Pack Territory

Copyright © Crissy Smith, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-E-Bound.

Excerpt From: Pack Territory

Adam White stretched his arms out as he walked up the back steps to his house. The late night run in his other form had done a remarkable job of relaxing him.

Opening the sliding glass door to enter the house, Adam took a deep breath and sensed the interior. His sister Laura was in the kitchen baking for the family and other guests who were sure to stop in. He smiled at the smell of cakes and cookies. His sister always cooked enough food for an army, and his mouth watered in anticipation.

He calmly took another breath and found the man he was searching for. His father and former Pack Alpha was in his room. Adam wasn’t surprised. Christian spent all of his time either in his room or in his other form. Adam had tried to talk to him, to bring him out of the depression, but nothing he said or did helped.

Three months before, one of the young females of the Pack had been attacked. Mindy hadn’t been the first or the only girl, but she was the only one from their Pack. Christian had to live with the knowledge that he hadn’t been able to protect a Pack member.

Adam, Laura, and many Pack members—even other Alphas—had told Christian it wasn’t his fault, but he continued to blame himself. The only person who seemed to be able reach him at all was his friend, Logan.

Logan had been staying at the house and talking with Christian daily, slowly bringing him back. But when Logan’s Alpha, Gage, had found out that his mate was pregnant, Logan had to leave and return to his own territory. As expected, Gage’s Pack was in high alert to make certain nothing happened to the Alpha’s mate or child. Adam could understand the need, but he selfishly wished Logan could have stayed longer.

Adam headed to his office. For now, at least, his father was alive. Adam just needed to make sure he remained that way. It wasn’t unusual for shifters to want to end their existence after a tragedy. Living for so long and witnessing so much affected each of them.

Opening the door to the Alpha’s office, Adam stepped inside and flipped on the light. He had taken his new position only two months before and hadn’t changed anything in the office or the house. He didn’t know if he ever would.

The council, made up of former Alphas who policed the Packs, had given their blessing for him to take over the Pack, but Adam still had doubts whether he was ready. It was a huge responsibility and he didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially his father. The fact that he still needed to appoint his second-in-command weighed heavy on his mind.

He’d thought long and hard about who would be good for the position. Every Alpha picked his own man to watch his back. His father’s man had stayed when Adam took over, but Adam knew he was more than ready to retire.

As he reached the desk, he turned on the computer and waited for it to boot up. As he sat, there was a knock on the door. He tried not to be annoyed at the interruption, but it was hard. He’d been hoping to have a little time to himself at the late hour. He wanted to finish going through the applications for his Enforcer. He had put it off long enough.