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)
Eying the mink warily, Bracken slowly ascended the porch stairs and walked toward Eli. The mink matched the enforcer step for step, always watching him. Once Bracken came to a halt, she scrambled up Eli’s body and perched herself on his shoulder.
Reaching up to stroke her, Eli asked his pack mate, “What brings you here?”
“Nick sent me,” said Bracken. “He wanted you to know that Donovan checked out the number who texted ‘Don’t disappoint me,’ and he confirmed what Nick suspected—it was another burner phone.”
Eli cursed under his breath. “Has Donovan’s contact within Ignacio’s pride got back in touch with him yet?”
“Yes. He told Donovan that Ignacio is claiming he didn’t send the falcons after you. But only the cougar’s inner circle will know the truth. Donovan’s contact isn’t part of that.”
“So we have nothing to go on.”
“No.” Bracken shoulders lowered. “I’d like to say I think the danger has passed. But if it was Ignacio who set up the falcon attack, he’ll probably strike again, since the whole thing was a total failure.”
Yeah, it seemed likely. “He’ll probably also hire mercenaries again to do his dirty work.” Just then, his little mink let out a tiny squeak. As she scurried down Eli’s body, dashed off the porch, and disappeared into the bush, he blinked. “Apparently, she trusts that you won’t harm me.”
“Apparently.” But Bracken didn’t sound convinced. He glanced around, as if expecting her to suddenly jump out at him for fun. “Oh, Nick also wanted me to let you know that Donovan’s having trouble locating your mate’s brother; there’s not a whisper of the guy anywhere. But he’ll keep looking.”
“Ignacio will probably renew his efforts to find Miles. As you pointed out, the falcon’s attack on me was an epic failure. Ignacio might figure it will be easier to punish Casey through Miles—especially since he knows I’ll now be more on my guard. She doesn’t have any other important people in her life, so there’s no one else for Ignacio to target.”
“Has Miles had any combat training?”
“It’s doubtful. He lived mostly as a human. Although he spent time on Craven Pack territory and even dated a female mink, he didn’t live there at any point.”
“Then he’ll probably be easy pickings for whoever Ignacio sends after him,” muttered Bracken with a weary sigh as he again gave the area a once over. Then he spotted the soccer ball at the far side of the porch. “You played a few games with Casey?”
Eli just grunted.
The other male grinned. “She beat your ass, didn’t she?”
“Fuck, yeah, she did. If you’d seen her play, you’d get why.”
“Shaya showed me a short video she’d recorded of Casey’s last game. Your mate is hardcore …” Trailing off, Bracken frowned and tilted his head. “Is it just me, or is everything way too quiet?”
Tensing, Eli inhaled deeply. “I smell cat. Your cat.”
Bracken’s eyes widened. “Shit! They’ll savage each other!”
Both males hurried off the porch and into the surrounding woods, following the scents of their mates. There was allegedly no way to sneak up on a pallas cat, but minks were fucking ninjas. If anyone could take a pallas cat off-guard, it was a mink shifter. And while Eli did not want Madisyn hurt or dead, he also didn’t want his mate ripped apart by—
Eli and Bracken skidded to a halt near a tall oak as they almost literally stumbled upon their mates. Neither spoke. Really, Eli didn’t know what to say. Several scenarios had flicked through his mind when he realized Bracken’s mate had trespassed onto his land, but not this.
“No way,” Bracken breathed. “That’s just … I’m without words.”
Eli grunted, staring down at the two females. The pallas cat kicked a dead vole and sent it skidding along the ground to the mink, who batted it back to the cat. They did it again. And again. And again.
Bracken shook his head in disbelief. “They’re playing soccer. With a dead vole. And they’re good at it.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I can so see this becoming a ‘thing’ with them. Is it just me dreading the trouble these two could cause together?”
“No. Maybe we should keep them apart.”
“Sounds best.” Bracken picked up his cat, smiling at her snarl of annoyance. “Sorry, kitty, but it’s time to go home.” He stilled as he caught sight of the mink’s pile of dead carcasses a few feet away. He blinked hard and then looked at Eli. “I’ve decided I’m not going to comment.”
Eli gave a short nod. “Good idea.”
Nuzzling his cat, Bracken walked away, whispering to her, “No coming back here. You need to find friends who aren’t psychotic.”
Eli scowled. “Hey!”
Bracken gestured at the pile of bodies. “Hello, trophy killer.”
Eli’s lips thinned. “She’s just tidy and has a place for things.”
“Anyone who needs and reserves a special space for dead bodies is the definition of psychotic.” Bracken spared the mink a brief look and then walked off.