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  Alpha vs. Alpha

  Francesca Hawley

  Alpha female Serena Goldwolf has spent a lifetime vowing never to be a submissive mate to any Alpha male. But all it takes is one surprisingly sexual meeting with Damien Blackwolf, a dissatisfied client of her shapeshifter dating site Predator-Match.com, and she’s down on all fours, wanting to be mounted by the hottest male on two legs—or four—whom she’s ever met.

  Damien Blackwolf doesn’t understand why the voluptuous Serena won’t admit they’re True Mates. To convince her, he decides to bring out her baser desires by dragging her off to someplace private to get to know her…intimately. But how can he convince her of their destiny when she runs away from him? Guess he’ll just have to hunt her down and persuade her.

  In a passionate battle of wills, there most definitely can be two winners.

  Ellora’s Cave Publishing

  www.ellorascave.com

  Alpha vs. Alpha

  ISBN 9781419936234

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Alpha vs. Alpha Copyright © 2011 Francesca Hawley

  Edited by Mary Moran

  Cover design by Syneca

  Photography: Romancenovelcovers.com

  Electronic book publication October 2011

  The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

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  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.

  The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Alpha vs. Alpha

  Francesca Hawley

  Chapter One

  “What the hell kind of outfit is this?”

  Serena Goldwolf’s head shot up at the irate shout coming from the outer office of her shapeshifter matchmaking business, Predator-Match.com. She brushed her bangs off her forehead with a sigh. Damn it, couldn’t anyone in this office take care of stuff without her intervention?

  The male voice continued to roar out there, and she knew her secretary wouldn’t be able to handle him because Kara was such an omega even omega males dominated her. Serena sighed again, saved her database update and headed out to confront the wolf male jerk. Serena took in the male outrage with a shake of her head. Asshole. He shook his head as if he’d heard her. Yeah right. She wished.

  “I’m sorry, sir. Really.” Kara huddled in her chair, her head dipped and her eyes on her desktop. Submission in her posture and her voice.

  “You people set me up with some stalker bitch! I want to talk to one of the owners, now.” A tall black-haired man with dark-brown eyes leaned on the desk, his large hands flat on the wood.

  Serena took him in, her body responding immediately. Damn it. She didn’t need this shit, but she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He wore a very expensive, black Italian suit, Italian black leather loafers, a crisp white shirt and red tie. The ultimate in power wear for the busy executive. And he was so good-looking he resembled an escapee from Fashion Week. She shook her head to remind herself that he wasn’t all that…he was just a wolf like any other.

  Heads hung out of office doors, watching the confrontation with enjoyment, yet no one came to Kara’s rescue. Probably glad to be out of firing range themselves…that’s what she got for hiring betas. The females all wanted him and the males would jump to follow his orders.

  Female musk clogged the air. Especially from Lea Redcat, one of her business partners. Predator-Match.com was damn successful. To the outside world, their site looked like a zoo animal match service. To the shapeshifter community, it was a way to find a lover or a life partner. Since Lea was allowing this thing to escalate, it looked like Serena to the rescue. Again.

  “I’m really sorry, sir. We do our best to match our clients up with the best fit for them.” Kara cringed lower behind her desk and wouldn’t meet the man’s eyes. Typical omega posture. The male frowned.

  “Are you saying you think I deserve a psycho bitch as my Mate?” His quiet voice seemed to scare Kara more than his shouting had because she backed up. It wouldn’t be long before she crawled under her desk.

  “No s-s-sir,” Kara stammered.

  Damn that bastard. He was done scaring Kara. Unable to suppress her temper, Serena growled. His gaze flashed to her and she felt it all the way to her womb. Damn but he was hot. Life was just not fair.

  She challenged him—head up, shoulders back—inspecting him from top to bottom and allowing her gaze to linger, as if she were checking for fleas. His shoulders were broad and filled his Italian suit to perfection. His broad chest narrowed to athletic hips, and she would bet money that his belly sported a six-pack, and not of the beer variety. He had the kind of face that artists wanted to sculpt and women wanted to sit on. His eyes were the piece de resistance—large, dark brown and thick-lashed beneath perfectly arched brows.

  In short, he was a god—or a male model. This was the kind of male who never looked twice at Serena because she wasn’t tall and thin, or tiny and doll-like. She had yet to meet a male wolf who wanted a woman with curves, but this kind of wolf was the worst. These wolves wanted trophy bitches.

  “Who are you?” His voice cut the air like a knife.

  She lifted her chin when the bastard stared her down. How dare he try to intimidate her? She was an alpha female, damn it!

  “I’m Serena Goldwolf and one of the co-owners of Predator-Match.com. Who are you?” No way would she back down from this one. The man needed to be taken down a peg.

  He scowled at her and his eyes narrowed at her temerity in confronting him. The bastard was an Alpha from the tips of his perfect black hair to the bottom of his highly polished Italian loafers.

