Crossfire Read online

  

  Alpha Province: Crossfire

  After losing her parents and sister in a fire and trying to live her life in her hometown of Austin, Texas, Elsa Jackman has had enough. She packs up her things and takes to the road.

  Preston, Gabriel, and Liam Louis know that Elsa is their mate as soon as they see and scent her. When they overhear her plans of opening a bed and breakfast in their town, they offer to show her around.

  Elsa’s glad to have the support of the three, tall, handsome Louis brothers when she puts forward her proposal to all the residents in Ambrose, North Dakota and is excited when everyone agrees.

  Even though she tries to ignore the strong attraction to the three Kodiak bear shifters and retired FBI agents, she knows how fleeting life can be and agrees to be their mate.

  Just when her life is taking a change for the better, unknown danger follows her to Ambrose.

  Elsa doesn’t think she’ll survive.

  Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifters

  Length: 64,925 words

  Alpha Province: Crossfire

  Becca Van

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Alpha Province: Crossfire

  Copyright © 2018 by Becca Van

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-154-4

  First Publication: April 2018

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  My name is Becca Van. I live in Australia with my wonderful hubby of many years, as well as my two children.

  I read my first romance, which I found in the school library, at the age of thirteen and haven’t stopped reading them since. It is so wonderful to know that love is still alive and strong when there seems to be so much conflict in the world.

  I dreamed of writing my own book one day but, unfortunately, didn’t follow my dream for many years. But once I started I knew writing was what I wanted to continue doing.

  I love to escape from the world and curl up with a good romance, to see how the characters unfold and conflict is dealt with. I have read many books and love all facets of the romance genre, from historical to erotic romance. I am a sucker for a happy ending.

  For all titles by Becca Van, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/becca-van

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Alpha Province: Crossfire

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Alpha Province: Crossfire

  BECCA VAN

  Copyright © 2018

  Prologue

  Elsa Jackman sang along to the radio as she drove home from work. She was having dinner with her parents and sister which was a rarity because they were all always so busy. Even though her mom and dad were retired, they were very active and spent most of their days volunteering at shelters and socializing with their other retired friends. Her parents’, Jane and Percy Jackman, had just come back from a cruise and seemed hell-bent on catching up with all the gossip and all their friends as quickly as possible.

  Her sister, Janet, was still in high school, and while she was nearly nine years younger than Elsa’s twenty-three, she loved her dearly. Janet was sweet and kind with a heart as big as their home state of Texas.

  Elsa glanced in her rearview mirror when she heard an emergency siren and quickly pulled over to the side of the road to let the fire truck pass. A shiver wracked up her spine as a knot of anxiety tautened her gut. She prayed that no one had been hurt. As she pulled out onto the road again, after checking her mirrors, she noticed the orange glow and smoke billowing into the sky. Though it was dark, there was no way she could miss such a blaze.

  Her heart flipped in her chest and her breathing escalated when she noticed that whatever was on fire was near her home. When she turned onto their street, she shivered as sweat formed over her cold skin.

  The knot of dread in her gut grew to outright fear when she realized there were several fire trucks parked out the front of her mom and dad’s house. She parked the car near the street entrance, turned it off, and was out of her vehicle and running toward her parents’ home seconds later.

  A cry of devastation passed her lips when she saw the house she’d grown up in engulfed in flames. Her gaze flicked toward the driveway, and her knees nearly buckled when she saw her parents’ car parked right next the house. It was covered in ash, the mirrors had melted, and it looked as if it was about to explode.

  Elsa didn’t remember consciously thinking about moving, but her gaze locked on the still intact front door as she ran toward it. Panicked sobs erupted from her parted lips as determination filled her soul. She was going into the house to search for her parents and sister, but moments later her path was blocked when a fireman grabbed hold of her arm. She pushed his hand from her arm, spun on her heel, intent on getting inside to help her sister, mom, and dad, but the fireman was faster than she was. He wrapped an arm around her waist, practically lifting her from her feet before dragging her back toward the street.

  “Let me go. They’re still inside,” Elsa shouted angrily as tears rolled quickly down her face.

  “I’m sorry, miss, but I can’t let you go in there. You’ll be killed,” the fireman said in a calm, soothing voice as he released her.

  Elsa turned toward him, grabbing hold of his jacket in tight fists, and tried to shake him, but he was so much bigger and stronger than she was. He didn’t move an inch. “You have to save them. Please? My mom, dad, and sister are in there.”

  When Elsa saw the sympathy in his eyes, she wanted to smack the fireman across the face. He was giving up. He couldn’t give up. Not until her family was safe.

