbed her, he’d surprised her with a hard blow to the face rendering her unconscious. Her species may not be perfect, but a male would never think of hitting a female. Not ever. At least her lip no longer bled even though it still stung. The throb in her skull had also dulled to a light ache. Thank blood for her advanced healing properties. Being a vampire had its serious advantages. Unfortunately, it also had one or two disadvantages. Stephany fought against the rope that bit into her wrists. It bound her tightly to the back of the beast. No matter how hard she squirmed and pulled, she couldn’t free herself. The sinewy twine was silver infused. There would be no give. It would be better if she saved her energy for when she really needed it.

  The alpha would be waiting.

  The reason behind her abduction made no sense. This had to be a mistake.

  The constant motion on the beast’s back was starting to make her feel dizzy. It loped, keeping up the same rhythm with broad strides that took her further and further away from potential rescue. Light, agile, she knew it wouldn’t leave much of a trail. She’d awoken earlier to the sounds of splashing water. The beast bounded along the shallow edge of Sweetwater River for what felt like an eternity, any traces of its scent would be swept away. The shifters were known for their ability to disappear. Only this time, she would disappear right along with them. Again, she took in deep breaths through her nose. Its musky scent still strong in her nostrils. It didn’t help that her face was buried into its surprisingly soft fur.

  Just when she thought she might vomit; not such a great idea with a gag in her mouth, it slowed to a brisk walk. Turning first in tight circles, it tensed beneath her and then released a deafening howl.

  Silence.

  It howled again. The ache behind her temples increased. This time there was an answering howl in the distance and the beast immediately bound forward. Within minutes Stephany could hear movement coming towards them. One set of soft padded footfalls, distinctly on four legs and definitely panting. After another minute of all out sprinting, they slid to a halt. Stephany was breathing hard. The sound of movement grew steadily closer until what was no doubt another wolf, yipped in welcome. The other beast moved nearer making mewling noises, the sounds turned to a menacing growl as she felt it sniff at her back and neck. She cringed as its hot breath fanned against her. The scent of musk grew stronger. Another low growl had her skin crawling and her breath hitching. If it decided to attack her now, she was helpless and although she would most likely eventually heal from her wounds, the pain would be excruciating.

  The wolf finally moved away and she closed her eyes behind the bind around her head. The wolves picked up pace again in a steady lope reminding her of a ship on a stormy yet rhythmic sea. Her stomach churned. Her head ached. The air grew even cooler.

  It felt like an eternity before she picked up sounds in the distance of both voices and wolves. The smell of smoke caught her nostrils. The laughter of a child followed by a warning to be quiet. It seemed as if everyone heeded the warning because an eerie quiet descended. Stephany could hear more movement and breathing. Could scent that many wolves congregated here.

  There was a crackle of a fire. Warmth blanketed her. It sounded like they’d entered a shelter by the way noises reverberated back.

  There was a sharp cracking noise. Like twigs being snapped. A growl turned into a moan. “Where’s the human?” The male panted heavily between words. Stephany had never been near a wolf before when it shifted but she was sure that was what had just happened. The wolf under her growled and arched its back.

  “Yeah, yeah…I’m on it.” The shifter began untying the rope that bound her to the beast, his hands brushed against her from time to time. With a sharp yank, he pulled the rope free. She felt herself falling and after having limited blood supply to her limbs for so long, her reaction was sluggish causing her to bang her hip and the side of her head on the hard floor. Pain shot through her and she groaned into the gag. Warmth trickled down her chin. Damn, her lip had reopened. Still bound at the wrists, she decided to lie still for a few seconds to regain her composure.

  More of the same cracking noises. This time the male groaned loudly as he shifted. “My back is broken…vampire bitch weighs a ton.”

  A low chuckle. “You were the idiot that brought her here. Why? Ward requested that we find the human. He won’t be happy that you brought a bloodsucker back instead. Should’ve let me kill her earlier.”

  “We can use her. You should’ve seen how the vampires fought for her. The elves even managed to kill one of the vampire males.”

  Guilt and sorrow washed over her at the thought of Lance and how he’d run into the range of the elven archers trying to get to her. They’d showered him with arrows. Many had found their mark. The last thing she saw before the wolf punched her, knocking her out, was Lance as he dropped to his knees. Dying, there was an agonized look on his face.

  “Like I said, she must be important. Maybe they’ll give us the human in return for her.”

  This time the other male all out laughed. “No way. They’ll never give up the future queen. The whole species depends on her. I think you may’ve just wasted your time.”

  “Let’s see what our alpha has to say about it.”

