An Alpha's Path Read online

  An Alpha’s Path

  by

  Carrie Ann Ryan

  http://carrieannryan.blogspot.com/

  Copyright Carrie Ann Ryan

  December 2011

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover by Leia Shaw

  An Alpha's Path

  Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date – a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

  Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

  Dedication

  This novel wouldn’t have happened without a push from Rebecca Royce. She gave me the edge I needed to put my thoughts on paper. Thank you.

  My romance critters are a group of amazing people who held my hand and gave me their shoulders when I need a good cry. Specifically Leia, Gina and Lia. Y’all rock. To those of you who inked my paper, you know who you are – thank you.

  Finally, to my hubby. Thanks for sitting with me on the couch when I needed company and stuck on a chapter. Love you.

  Chapter 1

  The thundering in Melanie Cross’s ears increased as her breath became shallow. Palms sweaty, she bit her lip and nervously tapped her foot, as she took in her surroundings. The lobby looked like a palace. Tall, cream colored pillars and chocolate molding surrounded the opulent sitting area. Gorgeous light fixtures with tear drop crystals hung from the walls and the ceiling, giving the room a soft glow. Warm and inviting. But she didn’t want to feel invited. She wanted to leave. Run away and never look back.

  What was she thinking? Melanie was a smart, hardworking person. A freshly printed PhD in Nuclear Chemistry and a painstakingly long, nine hundred page, leather bound thesis sat on her desk, proved it. She could accomplish things on her own. Her ideas were acclaimed, and her work referenced numerous times. Any job her heart desired, now hers for the asking. Because of this she was about to bypass the normal post-doc route of working underneath yet another professor. Now she would be an Associate Professor with her own research group at an Ivy League University.

  She gained a few close friends over the years, and even though she didn’t have an overly active social life – okay she didn’t have one to speak of – she thought her life was just peachy.

  Yet her friends thought with all of the accomplishments in her educational career she was still uptight. Some even said she was missing her ideal husband. But her closest friend Larissa decided she just needed to get laid.

  Mel thought back to when her best friend first told her this crazy idea.

  “Really Melanie, when was the last time you got laid? First year? Even earlier? It’s ridiculous! You are practically a born-again virgin.” Larissa laughed at her own joke and then slid a business card across her newly cleared off lab bench.

  “What’s this?” A name printed on the card, Jamenson Services, stared back at her. “You’re sending me to a gigolo?” She gasped and tried to throw the card away before Larissa quickly swiped it from her hands.

  “No. The Jamensons are contractors. The man who owns it is an acquaintance of mine. He built the new green house at my parents. Come on, you need a date and so does he. It is only for one evening, and sex isn’t required. But honestly, the way those Jamenson boys are built, you’ll be dropping your panties at his command,” Larissa lifted one eyebrow and laughed again.

  “Oh I don’t think so. I’m not that desperate. It’s just that I’ve been so focused on my work that I didn’t have time to date a man, let alone look for one.” Melanie knew she could’ve just looked across the lab bench for the last five years to find a date. But really Timmy wasn’t at all that worth to look.

  “Honey, you are too rigid. You need one night off before you skip ahead to the next part of your life. Call the number on the card and talk to Jasper. He’s the brother of the guy I think would be perfect for you. Do it and get laid.” She laughed, pushing the card in Melanie’s hand.

  Somewhere deep down Melanie knew Larissa was right. Melanie didn’t throw the card away. She couldn’t. Now six weeks later, she found herself sitting in the Hilton Resort in Seattle, about to vomit on the new black Fuck-Me pumps Larissa forced her to wear.

  “Miss? Are you okay?”

  At the sound of a deep voice, her head shot up to look at a very handsome man. Dark skinned, with piercing eyes, he surveyed her. Oh my, is this her date?

  “Oh I’m fine. Just getting the nerve to walk into the bar, to get even more nerve to wait for my date.” She winced at how fast and squeaky she spoke but really – why was she even here?

  “I’m the manager, Lance Morse, let me walk you to the bar, and get you a shot of that nerve.” He winked and she smiled him.

  Melanie took a deep breath. “Okay.” Wow. Surely, anyone could tell she was Dr. Melanie Cross, rather than the dumb blonde she seemed to be portraying. Or not.

  He took her arm and guided her away from where she sat for twenty minutes regretting her decisions. Lance walked her toward the bar, while talking about the various hotel and resort amenities and events. She nodded while he spoke, as she felt the bar beckon her.

