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)
“Well, honey,” Bussy’s voice came through loud and clear, “I believe your mother is here.”
Chapter 17
Caidrik helped Nadia to her feet and finished zipping up her jeans before she could reach for the zipper herself. His movements were brisk and controlled, more about restoring order than modesty. Then he turned and strode out of the sunroom, cutting through the house without looking back.
What in the world was his mother doing there?
He pushed through the front door and stepped onto the porch. Cold air bit at his skin immediately, sharp and clean. Frost dusted the edges of the steps and clung to the railing. He scanned the area, already knowing what he would see.
She stood on the sidewalk looking as beautiful as ever.
“Hi, Mom,” he said.
Helena McGregor waited beneath the bare winter trees, flanked by two enforcers who had not aged a day since his childhood. She wore a long scarlet gown that brushed the pavement and a heavy coat that looked like fur. As a wolf shifter, it probably wasn’t real, but with his mother, one never assumed anything. Her posture was relaxed, shoulders back, chin lifted. She had never learned how to enter a place quietly.
“Hello, dear,” she said.
Nadia came up beside him without hesitation. Her head tilted as she took in the scene, curiosity written all over her face.
Caidrik sighed. “Nadia Hodge,” he said, “please meet my mother, Helena McGregor. Mother, this is Nadia Hodge from the Nightsom lineage.”
“Hi,” Helena said, her tone bright and energetic. Her thick dark hair had been piled high on her head in an elegant twist. A few strands had escaped and softened the severity of her face. Her deep brown eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence and something that looked suspiciously like delight. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“You as well.” Nadia hurried down the steps and offered her hand. “Please come inside. It’s cold out here.”
“I’d be delighted.” Helena cut him a glance of approval. She must’ve liked the look of Nadia.
The two women climbed the steps together and entered the house as if they had known each other for years. Caidrik watched them go, then dragged in a slow breath through his nose and fought the very real urge to shift and run straight into the forest. “Frank. Albert.”
Both males nodded. They were ancient by wolf standards and had flanked his mother since his father’s death. Their presence alone had ended more than one confrontation without a word being spoken.
“You two want to come inside?” he asked.
Frank snorted. “No. Hate indoors.”
“That’s what I figured.” Caidrik looked around. “Don’t kill anybody, all right?” He turned and followed the women back inside. The living room felt smaller with his mother in it, as if the space itself had adjusted around her. Nadia had already seated her on the sofa. Helena politely refused tea and coffee with a wave of her hand.
Caidrik took a chair across from them. “Mom,” he said, “what are you doing here?”
Nadia shifted slightly at his tone.
Helena smiled at him. The grin was familiar. Mischievous. Dangerous. “I heard that you and your brother might fight to the death, so I thought I’d come stop it.”
Nadia lifted a hand to her mouth, then let it fall. Her eyes flicked to Caidrik for help.
He kept his tone as level as he could. “Bulwark threw Nadia, the Nightsom heir, off a cliff. He tried to kill her. I don’t have a choice.”
Helena blinked rapidly. “You must have some sort of choice. Come on. You’re going to be the Alpha, right? Or at least one of you is.”
“Bulwark isn’t,” Nadia cut in quickly. “He violated the rules when he tried to end my life.”
“Well,” Helena said thoughtfully, “it’s probably for the best that Bulwark doesn’t lead a pack this size or with this much strength. He always did have a terrible temper.”
Caidrik closed his eyes for half a second. This was going to be a very long conversation.
“I’m not sure Bulwark is made to be an Alpha,” Helena said thoughtfully. She sat back on the sofa, crossing one elegant ankle over the other, her scarlet skirt pooling neatly around her boots.
Caidrik remained across the room in a hard-backed chair near the window, arms folded, weight forward on his elbows. He watched everything. Especially Nadia. Sure, he figured she’d meet his mother someday, if he became the Alpha and mated her. But right now, everything was up in the air, and he didn’t need one more complication.
Helena tilted her head. “Bulwark would make an excellent enforcer though. Loyal. Ruthless when needed. Do you think he could serve as your enforcer?”
“No,” Caidrik said without hesitation. “He tried to kill Nadia, and he wants me dead. I don’t trust him.”
Nadia glanced at him, then back to Helena. She looked like a new fawn who’d discovered a salt lick. Entranced and wary at the same time.