Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author
RACHEL VINCENT
I liked the character and loved the action. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels
Compelling and edgy, dark and evocative, Stray is a must read! I loved it from beginning to end.
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter
Vincents urban fantasy series features a well-thought-out vision of werecat social structure as well as a heroine who insists on carving her own path, even if it means breaking some of her societys most sacred taboos.
Library Journal
I had trouble putting this book down. Every time I said I was going to read just one more chapter, Id find myself three chapters later.
Bitten by Books
Vincent continues to impress with the freshness of her approach and voice. Action and intrigue abound and Faythe is still a delight.
RT Book Reviews
Alpha
Rachel Vincent
www.mirabooks.co.uk
Find out more about Rachel Vincent by visiting mirabooks.co.uk/rachelvincent and read Rachels blog at urbanfantasy.blogspot.com
Shifters series
STRAY
ROGUE
PRIDE
PREY
SHIFT
ALPHA
Coming soon
Soul Screamers series
MY SOUL TO TAKE
MY SOUL TO KEEP
MY SOUL TO SAVE
MY SOUL TO STEAL
To everyone at Mira Books whose unsung efforts behind the scenes helped make this, my debut series and first venture into publishing, the experience of a lifetime.
To all the friends Ive made through my writing. Youve kept me saneor at least convinced me that Im not alone in my neuroses.
And finally, to all the Shifters readers who have stuck it out with Faythe and with me as we grew and learned. This has been an amazing journey, and Im so thankful for everyone who travelled it with me. Im not bowing out, but this is Faythes last hurrah. Thanks for helping me send her off in style
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Kim, who first saw potential in me and in Faythe. Yours was the first real vote of confidence in me and I will never forget it.
Thanks to my agent, Miriam Kriss, who made it all happen.
Thanks to my editor, Mary-Theresa Hussey, for kick-starting this project and seeing it through. I appreciate both your gentle nudges and the occasional neon flashing arrow.;-)
And thanks to Number 1, who takes care of so many practical concerns, so I can spend so much time in my fantasy world. This series would not have been the same without you.
Chapter One
Are you sure about this? Jace hesitated, one hand gripping a bare branch overhead, the other poised over his zipper. But I could see the truth. He wanted this as badly as I did.
Absolutely. I pushed my last button through the hole and let my shirt fall to the ground in a patch of mottled sunlight. My skin was already covered in goose bumps, as much from anticipation as from the February cold. Now shut up and take off your pants.
He shrugged and grinned. You know Im always up for some sweaty fun. But the look in his eyes as his gaze roamed south of mine belied his casual zeal. Part bloodlust, part real lust, and all exhilarationjust like me.
Im not sure thats quite how Id describe this. Not that I wasnt looking forward to a little action. It had been days, and I was really starting to crave
What the hell is this? Marc growled, an instant before he tore through the brush to my left. Sunlight burst into the woods with his intrusion, spotlighting my exposed bra and Jacestotal nudity. Damn, thatboys fast! Fury emanated from Marc like a deep, dark glow, emphasizing his strong, dark features. You are not doing this without me.
Shit. Marc, this isnt what you think, and we dont have time to explain My eyes narrowed as his last few words finally sank in. Waitwhat?
I said, notwithoutme. His brow rose in silent challenge, and all words abandoned me.
I blinked, lost for a moment in the possibilities, then I shook my head to clear it. But were not I waved one hand back and forth between me and Jace, unable to actually vocalize what he surely thought we were doing. Were going after Ryan. I caught a whiff of him on my run.
Vic told me. Yet he was still clearly pissed, even knowing Jace and I hadnt run off for a secret, midday tumble in theunderbrush.
You didnt tell my dad?
Marc had been talking war strategy with my father when Id come in from my run, and I hadnt told them where we were going because I didnt want my dad to know about Ryan. Not when we could easily take care of the problem ourselves and spare himand my motherthe additional tension.
