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)
Philip Nightsom’s gaze shifted between them. “Jackson, can I offer you a glass of wine?”
“I’d rather have a beer,” Jackson murmured, his voice low as he took another step closer to Emily, feeling Caidrik’s eyes tracking his every move.
Caidrik’s shoulders went back, his muscles tensing subtly beneath his shirt.
“You’re working for the Slate Pack now?” Jackson drawled, his focus narrowing.
“No,” the Enforcer replied shortly. Caidrik was always a wolf of few words—a trait Jackson had appreciated in the past.
Emily’s black eyes flashed with curiosity. “How do you two know each other?”
“We worked together once, but we don’t really know each other,” Jackson replied, although the truth was more complex. Now wasn’t the time to go into any of that.
“Doing what?” Nadia asked, her curiosity obvious.
“Nothing,” Jackson and Caidrik said in unison.
Philip moved to the barbecue area, where a small fridge sat tucked beneath the counter. The scent of grilled meat lingered in the air as he opened the fridge and pulled out a beer bottle. “Anybody else?” he asked, glancing around.
No one answered. Philip returned and handed the bottle to Jackson. The glass felt cool against Jackson’s hand as he twisted off the top with a practiced motion. He took a long drink, the bitter tang of the beer grounding him.
“With the Copper Pack and the Silver Pack now solidly aligned, considering their Alphas are brothers, our packs need to create a similar alliance.” Jackson shifted his gaze to Philip. “As you know, the Alpha of the Silver Pack is a distant cousin of mine, so I figured that might motivate you.” The words hung between them, heavy with implication. He still hadn’t decided whether Seth was an ally or an enemy, but blood ties often tipped the scales.
Philip nodded slowly. “I understand we need a stronger alliance.” His expression hardened as if he were weighing the invisible pressures.
Victor stepped forward, his broader frame more imposing than Jackson remembered. The guy had clearly been hitting the gym. Hard. Gold winked from a pendant on his chest. “We would like to propose a new agreement.”
Philip’s eyes flashed with something unreadable. The tension in the air thickened.
Jackson didn’t wait for Victor to say more. “You’re not the Alpha here, Vic, and I doubt you ever will be. Why don’t you go do something else? This is a meeting between Alphas.” His tone left no room for argument, and he doubted Vic knew how desperate his pack was for access to the Embervault Mine. He had found veins of rare slate deep in its depths, the nature of which would take the Slate Pack out of the red.
Did Emily even know her pack needed money?
Vic’s chin lowered. There was no doubt he had some Alpha blood in him, but Jackson didn’t have time for this nonsense. The guy’s eyes grew calculating. “I’m not kidding, Jackson. You can’t have Emily. However, it appears we have an alternative.”
Emily’s mini-me gasped. “Listen, you fucktard—”
Jackson burst out laughing and caught a quick flash of amusement in Emily’s eyes. “I like your sister,” he drawled.
She tilted her head. “I like her, too.”
Nadia frowned and blinked several times. Apparently, their approval wasn’t something she had expected. “You all have to get rid of archaic customs, and I mean right now.”
Emily placed a graceful hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I could not agree more. Let’s talk about this rationally.”
Rational wasn’t something Jackson felt in Emily’s presence. He crossed his arms, still ready to attack or defend if necessary. “Philip, we came to an agreement.”
Emily whirled, giving him her full attention. “I’m not something to be bartered, Jackson.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” He wondered if her father had told her the full truth. “However, considering you were kidnapped months ago and the culprits still haven’t been found and killed, you’re not being properly protected here. As my future mate, that is unacceptable to me.”
Victor stepped forward again, eyes hard with determination. “You can’t seriously be considering this. Emily doesn’t need—”
“Enough, Victor.” Philip’s voice cut through the air like a whip. “This is a conversation for Alphas, not you. Leave. Now.”
Victor’s jaw clenched, his hands tightening into fists at his sides, but Philip didn’t waver. After a tense pause, Vic spun on his heel and stormed off, his footsteps heavy as he disappeared into the house. The front door soon slammed.
Emily watched him go.
Jackson shifted his stance, drawing her gaze back to him.
She lowered her chin and straightened her posture. “I am not your future mate.” Her voice trembled with fury.
Jackson’s breath hitched. God, she was glorious. She was truly the most gorgeous female he had ever seen in his entire life—probably the most stunning to ever exist, with her light-blond hair and black eyes. She was an avenging goddess. One he’d wanted for years. But it wasn’t just her beauty. They had a connection that scared her and intrigued him. He wondered if she’d be brave enough to admit it. “Your father offered a mating, and I accepted.”