Free The Real Italian Alphas by Bonnie Burrows

this, he quickly let go of the wolf form and returned to his human self. Then he kissed the bite tenderly and went to grab a bandage for it from the bathroom. Wordlessly they sat together on the bed as he bound the wound, and then Gabriel took her into his arms and cradled her as a slight pain crept from the arm into her body, making her feel a bit feverish.
    “Maybe you should just go to your meeting, Gabriel.” she suggested. “I doubt anyone would come looking for me in here if you’re where you’re supposed to be.”
    “No,” he said. “If it was just about me, Lucretia would not have come after us at the hotel. Clearly, they sent for me because of you. Leaving you alone would be foolish, indeed. I must stay here and keep you safe. As soon as the moon is full, I’ll bite you again. But that isn’t for eighteen hours yet. We’ve got a while to wait.”
    *
    About four in the afternoon, Betsy woke from a fitful sleep to find Gabriel staring up at the ceiling with great concern. He held a finger to his lips, and Betsy didn’t say a word. She tried to breathe as quietly as possible, lest the keen ears of whoever he believed to be there might hear her.
    Nearly an hour passed, and still neither of them moved nor spoke, both just staring upwards in a state of anticipation. Finally, Gabriel relaxed his stance and drew Betsy into his arms. “I guess she couldn’t figure out how to get in.” he mouthed, and Betsy nodded. “I doubt she has given up, though. Lay still, Betsy. We still have another two hours to wait. I’ll find us something to eat. Just stay quiet, and hold your gun at the ready.”
    Betsy nodded, too frightened at the thought of attracting unwanted attention to say a word.
    As soon as Gabriel left her side, Betsy’s eyes riveted upon a shadow that moved on the other side of the room. She aimed the gun with deadly calm.
    “I knew that you were here.” she said. “How is it that Gabriel did not?”
    “That’s simple, my dear,” Lucretia  scoffed. “I didn’t want him to know. If he bites you again, I’m sworn to kill you. You must know that.”
    “But why?” Betsy asked. “I have no interest in being some Alpha or controlling a bunch of mobsters, and most certainly not the group you have out here.”
    “Because I don’t like to share my toys.” she said with a smirk. “Because by letting you live, I would be conceding defeat.”
    “But you don’t even want him.” Betsy pointed out.
    “No, but I do not want to be perceived as weak.” she said. “Your only chance is to leave right now, or I’ll kill you just as soon as I am able.”
    “I really don’t want to have to keep shooting you, Lucretia.” Betsy said in a reasonable tone. “But Gabriel belongs to me now. I will not give him up.”
    “Suit yourself,” she smirked. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
    With that, Lucretia jumped back up to the ceiling and disappeared back into it again. Gabriel returned with a couple of sandwiches and set them on the bedside table.
    “She’s gone, then?”
    Smirking, Betsy nodded.
    “You didn’t shoot her.”
    “Not yet,” she said. “Maybe later, though.”
    “Women,” Gabriel smirked. “How do men ever figure them out?”
    “They don’t.” said Betsy with a chuckle. She was barely able to eat her food.
     
     

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
                The moon was finally full. Both Gabriel and Betsy could feel it in their bones. Betsy’s heart was pounding erratically in her chest as she longed for him to get it over with. Yet still Gabriel waited. He transformed into a wolf and stared at the ceiling, waiting lest Lucretia come in again.
    “She isn’t going to come in here until you’ve actually changed me.” Betsy pointed out. “Just do it, already. The pain is almost unbearable, Gabriel.”
    “Sorry, mi amore .” he said as he rubbed the previous bite. “Get your gun ready. I don’t think she is alone.”
    “Not alone?” Betsy groaned. “Who is with