Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Tiernan said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. “Go wait inside. I will come get you when I’m done.”
He didn’t wait for her to do as he said, he turned and left the garage. Olivia was far too curious to go inside. She quietly positioned herself to get a glance of the scene without being detected.
What appeared to be four teenage boys, though they were probably older in human years, stood naked in the snow, their focus on Tiernan.
“I am ashamed of all of you. You disgrace your pack, your family, by threatening a guest at the preserve,” Tiernan admonished. “I have warned you time and again about the harm such irresponsible actions can cause the preserve, your home, your pack. And to think to challenge me to lead the pack when you are beyond reckless, demonstrates your gross immaturity. I’ve had enough. You will be sent to the training center and assigned the lowest position in the pack. You have a year to learn and show responsibility and if you don’t, there will be consequences.”
The four stared at Tiernan shocked, two paled, and one was close to tears.
“I didn’t want to do it,” the teenager close to tears said.
“But you did, Olin, and I do not care if you did it out of fear or friendship. You knew it was wrong, and you made a choice. You’ve made several bad choices. Make sure you don’t make another bad one or it will be your last.”
A teenager with dark unruly hair and good looks stepped forward. “It was my fault. I persuaded them to challenge you.”
“I had no doubt you lead them, Chad, and you have the makings of a fine leader once you learn discipline and how to lead. But you are far from ready to lead and far too reckless to challenge me. And you are lucky that I am disciplined enough not to have killed you. Challenge me again or dare go near my guest and you will not be so lucky. Don’t force me to kill you, Chad.”
Chad’s mouth dropped open and his eyes rounded. The other three boys paled.
Chad wisely apologized. “I am sorry, Lord Tiernan. It was foolish of me.”
Three other apologies followed Chad’s.
Olivia caught her gasp before it slipped out, surprised and impressed by the six gray wolves that came charging through the mounds of snow toward Tiernan. They were magnificent and they stopped behind the teenage boys. She realized then that Tiernan’s howl must have summoned them.
“Take them to the training center and let their families know where they are and why, and that they will remain there for a year, or more, if necessary,” Tiernan commanded and looked at each boy. “Learn so that you may be an asset to your pack.”
The boys nodded.
“Turn away, Olivia,” he ordered.
Damn. She should have known he would sense her presence. She turned, not wishing to see them shapeshift, her thoughts busy with what she had just witnessed. She had often wondered what it might be like to hear an alpha wolf speak to his pack. Tiernan did it with the strength, confidence, and distinct authority that she would expect. Having witnessed it, she was able to see differences between wolves and werewolves and she was eager to compile notes so she could learn more and come to understand werewolves better.
Werewolves.
The fabled creatures did exist. She shook her head. And she had had sex with one, the alpha one. The one who led not just a pack but all wolves—werewolves—on the preserve.
“Olivia.”
She turned and if it wasn’t for the light dusting of snow that covered Tiernan’s hair and jacket, making him appear so human, she might have backed away from him.
“Are you all right?” he asked, reaching out to cup her arm just below her elbow.
“You’re a werewolf,” she said, as though the impact of the truth just hit her.
“Aye, I am,” he confirmed. “Let’s go inside. We will have tea and talk.”
She pulled her arm away from him as he went to guide her inside. “I’m not ready to go inside.”
“It’s snowing again and it’s cold, Olivia. We can come out another time.”
“No.” She shook her head and when he went to argue with her, she said, “I am not part of your pack. I do as I please.” She walked out of the garage, pulled off her knit cap, and tilted her head back to let the snow fall on her face. She thought she could hear the hiss of the snowflakes as they landed on her heated cheeks.
“Are you sure about that?”
She turned to look at him, his eyes shining a bold green. “I’m not sure about anything at the moment.”
“Including us?”
“That’s a good question. What about us, Tiernan? What is it you want from me?” she asked, frustrated.