Page 42 of Alpha's Claim

For a moment, I feel guilty. I’ve been keeping my bear captive, locked down. No wonder he’s straining to break free.

Then I remember what he’s done, the mayhem that drove both my mothers away. Caging him is the only option.

Paloma and I are almost done with our meal when I catch a scent that makes me stiffen. I shoot out of my seat so quickly, Paloma drops her fork.

“Darius? What–”

“Brother!” an angry shout cuts her off. Twenty feet off, in the forest, a tall pine shudders and falls, crashing to the ground. In a flash, I’m standing between Paloma and the treeline.

A bear-growl rockets from my throat.

My twin strides out, lightning flashing in his eyes. His bear is out of control.

“What the fuck are you doing?” He points from me to Paloma.

“Theodore.” I shove my bear back down. I am the civilized one. I keep my bear on lock in a city packed with humans. I won’t let him goad me into my animal nature.

I raise both hands, keeping my voice at a reasonable volume. “Calm down.”

“My mate is pregnant, and you brought danger to the mountain,” he spits. “Now you’re going to answer to me.”

“I had no choice, Teddy. You know that.”

“You don’t even have the decency to say you’ll come home for Thanksgiving, but the moment you want to show off to some Manhattansocialite–”

I charge before I even know what I’m doing. I’m still in human form, but civility just blew up. My bear wants blood for him speaking about Paloma like she’s nothing. I tackle Teddy to the ground and take a swing at his face.

“Darius!” Paloma screams when I crack him in the jaw.

Teddy log rolls his way on top and punches me in the ribs. “You won’t be happy until you destroy our mountain,” he roars.

I block his punch to my face.

“This is our home, and you’re not welcome if you can’t respect it. I have a cub to protect now.” He punches my ribs, right and left.

I could give a shit about the mountain right now. “You think your mate is more important than mine?” I shoot my feet in the air to toss Teddy off as I back roll to my feet. “Do you?” I snarl.

“Darius, stop!” Paloma shouts. She’s right beside me, which further enrages my bear. He doesn’t want Teddy’s fists anywhere near her.

“Isshe your mate?” Teddy comes at me, swinging. I dodge and jab him in the kidney. “You haven’t marked her. She doesn’t even know what you are.”

My bear roars at the idea of marking her. He’s already so close to the surface, I lose even more control.

“I can’t.” I don’t know if I’m telling my bear or Teddy. All I know is I have to keep a lid on the bear or Paloma will get hurt.

“What does he mean,what you are?”

My bear rips free. I feel the change happening.

“Go,” I grit out. “Run.”

Paloma gasps, her face blanching as she gets a good look at my face. I know what she’s seeing–my wild bear, my glowing eyes.

“Let her see it.” Teddy wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, bouncing on the balls of his feet, boxer-style.

“No!” I roar. I have to get away from her. I can’t hurt my beautiful mate.

“See what, Darius?” Paloma shrieks. She’s angry, but I’m not sure why. Maybe she’s afraid.