Free Predator's Claim by Rosanna Leo Page B

Alpha.”
    “Yeah,” Nate agreed. “Would it have hurt just to inquire?”
    Their father reached a hand out to both of them. “I’m sorry, guys, but your mother and I made this decision a while ago. You’re both still young and need to experience a bit more of the world before you settle down to such responsibilities.”
    Lena, always the hot-headed one, pulled away. “You’re always making decisions on our behalf. Just like you did with me and—”
    “Let’s not go there, love. You already know how your mom and I feel about him.” He sighed. “I’m sure Bart would agree.”
    Bart frowned. He had no idea what they were talking about but wanted to know why his little sister was so upset. He made a point to ask later.
    “Oh, Daddy,” Lena all but shouted. “You have such a closed mind. And now you’ve put Bart in charge because he’s just like you. Stubborn and opinionated and…and more macho than the Terminator!”
    Now that just hurt. He hated the movie.
    Bart decided to join the conversation and entered the porch, but Lena was already running out, Nate hot on her heels. As he turned the corner, his sister crashed into him, her eyes wet with tears. He steadied her and offered her a small smile. She just glared at him and disappeared with their brother. Letting out all the air in his puffed cheeks, Bart entered the porch and approached his dad. “Pardon me for saying so, but being Alpha kind of sucks, Dad.”
    His father smiled and picked up his coffee from the table, giving it an absent-minded stir. “It has its moments, but there are lots of good ones, too.”
    Bart poured himself a coffee from the pot that stood nearby for guests and walked over to where his dad stared out the window. The porch was one of his favorite places in the whole resort, and he often found himself there, gazing at the pristine lake, on his days off. Only today, the view did nothing for him.
    His father elbowed him. “I know I dropped you in it, son, but it really is for the best.” He grinned, as if able to read his mind.
    “You really going to China and all those places?”
    He smiled. “That’s the plan.”
    Bart frowned but couldn’t deny his folks deserved a getaway after all they’d done for everyone. “I hope you and Mom have fun. I really do.” He took a slurp from his coffee cup, swallowed, and Charlotte’s face appeared before his eyes. His body reacted immediately in a number of embarrassing ways, and he was sure he reddened from head to crotch.
    “So, aside from being made head of a family that drives you nuts,” his dad said, chuckling, “what’s wrong?”
    Oh, nothing, he wanted to say. Just being tortured by the memory of two soft lips and the irresistible body attached to those lips. To say nothing about the annoying woman who owned said lips and body. “It’s not important.”
    “I noticed,” his dad said, clearly testing the waters, “Charlotte left early last night…”
    “Don’t go there. Please, do not go there.”
    “Fine, son, but don’t you think you’ve been harboring your feelings for this woman too long? It’s not healthy. Your wolf must feel desolate.” He sipped his coffee, eyeing him the whole time.
    As if in agreement, the wolf stood, turned, and showed its back to Bart. Dumb dog . “Yeah, well, my wolf can jump in the lake.”
    He laughed. “Let me share a story about your mother.”
    Bart put up a hand. “Is this a sex story?”
    “Not today. When I met your mom, she was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen. I knew right away I couldn’t live without her, but she drove me crazy.”
    “She did?”
    “Hell, yes. You’d never seen two such different people. I was a young wolf, eager to take on the world, and she didn’t give me the time of day.”
    Bart inclined his head, amazed. He hadn’t heard this tale before.
    “Now don’t forget,” his dad continued, “I didn’t own my own shops then. I was just a lowly mechanic changing oil for a living. I had no