In the Alpha’s Arms

All the Possibilities

“What was that about?” Alex came up behind his Alpha, both of them staring after the waif of a girl as she drove away.

“How’d she do today?” Cole asked, turning his eyes away from the front door.

“Terrible, as always. Maybe one inch better than the rest of the week,” Alex laughed, dabbing his forehead with a towel.

“She always comes in the evening?”

“Mmm, not always, but I think her classes start soon, so it’ll be evenings from now on… she’s as strong as a toddler, but she’s persistent. I thought she would’ve quit by now. I may or may not have given her the hardest cardio circuit I know today. And all week I’ve been kicking her ass.”

Alex huffed a laugh, “Her body has to be killing her but every time I think she’s going to throw in the towel, she keeps going. Keeps showing up in double layers and bad posture no matter what. Nearly collapsed on the treadmill to prove the point. I had to force-stop the damn thing so everybody can stop giving me shit for hurting the new girl before she can do a meet and greet.” Alex made air quotes as he rolled his eyes toward the other pack members.

Cole grunted, a deeply annoyed sound, and Alex cocked his head.

“I’ll train her in the evenings from now on…” Cole said, answering his Beta’s curiosity.

personal and professional lines to be crossed. And he certainly wouldn’t take on

worry about it. Maybe I think her fear is funny… and Alex, don’t touch her again.” Cole said nonchalantly, even though a tang of Alpha command wafted in the air. That left Alex standing with his mouth wide, as if

is on her?” Alex asked quietly, catching back up to

Alex tried again, “Alphas don’t have human mates. It’s just… not a thing, Cole. There’s no way. Alphas mate with Alphas to continue the line. Everybody knows that. You especially. No way does

at the entrance to the office, glancing around the gym to see if any of the other pack members were listening before he ducked inside. “I’m not planning to claim her

would you want to train her?” Alex crossed

the handful of surveillance monitors on the back table. Andres had been harassing them for weeks about money to finish the setup. A year was too long to have put off security, especially with the number of human civilians coming and going these days. Lita’s extremely large contribution went directly to the six gleaming screens that cycled

be close to her,” Cole growled in frustration, pursing his lips in distaste. “I just want to give the wolf what he wants, at least a little, because it’s

idea, Cole. Maybe

I know,” he nodded absently, drifting

desk. “Then you’ll understand why I’m about to

from his fingernails in a flash of anger. “We agreed veto would be used in emergency situations whenever you thought my judgement was clouded, Alex.” Cole’s words

not, which was sloppy. But I overlooked it because I assumed her mention of James just got you twisted up. Second, we’ve all seen you watching her. You’re about as discreet as a mountain.” Alex gave him a pointed look. “The only one who hasn’t seen it is the girl herself, and that should say enough about her smarts. But whatever, I ain’t the sharpest knife in the

an emergency,” Cole hissed, losing his patience with his Beta’s appraisal

know it as much as I do. You said we don’t get involved in human shit unless it’s an emergency. Which is fine, but that goes for her too. You saw ‘em as plain as I did that first day. But instead of sending her off to be someone else’s problem, you made her ours. You let her in. I let it go, again, because I just figured you were doing her