Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“How?” Was Wick’s only reply.
“Haven’t you already felt them communicating?” She tilted her head.
Wick tried to think back to the feelings he started to experience the moment his jet landed here. Like he was being called.
She placed her slim, glowing fingers on his abdomen. “Your beast is finally ready to meet its mate. He’s lain dormant for many years, but he’s always had his purpose.” The sound of thunder shook the ground beneath him and a bolt of lightning flashed in Justice’s mom’s eyes. In that moment Wick felt a strong presence burst alive inside him. Nothing like what he’d felt all those years past, no, now Wick could see eyes within him, looking at the world through his. Blue eyes.
“How does it—?” Wick hissed and jerked his head up to the sky. The sun was rising.
Next thing Wick knew, Justice’s mother was smiling down at him, her sweet hum lulling him into a fast approaching slumber. He blinked, then he was lying in the bed in the cabin with the heavy drapes pulled tight. Wick looked around, trying to understand what had just happened. Something inside told him to rest, that all would work out soon. So Wick did just that.
Justice had a fitful night of sleep. The Mother came to him, but he fought the need to rest. All she’d done was continually whisper, “Trust your wolf.” The link between him and the Vampire King was eerily silent suddenly. Justice didn’t like that feeling, but at least it was a break from the pain and stress he felt when his mate was vocally upset, calling out to him. The thought was crippling. Justice got up and trudged exhaustedly to the bathroom. He had to somehow make himself reasonably presentable for the pack. It was already after eight a.m. He’d missed the pack’s sunrise run, and most likely breakfast.
“Justice. I brought you some food,” his sister said through the bedroom door.
He knew he looked like hell, but he pulled on a pair of sweats and opened the door. Farica gasped, clutching her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Justice.”
He reached out and took the large tray loaded with sausages, bacon, and a heaping pile of a fried potato dish with eggs and more meat. It looked great but his stomach revolted like it was shit on a platter. What the hell? Justice swallowed hard and put the tray down on the small coffee table in the sitting room. Maybe it was his stress causing him to lose his appetite.
“Why would you ever deny a true mate, Justice? It’s all any of us want.” She tucked her legs under her and settled into the corner of the couch. “I was doing some research last night. And do you know that the last reported statistic on found mates was compiled in 2012? It showed that only three vampires found their mates that year, and only one was reported in 2011. Well, not mate, Beloveds… how pretty does that sound?” Farica cooed.
Justice finally lifted his head from resting in his hands. He’d dropped down in the chair across from her, still feeling drained. Farica mentioning the word – beloved – a word that had echoed in his head for the last six hours made his stomach flop. “Are you for real?”
“I’m dead fuckin’ serious,” Farica growled, standing so fast her amazing strength pushed the couch back several feet until it hit the wall. His sister’s eyes flashed a brighter blue as she loomed over him. “You will condemn us all if you deny your mate. You won’t even be able to function… look at you now. Don’t be a goddamn fool.”
Justice tried to flex his AZ muscles, but his wolf was silent while another one berated him. Like Justice deserved a good tongue lashing from his intelligent sister and his wolf would not intervene to defend him. “Careful.” Justice scowled with little heat behind it.
His sister reared back. “See!”
“Farica leave me in peace, please.”
Farica’s eyes bugged. She rarely got rattled and she definitely never cursed. If she was already being pushed to the limit, then a lot more of his pack were probably beside themselves. His pack and shifters all over the country needed to feel his strength. Right now, Justice didn’t know what the wolves were feeling.
“My wolf just damn near challenged yours and you did nothing. I’m not the least bit intimidated by you right now, Justice.”
“Do you forget that you’re also an alpha from a long, dominant bloodline? You shouldn’t be easily intimidated,” Justice mumbled like he didn’t care.
“Justice, please. Listen to reason. The Mother doesn’t make mistakes.”
“I will not be forced into this!” Justice roared, sending Farica cowering away.
Alek and Mac burst through the door and hurried Farica from the room. Justice tried to call out a weak apology to her but Alek cut him off.