Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Casey’s team, who called themselves the California Hounds, had won quite a few tournaments. The Orlando Seals, however, often bested the other teams and took home the prize. They were damn good, but the high-and-mighty females also loved to rub their win in the faces of the other teams and talk smack about them.
Miles’ ex-girlfriend, Sherryl, had switched from Casey’s pack to the Seals’ pack a year ago, and she was now a member of the Seals’ soccer team. This would be the first competition during which Sherryl would play against the Hounds, and what a fucking shitty situation that would be.
“I’m intrigued about what kind of player you are,” said Eli. “You’re a powder keg in the combat ring.” He fully intended to be at every one of her games, supporting and cheering her on. He had the feeling that she was as aggressive on the field as she was in the ring.
“I’m also an enforcer.”
“Yeah? Well, things must be pretty hectic for you.” In fact, Eli would be willing to bet her days were a lot more eventful than his. He was Head Enforcer, sure, but there were hundreds within her pack, and her territory was far larger than his.
Now okay, yes, Eli had to worry about attacks from outsiders and people invading his territory. Mink shifters rarely had such problems, since people tended to leave them be—a smart move. But … “I’d wager you have far more issues to resolve each day than I do. Talk me through the type of stuff you have to do.”
“I mostly patrol the streets and borders of my territory. I also answer the calls that are made by my pack mates—reports of vandalism, accidents, drunken brawls, overloud music, and so on and so on. Minks are highly strung, temperamental creatures who can get into an argument over just about anything. But we’re also quick to resolve issues, and we don’t hold grudges against pack mates. Some days are calm, but those days are few and far between. I’m used to it. I’ve been an enforcer since I was seventeen.”
Eli’s brows lifted. “That’s pretty young.”
“I always knew I wanted to be one. I was sixteen when I asked my Alpha to let me train for the position. Adrian’s a throwback to the years where women didn’t take on what he considers ‘masculine roles,’ so I wasn’t the least bit shocked when he said no.”
“But you didn’t let it deter you.”
“No. I badgered him and badgered him for months until, just to humor me, he agreed to put me through the enforcer training. He’d fully expected me to fail. In fact, he hadn’t thought I’d last the first day.” But Casey hadn’t failed. She’d worked her butt off. Put her body through the ringer to strengthen it. Had done everything the trainers asked of her. Mastered every skill and form of combat they insisted on teaching her.
“Even though I exceeded Adrian’s expectations, he kept claiming I wasn’t ‘up to standard yet.’” She snorted. “He simply hadn’t wanted a female enforcer in his ranks. His Betas intervened on my behalf, claiming I was ready. Adrian relented eventually, muttering that I had no quit in me.”
Eli smiled, pride flaring deep in his belly. God, she had so much grit and drive in her, and that appealed to him on a very primal level. Casey Frost knew who she was and what she wanted out of life, and she had no compunction about going after it. He admired and respected that. Admired and respected her.
He also loved that she had a highly competitive streak he could fully relate to. That was going to lead to a lot of fun in the bedroom.
She bit her lip. “I guess we’re going to have to decide which of us is moving packs at some point.”
“There’s no rush.” Eli wasn’t gonna lie, he hoped he could make her fall in love with his territory. He’d switch packs if she couldn’t be happy within his own, but he’d always found his territory somewhat magical. If they did stay on Craven territory, they’d need to get another place, because he could never live in this apartment.
He glanced around the bedroom area. “I wouldn’t have thought a shifter could function living in such a small place.”
Casey sighed. “Yeah, I guess it’s fair to say I have pretty tight quarters. But size isn’t the only thing that matters and … Wait, I didn’t just say tight quarters, did I?”
Unable to stifle a smile, Eli cleared his throat. “You did, baby, yeah.”
Casey groaned. “I should probably warn you that I have a mortifying tendency to accidentally spout out sexual innuendos. But we’ll ignore that.”
His lips twitched. “All right.”
“I should probably also warn you that I’ve never been good at relationships.”
“Neither have I,” he admitted. “Or maybe I just wasn’t fully invested in my past relationships because those women weren’t you. We’ll find our way.”