Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91002 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“I feel like I should create a new name,” Aurora murmured, reaching for her bourbon on the rocks with a twist as Jessie clued into them again. The training was officially starting.
“Your dad is already wary about this setup,” Sue replied. “He worries about your being in Alpha Steele’s territory, given the danger.” This is a passive warning. “I’d give it a while before you spring any new changes on him.”
Jessie shook her head. “No idea.”
“But at least you knew he was communicating something,” Aurora said with an encouraging smile. “That’s good!” She glanced at Sue. “Way too subtle.” And I know. You don’t have to mother me.
Apologies, he replied.
“What’d I miss?” Hollace walked over in that unhurried way of his. The world could be falling down around him and he wouldn’t pick up the pace. The man made an art of looking stylishly unaffected.
Aurora decided she would try to learn it. That sort of thing would be great for morale and peace of mind in a pack, especially in a volatile one like Uncle Auzzie’s.
Jessie blew out a breath and leaned her face against her palm, with her elbow on the bar holding her up. “Not a lot. Broken Sue wiggled a bit, Aurora said a few things before barely twitching, Broken Sue then basically mimed an apology, I think I need a coffee because I’ve just realized how crazy tired I am, and we might be migrating toward calling him Sue instead of Broken Sue. Did you realize how many people we have around here with made-up names? It’s actually quite a lot. What does it say about me that I never noticed?”
“Thunderbird,” Fred murmured absently, staring at Hollace, her eyes tight. “Enormous thunderbird…with lightning…”
“Nuthouse.” Hollace pulled a chair next to Jessie’s. “It keeps things fun.”
Tristan entered the bar with a cocky strut that did wonders to hide his exhaustion. All the senior staff were under a lot of pressure and working long hours. He glanced down the bar, sighting Jessie, before checking his watch. He didn’t veer her way. If he’d wanted practice deciphering body language, it wouldn’t happen now. Instead, he took a seat at the other end, where Uncle Auzzie was talking with two shifters who handled border patrol. They needed to make some adjustments for the people going away.
“Okay, let’s do this.” Fred downed her drink, pushed it aside, pulled the laptop closer, and braced her fingers against the keys. “I’ll rationalize the magic later. Stalking has commenced. Point me in the right direction.”
“Concern!” Jessie pointed at Sue. “He’s concerned.” She bit her lip, her gaze shifting to Fred. “We all are. Hopefully, Fred can help.”
Austin
“Sir, can I have a moment?”
Tristan stood at the bar, waiting. He’d come in earlier to meet about the territory line, then left again with Jessie. He was doing a great job keeping her to task, but the added duties had increased the fatigue that now lined his body.
Austin held in a sigh. He was exhausted, famished, stressed beyond belief, tired of bad news within the alpha and pack rumor mills, and wanted nothing more than to go home to his mate, find a quiet room, and relax. Tristan deserved his time, though.
“Sure.” He stopped at the end of the bar.
Brochan, sitting on his own at the other end, rose and started their way. He’d been in and out all day, meeting their people and conferring with Austin. He was another of their number who had been tasked with more than his fair share of duties, but he didn’t complain. Actually, Brochan constantly asked what more he could do. Neither of these men had downtime, and neither of them voiced their exhaustion or need for a break.
Tristan eyed Austin. “Beer?” He took a seat and pulled out the barstool next to him. “I’m buying. I’m through practicing being a shifter for today.”
Austin allowed himself a smile and gratefully took the seat. The guy on Tristan’s other side grabbed his drink and evacuated, taking his friend with him. Brochan waited for them to get out of the way before sitting next to Tristan.
“You buying me a beer wouldn’t pose a problem,” Austin told Tristan as the bartender, Carla, ignored a customer and headed their way.
“Here? No. In another pack?” Tristan lifted an eyebrow as Brochan settled in. “They wouldn’t look down on a beta buying an alpha a beer?”
Austin barely kept from rubbing his eyes, and then did it anyway. He’d been loosening things up in this territory to compromise with the gargoyle culture. While he didn’t often relax this far, with his two betas sitting here, he figured it couldn’t hurt.
“You’re right,” Austin admitted.
“Then I’d better get it in while I can.” Tristan gave his order to the bartender, followed by Brochan and Austin. “Keep it open,” he instructed, and handed his card across.