“As promised, alpha,” River says, letting me go and stepping away.

  “Good. Go and get your sister. You have done well,” the alpha replies, his voice dark and deep and petrifying. I look into River’s guilty eyes just before he turns and walks away. I want to hate him, but I can’t. This isn’t River’s fault; this is the Alpha Brothers’, and I will pay the price.

  Chapter 30

  Elodie

  I stay still as River’s footsteps disappear, and the alpha doesn’t move, doesn’t say a word. My fast beating heart seems to be the only sound in the room until the alpha stands. He rises off his seat slowly, so I can take in his familiar stern face, high cheekbones, grey beard that matches his long grey hair that messily falls around his face. There is a red crown on his head, a simple red jewel band that rests on his forehead, looking like a halo that’s fallen.

  “Do you know who I am, dear child?” he asks me as he walks over and starts circling around my body, taking in every part of me.

  “Alpha of the Xan Pack,” I reply.

  “Correct. You may call me Alpha Tanner,” he tells me, though his voice sounds anything but inviting.

  “Why did you go to the effort of ordering someone to kidnap me?” I ask, and Alpha Tanner stops right in front of me, reaching out and roughly grabbing my chin, his sharp nails digging into my skin and making me wince.

  “It wasn’t an effort. It was easy, and I needed you,” he says, moving closer and placing his face close to mine as I try to focus on his words instead of the pain of his nails in my skin and the fear of what else he might do to me.

  “For what?” I ask.

  “Did my sons not tell you who you are?” he says, and my silence is enough of an answer as I try to figure out what he meant. Who are his sons? And what did these people not tell me? I have a feeling this alpha likes his own voice enough to tell me without me even needing to ask. “Tut. Tut. Tut.”

  “You must be wrong about me, about whatever or whoever you think I am. I am a no claim, nothing but a slave to this world,” I reply, and he grins ever so slightly before he suddenly lets my chin go, and his other hand whacks across my face. I fly across the floor from the force of the hit and cry out as my hand goes to my burning hot cheek as tears fill my eyes. Alpha Tanner just laughs and laughs before sucking my blood off his fingers as I watch in horror.

  “You taste just like your father’s blood. Sweet, brave and so disgusting,” he spits out.

  “My father?” I gasp.

  “The previous alpha of this very pack. He was an old man when he sired you though. Then I killed him only days later, taking this pack as my own. Your mother, well, she tried to make her mate believe the baby was his. She even claimed she was raped when he figured it out, but everyone knew the truth. I truly believed they killed you as a baby, getting rid of a true born alpha female with a claim to not only this pack but the Ruxan Pack as well. Seems they didn’t kill you at all,” he says, walking over and crouching down next to me as I run his words over in my mind. What he says is impossible. I’m not an alpha female, I’m not even a real wolf. I’m a no claim, nothing of interest to anyone. This doesn’t make any sense. My parents were nobody. Just two wolves in a small pack. If what he is saying is true, I met my mother yesterday on that bridge, and Misty is my half-sister. It can’t be true. I shake my head, tasting salty tears on my lips as my cheek burns from the pain.

  “It’s lies. I’m a no claim,” I try to explain. “You have the wrong person!”

  “Blood doesn’t lie,” he says, reaching out and running a finger over my cheek, cutting my skin with his nails. I cry out and crawl back, only to have him clamp a hand on my ankle, pulling me back as he licks my blood off his finger, and an almost pleasurable smile appears on his lips. “My sons would never have fallen for a normal wolf. I know what you are, and so do you. It is just hidden, but under pressure, you will shift.”

  He doesn’t give me a second to process his words before he picks me up by my ankle and throws me across the room. I slam into a wall under the glass, the pressure making the glass smash and fall around me as I scream from the intense pain. I slide down the wall almost slowly as glass cuts all my skin, and the pain blurs the entire world from me. I hear Alpha Tanner laughing as I try to think of anything but the pain, but a new pain interferes as I realize he is the Alpha Brothers’ father. Their father is a monster, and this is personal to him. If I am who he claims I am, then he will kill me at some point. I’m a threat to him, and this all makes sense. Misty must have known who I was, that’s why she knocked me out and gave me to River. That’s why my true mother said sorry before running away from me. Everything makes sense, even if I do not want it to. I hear Alpha Tanner’s footsteps as he walks over to me and picks up my arm with his two hands. I scream until my throat is raw as he snaps the bone in my arm and drops it to the floor. The room spins as I see Alpha Tanner kneel in front of me, picking up a bit of glass and slowly cutting a line down my leg that makes me cry out.

  “What is worse, Elodie? The physical pain I am causing or the pain in your heart, knowing your sister is so easily replacing you?” he asks.

  “Kill me,” I plead, wishing the pain would stop. I have nothing to live for, so what is the point of begging for life?

  “Why would I do that, Elodie? You are what I’ve wanted for a long time,” he says, throwing the glass away and crawling to me, pushing my legs apart, and grabbing my face with his hand.

  “I am nothing,” I spit out, coughing on the blood in my mouth.