  “Damien Blackwolf. A fucking unhappy customer.”

  He straightened to face off against her, obviously waiting for his pronouncement to have some effect. He said it as if she were supposed to curtsey to him. Not only was he an alpha, but a Blackwolf Alpha. An alpha was a dominant male, but an Alpha was the heir of a clan, or the leader of one. This male had or definitely would found his own clan group one day.

  “What seems to be your problem?”

  On the whole, Serena was not fond of Blackwolf males—they were too arrogant by half, and this one seemed to think he was God’s gift. She had to admit he was a beautiful specimen who made her wet just to look at him, but she wasn’t about to admit that to him.

  He smiled the smile of the male who knew a female was reacting to him. Shit. Her scent must be broadcasting. He licked his perfect full lips. Males were not supposed to have lips like that. Double shit.

  “Your much-acclai
med psychology matching service paired me with the psycho bitch from hell!”

  “Well, considering your obnoxious attitude with my secretary, it would seem our ‘much-acclaimed psychological matching service’ did just dandy,” Serena countered with a smile.

  He growled and took a step toward her. She tensed but stayed where she was. The worst thing to do when a predator challenged was cringe or run, and this man was definitely a predator. If the bastard thought she was that easily intimated, he was in for a rude awakening.

  She raised her brow and crossed her arms over her chest. He paused, dumbfounded, looking as perplexed as a pup trying to figure out why he tripped over his tail. Damn it, that made him adorable. Serena shook her head in disgust at herself. Alpha males were not adorable. They were royal pains, emphasis on both royal and pain.

  She might be an alpha female, but she was damned if she was going to take an Alpha male like him as her Mate. When she did date, she dated betas because they were easier to manage. Serena blinked. Why was she using the permanent possessive with this one? A Mate was a partner for life, and a mate was good for a tumble. This male didn’t come close to fulfilling her needs for either role.

  “Miss Goldwolf…”

  “Ms.”

  “What?”

  “Ms. Goldwolf. I’m not some untried adolescent, Mr. Blackwolf, and I would appreciate if you would acknowledge it.”

  “Ms. Goldwolf…” His sarcastic voice was deep and made her nipples harden. She pretended it didn’t affect her, but she knew he realized it did. Why did he show up here today? She didn’t need the aggravation.

  “Yes?”

  He glared down at her. “This is a business, Ms. Goldwolf, and I am a very dissatisfied customer. I have friends who I’ve told about this company who could very easily withdraw their business at my request. I suggest you moderate your tone.”

  That was it. Serena saw red. She stalked over to him and poked him in the chest with her finger while she scowled up into his black eyes.

  “Listen to me, you arrogant wolf! You come in here, guns blazing, and abuse my secretary then threaten me. Pull your business if you want. Tell your friends to take a hike too. I don’t give a flying fuck! I will not be treated this way by you or anyone!”

  Serena felt as if she were outside herself, and she watched herself in horror. She was never like this, even when she was fully in heat. Oh, she snarled and clawed at males, but she’d never attacked anyone before. She sure wanted to attack this one though. He smiled grimly, and only then did Serena realize his last speech had been a deliberate taunt. Damn it to hell. Damn him to hell…

  He grabbed her waist and lifted her easily. He took two strides to the nearest wall, pushing her against it while wrapping her thighs around his hips. He pressed his erection against her wet pussy. She moaned and her head dropped back. She heard him snarl and realized she’d closed her eyes—when she opened them she saw triumph in his.

  “Oh fuck.” She’d bared her neck to him submissively and she could see he intended to follow this to its conclusion.

  “Oh yes.”

  Lowering his head, he sniffed her neck—then tasted it. She shivered as his teeth grazed her jugular. He could kill her with a single bite and they both knew it. She also knew that the last thing he wanted to do right now was tear out her throat. No, he wanted to fuck her until she couldn’t walk then fuck her again. The worst part was that was what she wanted too. Oh…shit.

  Chapter Two

  Damien looked down at the hot alpha female in his arms while he took a deep breath to imprint her scent in his olfactory glands, but those weren’t the only glands on which she was imprinting herself. Why the hell hadn’t that idiot beta psychology profiler for this place matched him with this female? She couldn’t fit him better, physically or mentally. He couldn’t stand a female who cringed around him. That little doll behind the desk had set his teeth on edge from the minute he’d entered the room. If he’d said Jump, she would have asked How high? Not this one. She would have told him to take a flying leap. Hell, she just had.

  He ran his palms up her thighs and under her skirt. They both whimpered when he hit bare skin at the top of her stockings. When was the last time that he’d dated a woman who didn’t wear pantyhose? He couldn’t remember right now. He couldn’t even think. All he could do was feel—feel that taut, round ass. He cupped it in his large hands and lifted her harder onto him. Her arms snaked around his neck and her fingers stabbed into his hair, tugging his head back so she could sniff and lick his neck. He almost came, then and there. He brushed his cheek against hers, enjoying the pain in his scalp as she fought his move.

