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)
“You have a half-sister? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah. It was news to all of us. I think they’d be willing, but other than that, the only other family member I know of is a cousin who doesn’t like me.”
Gwen sighed. “I’d love to test his blood to compare to yours. What in the world would I do with it that would concern him?”
“Nothing I can think of, but he won’t want to help me,” Emily admitted. As a wolf shifter, Gwen wouldn’t want the truth about their packs getting out, either.
Gwen snorted. “Wolves have avoided science for far too long. Don’t ask me why.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Emily’s gaze shifted back to Jackson. The snow clung to his hair and shoulders, highlighting his rugged features against the wintry backdrop. Her stomach dipped as he glanced her way, eyes locking with hers for a heartbeat before he turned back to the helicopter. “I’ll see what I can do,” Emily added softly.
“Great. I don’t have a way to get vials to you, so why don’t you share the contact information for your healer? That way we can coordinate our efforts.”
That made sense. “Sure. I’ll text Edra’s contact info to you. Please remember patient-doctor confidentiality.”
“Of course.” Dr. Gwen clicked off.
Emily forwarded the contact information and then shifted in her seat, searching for the best way to approach her family. Did she consider Nadia family? Definitely. Although the illness seemed to run in Emily’s mother’s family, perhaps Nadia’s blood could provide some insight into a cure. Maybe Em’s blood was missing something.
Her father would be hurt that she hadn’t confided in him, but he’d still want to help. Hopefully. Giving up blood wasn’t in an Alpha’s nature. Victor wouldn’t want to assist her. Period.
Jackson stepped away from the helicopter, a sleek black Bell 407 with polished rotor blades gleaming against the snow-dusted sky. Its streamlined body reflected the light of the overcast afternoon, and the hum of the idling engine vibrated. He gestured her over.
Taking a deep breath, Emily pushed open the truck door and stepped into the cold air. Snowflakes clung to her hair and the shoulders of her coat as she crossed the distance, refusing to let the weakness in her legs slow her stride. “Flying again,” she muttered. Being off the ground so far didn’t appeal to her wolf side.
“I’ll get you there fast and safe.” He flashed a grin, all confidence and ease.
Before she could react, he grasped her waist and effortlessly lifted her into the passenger seat. She yelped, startled by the unexpected motion, but his hands were gentle despite their strength. Her pulse kicked hard, warmth chasing through her as her body registered his heat and closeness. “Manhandle much?” she quipped breathlessly.
His smile held a trace of something darker. “Only when necessary.” He helped her secure her shoulder harness and belt, his fingers brushing against her hip with heat. Emily swallowed, staring straight ahead as he stepped back, shutting the door with a solid click. Snowflakes tapped lightly against the windshield, melting as they landed.
Jackson crossed around the front of the helicopter, his movements fluid and sure as he slid into the pilot’s seat beside her. He handed her a headset, their fingers grazing briefly before she slid it on. The hum of the engine vibrated beneath her as Jackson adjusted a few controls, his gaze sharp and focused.
Was he trying to drive her crazy? Or was her body betraying her yet again?
Within seconds, they lifted into the air, snow swirling in their wake. The interior remained warm, but the sight of the snow-covered trees and distant mountain peaks sent a chill down Emily’s spine.
“Do you have a fear of flying?” Jackson’s voice rumbled through the headset, low and clear.
“Not really.” She glanced down at the town laid out beneath them, the polished granite buildings glinting under the thin layer of snow. “Oh, for Pete’s sakes.”
Jackson leaned and looked out the window. “That took some time.”
On top of what appeared to be the school, somebody had created a heart out of something red with Jackson + Emily in the center. “What is that?”
“Red ribbons?” Jackson guessed, banking hard to the left.
Emily yelped, then laughed as adrenaline surged through her veins. “Just keep me alive, all right?”
“Oh, that’s fully my plan.” The grin in his voice sent warmth curling low in her belly. He flew southeast, skimming the dense forests and snow-dusted hills until he descended the aircraft toward an area below, where fences marked a wide swath of land.
She leaned closer to the glass, studying the network of equipment and dirt roads below at the Embervault Mine. “Do any of the smaller packs claim the area around the mine?”
“Not really. The Ravencall and Ghostwind Packs patrol here, but the territory doesn’t belong to anyone. There are a few rogue groups scattered around, but we have this mine pretty well secured from trespassers and nobody has really tried to infiltrate it.”