Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Kathy pointed at her. “Don’t think it’s okay for you to insult me just because you’re under Derren’s protection. My Roni won’t stand for it, and she could easily take you any day of the week.”
Derren wasn’t too sure of that. Roni was lethal, but he’d seen how fast Ally moved. She had seriously good reflexes. If nothing else, she would be able to hold off Roni. He’d thought Ally would bristle at Kathy’s words—it was not only an insult but an oblique threat. Instead, she seemed mildly amused yet also on the verge of boredom. He was quickly learning that he should never “expect” anything when it came to Ally. She wasn’t easy to read or predict. “Enough, Kathy,” he told her firmly.
The woman ignored his warning. “I’m just making my point that I don’t trust Seers.”
Ally smiled gently. “Admitting your problem is the first step to recovery.”
For a moment, Kathy said nothing—apparently words had failed her. Derren could attest to the fact that that didn’t happen often. Then, muttering under her breath, Kathy took her seat. Derren turned to Ally. “You won that round.”
Ally simply shrugged, hiding her frustration. She should be used to the prejudice by now, but it never ceased to grate on her nerves. In between bites of breakfast, the Mercury wolves talked between themselves. Everyone but Shaya purposely excluded Ally from the conversation. Their collective rejection was causing her head to pound.
She had just finished eating when Nick walked in with Willow in his arms. His stride faltered at the sight of Ally, but he gave a slight nod—it was one of acknowledgment as opposed to one of greeting. Still, Ally returned it. To offend Nick would be to offend Shaya, and Ally liked the Alpha female.
Taking the infant from Nick, Shaya cuddled her. “Feeling any better, angel?”
That was when Ally noticed how pale and tired the little girl looked as she chewed hard on a toy. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s just teething, but it’s not a pleasant time for babies.”
“Let me help.” Ally gently cradled Willow’s face, pushing some healing energy into the infant. Through the same link Ally had just opened, Willow’s pain traveled to her. “There.” Drawing back, Ally smiled at the baby, who tugged on her hair with a chuckle.
“What did you do?” There was no tension in Shaya . . . unlike the others, who had turned stiff as boards the moment Ally had touched Willow. Like she’d ever hurt a child.
“Took the pain away.” Ally cupped her own jaw then, wincing. “It really does hurt.”
Derren spoke then. “So, whenever you heal someone, their pain becomes yours?” His wolf didn’t like the idea of her in pain.
“Yes, but it eases off pretty quickly. There. It’s already gone.”
Bracken put down his fork. “Okay, I gotta ask . . . what’s it like having a sociopath for a mate?”
“And now we’re done.” Shaya rose to her feet. “How about a tour, Ally?” The Alpha female shot Bracken a withering look.
The enforcer raised his hands. “It was just a question.”
Derren asked Shaya, “Can the tour wait till after lunch? I have some things to do this morning.”
“You don’t need to come with us.” Shaya gently handed Willow back to Nick.
“Ally’s under my protection while she’s here.”
“She’s not going to come to any harm with me. And I’m pretty sure she can take care of herself anyway.”
Pushing to her feet, Ally smiled at Shaya, thankful for the vote of confidence. “I’m ready when you are.” Derren looked as though he might object again, so Ally rolled her eyes—earning herself a growl. How grand.
“Wait,” said Derren. “Give me your cell.”
Ally frowned. “Why?”
“Because I need to put my number in it.” She was under his protection now, and that meant he’d have to be there if she needed him. With a shrug, she handed him her phone. He keyed in his number, then used her cell to call his phone, which effectively gave him her number. “Done.” She was careful not to touch him as she took the phone from his hand, and that had his wolf baring his teeth in annoyance. “If there’s a problem, call me.”
If there were a problem, Ally would take care of it herself. Dominant females always dealt with their own shit. Rather than argue, she said, “Sure.”
First, Shaya gave Ally a tour of the main lodge, showing her the bedrooms, the game room, the luxurious bathroom, and finally the basement—which had an indoor swimming pool and bar.
“No one’s used it since Roni almost drowned,” said Shaya. “It’s a long story. To sum it up, we had some trouble with a jackal pack; they invaded our territory, and Roni battled with the Alpha. He tried to drown her. Marcus still hasn’t quite gotten over it.”
“And I’ll meet them in a few days?”