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)
Maybe they could link Slate Pack and Copper Pack territory through a series of farms that connected their lands. They’d have to buy some of the property from humans, but such a plan might be workable. She would love to farm with her old friends again, and the endeavor would help both packs.
She finished showering, finally warm, and pulled on thick pajamas and wonderfully plush socks. Her muscles loosened as the chill faded.
Hopefully Caidrik was safe and not being forced to jump into more freezing water. Her body was deliciously sore from her night with him, and her anxiety way up. Feelings swamped her, and she tried to focus. The guy was overwhelming, and she wanted him. Again. Maybe forever.
But what was best for him? For the pack?
She reached for her laptop just as her phone buzzed. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Em. What are you up to?”
It felt good to have somebody who cared. “Oh, so much.” Nadia sank onto the edge of the bed and gave her sister the full lowdown of the last few days.
“Whoa. You and Caidrik. I always saw it happening, but not during the trials. What if you guys get caught?”
Nadia rubbed her nose. One part of her still felt chilly from being dunked in the river. “We weren’t thinking about that, but you’re right. We’ve got to be a lot more careful.” She swallowed. “When are you coming home?”
“I am home,” Emily said softly. “But I’d love to come see you as soon as all this is over. We got tired of Dad pacing the place, so we sent him on a cruise.”
Nadia burst out laughing. “You sent Philip on a cruise?”
“A singles cruise,” Emily snorted.
“That’s awesome,” Nadia said, already scrolling through code on the laptop. She needed Solomon’s help. Soon. “Ooh. Interesting.”
She’d typed in odd snippets she’d collected written in the unknown ancient language, and it looked like she was getting closer to creating some sort of translation program. She’d meet with Solomon the next day to actually use some of the language from the grimoire, if he let her. For now, he was overseeing the trials tonight. Thank goodness she didn’t have to participate. “Um, Emily? Could you give me a list of older pack members who might remember the last time we had a challenge for the Alpha position?”
Emily sighed. “Sure, but I can almost guarantee they don’t remember what’s in the grimoire, even if they knew at one time. Dad already told you that.”
“I know, but text it to me anyway, okay?” She had to know what was in that darn book, just in case there was a gray area or a way out that Solomon hadn’t found.
A knock sounded at her door.
“Hello, dear,” Bussy said.
Nadia’s fingers stilled over the keyboard. “Oh, hey. Em, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“All right,” Emily said, then clicked off.
“Come on in.” Nadia sat on the bed with a blanket over her legs and moved it aside as Bussy walked in, Margaret right on her heels.
“We’re stationed at your home until these trials are over,” Bussy said.
“Yes, I know,” Nadia said. “The whole chaste thing.”
Margaret rolled her eyes. “Exactly.” She took a chair near the settee. “We just wanted to make sure you’re okay after being dunked in the river. We can’t believe Bulwark did that. He, of course, is being disqualified.”
Margaret nodded vigorously. “Yes. We’ve been searching for a way to get rid of that jerk for assaulting you, anyway. Right now, Solomon’s looking through the language on how to do that publicly, because Bulwark won’t be the Alpha of this pack. You and Caidrik might have to make statements tomorrow.”
“Okay. No problem.” Nadia had been waiting for details. Her chest tightened anyway. “Please tell me somebody found Isaac.”
Bussy sighed and looked down at her hands. Unlike yesterday, today she wore a bright pink tracksuit, dulled only slightly as she sat next to Margaret, who was wearing bright yellow. The colors almost hurt Nadia’s eyes, but she appreciated the normalcy of it.
“I’m afraid so. Isaac didn’t make it,” Bussy said.
Nadia closed her eyes for a second and mourned the male she had barely met. He’d seemed like a nice guy. Honest. Maybe a little judgmental, but that wasn’t terrible.
“It’s so sad,” Margaret said slowly. “We’ll return him to his people. For now, we need to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am. Caidrik saved me again,” Nadia said.
Bussy clapped her hands together. “It’s a good thing we like him. Although Luca’s being surprisingly resilient.”
“They’re the only two left standing,” Margaret said. “You go on one of Luca’s challenges with him tomorrow, correct?”
Nadia gulped. “Yes, but I don’t know what it is yet. I’m not having much luck with the trials.”
“I know,” Bussy said, frowning.
“Solomon didn’t tell us what you’ll be doing tomorrow,” Margaret said, “but we’ll make sure there are more safeguards in place. I’m quite surprised it’s been this dangerous.”