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)
Jackson’s gaze flicked over her, assessing. “I’d imagine you could find any mate you wanted.”
Oh, for goodness’ sake. Emily caught the glimmer of amusement in Jackson’s eyes—and interest, too. Not that she could blame him. Abilene was gorgeous.
“Finding a mate is not as easy as you’d think,” Abilene shrugged delicately. “Most packs keep to themselves, and I’m related to many of the eligible wolves in mine.”
“Which pack are you from?” Jackson asked.
Abilene perked up. “We’re the Redridge Pack. From southern Utah,” she replied. “We’re more into snow and painting than politics.”
“Painting?” Emily asked, surprised.
“Yes. We’re pretty much a pack of painters.” Humor lit Abilene’s eyes. “We attend festivals and sell our work worldwide. We don’t mingle much with other packs. We’re too free-spirited, I suppose.”
Jackson frowned slightly. “If you mated an Alpha, that freedom would end.”
“I don’t see why it should,” Abilene replied smoothly. “I’d still paint, and I’d probably travel occasionally. Once I had children, I’d stay closer to home, but painting is part of who I am.”
“I understand that,” Emily said. “I write romantic suspense and thrillers. I sell them from home.”
Abilene leaned toward her. “Do you ever go to signings?”
“No. I’m not interested in that. I suppose I could if I wanted to, though.”
Abilene nodded. “You should think about it. I love traveling to showings.”
“Traveling would be off the table, and I want you to know that up front,” Jackson said, his voice firm. “If you became the Alpha female of this pack, the role would keep you here, and your safety would be our top priority.”
Abilene lifted her chin. “How so?” she asked, her tone smooth but her eyes sharper now.
“An Alpha and his family have many duties,” Jackson said. “We’re involved in everything within the pack, which takes a lot of time. Although we do let our younger members go off to college and learn skills they then bring back to the pack,” he added, his tone carrying a subtle emphasis.
“I understand,” Abilene replied.
Emily tilted her head slightly. “As a free spirit and a painter, I assume you’re a romantic. A contractual mating might be uncomfortable for you.”
Abilene shrugged, her gaze sweeping Jackson’s frame with an appraising slowness that tightened Emily’s chest. “I admit it would be different, but again, I’m related to everyone in my pack. I’d like to have children someday. I’m in my early thirties, so I have time, but I think I could do well as the Alpha female of a pack. I’d like to see the packs become creative with painting, sculpting, and learning more about the world around us. It’s time some of your packs stop warring with each other and start exploring the outside world.”
“I agree,” Jackson said. “But the pack has to come first. Always.”
Abilene’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I agree,” she replied, but something in her tone rang hollow.
Emily went with her instincts. “What are you hiding, Abilene?”
Abilene’s shoulders stiffened slightly. “Excuse me?”
“That’s not the only reason you’re here.” Emily kept her voice calm. “What is it?”
Jackson shot her a sharp glance but stayed silent as Abilene’s gaze shifted toward the window. The pause stretched just long enough to confirm Emily’s suspicions.
“We’re low on males,” Abilene admitted finally. “To be honest, we need protection. Other packs have tried to take us over, and while we value our freedom, we need the security of a much larger and stronger pack. If I mated Jackson and we reached such an agreement, I’d want my entire pack brought into yours.”
Jackson’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Who’s in charge of your pack?”
“We have an Alpha,” she replied. “His name is Glenden. But he’s more than two hundred years old and has no direct descendants. I’m a distant cousin, and I do have Alpha blood in me.”
“How many members are in your pack?” Emily asked, curious.
Abilene shifted, her posture still graceful, but a tightness appeared around her mouth. “About fifty,” she said finally.
“Do you have any skills besides painting?” Emily asked.
Abilene’s smile sharpened slightly. “I can negotiate. I’ve helped secure trade agreements with human communities near our territory, and I know how to lead when necessary. Being creative doesn’t mean being weak.”
Emily laughed, though the sound came out weaker than she intended. Her head throbbed with a hollow ache that seemed to pulse behind her eyes, and her arms felt weak. She rolled her shoulders back to hide the tremor, but the sensation clung stubbornly. “I totally agree with you.”
Abilene visibly relaxed. “We’re a good group, and we’re hard workers.”
“All right.” Jackson stood, his movements smooth and certain. “Thank you for meeting with me today. Why don’t you set up a meeting between Glenden and me? We’ll talk about bringing your pack in.”
Abilene rose gracefully, but her eyes widened slightly. “So, you do want to mate?”
“You don’t have to mate me to join the pack,” Jackson replied evenly. “If I like your Alpha, we have room. A lot of it, actually. We own a good portion of this area of the entire state. But I would require an oath of allegiance from every member, and I’d need to meet with each of them first.”