Torrent (Alpha Love - a Paranormal Werewolf Shifter Romance Book 4) Read Online Free

making plans to do the smart thing. I have no intention of getting any of the pack hurt or, worse, killed over land. Yes, this has been our home for a long time. But this land is just earth and grass, we don’t need it. All we need is the pack. All we need is each other.” Ashton looks at each individual, pushing through the meaning of his words. Some of the weres nod in agreement; others look away, avoiding his gaze, as if they’re ashamed of what he’s saying.
    “What about the sacred stones?” Lola’s question is quiet and lacks any accusation. It’s logistical, not emotional. They all know how important the stones are to the pack, they’re part of its life-blood, part of its being.
    Ashton nods, it’s clear that he has envisaged this question. “ If we leave, and it’s still an ‘if,’ nothing has been decided yet. If we leave, we take as many as we can with us and bury the rest. Perhaps when things have calmed down a little we can come back.” He clears his throat to get the sense of longing out of his voice. It’s obvious, to Sofie at least, that the idea of coming back to the canyon once they leave is more a pipe dream to Ashton than a real possibility. He knows that once they leave, Shale will take over all the land that they can, drilling for oil in every possible location. If they leave then they lose everything, there’s no two ways about it.
    But his comforting words have the desired effect on the pack. The majority nod in agreement, getting that faraway look in their eyes that show they’re already thinking about that far off time when they’ll be able to come home again. Sofie’s heart very nearly breaks for them. She had never had a home that she felt that strongly about. A home was just a house or an apartment to her. She couldn’t imagine what the Lycans must be feeling at the idea of having to leave the only real home they’ve ever known.
    “Now, if there are no more questions. We need some volunteers to go and take a look around Beaumont, get the lay of the land after the events of yesterday to figure out how much time we have before the shit really hits the fan for us.” Ashton surveys the men and women around him.
    “I’ll go.” Sofie has taken a step forward before she’s even realized it.
    Ashton levels an unimpressed look at her. “Not you.” He dismisses her with his gaze.
    “Why the hell not?” Her tone is frustrated. She knows that you’re supposed to speak to the Pack Master with a certain level of respect but right now she couldn’t care less. She’s tired of being sidelined.
    Ashton steps towards her slowly, menacingly, clearly angry at her outburst. “Because you’re recognizable. Your face is all over the news. It would only take a few seconds for someone to realize who you are and that would be the end of our reconnaissance and potentially the end of you.” Sofie stands her ground, although his expression makes her want to turn tail and run. “Understood?”
    Sofie nods quickly, taking a step back, bringing her in line with the others. Lindsey puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. Sofie knows that what Ashton is saying makes perfect sense, but she just wishes he would let her help, somehow, anyhow.
    “I’ll go.” Rudy’s voice pierces through Sofie’s frustration like a pin through a balloon.
    “Can you keep it together?” Ashton doesn’t bother to frame the question in subtlety.
    “Don’t worry, I won’t kill anyone.” Rudy smiles showing rows of white teeth. It didn’t seem to Sofie that werewolves were big on subtlety.
    “Good. Rudy hasn’t been identified and his family don’t live in Beaumont so there won’t be anyone to point a finger at him.” Ashton nods in satisfaction.
    “He’ll need someone to watch his back.” An older Hispanic looking woman, Teresa steps up and slaps Rudy on the back so hard he almost falls down.
    “Good. You get in and get out, no hanging around or picking fights. Under no circumstances are you to