Alpha Omega 02 - Hunting Ground

were forced to bear. That’s what it meant to be dominant and ready to kill anything that threatened those under his protection. Kill at a moment’s notice.
    Today was worse than usual. Brother Wolf was raging, and it was all Charles could do to make sure no one knew how hard he was struggling to hold on to control. He’d thought it only a minor addition that there were two other dominant wolves—wolves not of his pack—in the room with him and his mate.
    But that was before Alan Choo walked into the room. He wasn’t an Omega like Anna—but he was submissive, and he knew how to deal with raging werewolves. Somehow having him in the room tipped the balance, and between him and Anna, they calmed everyone down—including Charles.
    Charles sat in the chair on the other side of the little table from Angus. It was more to give Choo room to work than because he wanted take a seat, but being able to sit down with the other wolves in the room was an improvement.
    Anna took a quick glance around, so Charles knew she’d sensed the new quiet in the room, too. She caught his eyes and gave him a quick smile and perched on the arm of his chair.
    â€œHe’s hurt because of me,” she told Choo.
    Charles shook his head and told her the truth as he saw it. “Not your fault someone decided to try to grab you. Tom did his job, don’t be sorry.”
    â€œHey, Tom, man, whatcha been doing to yourself?” Choo’s words might have been flippant, but his hands were careful as he handled the injured wolf.
    Tom allowed Alan to straighten his leg without uttering a grunt of pain—the little witch did more than enough of that for him.
    â€œDamn it, damn it,” she muttered, as Alan worked. “With just a little more power, I could keep this from hurting you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
    Finally, Angus, Angus , who had no use for anyone who wasn’t a wolf, said, “Enough, Moira. It’s just a little pain. Over in a moment and not worth your fussing. It would be a lot worse if you hadn’t been with them—six vampires are more than a match for two wolves and any other witch I’ve ever seen. If you hadn’t used up your magic when you did, no one would be worried about a little thing like a broken leg. Enough.”
    There was a sharpness in the last word that shut her up and earned the Alpha a glare from his wolf. Angus raised an eyebrow, and Tom dropped his gaze. Angus rolled his eyes. “God save me from lovebirds,” he said, and his gaze lighted on Charles and Anna.
    They weren’t cuddling: Anna didn’t cuddle. Charles had the feeling that if life had been fair to her, she would have enjoyed it—and maybe a few years down the line she might. But for now he was grateful that she didn’t cower every time he touched her.
    Still, she was sitting close enough that the old Alpha grinned.
    â€œAll of you lovebirds,” he said. “It gets in the way, and I’m not patient by nature. You—” He pointed a finger at Anna, and Charles was up and standing between them.
    Reflex. So maybe he wasn’t as relaxed as he’d thought.
    Angus dropped his finger, but finished his sentence. “Tell me what happened . I want more details.”
    â€œNative Americans don’t like to be pointed at,” observed Choo quietly as he wrapped Tom’s rib so it could heal properly. “Native witches, skinwalkers and the like, use the gesture to throw curses and disease.”
    Angus threw up his hands and dropped to his chair. “Oh for God’s sake. I’m not a witch. I don’t throw curses—I just want to know what the hell went on tonight.”
    He sounded frustrated and offended—but all the wolves in the room knew the truth: he was afraid of Charles. He hadn’t been before, not until he looked into Brother Wolf’s eyes and knew the threat of death. Angus was Alpha and old with power, but there was no question as to who was dominant.
    There had been no threat from Angus. Charles knew it, but it took more effort than it should have to sit down again. If Angus’s quick withdrawal hadn’t satisfied Brother Wolf, there would have been blood spilled.
    Charles took his seat slowly and reached up to put a hand on Anna’s knee, the contact soothing him.
    â€œWell,” she said brightly, “hasn’t this been interesting.” She reached out and put her hand