The Alpha 9: Protect. Procreate. Prevail., page 1
Would you like to see chapters of my books before they come out? Do you want to see cover art sketches and vote on which poses should make it to final production? Would you like to see even sexier versions of my covers? Would you like to get my audiobooks at a deep discount?
Of course you would! Join my Patreon here to get all these awesome benefits (or search for my name on Patreon.com).
You can also join my Facebook group right here. Then you’ll know when my books come out before anyone else.
Cast of Characters
Abigail: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Ginger hair. Tan fur.
Adam: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Aiden’s beta. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Muscular build. Tan and yellow fur. Short temper. Deceased.
Aiden Jansen: Werecat alpha (mountain lion) Blair’s previous alpha. Tall. Blond hair in a man bun. Deceased.
Alex: Human Violinist in Jack Nolan’s orchestra.
Allison Barnes: Werecat (mountain lion) Nikita’s younger sister. Long brown hair. Azure eyes.
Amber Jansen: Werecat omega (mountain lion) Married to Jonathan Jansen, mother to Aiden and Max Jansen. Dark brown hair. Dull green eyes. Deceased.
Angela: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Auburn hair. Light-brown eyes. Organized.
Annika Roswell: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Mainland. Petite. Strawberry-blonde hair. Enormous dark green eyes.
Arielle: Werecoyote omega Jesse’s half-Filipina omega. Warm brown hair. Reddish-brown eyes. Russet brown fur, bottle brush tail. Chocolate-cinnamon scent. Rescued from Gray Mackenzie.
Arthur Mordaine: Avian Jesse’s shifter lawyer. Tall and rail-thin. Curved nose. Gold, circular glasses. Short brown hair. Black feathers.
Azalea: Avian omega (bald eagle) Jesse’s omega. Blood-red hair. Blue-gray eyes. Coffee and caramel scent. Rescued from Reuben Dillard.
Benji Shaw: Werewolf beta captain Jesse’s half-brother and best friend. Dark blond hair. Hazel eyes. Gray fur. Viola student at Everleigh University.
Blair Avalon: Werecat omega (lynx) Jesse’s omega. Dyed black hair. Honey-colored eyes. Vanilla and honey scent. Sister of Gemma Avalon. Rescued from Aiden Jansen.
Brenden: Werecoyote beta captain Mainland. Jet-black fur. Rangy build.
Caleb Moreno: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Copper-colored skin. Black curly hair. Reddish-brown eyes. Bronze-colored fur. Smoky markings on paw and snout.
Cameron: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Tan and white fur. Youngest pack member. Best friends with Finn.
Cassie: Human Blonde hair. Gray eyes. Small and mouse-like. Delicate features. Wife of Kyle.
Cayden: Werecoyote beta Californian pack. Blondish-brown hair. Mechanic.
Charlie: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Curly blond hair. Blue eyes. Tan fur with a black mark under his chin.
Charlie Jansen: Werecat infant Islander. Dirty blond hair. Green eyes. Son of Aiden Jansen and Sarah. Five years old.
Christopher: Werecat beta (lynx) Mainland. Long dark hair. Blue eyes. Campus security.
Clarice Osborn: Werewolf omega Theo Finch’s omega. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Previous alpha was Gabriel. Wanted shifter. Deceased.
Connor Mackenzie: Werecoyote beta captain Previous alpha to Californian pack. Submitted himself to Jesse. Black hair. Brown eyes. Gray Mackenzie’s second cousin.
Coral: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Quiet by fierce. Sweet, angelic smile.
Dallas: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Daniel: Werecat beta captain (mountain lion) Islander. African-American. Very strong. Wanted to be in the military.
Dexter: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Messy black hair. Bright blue eyes. Tan and blond fur. One black ear. Childish attitude. Youngest member of the pack. Nickname is Dex.
Dr. Chase: Human Jesse’s professor at Everleigh University. Crow-like woman. Wrinkly face.
Dr. Stenton: Werecoyote Monroe town doctor. Black hair.
Duncan: Werewolf beta Mainland. Ginger hair. Green eyes. Freckles across his nose.
Eliza: Werecat beta (lynx) Mainland. Sleek black hair. Pale eyes. Zane’s twin sister.
Elliot: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Curly blond hair. Greenish-brown eyes.
