Free Promised: True Mates Book 1 (BBW Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) by Olivia Arran Page B

eyes, turning them a dull, murky blue. “She has shown that she has what it takes to be an Alpha. She put her pack first — Lisa — with no thought for herself. That’s what it takes, that’s what you need from your mate.”
    “Amanda…” I had never felt the Alpha bond as strongly with Amanda as some of the rest of the pack. Probably because she was a strong, independent she-wolf, with Alpha tendencies herself. But I could feel her pain through the bond now.
    “I’d like to help, any way I can. I didn’t know it was the Smithrock Pack. I just wanted to tell you that I won’t cause anymore trouble…you know…between you and Kara.”
    Thoroughly confused by her change of heart, I sent a questing probe through the Alpha-bond, trying to figure her out.
    “Stop that!” she growled, baring her teeth. “I’m said I’m sorry — not puppy-whipped! As I said before, you’ll never be my actual Alpha. I follow you because I want to — not because I have to. I don’t need no stinkin’ Alpha,” she muttered, stalking off down the stairs.
    Shaking my head, bemused as always, by Amanda and her inexplicable idiosyncrasies, I followed her down to find my lieutenants. After all, I had a battle to prepare for and a girl to win.

Chapter Ten
    Kara
    E merging from the forest in my wolf coat, I entered the clearing that was reserved for boundary disputes and succession battles. I had never been here before, but the smell of blood and violence saturated the earth. A calling card to all of those in tune with nature’s warnings. It was a large, circular area, big enough to hold two — maybe three — packs, with stone benches roughly heaved together a long, long time ago, and cemented with age. Nothing grew within the circle, the nature of battle at odds with the natural world, and the ground was a mixture of dry dirt and stones. The night air was still, unusually still, as if it held its breath until the meeting was over.
    Seated on the largest stone bench were the five members of the Council, an imposing group of shifters, all Alphas or leaders of their packs, clans or—? My mind went blank, trying to think of what to call a group of dragons. Huh? A wing? Shaking my head I dropped my shoulders, laying my head on my front paws — a wolf bow for the Council, showing my submission and gratitude for their audience.
    The Council member in the center of the group nodded in acknowledgment and motioned to a pile of blankets folded on a nearby bench.
    Padding over, I let the shift happen and, stretching out the aches that come from assuming a four legged form, grabbed a blanket to cover my voluptuous curves.
    “No need to cover yourself on my behalf, my sweet Kara. In fact, no need to cover on their behalf either! They will see it all — and more — during the mating rut. When I take you and make you mine.” Eric seemed to ooze from the shadows, followed by his goons, and then the rest of the Smithrock Pack. Grabbing his bulging crotch in a lewd display, he eyed the mounds of my breasts that were on display above the blanket that I had hastily knotted across my chest.
    “Enough!” Council member number two called out, a huge man with an unruly thatch of sandy-blond hair and legs the size of tree trunks. Muscles upon muscles rippled across his bare chest as he stood to address the group. The bear shifter I presumed, watching in awe as he moved his bulk to standing.
    “We have been called here this evening, to address a change of pack, and a mate-claim. Now, I’m not sure why we have to address a change of pack. It seems to me that anyone should be able to choose whichever pack they would like to belong to. I don’t really get the whole pack thing anyway, but I’m told that’s how it works…” His loud words trailed off into muttering, as he threw Council Member number three an exasperated look, his mouth twisted almost comically and his large shoulders lifted in a shrug.
    Council Member number three rolled agilely to