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 touches other people freely,” Ron said, running his fingers through his newly black hair.
“She was a Jane. Now she’s a gargoyle. She’s expressive. She knows my limits, and I ensure I allow Jess her freedom.”
A few people exchanged looks.
“Yes, this is the Black Sheep Barazza you’ve all heard about,” Kingsley said, light and easy. “He’s not the same man anymore. I would know. His butler gives him flak to his face. His mate’s very powerful crew are wild and insane and totally handled by her. She ignores his telling her to stay out of trouble, and he ignores her doing things a normal shifter would kill someone over. He’s proving his control. You’re watching him prove his leadership ability and potential. He’s grown up. It’s time we let him.”
Austin’s chest tightened. He didn’t deny his gratitude at his brother’s praise.
But then Drex started in.
“He’s proving more than that, but no one is talking about it.” He stepped forward and reiterated things he’d told Austin to his face when they’d first met, about Austin’s confidence and humbleness, about his community’s loyalty and his desire to look after others.
Before Austin could incline his head in thanks, Nina stepped up.
“I never thought my brother would find a place to settle. You know why. When he told us of that first meeting with Austin and Jessie…and Fred—he couldn’t stop telling the story about Fred—I didn’t believe it. I honestly thought all the time in the wilderness, fighting basajaunak, had shifted something in him mentally. I get it now. It wasn’t solely them. It was the love and support of this territory. Yes, they are powerful. Yes, they are battle ready. But at their heart, the convocation is family.”
“Okay.” Austin put up his hand. “Thank you.” He put it to his heart. “I’m not sure I’m deserving of—or comfortable with—so much praise.”
“People usually reserve it for Jessie,” Kingsley said. People chuckled.
“Truth.” Austin grinned at his brother and then addressed the rest. “Yes, I’m the black sheep, and while I am a changed man, as Kingsley says, I still retain that title. I don’t do things like a normal shifter. I can’t and maintain this setup. You’ve seen why. I’ve learned to adapt. To be flexible. To nonchalantly smile in public. And yes, I’ve found a family here. And yes, my grandma Mimi is shoving me out of all my properties and taking over management. Like this one, which is perfect, and I can’t fault her over…an annoying situation, because I’m a control freak.” More chuckles. “Anyway, thank you for the kind words. And the vote of support.” He hesitated. “Usually I’d say, ‘But please, you must be hungry, let’s eat,’ except, unfortunately, this group is larger than we anticipated. I just need to duck into the back to speak to Mimi—”
A familiar throat-clearing sound dragged Austin’s gaze toward the corner of the room. Mimi stood just beside the door to the kitchen with her hands clasped professionally in front of her. Speak of the devil.
“Ivy House will be hosting tonight.” She hesitated, which was like normal people pulling at their collar uncomfortably. “Preparations are underway there. As I understand it, much of the community will be there to mourn and support the pack who lost a member earlier today. The occasion will be calm and peaceful. If any trouble arises, I am told the basajaunak will gleefully practice drop-kicking people. They aim to claim the honor of the farthest kick. I only received word about this a half-hour ago…when my supplies were confiscated.”
“It’s the garhettes.” Ron with the black hair pointed at nothing in particular. “I’m telling you, there is no way to say no to them. It’s impossible.”
“One wonders how you ever became an alpha,” Mimi told him.
Ron squared his shoulders. “Says the woman who has no food for dinner.”
Mimi barely tilted her head, conceding the point, before turning and heading back into the kitchen.
Everyone looked at Austin.
He put up his hands. “If anyone knows what’s going on, I’m all ears.”
He’d heard Jess offer Calvin a little respite, her reason for not being here, but no one had mentioned the party size increasing.
Then again, with this many garhettes and basajaunak in the territory, there was no telling what they’d randomly planned and sucked everyone into.
“Well…if we want to eat, I guess that’s where we’re headed.” Austin took out his phone. “Who needs rides?”
Ivy House was aglow when Austin rolled up, Kingsley in the passenger seat.
“This is actually the very best place to have a BBQ,” Kingsley said, ducking forward to see the massive gothic house out of the windshield. “If anything kicks off, Ivy House can handle it. I still remember being chased around by those dolls.”
“The thing is…” Austin grimaced as he parked at the curb. Tristan and Sue were in the driveway. “The garhettes haven’t been able to get the gnome situation under control. They’ve reclaimed the grass area, but if anyone ventures too far into the woods, we’re really not sure what’ll happen. Maybe just a couple cuts and scrapes. Maybe they’ll be herded toward the killer flowers. It’s really anyone’s guess.”