Ethan: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Black-brown hair.
Eva Rafe: Werewolf beta captain Jesse’s aunt on his father’s side. Dark brown hair. Icy-blue eyes. Silvery coat that’s sleek and full.
Farrah: Werewolf beta captain British Columbia. Burgundy hair. Pierced nose and eyebrow.
Finn: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Messy blond hair. Green eyes. Best friends with Cameron.
Florence: Human Waitress at Alice’s Restaurant. Bright ginger hair. Forest green eyes. Assisted Jesse with information on the were-hunters.
Frederick: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Curly brown hair. Very quiet. Boyfriend of Lily.
Gavyn: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Gemma Avalon: Werecat beta (lynx) Mainland. Brown hair. Hazel eyes. Sister of Blair Avalon. Campus security.
George: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Gia: Werecoyote beta captain Californian pack. Short red hair. Italian heritage. Wanted to be a chef.
Grace: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Short brown hair. Green-brown eyes.
Gray Mackenzie: Werecoyote alpha Arielle’s previous alpha. Long, highlighted, curly hair. Blue eyes. Orange-brown fur with black-tipped hairs. Deceased.
Gregory: Werewolf beta Mainland. Buzzed brown hair. Gray eyes.
Gus Dunn: Werefox beta captain Short blond hair. One green eye, one brown eye. Rotund figure. Red fur. Deceased.
Hailey: Werewolf omega Jesse’s omega. Brown-and-blonde streaked hair, often dyes some strands in different colors. Green eyes. Light-gray fur, white speckled chin and stomach. Ears are a darker shade of gray. Honeysuckle and lavender scent. Deceased brother was a were-hunter.
Hannah Pierce: Human Jesse’s class partner at Everleigh University. Blonde hair. Dark brown eyes. Former cheerleader.
Harry: Werewolf beta Mainland. Short brown hair. Blue eyes. Muscular build. Dark gray fur. Like a big brother to Hailey.
Hazel Wise: Human Shifter Detection Department agent. Long, mahogany hair. Almond-colored eyes. Heart-shaped face.
Holly: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Ginger hair. Green eyes. Orange-brown fur.
Hope: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Short golden hair. Brown eyes. Very shy.
Hydra: Selkie beta (orca) Long black hair. Soft gray eyes. Scar on left cheek. Black smudge on eyespot.
Jack Nolan: Human Neat brown hair. Grayish-green eyes. Dark stubble. Previous student at Everleigh University. Musician who offered Jesse a part in his orchestra.
Jackson: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Short dark hair. Cyan eyes. Blond and tan fur.
Jake Woodruff: Human Jesse’s friend. Member of DnD group. Film Major at Everleigh University.
Jesse Rafe: Werewolf alpha. Tan skin. Dark brown hair. Blue eyes. Black fur. Violin student at Everleigh University. Parents were Ivan and Miranda Rafe.
Jonathan Jansen: Werecat alpha (mountain lion) Gray-blond hair. Blue eyes. Married to Amber Jansen, father of Max and Aiden Jansen. Deceased.
Jude: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Neat and tidy. Good friends with Kora.
Julia: Human Violinist in Jack Nolan’s orchestra.
Kahn: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Black hair with silver strands.
Karina Barnes: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Mother of Nikita and Allison. Widow of Anthony Barnes. Brown hair. Teal eyes.
Kasia: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Red hair. Green eyes. Motherly. Girlfriend of Spencer.
Kassidy: Werewolf beta Mainland. Curly black hair. Brown and gray fur.
Kiara: Werecoyote beta captain Californian pack. Mahogany hair.
Kiri Everard: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Platinum-blonde hair. Reddish-brown eyes. Ash-colored fur. Map enthusiast.
Kora: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Blonde hair with silver highlights. Gray eyes. Neat. Good friends with Jude.
Kristina: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Mainland. Black hair. Pale green eyes. Campus security.
Kyle: Human Pianist in Jack Nolan’s orchestra. Curly brown hair. Clothes are normally creased. Husband of Cassie.
Kyson: Werewolf beta British Columbia. Long black hair. Tanned skin. Tribal tattoos. Brown-and-white fur. Didn’t appreciate Jesse’s arrival.
Leo Williams: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Hawk-like nose. Sand-colored hair. Hazel eyes.