  The man shook his head. “I’m sorry. The fire’s too hot and out of control. We would have gone into the house as soon as we got here, but…”

  Elsa unclenched her fists and shoved the fireman in the chest. “No! Don’t you dare say…no, you have to find them,” she sobbed. Her heart was hurting so badly it felt as if it was about to break into a million tiny pieces. She tried to draw air in through her mouth, but no matter how many times she sucked in oxygen, she couldn’t breathe.

  Loud roaring filled her ears, and her body began to tremble so hard she couldn’t stand any longer. Her knees collapsed, and she sank to the ground, ignoring the pain as her trousers ripped on the asphalt, abrading her skin.

  Deep sobs wracked her body as grief, the loss of everyone she loved, all but consumed her. She jerked and lifted her gaze toward the house when a loud crash shook the ground. When she saw the house had collapsed, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt her family was gone.

  Elsa tilted her head up toward the dark sky and screamed with pain and rage. How could her family be dead? Why hadn’t she died with them? If only she hadn’t been home late from work. She would have died with them. She would still be with her sister, mom, and dad in heaven.

  The world took on a surreal quality as she watched the firemen douse the flames, but it was too late.

  They were all too late.

  Including her.

  Chapter One

  Eighteen months later

  Elsa looked at the small town of Ambrose as she drove down the main street. She’d decided six months ago to leave her hometown of Austin, Texas, and take to the road. She’d been working her way across the US, taking any job she could to keep her going. It wasn’t that she didn’t have any money, because she did, but working helped keep her mind from the devastating grief-filled night she’d lost her parents and sister in a fire.

  Elsa realized she’d zoned out again while driving, lost in her thoughts, and mentally berated herself. She was so tired her mind drifted off without her even noticing, but she was going to have to try and be more vigilant, more alert, especially while behind the steering wheel. She hadn’t slept the night through since seeing her childhood home going up in smoke and flames, and her family being killed even if she hadn’t actually seen them die.

  Her mind tortured her at night imagining her mom, da
d, and sister screaming in agony as fire licked up their bodies. She pushed those horrific thoughts aside, sucked in a deep breath, and after checking her mirrors, she slowed her car before executing a U-turn.

  She drove back into the small town of Ambrose, North Dakota, looking for signs advising accommodation, but she didn’t see any. With a sigh of resignation, Elsa parked her car near the curb, turned off the ignition, and got out after grabbing her purse. She glanced up and down the street, taking note of the diner, the shops, the hairdressing salon, and the pub.

  It was well after lunchtime, but she hadn’t been very hungry, so she’d kept on driving, hoping to find a nice quiet town to stop in for a few days.

  Elsa hadn’t been able to stay in Austin with all those memories haunting her. She’d ended the lease on the apartment she’d been renting, resigned from her job, giving her boss a month’s notice, and packed up her meager belongings. She’d even traded in her late model sedan for a small hatchback. Every time she’d gotten behind the wheel of her previous car, memories of driving Janet and her mom about had caused her heart to clench with grief. She’d tried to quell the threatening tears, but the grief had been too much to contain. When she’d almost hit another car because of her blurry vision and realized what a close call she’d had, she’d driven straight to a car yard. A couple of months after that, she’d decided to leave Austin.

  Elsa grimaced when she saw how full the diner was and decided to see if the pub was still serving meals. She wasn’t even that hungry but knew she needed to eat to fuel up her body.

  When she entered the pub, she noticed that there were a lot of people inside the dim room, laughing and chatting, but it took her a few moments for her eyesight to adjust from the bright sunshine outside to the darker interior.

  Thankfully, there was a small table close to the bar which was empty. Elsa walked toward the table, intensely aware of the eyes following her path, but she kept her gaze on one of the empty chairs, ignoring the locals’ curiosity.

  She sat in the chair which had its back to the rest of the room and hoped that none of the men she’d seen in the room decided to make a play for her. Elsa didn’t feel up to fending off the opposite sex. In fact, she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. She was exhausted after eighteen months of recurring torturous dreams and was worried if anyone bothered her, she’d end up giving them a mouthful.

  Elsa didn’t used to be so short-tempered, but the wearier she got, the more the tether on her ire shortened. She didn’t need to be moving about from town to town or state to state because her parents had left her an inheritance, and the insurance company had handed over a check for the cost of the loss of their home. She’d have given all that money back in a heartbeat if it would bring her family back, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

  “Hi, my name’s Emmy. What can I get you?”

