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)
A sharp knock sounded at the door. “Are you about done?” Jackson’s low voice carried through the wood, rough and gravelly.
Dr. Gwen glanced at Emily, who gave a slight nod. “Come in.”
The door swung open, and Jackson stepped inside, apparently having secured a blue T-shirt with Emily’s face on it over a symbol of letters: GAE.
Her chin dropped. “GAE?”
“Granite Alpha Emily.” He shrugged. “They all love you and want you to stay.” His gaze swept over both females before locking onto Emily.
The doctor released her and stepped back. “I might have, um, well, signed the petition as well.”
One of Jackson’s dark eyebrows rose and he took a beat before speaking. “Is she okay?” he asked, his tone still edged with tension.
“She’s got a bump on her head and an aching arm, but she’s stable and can go home.” The doctor picked up her tablet, tapping a few notes. “Emily, I’d like to see you in a day or so just as a follow-up.”
“Of course. I’ll be back.” Emily managed a small smile, gratitude filtering through her. That was enough time to conduct a few tests. Hopefully, the doctor would have answers soon. “It looks like I’ll need another room at the hotel,” she added.
“Not a chance in hell, baby.” Jackson’s voice dropped an octave, rough and possessive. “You’re coming home with me.”
Chapter 15
Jackson drove slower than usual on the country lane, not wanting to jostle Emily too much. Sure, the road was asphalted, but the wind had thrown pine cones, rocks, and even branches in his way.
The clock on the dashboard read just past two in the morning. Thick clouds obscured the moon, yet Jackson could still feel the pulse of its power thrumming in his bones.
The sensation gave him peace since his strength waxed and waned in tune with the cyclical pull. Scientists among the packs theorized that their connection had nothing to do with ocean tides, as human scientists believed, but rather electromagnetic fields that fluctuated during different lunar phases. Jackson didn’t much care about the science, only that the moon made him faster, stronger, and sharper when he needed it.
Emily stared at the starless night outside, her body stiff, pain emanating from her. The hum of the truck’s engine and the rhythmic thump of tires against asphalt seemed to lull her into a fragile rest. Even so, Jackson’s focus never wavered from the road. His grip on the steering wheel was firm, his senses heightened with the lingering adrenaline of the night. Every shadow along the roadside kept his pulse elevated.
She was safe. For now. But until he found the hired thugs who had helped kidnap her, that restless hum of tension wouldn’t leave his veins. Not until she was truly out of danger. Not until he knew she was home and under his roof, where no one could touch her.
The soft vibrations of hurt from Emily hit Jackson harder than he’d expected. Her height made her stand out, but up close, her small-boned frame seemed more fragile than usual. Someone had bruised her.
That fact heated his throat with a rage so fierce it made him want to roar. He’d killed that bastard too quickly. Should’ve made him suffer. But the guy had pointed a gun at Emily, and Jackson hadn’t had the luxury of dragging it out.
He cleared his throat, keeping perfect control of his emotions, especially his temper. “So…did the doc find any other injuries?”
Emily startled slightly as if yanked from her thoughts. Her gaze shifted to him, eyes focusing after a moment. “Huh?”
Awareness prickled down his spine at the haziness in her eyes. “You said you had bruises and…female questions.”
“Oh, that.” Emily waved a hand dismissively, but the movement exposed the scratches on her wrist where she’d been bound. His chest tightened, and a low growl rumbled from deep in his throat before he could stop it.
“The bruises are fine,” she said quickly. “I just had some female-related questions. None of your business.”
“Fair enough.” He had no desire to discuss female issues, whatever the hell those were.
Emily shifted in her seat. “We don’t have a doctor. Well, we have a healer, but some of her knowledge is out-of-date. Kind female, though,” she added hastily.
“Good,” Jackson replied. His pulse beat harder than it should. Maybe it was relief. Maybe something else entirely. The air between them thickened, charged with a heat he didn’t have the luxury of acknowledging. His grip tightened on the wheel as awareness of her—her scent, the warmth of her presence—sank into his bones. The truck cab suddenly felt too small.
Her hand flattened on the too-short, light-green scrubs she had borrowed. “I asked the doctor if she knew who was sabotaging your mines, thinking maybe a patient had confided in her. She had no clue, and I believed her.”
He appreciated Emily trying to help him. “Thanks, but I’ve decided you should just snoop around for yourself and not try to help me. I’ll figure out who’s messing with us. You’ve been in enough danger already.” He meant every word.