Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to keep this up,” he whispered into his arms, too quietly for Rosemary to hear him. “Please, let it end.” He didn’t know who he was talking to. His youthful pleas to Mother Nature had always gone unanswered, but back then, he had believed that if he worked harder and made fewer mistakes, she would care for him just as she did for all shifters. That was before he had met his fated mate; an Omega who barely tolerated his presence, recoiled at even the possibility of his most innocent touch, and shortly after arriving, ran from Green Field to destroy himself and the man he actually loved. As an Alpha, Keith’s duty was to protect all shifters, especially more vulnerable ones, like Omegas, and even more so his mate. He had failed on all levels. “I just want it all to end.”
“Alpha Jackson said you should wait in the front sitting room.” Gloria’s normally professional tone was high pitched and strained.
The distress in his packmate’s voice concerned Keith enough to push him into consciousness. He rubbed his eyes and then blinked them open. Rosemary must have given up on feeding him because he was once again alone in his basement bedroom and the bowl of soup was sitting on the floor beside his mattress.
“Sir!” Gloria said more loudly. “You can’t go down there. Alpha Jackson and Rupert Junior went to handle a disturbance, but they will return shortly to conduct your meeting. Please wait in the sitting room.”
“I know someone’s down there. I can scent him.”
The deep, resonant voice was new to Keith and yet there was a familiarity to it that awoke something hidden inside him. He tried to sit up, but Rosemary had been right about him not having eaten for too long, and he quickly crumpled back onto the mattress.
“He isn’t well.” The new but profoundly recognizable voice was angry. “What are you people doing to him?”
“We’re protecting him!” Lorraine had apparently come out of the kitchen and was outside the basement door. “Stay back, Alpha Berger. You aren’t welcome here.”
Alpha Berger. Keith scrunched his eyebrows together and tried to place the name.
“I don’t want to physically force you, but I’m going to go to him. We all know you can’t stop me so please step aside on your own power or I will use mine.”
“I realize you’re disappointed that your meeting is delayed, but that isn’t his fault. He has nothing to do with whatever Alpha Jackson says or does,” Rosemary shouted breathlessly. “Leave him out of it.”
An image formed in Keith’s head of the three older women crowded in front of the basement door, blocking an Alpha wolf from entering. It was amusing, really. And it was also ineffective. They hadn’t been able to physically overpower him since he had learned to walk, so they stood no chance against a fully grown Alpha. That was fine. If Rupert Jackson had gotten into a mess that would be solved only by another pack taking Keith’s blood, he’d mentally thank him for the favor.
“I understand that.” The voice shook, but even in his weakened state, Keith could discern that it was from fury rather than nerves. “Step aside on your own right now or I’ll be forced to move you.”
He wanted to call out to his packmates, tell them it was fine to retreat, that he was happy to pay for anyone’s sins because he deserved that and more, but he couldn’t open his mouth, let alone speak. His strength was finally, blessedly gone. Hopefully it wouldn’t take long now, with or without this Alpha Berger’s assistance.
“No,” Gloria said.
“Leave him be,” Lorraine added.
“It’s time for you to go, sir,” Rosemary said, voice wobbly.
They were so brave, and he was proud of them for it. He loved them and all his packmates. If only he could have been the leader they deserved.
“I won’t hurt him,” the Alpha growled. “I’m done with this bullshit. Steve, watch the front door and tell me if anyone else is coming. Jennifer, move these ladies aside and keep them back while I go to him.”
“On it, Alpha.” That must have been Steve.
“Yes, Alpha.” Jennifer’s agreement was immediately followed by his packmates’ loud, but ineffectual protests and then the door squeaking open and the sound of rapid footsteps on the stairs.
“Oh lord, no.” The deep voice was richer without a barrier between them. “What did they do to you?”
He wanted to see the man who would finally end his suffering, but his systems were shutting down and opening his eyes took more energy than he had left. A trembling hand touched his forehead and then something solid slid under him and he was airborne, lifted from his mattress.
“Why is he like this?” Alpha Berger roared as he stomped up the stairs, Keith in his arms. “What the hell happened to him?”