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)
“Emily, what the hell happened? You shouldn’t have taken those hits.” His voice went hoarse.
“I—I don’t know,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering. “Didn’t see him coming.”
Nadia knelt beside them, breathless but unhurt. “She was fine at first. Fighting better than I’ve seen any female fight. But then she just slowed down.”
Jackson scanned the clearing as rain dripped from his hair. Something felt wrong. Emily, strong and trained, shouldn’t have faltered like that.
Philip stepped forward, wiping blood from his face. “Miliki? Call for reinforcements, and I want the entire territory searched for trespassers. Give the order to kill on sight.”
“Got it.” The Enforcer jogged through the rain and up the porch steps, his bare feet kicking glass aside as he moved inside the demolished doorway.
Philip looked at his daughter. “We need to get her inside. Now.”
Caidrik shifted back, standing silent and watchful as the rain continued to fall, soaking the battlefield of broken bodies and blood-soaked mud. “The one near the north tree line is still alive. I’ll ask him a few questions.” He looked down at Nadia. “Go inside and take care of your sister.”
Jackson lifted Emily and turned toward the house, ignoring the wounds along his flanks and the glass cutting into the bottoms of his feet. He partially ducked to cover her from the rain, his mind absolutely spinning.
What was wrong with her?
Chapter 3
Emily protested with a strained breath. “I’m fine.” Jackson carried her up the stairs to her bedroom. How did he know where it was? His grip was firm yet careful, the warmth of his bare chest pressing against her bruised arm sending tingles of awareness through her. At least the gashes in her side had almost healed.
Behind them, Nadia followed quickly, her footsteps light but hurried. “Are you all right? I didn’t see you go down. I’m so sorry. I should’ve covered your six.” Her voice sounded tight with guilt.
“My six was fine.” Emily tried to keep her voice steady.
Jackson’s breath warmed her temple as he spoke. “You must still be off from the kidnapping months ago. That kind of trauma can take a while to handle.”
“I must be,” she agreed quickly, wanting him off the subject.
His steps slowed slightly as if he considered her words, but he didn’t respond. He carried her into her bedroom, his stride purposeful when he laid her on the bed as if staking a claim.
Nadia hurried behind them and grabbed the throw blanket from the foot of the bed to drape over her sister.
“There are clothes in the closet,” Emily mumbled.
“Thanks,” Nadia said, rushing inside. She returned moments later, pulling a T-shirt over her head and hopping into leggings that were capris on Emily but fell to the tops of Nadia’s feet.
“You need clothing.” Philip had already yanked on pressed pants and stepped inside to toss Jackson a pair of slacks.
Jackson caught them, frowning but gracefully stepping into them. The pants were too loose and stopped awkwardly above his ankles. Emily coughed out a laugh despite the ache in her ribs.
“This isn’t funny,” Jackson growled. “You’re not safe here.” He turned to face Philip, who stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his bare chest.
Irritation clocked through Emily. “I’m absolutely fine.” The slight hoarseness in her voice belied her words.
“She’s a good fighter,” Philip snapped.
“What the fuck’s going on here?” Jackson snapped. “Your daughter gets kidnapped mere months ago, and now the Ravencall Pack attacks you? They had no idea I’d be here. They came from downwind. I didn’t smell or hear them.” His eyes darkened with something lethal. “Who sent them?”
“The attacker died before I could question him.” Caidrik stepped into the room, still naked with blood smeared across his chin and chest.
“Damn it, put on some pants,” Philip muttered, storming into the hallway.
Emily kept her gaze resolutely trained above Caidrik’s chest, but yeah, she’d snuck a peek at Jackson’s strong body before he pulled on the ridiculous pants. The rumors were true. The Alpha was built…well.
Wolves were accustomed to nudity since shifting shredded their clothes, but there were limits. Philip returned with another pair of pants and tossed them to Caidrik. The male caught them with an easy motion, his blood-streaked chest still rising and falling from the aftermath of the fight.
“You should reach out to the new Alpha of the Ravencall Pack.” Caidrik pulled on the pants, the fabric sticking to spots where blood had dried. “Either he sent these attackers, or they went rogue on their own.”
Jackson wiped blood off his cheek. “Perhaps the pack isn’t aligning with their new Alpha, although I understand why Erik Volk took out the previous one. I thought the pack just wanted to harvest and sell herbs and crap now?”
“I’ll call the new Alpha,” Philip replied grimly. “At the very least, they can come and collect their dead.”
A tremble started in Emily’s ankles, climbing up her legs like an icy current. The adrenaline crash was hitting hard. She gripped the blanket tighter, hoping no one noticed how her hands shook.