Victoria Sue visits the clubhouse on The Alpha Heir (Kingdom of Askara #2) blog tour! Read the exclusive excerpt and check out the backlist giveaway - comment below for a chance to choose any Victoria Sue eBook you'd like. Contest ends September 12th!
Caleb Harken has spent six years wrongfully imprisoned for his father’s treachery. Tortured and reviled by the very wolf pack he should have been leading as Alpha, he is not surprised to learn he’s finally to meet his death at the hands of the human rebel leader, Taegan Callan.
Taegan gave up his dreams of a life-mate and a family after seeing too many humans butchered at the hands of the wolves—even if Caleb doesn’t seem to be the bloodthirsty savage he expects, and even if he starts to long for a different kind of future with the wolf.
Can Caleb become the Alpha he was always meant to be and lead his pack, or will he finally realize that winning his freedom means nothing when he has already lost his heart?
Exclusive Excerpt
The nearer he got to the barn, the more his courage failed him. He had intended to walk right up to the doors, even as he could see Jenner casually leaning against one of them, for all the world trying to not look like he was on guard. Caleb dodged and moved quietly before he was seen, for the first time thanking the small part of the animal inside him that meant he could move silently when he needed. He moved around the back where the horses were grazing, and he held a hand out for Skye to sniff before he moved past her. He knew he shouldn’t do this and he promised himself he would go around the front as soon as he had reassured himself they weren’t planning on murdering him in his bed tonight. He smiled at the ridiculous thought and stood not only where he could hear everyone clearly, but where the gap in between the wooden planks was sufficient for him to make out faces. He recognized Taegan, Cy, Mitch and DeRose but the others he hadn’t seen before.
“What have you decided to do with the heir?” DeRose asked.
Caleb froze.
“Did you ask if he will be the distraction we need for the raid?” Mitch asked.
The distraction? But he’d offered.
Taegan shuffled. “And they would eat him alive, Mitch. You know that. Why would anyone volunteer for something like that?”
“Well, my Julie says he’s real good with the kids. I’d bet he’d help if you asked.”
Caleb didn’t know whether to be terrified or pleased. Pleased that they thought well of him, pleased that Taegan was refusing to put him in danger, but terrified of what they would say when he tried to explain what Silas had told him.
“And what about that bonding shit you told us about?” another man interrupted. “You said he thinks you’re his mate. He would do anything for you. You gotta ask him.”
Caleb stopped breathing. His heart thudded so hard against his ribs he would swear they broke. Silas had asked him if he knew what bonding was, but he had been so obsessed with Taegan he hadn’t listened.
“You think the Alphas would leave him alone if he stays?” Mitch asked.
The female scoffed. “Are you joking? I heard Warwick is incensed. Caleb lives while his own son lays cold and dead in the ground. He paints a target on us all by being here.”
“And much as I respect you, Taegan,” the young man said, his scarred hands and missing fingers showing where he had come from, “it is also a risk simply to let him go.”
“He doesn’t have to let him go,” another older man spoke up for the first time. “My grandad knew a wolf that was bonded. It’s really powerful for the wolves. Taegan, you have to reject him. Let him think he’s doing this for you, his mate, and then reject him afterward. It’s better than a hangman’s noose. No wolf ever survives that. He’d be dead in a week.”
Caleb stumbled backwards. His mind spinning, his heart breaking. He had bonded. He had bonded with Taegan and Taegan knew? Images ran through his mind. Taegan sat close at every meal time. He insisted Caleb slept in his room even after Gia came. The small touches, the smile. Oh goddess, yesterday. Had he been laughing at him, using him? He had been so foolish. He had thought — hoped — him and Taegan had a chance. That he finally belonged somewhere. He took a step away. He didn’t belong with the humans and he didn’t belong with the wolves. It didn’t matter what Silas thought. He had been destined to die all his life. It could be argued that everyone was, but Caleb had been on borrowed time for years.
He could run. The bonding sounded serious but what did it matter if Taegan was going to reject him anyway? He had survived six years cast out. He wasn’t supposed to have survived that. He would run back and pack a bag and go. Maybe head to Caedra.
For a second he wished for advice and he missed his father desperately. They used to talk for hours. One of Caleb’s favorite questions was how his dad knew he was an Alpha. Did he feel special that so many loved him?
His father had pulled Caleb onto his lap and kissed his head. Caleb must have only been about seven or so and for a long time his father had been his best friend. “No, son, that isn’t how I know I am the Alpha, and it isn’t how you will know either.”
Caleb had twisted around and stared into his dad’s big brown eyes. “Then how will I know? How will I know they picked me?”
His dad had put his large hand over Caleb’s chest. “You will feel it in here, son. When you know everything you do, every decision you make, is for the good of the pack. When you would defend every one of them to your dying breath and you feel every heart of theirs beat in there along with your own.”
Caleb had glanced down. His chest looked small and he wasn’t sure he had the room for anyone’s heart but his own in there. When he’d said that, his dad had chuckled and hugged him and just promised he would know when the time was right.
And just like that Caleb knew that it finally was. This was his pack. Renee with her ready smile and her kind heart. Ready to mother any orphan that came her way, including him. The children — Gia, Missy. They were as much his as if they were his own pups.
If he concentrated he could still feel Taegan’s hands on him, strength sliding over his skin, possession if only briefly. For a few minutes last night Caleb belonged to Taegan and as much as he mourned the loss, Caleb was back to belonging to no-one. He knew that.
He was done. He couldn’t bear anymore. He had no reason to doubt what he had heard and knowing he wouldn’t be kept in torment for years gave him the courage to take another step. Caleb crept away silently. Warwick could do what he liked to Caleb. He would never become Alpha, but two children from this pack, his pack would die if he didn’t give himself up. He couldn’t bear to return to the caves. If Gia was awake he would never have the strength to leave him, and he had no need for any belongings.
He suddenly felt stronger and more powerful than he had ever in his life. Something stirred inside of him and he knew suddenly it was his wolf. He may never shift but he would not be on his own, not even at the end. It was exactly like his dad had always said; that some part of an Alpha always belonged to his pack, and they him.
Silas had been kind. Yes, he had kept information from him, but he loved Renee. You would do anything for the one you loved.
Even if they never loved you back.
Author Bio
Victoria Sue wrote her first book on a dare from her hubby three years ago. Loves writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best, and especially with either a paranormal or a historical twist. Had a try at writing contemporary but failed spectacularly when it grew four legs and a tail.
Is an English northern lass but is currently serving twenty to life in Florida – unfortunately, she spends more time chained at her computer than on a beach.
Loves to hear from her readers and can be found most days lurking on facebook.
The Alpha Heir – exclusive Amazon KU link https://goo.gl/b1s1Bf
Website: www.victoriasue.com
Twitter: @vickysuewrites
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The giveaway is open until 12:00AM (Eastern time) on 9/12/17. Shortly thereafter, we will contact a winner!
Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hours or we will choose another winner. Good luck!
Congrats on the release! I loved the first book in the series and have this one on my Kindle to read.
ReplyDeletejen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Thanks for the excerpt!
ReplyDeletelegacylandlisa at gmail dot com
I've already read both books in this series, and loved them to bits! The characters are endearing, and the world-building fascinating. Thank you, Victoria!
ReplyDeletesusanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for participating! This giveaway is officially closed! The winner is Jen!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be contacting the winner shortly!