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)
“That’s true about the recusals,” Solomon called out helpfully.
Nadia glared at him. This was entirely unbelievable.
He blanched. “I didn’t know any of this, I assure you.”
Nadia sought out Caidrik, who stood still, looking stunned. Yeah. That’s how she felt. Maybe being the Alphas of this crazy pack wasn’t such a great idea.
Gail finished reading and shut the book.
“Well?” Taryn called out from next to Solomon.
Gail exhaled. “There’s nothing in there that helps. Nadia is disqualified as the trophy, and if she and Caidrik mated, so is he.” She clapped her hands over her eyes. “The Slate Pack rules are pretty clear.”
Disappointment flashed through Nadia. Was Solomon strong enough to protect the pack? Maybe Taryn could be. Wait a minute. That wasn’t good enough. Not even close. She gulped and stood, taking a chance. “I guess there’s only one solution.”
Solomon stood taller. “Yes?”
“I abdicate from the Slate Pack.” Nadia said the words clearly.
Bussy looked up at her and then stood. “What are you doing?” she whispered loudly.
Nadia looked toward Caidrik. “I’m thinking you should start your own pack.”
Margaret bounded up. “Totally agree. I abdicate from the Slate Pack and request to join Caidrik’s pack.”
Gail held the grimoire against her chest. “Me, too.”
All around Nadia, pack members stood tall, leaving the Slate Pack, until every single one had joined Caidrik’s. Well, except for Solomon and Taryn. Caidrik watched the pack members, looking a little bemused.
Bussy clapped her hands together.
Caidrik’s jaw went slack and then tightened.
Solomon shook his head. “The holdings all belong to the Slate Pack.”
“We’re rich,” Taryn yelled.
Nadia sorted through what she’d read in the grimoire. “No, you’re not.” She tried to remember the language. “If more than half of the pack tries to re-organize, the holdings go with them.” She had wondered how that could ever happen.
“That’s true,” Solomon winced, kicking at a piece of ice. He looked down at Taryn. “I really like you. I guess we could abdicate and join Caidrik’s pack.”
The female sighed, her brows drawn. She scrubbed a hand down her face. “Fine. I’ll join the new pack.”
Margaret whistled happily. “Caidrik? What should we call our new pack? I’m thinking the Slate Pack 2.0.”
Nadia laughed, joy whipping through her.
He stared at her. “That depends. Come here, Nadia.”
“Oh, my,” Bussy whispered.
Nadia’s legs trembled, but she slid down the bleachers and then descended to where he stood on the track. “Hi.”
“Hi. I think this is how you said it must be done.” Then, in front of the entire pack, the strongest badass any of them had ever seen, dropped to one knee. “There is nothing in this world more important than you. I’ll take on this pack, but only if you’re by my side. I love you. Marry me?”
Joy, the real kind, blew through her. “Yes.”
The pack roared with glee.
He stood and kissed her, pressing a hand to her lower back. His lips wandered along hers.
She leaned back and smiled, flattening her hands on his wounded chest. “I love you, Caidrik McGregor.” She was an organizer and a planner, but nothing could’ve prepared her for this. “Forever.”
Epilogue
In the history of the world, there had never been a more beautiful bride than Emily Nightsom. It was impossible.
Nadia stared at her sister and batted back tears. “I took tons of pictures,” she breathed as she and Em freshened up in the bridal suite after the most romantic wedding possible. The groom, Jackson Tryne, had quite predictably not waited for permission to kiss his bride. Several times during the wedding, in fact. The officiant had finally smacked him on the nose. Not that it had helped.
“I want to watch the video already.” Nadia studied her sister. Her white gown glimmered with diamond sparkles from the heart-shaped neckline and tight bodice to the flowing material that fell to the floor. The dress was stunning but the bride breathtaking. Philip had cried during the ceremony as a very proud father. Emily’s black eyes held depth and more sparkle than the dress, and her blonde hair, piled high on her head, shone with true platinum shimmer. “Emily, you’re like the sun.”
Emily snorted. “You’re poetic.” She turned, smoothing her hand down the bodice. “One more week, and we would’ve had to let this out.”
“Pregnancy looks good on you,” Nadia noted. Heck. Everything looked good on Em.
“Love looks good on you, little sister.” Emily’s smile softened.
Nadia shook her hips to make her dark green dress swirl around her ankles. “I’m the big sister, remember? The oldest, anyway.” By an entire year.
“I’m taller.”
Yeah, so was everyone else. “What evs.”
Emily coughed. “Lingo? You’ve been spending too much time with the teenagers.”
“They’re good planners.” Nadia had been working on the proposals to combine farming land for all four of the Stope packs, located in every direction. The kids were big thinkers. She leaned in and hugged her sister. “Let’s get back to the party.”