Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
The alphas all around the table nodded solemnly.
“You overcame a lot in your youth, is that correct?” Selene asked.
Austin tightened in unease. “I created more conflict than I overcame. My brother is an incredible alpha. He nurtures the good in people, even when those people don’t deserve it. He gave me a second chance. That time around, I knew better than to squander it.”
Selene looked at Barek, who gave the briefest of nods.
“Shows some big balls to admit you were the problem,” Fenric said, and it was probably the explanation for the previous silent exchange. That had been a test. They’d wondered if Austin would play victim or make light of the things he’d done. They wondered if he’d fess up. His answer would define the sort of man he was and let them know if he could be trusted at his word.
A few years ago, he might’ve answered differently or refused to answer at all. He’d been carrying around a lot of guilt and shame, and he wouldn’t want to expose the monster he’d been.
Now, however, he had a woman who loved him despite all his faults. She knew about his past, knew his darkness and the things he wasn’t proud of, and loved him anyway. She’d helped mend what was broken between him and his brother, and what was broken in himself, so that now he could look these people in the eyes and admit his faults. He could own his past grievances knowing he was doing something to make up for them.
“It seems like we’ve heard all about your life,” Fenric said. “I hate drama. I don’t care about rumors, and yet I’ve heard much more about you than I care to admit. Now I’m realizing that people were eager to believe the bad and disregard the good as nothing more than tall tales.” His voice reduced to a murmur. “It’s bullshit.”
“There’s only a few that are pushing the tall tale angle at this point, though.” Selene pushed her wheat-colored hair over her shoulder. “And they’re just worried about the power aspect. They have more power than Kingsley and worry they won’t have more power than the little brother.”
Drex barked a laugh. “They’ve been fed with a silver spoon all their lives. They didn’t have to fight for anything. Sure, maybe they got challenged a time or two, but they’ve never known what it is to be against insurmountable odds and decide you’ll go down fighting rather than give in. Until they know that, they don’t have a prayer against Austin Steele.”
“O’ course they don’t.” Niamh walked in with a beer and sat down at the table. “And that is why they are going to do everything in their power to avoid a challenge. Now. Are we finished with the pleasantry nonsense? I need to get this sorted quick-like. There’s a lovely bartender downtown I’m on the verge of cracking. He is going to yell at me. I can feel it. This is a great test of my skills, like. If I can get under his skin, I can do anything.”
“We have a bet on,” Fenric told Austin. “I know that bartender. Too damn cheerful. No one can ruin his day.”
Selene rolled her eyes. “It is a wonder that you two are even trying.”
21
Nessa
Sebastian snored softly on the couch in the living room. Jessie was comfortable in her room, sound asleep. Nessa left a glass of water near each of them before picking up the dessert and stepping out the door.
Tristan’s residence was two houses down. The clouds had mostly cleared away, leaving the sun to beat down on the neighborhood. Gargoyles flew overhead, patrolling in their formations. Members of the convocation wandered the street, coming or going. With Austin meeting the alphas by himself and Jessie indisposed, the rest of their people had time off.
“Ah, Nessa, there you are.” Mr. Tom came out of the house she was passing with a full grocery bag in one hand and a bundle of what looked like blankets under the other arm. He looked at the cloth-covered plate in her hands. “What are you doing?”
“I’m just taking this to Tristan—“
“Yes, fine. The miss is sleeping, I trust?”
“Yes, she’s—“
“Fantastic. I just have to pop in to Ulric and then I will take over watching her. She shouldn’t be alone. She might need something and have to fend for herself.” He walked into the street to cut across to Ulric’s residence up the way.
It was as though he’d forgotten that Jessie had been a wife and mother, raising a son and a man-child for nearly twenty years. She could look after herself if need be.
Then again, if you didn’t have to why bother?
Nessa hurried on her way. The dessert was best warm and soon it wouldn’t be. She let herself into the residence and heard someone chatting in the living room. She popped her head around the corner and found two gargoyles she didn’t know well. She couldn’t remember their names.