Free Surrendering To The Alpha by Lia Davis Page B

body.
    “In a little while,” she said without looking away from the tree line.
    “Ten minutes,” Hayden barked and walked off.
    She felt her lips form a small smile. She liked Hayden. Underneath that hard-ass, iced shell of his, there was a heart warm and loyal. She’d seen him with the youth of den. It was true that all Pack members looked after and protected the younger and more vulnerable members, but she’d seen Hayden give a little more, spend more time, and comfort in a way she hadn’t expected from the large, dangerous wolf Marshal.
    A familiar scent drifted on the wind moments before Keegan emerged from the forest. She stood and waited. His gaze locked with hers, and damn if her body didn’t heat up as her stomach did flips. He stalked toward her and stopped mere inches from her.
    She cupped his face with both her hands then frowned. “You’re bleeding.”
    Keegan pulled out of her grasp and said, “It’s nothing.”
    “No, it’s not nothing. Come on, let me look at it.”
    ****
    He let out a soft growl but followed her inside. The truth was that her stern words and the fire and spirit she’d shown pleased him. Hell, it was a damn turn-on, just like the sight of her slightly curvy hips as they swayed with each step she took into the living room.
    She turned to face him when they reached the sofa and narrowed her eyes at him, as if knowing where his thoughts had gone. How was it that this woman could soothe the pain within him? She knew how to get inside him and ease the hurt he’d buried from losing his mate.
    “Sit,” she commanded as Will entered the room. He had his nose buried in the tablet in his hands.
    Keegan peered over at the boy, making him look up. They locked gazes for a brief moment before the teen smirked and sat in the over-sized armchair across from them.
    Shaking his head, Keegan sat on the sofa and watched Addyson as she left the room, only to return a moment later with the first aid kit. He was about to point out that he was an alpha leopard shifter and didn’t run the risk of infection like humans did, but he refrained. There was no need to inflame her little temper by pointing out something she already knew. The temper she only showed around him, he mused.
    Plus he liked the idea of her caring for him.
    Her eyebrows drew together as she dabbed a cotton ball with a salve from an amber-colored jar. “What are you thinking?” she asked while focusing on her task.
    He barely contained his flinch when she touched the cool cream to his wound.  “How beautiful you are.”
    Will snickered from behind his tablet, but Keegan ignored him and continued to watch the way Addyson’s cheeks colored. Although she tried to hide the way his words affected her, he saw it.
    “Stop trying to get out of trouble.” She fell silent, and her scent changed, indicating she was worried. He didn’t push. She’d ask her questions when she was ready.
    She placed a small bandage over the cut on his forehead then closed up the first aid kit. Without meeting his gaze, she said, “You fought with a mutant.”
    His heart stilled for a spit second, and he placed a finger under her chin, lifting it so her violet eyes stared into his. “I did.”
    It was his turn to look away, but he didn’t remove his hand from her chin. He needed the connection. Addyson had always grounded him on a level he’d never known. “I have a daughter.”
    Will stood and stretched while yawning loudly. The teen came over and kissed Addyson on the cheek. “Good night.” When he straightened, he gave a short nod to Keegan and went to his room.
    Keegan studied Addyson as she watched the kid walk off. “You’ve become attached to him,” he said.
    She peered at him, a flash of panic crossing her face before her expression became blank. “He’s a good kid.”
    “I know. I’ve known since I first met him.” She cocked her head in question, and he spoke before she could ask. “He needs to be challenged and questioned. It’d