Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Elle didn’t argue with him. Closing her eyes she let sleep claim her.
Chapter Twelve
Brandon left his mate sleeping as he went down to where his friends were waiting. Lewis, Darcy, and Drake were sat around his sitting room drinking his expensive whisky. He got the whiskey imported once a month. Being a werewolf meant a lot of strong alcohol passed through their system with no side effects. The stronger the whiskey the more it took hold and gave him the buzz humans got. He liked the buzz the stronger stuff gave him.
“Layla’s worried about Elle. She wants to call or visit as soon as she can. I told her she was in good hands. My word wasn’t good enough,” Lewis said.
Folding his arms over his chest, Brandon looked among all three men. “What’s with the sombre faces?” he asked.
“Crazy Lizzy turned up along with several witches from her coven,” Darcy said.
“The strongest?” Brandon asked, taking a seat.
“Yeah, they’re starting a war with the warlocks, and they don’t want them on this turf while they’re here. Crazy Lizzy is shouting about a breed of species to ruin them all. I don’t know. She never makes any sense. I’m sure the thoughts that come to her are from the books she reads,” Darcy said.
“Crazy Lizzy scares me, but she’s always been right about everything. Look what happened to Brandon. She foretold of him taking over the pack and us being underneath him,” Drake said.
“Yeah, but she also foretold of a strong mate for our good leader. Last time I checked a human wasn’t all that strong. If Lori got near Elle, she’d break the human like a twig,” Lewis said.
Brandon didn’t need the image of his mate breaking.
She’s only human. No one can protect her. They will kill her easily.
“Elle is not getting near this. She’s staying away from it,” Brandon said.
“You can’t face these people without your mate, Brandon. They know you’re mated. They’ll sense your claiming a mile away,” Darcy said, warning him.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll hide it.”
Silence filled the room as his men looked at him.
“You’re going to use Lori,” Drake said.
“Everyone knows she’s the strongest of our female pack. She’s been in my bed, and my scent is all over her. None of them will be the wiser. She’ll pose as my mate in front of them. Elle is to be protected. Have you brought me any males willing to take on the task?” he asked.
“You can’t be serious?” Darcy said, stopping him from moving the conversation along.
“Serious about what?” Brandon turned his gaze to Darcy.
“You’re going to cause shit for us doing that. Vamps, witches, warlocks, all of them are not fucking stupid. If you do this, Brandon, it could turn badly on us. They’ll find a reason to get rid of you,” Darcy said.
“I’m not talking about this. I’m the alpha. You’ll do as you’re told.”
“Fuck that, you’re breaking the alpha code.” Drake stood. His anger lashed out at Brandon.
Brandon took the anger but fed his wolf the energy needed to assert his authority. “I’m the alpha. If any of you wish to take my place, tell me, and the pack can be yours.” He looked at all three men in turn. The Northern Forest pack was his. Brandon would fight to the death if he needed to.
All three men bowed their heads, backing down from the challenge.
“You’re the best alpha this pack has had. I’m not going to fuck that up by fighting you for it. I’m not the alpha, but I don’t think bringing Lori in to replace Elle is the right decision. You’re talking about your human mate against a tough female wolf,” Lewis said, being the voice of reason for a change.
“What are you trying to say?” Brandon asked.
“Lori could make a claim for Elle’s position. It has been known to happen. Elle would never win in a fight. Lori will fight for the seat by your side.”
He considered Lewis’s warning. “Lori won’t do that. I know her. She’ll be happy to be by my side. That will be enough.”
“Whatever. I need a drink.” Darcy walked out of the room with Lewis following behind him.
Only he and Drake remained in the room. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Brandon,” Drake said.
“I know what I’m doing. I’d never put this pack in danger.”
Drake nodded then followed the other two men out the door. The weight of their disapproval settled in the pit of his stomach.
I’m doing the right thing. Elle wouldn’t be any match against the creatures of the Otherworld.
Brandon downed his glass of whiskey before searching for Lori. He found her on the edge of the forest.
“I wondered when the human would bore you,” Lori said. She didn’t turn around as she faced the edge of the forest.
“I’m not here for a fuck.”