Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“You’re new in town?”
“I’m visiting my mate’s family for the holidays. They are not affiliated with magic.”
Creases formed between their brows. They didn’t know what to make of that.
“The Agoura Pack is newly established with firm territory markers in place,” Blondie said, adjusting his stance to be more authoritative. “You’ll need to request passage at your earliest convenience.” He pulled a card out of his back pocket. “This is the information. Your call will be expected within twenty-four hours, but because of your stature, it would be better for all parties if you didn’t wait so long.”
Despite the tension at the onset of the meeting, Austin had to own that these territory enforcers were keeping things professional. Regardless of how new their pack was, they were adhering to the accepted code of conduct. He’d do them the favor of backing down on his dominant posturing.
He took the card and slipped it into his back pocket, softly blowing out a breath. I’ve got a conflict of interest.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Austin said, releasing his other hand from his pocket but hooking his thumb in his belt loop. “My mate has a dinner scheduled tonight with her ex-husband. It’s the first time she’s seeing him since the divorce and the first time I’m meeting him. I can’t miss that dinner. I’m sure you understand. I’ll call after we leave the coffee shop and explain.”
Blondie nodded, stepping back a little. “Very good. I fully understand the need to enforce your claim. I’ve done likewise a time or two, and my girlfriend at the time was always glad for the backup.”
“Fact,” one of the other shifters said.
Austin turned to leave but hesitated. “Are there any other packs in the Los Angeles area I need to be concerned about? I’d thought the whole area was devoid of organized packs.”
Their shoulders tightened, one and all.
Blondie said, “At present, no other packs are established.” He paused for a moment, like he was wrestling with something. Then, “Watch yourself, though, alpha. We have mages in the greater Los Angeles area, and they don’t like shifters on their doorstep.”
It felt like a bolt of lightning had lit Austin up from within. He understood the message—any packs that tried to form were being steamrolled by mages. He should’ve expected it. Sebastian had told him before that mages infiltrated Dick establishments and businesses, going where the money was. Mages didn’t like to share, and Momar didn’t like shifters in particular. It made sense that the mages were running powerful shifters out of town.
Austin nodded just as Jess walked around the corner, her eyes ablaze and her hands out, ready for war. She’d felt Austin’s thrill of adrenaline and thought the worst was happening.
“Whoa, we’re good.” He quickly stepped out in front of the shifters and put his arms out. “We’re fine. It wasn’t them I was responding to.”
She continued walking, looking over his shoulder before slowing down. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’ll explain in the car. What’s the status with Diana? Are you two still having coffee?”
She veered a little into the street so that she could see the shifters, now behind him, her bearing hostile. “No, I said goodbye shortly after you left.”
He reached for her when she was in proximity, reeling her in, and thankfully, she let him. “We’re good,” he said again, feeling her very slowly start to relax. “They’re friendlies.”
“What is she?” one of the shifters murmured as Austin firmly turned her so they could head back the way they’d come. Maybe her control wasn’t as solid as it had been before Kingsley’s battle.
“She’s something the mages definitely won’t like on their doorsteps,” he replied, escorting her away.
She didn’t utter a word during the walk back, and he didn’t want to insult her by making small talk. Nor did he want to repeat the conversation in the streets. He’d be able to feel presences of anyone invisible, but there was no telling what sort of listening devices or surveillance existed in a city like this. Call him paranoid, but he’d seen what organized mages could do en force. When dealing with mages, paranoia was a survival tactic.
Thankfully, the shifters had found them first, but they’d need to alter their plans to ensure they only met shifters.
“What’s the situation?” Jess asked as soon as the car doors were closed.
As he began driving, he quickly walked her through what had been said and how.
“Mr. Tom can take Jimmy to Matt’s this afternoon,” she said once he’d finished. “I’ll tell Matt something came up. We need that pack to grant us passage, and anyway, it’s a good excuse to make contact. I know you’ve held off on trying to organize against Momar, but we need to strike while the iron is hot. If we let too much time pass, people will get complacent. That can’t happen. Momar’s already planning his next horror, so we need to be strengthening our position.”