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)
Raya poked her head inside, looking pretty and competent, her dark eyes sharp with unspoken thoughts. “Do you have a minute?”
Jackson glanced up and then gestured for her to enter. “Yeah, come in. What’s on your mind?”
Raya stepped fully into the office and closed the door behind her. She wore a smart black silk suit and lovely Louboutin heels today. Her gaze flicked to Emily, lingering for a beat too long before returning to Jackson and handing over a stack of papers.
“What’s this?” Jackson read the top page and then burst out laughing.
Raya wrung her hands together.
Emily looked between them. “What?”
Raya cleared her throat. “It’s, ah, well a petition for you and Jackson to be formally married this Christmas in a celebration for the entire town. The Lady’s Craft Crew needs that much time to decorate and plan.”
A petition?
“You signed it?” Jackson snapped, flipping over a page.
Pink climbed into Raya’s face. “The matchmaking scheme isn’t a good idea, you know. Bringing in a potential Alpha female without fully vetting her pack is reckless. And this whole setup—” Raya’s eyes shifted toward Emily again, her expression guarded. “It’s asking for trouble.”
“I appreciate your input,” Jackson said, his voice even. “But I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?” Raya’s smile was tight. “Because the pack has decided on Emily. We like her.”
Jackson handed back the papers. “You don’t even know her.”
Raya’s chin lifted. “We’ve all been reading her books, and we feel like we do. The Lady’s Craft Crew loves her, and they hold weight.” She turned on her heel and quietly left the office.
The door clicked shut, leaving the air between Emily and Jackson thick.
Emily blanched. “We’ve given everybody the wrong idea.”
Jackson just growled and returned to his work.
They worked in silence for another fifteen minutes until Raya reopened the door, all efficient. “You have a Ms. Abilene Ironclaw here to meet you.”
“Send her in,” Jackson replied, his jaw tightening slightly. His gaze flicked toward Emily, who tried to hide her amusement.
The door swung open, and Abilene swept in with a grace that seemed more choreographed than natural. Emily blinked several times. The woman had to be at least six feet tall, with long, cascading curls as black as night and amber eyes that seemed to glow against her golden skin. Her bone structure was delicate, her waist impossibly narrow, and her curves perfectly placed.
Jackson stood. Emily did, as well, though far more reluctantly.
“Ms. Ironclaw,” Jackson greeted, stepping around his desk and holding out a hand.
“Alpha Tryne,” Abilene replied, her voice smooth and cultured as she placed her hand in his. Jackson gave it a brief, firm shake, and Abilene blushed slightly as their hands parted.
“Let’s sit over here.” Jackson gestured toward the sitting area near the wide window. The space was furnished with an old leather couch and two matching chairs that had probably been there since his grandfather’s time. The coffee table in front of them bore scratches as though marked by restless hands over the years.
Jackson seated Abilene on the couch with care, which made Emily want to roll her eyes. For Pete’s sake. Still, she followed and took one of the chairs across from them.
“Hi. I’m Emily Nightsom.” She kept her tone pleasant. She might as well introduce herself before Jackson forgot she existed.
“Nice to meet you in person,” Abilene replied, her smile revealing perfect white teeth and a single dimple that added an infuriating touch of charm. “Um, a couple of younger wolves stopped me on the way into the building and said you two had decided to mate each other?”
Heat flushed through Emily’s torso. “No. Not at all. I’m facilitating this process for Jackson.”
Abilene snorted. “All right. This is an interesting situation. I didn’t know there was a matchmaking service for wolf shifters.”
The joke didn’t seem so funny now. “I’m new at this. It’s a brand-new enterprise,” Emily replied with a smile she hoped looked more professional than forced.
“It’s kind of fun,” Abilene said with a soft laugh, her gaze flicking between Jackson and Emily.
Jackson lowered himself into the chair beside Abilene and leaned back, all casual confidence. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, water…bourbon?”
Abilene’s amber eyes warmed. “No, I’m fine. But thank you.”
Emily forced her smile to stay in place, though her fingers curled slightly. She hated her already. Of course, she wasn’t to blame for the stomach ache that plagued Emily daily.
Abilene glanced over, her amber eyes curious. “You’re the matchmaker. What happens next?”
“Well, we just wanted to meet you,” Emily said quickly.
Abilene turned back to Jackson, studying him with open interest. “Why are you having the Alpha female of the Slate Pack find you a mate? I’d think you could manage that without any help.”
“I’m rather busy,” Jackson replied, his tone easy. “So, why are you here?”
“Possibly to become the Alpha female of this pack.” Abilene smiled.