Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 116662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
“Camden suggested that,” said Luke. “It’s a definite possibility. I just don’t see who’d want to associate with them. Other than humans.”
The sound of glass smashing drew Isaiah’s attention to his left. Bailey was apologizing to someone for knocking over their drink but, knowing her, he wouldn’t be surprised if she’d done it on purpose.
He took an idle look around. The place was now packed. Partygoers could be found everywhere—sat at tables, stood at the bar, tucked in booths, playing pool, spending money in the arcade area, shaking their asses on the dance floor, or even just standing in clusters talking and laughing.
So far, all was going good. Quinley and her family appeared to be enjoying themselves, and his pride mates appeared to have taken a liking to her.
“We will find the brothers, Isaiah,” said Luke. “The minute we come across anything of note, I’ll pass it on—considering they’re gunning for you, it’s only right that you’re kept updated.”
Isaiah inclined his head. “I appreciate it.”
Just then, Blair and Elle approached.
“What are you two talking about?” asked Blair, her suspicious gaze sliding from him to her mate.
“Rainbows,” both Isaiah and Luke replied at the same time.
She snorted. “Stop talking about work stuff. You should be focusing on Quinley,” she added, pointing at Isaiah.
“Excuse me, I got shooed away by the omegas—they wanted to talk ‘healer stuff.’” Isaiah had first checked with Quinley that it was fine; she’d been happy to talk to them alone.
“I really like her,” said Elle. “She gives off this air of calm. It’s like … like every bit of tension in me just eases away. Of course it comes right back when she walks away. Where did she go?” The redhead glanced around.
“You’re not using her as a living chill pill,” Isaiah told Elle.
“Why not?” Elle whined. “And what’s it to you?”
“Everything. Once I’ve branded her, she’ll officially be my mate. It’ll be my responsibility to be sure she doesn’t give too much of herself—submissives tend to do that. Healers are even worse for it, and I know she uses her gift as part of her job. I don’t want her drained.”
Elle smiled, pleased. “Good answer. I just wanted to be sure you’re all in, because I can tell she is.”
“How?”
“I just sense these things. Like magic.”
Luke nudged him. “Valentina seems to have taken a shining to Quinley. That’s a good sign.”
Isaiah glanced over to see that the female wolverine and her brothers had in fact approached her. “Even the uncles are being nice to her.” Good. He didn’t really want to have to argue with a bunch of insane wolverines.
Knowing the uncles were an acquired taste and offended people all too easily, he said, “I’d better head over there to ensure they don’t try giving her a Russian name or some shit.”
He began to shoulder his way through the crowd toward her. His cat moodily retreated to his corner, having only come forward to hear Luke’s news—or lack thereof—regarding the Vercetti Pack. The feline had been doing his best to ignore Quinley all night, though he hadn’t been all too successful at it. She wasn’t someone who anyone would find easy to overlook.
Two familiar females appeared in front of Isaiah, making him halt.
“Hi, again,” said Raya with a little wave.
Adaline gave him a warm but stern smile.
Isaiah held back a sigh. “You’ve come to warn me that I’d better be good to your sister or you will slit my throat in my sleep.”
They exchanged a look.
“We were actually thinking more along the lines of disemboweling you,” said Raya.
Alllllll right. “I’m not going to hurt your sister,” he assured them.
“Maybe not intentionally,” said Adaline. “We just want to be sure she isn’t going to be second best in your eyes. We get that you would have preferred to bond with your true mate—most shifters universally would. But we’d like to have the assurance that you’re not going to be looking at Quinley wishing she was someone else.”
Isaiah gave them a sober look. “That’s not how it will be. She’ll officially be my mate as of tonight. That’s what I’ll see when I look at her—my mate. I won’t lie to you, it may take a while for us to form any kind of emotional ties. We’re pretty much strangers to each other. A mating brand won’t change that. But she’ll be my priority.”
A glimmer of surprised humor appeared in Adaline’s eyes. “You don’t anticipate that her wearing your brand will have any emotional impact on you?”
“No,” he replied.
Raya’s nose wrinkled. “You don’t think it will make you possessive or anything?”
“Maybe a teensy bit, but … why are you both smiling?”
Adaline coughed into her fist as if to hide a chuckle. “No reason. We’ll take you at your word and trust that Quinley won’t be competing with the woman you were fated to have. But if we find out you hurt her …”