Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“You should know better than to admonish the alpha of a pack, Olivia,” he warned, anger gleaming in his bold green eyes.
The reality of her situation hit her then. They were wolves. He led. They obeyed. It was their way. But was it hers?
“May I examine Henry’s paw again?” she asked, wisely seeking permission.
“Henry, give Olivia your paw,” Tiernan ordered, and Henry held it out to her.
“I will do my best not to cause you pain, Henry.” He whined softly as she examined his paw. It took patience and a keen eye, but she finally spotted the offending sliver that was causing Henry the problem. “I see it,” she announced relieved. It took a bit of gentle probing with her nail, but she finally managed to get it out and held it up for all to see. “A sliver of metal.”
Fay rubbed her face against Olivia’s arm in thanks, and Henry licked her hand.
“You should heal quickly, Henry, and the snow should help ease any discomfort.”
“Go enjoy your much-needed run,” Tiernan ordered, taking the sliver of metal from Olivia to slip in his jacket pocket as the two wolves rushed off, snipping playfully at each other as they disappeared in the distance.
As Tiernan helped Olivia to her feet, she said, “I did not mean to usurp your authority. You are right. Knowing wolves as I do, I should have known better than to interfere. But I must make something very clear. You may command your pack, but you do not command me.”
Tiernan smiled. “I never expected that you would let me.”
“Good. I am glad we understand each other,” she said, rubbing her cold hands before going to slip on her gloves.
“You need warmer gloves than those knot ones. I’ll get you a proper pair,” he said and hurried off through the garage and into the castle.
Olivia lingered where she stood, taking in the serene beauty around her. It was a lovely winter scene, the snow pristine and weighing heavily on the branches of the pine trees while the treetops wore crowns of snow. It was postcard perfect, until she heard the growls. She turned slowly and stilled when she saw four wolves, their front legs spread, their gleaming eyes focused on her, snarling and baring their teeth.
CHAPTER 9
Olivia stood frozen and not from the cold, but from fear. Did real wolves threaten her or were they werewolves who meant to intimidate her, believing her a trespasser in their home? She remained still, not that she could move anyway, fear keeping her frozen solid. Though she didn’t hesitate to speak with them in case they were werewolves and would understand her just as Henry and Fay had.
“I mean you no harm. I am a guest of Lord Tiernan,” she said in a calm and even tone so as not to alarm them.
The dark gray wolf stepped forward, snarling and snapping at her, and she couldn’t say she wasn’t frightened. She knew all too well how dangerous a wolf could be and how they viciously tore apart their prey. But wolves avoided humans and only acted if threatened. So, why were these four so threatening towards her?
The dark gray wolf lunged forward, and instinct had Olivia stepping back when suddenly Laird appeared and launched himself at the dark gray wolf, grabbing him by the scuff of his neck and tossing him aside without the slightest difficulty. Then he turned on the other three, viciously snapping, snarling, and growling, and frightening her.
The gray wolf got to his feet, stumbling as he did, and Laird rushed at him, his sharp teeth clamping down on him and tossing him aside once again with a strength that amazed Olivia. This time the gray wolf made no effort to move.
Laird paced in front of the other three, growling and snarling, making his anger and authority known. They all took a submissive pose, and he turned and walked over to her, growled and turned his head to the garage.
It took her a minute, but she understood. He wanted her to go into the garage and she understood why. He didn’t want her to see him shapeshift.
Olivia nodded and hurried into the garage, stooping to retrieve the gloves off the floor that Tiernan must have dropped when he saw what was happening. Next to them lay his clothes, discarded in haste. She slipped the gloves on her icy, trembling hands as she walked deeper into the garage, keeping her back to the scene outside. She cringed when hearing a howl that sounded like it echoed across the land, and she continued to wait where she was, though was startled when shortly afterwards she heard Tiernan speak.
His voice held authority as he commanded, “Each one of you wait where you are.”
She heard a noise and assumed Tiernan was slipping into his clothes and continued to remain as she was, facing the wall. She jumped, not long after, startled by a touch on her arm.