Free Imprinted By The Alpha (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (The Marked One - Book 1) by Jocelyn Thomas

confirmed with a nod. “There are about thirty of us around, though not many people know we’re werewolves. I have an older brother, and you know Lil is my sister. My father was the Alpha when we lived in Baton Rouge, but he passed away before Christmas, and I took his place as pack leader. I’m the Alpha now.”
    She tilted her head in consideration. “I thought the oldest would be designated the leader.”
    No matter how many times people raised the common question, it stung Caleb, and he didn’t find anything fun in answering it. “Blaez is my adopted brother, so no. It was always set that I would take my father’s place because I’m his true heir. The decision never set well with Blaez, and he left the pack over a decade ago. I haven’t seen him since.” His jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with the pain of the memory.
    You’ll regret it, Father. Here this now. I denounce all of you as my family. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already dead.
    Those had been Blaez’s harsh parting words, and Caleb wasn’t some hard ass without feeling. It had hurt him terribly, and he thought of his brother often. He hated Blaez feeling slighted, but the order couldn’t be changed, and while Caleb accepted his adopted brother as true family, the bloodline had to remain intact. Blaez was not his father’s son, and Caleb refused to feel guilty for taking his rightful place as Alpha. But the internal conflict still raged inside.
    “I’m sorry,” Ava told him, raking her fingers soothingly through his hair.
    He sighed. “My brother and I were close, and I still love him, but we’ve grown apart. His path in life is sadistic, and he kills anything that stands in his way without emotion. His anger and resentment rule his actions, so it’s better that he’s gone.”
    There was nothing he could do to change things, and Caleb hated that. Only Blaez could rewrite history, and Caleb wouldn’t hold his breath on that one. He wouldn’t dwell on it, either, and changed the subject abruptly. “What about you? Do you have any siblings?”
    “I’m an only child. My father died three years ago, so it’s just me and my mom.”
    ******
    A va felt a lump gathering in her throat and moved away from Caleb, toward the edge of the bed. She wanted to disguise her loneliness. She loved her mother, and Kelly made a great surrogate sister. But sometimes, she felt the hollowness of not having a sister by blood. Standing and looking for her clothes, she told him, “I have to go. My mom is going to freak out for not coming home and not calling last night. She worries a little too much sometimes.” She picked up her shorts and pulled them on.
    She blushed fiercely when she couldn’t find the rest of her clothes. “You wouldn’t know where my shirt and bra landed would you?” She turned circles, not wanting to meet Caleb’s eyes.
    She heard the amusement in his voice before she felt his presence behind her. “In the kitchen,” he growled, wrapping a long arm around her waist and teasing the skin below her ear with his lips and breath. “Where I ripped them off.” He twirled her around and kissed her soundly on the lips, then trailed down to her collarbone, licking circles in its hollow.”
    “Caleb,” she breathed, her loins heating, “as much as I want to stay, I really do have to go.”
    He released her, a reluctant look on his face. She stood there as he stared at her, long and hard, and she knew he wasn’t ready for her to leave. His powerful presence called to her, reeled her in, and she shifted against the tickling between her legs as his eyes traveled over her skin, making her feel sexy and needy, wanting more of his loving. But she broke down and started out of the room, gesturing with her head for him to follow. They walked to the kitchen together, her in nothing but shorts and Caleb in all his naked glory.
    She dressed quickly and turned to drape her arms around Caleb’s neck, standing on her tiptoes to reach and