Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87193 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“You might be a little busy,” he said, nodding toward the side table.
Bussy hustled over and grabbed two large manila envelopes, handing one to her sister.
“This is interesting,” Isaac muttered.
A flurry of sound erupted outside, followed by rapid footsteps. The door burst open to reveal a beautiful female.
“Sorry,” Glynis said, breathless as she edged around the newcomer. “I told her you were all busy, but she wouldn’t listen.”
The female stepped fully into the room. “Listening isn’t one of my best skills.” She had to be at least six feet tall with long black hair falling straight down her back, and striking blue eyes the color of a sparkling pond in summer. She looked around once, assessing. “I’m Taryn Rook,” she said. “Current member of the Ravencall Pack.”
Luca slowly set his coffee cup on the table. “Taryn,” he said carefully. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“Hello?” Isaac said, looking the woman up and down. His brows lifted slightly. “You have some very nice height.”
“Thank you for noticing.” Taryn smiled to reveal perfectly spaced white teeth. She didn’t look the least bit uncomfortable under the scrutiny. If anything, she seemed to enjoy it. “It has come to my attention that it’s quite possible there can be more than one challenge in this situation.”
The room felt like it tilted a degree off center. Chairs creaked as bodies shifted, attention snapping fully to her.
Taryn turned her head toward Solomon. “I take it you’re the librarian.”
“I am.” Solomon straightened, somehow making himself look even taller, his shoulders squaring. “What can I do for you?”
“Well.” She winked at him, quick and confident. “I’d like to challenge for the trophy position.”
Nadia took a step back before she could stop herself. Her heel caught slightly on the rug, and she steadied herself by clenching her calves. What in all that was holy? She swiveled toward Solomon. “Is that something that can happen?”
Solomon tugged at his amethyst-colored tie and glanced around the assembled group, clearly recalibrating. “Well, yes. I hadn’t thought it would come up, but it can.” He leaned over the grimoire and flipped several pages. “See, right here. If new challengers arrive, someone can challenge to be the mate without being related to the current Alpha, Philip Nightsom.”
“Please tell me we don’t have to fight to the death,” Nadia said. The woman had several inches of height on her, and Nadia hadn’t been training to fight.
“Absolutely not,” Caidrik said lowly.
“No, no, no,” Solomon echoed, shaking his head. “It’s not a fight to the death. Not at all.” He leaned forward again, reading, then flipped the page quickly. “Basically, if there’s more than one trophy, the ah, trophy challengers must go through at least one trial with each challenger. Once an Alpha wins, it looks like—hmm. Interesting.”
This was not interesting. “What?” Nadia asked.
“Well, long story short, the new Alpha chooses.” Solomon nodded.
Margaret leaned closer, peering over Solomon’s shoulder. “He can choose anybody?”
Solomon snapped the book shut. “Yes, he can choose someone not even from this pack so long as the trophy challenger has Alpha blood and has endured at least one trial with him. I suppose that’s so he can see how well they work together?”
“I assure you that I do have Alpha blood,” Taryn said softly.
“She does,” Luca said, leaning back and crossing his arms.
Nadia looked from one to the other. “Are you two related?”
“No,” Taryn said immediately. “Of course not.”
“We’re not,” Luca added. “Totally different lineages. I hadn’t realized the trophy could be challenged.”
“That’s because you don’t think things through all the way,” Taryn said lightly. Then she turned to the men. “Hi. I’m Taryn.”
Isaac smiled. “I seriously like your height.”
“Thank you. I like yours as well.” She held confidence like most people did a weapon.
Nadia studied the newcomer. Taryn was tall, fit, and dressed for the occasion in a bright red sweater and tight leather pants tucked into impressive black boots. She looked like she could fight. Worse, she looked like she’d enjoy it.
If Nadia’s family lost leadership of the pack entirely, it would destroy her father. Maybe Emily too. And from the looks of it, if Luca or Isaac won, they’d choose Taryn as the next Alpha mate. Nadia was almost certain Caidrik would choose her, and she didn’t care what Bulwark wanted. He was a monster.
She shivered. “Taryn,” Nadia said softly.
The woman turned.
“Is anybody else coming to challenge me, or just you?”
Taryn shrugged her delicate shoulders. “I have no idea. But the sooner we get this over with, the better. I can handle the competition.” Her gaze narrowed. “Can you?”
“Absolutely.” Though Nadia hadn’t counted on this new complication. She momentarily longed for the days when she wasn’t with a pack and just planned farming land for a group of wolves. Wonderful ones who now were a part of Emily’s new pack.
“One more thing.” Solomon scratched his head. “Apparently the trophies can kill each other during this process as well.”