  “When you shift, you will be everything,” he tells me, and I make out a blurry vision of him close to my face. “After all, don’t you want to be able to protect that bastard baby in your belly? I can taste his alpha blood mixed in yours. When he is born, I will fuck you and make you carry my children. When my child is born, I will kill my bastard grandson in front of my deadbeat sons who ran away. Then they can watch me fuck you before I rip their hearts out.” Alpha Tanner keeps speaking, but everything fades away except for two words. My baby. I’m pregnant, and he wants to kill my baby.

  My body shakes uncontrollably as every part of me feels like it’s on fire until I let out a low growl and open my now clear eyes. Alpha Tanner is on his knees in front of me, and I can see my reflection in his greedy eyes. My black wolf is huge with glowing blue eyes, and before I’ve thought anything of it, my wolf jumps onto him, its teeth ripping into his throat and pulling out anything it can. The metallic taste fills my mouth as my wolf leans up, watching his shocked eyes as they glaze over and he slumps to the floor.

  Chapter 31

  Elodie

  I cry out in unimaginable pain as I shift back, wondering if this fire burning feeling will always be like this when I shift. I sit naked on the floor as I open my eyes, every part of me is covered in Alpha Tanner’s blood. Parts of his body are scattered around the throne room, his blood is everywhere, and yet I only smile. He deserved it. Even if it means I will be killed for killing him. I remember the color of my wolf and how big it was. I am an alpha female, and that means Alpha Tanner’s story of my real parents must be true. I was never a no claim. I slide my hands to my stomach, letting out a little sob. I’m pregnant, something I always knew could happen, but it’s so rare for alphas and wolves who are not connected as mates.

  If I can just escape here, I can keep me and my baby safe. The Alpha Brothers will protect the baby, even if they never want to see me again. I don’t know what other choice I have. I shakily stand up, knowing the shift healed all my cuts and broken bones before stepping over a part of Alpha Tanner’s leg in front of me. I walk to the middle of the room just as I hear footsteps and know there is nowhere to escape. River runs in with two men at his side, their matching dagger marks and clothing suggest they are guards. Maybe even betas.

  “Let me go. I don’t want to hurt you,” I say, a threatening growl leaving my lips as my hands go to my stomach.

  “I pledge my allegiance to the new alpha. Long may you run with the wolves as your pack protects you, Alpha Elodie,” River says, dropping to his knees and bowing his head. The men at his side do the same, their words echoing around the room.

  “I don’t understand,” I say. River looks up and whispers something to the men at his side who bow once more to me before walking out the room. I keep my eyes on River as he stands up, unclipping his cloak as he walks to me.

  “Here, alpha,” he offers me his cloak, and I accept it, covering myself up as the cloak sticks to the blood covering me.

  “You think I am your alpha?” I ask, shocked.

  “May I explain a story to you?” he asks, and I nod, watching him closely as I am not sure I can trust him yet. “Misty explained to me who you are, who you really are and why you had to be taken to the alpha. I left you here, and I am sorry for that but I had to get my sister first. The two men are betas and close friends of mine. We came to fight the alpha for you, but it seems you never needed our help. Your father and your ancient bloodline were the true rulers of the Xan Pack for thousands of years. You were born to be the true alpha.”

  “My mother is the alpha female of the Ruxan Pack,” I say, and he nods.

  “Then you are the true alpha of not only this pack but two packs by birthright,” he tells me what I know.

  “No, I am more than that. I carry the child, a true alpha, of the Luxa Pack alphas. I am alpha now, and my son will be alpha of this entire world,” I say, holding my head high. I am not “nothing” anymore. I never was. River bows his head and offers me a hand.

  “You might not need me, but I wish to serve close to your side. I was his head beta, and I would gladly be anything to you,” he tells me, and I suspect he might be of use to me.

  “I want five betas, leaders in my place when major decisions need influence. You can help me choose, my new beta,” I say, and his attractive lips widen into a large grin. I look over as the two men from earlier come into the room, bowing their heads.

  “Alpha Elodie, your people are gathered outside. They wish to see their new alpha. We have spread the word of your true birthright,” the dark-skinned man on the left says.

  “Go ahead and open the doors,” I say, taking a step forward and into my new life. I step on something hard and look down, seeing the red jewel crown under my foot. I lean down, picking it up and sliding it over my head.

  “You look like you were born to wear that. Your father wore it well,” River tells me, and I smile at him.

  “I want to know more about my past once we have settled things,” I say, walking down the steps and towards the doors that the guards hold open. I hear the people outside; their cheers and shouts are hard to miss.

  “Yes, Alpha Elodie,” River replies and waves a hand at the door. “Welcome to your new home.”

  Epilogue

  Elodie

  “Alpha Elodie, I have a message for you from the front gate,” the nervous wolf exclaims after running in here. I look over at River, who nods his head, suggesting I listen to what he has to say. The past week has been full of the political side of being alpha and of being pregnant with the new alpha baby as well. I’m glad for a moment’s peace. Well, I was until this man ran in here.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “The Alpha Brothers are at the gate. Their army is in the forest, and they demand to speak to the alpha. They want what is theirs back,” he tells me. I’m surprised they came for me at all.

