Blamed By The Alpha

They came to the door in the night. Werewolves from the shifter pack on the other side of the forest. Nell could hear the raised voices from where she sat, worrying, beside her father’s bed. From what she could make out their Luna was about to give birth and the Alpha was demanding assistance from the best doctor for miles around. Martin Field was going nowhere. He still had a temperature and was weak from lack of food. “Someone must come. Now!” Nell flinched on hearing the dominant tone. Hopefully, Mom would stand her ground. She usually did. But she was in for a shock. “My daughter will go with you.” Surely she wasn’t about to send Olivia? The unkind thought as to her elder sister’s usefulness came and went as Nell observed the turning of the doorknob. “There’s no change, Mom,” she whispered, as if fearful the werewolves might hear. Rosemary Worthington Field’s thin lips formed into a sneer. “Get your coat, Nell. You’re going on a little trip,” she said. “Me?” She couldn’t

A week passed. Deborah’s daughter, Holly, was petite like her and snuck her in some clothes. The Beta turned a blind eye when he showed up, though she knew the yellow dress didn’t suit her. She made them both a pot of coffee and they sat on the couch for a chat. Because it had been on her mind a lot, she blurted out what had been eating at her resentful heart since day one. “Why did you come to our house in the first place? Deborah’s more than competent.” Jack blew on his drink to cool it before replying. “She’s like you,” he said. “Unappreciated.” “I’m glad someone thinks so.” Nell hesitated. “Why doesn’t the Alpha come and see his half-sister? Is he too busy?” “That’s only part of the reason,” the Beta said, avoiding her eyes now. Nell waited, but it seemed he wasn’t about to say any more. “Do you have pups of your own?” “Not yet, but Louisa’s still hopeful. We’ve been mated a year now.” “Then there’s plenty of time,” she assured him, hoping that was the case. Alpha Liam s

“What do you mean, I won’t be Fallon’s main carer from now on?” “Olivia’s here now. Aunt Deborah thinks she’s more than competent.” Nell was sure her anxiety must show on her face. “Please, Alpha,” she begged. “Let me check her over at least.” “No,” he said. “Would you punish your own half-sister, too?” “You flatter yourself, human. Very well. But I’ll be there the whole time,” he warned. “Thank you, Alpha. You won’t regret it.” “Hurry up. You have seventy suppers to prepare.” At first she thought she had misheard him. Had he said “seventeen”? Yes, that must be it. Fallon was sleeping when they arrived. Nell didn’t miss the knowing smirk on her sister’s face. What on earth was she wearing? Those shorts were far too tight. She must have packed her own bag. Was she staying, too? How would her mom cope, living on her own after all this time? Well, that was the least of her worries now. Stooping to plant a kiss on Fallon’s chubby cheek, Nell turned to the Alpha. “I suppose you

Liam stood people watching from the open doorway, reluctant to re-join the crowd at his own party. Turning twenty-five without a mate was sending him down the feral route. He sometimes believed he would end up as crazy as his mother.Aunt Deborah was trying to catch his eye. She seldom used the mind link with him, even though he had encouraged it. Now would be a good time to make her see sense and he continued to ignore her, knowing only too well what she wanted.Uncle Alan sauntered over. These days he was the pack’s accountant, but for once he didn’t want to talk shop, thankfully.“What did Nell do to upset you?” he asked, offering him a drink.“That’s my business,” Liam said.Accepting the cup of punch, he scanned the crowd, wondering who was babysitting Fallon. The Beta was absent though he could see Louisa by the French windows deep in conversation with three other she-wolves.Was Nell now alone with Jack? Well, that was one pack member who wouldn’t dream of trespassing on his te

Liam didn’t get much sleep. He’d hated the whole idea of a party and taken his resentment out on the one person who deserved it least. Over-indulging had been a way of avoiding the consequences but he didn’t have the headache which would have alleviated some of his guilt. He doubted Nell had noticed his inebriation; she probably couldn’t tell the difference. Though he seemed to recall foolishly telling her about Simon.Give these females an inch and they wanted the whole fucking mile. Like the one who’d emerged from his en suite unexpectedly wearing little more than a grin. It wasn’t the first time that had happened to him and he doubted it would be the last. Nell had been shocked, bewildered and ultimately, disbelieving when she saw Selina lounging on his couch. He could see it in her face, she suspected him of setting out to trap her into something offensive to her sensibilities. A very moral woman, Nell, unlike her slut of a sister. Even he could see that much.Sometimes, in her co