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)
He stopped ten feet away, probably closer than he wanted to, but too far for this to be a meeting of equals. Drex Ashvale would not be able to stand in his beast’s way. There was no doubt in Austin’s mind that the end of this meeting would result in a challenge. Jess was about to get some practice as a referee.
“Yes,” Austin said, his own darkness rising in expectation. “And you must be Alpha Ashvale, original alpha of the Stonefang pack.”
Drex inclined his head. “You have every bit as much power as I have heard, but ten times more control. It’s a testament to your stature.”
Again, showing respect, alluding to Austin being an alpha worthy of high praise. Too bad their damned animals had to make things difficult.
He inclined his head in thanks. “I must confess, I haven’t heard a tremendous amount about you. What I have heard seems to be in line with your greeting.”
Drex didn’t balk at the small dig. “On purpose, yes. I wanted to see what manner of alpha you were. How you would react.” He paused for a moment. “We were setup to ambush you”—he turned and pointed farther up the road—“just over the berm there. You stopped early. How’d you know?”
Austin was silent for a beat, holding that weighted, aggressive, challenging stare.
“That is a question for my mate. Have a care how you speak to her,” Austin said, his voice laced with warning. “I have no control when it pertains to her.”
A rush of rage filled his bearing. He would burn down the world if anyone were to harm her, and it was imperative this alpha knew that. Ashvale’s people would not be safe if she were harmed. No one would.
Subtle movements flared along the alpha’s body. His head inclined slightly, almost imperceptibly. Respect.
“Understood,” Drex said. At least he had the same values where it concerned mates.
“Jess,” Austin said.
He felt her hand slip into his as she moved to his side. She was giving him comfort, though she did not understand the root of the hostility. She likely never would. It wasn’t how she or her beast worked, fighting those you hoped to align with. She did, however, understand a threat to her people, and he could feel her swirling hostility and knew that she had a firm hold on her magic.
“Hello,” she said to Drex. Her tone was pleasant and light, accommodating, like this wasn’t a standoff and she wasn’t prepared to splatter his people across the dirt. The woman was perfect for her role as leader. “I’m Jessie Ironheart. You can call me Jessie. You are wearing the Ivy House uniform.”
As though pulled by a string, Drex’s bunched muscles smoothed, and his posture loosened, releasing his tension. Whatever issues his beast had with Austin, they did not extend to Jess.
“I am,” he said, less gruffly. “I like to keep abreast of the goings-on in the magical community, and I saw a random comment about the absurdity of your training outfits. I wondered if it bothered you.”
He paused for a reaction and was rewarded with an entire conversation in body language. First, Jess turned to give Sebastian a look, probably pertaining to the comment about Elliot Graves wearing something like that to get a rise out of her, and then she turned back in utter confusion.
“It’s a cover-up,” she said, crinkling her nose at him. “What are they looking for, a tux? Who wastes their time commenting on stuff like that?”
Drex’s eyes started to glitter. “True. And honestly, now that I am wearing one, I find it quite airy and nice.”
“That’s what our phoenix says,” she responded, displeased. “She could’ve told you herself, but you made her stay at the motel.”
Drex’s eyebrows pulled together marginally, and his lips tightened. Wariness.
“Yes,” he said, his tone even. “Given how we planned to test Alpha Steele, I had concerns about the more dangerous members of your pack—or convocation, if that is more apt. I now realize we still allowed you too much power for what we planned. I confess, I didn’t believe the rumors regarding your reputed might. Not when slimmed down and in comparison to mine, I mean. I’ve put together a solid team. A powerful team, filled with honed and trained fighters. No one has ever topped their combined power. I knew, with a phoenix, basajaunak, and battle-hardened fliers, you’d give me a run for my money. I didn’t think, in my wildest dreams, this slimmed down version of your crew would cause me to fear for my people.”
He paused, and for the first time, let his gaze slip beyond the line to the team with them.
“I didn’t believe the shifter beta was a past alpha,” he admitted. “People tend to inflate a beta’s ability when they are above average. His name didn’t register—I assume it has been changed and the past forgotten? But yes, there he is, with power nearly equaling my own.” He shook his head. “And the gargoyle, larger than life, with his shadows and his subtle challenges that most people won’t engage in. He can plainly see that I am not one of those people. I have a feeling I’ll only get such a challenge in a dark alley when we can fight dirty and no one will know.”