  “Tell them Elodie Masters is the new alpha,” I say, standing up and crossing my arms. “You can also tell them they are not welcome in my pack unless they submit to me.”

  “Y-yes, alpha,” the man says, looking terrified to tell them that before running out the room. I don’t blame him. I doubt the Alpha Brothers will take it well. My heart bangs in my chest as I think of them, and I force myself to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. They have Misty now, and they never loved me like I clearly loved them. I won’t be a fool ever again. I have my baby after all. He is all that is important now.

  “Do you think it’s a good idea? You could have peace with them,” River suggests.

  “They threw me out, broke my heart, and treated me like I am nothing. I will never be treated that way, neither will my child, because I fought to survive. I fought for this pack, to claim my birthright. So yes, it is a good idea. I am alpha, and I will never submit to anyone again.”

  The End for now…

  Author Note

  Hello! Thank you for reading No Alpha! The next book (No Claim) will be out in 2019.

  Thank you to everyone that helped me write No Alpha. A big shout out to Mads, Helayna, Cora, the Cat’s Pajamas and my amazing Pack Leaders.

  Most of all, thank you to my readers.

  You inspire me to keep writing every day with your kind reviews and amazing comments.

  G. x

  Please keep reading for an excerpt from True Light…

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  About the Author

  G. Bailey is a USA Today bestselling author of books that are filled with everything from dragons to pirates. Plus, fantasy worlds and breath-taking adventures. Oh, and some swoon-worthy men that no girl could forget. G. Bailey is from the very rainy U.K. where she lives with her husband, two children and three cheeky dogs. And, of course, the characters in her head that never really leave her, even as she writes them down for the world to read!

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  Please keep reading for a small excerpt of True Light (From the Stars series)-

  “Watch out!” I scream, knowing my warning is too late as a car flies out the other lane, speeding head first into the front of our car. Even as I hear my dad slam on the brakes, I know that nothing will stop the car from hitting ours. Everything feels in slow motion as the car smashes into us, the air bags pop open automatically as my body pushes against the tight seatbelt. A second later, my head slams into the glass window as the car rolls, making me scream out in pain. I turn my head, seeing my father’s worried blue eyes locked on mine, just before everything turns black for what seems like only a few moments, but I know it’s much longer than that. When I open my eyes, everything is so still, so painless for only a moment, and then I scream as I feel the crippling, mind-searing pain. I scream until my voice cracks and I can’t scream anymore. I shakily lift my head off the air bag as I cough, trying to figure out where the pain is coming from and wanting to find out if my dad is okay. I look down at the branch that has come through the smashed window screen and is lodged into my stomach on the left side. My mind tries to pretend it’s not happening as I look away, while the rest of me is screaming in pain and fear.

  “Help!” I try to scream, but it comes out as a dry cough. I try to blink out the blood that is dripping into my right eye, but it only stings. I turn slightly in my seat, the little movements hurting more than anything I’ve ever felt, and I see that the car is empty. My dad isn’t in the car anymore.

  “Dad! Dad!” I shout out. Or at least I think I do as things start to get hazy and I can’t hear my whispered sounding voice. I can’t lose him too, not after mum…

  “Hello?” I hear a distant voice shout through the haze. I look over and see a blurry figure open the driver door, sliding into the seat. I can’t make out his features, only that it is a guy.

  “I got you, Freckles,” the smooth, seductive voice says, trying to comfort me. Freckles? I can’t make my mouth move to reply to him, even as something deep inside me wants me to. I feel him place his hand on my head, over my cut, and instead of pain, I only feel warmth as blue light shines in my eyes. The light is all I feel and see as everything else fades away.

  —

  Ura

  “There is a spider in my room, and I’m not touching it or unpacking until it’s gone,” I state, standing at the bottom of the stairs and glaring at my father who chuckles as he runs a hand through his brown-going-grey hair. Dad turns his light blue eyes on me, the amusement clearly shining through them. I glance around at the piles of boxes we are trying to move into the old house and notice that the counters in the kitchen have cobwebs on them. There are going to be more spiders.

  “What? The girl with pink hair and a nose piercing can’t handle a spider? I thought you were going through a whole rebellious, badass chick stage,” he replies, being a smartass like usual. Don’t parents grow out of that at some point when they get old?

  “I like pink, not hairy spiders in an old house. Please just get rid of it, dad,” I groan, and he laughs, messing my hair up with his giant hands as he passes me to go upstairs. I walk over to the mirror, smoothing down my dark pink hair, which doesn’t match my blue eyes and freckle-filled face. I had to tell dad I dyed it pink when he was in hospital because it naturally started growing out this color after the accident. The pink is darker at the top and lighter at the bottom as the sun has faded it. I also try to ignore the blue pattern on my head, which used to freak me out, but now it’s just a reminder that I might be a little crazy since the crash a year ago. It looks like a mixture of swirls made up of blue light, and it is exactly where I remember my head being cut in the accident. Only, no one can see the weird mark but me since I woke up from the accident. I lift my tank top to see the other mark, the rose shaped one on my hip, and run a hand over it as memories flash in my mind.