Alpha's Protective Pup: A Small Town Reverse Harem Shifter Romance, page 1
ALPHA'S PROTECTIVE PUP
GERTTY RUDRAW
© Copyright 2023 - All rights reserved.
It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental.
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CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
PROLOGUE
ISLA
I ran through the forest as fast as my feet could carry me, branches whipping against my skin. The words ‘You’re a werewolf’ kept playing on repeat in my mind. It was on a constant loop, but it couldn’t be true. How the hell could I be a werewolf?
Had I seen a wolf shift in front of me into a man? Yes. Had my wound healed faster than I expected? Yes. But all it meant was that werewolves were genuine creatures, not just fictional creations. It was too far-fetched to fathom that I was one.
As soon as the healer departed, I seized the opportunity to escape from that place. I would not sit around and listen to their made up crap. While I appreciated them taking me in and allowing me to heal, their tales were too much. I could accept the idea of werewolves, but admitting that I was one took my disbelief to a whole new level.
I ran through the forest surrounding my grandfather’s farm, my memory hazy from being unconscious during the trip to their den. We had many occasions where we explored the woods together, with Papa ensuring his gun was always at his side. The idea of traveling through it alone was unfamiliar to me.
When I put enough distance between me and the den, I stopped to catch my breath, trying my best to calm myself. However, this did little to settle me. As I breathed in deep, the myriad of unfamiliar smells that danced through the air captivated me, making it hard to discern one from the other.
I muttered a curse under my breath and dug my nails into the palm of my hand. The sudden action startled me, and I let out a loud yelp. My eyes darted to my hand, which had deep, bloody halfmoon-shaped marks on it.
Even though I always kept my nails trimmed short, I had somehow dug in with enough force to draw blood. Upon closer examination of my nails, I discovered they had become elongated and had a claw-like appearance.
“Fuck,” I whispered under my breath, my mind spinning.
This had to be some fluke. How could it be anything else? Doubt consumed me as I questioned whether I was stuck in a coma or trapped in a never-ending nightmare. The chances of that being the case were as slim as a needle, but my mind was desperate to make sense of what was happening.
I was seconds from going back to find my grandfather’s farm when I heard a low, growling sound from somewhere nearby.
The moment the strange, eerie noise reached my ears, a feeling of foreboding settled in, making my hairs stand on end. Startled, I searched in the direction from which the sound emanated, my muscles tensing. There, meandering toward me, was a goddamned bear, its deep growls sending a wave of fear through my body. A fucking bear was the cherry on top of an already shitty situation.
In these woods, there were countless animals, but encountering a bear had never crossed my mind. Then again, I didn’t believe in werewolves until a few days ago, either. Now, the memory of their glowing yellow eyes haunted my dreams.
It seemed there was a first time for everything.
The bear growled again as it drew closer, and that was all it took for the wolf inside me—the very thing I’d been trying to deny—to react. I growled back, and an odd sensation took over as I felt myself shifting.
With an instinctual fear propelling me, I sprinted toward the black bear faster than any human could. With a hasty swipe of my claw, the animal retreated, its tail disappearing into the distance.
The incomplete transformation into wolf form meant that shifting back took no time at all. It didn’t hurt, but it felt foreign to me for obvious reasons.
Despite averting a bear attack, I couldn’t shake off the unsettling sensation that lingered within me. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning—I had just experienced a partial shift into werewolf form, leaving me in a state of shock. This meant that the healer had been telling the truth all along.
The scent of the forest triggered something primal within me, a reminder of the werewolf blood that flowed through my veins. It would’ve been nice if either of my parents had let me in on the secret. But had they been aware of it? I fantasized about asking them, but it seemed my only option was to reach out through one of those Ouija boards and attempt to connect them from beyond the grave.
It took a few hours, but I finally mustered up the reluctant motivation to head back to the den. Faced with limited options, I concluded I had to return there. The events that unfolded back at the den and in the forest left me with no choice but to accept my true nature as a werewolf. Either I could continue to run from it and deal with the unknown changes on my own or be with people who would understand what I was going through.
When I got to the den, it was close to midnight. Though they permitted me to enter, I couldn’t escape the prying eyes of the pack as I made my way through. Their stares pierced through me, mocking and belittling, as if I were a foolish pup who had learned the hard way that running was a futile endeavor.
