The Wayward Alpha (Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance) Read Online Free Page A

broke for him. No one should have to endure such pain, no one.
     
    Taking an instinctive step close to him, I leaned into his back and kissed the worst of the markings. I felt his muscles bunch under my lips but he didn’t pull back.
     
    He looked down at the bloodied man. “This piece of shit did that to me, him and his friends—for years.” His voice cracked and I shed a silent tear for him.
     
    It wasn’t just as simple as revenge, and that in itself was never a simple thing. No, Redthorn was trying to take back so much more than wounded pride or hurt feelings. He was trying to take back his life, his sense of self that these men had taken from him.
     
    I could understand that better than most. These people had done more than just mark him, they had made him a slave to his own nightmares, his own memory. And for the alpha, there was only one way out of it.
     
    “Will killing him help you?” I asked softly, still leaning against his back with my eyes closed.
    “Yes.”
     
    I knew that was going to be the answer. I’d always known that was going to be the answer. For
    once in my life there was nothing I could do, I couldn’t help Redthorn with his demons. And I also knew that I couldn’t be present to watch him expel them.
     
    No one ever wanted another person to see them at their lowest, at their most base.
     
    Moving away from my made I stuffed the knives back into my jeans. There were only a few feet between us, but it felt so much wider. I was his mate; I was supposed to help him, supposed to be there for him, but I couldn’t. There was only one way to help him, and that was by leaving.
     
    Sucking in a breath, I forced myself to speak. “The plane leaves at eight tonight. I’ll make sure your things are on the plane—all you need to do it show up.”
     
    Turning on my heel I forced myself to walk away. I mouthed for Nadine to follow me, knowing that no one should be witness to what Redthorn was about to do. The bloodied wolf whimpered on the ground, but I didn’t feel an ounce of pity for him. He deserved whatever the alpha decided to dish out.
     
    “Thank you, mate.” Redthorn whispered as I opened the door and left the warehouse.
     
    Nadine appeared beside me in an instant, and we began to walk. We were only a few feet away when we heard the first blood curdling scream followed by a piercing howl.
     
    “Jade, maybe—"
     
    “Keep walking.” I never stopped, never looked behind me. I just kept moving.           
                         
    ***
     
    The plane was quiet save for the sounds of the pilots and stewardess shuffling around and checking to make sure they were ready for takeoff. I checked my watch again and squirmed in the leather seat. “Fifteen more minutes.”
    For the hundredth time, I wondered if what I did was the right thing. I had left my mate to kill another wolf. No matter what the other wolf had done, I had condoned his murder. In a way his blood was on my hands just as they were on Redthorn’s.
     
    Sighing, I turned to look out the window at the landing stip. My phone started to ring, "Hello?" I answered it automatically.
     
    I didn’t even recognize my voice; it sounded so sad, so forlorn.
     
    There was a pause. “Jade? You okay?” Green asked, concern lacing his voice.
     
    Turning away from the window I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose to keep from crying. “Fine, just tired”
     
    Another pause; “Well… Did you get Redthorn to come back with you?”
     
    “Not sure yet; he still has ten minutes left.”
     
    “Hopefully he shows because things just escalated.” Green said urgently.
     
    I snapped my eyes open and was on alert at once. “What’s happened?”
     
    “Steel’s son has control. He’s going to start executing any wolf who sides with Redthorn.” Green’s voice was dark and angry.
     
    “Any dead so far?” I asked, gritting my teeth.
     
    I knew that as Redthorn’s mate, I was also the