Free Shift Into Me (Werewolf Shifter Romance) (The Alpha's Kiss) by Lynn Red Page A

said. “But there are others who would challenge you. There are others who have doubts.”
    Damon rolled his head around on his neck, cracking it. “You speak for many, Nathaniel. You have the pack’s respect. Is this right?”
    The old man nodded slowly and then anticipated Damon’s next words. “I will tell them that you’re no pretender. As far as I’m concerned, Pokorann’s choice for successor was a wise one.”
    Damon and Nathaniel exchanged another long glance before Damon nodded his acceptance. “I’m counting on you,” he said finally. Then, something else struck him. “Is there one of us named Carrell?”
    Nat looked taken aback. “Yes... well, in a way. He’s been withdrawn from the pack for years. If we’re talking about the same person, he’s in charge of the town records, under the courthouse.”
    Damon’s jaw tightened, but he decided that caution was for the best, and said no more. “Thank you. Go now to the others.”
    “I will Alpha. And thank you.”
    With that, the old man retreated a few steps, then crouched and went fully lupine before running. Hunter’s ragged breathing caught Damon’s attention.
    “Let’s get you back home,” Damon said. “Sorry for the ribs.”
    Hunter shook his head, laughing. “You’ll have a sore jaw,” he said. “I got at least one good shot at you. I hope, anyway.”
    Damon cracked a smile. “Yeah,” he rubbed a place on his chin that had just started throbbing a moment before. “I think you got a good one. Can you walk?”
    “I can walk, but I can’t run. These ribs aren’t gonna let me move very fast.”
    Looking up, Damon realized there were only a couple of hours before the sun came up. He didn’t want to be away from Lily for any longer than he absolutely had to be. And, aside from that, he knew he needed to warn her about Carrell. Undoubtedly, the rogue werewolf had some way to know who she was.
    It was all Damon could do to not resolve to stop her from going to the courthouse. But he wasn’t going to let her go without at least knowing that there was a danger, no matter how vague.
    “If you want to go ahead,” Hunter said, “I can make it on my own.”
    “Ride?” Damon replied. “I’m strong enough to carry you.”
    That got a laugh from Hunter that made him grab his ribs again. “The thought of riding you home is... Oh God, this hurts. Don’t make me laugh. Thank you,” he said, “but no, I think that would be too big of a blow to my dignity.”
    “You’re sure? No one would know,” Damon said.
    “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ve been hurt worse and made it home. You go on. You got someone you need to see. Oh, Damon?”
    “Yeah?” he said, turning back to his friend. With the adrenaline subsiding, Damon’s side had started to ache, and so had his stomach from where he’d been pummeled.
    “Why’d you ask about Carrell? That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. Guy just stays in those dusty archives all day. Wait a minute. Courthouse.” Damon saw the lines begin to connect in Hunter’s mind. “That’s where Lily... There’s something you’re not telling me.”
    Damon shook his head. “Just a hunch,” he said. “I don’t know why, but that name... something in the back of my mind made me think of that name, but I can’t say what it was.”
    Searching his mind, trying to remember what happened, Damon felt a strange, slick, purple heat caress the inside of his skull. The memory that only seconds before had been on the edge of his grasp, slid away.
    “You all right?” Hunter asked. “You got this weird look on your face and got all glassy-eyed for a second.”
    “Yeah,” Damon said. “Sorry, I just... I was thinking.”
    “See you later? I’ll be behind you a couple of hours.” Hunter crouched and took his wolf form, loping slowly after Damon, who did the same, but took off like a shot across the ground.
    With the moon lighting his way, a silver trail led him home.
    Lily. I’m coming for you.
    The