Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Well, that was certainly impressive,” I murmured to Kor as we left the grocery store. “You really are strong.”
He shrugged.
“Like I said, I work out. Plus my wolf is strong.”
“That was a test, you know,” I told him. “They want to see how you’ll stack up for the Alpha Challenge.”
“Oh I know.” He grinned at me. “I’m not worried.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “But I sense that you are?”
He was far too perceptive, I thought. But before I could think up an answer, a harsh voice said,
“Well, well—look at the two of you, out for a stroll on this fine fuckin’ day.”
FIFTEEN
VIVIENNE
I looked up and saw Harris Murdoch glaring at both of us. He had his hands balled into fists and there were smears of black grease on his forearms and across the front of his uniform shirt. He must have come straight from work at the garage.
The sight of him made my stomach tighten instantly and I hated that reaction—hated that he could make me uneasy with a single look—but he could.
There was something ugly inside him—there always had been. Even when we were younger, before the gray started creeping into his hair and his waistline began expanding, Harris had enjoyed making people uncomfortable. Some men liked making others laugh—Harris preferred intimidation.
I felt my heart rate climb but I kept my face calm and lifted my chin.
“Good day, Harris. We were just leaving,” I said, keeping my voice cool and even.
“Oh, were ya?” He spat on the sidewalk and wiped his mouth with the back of one greasy hand. “Looks to me like you two are having yourselves a real nice time.”
The way he said it made my skin crawl. Beside me, I felt Kor tense immediately and I bit my lip. Harris was exactly the kind of man who enjoyed provoking people and though I hadn’t known him long, I recognized that Kor was exactly the kind of man who wouldn't back down once challenged.
“Come on, Kor,” I murmured. “Just ignore him.”
Unfortunately, Harris had already gotten what he wanted. Kor stopped walking and turned to face him fully, his handsome face darkening with a frown.
“What the fuck is your problem?” he demanded. “You've been running your mouth ever since I got here. We're related by Pack Law—how dare you make accusations like that?”
“Oh, I'll dare whatever I want, pup.” Harris laughed harshly and then turned his attention to me. “Matter of fact, everybody in town's talking about it. The grieving widow and the handsome young heir, all alone together in that big old mansion.”
My cheeks burned, not because I had done anything wrong, but because I knew exactly how Blackridge worked. A rumor only had to be whispered once before it took on a life of its own and I had no doubt people had been gossiping about Kor and me ever since the funeral. The fact that we'd done nothing improper didn't matter.
Truth rarely mattered once people decided they wanted a scandal.
“We've done nothing inappropriate,” I said sharply.
“No?” Harris's eyes glittered. “Maybe not yet.”
“That's enough,” I snapped.
But Harris wasn't interested in stopping. I could see it in his face—he wanted an audience and unfortunately he was getting one. Several people had slowed on the sidewalk and others had stopped entirely. Across the street, two women stood outside the bakery pretending to admire the display window while openly listening to every word.
“Well, I suppose old Carter ain't been in the ground long enough for that,” Harris continued. “Still, maybe you’re making up for lost time. He probably couldn’t breed you for the last year or so at least—is your pussy gettin’ itchy for a cock?”
“Watch your mouth,” Kor growled.
“Oh, look at that.” Harris laughed nastily. “The pup's protective.”
His eyes slid back to me and suddenly I wished we had gotten into the car five minutes ago and driven straight home.
“How do you like having that nice young cock sliding into your pussy, eh, Pack Mistress?” he demanded loudly. “Is it nice and thick? Does it fill you up better than Carter's ever did?”
The words hit me like a slap and for a moment I couldn't breathe. Humiliation washed over me so fiercely that my vision blurred and I heard someone in the crowd gasp. Another voice muttered, “Harris!” in a shocked tone, but nobody stepped forward to stop him.
Nobody told him to hold his tongue or reminded him that he was speaking to the widow of the late Pack Leader. They simply stood there and watched while he humiliated me in the middle of Main Street. After twenty years in Blackridge, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. People had always found it easier to look away than stand up to Harris Murdoch.
Only Kor seemed willing to do that.
The grocery bags hit the ground. One second they were in his hands and the next they were exploding across the sidewalk. Potatoes rolled in every direction, a carton of eggs burst open, and the strawberries bounced once before splitting apart.