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)
“We do,” a few people murmured, and more nodded their heads.
“I was here when they first found the breach.” Nina looped her arm through one of her sister’s. Austin hated to admit it, but he couldn’t tell if that was Zara or the one he’d only briefly met. “Their pa—convocation is incredibly organized. I was prepared to join it for the sake of my brother. After seeing them work, I was sold. It isn’t just battling—though from seeing how they handled the issue earlier today, we know they are experienced in hostile situations. They handled that breach in a way none of us—not one of us—could duplicate. Not without training.”
“Not you, Kingsley?” someone said from the back. Austin couldn’t see who.
“No,” Kingsley replied. “When Jessie and Austin were in my territory, our leadership styles clashed. As a solution, I let Jessie lead her team. I loosened the pack rules—and my personal rules—to give her free rein. I did not regret it. I can’t do what she does. Nina’s right. It’s a special setup, led in equal parts by a soft touch…and riding Yazanth Golden Fang like a pony.”
More people actually laughed this time, unable to keep it in.
“I saw it firsthand,” Drex said. He told them about the mages showing up in his territory. “She’s ruthless in challenges. She needed the mage to temper her, and Tristan, the big gargoyle.”
“Did you see that gargoyle put James in the tree?” said Kurt, one of the previously neutral parties.
“Did you see him fight?” Evelyn said, and the desire was plain in her voice.
“That battle was embarrassing for that shifter.” Sam, someone Aljoe’s sisters had brought in, scratched his head. “Very embarrassing. That gargoyle is alpha caliber. He was bored!”
“I mean, really…” Drex met Austin at the bar. “When he shifts, he’s as big as a basajaun, he has claws, and he has humanlike arms and legs. He can fly. Add in the power and fighting know-how—are we really confused about what a powerful asset he is?”
“How has no one challenged him before now?” someone else said.
“They didn’t know how to read his power,” Austin answered. “Or maybe they simply discounted him because he’s different.”
“I doubt anyone will challenge him now and risk ending up in a tree.”
People laughed.
“You should see the gargoyles battle. They are absolutely fearless.” Kingsley started describing what he’d seen in his territory. He also talked about the garhettes, just as tough and fearless as their male counterparts.
Drex turned to face the bartender and ordered a champagne. Once done, he glanced over.
“You’ve got ’em,” he murmured. “Kingsley has been talking in the right ears, saying the right things. He’s good at political networking, and you and Jessie are great at backing up his claims. Nessa has been chatting and flirting, and it’s having a very positive effect, strangely. Thank God Tristan is a gargoyle, huh? Not possessive in the same way. And then that showing today.” He inclined his head subtly. “The conclave is what you needed, as much of a pain in the ass it is. People need to see. Everyone needs to see you guys in action. Now they have. The flight training. The challenges. The effectiveness that a withering mage has without breaking a sweat.” He paused and faced the bar again. “I’m not telling you your business, but Armendale is trouble. He’s the type of shifter I didn’t want to come into my territory. He shouldn’t be here. Guys like that, when desperate…”
He let the comment linger.
Austin nodded. “I agree. Always feel free to speak openly.”
A smile crossed Drex’s face. “I remembered that about Jessie, but I thought my memory must’ve been mistaken about you. You’re a different sort of alpha, Austin Steele. A damn good one. If you don’t mind my saying, being that I am a huge fan of Kingsley for saving my life…you’ve done your family proud.”
Drex got his champagne, rapped his knuckles on the bar, and turned away to the others.
Austin was so damn thankful to have his family here now, still having his back. Kingsley was the straight-A student, and Austin was the rule-breaking black sheep, but together they worked. Together they could do things they couldn’t do alone, just like Austin and Jess. Like the territory and Ivy House.
“I hear the Elder has challenged Jessie.”
It took a moment for Austin to corral his thoughts into the moment. Nina was looking at him, having asked the question. Everyone was waiting for the answer.
No, not a question. A warning disguised as a statement.
“Yes,” Austin said, and he let his wariness show. “Obviously, if it were up to me, I’d say no. Earlier today, I would’ve run in and ripped your brother off my mate, too. But it’s not up to me. I’ll hate it, but I’ll honor her decision. Jess hasn’t told me what she’s going to do.”