Lily: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Blonde hair. Bright green eyes. Girlfriend of Frederick. Worst vegetarian ever.
Luke: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock. Blond hair.
Lyla Jansen: Werecat infant Islander. White-blonde hair. Brown eyes. Daughter of Aiden Jansen and Olivia. Three years old.
Marco: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Flaxen-haired. Stocky build.
Maria: Werewolf omega Washington. Theo Finch’s previous omega. Older than Aunt Eva. Five teenage kids. Jesse gave the option to leave the pack if she wanted to.
Marley: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Turquoise eyes. White tufts of fur on ears.
Max Jansen: Werecat alpha (mountain lion) Golden hair. Emerald eyes. Broad build. Lived off parents’ wealth. Deceased.
Nayeli: Werecoyote beta Californian pack. Long black hair. Tanned skin. Native American. Yurok Tribe.
Newt: Werecat beta (c
Nikita Barnes: Werecat omega (mountain lion) Jesse’s omega. Light tan. Caramel-brown hair. Teal eyes. Golden fur. Citrus-sweet scent. Creative writing major at Everleigh University.
Noah: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Brown hair. Yellow-brown eyes.
Oliver: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Olivia: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Curly, light-red hair. Brown eyes. Mother of Lyla Jansen.
Oscar: Werecoyote beta captain Californian pack. Blond hair.
Parker Little: Human Jesse’s friend. Red hair. Freckles. Wire-framed glasses. Member of the DnD group.
Paul: Werewolf beta British Columbia. Brown hair. Brown Eyes. Gray fur. Didn’t appreciate Jesse’s arrival.
Paige: Werewolf beta British Columbia. Short silver hair shaved at one side with blue stars. Ashy blonde fur. Very small. Goth. Didn’t appreciate Jesse’s arrival.
Peter Daughtry: Werecoyote Mainland. Gray hair. Retired park ranger.
Poppy Jansen: Werecat infant Islander. Black hair. Blue eyes. Always wears hair bows. Daughter of Aiden Jansen and Sophie. Four years old.
Professor Collins: Human Jesse’s music professor at Everleigh University. Short brown hair.
Quinn: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Short brown hair. Sea-blue eyes. Mother of Rebecca Jansen.
Raina: Werewolf beta Mainland. Long, curly red hair. Her brother was her previous alpha.
Ramiro: Werewolf beta captain Washington. Previous beta captain for Theo Finch.
Randell Snyder: Werefox alpha Shoulder-length, greasy brown hair. Scar from right eye to cheek. Red fur. Deceased.
Rebecca Jansen: Werecat infant Islander. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Speaks with a lisp. Daughter of Aiden Jansen and Quinn. Four years old.
Reuben Dillard: Avian alpha (bald eagle) Patch of feathers missing on his stomach. Violet eyes. Deceased.
Rhett: Werewolf beta Mainland. Curly black hair. Blue eyes. Gray fur.
Riya: Werecoyote beta Californian pack. Long black hair. Tanned skin. Indian heritage. Loves to experiment with spices.
Roman: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Short black hair. Sky-blue eyes. Neat freak.
Sabine: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Max’s beta. Blonde pixie cut. Petite build. Deceased.
Samantha: Human Violinist in Jack Nolan’s orchestra. Blonde hair.
Sarah: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Dark blonde hair. Green eyes. Mother of Charlie Jansen.
Scarlett: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Serena: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Mainland. Golden hair. Beauty mark on right cheek. Campus security.
Seth: Werewolf beta Mainland. Buzzed blond hair. Brown and gray fur.
Sophie: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Black hair. Brown eyes. Mother of Poppy Jansen.
Spencer: Werecat beta captain (mountain lion) Islander. Ginger hair. Wanted to be a football player. Boyfriend of Kasia.
Steph: Werecat beta (lynx) Islander. Long blonde hair. Organized and playful.
Steven: Human Violinist in Jack Nolan’s orchestra.
Thalia: Werecoyote beta Mainland. Tawny hair. Blue, doll-like eyes. Tawny fur with a fluffy tail.
Theo Finch: Werewolf alpha Black fur with patches missing and covered in scars. White triangle on chin. Murdered Jesse’s parents. Deceased.