  Her hip really hurt. She knew the silver was slowing her healing. Trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible, she moved forward easing the pressure on her side.

  “Let’s get her up.” The other male said moving towards her. So much for not getting noticed. She chided herself for moving in the first place. “I want to tie her legs. I don’t trust vampires. Strong, sly bunch, even the females.”

  Rough hands clasped her upper arms hoisting her
up. One of the males held her while the other moved away. The rope slapped the ground as he dropped it next to her. “Such long legs.” Her abductor said, his voice filled with awe. His disgusting wolf breath fanned her face. She had to fight the urge to turn away. Next thing his hand was on her outer thigh sliding up the side of her leg. She tried to move away but his grip on her upper arm tightened. “She’s really firm and toned for a female.” The hand cupped her ass and she reacted instantly throwing her head forward in the direction of his breath.

  Crack.

  A high pitched yowl was followed by a low growl. Her abductor sucked in a breath. In the next moment, she sensed the movement coming towards her but couldn’t quite get a handle on where it was coming from. She tensed right before the hand made contact with her face. Her neck snapped back from the force of the blow. Heat, searing pain, ears ringing. His vice like grip on her arm was the only thing that kept her from being flung backwards. In that moment, she was thankful for her gag. It had stifled her reaction as his hand had made contact.

  “Quit messing with it.”

  “The bloodsucker head-butted me,” her abductor whined.

  “I saw you pawing her, Hayden.”

  There was silence for a few beats. “I’m just curious, never saw a vampire female this close before. I just wanted to see if it has…you know…normal female parts.”

  “Ward won’t like us touching it.” A growl. “He really wouldn’t like you fucking around with it.”

  Her heart rate picked up and she tried to keep her breathing even. Need to stay calm. Wolves enjoyed a good hunt. They might get a thrill if they smelled her fear. This could spiral out of control quickly.

  “I just want—”

  “No.” The other male moved towards them and crouched at her feet. He wrapped the rope around her ankles several times.

  She’d just started to relax when her abductor’s free hand moved to the buttons on her blouse. Oh gods! Her heart pounded in her ears. She moaned and shuffled trying to alert the other male.

  Rip.

  “What the fuck, Hayden.” The other male said as he fiddled some more with the rope. It was tight, almost to the point of pain. The chances of being able to fight off two wolves while bound with silver was little to none.+

  “I just want to look. There’s no way I’m fucking a bloodsucker.”

  “One quick look before Ward gets here. You’d better make it fast though.”

  Her shoulders sagged in humiliation. At least they weren’t going to rape her. That was something.

  Her blouse was shoved roughly to the side. “What the…she’s wearing one of those human contraptions.”

  “Just leave her, Hayden. You can see she has tits, now leave her alone.”

  “Not bad. I’m semi hard.”

  If she wasn’t wearing a gag, she’d puke for sure. Her stomach churned.

  “Too much fucking information.” He inhaled sharply. “Put your claws away, I’ve just about had it with you.”

  “I want to remove the covering. I want to take a look at—”

  “I said no!” the other male bit out.

  “You’re such a suckling pup, Sawyer. I didn’t realize that you were such a vampire lover.”

  Sawyer snarled. “Say that again and I’ll make a blanket out of your hairy ass.”

  “Are you going to let me finish looking at the vampire?”

  “No. You’re done.” Sawyer’s voice had dropped a few octaves.

  Just then the door opened, a gust of chilly air blew in with whoever had arrived. Slam! “Please tell me that whatever is going on here isn’t what it looks like.”

  “I can explain,” her abductor said. Stephany could scent his acrid fear. There was a sound of flesh hitting flesh. Hayden yelped. There was another meaty thud.

  “Please…” Her tormentor begged. Another hard whack sounded.

  “Why should I listen to you, Hayden?” A vicious snarl that had her pulse racing and adrenaline surging. “It’s not like you were able to listen to this female beg you to stop. Not like you would’ve listened even if you could hear her.” Whack. Yelp. Whack. “You’re a poor excuse for a wolf.”

  Stephany could not muster any sympathy for the male.

  There was a dull thud. The shifter must’ve fallen. “Please…” His voice resonated from the ground confirming her suspicions.

  The newcomer snarled, rough and mean. The sound causing goose bumps to break out all over her body. Everything in her screamed to drop to the floor. To cover her head and beg for her life. It was only her experience in dealing with all-consuming dominance that stayed her. The snarl turned to a low growl. Vampire males also made such base noises, but this was different. This was raw, untethered, so animal that she had to bite down on her gag to stop herself from whimpering.

  “Explain yourself.” His gruff voice was low.

