Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
She looked at Austin. His turn.
Butterflies went through his middle.
He put up his hand for the back row. “Aljoe, if you can please introduce yourself and your team?”
Sebastian, who’d been introduced as himself and not Elliot Graves, wiggled his fingers. The magic covering Aljoe’s face melted away. His team formed a line beside him and a few gasps came from the crowd. Shock bled through Armendale’s face.
“Hello,” Aljoe said with a glint in his eyes. “My name is Aljoe now, but I was formerly known as Yazanth Golden Fang. My sisters were kind enough to keep the knowledge of my whereabouts secret. I left the pack to them, trusting in their excellent leadership. After wandering, as rogues often do, not finding a place to settle, as powerful rogues often don’t, I accepted a place as a beta in Austin Steele’s convocation. I handle a special unit here, and I’m allowed to shape and mold them as I choose, fitting into the whole as the rest of the packs and cairns do. I’ve had an opportunity to work with and monitor Austin closely, and I’ve concluded that he is doing something special. Paired with Jessie, they are doing something I couldn’t do myself, and they are incredible. They have my full trust—a leadership I am proud to follow.”
Austin schooled his expression, stopping the surprise from showing. He hadn’t realized Aljoe planned to give Austin a glowing review and hadn’t ever even mentioned that he didn’t think he could do it himself. That was not something an alpha of Yazanth’s stature would often admit to themselves, let alone others.
Jess smiled at Aljoe and put a hand on his arm. “Oops, sorry. I forgot about the shifter no-touching rule.” She pulled her hand away again. “That’s nice, though. I’m happy you decided to stay.”
No one would think it was a gimmick or sales tactic with Jess so obviously affected. It was actually a great thing that they hadn’t tried harder to hide her expressiveness.
“My second is Aurora Barazza, Kingsley’s daughter.” Aljoe turned to her. “Already impeccably trained and now starting to shine. She’ll be as brutal as I am, but with a lot more polish.” He went on to the others, giving each of their accolades. Most had been enforcers high up in the hierarchy, and some had been the siblings of alphas without the desire to start something new. Most hadn’t believed in the leadership in the pack they’d been in. All were powerful, and they now answered to Aljoe, proving his power and leadership, and he, in turn, showed Austin’s.
When they were done, he was lost for words. A phoenix, a family of basajaunak, including elders, and now Golden Fang and his collection of powerful rogues…all vouching for him. He felt like he was in a dream, and it had all started with the love of a good woman.
Now was not the time to be sentimental, though. Sentiment would not sway Armendale. That guy liked his perch, and he’d figure out a way to keep it.
Aljoe
“Since when do betas get to sit in on an alpha dinner, I wonder?” someone murmured, the voice sounding distinctly like Armendale’s. The responder grunted in acknowledgment.
Aljoe wanted to laugh out loud. What sort of fool would call into question his right to be at this dinner? Sue’s right, either—he’d also once held the title and position. Tristan might not have had the title, but he had the training, power, and ability.
As if hearing Armendale, even though he was on the other side of the large room, Austin addressed everyone.
“Something I didn’t mention outside but will address here within the more intimate leadership setting—you will realize that we do not do things the traditional way here. How could we, with this many different magical creatures, each with their own traditions? We have a leader for each magical faction in this convocation. Ours, within this territory, but also those packs and cairns and basajaunak uniting with us. They are each alphas in their own right, some with more experience and better pedigrees than me. Than many of you. They are our equals, trusting in me to work with Jess to bring it all together. To pretend they are anything but alphas and leaders is to tell me you are insecure in your placement and must rely on titles to distinguish you. Power is in the person, not the name badge. Besides, if I allowed my alphas to go out there and mingle with your people, you’d probably lose a good few enforcers to their charms.”
“I’d lose my whole cairn to Tristan!” Gerard shouted, holding up his glass. Other gargoyles laughed.
Shifters looked Aljoe’s way, faces tight. If he were any other “beta,” they might push back. Austin’s speech would’ve worked against him. But these shifters knew Aljoe, whatever name he went by. They knew his legacy. Hard to argue, when not too long ago, he’d been at the top of the alpha pyramid, respected and listened to.