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)
“Big sister,” Nadia corrected, placing her wine glass on the table. She put her hands on her hips. “I’m a year older than you. That makes me the big sister, and there’s no way on this round ball of a planet I’m letting my little sister be promised to the Alpha of the damn Granite Pack.”
Emily cocked her head. Her very petite sister had just called her the little sister. How adorable. “You’ve heard of Jackson?”
“Everybody has heard of him,” Nadia said, her back visibly vibrating. “He’s brutal in a fight.”
Every Alpha was brutal in a fight. “He’s not that scary,” Emily said. “And don’t worry, I’m not promised to anybody.”
Philip poured more wine into his glass. “Actually, we could use the connection to his pack, Emily. That strength would be helpful since the Volk brothers now lead the other two packs in the coalition.”
She understood his position. Their coalition was named after a stope—a tunnel in a mine—an apt moniker, as the four packs mined slate, granite, copper, and silver. With the Silver and Copper Packs now being ruled by blood brothers, it left her father feeling uneasy.
Even so, she shook her head. “I am not mating Jackson Tryne.” She wouldn’t mate for convenience, and besides, couldn’t with her current illness—it wouldn’t be fair to Jackson. She should probably tell her father the truth about how physically weak she felt, but she didn’t want to worry him.
“What about me?” Vic puffed out his muscular chest.
Emily’s mouth gaped, but she quickly pressed her lips together. “You want to mate Jackson?” she drawled.
Victor’s face flushed red. “Funny, but no. I want one of you.”
Nadia’s head bobbed as if her chin had hit her chest.
Emily winced. “We’re cousins, Vic. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Victor continued staring at Philip. “It would consolidate power, and we’re all very distant relatives.”
Nadia’s ponytail jerked again. “Geez, Vic. Would you like to flip a coin for us?”
Sarcasm sounded good coming from the female. Emily sighed. “This is the dumbest conversation I’ve ever witnessed. The answer is no, Victor. Neither of us wants to mate you, so stop it. Right now.”
He moved toward her, and Caidrik growled low. Lightning zapped near the tree line.
Vic stopped.
This was weird. “Nobody is getting mated, so everyone just calm the hell down,” Emily said before any blows could land.
“Now, that just hurts my feelings.” Jackson Tryne emerged from the darkness, the moon caressing his rock-hard form. The rain sluiced off him, molding his worn T-shirt to his impressive chest.
Emily stiffened, her body electrifying as her gaze slashed to her father’s. While it didn’t surprise her that she hadn’t smelled him, as the Alpha, Philip should’ve known the second he entered their territory. Was Jackson that good at masking his scent and energy? Even with the help of the storm, somebody should’ve sensed the presence of an Alpha wolf. They emitted their own vibrations.
The Alpha strode across the back lawn and into the chandelier’s light, his luminous blue eyes predatory. He glanced at Nadia and then back at Emily. “I heard the rumors. Appears true.”
Victor moved closer to the table, his gaze hard. “Tell you what, Tryne, you can have the new sister. Nadia is all yours.”
It was like he wanted Caidrik to rip out his throat.
Nadia bunched as if ready to attack, so Emily grasped her arm. “Take it easy, big sister.” While Vic had no tact, the guy could fight. Emily doubted her new sister would stand a chance against him. “Nobody is going anywhere.”
Jackson tucked his thumbs into the pockets of his ripped jeans, water dripping from his thick, black hair. “That’s where you’re wrong, baby. I’m done waiting.”
Vic bristled. “Why are you fucking here, Jackson?”
Those blue eyes landed on Emily with a force stronger than the current storm. “I’m here for what’s mine.”
Chapter 2
Jackson hated that he had run into Slate territory the second he found out Emily might be in danger. His pack, the Granite Pack, held territory far north of this Slate Pack. But he had to make sure Emily was safe.
A quick glance at the smaller version of her clarified that if there was danger, it was not coming from this newfound sister. Jackson slowly lifted his gaze to the silent male standing close to the females. “Caidrik,” he said.
“Jackson,” Caidrik returned.
Emily glanced from one to the other, paling. “You two know each other?”
“No,” they both said.
Jackson set his stance.
Emily’s gaze narrowed. “Well, that’s a lie.”
“No shit,” the female in front of her said.
“I’m Jackson,” he murmured.
The female’s eyes were a shade lighter than Emily’s, framed by long lashes that gave her an ethereal look. Despite the delicate features, there was a sharpness in her gaze. “I’m Nadia. I know who you are.”
“Good.” Jackson tilted his head slightly. It was sometimes helpful when his reputation preceded him. Sometimes, it wasn’t. Most people thought he was a party animal, when they truly had no idea how he spent his days. Or nights.