Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Are you mad at me?” Venetto asked as he continued to smile at the guests we had milling about, checking the panthers that were prowling about, their fur coats sleek and shiny, their eyes flashing with alert intelligence.
My smile also in place, I answered, “Of course not, Father.” I wasn’t. I was just...not as resigned as I should be to having my choice of consort taken away from me like this. One of the panthers had reached my side, rubbing his head against my thigh. I bent down, obliging its demand for attention by stroking its back.
Shifters in front of me gaped. I pretended not to notice. I couldn’t blame them. An idiotic guest had tried petting one of the panthers earlier and ended up in our medical center to get stitched. Shifters healed very quickly in general, but not when bitten by one of our cats. He was lucky it had been a cub. A full-grown panther would have cut off his arm completely.
My father said under his breath, “I would have postponed this if I could. But we’re running out of time. Last night was your last chance to hunt.”
I choked. “You make me sound like a cougar.”
Venetto snorted. “I’m not. I’d be doing them an injustice if I did.”
I made a face. “Very funny, Father.”
Instead of answering, he simply looked at me closely, his bushy brows coming together in a frown. Venetto was a solidly built man and one of the most respected and feared pack leaders of the Panthera. He didn’t talk much, but he was mighty observant. I kept my face expressionless, not wanting him to guess my thoughts.
Finally, he said, “You have not yet told me about why you always come home with bruises. I told you to find a man worthy of being your consort, not your sparring partner.”
An image of Alessandro Moretti flashed through my mind. He would make a worthy sparring partner and an interesting consort. As soon as the thought occurred to me, I pushed it away. There was no point thinking about him. He hadn’t even asked how we would meet again. The world of shifters might be small, but not so small that he would easily find out which pack I belonged to. Clearly I had only been a momentary diversion to Alejandro Moretti. It was only to be expected from the most licentious wolf in history.
“I just wish I didn’t have to choose at all.” It was the most selfish thing I had ever said, but I had to say it. Warriors didn’t lie and I needed to voice my true feelings, even just this once. “You know I can lead the pack on my own, Father. You know.”
He answered wearily, “Your abilities have never been the issue. You know that, too, daughter. I’ve raised you myself. Trained you myself. You’re a hundred times more a warrior than my greedy nephew could be. I know better than anyone that you can be the future alpha of my pack, and each and every panther in our pack would gladly follow your command and die to protect you.”
“But I’m human.”
“But you’re human.”
It always boiled down to that.
“The Panthera would never allow a human to lead one of the packs. You need a natural-born shifter as consort, or at the very least a Cavaliere to rule at your side. If I let you lead the pack on your own, it will only serve as a temptation for every panther to challenge your authority and win leadership from you.”
“I can handle the challenges—-”
“You can. But what about the rest of your pack? Each challenge means war, and every war has casualties.”
“Stefano will—-”
“—-not always be with us,” he finished gently. “He has his own pack. He will eventually return to them. No shifter can ever turn his back on his birthright.” A sigh emerged from Venetto. “I am old, Calys, and I am tired.”
The words had me stiffening. I hated it when I was reminded of his age. Even though his shifter blood allowed him to look decades younger, the truth was, Venetto was close to being a century old now. He had been my rock, and I couldn’t imagine life without him.
If choosing a Cavaliere today could make a difference, if it could ease his worries and prolong his life, then so be it.
I bowed to him. “I beg your leave, Father. I will start circulating and look for potential consorts.”
“Make sure Stefano is with you at all times.”
“Yes, Father.” When I straightened, I saw that a grave look had fallen on Venetto’s face.
“I’m sorry for placing pressure on your shoulders, but we simply have no choice. War is upon us, cub. I cannot be at peace until I’m assured you are not alone in defending our pack.” He nodded towards the other shifters. “Be quick in choosing, Calys.”