Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
These men were not of the Drydus pack.
“We mean you no harm,” the darker one said.
“We’ve been tracking you for days. You’ve been weaving on and off our territory. What is your intent?” Arion asked.
Jezebel held her breath. This was news to her. No wonder her Daddy had been on the phone a lot.
“There are two black bears in the area,” the same man responded. “They’re hungry. They’ve been nosing around our pack for over a month. We’ve been trying to chase them farther south. We’d appreciate if you’d let your leaders know so they will stop tracking my men. We are not here for you.”
“Two bears?”
“Yes. Adult males. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Arion stared at the man for several seconds. “If what you’re telling me is legit, I’ll alert the leaders so they can assign a team to join you in your endeavor.”
“We would appreciate that.” The man nodded toward Jezebel. “You should keep your mate inside until the threat is gone.”
“Thank you for the warning. I will spread the word. We would not want the bears to wander toward the valley,” Arion added.
The man nodded. “Agreed. We’re trying to protect our own as well.”
“There are four of you, are there not?” Arion asked.
“Yes. The other two are a few miles west of us right now. We’ve been pairing off to cover more territory.”
“I’ll have four of our protectors join you tomorrow morning at the north crest at sunrise.” Arion lowered his chin and narrowed his gaze. “If you’re lying, this will not end well for your people.”
“You have my word. We have our differences, but we should put them aside for now to deal with the common enemy.”
“Agreed.”
No sooner had Arion spoken than the two other men shifted back and disappeared.
Arion reached for Jezebel and threaded his fingers in her fur without glancing her direction. “Let’s go home, Little mate.”
That seemed like a good idea, but now that the adrenaline rush was subsiding, Jezebel found herself furious, and most of that anger was directed at her mate.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Where is your mate?” Talon asked Arion two hours later. They were back at the cabin. Talon had returned as soon as Arion had called him. He’d also brought two other elders and Brock.
They’d met in the living room instead of the back porch this time. There was nothing about this situation that was a secret from Jezebel anymore. No reason to meet in private.
But her location did bother Arion. As soon as they’d returned to the cabin, she’d shifted and run off to the nursery. She hadn’t come back out.
Arion had called after her, but he’d already had his phone in his hand and was sending texts. He’d sensed her unease. She’d probably been scared out of her mind, and he couldn’t blame her.
He would comfort his Little mate after he finished his meeting. “I think she was rattled by the appearance of the Grelian. They were imposing. She probably hasn’t ever seen mountain men like that before. I’ll comfort her when we’re done.”
He glanced toward the hallway, hoping she wasn’t sitting in a corner of the nursery, frightened out of her mind. He hadn’t heard her crying, so that was a good sign.
Talon and the other men stood. “I think we’re done here. I’ll arrange for the meet tomorrow morning. We’ll deal with this threat. Thank you for making contact. I know it was unexpected, but you’re the first member of our pack to face the Grelian since they’ve been wandering in this area.”
“Be careful. I cannot promise they weren’t lying or that it isn’t a trap,” Arion added as he led the men to the door.
“We will take all precautions,” Talon responded.
As the three elders stepped outside, Brock paused and faced his friend. His brow was furrowed. “You better go deal with your Little mate.”
“On it.”
As soon as they were gone, Arion turned and headed for the nursery. The door was closed, which he never allowed. Perhaps she had wanted to block out the meeting in the living room. He might permit that exception.
Arion turned the handle, opened the door, and stepped inside. For a moment, he couldn’t spot her anywhere, but then he found her. She was sitting in the corner behind the rocking chair, leaning against the wall. Her knees were drawn up to her chest where she hugged them tight.
“Bella, I’m so sorry. It’s over, Little one. No one is going to hurt you.” He shuffled as close as he could get, squatted low, and reached out a hand. “Come here. You’re shaking. Are you still scared?” Damn. He should have comforted her sooner.
Jezebel lifted her head and shot him a fierce glare.
His breath hitched. Her expression was off. It wasn’t one of fear. It was fury. Was she mad at him? “I’m sorry I took you out this morning. We should have stayed inside. I thought it was safe. My father had thought it was safe to go out today. I didn’t mean to scare you like that.”