The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,17

from what I recall. And I don't want to cause you pain, but he did leave you here to die. I can’t ignore or easily forgive his actions.”

Thinking of my father turned my stomach. It hadn't surprised me when he hadn't produced a backup mate after killing my alpha. Shaking my head, I released a bone-deep sigh.

"Like I said, I only want you to save my brothers. The rumors aren't wrong. My father is every bit as evil as Horace was. And if he didn't save me, it was because he couldn't find anyone willing to pay a dowry or make a connection for a used, pregnant omega. I wonder if I should be offended? Considering the company he keeps, you'd think one of his nasty old friends who used to watch me like pervs would've been willing to pay something for me. They wouldn't have let me keep my baby, but I can think of one or two who might've been interested in used goods."

“Never call yourself something so awful, even if you’re joking. You could never be used goods.” As he growled, Matt's eyes flashed gold. "If any of those filthy old lechers ever cross our path, feel free to point them out."

A warm glow spread through me at his possessive tone. And the growl. His growl was totally hot. Disgust filtered through our bond at the idea of some gross old man putting his hands on me. Feeling so much closer to him already, I lifted a hand to his cheek.

"I'll keep your notes in mind. But let's go back to my father, hmm? When Horace grabbed me, I was being escorted to what was supposed to be my new home. My father had struck a deal with the alpha in Kingman, Arizona. They were solidifying their plans to steal from the government. If he'd become my mate, he and my father would've become equal partners. When there's gold and other precious minerals involved, it's hard to trust your coworkers. My father figured sweetening the deal with his virgin omega son would kill two birds with one stone. They would have a permanent connection between the packs, and he wouldn't be able to turn on his co-conspirator if it was the father of his own mate. Or something similar. Zoning out a lot was easier than thinking about the future I had in store."

"Wait. I'm gonna need you to back up. What do you mean by stealing from the government? What kind of partnership was your father offering the Arizona alpha?"

I slapped my palm against my forehead. "Sorry, I got ahead of myself. I've grown up hearing my father's schemes and watching him create his vast maze of tunnels. I guess I forgot it's not common knowledge, and you're not psychic. Anyway. As you know, Newberry Springs is immediately outside Death Valley. Are you aware Death Valley is a national park? Sorry if I sound condescending, but you'd be surprised by how many people don't know."

"Ha! You don’t sound condescending at all because I'd almost forgotten until you mentioned it. Now you have, I definitely remember because my father charged Newberry Springs a tariff whenever they wanted to pass through our territory with cross-country shipments of Borax and other minerals your pack mines to support itself." He looked thoughtful, lifting his head to brace it on his palm while he waited for me to continue.

"Minerals is one word for it. At least, those are what we openly mine and sell." I stretched fully on my side, mirroring his position as I faced him. "So here's the big secret. There's a lot of gold and copper, among other precious metals, to be found in Death Valley. Since he can't do it openly, given its national park status, my father has been building a series of tunnels stretching beneath it for as long as I can remember. He has a whole underground town down there where the workers live for their two-week shifts. He rotates them out every couple of weeks with replacements from the pack. Every man and boy old enough to work takes a turn down there. They started mining gold a few years ago and slipping it into the mineral shipments. The problem is the risks of getting caught are too high."

"You think?" Matt snorted.

I shrugged. "For a criminal mastermind, my father isn't the smartest guy. Anyway. When he finally tunneled through to the Arizona side, he started looking for my future mate. He's already using