Thomas: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Mainland. Sandy hair. Blocky glasses. Wants to be an engineer.
Tiana: Avian beta (bald eagle) California flock.
Travis Kelly: Human Jesse’s friend. Member of DnD group. Mexican-Irish nationality.
Willow: Werewolf beta captain Alberta. Previous beta captain for Theo Finch.
Wren: Werecat beta (mountain lion) Islander. Always wears sunglasses.
Zane: Werecat beta (lynx) Mainland. Black hair. Pale eyes. Eliza’s twin brother. Campus security.
Chapter 1
My fingertips skipped across the strings of my violin as I lowered my bow for the final time. The hum of the music settled in my ears, and a soft vibration traveled through my hand and up my arm as I allowed myself the chance to rest for the first time in weeks.
My entire body felt jittery, like I was experiencing an adrenaline rush, and I knew it was going to be a while before that feeling died down. I had spent hours with my mother’s violin in my hand, so even as I lowered the instrument, it still felt like I had it propped against my shoulder.
The entire arena shattered the air with a round of thunderous applause, and as I stood up and bowed with the rest of the orchestra, I caught the gorgeous, shimmering eyes of my five omegas who stood proudly in the front row.
It was the end of my tour with Jack Nolan’s orchestra, and part of me was sad that it had ended, because my love for music and performing had definitely grown in the span of a month. But I was also excited to return home and to see the rest of my pack who I hadn’t seen in a month.
It had been about three weeks since my fight against Reuben Dillard, so it had been three weeks since Azalea walked into our lives, too, and none of us could imagine our world without her.
It didn’t take us long to realize that there was no one quite like Azalea, and the avian omega was definitely one of a kind. But I enjoyed that. All of my omegas were so uniquely different, and they all saw the world in different ways, which made them even more special.
Nikita, Arielle, Blair, Hailey, and Azalea had tears streaming down their faces, their arms were linked together, and they all smiled at me with brilliant, beautiful smiles.
They were a team, and they’d definitely formed a tight bond over the last few weeks. Azalea had even admitted to me that tight friendships weren’t really her thing, and she hadn’t found someone who she clicked with so easily before she met us.
Azalea also said that after she’d lost her connection with Reuben, and that bastard had started to change, she thought she was going to be alone forever. Stuck on that island with nothing but her home gym to bring her some joy.
Now, that had changed, and it was my mission to make sure none of my omegas ever felt that way again.
I wanted nothing more than to run into the audience and bring them in for a hug. I also wanted to see the rest of my betas, old and new, who stood around them. The avian betas, just like Azalea, had also formed a tight bond with the rest of my pack, and it was often crazy to me that I had no idea any of these people existed when we’d first arrived in California.
However, before I could reach my family, I had to continue acting like a mundane human, and I had to follow the rest of the orchestra into the wings to pack up our belongings.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Alex sighed as he slumped down into a seat with his violin perched safely on his lap. “I wish I’d taken Jack up on the offer of staying for the entire tour now.”
“It went by so quickly,” I replied as I took the seat beside him.
“It’s not going to be the same without you two.” Samantha smiled sadly. “But hopefully you’ll be willing to join us again at some point, and we can do this all over again.”
“Definitely,” Alex said as he flattened his black hair with one hand. “Just this month alone has made me see that perhaps I do want to quit my day job, and I actually want to spend my time performing instead of spending every waking hour in a hotel kitchen.”
“You know Jack Nolan would happily take you up on the offer,” Julia said from the other side of the wing. “If that’s what you want, then what’s stopping you?”
The blonde violinist stepped out of her black heels before she slipped her feet into some white sneakers. The shoes didn’t exactly go with the smart black dress she had on, but the sigh of relief that blew from her lips told me just how comfortable she was in her street shoes.
“Yeah, I suppose,” Alex mumbled.
“What about you, Jesse?” Samantha asked with her head cocked to one side. “Do you wish you were staying on for longer?”
“I do…” I nodded slowly. “But I have classes starting again in just over a month, so I wouldn’t have time to do the next leg of the tour before I had to head home again anyway. But this has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved, whether we’re staying on or not.”
“Yeah, I agree.” Julia nodded. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll be the first people Jack calls when he’s planning his next tour?”
“I hope so.” Alex smiled.
