Total pages in book: 202
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 968(@200wpm)___ 774(@250wpm)___ 645(@300wpm)
“Thanks, brother.”
I call my father next.
“Greyson?” is how he greets me.
“Dad.”
“Congratulations, son,” he says, but it’s tentative. Almost in the form of a question.
“Thanks. She’s… I’m shocked at what I’m feeling this fast.”
“That’s how it goes,” he replies, his tone coming across almost like a warning.
“Know much about the Silver Hills shifter pack?” I ask.
There’s a pause. “Meadows… smaller pack. Runs an auto wreckers and metal salvage place. Keep to themselves. This where your female is from?”
“Yes. They’re a threat. Alpha brother forced her to target us. At the diner and shooting Tyson.”
He mutters, “Meadows tried to do some trade with us ten or so years ago. Standoffish. Surly fucker. Didn’t like our terms so backed off.”
“I remember. I went with you. We met him in the parking lot of a hardware store. He wouldn’t let us come to his village.”
“That’s right.”
“He bring shifters into the dogfight circuit that you know of?”
“Hm… may’ve heard a rumor about that years ago. Not certain though they might have been brought before the SCC on that. Somethin’s nagging at my memory.”
“He’s dead. Stacy says Tyson killed him. Her brother wants revenge and everything that’s ours. Thinking they may have crossed paths when Cornelius Savage put Ty in dog fights.”
“Makes sense. Exactly the sort of thing Corn would’ve done. Your new mate tells you she was forced but, son… is it possible she’s lying? There are some cunning females out there that use their wiles–”
“She’s got a pure heart,” I cut him off.
“Be careful, Greyson,” he warns.
“I can read her.”
“Even still… careful, son,” he repeats.
Irritated, I say, “Speakin’ of which, Dad, I have questions.”
“About Soleil,” he replies knowingly.
“Good guess.”
“You’re mated to a woman who tried to harm the pack. Of course you’re feeling conflicted about that, want to know more about severing the bond.”
“Not remotely. Why would I want to sever the bond?”
“And therein lies the potential for being blindsided.”
“Care to explain?”
He huffs out a sigh.
“Dad?”
“Just want to say it’s best you keep your eyes open. Don’t let your knot guide you, son. It doesn’t take much for a new mate to cloud your judgement. Told Riley the same not long ago.”
“He hasn’t mated yet?”
“Not yet,” he confirms.
I ask, “His mate still here?”
“Parked at the store. It’ll come to a head. Soon, I suspect.”
“Why’d you sever your bond with Soleil? I already can’t imagine doing it and it’s been just over twenty-four hours. You didn’t sever the bond until I was… what?”
“A few months old.”
“Why?”
He holds the phone. And I can envision him – an older version of myself – clenching his teeth, jaw muscles bulging.
“Know it’s your business, but given the circumstances, think it’s also mine,” I press.
“I don’t like looking back.” His voice is hard.
“Just asking you to do it once, Dad. To help me understand why I’ve grown up disconnected from half of my genetics.”
He sighs. “Is she resistant? Your mate?”
“No,” I say. “Timid. But not resistant. She’s remorseful. Fearful. She was forced to do her alpha brother’s bidding. We haven’t gotten deep yet, but she’s been through some shit. That much is clear.”
“Even still, be watchful. Your mom needs me. Gotta run. Give me a little time. Don’t like to go back, but I will. Just… give me a little time to get into the right headspace.”
My father is a good man. A strong man. Rather stubborn, though. I’m torn between wanting him to just spit it out and respecting his wishes to wait and talk it out.
Thinking about my mate and wanting to get back to her, I decide to let it go for tonight.
“Yeah, Dad. I’ll be watchful. Don’t make me wait too long. Been almost thirty-three years already.”
“Enjoy your time, son. Nothing like those first few weeks. We’ll talk when you come up for air. Let me know if you need any help dealing with the Silver Hills situation. I’ll check with the rest of my council and see if any of them have anything to add. Far as I know, we don’t really have other history with them, but I’ll ask.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I’m irritated when I hang up, but when I find her lying in my bed, my emotions smooth out. This is a sight I’d find soothing if not for the tumultuous emotions I feel from her.
I sit on the edge and move a lock of hair off her forehead. She jumps out of her daze, looking terrified for a heartbeat but then grabs for me.
I press my lips to hers and kiss her deeply while I stroke her mate mark with my thumb.
She sighs with relief and as I pull back, our eyes connect, hers bright, soothing, a beacon in the darkness.
This is what I get to come home to from now on. Softness and warmth in my bed.
To say she doesn’t care what happens to her brother surprises me since she’s obviously a caring person. It’s clear she’s been through a lot because of him. Even if he’s a threat to the pack, he’s her blood, so I’ll do what I can to resolve this without going the way of the old school alpha against alpha beef – a fight to the death. I don’t want my mate to resent me for taking her brother away.