The overwhelming uncertainty of my future cast a heavy shadow, enveloping me in its grip. My mind whispered doubts, echoing in my ears, as the scent of fresh rain mingled with the lush earth. A pang of nostalgia tugged at my heart, reminding me I could never go back to the life I once knew.
CHAPTER 1
ISLA
The only place I ever felt at home was Papa’s. He had a small but thriving farm in the country that had been in his family for generations. Without fail, I would spend my summers visiting him, and we would always find ourselves immersed in a world of excitement and happiness.
One would think that a city girl like me would hate spending an extended period in the country, but I never felt that way. In the city, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of my element, like a fish out of water—as if I was going through the motions.
In my youth, I possessed a sense of defiance, always complaining about the cramped living arrangements in our two-bedroom apartment. I hated the noise, the people, the smells, and everything the city stood for. It seemed very over-stimulating.
My parents were happy to let me spend time with my grandfather during the summer and holidays. It allowed them to have some peace for a while. Dealing with me as a child was no simple task.
Once I was old enough, I learned to force myself to fake it for the sake of my parents and survive in this world. I graduated from high school, went to college, and got a job working in a law firm. The job paid very well, but I was never happy or satisfied. I always felt there was something missing in my life.
But seeing the pride in my parents’ eyes made everything worthwhile, since they were able to brag to our family members and friends about my achievements. I said little about my dissatisfaction to them because complaining would get me nowhere.
Even in college, I still took a weekend once a month to drive upstate and visit my grandfather. He was much older and no longer able to tend to the farm like he wanted. My mom would visit him when she could, but since she couldn’t always be there, she hired people to help take care of Papa.
We filled our visits with conversations about my younger days, allowing us to bond over shared experiences and enjoy each other’s company. I made it a point to call him a few times a week to ensure that Papa and I stayed in constant contact.
Then everything changed after my parents died in a car crash. I grieved for a while and once it faded; it left me bitter. All I had achieved over the years had been for my parents. I went through the motions for them, longing for approval, but deep down, all I yearned for was to break free from it all.
Two years after my parents passed, my grandfather finally succumbed to a long illness, leaving a void in my life. The weight of losing my mother and father finally pushed him over the edge. It was tough for him to hold on without them, and I struggled as well.
It seemed like my life over the past few years was loss after loss. After the death of my parent’s, I had become somewhat numb, and that feeling grew even stronger when my grandfather passed away.
Upon Papa’s death, I took time off and traveled to his farm to fulfill the poignant tasks of caring for his remains and arranging his property. The thou
I already knew what to do with his remains because he always expressed his wish to be cremated, but the thought of scattering his ashes brought a mix of sadness and relief.
After setting up the cremation service, I busied myself cleaning the house. Yet the impending decision about the farm weighed on my mind, but I continued to put it off.
The longing to leave my job and start a new life out here was indescribable. Despite its current state, the farm had potential, but reviving its success would demand a considerable commitment of time, effort, and money on my part.
When my firm called, asking when I was coming back, I was at a loss for words. “I’m sorry, what?”
Cecilia, the human resources officer, sighed. “I asked, when do you expect you’ll be back in the city?”
“I have plenty of personal and sick days lined up...” I kept my voice steady, trying to sound nonchalant.
I toiled away at the firm, just like a dog, unwavering in my focus and determination. The more I worked, the less I dwelled on the unhappiness of my life’s circumstances. Now that I didn’t have the distraction from my job, all I could think about was how light and free I felt at Papa’s farm.
“Yes, but we’d still like to get an idea of how much longer you’ll be gone.”
I rolled my eyes and bit back a sarcastic retort to Cecilia’s insensitive tone. “Look, I’ll be back as soon as I’ve used my days up, okay? It won’t be any sooner than that. I’m sorry, but that is how it is.”
“All right, well, see you then. My condolences on the loss of your family member.”
“Thank you,” I replied, my voice dripping with honeyed politeness. Her tone dripped with insincerity, making it hard for me to brush off her words.
The atmosphere in the law firm reflected the environment more than anything. People rarely took days off, since the place had a tone of work until you dropped. I dealt with it before, but I could feel my patience wearing thin.
Whenever I thought about my grandfather, my job faded into the background. The place was just as I remembered when I visited last month and nothing seemed weird or out-of-place then. Despite his age, Papa maintained a level of independence, being able to move around, do light chores, and feed himself.
I still thought his heart couldn’t take living without my mother anymore. The doctors said a sudden passing in his sleep was to be expected in his old age, but I was too tired to argue.
