Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
My mate’s dark brown eyes are focused on the far right of the stage, then they wander, studying every inch of the stadium and failing to follow my direction. A low growl forms in my chest, scaring the fuck out of the poor girl in front of me.
Shit, I didn’t mean that. I’m too damn desperate for her attention. The need for her to see me nearly overrides my logical side. I need her to watch me like I’m watching her. Just the thought of her locking her eyes on mine makes my cock harden. I can’t wait for this damn offering to be over.
My eyes narrow as I continue to stare at her gorgeous body. There’s no way she’s younger than nineteen. It’s not that she looks older; it’s something about her poise and the confidence she exudes. She’s a woman in every way. My mate should be up here. She should be in line, waiting to offer herself to me so I can take her. Even if she’s only just moved here, the terms of the treaty are clear. My heart speeds up with angst pumping through my veins.
What if she’ll never be offered because she’s older than twenty-one? What if she doesn’t live in Shadow Falls at all and she’s only visiting? The thought of never seeing my mate again sends a pulse of panicked heat through my body with a force that almost brings me to my knees.
“Calm down, Vince.” Devin’s stern voice grounds me and I place my hands behind my back.
“I cannot. I cannot lose her, Alpha.” Even in my mind, his title is emphasized, both pleading with him and warning.
There’s a second of hesitation. Only one, that’s tense and severe, before he answers.
“You may stay behind only to find out why she wasn’t offered.”
“Yes, Alpha.” My heartbeat slowly stops hammering in my chest as I continue to watch my mate. As soon as Grace and Liz are collected and safe in the cars, I’m hunting down those sexy, long legs. “Thank you.”
“Shut the fuck up; our mates are here.” Dom’s threateningly low voice makes my lips kick up into a smirk.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were pissed.” I can practically feel his rumbling growl.
“Knock it off. Dom, you handle your mate; I’ll handle mine. Grace is last, so we won’t have to wait. Any questions?”
“No, Alpha.” We answer Devin in unison. This should be easy enough. Then I can track down my mate. I’ve never been so eager for an event to be over in my entire existence. My skin heats with anticipation as Grace walks past me. I can hear her breath steadying as she walks toward Devin. The presence of her mate is already soothing her nerves. Good. This will be over soon and then I can stalk my sexy little vixen.
As I walk down the steps, knowing their mates are in place, chaos ensues on stage. It happens far too fast and unexpectedly. With rigid discipline, I don’t hesitate; I react. Moving to my position as ordered, I’m calm on the outside, but inwardly there’s an equal amount of chaos as there is on stage. Dom’s mate is screaming. Her cries are hysterical and they elicit a knee-jerk, involuntary reaction from the onlookers. Her fists pound with violent thuds against his hard body and it feels like a damn bullet to my chest. She’s fighting him. She’s resisting her mate. It’s shocking; it’s soul crushing. It takes everything in me to keep my expression neutral and not react.
I can’t even imagine how he must feel.
It’s not supposed to be like this. I’ve seen offerings before in my old pack. The women are meant to be calm and go willingly. The bond, even if they don’t know a damn thing about it, is strong. It’s unbreakable. It’s captivating. The touch of a mate is comforting. The only times there are problems at the offerings is when some asshole wolves take what doesn’t belong to them. That doesn’t happen much now that the Authority has taken over inter- and intraspecies relations.
She doesn’t stop. Their mate fights for her life against them.
“Are you sure she’s your mate?” Several growls vibrate through me in response. “I didn’t mean that. Shit, I apologize.”
Caleb’s voice reaches me through the deafening snarl still coming from Dom. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be all right. She’ll be fine.” Even though his words are laced with positivity and confidence, I can feel his apprehension. Those poor fuckers, Dom and Caleb. Their pain permeates through us. The cries of outrage pick up now that the crowd is no longer shocked and other emotions are surfacing. Double fuck. If we don’t act fast, things are going to get messy.
I’m vaguely aware of Devin’s aura pushing down on my shoulders, steadying me. Holding all of us in place and settling our nerves. I’m grateful for it.