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)
“Yeah, thanks for that,” Emily said, not so quietly.
Solomon blinked, looking up. “Ms. Nightsom, the pack elected me to the librarian position, and I followed the guidelines in the grimoire.”
Yeah, the guidelines nobody else even knew existed. Why had Nadia dug that old book out of the basement? She was nosy and curious, darn it. And look where it got her. Plus, the final third of the book was in a language she couldn’t decipher.
Solomon was one of the few who could read the old language, and once elected as the librarian, the only person who could keep the grimoire during the trials. Most of the old timers couldn’t even remember what was in the ancient book.
Philip motioned for Solomon to continue.
The young wolf shifter looked back down. “As per the rules, when a new Alpha not in the direct lineage of the current Alpha challenges for the position, it’s open to everyone with Alpha blood. Something that hasn’t happened in centuries.” He looked up at the males. “In a moment, I’ll ask for you to introduce yourself to the pack and state your lineage, which I’ve already verified.” A light pink tinged his cheeks. “Since, ah, our current Alpha has an unencumbered daughter, she, ah, I mean.” He swallowed again. Loudly. “She is, um, available as a, I’m sorry, a trophy to be gained as well as the position.” He blanched. “I’m sorry. That’s what the book says. I’m do apologize.” He chewed on his lip.
“Why are we following this damn book?” Emily snapped.
Good question. Such a freaking good question.
Philip sighed. “I totally agree, but the law can’t be changed until a new Alpha takes over and changes it.” He wiped a hand down his face, looking too pale in the winter light. “I’ve been the Alpha for a long time, my father before that, my grandfather before him, and so on. We haven’t worried about a challenge for a long time, and I should’ve changed the laws. Didn’t think it mattered, really.” He shook his head. “Oh, there were still trials to endure, and the next Alpha might want to change that as well, but there wasn’t competition.”
“To the death,” Solomon provided helpfully.
Nadia’s gaze went to Caidrik again. If anything, his eyes burned hotter. She tore her attention away, her body rioting from his heated stare. As usual. “I don’t want anybody to die because of this. What if I choose one of you, the rest of you back out, and that’s the end of it? I understand the soon-to-be-Alpha will still go through trials, but it’d be alone and without the danger of definite death.”
“Works for me,” Caidrik drawled.
Her head snapped up. He didn’t know she’d choose him. In fact, there was something dangerous about him—more so than the others. Well, than three of the others. The fourth, Bulwark, was too much like Caidrik. On the surface, anyway.
“Not for me,” Bulwark said, glancing at Caidrik. “While my half-brother seems confident, I plan to kill him quickly, so we might as well do this with a prize in mind.”
Fury roared through Nadia so quickly her eyes hurt. “You tried to kill me, you asshole.” He’d stuck a silver knife into her back after she and Em had been kidnapped in December. He’d worked with their enemies in an effort to take over both packs.
“’Twas a mistake, I assure you,” Bulwark said. “One excused now because of the Alpha challenge, since you have Alpha blood in you and there’s an opening here. You could take the mantle, you know.”
Yeah, right. She’d have to fight for her position daily, every time one of these bigger and stronger wolves challenged her. She was raised as a farmer, not a fighter, and never had thought of leading a pack. How in the world had she ended up in this position? “Maybe I’ll kill you.” There was no maybe about it.
He flashed his teeth, looking like his brother. Like Caidrik, who was a pain in the ass but would never stab a female in the back. “I am greatly looking forward to you trying it, little blonde one,” Bulwark said.
What a shitty nickname.
Solomon tapped the book. “Remember that you all have made a blood oath that nobody will take or harm Nadia during this process. Should anyone try, you will be disqualified, and probably hunted by the pack. If we choose.”
“I like that idea,” Nadia said softly, meaning it. She could just leave, but as she looked out at the pack members beyond the challengers, at the fear and uneasiness on their faces, she steeled her spine. She already loved this pack, and she wouldn’t desert them. Why hadn’t she learned to fight instead of farm her entire life?
Solomon continued. “Her safety is paramount. Since we have challengers, each of you will endure ten trials meant to test you in every way possible.”