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)
What in the world was she going to do about Jackson? How was she supposed to help arrange dates for him with other females? The thought twisted her stomach into knots, especially since she put herself in this situation. On purpose.
Her phone buzzed against the tabletop. She picked it up and pressed it to her ear. “Nightsom.”
“Hey, it’s Nadia,” her sister’s voice came through.
She relaxed in the kitchen chair, her legs extended, and her feet resting on another seat. “Hey. What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to know…what are my rights here?”
Emily tapped her pen against the notepad. “What do you mean?”
“Philip left the territory for some meeting today, and Vic’s here at the house acting like he owns the place.”
Emily’s feet dropped to the floor. “What?”
“Yeah,” Nadia said, frustration lacing her words. “I kind of want to kick him out, but…it doesn’t feel like my place.”
“It is your place,” Emily said firmly. “You have every right to kick him out.”
“Are you sure?”
Unbelievable. Who did Victor think he was? He just wanted to intimidate Nadia. “Yes. Vic has his own house. He doesn’t need to be there.”
“Well, he’s not measuring windows for new drapes or anything, but he’s sitting in the dining room having the cook make him a late lunch. Is that normal?”
“No,” Emily replied, her tone sharpening. “It isn’t.”
Nadia’s voice dropped. “He mentioned once again about being ready for the trials. What does that mean?”
Emily’s fingers tightened around the phone as she glanced toward the window. Snow clung to the tree branches outside, but the calm didn’t touch the knot forming in her gut. “Dad wouldn’t tell me. For now, try not to worry about it, okay?”
“How can I not worry? Victor is in here barking orders like he owns the place. My overbearing bodyguard is about two seconds from throwing him out.”
Who could provide backup? “Did Miliki go with Dad?”
“No. He headed into town. Philip wanted to go alone in some show of strength or power, I guess.”
That figured. “Yeah, I’m sure the other Alphas did the same.” Emily exhaled slowly, the tension pressing against her ribs. “Listen, kick Vic out if you want. Or I can call him right now and make it clear.”
“No, that’s okay.” Nadia’s tone brightened, a hint of mischief slipping in. “I’ll have Caidrik do it. They don’t like each other anyway.”
That didn’t surprise Emily in the slightest. “Good. You have every right to be there, same as me. It’s your home, too.”
“Thanks,” Nadia said softly.
“Hey, since I have you,” Emily added, shifting her notepad aside, “Jackson’s thinking about adding farming and ranching to his property. You interested in consulting? For an exorbitant consultant fee?” Hopefully Jackson’s pack had money.
“Of course.” Nadia laughed. “I’d love that. Never had a job that paid a lot of money before.”
Emily twirled the pen. She should consider handing over half of her trust fund to Nadia. She’d have to figure that out when she returned home. “Real quick, is there anything going on with you and Caidrik?”
“God, no. He’s big, growly, and grumpy. I didn’t even know him before I got here. What about you and Jackson?”
“Nothing long-lasting,” Emily said, the ache curling low in her chest. “I’ll see him happy and mated someday, and then I’ll come home.”
Silence stretched for a beat too long.
“What?” Emily asked.
“I’m new to this whole sister thing, but I feel like I should tell you that you’re being a total dumbass.”
Chapter 26
“Thanks for the boots.” Jackson sprawled out in the passenger seat of Erik’s truck.
“I want them back,” Erik replied, his hands steady on the wheel as they drove miles away from his territory. The farther Jackson got from Emily, the stronger the pull to return to her became. An ache bloomed low in his chest.
The three-hour trip was mostly silent until Erik pulled up to a stone structure nestled against the mountainside. Equidistant from all four packs, only the Alphas knew the location. Erik’s tires slid as he parked beside Seth Volk’s black truck, which sat silent beside a sleek, dark town car.
Jackson hopped out and crossed the uneven snow, borrowed boots biting into the icy ground as he ascended the stone steps and pushed the heavy front door open. The air inside carried the smell of leather and…history.
Philip Nightsom already sat on the far side of the round table, its surface a stunning mosaic of silver, granite, slate, and copper crafted by their ancestors, forged from the mountains that divided their lands. Four hand-carved chairs surrounded it, each worn smooth from centuries of use.
It was the only piece of furniture, except for a long counter with a sink beneath the lone window. Glasses and two alcohol bottles sat on the counter. Once, somebody had brought food, but Jackson couldn’t remember who.
Seth stood at the bar near the sink, pouring amber liquid into crystal glasses. The clink echoed as he turned, his gaze sweeping over Erik. “How’s Luna?”