Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
On the other hand, Korwyn was a complete stranger to us and would no doubt be considered too young to bear the responsibility of running the pack, though Carter himself had been no more than thirty when he took over from his own uncle, who had died without a son to be his heir.
Still, Korwyn bore the Mark of the Jamison family—he had the crest, and it was glowing even now as Carter’s dead blood called out to his living heir and caused the Mark to light up. How could the Council of Wisdom deny his claim?
All around me, people were speculating in whispers.
“They can’t give it to him—he’s too young,” I heard someone say.
“Yes, but he’s got the Mark. And it’s glowing,” another murmured.
“Harris will make them all wish they were dead if they give the Pack Leadership to that young pup,” someone else said. “Besides, he’s a stranger. How can he lead a pack he doesn’t even know?”
At last, the four old men seemed to reach a consensus because they nodded and came to stand by Korwyn, who was still beside the casket, causing his Mark to glow with golden fire.
“Good evening, Mr. Jamison,” Elder Leary, the head of the Council said, nodding at him formally. “The Council acknowledges your claim to the Pack Leadership—”
“What?” Harris erupted. “You fucking idiots! You can’t just—”
“However,” Elder Leary went on in a loud voice, frowning at Harris. “We cannot, in good conscience, simply hand you the leadership of a Pack whose members you do not even know.”
Korwyn frowned.
“I can get to know them. You can see that my claim is undisputable.” He nodded at the glowing Mark on his chest.
“Yes, we see that. As I said, we acknowledge your claim, but we cannot simply hand you the leadership of our Pack,” Elder Leary said. “However, we can give you the opportunity to earn it.”
“Earn it? How?” Korwyn asked.
Elder Leary puffed up his chest importantly.
“It is our judgment that you may stay here and enter the Alpha Challenge in two weeks’ time. If, at that time, you prevail over all the other Alphas, we will grant you the leadership of the Pack. Until then, you will be a guest in our town—nothing more.”
Korwyn’s mouth twisted.
“So I have to fight for what should be legally mine?”
“That is the judgment of the Council, yes.” Elder Leary nodded sternly.
I wondered if the young man was going to explode with anger or start shouting like Harris Murdoch had. However, he simply nodded his head.
“Very well,” he said. “I accept the ruling of the Council. I’ll stay here and get to know everyone and in two weeks, I’ll enter the Alpha Challenge and prove by strength as well as blood, that I am the rightful heir and the new Pack Leader.”
“Good luck finding any place to stay,” Harris sneered. He raised his voice. “I want to put everyone on notice right now—whoever offers this upstart pup a place to lay his head will officially be on my shit list once I’m the Pack Leader!”
A murmur ran through the crowd and people began backing away. No one, it seemed, dared to make Harris Murdoch angry.
No one but me.
I looked at the young man—looked at his broad shoulders and golden skin…his strong back and muscular arms—and thought that maybe he might have a chance. Maybe he could beat Harris—if he was lucky.
If we were both lucky, because if he didn’t beat the other Alpha, I would be paying the price. Harris had already said he intended to marry me, take my property and money, and breed me every night, whether I wanted him to or not. That sounded like Hell on Earth to me.
I had to take a chance.
“He can stay with me,” I said, and though I didn’t speak very loudly, everyone in the funeral parlor fell silent and every eye was on me at once.
“What did you say?” Harris Murdoch demanded, glaring at me.
“I said that Korwyn can stay at Wolverton Manor,” I said, raising my voice. “I refuse to let the kin of my late husband sleep in the cold,” I added, lifting my chin. “The laws of Pack hospitality forbid it.”
Which was true enough—at least I had Pack Law to fall back on for my decision.
“Well, thank you.” Korwyn nodded at me graciously. “I’ll be pleased to accept your offer…?”
“Vivienne,” I said, giving him my name, though I still hadn’t raised my veil. “My name is Vivienne Jamison—I was the wife of your late uncle. Welcome home, Korwyn.”
There was another murmured gasp as the Pack listened to me acknowledge the family connection between Carter and Korwyn. I might not have much power in this town, but as the wife of the late Pack Leader, I did still have considerable status. And by using my status to give Korwyn’s claims legitimacy, I was officially lending him my support—which meant a great deal.