Untamed: An Alpha's Promise (Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance) Read Online Free Page A

of business.” César’s voice boomed out amidst the murmur of voices. “My son Christopher isn’t the only one with something to celebrate this evening.” Charmaine was shocked when all eyes followed her father’s proud gaze expectantly to her.
     
    “My lovely daughter Charmaine is here tonight, and she doesn’t know this yet, but she is also moving up in our company. I’m sure almost all of you have seen her working at the business since she was a little girl. Next to me, she’s the family’s senior employee.” There was polite laughter from the group before he continued. “She’s done a phenomenal job, especially over the past two years, and I have every confidence she will continue to rise and make us proud.”
     
    Charmaine was rooted to the floor, stunned. Her mother’s perfume wafted around her as Crystal squeezed her arm. “I’m so proud of you, Sweetie!” she whispered as César went on about responsibility and family pride and Charmaine’s dedication to the company.
     
    “She’s a little upset with me because I’ve been overprotective where pack business is concerned.” Here he shrugged and threw up his hands. “What can I say? She’s worth more to us behind a desk, using her brain, than she ever would be as a scout or a warrior.” Here some of the older pack members chuckled and nodded. “My hope is that she’ll settle down soon, be mated, and have some babies.” He grinned and added, “Lots of babies! But in the meantime, because she is proof that hard work pays off, I’m appointing my daughter Sales Manager of Gillis-Vella, Inc.”
     
    For a moment Charmaine just clung to Scottie, overwhelmed by the news. It felt so natural to have him there by her side that she forgot she was supposed to be keeping her boundaries firmly drawn. She barely even noticed when his arms slipped around her, holding her tightly against him. It was a big moment, and Scottie had been there for all her big moments. It felt right.
     
    “Scottie, can you believe it?” She turned to him and her eyes filled with tears as it started to sink in. “I thought he didn’t notice. I thought he didn’t appreciate me.”
     
    “Ah, Char, there’s no way he couldn’t notice. He’s really proud of you. You can’t blame him for wanting you to be his little princess forever. You’re safe this way, and we all need you to be safe.” He choked a bit on the last few words, and when she pulled back to look at him, his eyes were soft and tender.
     
    “Hey… I am safe,” she insisted. “Don’t worry, Scottie. I’m perfectly safe.”
     
    But there were shadows in his eyes, and she knew why. As long as she was with Parker, Scottie would never be at ease. He would always worry because she was in enemy hands. He smiled a tight smile, and she was suddenly grateful for the people crowding around them, waiting to congratulate her.
     
    “I should…” She motioned to the others.
     
    “Yeah, yeah, of course. Go mingle.”
     
    She ignored the pointed glances of their mothers. Crystal and Shannon, Scottie’s mother, clutched together in the doorway, giddy about the embrace they’d just witnessed. Neither of them made a secret about the fact that they wanted Scottie and Charmaine together, and like a couple of old matchmakers they’d tried to pair them up all their lives. But no matter how much their mothers wanted it - no matter how much Scottie wanted it, for that matter--it could never happen. She’d found her Mate, and she would obey her heart and the laws of nature even if the laws of society saw things differently.
     
    As she made her way through the crowd, chatting briefly with all the pack members who had come to the celebration, her eyes were drawn again to Christopher. Her brother stood tall and confident among the older men, his glass raised and his chest puffed out while their father beamed beside him. She watched him revel in the attention of the other pack members, every inch the golden boy, but