Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Only shifters can do that,” I assured him. “Which I am not. And you smell really good yourself, just so you’re aware.”
Instantly, he lifted his head, and there was his grin, wicked and hot. “Oh yeah? You wanna come closer and take a big whiff?”
“Who is the beta of your pack?”
“Weird subject change.”
It wasn’t, though, because as much as I already liked him, was intrigued by him, and very much wanted to know what he tasted like, I was, I knew, not at all what he needed.
“Who’s your beta?” I repeated. “It’s a simple question.”
“We don’t have one.”
“Every pack has one. The beta makes sure everyone follows the rules, and they’re the one you go to before your alpha.”
“Not in our pack. There’s never been one.”
“There was one,” I corrected him. “Abel was your father’s beta.”
“How do you know that?”
“Every pack needs a beta,” I stated.
“That’s up to Abel now, and Justin, someday, when Abel steps aside. It has nothing to do with me.”
“I think it has everything to do with you, which is why I’m no good for you.”
“What’re you—”
“You need a nice wolf to settle down with, because you’re going to need a partner who can help you lead the pack.”
It took a moment for my words to sink in, but when they did, he frowned, which saddened me. I had wanted us to be friends, at least, but my honesty, although he’d said he wanted it, was going to kill all hope of that. “What are you talking about?”
“We both know Abel isn’t fit to lead. There’s no power there. It can’t have escaped your notice that Justin isn’t strong either.”
“He will be when it’s time for him to—”
“I don’t believe for a second that you think Justin will ever make a good alpha.”
“Well, what you believe is of no importance in the area of what Justin can become.”
“Which is fine, but we both know that someday you’re going to have to challenge either Abel or Justin for the pack. And when that time comes, you’ll need a powerful mate to help you with that. Another wolf who can stand at your side.”
He got up then, and I could feel the irritation rolling off him. “You don’t know anything about me. I don’t want to be the alpha, and no matter what you or Reggie or Fletcher or anyone else says, I’m not about to challenge for control of the pack. My aunt and uncle, and even my cousin, all of them were very good to me and Evan when we lost our father. I would never betray them or the home they provided.”
“It’s not a betrayal if it’s what was always supposed to happen,” I said solemnly. “You also have to think about what’s best for the pack.”
“You have no idea what you’re—”
“You were supposed to be alpha after your father. Abel is a second son, and Justin is his. That’s not the line of the alpha, and why you’re deluding yourself, I have no idea.”
He shook his head and strode over to the front door to put his shoes back on. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“A pack only works if the strongest wolf leads. Period.”
“Did Reggie put you up to this?” He was almost shouting at me. “Or Fletcher? They think just because I wanna fuck you, you’ll be able to talk me into fighting Abel for the pack?”
“You don’t know me, but I would never do that. I’m just telling you what I see.”
“Well, maybe see less. I’m sorry I bothered you,” he said snidely before he spun around, flung the door open, and stomped back down my front steps, leaving the door ajar.
My first impulse, even though he was angry, was to follow and beg him to come back. It wasn’t at all like me, which was confusing. But I resisted, because this fight about the truth was inevitable. The Swann Pack needed Cole to be alpha. Just being around them all for a short time, it was obvious.
His energy was right. The strength that rolled off him put you at ease, made you feel safe, and of course there was that raw animal magnetism that I’d never met a true alpha without. None of that was present with Abel Swann or his son. And no matter what Narah hoped, no matter what she wanted for Justin, no one was missing that fact. Because yes, Justin was handsome, but there was no heat that jumped off him at all. Wolves were earthy creatures, and sex was something that drove them, plain and simple. It was one of the primal draws of every alpha. Other wolves craved being near them for safety, discipline, and to mate. Narah had told me last night that her wolves didn’t realize that Abel didn’t exude the command and virility other alphas did, but honestly, she was lying to herself. They knew, and it was why I didn’t feel the warmth and connection that was present in other packs. They were people living in a community together, but they were not a family. Not a pack. All of that came back to the leader, and they didn’t have one with any power.