Free The Alpha's Fight: Huntsville Pack Book 3 by Michelle Fox

man.”
    The way she looked at him, with her emotions bright in her eyes, made Ryder’s heart ache. Keira had been through hell. Even now, years later, people still whispered about what had happened to her and shook their heads. That and the way Mason had treated his own family had been what catapulted him into action. He didn’t want to bring a mate into his pack, not with the way his alpha behaved, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to mate with any of the women he grew up with. They were accustomed to violent men and used manipulation to protect themselves from their bad tempers. While he understood the behavior was a survival mechanism, Ryder didn’t want someone who would constantly work him over like he was a wind-up doll.
    “So what are you doing here? I know you didn’t come down just to see me.”
    “Not today, anyway.” He took a swig of beer and then said, “I need to talk to Talon. Is he around?”
    “Yeah. He’s in his office. I’ll go get him.”
    She made to leave but Ryder caught her hand. “He’ll keep. Let me eat first.”
    She nodded and settled back into her seat. “Sure thing. So tell me about the new pack land. Where is it? What is it like? How soon can my kids move in?”
    He chuckled at her eagerness as one of the staff set his burger in front of him. “How about I eat and you fill me in on the latest news in Hudson? Then I’ll tell you about our new home?”
    He didn’t wait for her to agree, his stomach lacked the patience for that. Picking up his burger, he sank his teeth into the toasted bun, groaning when the flavor of beef and melted cheese hit his taste buds.
    “Did you guys get a new cook?” he asked after he’d swallowed. “This tastes better than anything I’ve ever had here.”
    Keira smirked. “Funny you should ask as that’s the biggest news around here.” She leaned in again. “The sheriff has a mate.”
    Ryder almost choked on his burger. “What?” He didn't know the sheriff well and had only met him because of his trips to check on Keira, but he knew the guy was a real workaholic. When had he found time to meet his mate?
    “Yeah, and she’s a cook. Went to culinary school and everything.” She waved toward the kitchen. “Once they hooked up, she needed a job and Talon has her working here.”
    He finished the burger in one big bite and went for the fries. “The sheriff is a lucky man.”
    “Yeah, I guess so.”  Her shoulders slumped for a moment, but then she forced them back. Sitting up straight, she said, “So being a stray still sucks, but the food doesn’t. Not anymore.”
    Ryder just shook his head. He’d pictured Talon as a confirmed bachelor, married to his job more than anything else. The man lived and breathed stray law enforcement. Hell, he hardly even slept, how did he have time to...? Ryder focused on his fries, pushing away thoughts of the sheriff’s life as a mated shifter. “Oh wow, these fries are amazing.” He picked one up and stared at it trying to figure out why it was so spectacular.
    “It’s the spice rub,” came a feminine voice to his side.
    He looked over and up to see an attractive strawberry blonde smiling at him. She held out her hand. “I’m Gretchen, Talon’s mate. Originally from the Huntsville pack.”
    He quickly wiped his hands on his napkin and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ryder Chase.”
    She narrowed her eyes at him. “What? No pack affiliation? You’re not a stray, are you?”
    He shook his head. “Naw. Just don’t like my pack.”
    “We’re from the same home pack,” Keira added.
    Understanding dawned in Gretchen’s eyes and she gave a slow nod. “Ah, gotcha. My condolences.”
    “So a spice rub, you say?” he asked, not wanting to get into his issues with Mason.
    “Yeah. My own blend. It's really for meat, but I've been using it on the fries, too. I can give you some to take home if you like.”
    “Sure. That would be great.” Ryder didn’t have a home to go to just yet,