Free Enemy Red by Marie Harte

alpha here, pup?” she muttered and grinned when he frowned. “Now, why don’t you tell me about this Living Box I’ve been hearing about. Because it’s funny, but I woke up on the morning you arrived missing a hank of hair.”
    He stared wide-eyed. “Are you serious?”
    “Yeah. And my mother just happened to be strolling by the house when I felt it missing.”
    “Your mother… I thought the sacrifice only worked on males.” Fenris grinned, feeling his heart lift. Thank you, Wolf in the Forest . For all my blessings. “Have I told you about my twin, Anson? I left him with my uncle at the ceremony. For all I know, he’s mated now as well. You have to meet him. You’ll love him.”
    “Not as much as I love you.”
    “I should hope not.”

    * * * *

    Two weeks later, Fenris walked into the middle of the Silver Clan’s village in the Great Forest , surrounded by friends and family. With his tense mate by his side and several of his new clan behind him, he knew much rested on this careful introduction. He was placing a large amount of faith in his uncle, despite all that Red thought about him. But an interesting conversation with Rena and Rurik had convinced him to take the first step.
    Now that the curse had been lifted from the Pavtek family with a simple spell, Red wanted to embrace their future. And what better way than bringing the Red Clan back where they belonged? To the Great Forest of their birth.
    “Fenris.” Uncle Mike stood with his arms crossed over his broach chest in the centre of the courtyard. Aunt Emily and Fenris’ three other uncles and cousins stood behind him. All around them, Silver Clan wolves gathered to stare at history in the making.
    Red clasped his hand tighter, and he squeezed it to let her know not to panic—not that his alpha ever would. “Uncle Mike. I’d like you to meet my mate and new alpha, Rudra Pavtek.”
    The silver wolves rumbled with surprise and shock. A female alpha? One that commanded one of their own? Then, too, Rurik’s presence had been detected, as had the bears and foxes with them. That they’d been allowed entry into the Great Forest at all spoke of the wonder of this day.
    Michael Barton stepped away from his wife and family until he stood directly in front of Fenris. Those closest to them looked away, but not Red, and not Fenris. Alphas didn’t bow to other alphas, nor did they feel the fear an alpha commanded over those he led.
    “Hmm, she’s pretty enough.”
    Fenris rolled his eyes when Red bared her teeth. His uncle bit his lip as if to cover a smile.
    “As pretty as her mother, another great pain in my ass,” Mike said in a gruff voice. He nodded at Rena over Fenris’ shoulder. “Nice to see you again, Rena. And Rurik. Looking spry as always. For a human.”
    Rurik told him to go to hell, and Mike grinned. Then he looked back at Fenris and frowned. “Still turning your back on your heritage, pup?”
    The rumbling of the Red Clan behind him grew louder.
    “He’s not a pup,” Red growled. “He’s my mate and the rightful alpha of this damn clan.”
    “Actually, he’s not.” Mike handed them two locks of hair. One was hers, the other blond. “Your father showed up and gave me this a few weeks ago, about the same time I snuck a few strands from my hot-headed nephew. The Wolf in the Forest hasn’t been happy with me for a while now,” he said gruffly. “I did what I thought was right at the time. My golden brother barely survived his birthing, and we hit hard times. But Fenris, your father loved your mother, and he made me promise to find the same for you and your idiot twin the year you turned twenty-five. Don’t ask me how he knew, but he did.”
    “So he was never a part of the Golden Clan?”Fenris had to ask.
    “Hell, no. We put that rumour out there to protect the strength and memory of the great golden wolves. But after Lycos defeated the humans, he was the last. One or two are born every generation, and they’re male. Your