  Elsa blinked up at the tall woman she hadn’t heard approach. “I haven’t had a chance to read the menu yet.” She picked up the laminated sheet, glancing down at it before meeting Emmy’s gaze again. “What do you recommend?”

  “Today’s special is roast beef with vegetables and gravy. We’ve also got surf and bird, served with vegetables, or salad and fries.”

  “What’s surf and bird?” Elsa asked.

  “It’s a chicken breast stuffed with shrimps served with a creamy wine sauce.”

  Elsa began to salivate, and her stomach grumbled for the first time in days. Having a big meal so late in the day meant she wouldn’t have to worry about finding something for dinner. “I’ll have the surf and bird.”

  “Great choice. I had it for lunch, and it was delicious. Would you like something to drink?”

  “A mineral water please.”

  “Coming right up.” Emmy spun on her heel and hurried toward the bar.

  There were two huge men working behind the mahogany wood counter. As soon as Emmy walked behind the bar, one of the men snagged an arm around her waist, before dipping her and kissing her passionately.

  Elsa lowered her gaze toward the table when her cheeks heated. She felt like a voyeur even if the couple were kissing heedlessly in front of a room full of people. When she thought sufficient time had passed, she gazed back toward the bar and gaped. Emmy was in the arms of the other guy, and he was kissing her just as passionately as the first one had.

  She quickly closed her mouth and tried to peruse the menu on the table in front of her. Even though she was embarrassed at seeing such lusty displays, she was also a little envious. What woman wouldn’t want two men vying for her attention? Elsa wondered if they were a trio but quickly quashed that thought. It was none of her business how anybody else lived, as long as all parties were consensual and on board with the dynamics of such a relationship.

  “Here you go,” Emmy said as she placed a glass of mineral water on the table.

  Elsa startled so hard she hit her elbow on the table.

  “Oh god. I’m so sorry. I thought you heard me return,” Emmy said.

  Elsa smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I was just thinking.”

  “Anything I can help with?” Emmy asked as she sat in the chair opposite her.

  “Actually, yes. You wouldn’t happen to know where I could lease a room, would you?” Elsa asked.

  “Here.”

  “What?” Elsa picked up her glass, taking a sip.

  “We’ve got motel rooms out the back across the parking lot,” Emmy explained.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” Emmy nodded.

  “Can I book one?”

  “Sure.” Emmy stood. “Let me get the register book.”

  Elsa sighed with relief as she watched Emmy hurry back to the bar. She slapped the men’s hands away when they tried to embrace her, but even Elsa could see there wasn’t any aggression in the move.

  Another man entered the area behind the bar, and just as Emmy straightened and turned toward him, he cupped her face before lowering his lips to hers.

  How many men does the woman have?

  Contriteness assailed Elsa. She didn’t know the people or the circumstances, and she shouldn’t be judging. She didn’t like it when anyone judged her.

  “I’m back,” Emmy said a little breathlessly before she got to the table, taking the same seat as before. She looked at the book before meeting Elsa’s eyes and pushed the book toward her. “Here, you may as well fill it out. It’ll be faster. Do you want to know the fee?”

  Elsa shook her head because she didn’t care how much the room cost. All that mattered was she had somewhere to sleep, but when she saw the surprise in Emmy’s gaze, she quickly changed her mind. “Please.” She didn’t want anyone to know that she wasn’t struggling for money. If things worked out and she liked the town of Ambrose, she might just decide to stay. She’d lived in a big city, but that hadn’t been a bonus to her sister and parents when their lives were at stake. As she wandered from town to town over the last six months, she’d begun thinking that putting roots down in a small town was the way to go. All the people she’d encountered in rural towns had been so friendly. Elsa was missing human companionship and sometimes worried she’d made the wrong choice. She’d left everything behind in Austin, including the two friends she’d had, but she hadn’t wanted any reminders and every time she’d seen Julie and Hope, she’d seen pity directed her way in their eyes.

  Elsa pushed her introspection aside so she could fill in all her details. She had two credit cards in her wallet but preferred to pay with cash, so she left that space blank. When she was done, she nudged the book back toward Emmy.

  “The room costs eighty dollars a night. Breakfast isn’t included, but the diner across the street opens at seven. They have great food. One of my friends, Pixie, and her ma…men own the place.”

  Her men? What sort of town in this?

  When Elsa caught Emmy frowning at the book, she grabbed her purse from the seat beside her and pulled her wallet out. Being careful to keep her wallet below the level of the table, on her lap, she counted out enough money for two nights before handing it to the other woman. Emmy counted the money and smiled at her. “Thanks.”