Twin Alphas: Desired (A BBW Paranormal Romance) by Georgette St. Clair Page A

family that you’re talking about!” Ajax’s face went hairy and his jaw lengthened. His fangs shot out, and his voice dropped to a guttural growl. “There is nothing more important to a wolf’s pack than our honor. You will not disrespect those who are no longer alive to defend themselves.”
                  “Hey! You’re not the only one who lost their parents.” Vita blinked back tears, stepping back and clutching at her sunflower necklace defensively.
                  Barron grabbed Ajax by the arm and dragged him aside. “Get a grip on yourself.  Blowing up like this isn’t going to help anybody.”
                  “She insulted my pack’s honor,” he growled.
                  Karlie walked over, stood in front of him, and glared up at him. “Mackenzie’s life may depend on you being able to think clearly. What’s more important to you right now, having a temper tantrum, or figuring out why somebody would curse your family?”
                  He took a deep breath, and the fur sank back into his face.
                  “Now apologize to Vita,” Karlie said.
                  “I am sorry I snapped at you.” He didn’t look particularly sorry.
                  Barron turned to Karlie. “Here’s the reason that we called you here. You can get help me sneak  out of the festival.  There are Sentinels all around here so I can’t get off the festival grounds un-noticed , but you can lead me through to the other side, and then out of the festival area, and then back to my world.”
                  “They’ll notice you’re gone,” Vita protested.
                  Barron shook his head. “No, they won’t. We’ve officially checked in; they’d have no reason to think that we’d leave before the festival was over. Ajax will still be here, with Mackenzie, if anyone comes by the cabin.  He’s just going to have to tell Mackenzie that the family emergency happened again, and I’ll be back in a few days.”
                  “Why do you need to sneak?” Karlie asked. “You could tell the Sentinels what happened, and they’d let you leave, wouldn’t they?”
                  “I can’t do that,” Barron said. “We can’t prove anything about the curse, and also, if I told the Sentinels, word might get back to Mackenzie, and like I told you, we believe that if we reveal the curse to her, she’ll die right away.”
                  “Maybe I should be the one to go,” Ajax said. “I’m more forceful than you are.”
                  “I think we need a clear head here. If you lose your temper and kill someone, that’s not going to get us anywhere.”
                  “Damn it! So I have to just sit here and do nothing?” Ajax glowered.
                  “No, you have to keep Mackenzie safe.” Barron glanced at the cabin. “And distracted.”
                  Ajax’s face lit up at that. “Yeah. Distracted. I can do that.”
                  Karlie grabbed Barron’s arm. “Time’s a-wasting. Let’s go.” She glanced at Vita. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
                  “All right. Anything that I can do?”
                  “Just keep your lip zipped,” Barron said.  “And Ajax,” he added, “Remember to talk to the bartender at The Tavern this evening. Discretely.”
                  Ajax nodded, and quickly headed back into the cabin.
    * * *
     
                  Mackenzie sat up in bed, yawned, and looked at the clock. Two p.m. Her time clock always got messed up during festival time.
                  She kicked off the covers and walked out into the living room, wearing her pajamas.  Ajax was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.
                  “There’s my sleeping