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had his mouth falling open in shock as he eyed the male he’d thought was Alpha, the male who still refused to approach.  His gaze cut between the man and Willa several times before he spoke.  “The fuck you say?”
    Willa’s face reddened and he realized his words could easily be construed as an insult.  Honestly, he was so astonished at their pack dynamics that he was completely dumbfounded.
    He eyed the circle of wolves again.  Can this be right?
    A growl from the female brought his attention back to her, and he realized it was time to clear the air.  “My brother sent me.  Funny, he thought I’d actually be welcomed.”  He could sense her sudden interest.
    “Who is your brother?”
    He pinned her with dark eyes. “Evander Kane.”  He was surprised, and a little jealous, to see the warrior woman’s relief at simply hearing Evander’s name.  Her features instantly relaxed and she looked almost… hopeful.
    “Is he here?” She eyed the area behind him expectantly.  “Is he coming?”
    “No, he’s not coming.”  Barron growled in displeasure at how easily the woman’s eyes had dismissed him when she believed Evander had accompanied him.  “He sent me.”
    When her shoulders fell, he felt offended.  “I’m as able a man as he.” He grinned mischievously. “If not better.”
    He heard her barely whispered, “Doubtful.”
    Wanting to get a rise out of the small Alphina, he made a show of rolling his shoulders and bunching his arm and leg muscles before relaxing with a cocky grin.  When her eyes jerked down and then up just as quickly, he smiled.
    “Oh for Christ’s sake, put on some clothes,” she spat, turning her head to the side.
    Satisfied that she’d gotten a good look at him, all of him, he waited a second before allowing an effortless ripple to wash over him, leaving him clad in jeans, hiking boots, and a tight-fitting thermal shirt.  “Better?” he murmured.
    The woman rolled her eyes.  “What.  Are.  You.  Doing.  Here?”
    “Evander said the Alpha here needed my help.”  His eyes narrowed in suspicion.  “He spoke of a male Alpha.”
    A flash of pain washed over Willa’s face, then just as quickly disappeared when she cleared her throat. “Arden, show him to the guest house.”  Then his little spitfire turned to leave.
    “Hey!” He hurried to close the distance between them, stopping when the circle of young wolves closed in on him.  Their threat was a joke, he could kill them all without even breaking a sweat, but he admired the clear respect they held for Willa.  “Whoa!” he held up his hands. “Not attacking.”
    Willa turned to frown at him.  She stared for several seconds before motioning with her head for her pack to move back.
    When they eased back, Barron dropped his hands and asked, “Where’s the true Alpha?”
    Willa snorted.  “You’re looking at her.”
    That little tidbit had Barron’s brows shooting down.  Female Alpha’s were mated into the position within the pack, and that information didn’t sit well with him.  His ego didn’t take the blow well.  She’s taken?   He hadn’t scented a male on her.  “Where’s your mate,” he asked, a little too gruffly.
    “What did Evander tell you?” She glared at him as she crossed her arms over her full chest, one rounded hip cocked out as her delicate brows speared down.
    “Not much. He needed a favor. I owed him a favor.  He sent me here.”
    Willa watched him for long seconds before finally dropping her arms and answering his question.  “I have no mate.”
    “Your mate is gone?” He tugged his eyes up from her breasts to stare at her.  “Is that why I’m here?  To babysit until he returns?”  He knew by the sudden glinting fury in her eyes that he’d offended her.
    “Garner was our Alpha, our father .  He’s dead.”  A wave of anguish rolled through her, but she used her anger to tamp it down.  “Arden,” she spoke between clenched teeth.  “Show