Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
I have to stop this. Now.
“No,” I snap. “Stop this, right now.” I sound like a mother scolding a room of unruly toddlers.
A few wolves turn, nudging each other until most of the crowd faces the stage. “Human,” they mutter. Some of them lick their fangs.
A part of me wants to cower and hide. On the floor at my feet, Brick’s opponent has latched onto his neck and is pulling him down. Someone has to save him.
That someone is me.
You are his mate, Madi. That means you are destined to lead the pack at his side. As Brick’s equal.
“Any wolf who challenges the alpha has to answer to me,” I shout.
That gets their attention. The whole room turns as one, focusing on me. Their eyes narrow, taking me in as if I’m their enemy.
On the floor, Brick’s opponent looks up at me. Brick uses the distraction to jerk out of its hold. He stares up at me. A jolt runs through his body.
A distinguished looking man with silver touching his temples calls, “Who are you?”
Rule number two: act like you belong. “I’m Madison Evans. And I’m Brick Blackthroat’s mate.” I tug my collar aside, showing the mark Brick gave me.
“A human,” the man sneers. “What are you going to do? You are too weak to fight.”
I feel Billy hovering at my side, ready to leap to defend me if necessary.
“Come closer and say that to my face.” I keep my voice completely even. Totally cool. I’ve stared down a conference room full of Wall Street bros. I can do this.
I allow a small smile to play around my lips as if I know something they don’t. My eyes water looking into the older wolf’s fierce gaze, but I force myself to keep staring.
After a moment he blinks and looks away.
“Good,” Billy murmurs.
A ripple goes around the room, but it’s not enough. I feel the weight of all eyes on me. One wrong move, and they’ll attack.
“Madi,” Brick rasps. He’s shifted into human form. He’s naked, muscles gleaming with sweat and swiped with blood. There are claw marks on his chest, his giant thighs.
I ignore him and point to the wolf in the circle with Brick. “Are you challenging my mate?”
The wolf shakes off droplets of blood and shifts into a powerful looking young man.
“I am,” he says in a gravely tone. He looks like a prize fighter. Brick is taller and a little bigger, but Brick’s been fighting for hours. There’s fatigue in the slump of his shoulders.
“You challenge my mate, you have to deal with me first.”
Billy tenses beside me.
“No,” Brick rasps, but the young man is already stepping forward towards the stage. He sees easy prey.
“What are you going to do, human?”
“I’m so glad you asked.” I pull my weapon out of my pocket.
Rule number three: Always be prepared.
I put the small, white whistle to my lips and blow. Hard.
The whistle makes no sound, at least not at a pitch I can hear. But the room erupts. Those in wolf form yelp, tails tucking. Human and wolf alike freeze, their spines contorting with the agony.
The young fighter throws his hands over his ears.
I blow on the whistle again, and he doubles over. “Agh,” he cries. “Make it stop.”
I wait for the high-pitched whines and whimpers to die away. I hold up the dog whistle.
“Had enough?” When the fighter doesn’t answer fast enough, I put the whistle up to my lips. “I could do this all day.”
“No,” the fighter shouts, along with the rest of the room. The wolves are hunched, staring at me with fear.
“That’s what I thought.” I drop my hand and the entire room lets out a sigh. “Now shut up and listen.” I channel my inner schoolmarm–like my mom does in front of a pack of entitled rich kids–and lecture them. “I was told the Blackthroat pack was the strongest around. But now I’m here to meet you and what do I see? Chaos.
“Odin tried to kill me in Sweden. He failed. Because your leader, Brick Blackthroat is strong. He has the strength of his pack and his friends. They stood together, and they defeated their enemies. Because our enemies are nothing when we bond together.
“But today you tried to break that bond. You tried to destroy it. Shame on you!” I glare down at each waiting challenger until they avert their eyes. “You are better than this.”
I step forward, spreading my hands. “We need everyone in this pack. Not just to beat the Adalwulfs. But to defeat the fear that drives you apart.”
I lace my fingers together. “If we stand together, we are unstoppable. No one can break us apart. Not the Adalwulfs. Not anything. Am I right?”
No response.
I raise the whistle and waggle it like a magic wand. “I asked, am I right?”
“Yes,” the room thunders.