  “I’m gonna fuck you hard and deep, she-wolf, and you’ll beg me to come. Maybe if you beg long enough, I’ll even let you,” he whispered into her ear.

  When she moaned and rocked her hips against him, he lowered his mouth to hers. He was tempted to lay siege to her lips, but he knew she expected it. So he went with a different strategy. He teased, knowing she’d melt for him. And she did.

  He nipped at her full lips and lightly licked her. She opened her mouth to him and tugged at his hair. The little growling noises she made had his cock twitching with the need to fill her. Damien sealed her mouth with his and started the pleasurable task of memorizing her taste.

  Meanwhile, his hands kept exploring. He found silk panties hiding under that boring gray business skirt she was wearing. He’d bet money the silk was black or red. He ripped the panties out from under her skirt and looked. Sure enough, black silk. He grinned as he looked down into her fevered green eyes. She had to have on a matching bra beneath the gray business jacket. He reached for it to find out.

  “I’m sorry, sir. But we can’t have this sort of thing happening in the reception offices of our business.”

  It was a smoky and seductive voice, but it did absolutely nothing for him but piss him off. He turned his head and looked at the sleek redhead in the skintight sweaterdress and snarled. His wasn’t the only snarl.

  “Fuck off, Lea, he’s mine. You can try him out when I’m done. If I don’t kill him in the process.” He burst into surprised laughter, but his hot little Alpha turned to frown at him. “You’re going to finish what you started, wolfman. If you run off now, I am going to hunt you down like the dog you are.”

  He hid his wince at the insult she blithely tossed his way. He knew she’d said it just to taunt him. Most wolves loathed the whole werewolf thing, and he was no exception.

  “Fear not, my fine bitch. I have never left a female in heat to be mounted by another male, and I don’t intend to start now.”

  “You’re in heat? For God’s sake, Serena, what were you thinking? You know we agreed to never come in here at that time of the month.” The redhead crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in irritation.

  “I am not in heat.” Serena glowered at him. “I’m not due for a week at least.”

  “If you aren’t in heat at this minute, you’re damn close.” Damien taunted her. He marveled at himself. He couldn’t remember finding this kind of volatility attractive in a female before, but every time the female shot sparks at him, he caught fire.

  “Whether you’re in heat or not, Serena, fucking a client in the reception area is just not good business practice.”

  “You just want him for yourself.”

  “Well, really!” Lea’s face turned red but she continued to tap her foot, but now added fingers drumming on her arms to the ensemble.

  She was broadcasting not only irritation but sexual frustration. He could smell it, but the cat left him totally unmoved. Not like this curvy wolf bitch in his arms. It was funny, but unlike some of his cousins, slender women didn’t get his cock hard. If he could see a female’s ribs, it completely turned him off. Maybe it was those years working in Africa as a Peace Corp volunteer when he was just out of college that had done it, but even in his teens he’d wanted a woman with some junk in the trunk, and Serena had the sweetest ass he’d held in
a good long time, and tits to die for.

  “Lea, I was not going to fuck him out here.”

  Smothered laughter from across the room met her patently obvious lie. Damien looked over and saw the beta who’d set him up with the psychobitch from hell. He pointed at the young male.

  “You! You’re the idiot who set me up with Joyce Blackwolf.”

  Suddenly, Serena went still in his arms. “He set you up with whom?”

  “Joyce Blackwolf.”

  Serena’s legs dropped to the floor and she stepped away from him. He felt a sense of loss as she moved away. Rage rolled off her as she turned and hunted the male across the room. Damien’s muscles tightened for a fight when she cornered the other male. If she started to fuck that one, he was going to get violent. She belonged to him.

  “Quillen Goldwolf, are you trying to sabotage this company? We dropped her for a reason!” Serena screeched, her voice reaching the upper registers. Damien winced as did most of the others present. Quillen appeared to be cowering before her wrath, and with good reason.

  “I’m sorry, Serena. I thought it would be funny. He’s such a prick!”

  “I don’t care if he’s the biggest prick on the planet! No one deserves to have a run-in with a sociopath who is in desperate need of intensive psychological therapy!”

  “But, Serena…”

  “Wasn’t it bad enough she almost killed your brother? Jeez, Quillen. You are so fired. Pack your shit and get out. Now! Before I rip you a new asshole!”

  She strode away from him and only then did everyone else in the room take a breath. Damn, but she was magnificent, Damien grinned to himself, and he had to have her.

  Chapter Three

  Serena took a deep breath of dismay. No wonder the hunk on the other side of the room had been so irate. She would have been too. Six months ago, Joyce had applied via the website for an exclusive and rather expensive psych profile to find the perfect Mate. Not just some male to bed, but rather a male for life. The profile had been so contradictory that locating a good match had been difficult. Not only that, but Joyce’s shopping list for a Mate included good-looking, wealthy and demonstrably fertile, as well as virile.