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)
He got out and went around to the passenger side, touching a few shifters as he did. Several women stood with their pups close as their husbands stepped forward to greet them.
“Justice. Is your mate safe? I have a black golf umbrella.” Farica jogged over, hugging Justice. She turned to the young wolf that had brought Justice’s food up to the cabin. “Ross, run and get the—”
“That won’t be necessary,” Wick said, stepping out the safety of the dark vehicle.
Gasps and cheers went up as Farica ran and flung her arms around Wick’s neck. His mate looked taken aback at first, but slowly his arms came up and wrapped loosely around his sister’s waist. “It’s so nice to see you again, Wick.” His sister turned to the growing crowd, all of them waiting enthusiastically with smiles and welcome posture. “The AZ Mate is here!”
“Farica is a peacekeeper, baby. An omega’s spirit in an alpha’s body. They trust her judgment. Her hugging you, happy that you’re around is big.”
Wick genuinely smiled.
“Alpha. Welcome back.” Mikel greeted him when he walked up the steps to the large home.
“Thank you.” Justice hugged or touched all his pack members and those in Mikel’s hierarchy that were there for the meeting. “Everyone is ready?”
“Yes. Alek and your brothers are in the great room with them now,” Mikel informed him, leading the way.
“Any resistance so far?” Justice asked Mikel privately.
“Not that I can scent. They are here for answers though, and to probably see for themselves,” Mikel answered.
“Fair enough.”
Wick squeezed Justice’s hand. “Everything good?”
“Yes. Let’s get down to business.” Justice opened the double doors to the spacious room. He stood tall as he entered with his mate close to his side. About twenty men stood around, of various ages and races, all prominent leaders and role models in their communities. They were highly respected and their opinions were valued. Justice knew to get them on his side first and convince them of the real threat, then let them advocate to the other packs.
“The Alpha Zenith… and his true mate, Vampire King Chadwick Bentley,” Mikel announced, his deep voice silencing the room.
Assessing eyes measured up his mate, taking in his expensive shoes and traveling all the way up to his coiffed black locks. Justice held his breath. Please, respect him. Finally, after too many long seconds, all the alphas, everyone in that room, lowered their eyes and slightly tilted their heads, accepting Wick. Justice breathed an inaudible sigh, especially when he felt Wick’s relief and his nerves flee.
“Thank you,” Justice said, sitting on one of the many couches, Wick easing down elegantly next to him.
“He moves in silence. But he has a strong presence. I like that. The fact he’s here without his court or guards speaks volumes to me. That he trusts us.” One of the other alphas nodded towards Wick. “I’m Roz Patel. On behalf of the Sequoia pack, welcome, Alpha mate. I came to tell you personally that you have our full support.”
Wick stood and addressed the pack with the regality, finesse and the strength of any good leader. He made Justice proud and he let his mate know it. When all the pleasantries and congratulations were done, they immediately got to work. They had two species to protect.
Justice was grateful for his pack. They’d been preparing for this meeting. Gathering intel about the research facility and where they were getting their funding. Alek had already sent scouts to the Ruby Dome to gather surveillance on the rogue pack. The consensus was that they needed to band together – shifter and vampire – and not only eliminate the rebel shifters, but also rescue anyone that may be currently undergoing experimentation. They couldn’t have anyone trying to replicate their DNA. If hybrids were somehow created, they would only be another enemy.
They took a break for lunch. A few of the ladies prepared bountiful sandwiches and crudité platters for them to enjoy. No one showed any interest when Justice took his mate upstairs so he could take care of him as well, since the meeting looked like it would extend well into the evening. Wick’s feeding was too intimate to be done in the open.
As the meeting began to wind down, Justice was confident with the plan Taleb came up with. It was nothing short of genius, but he expected nothing less from his intellect. It wasn’t hard to convince the other alphas and get them on board. They all understood and accepted what Wick and Justice had proof of, that a privately funded group of scientists were paying shifters and vampires to be headhunters.
“Wick. Your men were not here for this meeting,” Mikel noted. “We’ve basically laid out a plan for them to follow and gave them no input. Taleb’s plan will put your men in grave danger. You will not be there to protect them. It’s impossible for you not to fight by your true mate.”