The Alpha's Regret: A Paranormal Werewolf Romance (Shifters of Grey Ridge Book 4)

THE ALPHA’S REGRET SHIFTERS OF GREY RIDGE: BOOK 4 REECE BARDEN Copyright © 2023, Reece Barden First electronic publication: January 2023 www.reecebarden.com All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. The unauthorised reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the author’s permission. NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale, or organisations is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content. Due to adult language, violence, and steamy scenes this book is recommended for 18+ CONTENTS 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 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Epilogue The Alpha’s Quest About the Author Keep In Touch!! Other Books by Reece Barden CHAPTER 1 NATHAN This was a terrible idea. The worst. Whatever is driving my wolf crazy hasn’t been helped by the vigorous workout I enjoyed last night with the delightful Faye. A peppy little blonde with an eagerness to please and no expectations, she’s a fun bedtime companion when I want to blow off some steam. Normally. Last night, though, my wolf didn’t want to be anywhere near her. Every time she touched me, he recoiled; refusing to take part because she wasn’t my mate. For years, we’ve had a mutual agreement that finding our mate wasn’t the be-all and end-all, and that we’d live our lives to the fullest. It appears he’s had a change of heart. Try as I might, I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm for doing the deed itself, and so I resorted to doing what any self-respecting alpha wolf would do: I lied. I said I wanted to make last night all about her. Except now, that has backfired spectacularly. This little she-wolf, whom I lavished with attention, now seems to think something has shifted, that we’re more than just friends with benefits. Fuck my life. Maybe everyone is right, and I’m too old for this shit. I need to take a break from the ladies, get my head screwed back on straight, and take a holiday. The last six months have been awful; actually, make that a year. My three siblings all finding their mates has clearly turned my wolf into a die-hard romantic. I'll have to go for a run later and have a quiet word with him, because he’s on his own with that one. In the meantime, I have to let Faye down gently and end our arrangement before someone gets hurt. This mess is my fault, after all. Pulling on jeans and a t-shirt, I move barefoot to my apartment door. Not so subtly glancing at my watch, I wait for Faye to put on her shoes. She’s moving at a snail’s pace, eyeing up her surroundings like she’s already trying to work out where her furniture will fit. My usually calm temperament is being tested as she stands slowly and sashays toward me seductively. She even took the time to put on the red lipstick that looked sexy as hell in the bar last night, but jars now in the cold light of day. She really is in no hurry to leave. Why did I bring her back here? Of course she got the wrong idea. “Look, I’m sorry to rush you, but I’ve got a meeting to go to and I need to be on the road…” I explain, pulling open the door and standing to the side to let her out. She pauses in front of me and leans in close, her perfume irritating my sensitive nose and her proximity making me squirm. I just want her out of my space. “That’s ok. After last night, you don’t need to apol-…” I don’t hear a word she says after that. My wolf howls in my head as he picks up the most amazing scent and every cell in my body stands to attention. Where is that coming from? All of my senses zero in on the source as my gaze lands squarely on the exquisite beauty standing on the landing across from me, separated by the banisters and open space of the staircase. My sister, Leila, chats away with her like they’re old friends, and I can’t believe what I’m seeing. My fated mate is right here, in my home. Her sleek, glossy black hair shimmers as she laughs, and her beautiful smile takes my breath away. I take a step towards her without realising. The need to get close to her, to touch her, and smell her, is overwhelming. Now I understand what all the fuss is about. What do I do now? I want to go over and grab her, throw her over my shoulder, and take her away from everyone else. But she still hasn’t acknowledged my presence. Her scent is so strong that it’s making my head spin and my cock swell. She must know I’m here? “Nathan? Nathan!” A sharp, whiny voice interrupts my thoughts, and I blink down at Faye, who is still standing in my doorway. I forgot she was still here. Her red lips are twisted in a sulky