Free An Alpha's Trust by Shannon Duane

gotten from her looked up at her with hope.
    “They’re predators; I’m sure they’ll be fine. Who’s here?” She was not looking forward to seeing Jake and explaining the situation in front of Trevor, or anyone else. It was harsh to have to think about, let alone to talk about.
    Trevor got a faraway look in his eyes and she knew he may be standing in the same room, but he was far far away. A couple minutes later, he turned with a wide grin on his face. Uh oh, that didn’t look good. She was prepared for some major manipulation.
    “Hey ma, maybe I can play outside while you cook. The guys are all out there.” When had the wild animals become the guys? Geez, she was losing control very quickly.
    “What did you see?” She tried looking calm as can be.
    “Um, you know I shouldn’t tell you. Everything will work out. You worry too much, mommy.” He was setting her up for something. She felt comforted by the fact he had never been wrong and he didn’t seem upset.
    “Fine, go have fun, but please stay by the wolves.” Did she really just send her kid to play with wild animals? Yep, that’s her, parent of the year.
    She seasoned some beef and put it in the oven. She was cutting broccoli when the doorbell rang. Crap, she didn’t want company. By the flutter in her belly she knew who it was. Time to face the firing squad.
    She looked out the peep hole and saw Jake in all his glory. He was wearing a tight grey shirt with black jeans. Yummy; down girl. She had a replacement in her bed named BOB, battery operated boyfriend.
    Jake could smell her through the door and felt instant heat to all his tender bits. His body was very ready to bond.
    The door opened soundlessly. “I’m so very sorry. I didn’t realize...” Jake started.
    “Realize what, Jake? Why the card and flowers?”
    Great, now she was even more confused. He had no idea what was going on in her life, so why apologize. Unless...crap, he looked into her past. Now she felt stupid and vulnerable. Again.
    He saw the exact moment she realized her jig was up and he knew all about her. No longer did she have a confused but reassuring look on her face. She almost looked...angry. That couldn’t be right. Why would she be angry at him? Oh man, chicks. He was Alpha. They were supposed to bow to him and chase after him. Never in his life had he had to work this hard. Figures.
    She put all of her previous defenses in place to hear what so many people had told her. She would hear the law enforcement whispering behind her back that she deserved it for leading him. The others looked at her with pity. She was no longer going to be someone’s rug. She had decided to fight back, but standing in her doorway with Jake staring at her she didn’t know what she was fighting. “Well...”
    “Well what, Shana? I’m sorry you had to endure everything that you did, but in looking through the file, I couldn’t be more proud of you. You have made a life for yourself and Trevor. Plus, you’ve kept him safe all these years. I want to help, be there for you and Trevor. I want to tell you what mating is, and what you should expect. Mostly I want to tell you, I feel your strength will only benefit my pack. You don’t have to tell anyone what has happened to you, but I will not have you hiding anymore. I am the Alpha male and, if you choose to accept me after we talk, you’ll be the Alpha female.”
    All the anger and hurt she was feeling slowly drained out of her by the time his speech was done. She had never felt strong, had no idea why he would be proud of her. She had destroyed her life early on with trusting the wrong person. Dare she trust again?
    “I’m not strong enough. I’m also not an Alpha of anything. Nor am I an animal, no offense.”
    His lips turned upward in a half-smile. “You don’t have to be a wolf to be strong, Shana. All these years, with all of the attacks you’ve endured, you think you’re not strong. You fight for yourself, and Trevor, like any