One would think being surrounded by all his memories would make his demise hurt more, but it did the opposite. I felt comforted that this was where I had always felt at home. The city just seemed so suffocating and here I could finally breathe.
On day four, I grew tired of the constant sight of the same four walls, prompting me to take a walk through the beautiful and lush forest surrounding Papa’s farm. I was itching to explore.
We took long strolls into the woods whenever I visited, but the two of us never strayed far from the property. Papa insisted we stay close. The farm stood off in the distance, a constant presence that offered a sense of security, as Papa had promised.
I never understood why my grandfather behaved that way, but I always brushed it off as the quirks of an elderly man and cherished him, despite it.
Around noon, I wandered through the forest while glancing behind me to ensure the farm remained in view. Although Papa’s words seemed ridiculous at the time, I still followed his silly rule.
The woodland was just as I remembered it as I roamed, eventually getting lost in my thoughts. This was so much better than going for walks in the city. Even when I strolled through the park, I couldn’t escape the bustling energy of people, dogs, and children moving in every direction.
If I took a jog early in the morning, I might be able to enjoy some silence, but it wasn’t long before something ruined it. I lived in the city all my life and after twenty-eight years, I should have been used to it. But the older I got, the more I couldn’t stand it.
About thirty minutes later, I realized the farm had become a distant blur from my vantage point. I turned around, intending to close the distance between me and the farm, when I heard a low growling sound behind me.
I whipped around to see what appeared like a wolf standing just a few feet away. At least I thought it was a wolf, with its piercing yellow eyes and sleek, gray fur. It resembled a wolf, but its size far surpassed any I had ever encountered.
Heart hammering, I inched backward, intent on putting as much distance as possible between me and the creature. With every step, the enormous animal matched my pace, as if determined to keep me within its grasp.
Motivated by a sense of desperation or perhaps a reckless sense of abandon, I made a daring dash for freedom. Perhaps the creature regarded it as a personal challenge and pursued me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. It didn’t take long for it to gain on me and then pounce.
I screamed, hitting the ground with a hard thump. The wolf’s snarling and guttural growling clarified it considered me as prey. Because of its proximity, I noticed its ribs protruding from the sides, despite its large stature, and saw the desperation in its eyes as it peered at me.
It seemed as if I was the solution to its hunger problem, but determined not to give in, I fought back against the creature, kicking and struggling to escape.
The animal wasn’t having it and grabbed my leg between its sharp teeth and dragged me backward. At this point, I felt convinced my life was over, and a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I realized I was going to become this starving wolf’s next meal.
My eyes fluttered shut, not wanting to see what was seconds from happening, when I heard a loud howl in the distance, causing me to groan. Fuck, was there another one ready to feast on me?
The sharp yelp of the animal pierced the silence, causing me to snap my eyes open. No longer was the hungry wolf hovering over me. It was under assault by a ferocious, wolf-like creature with jet-black fur and a prominent scar across its right eye, its piercing yellow eyes filled with rage. I wasn’t sure if this wolf was my savior or not, so I figured it was my chance to take advantage of the moment and run.
I struggled to stand, my body convulsing with a strangled scream as searing pain surged through my leg. The agonizing reminder of my injury sent a jolt of panic through me. As I breathed in, the air was heavy with the acrid scent of fear and sweat, a stark reminder of my forgotten, wounded state. My leg throbbed with every step, making it difficult to flee at any speed. It was clear that my attempts to create distance between myself and the wolves were falling flat.
“Wait, you’re injured!” I heard a human voice yell.
I spun around to find the starving creature lying still, and the black wolf had disappeared. Instead, I saw a dark-haired man with a scar across his right eye, giving him a mysterious and rugged look.
Wait, what?
My mind was struggling to make sense of the scene before me. The only explanation that I could produce was that it was a werewolf. But that couldn’t be. Werewolves were not real.
“Yes, I’m aware of that.” I was unsure whether to thank the guy for saving me or run.
I didn’t get far before dizziness washed over me, and black spots danced in my field of vision. As I forced myself to take another step, my body gave up, and I crumpled to the ground.
I heard footsteps approaching, and when I glanced up, I saw the man standing over me with a worried expression.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to take you back to the den and they’ll patch you right up.” He smiled at me.
None of his words made sense, and I shook my head, trying to protest, but I was seconds from giving into unconsciousness.
