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)
Given how close the packs were, Casey had expected the Phoenix Pack females to make her run a gauntlet; to question her as they decided whether she was good enough for Eli. Instead, they’d been friendly and warm since the second Shaya introduced them to Casey. Oh, they’d asked her questions, but none had been rude or invasive.
They were also quite fascinated by her being a mink, since none of them had ever met one before. Casey could honestly say she liked them all, and she didn’t take to people easily. It often took her time to warm up to others. But, like the Mercury Pack females, they were just impossible to dislike.
The table broke out into applause as the song tapered off. But then Mila quickly launched into another song.
“God, Mila’s just amazing.” Jaime, the Phoenix Beta female, let out a wistful sigh. “I really wish I could sing like that.”
“I just wish I was a pallas cat,” said Taryn. The blonde she-wolf was a teeny little thing, but she was all Alpha. She looked even tinier when stood beside her mate, Trey, who was built like an overgrown linebacker. He was also scowling at Taryn from his position at the bar.
“You’re crazy enough to be one,” Shaya told Taryn. Apparently, the two Alpha females had been best friends since they were kids.
Taryn smiled and nudged Shaya. “Aw, thanks.”
“It’s in here somewhere, I know it is,” Makenna muttered to herself, rummaging through her purse as she piled the contents onto the table one at a time.
Gwen frowned. “Why do you have an acorn in your purse?”
Makenna stared at Gwen as if she’d asked the most absurd question. “Duh. Same reason everyone carries an acorn around with them.”
Gwen exchanged confused looks with everyone at the table. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone else here does that.”
“Carrying an acorn around brings you good luck and ensures a long life. Come on, people, you should know this shit.” Makenna shook her head, as if they were all utterly hopeless, and went back to rooting through her bag.
Madisyn smiled at Casey. “You’ve never in your life met a more superstitious person than Makenna.”
“How much longer before we leave?” asked Roni, peeling the label from her bottle.
Riley, a raven shifter, watched the she-wolf curiously. “You realize that peeling labels is a sign of sexual frustration, right? What’s the matter, you not getting it regular these days?”
Roni barely glanced at the raven. “I’m not sexually frustrated, I’m freaking bored.”
Shaya rolled her eyes. “It’s a club, Roni, not a knitting group.”
“A knitting group would be more fun,” grumbled Roni. She guzzled down some beer from her bottle. While the other females went back to singing, Roni turned to Casey and asked, “Have you heard anything from Sherryl?”
“Not a peep,” replied Casey. She’d agreed with Eli that the pack should know about the Sherryl situation, especially since Casey intended to challenge her. “I spoke briefly to her aunt a few days back. Sherryl’s apparently distraught that she can’t visit her mate’s grave.” And Casey couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.
“But not distraught enough to apologize, or she’d have done it by now,” Roni pointed out, scrunching up the label.
“That’s what I said. Her aunt even agreed. But we have to talk about something else, because if your brother senses my mood plummeting, he’ll come right over here to ask me what’s wrong.”
Mouth quirking, Roni nodded. “It’s exactly what he’ll do. Dominant male wolves can be annoyingly nosy and overprotective. Eli’s pushier than most, but you seem to deal with him just fine. He positively loathes being away from you, you know,” Roni added, a twinkle in her eye. “He gets all grumpy and snippy. I tease him that he has separation anxiety issues, but he’s yet to lunge at me. Though he did throw a box of tissues at my head last time I said it.” And she seemed delighted by that.
A shadow fell across their table. Looking up, Casey saw a blond, immensely hot male.
“Ladies,” he greeted, smooth as glass, but his eyes were on Mila—who was currently bowing, now that her song was over—and glimmered with pride.
“It’s a girls’ night, Dominic,” Taryn told him, shooing him away with her hands.
“I know,” he said, “but Trey just told me that Eli’s mate is here. I came to say hi.” His eyes swept the table and landed on Casey. His mouth curved into a killer smile. “You must be Casey. I’m Dominic.”
“Mila’s mate,” Casey remembered. “She mentioned you earlier. It’s good to meet you.”
“Likewise,” said Dominic with a nod. Then he scowled as another male body literally bumped him out of the way. “Hey!”
Moving to stand behind Casey’s chair, Eli glared at him. “Don’t smile at my mate; I don’t like it.”
Dominic laughed. “Dude, you’re such a goner, it’s not even funny. Your mink is safe from me. I don’t use cheesy lines on people’s mates anymore.”