  “Here we are. Thank you again for coming. If you need anything, feel no hesitation in asking one of my employees to assist you or ask for me by name. Enjoy your evening, Melanie Cross.”

  She smiled then stopped breathing for a moment. “How…”

  “Your friend, Larissa, texted me earlier to be on the lookout for a small, shy blonde by the name of Melanie Cross and you seemed to fit the description. I took a gamble.” He smiled.

  Before she could respond, he winked again and walked out of the bar leaving her alone.

  As she sat down, a Bay Breeze magically appeared in front of her and the bartender winked at her as he walked away. Did all men at this hotel wink? Her phone buzzed as she was just about to get freaked out.

  Melanie babe, please relax. Your date should be there soon. Take a nice drink of that concoction and enjoy your evening. Oh and get laid.

  Melanie laughed. Larissa possessed a one-track mind. She took a drink when her phone buzzed again.

  Just remember to keep an open mind. He really is quite sweet and won’t bite. Well, only occasionally. And only if you want him to.

  What the hell?

  ****

  Kade Jamenson stepped into the lobby and was immediately assaulted by the delicate honey vanilla scent wafting throughout the room. His muscles clenched and he balled his fists, gaining control.

  Mate?

  He tried to tone down his edginess, but it felt as though his wolf was trying to claw his way out from the inside.

  He spoke to the wolf inside his head, “It surely smells like a possibility. But we are here for a date with a human. I am not so callous as to stand up a perfectly reasonable
date just so I can follow a scent that could lead to disaster. Let me figure out this date first and then I will follow the scent if we have to. We already made the mistake of the wrong mate once; I don’t want to do it again.”

  Mate!

  His wolf was right. He knew the woman who could be his mate wasn’t even in the room, yet her scent and the urge to join with another was stronger by far than with Tracy. Kade took a deep breath of the honey vanilla scent and his balls tightened.

  Damn. This woman was potentially his mate. How could this happen the night he finally took up his brother’s, Jasper, offer of a blind date?

  He quickly texted Jasper to let him know that he needed to break his date or do some major rescheduling and thinking. He couldn’t be respectful to this human woman if he was aroused by another scent. It wasn’t fair to any party.

  His phone buzzed not one minute later with a response.

  Kade, don’t be an ass. Just go meet Melanie and I am sure you will have your answers.

  After that cryptic comment, Kade didn’t know what to think. Jasper told him, Melanie was a 5’2” petite blonde who should fit against his 6’2” frame nicely. Those liquid brown eyes that gazed up at him from her photograph, made him want to know what was behind them. That was a first for him. He might have been slightly nervous about the date but he was oh so willing and eager to meet with her. Just remembering her photo made him smile and want to see her in person. He was an Alpha male with no small amount of pride. Hell, he was the Heir to the Redwood Pack, first in line to the throne. Kade took one last deep breath of that honey vanilla scent and squared his shoulders.

  He had a date with a pretty blonde.

  Chapter 2

  Melanie sat at her table and checked her watch. He was only three minutes late. That didn’t mean he was going to stand her up. Right? He just wasn’t a perpetually early person like her. It wasn’t evidence that they weren’t compatible.

  Compatible? Gawd. She needed another drink. This was just for one night. One night only – if he even showed.

  She let out a deep breath and was about to order another drink when she caught sight of an absolutely gorgeous specimen of man.

  His body towered over six feet with wide shoulders and a trim waist. The kind of guy displayed on one of those silly romance novel covers. Dark brown, almost black hair, that barely reached his shoulders begged for her hands to tangle in those silky looking strands. A few luscious locks fell into his eyes.

  Those eyes.

  Deep green eyes set under dark lashes. Pools of jade, swallowing her whole. They were piercing and shifted throughout the room, taking in his surroundings. Yet it felt as though he never let his eyes leave her. Oh my. Mel fanned her face before blushing when she realized what she was doing. Damn he was beautiful.

  He practically prowled through the room drawing the attention of almost every woman and even some of the men. An almost animalistic wave of seduction ebbed from him.

  Damn.

  Please, if there was a God, let this be the mysterious Kade Jamenson. Please. Larissa didn’t give her a picture or description of his looks as she said it would ruin the moment of first meeting. Melanie hadn’t agreed when she read that, but if this were Kade she would take back anything bad she ever thought about her best friend.

  His nostrils flared as if he were taking in a deep breath, then he smiled a truly feral and triumphant smile as he came to the head of her table.

  “Melanie?”

  “Kade?”

  The both laughed quietly at the sound of them talking at once.

