Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“So you’re still working as an enforcer?” Nadia asked, smiling at Oakley.
“Yeah, I am. Once I graduate, I’m going to college for a while to study strategy and stuff. For now, I like the job.”
The kid was young. Seventeen at most. Still, Konrad had seemed experienced.
Caidrik glanced at Nadia. “You’re telling me Konrad’s a farmer?”
“Pretty much. He does protection detail too. Or at least he did when we were just a farming co-op.” She looked genuinely happy saying it, her eyes bright.
Something warmed in Caidrik’s chest. It was good to see her like this. He wanted to be the one who gave her that feeling. If they became Alpha and mate, he’d make sure the packs did more together. She deserved to feel this way. Or maybe, this was where she really belonged. It wasn’t like she’d grown up with the Slate pack. While she and Emily appeared close, Em had moved away. Unease settled in Caidrik’s chest.
The truck pulled up in front of a sprawling lodge at the center of town. People milled around despite the cold.
“You can go on in,” Oakley said. “I’ve got to get to study group.”
“It’s so nice to see you,” Nadia said, hopping out.
“Thanks,” Oakley said. He glanced back at Caidrik. “Are you really going to be the Alpha of the Slate Pack?”
Such a good question. “So far,” Caidrik said. “We’re still in the middle of the trials.”
Oakley frowned, his eyes earnest and his young body muscled. “Yeah. I heard about that. Sounds weird.”
“It is,” Caidrik agreed.
“Maybe you should get rid of them once you’re Alpha.”
That seemed to be the consensus. “I fully plan to.”
“Also, the Slate Pack doesn’t get to do much,” Oakley said as Caidrik stepped out. “The rest of us are modernizing. Don’t you think it’s time you let some of them go to college? Study the world, then come back with new skills?”
Caidrik needed to start thinking long term. “I imagine Nadia’s got some ideas.”
“I do,” Nadia said, looking up at the lodge. Her eyes were bright, almost eager. “I really, really do.”
“That’s what I thought,” Caidrik said, watching her instead of the building. He couldn’t miss how different she looked here. Buoyant and cheerful. Like something inside her had finally unclenched. He wanted that for her. He just hadn’t expected it to hit him this hard. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime,” the kid replied.
Caidrik shut the door, and Oakley drove off. Caidrik took Nadia’s hand as they walked up the stairs of the massive lodge. The building loomed solid and warm, smoke curling from the chimney. Nadia had a new hop in her step, and Caidrik filed that away. He needed to make Slate Pack territory safe for her, too.
Inside, warmth wrapped around them immediately. To Caidrik’s surprise, the Alpha of the entire Copper Pack was waiting. Caidrik had seen him from afar while protecting both Nadia and Emily a while back.
“Hey. Sorry. I meant to come meet you sooner, but I had a few things to finish up.” Erik Volk turned to Nadia. “Welcome back.” He shook her hand firmly.
“Thanks,” she said.
“I’m Erik Volk.” The guy had dark blond hair and sharp blue eyes. He was big, built thick with the kind of strength that didn’t need to be proven. Power rolled off him without effort. Erik held out a hand to Caidrik.
“Caidrik McGregor.”
They shook hands, and then Erik led them into a large gathering room with a roaring fireplace. Heat soaked into Caidrik’s skin instantly. A petite female came in from the kitchen carrying champagne flutes. She had curly brown hair and unique greenish-blue eyes.
“Hey, it’s almost three o’clock,” she said cheerfully. “I figured champagne would be good. Well, for the three of you.”
Erik’s mate. Her smile was open and easy.
Nadia smiled and hugged her. “It’s so good to see you, Luna.”
“You too,” Luna said warmly.
Nadia turned slightly and gestured. “This is Caidrik. He’s probably going to be the Alpha of the Slate Pack, assuming he decides it’s worth the trouble.”
“No kidding,” Caidrik murmured. He shook Luna’s hand and caught the faint scent of baby powder. His gaze sharpened. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Luna said, grinning. “It wasn’t planned, but yeah. We’re having a baby. Mia’s pregnant too. She’s due before I am.”
Mia was the Alpha female of the Silver Pack, mated to Erik’s brother, Seth.
Caidrik absorbed that quietly. If Nadia became the Alpha female of the Slate Pack, then the four main packs in the Stope Packs coalition would all be tied together. Blood and bond. It was smart. It was safe.
It surprised him how much he wanted that. How much he wanted to belong to something solid and good instead of always standing on the outside, guarding the edges. Maybe he really was done wandering. Maybe he wasn’t just meant to protect the pack. Maybe he needed them, too.