Free Un.Requited (Claimed Series) by Reese Morgan

tightened marginally, but he was quick to turn neutral once again. “Devan and I are joint Alphas,” he explained. “We are not a mated Alpha pair.”
    Across from him, Blake snickered into his potatoes. Apparently, Hayden was missing something vital.
    Cole pressed his forearms on the table, leaning toward Hayden. Like Nicolas and Tracer, he had the ability to pull Hayden in, somehow making the hustle and bustle of their surroundings become void. Fortunately, his ability wasn’t overpowering and Hayden found it more comforting than unnerving.
    “You’ll enjoy it in Oregon. As my duty as your Alpha, you can be reassured that I’ll help you with your self-control on full moons as well as around humans.”
    It was the first time Cole had ever openly reassured her and even Blake seemed surprised at the action. “It would be nice not to see my mother as food,” Hayden responded quietly.
    She swallowed, looking away from Cole and back at her food. It had been painful to be so distant from her mother these past few days. She hoped, with time, she could hug her mother again without feeling rage and hunger.
    However, if she was honest with herself, she already felt calmer, especially in Cole’s presence. When Hayden didn’t feel disgust at his attempted murder, she recognized the soothing vibes around him. She didn’t understand it, but assumed it had to do with Cole being an Alpha.
    “Do Alpha’s have some sort of power?” Hayden ventured guardedly. “I mean, your presence, seems to be… calming.” She didn’t have any other word for it and she wondered if it came out as stupid as she thought it had. 
    Cole didn’t appear to think the question was senseless, if he did, he did well not to let it show. “Alphas are known to have a certain power, yes. Pacifying other werewolves aside, once we bond with our pack members, we also have the power to force their transformation.”
    “Force?” Hayden pressed as she poked listlessly at her meat.
    Cole inclined his head in consideration. “For instance, say I wanted the pack to transform back into humans or morph into their wolf. I could manipulate the bond we share and force their transformation.
    “Alphas are also creatures who placate and tame newborn werewolves who enter their pack. With this power, I will be able to guide you and assist you with human proximity, as well as the painful first transformation.” Cole trailed off, appearing pensive.
    “Don’t let Cole scare you too much. The first transformation isn’t all that bad,” Blake commented through his food. “And if you survive, and if you have control over your wolf, you’ll be able to morph freely anytime, even nights that aren’t the full moon.”
    Despite his blocked air passage, Hayden heard him clearly. “ If I survive?” she repeated hoarsely. Nicolas had already commented that females rarely survived the transformation. She didn’t know there was another phase she would need to hurdle over in order to survive. 
    Cole offered Blake a withering stare. “You’ll survive, Hayden,” he murmured confidently, turning back to her. “I’ll be right beside you.”
    His confidence made her feel a little lighter, yet she was still apprehensive about what was to come. Hayden didn’t trust him completely and there was still that empty feeling of leaving home and living with people who may not welcome her.
    Raising her gaze, she met Cole’s searching stare. Even if Hayden tried to clear the trepidation from her face, she knew he could easily see through her.

4. Chapter Four
     
    The closer they approached their destination, the more her depression about leaving New York lessened, and the more her anxiety about meeting Cole’s pack increased.
    After a rather cramped airplane ride, involving the use of her scarf due to the closeness of humans, Hayden found herself occupying an even more cramped taxi. She was current sitting between Cole and Blake, their brawny bodies hardly allowing Hayden much