Curse of the Alpha: Episodes 1 & 2: A Tarker’s Hollow Serial by Tasha Black

make you happy.”
    Wow. Nothing like the direct approach.
    Ainsley could see how Clive would be a good leader. Although he had been a bit of a bully in elementary school, he was certainly brave and usually honest. And he had obviously grown up to be a more thoughtful person.
    She knew that she was not the mate he would choose either. Though the way he was staring at her breasts made her think it wouldn’t be such a sacrifice for him.
    “I don’t know what to say, Clive, that’s so kind of you. But I’m not cut out for this life. Why don’t you just ask the pack to vote you in as the alpha?”
    Clive sighed, and smiled grimly.
    “It doesn’t work that way, Ainsley.”
    There was an awkward silence.
    “Well, it is nice to see you again. What are you doing with yourself these days?” she asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more friendly direction.
    “I’m the sheriff.”
    “Following in your dad’s footsteps. That’s really nice. How’s he doing?”
    “He’s fine,” Clive said abruptly, obviously not in the mood for small talk. “Ainsley, if you change your mind. Or if you ever just want to talk about it, call me.”
    He pulled a card out of his pocket and thrust it into her hand.
    “I know you don’t think of this town as home, but we’re your family. There’s good people here. We deserve to hold our traditions. Please promise me that you’ll at least think about my offer.”
    Ainsley nodded. When he put it that way, she couldn’t help feeling kind of selfish.
    Clive reached out and touched her shoulder. His massive hand made her feel small. It made her wonder about the size of his other parts. She looked away, terrified that she might draw his alpha without meaning to. He pulled back and she looked up at him carefully.
    “Maybe I’ll see you in town.”
    “How long are you here?”
    “Just long enough to get my parents’ house on the market.”
    “I’ll be sure to patrol, make sure you’re okay.”
    Why did everyone seem to think she needed protecting?
    “I’ll be fine, Clive. But thank you.”
    The lights blinked, signifying that it was time to go in for the lecture. Clive took a deep breath. Ainsley smiled.
    “You don’t have to attend the talk, Clive. I’ll see you later.” She reached up and pecked his ruddy cheek.
    “Okay, Ainsley. Talk to you soon”
    He smiled a relieved smile, winked at her, and strode away.
    She sighed, smoothed her dress over her hips and tucked her hair behind her ears. She knew her dress wasn’t wrinkled, and that her hair looked better when she let it hang loose, but the old, nervous habits were just one more thing Tarker’s Hollow seemed to bring out in her.
    Ainsley joined the other attendees as they shuffled toward the door, their orthopedics scraping, zombie-like on the polished floor.

Chapter 17
    A insley stepped through into the great hall, and grabbed a seat in the front row. It was habit – she’d always seated herself at the front of the class – it helped her avoid distractions and it was easier to get called on.
    She realized once she was seated that maybe sitting in the back would have been a smoother move. But changing seats at this point was probably even less cool than sitting up front in the first place.
    Julian stood at the front of the room, leaning back on the podium and gazing at her impassively.
    The rest of the attendees shuffled in and eased their way into the seats.
    Ainsley had fond memories of Scott Hall. Her dad had held his classes here. She remembered curling up under the over-sized podium with a book on sick days when her mom had to man the store. Dad would set her up under there with a big pillow, even a sleeping bag if it was winter – Scott Hall was drafty. She would curl up in the shadows and rest or read a book with a flashlight and listen to her dad talk.
    Michael Connor was a great talker when it came to literature. He was a showman, really. Sometimes Ainsley thought he saved all his talking for Tolstoy