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)
She shrugged. “Okay, but I wanted to tell you that I’m really impressed with how you’ve modernized your pack. I absolutely love the idea of wolves exploring the world to bring new skills back to the pack.”
Pride swelled in his chest. He’d fought hard against the council to make that program a reality. “It’s not just young people,” he said, a slow smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Anybody can leave for a period of time as long as they bring back useful skills. We offer scholarships—or grants, I guess you’d call them. Raya oversees all that, making sure pack members have enough money to live while they’re training. Right now, we’ve got two alternating families out learning more about sustainable farming.”
“Oh, yeah?” Emily tilted her head, interest lighting her eyes. “The Copper Pack just brought in a group of farmers.”
So, he wasn’t the only Alpha adding ranks to his forces. Good to know. “It’s smart. If we can grow our own food and raise livestock, we’ll be ready for the next pandemic.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Emily murmured.
Even wolves hadn’t been immune to the last one, though none had died from it.
“And bringing in new members strengthens us, too,” Jackson added. His fingers flexed on the steering wheel as the urge to reach over and hold her hand crept in. But what excuse did he have? Other than the simple fact that he wanted to touch her.
Her presence beside him felt too right, her scent weaving through the air like a thread tying them together. But she’d made her position clear. She couldn’t mate him. Her pack needed her, just as the Granite Pack needed him.
Still, the heat in his body wouldn’t fade. Not when she was this close, not when the night pressed around them and every instinct inside him bellowed for him to keep her safe and with him.
He tried to lighten the mood. “Not sure what I’m going to do with a bunch of artists, though.”
Emily laughed softly. “It was kind of you to bring the painters in. You mentioned your pack holds an annual festival where you sell wares. Maybe they can help fill the coffers. Besides, I’m sure a few of them might end up working in the mines. We always need people, too.”
“Yeah, we do.” Jackson slowed the truck as they reached his home, gravel scattering beneath the tires. The house’s dark silhouette stood tall against the night sky, faint light spilling from the porch lantern. Cutting the engine, he shifted toward her. “I’m sorry you were kidnapped in my territory. It never should’ve happened.”
Surprise lifted her eyebrows. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“The hell it wasn’t,” he growled. “This is my territory. Somebody dared to come in here and take you. I will find out who hired that bastard.”
“Yeah, well, I gave it a good shot, but he wasn’t giving anything up.”
He would most certainly be more persuasive than she’d been once he got his hands on the others who’d helped kidnap her. “Let’s get some sleep and then head into the office. This afternoon, I’d like to fly into Slate territory and speak with your father and Victor. We’ll take the helicopter.”
“I didn’t want to worry my father, but we should speak with him about the kidnapping attempt. You’re going to pilot the craft, right?”
“Hell, yeah, I am.” He grinned. “Didn’t go on to fly fighter jets, but I can handle just about anything else.”
Emily chuckled as she opened her door and stepped out, wearing boots borrowed from Dr. Gwen. The careful way she moved didn’t sit right with him. She was still hurting. His chest tightened at the reminder. He couldn’t believe she’d been injured on his watch. The air between them buzzed with unspoken tension, but he could only focus on ensuring she stayed safe from here on out.
He hopped out and met her near the steps to his wide veranda.
“We’ll have to fly out late afternoon,” she said as he approached. “You have meetings with the three other prospective Alpha females first, remember?”
Jackson groaned. “I don’t like this modern dating.”
“Oh, I know,” she murmured, amusement in her tone. She turned to take in the wide expanse of his home. “It’s much easier when the father just hands the female over, right?”
He noted the amusement in her sweet voice. “You’re having fun with this whole matchmaking scheme, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she replied, eyes twinkling.
“You enjoy being a pain in my ass.”
Her soft chuckle loosened something inside him. “Maybe I do.” The breeze picked up, carrying the crisp bite of winter. She tilted her face toward the sky, inhaling deeply. “Snow’s coming,” she murmured.
“I know. That’s why we’re flying today and not tomorrow. A good storm is on the way.”
“I’m glad the snow is finally coming. Autumn’s pretty with the leaves and all, but then they die, and everything turns gray. It’s time for snow.”