  “Would you like to take a seat?” She was the one who spoke first. Well, the alcohol must have gone straight to her head because that never happened with men. Especially drop dead gorgeous men.

  He smiled again and sat down gracefully in the seat across from her. She could’ve melted on the spot under the intensity of his gaze.

  “Yes, I am Kade Jamenson. It is good to meet you Melanie Cross.” The way her name roughly rasped through his sensuous lips sent shivers through her. “May I order you another drink?”

  It took her a moment to drag her eyes from his lips to answer. “No. No, I’m fine at one drink. It seems to have gone straight to my head.” She could feel the heat creeping toward her cheeks as she shyly bowed her head. Gawd, why not just tell him you are a light-weight before he takes you up to have wild and steamy sex?

  Well, she guessed that didn’t sound so horrible. Exciting, but not horrible.

  He laughed at her remark. “Sounds reasonable, water it is. Then how about we order something to eat while we talk and get to know one another. I don’t know about you but I was nervous as hell before I walked into the bar and saw you across the tables.” He shook his head and chuckled under his breath “I know I shouldn’t say that because now you think I am some loser, but I can honestly say I’m not nervous anymore. I’m happy I said yes to this date.” He smiled at her just as the waiter came to take their order. “Ladies first.”

  “Um. Okay.” She stumbled a bit as she opened her menu. Try as she might, she couldn’t get her hands to stop shaking. It’s been so long since she’s been out. But none of those other dates could have prepared her for the example of sexiness sitting across from her. She sighed inwardly. He is knock-dead gorgeous.

  Melanie quickly glanced down at the menu and chose the first thing that seemed edible. “I will have the Glazed Apricot Chicken with sautéed green beans and a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing please. Oh, and another glass of water please.” The waiter nodded while he took her order and menu before turning his attention to Kade.

  “I will have the porterhouse – rare.” Kade smiled at himself, as if what he said was funny. “Also a baked potato with the works. Thank you.” He gave the waiter his menu. “Would you like to start off with an appetizer, Melanie?” His eyes implored her to do whatever he wanted. She shook her head to rid it of that odd and irritable notion.

  “No, I think my dinner will suffice. I suppose you’re a meat and potato type of guy since you didn’t even bother with a vegetable.” She shut her mouth quickly with an audible snap.

  “Sorry. That isn’t any of my business. Eat what you want. I’m going to shut up now.” Her face was so warm that if her cheeks were any redder she would be a tomato.

  Kade just threw his head back and laughed loudly, drawing the attention of a few of the nearby tables.

  “Don’t worry. Say whatever is on your mind. I don’t think we need to keep secrets from each other.” An odd flash of something passed over his eyes, but he quickly hid it. “But yes, I seem to be a meat and potatoes kind of guy. I’m not a huge fan of rabbit food and tend not to order it if I don’t have to. It just seems like such a waste.”

  “Oh.”

  Oh yeah. That PhD was really shining through her vocabulary tonight.

  “So tell me about yourself, Melanie Cross.” He took a drink of the water in front of him and leaned toward her as if he didn’t want to miss a thing she was saying. “Jasper told me some things, but that was just facts and figures. I want to know more about you and learn it from you.” From the way he looked at her, he must be serious.

  “Well, I’m sure you got most of this from your brother, but here it goes. I’m a twenty-five year old single chemist. I just finished my thesis and am on a break before I start my next job. I’ve spent way too much time behind a lab bench, with my nose in chemical journals to date properly according to my friends. Hence, the seemingly last ditch effort in relationships known as a blind date. So here I am.” She spoke so fast that she sounded almost shrill and defensive. But she was terrified of what was supposed to take place that evening – even if according to her friend she didn’t have to see his face after tonight. Although, with a face like that, it was unlikely that she would ever forget it.

  “So what about you?” She wanted the spotlight off herself as soon as possible. For a woman who could talk in front of four hundred chemistry freshman or seven of the meanest
and smartest professors in the field without breaking a sweat, she was slowly going crazy and incomprehensible sitting in front of this one man. One very hot man.

  “Well, I’m a contractor and architect outside the Seattle area. I live near my family and we like the woods, and lack of crowds and large population noise. I own a contracting company and mostly build residential and small businesses. Sometimes I do special projects, like you friend’s parents’ greenhouse. I don’t date all that much because I too am busy with work. I was seeing a woman for… a bit before we broke it off.” His face didn’t reveal anything but she thought she saw an odd expression flicker across his eyes before he blinked it away.