He shook his head slowly, as if doubting his own decision. Ryans the last thing he should have to deal with right now.
Yeah. And I was really looking forward to the exercise, to burn off a little stress through good, clean exertion. As opposed to the other, sweatier kind, which we were all currently denying ourselves, to keep Marc and Jace from killing each other.
Whoever said two is better than one was either stupid or crazy. Or heartless.
Im coming with you, so get dressed. Now. Youre not Shifting.
Do not start ordering her around, Jace growled, and dread pitched deep in my stomach, like nausea with a heartburn upgrade.
Marc snarled, and I saw the instant he lost control of his temper. He lunged for Jace. Jace leaped forward. I threw myself between them.
Both hard bodies slammed into me. Air exploded from my throat. My grunt of pain hardly carried any sound. For just an instant, I couldnt move, crushed between them, confused by the collision of scents and hurting all over. My torso was one giant bruiseI wouldnt have fared much better between two oncoming cars.
Im not sure which of them moved first, but suddenly I was on the ground, staring up at two concerned, angry faces. Damn it, Faythe, youre going to get yourself killed, Marc snapped.
I sucked in a painful breath, and my voice came out hoarse. Evidently thats what it takes to keep you two from killing each other. Though truthfully, while Jace would eagerly defend himself, he had yet to actually attack Marc. The reverse could not be said.
I shoved them away and pushed myself to my feet, glaring at Marc as they both stood with me. Look, I know this whole thing is my fault
Not just yours. Marc glowered at Jace over my shoulder.
and I know the timing could not have been worse. And Im sorrier about both of those than I could possibly explain. But if I have to spend all my time and energy trying to keep the two of you apart, I really am going to get myself killed, and itll be your fault.
Marc reeled like Id punched him. But he recovered quickly, with a fresh dose of anger. You reap what you sow, Faythe. And Im still going with you.
I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to ignore the fresh chill bumps. I think you and Jace should stay away from each other until youve cooled off.
Why? So you two can top off your hunt with a little morereaping and sowing?
I closed my eyes, breathing through the acute ache in my chest, which had nothing to do with the midtom collision. Then I made myself look at him. Do you honestly think Id do that to you?
I think you already have.
He was right, but the barb still stung. I hadnt even come close to earning forgiveness yet, but this was not the time to try. Something always seemed to get in the way. Were going after Ryan. Youre welcome to join us, if you can control your temper.
Id never seen Marc as bitter or openly antagonistic as hed been over the past week. His anger was getting in the way of his concentration, his sleeping pattern, and his job, but he couldnt work around it because he couldnt solve the problemthat was up to menor could he get away from it. Every time he turned around, Jace and I were there, our very presence reminding him of what had happened.
This wasnt going to get any better until I made a decision, one way or another.
Marcs dark brows dipped low and he stepped closer, so that I had to look up to meet his eyes. Im goingon my own terms. He pulled his black T-shirt over his head, and my gaze caught involuntarily on his chest, sculpted by years of enforcer training and scarred by the rogue whod brought him into my life fifteen years before. I wanted to trace those scars with my fingers, but I wasnt sure I had the right to anymore. Hed barely touched me since he found out about me and Jace.
You dont outrank me yet, he spat. So put your shirt onyoure staying on two legs. And this time see if you can keep them together.
I actually staggered backward, floored by the depth of his anger. But not really surprised. I deserved the worst he had to dish out, and he deserved the outlet, especially considering that he couldnt vent where anyone else could hear him. But damn, the venom in his voice stung.
Jace growled and stepped forward, but I put a hand on his stomach to stop him.
I wanted to yell at Marc, to fight back, but that would only make the whole thing worse. So I swallowed my anger and stuck to the subject. Hell, no. Im faster on four legs. My private run had been cut short by the unauthorized scent in the woods, and I was dying for some exercise in cat form to help clear my head and fight off the bloodlust wed all been battling for the past couple of weeks. Ever since Ethan diedmy brother murdered on our own property.
