Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Austin put his arm around Jess’s shoulders and walked them to the front of their crew again. He faced the other alphas and their people, letting his posture ask if anyone else wanted to step up.
“I do so love to say, ‘I told you so’,” Drex said, grinning.
And just like that, all the alphas relaxed.
“I feel like a sacrificial lamb,” Derrick said, huffing with a smile. “If she wasn’t so intense, I’d be embarrassed. I didn’t do much more than pavement surf.”
“You let her hit you with those spells?” Rhea asked Austin.
“That gargoyle took one,” Selene said.
“She didn’t have all her power when she was practicing on me.” Austin squeezed Jess a little closer. She’d shown incredibly well, and she’d been in no danger, but he still hated that she’d had to endure the challenge. It was one thing when gargoyles went after her, being of her people, but for some reason, it really unsettled him when alpha shifters did. “But they were still grisly. We didn’t have much choice. Not if she wanted to get better.”
“It would blow your mind what he endured to help her.” Sebastian shook his head. “Though I don’t feel much better at the moment. Jessie, do you have the energy to heal me?”
“‘Course.” She leaned her head against Austin, utterly spent. She didn’t have the energy, but she wouldn’t admit it.
“I’m in.” Fenric grunted. “I want in the convocation. I want to be part of this legend in the making.”
“Me, too.” Selene nodded. “I’m all the way in.”
“In,” Derrick said. “But I don’t ever want to challenge her again.”
“I’m in,” Barek said.
A little hollow of silence descended as everyone waited for Rhea.
“I’m in,” she finally said. “Now I understand that speech Alpha Ironheart gave. She is wasting her time traveling to meet shifters. I agree. We can obviously take mages physically, but what does that matter if we can’t get close enough to make use of our strength and power?”
“Alpha Steele’s power is a gut-punch, though,” Derrick said. “His team of shifters and gargoyles and everyone in between is eye-opening. Stories and rumors, even if you believe them, don’t do this show of strength justice. I’d pay admission to see that phoenix, alone. She had ol’ Fenny crapping his pants.”
“Yes, she did.” Fenric tightened his lips and bent his head forward. “I doubt you would’ve stayed in place so long.”
Austin couldn’t believe how loose these alphas were in front of their people, and especially strangers. They were carrying on more like gargoyles than shifters. It was clear they were also good friends. Austin had heard Drex had their ears, but he hadn’t realized they were so close. That was fortunate.
“We have some problem solving to do. That is”—Drex appealed to Austin and Jess— “if you’ll allow us to help?”
Austin scooped Jess up into his arms and hugged her close. “Absolutely. We’ve been granted an extra couple days by a gargoyle cairn. Let me take my mate home so she can heal and recover, and then I’ll meet back.”
“Here, I better be in on that meeting.” Niamh raised a finger. “After seeing these bunch of lummoxes, I’ve got some ideas.”
“Is that a challenge or a salutation?” Derrick looked between the other alphas. “I can’t tell.”
“I wouldn’t bother me arse to challenge ya,” Niamh replied. “I’d have to chase ya around the street trying to get ye on yer feet. Waste of time.”
Drex burst out laughing and turned to open the door. “Austin, just walk in when you return from securing your mate. Jessie, we’ll see you when you’re ready.”
19
Jessie
“This is a show of weakness.” I let my head thunk against Austin’s shoulder. I’d hammered that shifter and then Sebastian with a lot of high-powered spells. They always required a lot of energy, but it was good practice. “I shouldn’t be carried home when my challenger is only limping into a house.”
“One challenger is limping, and that one had a mage protecting him from you.” Austin set her into the Jeep gently. “The other challenger is being helped to the car by Nessa, and Tristan, who got in the way, is carrying Indigo like a toddler on his hip so that she can still touch him to heal him. I’d say you’re fine to be looked after by your less than concerned mate.”
“Less than concerned?” I quirked an eyebrow at him.
“I’m not concerned that they’ll think you’re weak, but if they do, and try to make something of it, you’ll have me standing in the way. You’ve proved your worth. If they press, I will get to prove mine, and I’ll do so viciously.”
My heart swelled. I angled my head up for a kiss and he moved in slowly, cupping my face in his hands and touching his lips to mine.
“You were spectacular,” he murmured before deepening the kiss.