  “I…” It was Sawyer.

  “Not you. You.” The newcomer growled and her insides quivered in utter fear.

  Hayden whimpered.

  “Get up.” The dominant male growled.

  There was a rustling noise as the male complied. “I just wanted to look at it.”

  “Her.” A low vibration. “She may not be our species but she is a female. Did she give you permission to open her clothes?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “I didn’t think so. Who hit her?”

  “I didn’t mean to…”

  Another slap, by the softer sound, the impact was less hard. The male still staggered. “At least be a wolf and admit it,” the newcomer said.

  Hayden took a deep breath. “Fine, but only after she head-butted me first.”

  “Yeah?” Gruff and impatient. “Why did she feel the need to do that to you?”

  “Um…” her abductor said followed by silence.

  “Are you sure that’s all you have to say?” A low growl. “You didn’t do anything to deserve the retaliation.”

  “N…no,” he stammered.

  Another low growl. “Untie her.”

  “I wouldn’t recommend—” It was Sawyer.

  “Do it.” His voice so low that she could barely understand him.

  Her gag was removed. Her lips were so dry that they seemed to stick together at first contact. Her blindfold was next, the light hurt her eyes rendering her momentarily blind. A male who she suspected was Sawyer fumbled with the ropes at her hands.

  “You’d better speak quickly because if her story is different than yours, your penalty will be much worse. As it stands you are in deep shit.”

  Stephany rubbed at her wrists trying to get the blood flow back.

  “Fine,” Hayden huffed. “I hit her so that I could get her away from the vamps.”

  “Why did she head-butt you?” A low growl.

  “I touched the side of her leg. I just wanted to look at it.”

  “What? Look at it with your hand?” There was another loud crack and Hayden yelped.

  “You will apologize to the female.”

  “I don’t see why I—”

  “I’m losing patience with you, pup. You touched and unclothed this female without her permission. You are lucky I came in when I did.”

  Her eyes finally managed to focus on the male in front of her. He was naked so she looked up. His eyes were narrowed, angry, filled with hate. His lip was bleeding, his right eye swollen shut and there was a small cut on his forehead, it oozed blood.

  He clenched his jaw. “I’m sorry I hit you and touched you.” Her tormentor looked anything but as his one good eye narrowed on her.

  “Don’t you ever forget your place in this pack.”

  “I won’t, Ward.” The male, Hayden, lowered his head.

  “Why did you take the female?” Her eyes drifted to the one she now knew to be Ward and the air threatened to seize in her lungs. The male was huge. Taller than Brant and that was saying something. His shoulders were broad, his biceps bulged. Unlike vampire males, the wolves had some hair. The shirtless male ha
d a light smattering on his chest, as well as in a line that led from his belly button down his rock hard abs…thank blood he wore jeans. Low riding, faded encasing narrow hips and thick thighs.

  “She’s important, Ward. You should’ve seen how they fought for her. One of them gave his life trying to save her.”

  She closed her eyes at the memory of Lance falling to his knees, his face contorted in agony, his eyes pleading. They were locked with hers.

  “I asked you to bring me the human. This female is useless to us.” Her eyes snapped to his face. This was the alpha. She swallowed hard to prevent herself from sucking in a sharp breath. His hair was cut tight against his skull with a five o’clock shadow on his hard jaw. Fierce looking. His entire frame radiated raw energy. Pent up aggression like nothing she’d ever seen before. When he looked her way, the greenest eyes she had ever seen swept over her and then locked with hers for an instant before he turned his head back to Sawyer.

  “I’m sorry, Ward. I’ll get rid of it…her.” His words were tinged with excitement. If this asshole got his way, she was dead for sure.

  “I refuse to go with this male.” Her voice cracked from lack of use.

  “I will take her.” Hayden threw her a look that had daggers attached.

  Ward grunted. “Like hell. Haven’t you listened to a word I just said? You won’t be permitted anywhere near a female anytime soon. Maybe never.”

  “But…that’s not fair.” Hayden whined.

  “What wasn’t fair was you touching this female without her consent. I don’t trust you period. Let alone with the life of a female. I’m not sure what to do with you. You disappoint me, Hayden.” The alpha sighed.

  Hayden looked down at his feet, his throat worked. “I’m sorry, Ward. I will do better, I promise.”

  “Next time I will not take your excuses. If this had gone any further I would have exterminated you. Taken you the fuck out”—the alpha paused, his muscled bulged—“I can’t have a male in my pack that does not know how to treat a female, regardless of species.” He didn’t wait for the male to respond. “There is a cabin that needs repairing, the two of you can head over there now.”