Marc snatched my shirt from the ground and shoved it at me. Unless youre planning to kill him, claws and canines wont do you any good this time.
He was right, so I groaned and shoved my arms through the sleeves, then turned my back on them both, already running toward the spot where Id first caught Ryans scent. Catch up with me when youve Shifted.
I wasnt a leader. Not really. Not yet. But my father was training me to replace him as Alpha someday, and an Alpha had to be ready to ask questions and issue orders, both of which were hard to do in cat form.
Normally, an Alphaeven a traineewouldnt haul ass through the woods on her own while looking for a known trespasser. Especially in human form, and virtually defenseless against someone with claws and canines. However, this particular trespasser was more than merely known. He was reviled, scorned, and pitied. But he was not feared.
Also, he was my brother.
My pulse raced as I ran and each breath came faster than the last. I tried to exhale it allto purge my body of the poison Id been living and breathing since Id started lying to Marc. That was all over. He knew that Id slept with Jaceonce, in the onslaught of grief for Ethan, while Marc was missing and presumed deadbut the truth had only made things worse. I could apologize, and I had many, many times, but I couldnt tell him it was over. I couldnt tell him I didnt love Jace. Not without lying to him again.
I hated myself for that, but it was a useless hatred. It changed nothing. I loved Marc, but I didnt deserve him. I loved Jace, but I couldnt give up Marc. And no matter what I decided, Marc had made it clear that he couldnt live with Jace anymore. Once the war was over, one of them would have to go. But I didnt want to lose either one.
Lost in my thoughts and ungainly in human form, I tripped over an exposed root and caught myself on a twisted branch, sparing only a moment to regain my balance. Then I was off again, my lungs burning from the cold.
A few steps later, two sleek, dark forms passed me so quickly I couldnt even focus on them. But I could smell them. Marc and Jace, fully Shifted into cat form and embroiled in an impromptu race. Everything was a competition now, whether or not it involved me. Everything was tense, and dangerous, and painful. And I could practically taste Marcs frustration. He could probably have outrun Jaceexcept he didnt know where they were going. He hadnt been there when I told Jace where Id smelled Ryan.
By the time I got there, they had him treed, a slim human form clinging to the branches overhead. Ryan was little more than a patchwork of shadows cast by the crisscross of branches, but I could swear I saw those shadows tremble.
Marc had wanted him dead all along for what hed done to me. For giving me to South American tabby traffickers, who would have sold me to the highest bidder.
Stand down, I said, and both toms obeyed. Even in his unprecedented state of rage, Marc wouldnt expose the dissention in our ranks to the enemy. And despite my mothers soft spot for her second-born, the rest of us definitely considered Ryan an enemy.
Get down. Now, I ordered, and after a moments hesitation, Ryan dropped to the ground in front of me, knees bent, arms spread for balance. I tried not to acknowledge the skill in his dismount. I attributed it to the frequency with which a coward like my black-sheep brother was probably treed.
Faythe. Ryan nodded in tentative greeting, careful not to bow his head too low. He wasnt prepared to acknowledge my rank in the Pride. Not yet, anyway. Even though he was no longer a member.
The shadow of a bare branch fell across his face, and in my mind I saw steel bars. Hed shown up under a truce flag of sorts for Ethans funeral, but there was too much else going on thenId hardly given him a second thought. But seeing him here, hiding in the shadows, brought it all back
Give me one good reason I shouldnt let them tear your arms off and watch you bleed out.
Because Mom would smell my blood the next time she gets within half a mile of here.
I raised both brows, reluctantly impressed. Id expected him to beg for his life, or at least appeal to our frayed familial bond. But he obviously knew that would do no good. And that even if I were willing to kill someone who posed no immediate threat, I wouldnt hurt our mother, even to punish him. Shed already buried one son, and I would not put her through a second funeral in less than a month.