Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Miliki growled low.
Emily smiled, her shoulders relaxing. Apparently, her sister’s guard dog had done his research. “Not in the slightest. I called off the engagement. Erik and I are good friends, and I adore Luna, his new mate. The Slate Pack and the Copper Pack are allies within the Stope Packs Coalition. Your people will be much safer now.” Her legs trembled, so she turned toward the table to mask the weakness. “May I get you something to eat or drink? The wine is excellent.”
Nadia’s gaze narrowed. “I’d love wine. Thank you.”
Had she seen the tremor? If so, it was kind of her to refrain from mentioning it. Or perhaps she was categorizing weaknesses to use against them later. “Caidrik?” Emily asked, pouring a glass of cabernet for her sister.
“No.” At Nadia’s quick look, he cleared his throat. “No, thank you,” he said, his voice a low growl.
Emily handed Nadia the wineglass.
Their father finished his drink and then cleared his throat. “I didn’t know that you existed until a few hours ago, Nadia.”
“I know.” Nadia sipped her wine. “By the time my mother realized she was pregnant, you had already mated Emily’s mom. She chose not to tell you.”
The female didn’t sound like she cared much. “Where is your mother now?” Emily poured herself a glass of water.
“She passed away five years ago,” Nadia said quietly.
Emily looked at her sister. “I’m sorry. My mother passed away, as well.”
Nadia grimaced. “My mom had a very common wolf name, one that carries through all of the packs, so I often have folks say that they know her. But we pretty much kept to ourselves and our small co-op my entire life.”
A clamor echoed from inside the house, and Emily sighed right before her cousin, Vic, strode outside. “Nadia, this is your cousin, Victor.”
Vic looked from Emily to Nadia and then to Philip. “So, it’s true? You have a bastard daughter?”
Caidrik launched from his post, and Nadia pivoted, putting her body between them.
Emily drew up to her full height. “You call my sister a name like that again, and you and I are hitting the grass, Vic. Last time we wrestled, you ended up crying for an hour.” Of course, she’d been stronger then. Much. They’d been kids, really.
He whirled on her. “Oh, I’d like another chance at you, little girl.”
Nadia shifted, somehow landing next to Emily. “I’d love to see you kick his ass, Emily.”
Emily smiled, willing her left leg to stop trembling. The weakness was increasing, damn it. She couldn’t even kick her own ass. “Father?”
Philip put down his glass. “Yes. I was stunned for a moment.” He flashed his canines. “Victor? You might be my nephew, but Nadia is my daughter. You will treat her with respect. Understand?” Alpha power vibrated in his voice.
“Of course.” Victor stood as tall as Caidrik, with green eyes and dark blond hair. The guy always wore gold: watch, necklace, even pinky ring. “I apologize, Nadia. This is just a…shock.” He rolled his neck. “I’ve been stressed lately, training to step in as the Alpha of this pack if and when it becomes necessary.” He edged to the side, keeping Caidrik in his line of sight.
So, he did recognize the biggest threat—probably instinctively, because Vic rarely thought things out.
Nadia glanced sideways at Emily. “Why aren’t you training to be the Alpha?”
Vic snorted. “Seriously? She’s a female.”
That was nowhere near why. If Emily wasn’t dying, she’d take over as Alpha in an instant…until somebody good came along. She didn’t want the position but couldn’t let Vic take control. He lacked insight. “Nadia? Do you want the job?”
“God, no.” Nadia took another drink of her wine.
Probably a good thing. While Nadia had Alpha blood, she wasn’t big enough to fight off challengers. Emily had the size but not the strength—a fact she’d managed to hide from everyone. Her illness was getting worse, and she had to do something about it before Vic took over. Thank goodness her father was strong and healthy, even at his advanced age.
Nadia’s chin lifted. “However, I do think a female could be the Alpha.”
Philip sighed. “Maybe theoretically, but the challenges would come often, and she’d need to fight well.” He paled. “Not that Emily can’t fight, but her heart isn’t in it, so…”
Emily cleared her throat. “I’ll step up if needed, Father.” Of course, she needed to be in top health, damn it.
Vic looked them both over. “We’re fourth or fifth cousins, you know.”
Nadia flicked her gaze to Emily. “So?”
Vic ignored her and faced Philip. “I understand you’ve promised Emily to Jackson Tryne. I’d like for you to reconsider.”
Fire ripped through Emily, banishing the tremble. “Wait a minute—”
“Promised?” Nadia’s voice rose, and she actually stepped in front of Emily this time. “You’ve promised her to somebody?” Even her ponytail twitched in anger.
Emily easily stared at her father over Nadia’s head. “No. Listen, little sister—”