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)
Her father sat heavily in his chair and reached for his scotch. “How bad?”
“Dizzy spells. Nausea. Weakness and numbness in my limbs—especially my legs.”
The glass paused halfway to his lips, his eyes darkening. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t want to worry you. Our healer doesn’t know what’s wrong.” She took a steadying breath, her pulse drumming in her ears. “But I think you know.”
Philip’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t believe it’s happening again.”
Nadia leaned forward, her hands gripping her knees. “What’s happening?”
Emily’s gaze met hers, steady and unflinching. “The women in my family, on my mom’s side anyway, die young. My mother. Her mother. I remember how Mom went from being fine to dying in a short timeframe, and she told me about the illness. We both hoped I’d be different.”
Philip’s hand trembled slightly as he set down his glass. “So did I.”
“How far back does it go?” Nadia asked quietly.
Philip ground the heel of his palm against his eye. “We don’t know for sure. But Emily’s great-grandmother died young, as well. No one ever found out why.”
Emily swallowed the lump rising in her throat. “I need everyone’s blood. A doctor in Jackson’s pack might be able to help. She’s more advanced with scientific research.”
Philip’s jaw clenched, his eyes darting toward the window before returning to Emily. “Do you trust her?”
“I do.” Emily stepped closer, her voice firm. “This is my chance, Dad. Maybe my only one.”
Silence weighed heavily until Philip finally nodded. “All right. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Me, too.” Nadia placed her hand over Emily’s. “But I don’t see how my blood will assist you since the illness is on your maternal side.”
Emily shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe your blood will show what mine’s missing.”
Nadia patted her hand. “Then you can have all you need.”
Emily nodded. “Dr. Gwen is bound by doctor-patient confidentiality. She promised not to tell anyone, including Jackson.” She stared at her father. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, but I didn’t want to worry you.”
His gaze darkened. “You can tell me anything, Em. I’m here to help.”
Emily smiled. “Good. I trust the doctor. She’s corresponding with our healer now, and she should be here shortly to draw blood.” At least their healer had enough training to take blood samples.
Philip’s gaze drifted to the window, then back. “I’m trusting you with this.”
“And I’m trusting the doctors,” Emily replied. “If there’s a chance I can live longer, I’m taking it.”
“Hey, if they fix this,” Nadia murmured, “you can step up as the Alpha someday, right?”
“It’s possible,” Emily replied, glancing at her father. “But not for decades.”
Philip chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly.
Emily barely held on to her smile. “What was Victor talking about when he claimed he was ready for the trials?”
Philip looked down and then back up. “I can’t tell you unless you declare your intention to become the Alpha. I’ve taken an oath in blood.”
Just fantastic. Deep down, nothing inside her wanted to be the Alpha of this pack. The responsibility, the constant weight of being challenged to the death, had never been part of the life she’d imagined for herself. But she knew if Victor ever got his hands on the pack, he would destroy everything her father had built.
The truth was simple. She only had two paths in life: either she died young, like her mother and grandmother before her, or she stepped up as Alpha and fought to survive for as long as she could—after going through some secret trials. Both futures weighed heavily on her, settling in her chest like anchors tied to her ribs.
And neither path led to Jackson Tryne.
Chapter 20
After a tense meeting with Philip, Jackson felt more settled than he’d been in weeks as he piloted the helicopter away from the Slate Pack territory. They’d reached an agreement, and Emily wasn’t going to like it—which was why her father hadn’t wanted to tell her. But Jackson would explain it to her later. “I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer, but the storm is coming in fast,” he murmured through the headset. Thank goodness for the storm.
He banked left, noting the patrolling squads below them. He employed similar methods, but he needed more bodies. Sooner rather than later. For now, he was done with secrets from his soon-to-be mate. “Would you like to tell me now exactly why I had to leave the house? What are the trials? What else are you hiding from me, Em?”
She looked out at the snowcapped peaks jutting through the low-lying clouds and remained silent. “Let’s talk later when we’re safely on the ground.”
He hated secrets. Like really hated them. But he’d give her a little time to gather her thoughts.
Turning the craft, he aimed once more to look at the Embervault Mine, lowering to make sure the fences remained secure. Snow dotted the windshield as the storm increased in force. The wind slammed into them, winter finally arriving.