Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 131137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131137 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
“From what we heard at the meeting, it’s just Logan who intends to attack without provocation,” Tao reminded Trey. “The other extremist groups are simply on guard in case shifters attack first.”
Trey nodded. “I know, but do you think Nick would ask Jon to stand beside him in this war and risk his old pack—which still includes his brother and Taryn’s relatives—being adequately protected?”
Nobody responded, because the question didn’t need addressing: Nick definitely wouldn’t risk his old pack.
“Then there isn’t any other choice but to take care of this shit ourselves.” Trey shrugged.
Dominic sighed. “Yep. We can’t afford to just hide and ignore what the humans have planned.”
That was true, Nick could concede. He didn’t relish the thought of having more blood on his hands, but they couldn’t allow the humans to live and do the damage they intended to do, particularly as it would inspire other extremists to act in the same way. This was about more than just them. What decision they made would affect the lives of many shifters.
“Their large number doesn’t worry me,” said Taryn. “They’ll be on our territory where our rules apply, and whereas we know that land well, they won’t have a goddamn clue how to get to us. Even if that asshole Logan forms a huge army of extremists and turns up at the gates of our territory, he’s as good as dead.”
“He’s as good as dead anyway,” growled Derren.
“Then we agree that if he follows, it isn’t a problem.” Taryn and Derren exchanged nods.
Trey spoke then. “Their deaths will send a message too. Logan, boastful as he is, will have told his plans to the other extremist groups. When his gang of armed humans enters shifter territory never to be seen again, it won’t be forgotten.”
“Um,” began Jesse, “what about me, Bracken, and Zander? Do you want us to keep guarding the house while you’re gone?” he asked Nick and Shaya.
“I assumed you were coming with us,” said Derren, grinning.
Nick was ready to object, but the rebels were grinning as wide as Derren, and Nick didn’t have it in him to disappoint them. They clearly wanted to be part of this, and he guessed they would rather stand with the shifters here than with the Nazi. Still…“If you guys want to come, that’s your choice. But everyone needs to be clear that I’m not forming a pack.”
Derren waved a dismissive hand, all reassurance. “We’re all aware of that.”
If Shaya hadn’t known about Derren’s plan to make Nick into his Alpha, she would have bought that act. She wasn’t yet sure whether she wanted the plan to be successful or not. On the one hand, being an Alpha was natural to Nick and would make his wolf content. On the other hand, Nick had been loaded with responsibilities for a very long time. If he wanted a breather, he deserved one.
While the others continued discussing the extremists, Nick turned her in his arms and brushed her hair from her face. “You’re thinking very hard about something.”
“Just wondering what to do about the house. I mean, are we going back to California for good?”
Pursing his lips, Nick shrugged. “That’s up to you.” He had never felt bonded to any particular place—not even to the land where he’d once been Alpha. As such, neither he nor his wolf was being tugged in a direction other than Shaya.
“No, it’s up to both of us.” If the idiot wasn’t making decisions for her, he was handing them completely over to her—unreal. It struck her then that being a partnership was uncharted territory for Nick. As Alpha, he’d been used to making decisions alone and putting what everybody else needed before himself. She didn’t want him always putting her needs first. A relationship was about finding middle ground. “It has to be something that works for us both.”
“I know that, baby, but I don’t see the point in being fussy about something that means more to you than it does to me. I don’t feel drawn to any particular place. Maybe you do.”
“Actually, no. I’ve always wanted to travel. My dad used to tell me stories of all the places he’d been, and I’d always wanted to see them when I was old enough to go traveling.”
“Then maybe you’ll be happy to finally learn what the job you’ve applied for is.”
“Go on.”
“Dean Middleton is soon retiring from his position as one of the wolf shifter mediators. If you want the job, it’ll mean you’ll need to travel a lot.” In Nick’s opinion, no position would suit her better.
Shaya could only gawk. Then she was smiling widely and wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you!” It was, in fact, a job she would love.
“Dean’s contract doesn’t run out for another four weeks,” he told her when she released him, “so you have time to still go through the interview process. I’m confident they’ll adore you and decide you’re best for the job.”