Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
CHAPTER FIVE
Throughout the remainder of the drive to his territory, Eli launched dozens of questions at her, wanting to know more about his little mink: What did she do to unwind? What was her favorite movie? Had she read any books recently? What places had she traveled to? Was there a particular place she’d always wanted to visit? What trend did she struggle to understand the existence of?
As they crossed over the border of Mercury Pack land, she frowned at the building on their right. “Why does a motel sit on the edge of your territory? Does it belong to your pack?”
“Yes. After our neighboring pack fell apart, we claimed the land. Instead of moving onto it, we kept it separate and built the motel there. My human pack mate, Gwen, runs it with the help of a mated couple, Kent and Caleb. My entire pack wanted to be present at dinner to meet you, so some Phoenix Pack wolves are manning the motel reception desk tonight. Their pack is very closely allied to mine.”
“I’ve heard plenty about the Phoenix Pack, particularly that the Alphas are a special brand of crazy.”
His lips twitched. “They’d be the first people to tell you that’s true.” Reaching the parking lot outside the main lodge, Eli whipped the SUV into a free space and switched off the ignition. “We’re here.”
“That’s not a lodge, it’s more like a rustic mansion.”
“So people often say.” He squeezed her hand as a flicker of anxiety traveled down their bond. “You don’t need to be nervous.”
She shrugged. “I want them to like me,” she gruffly admitted.
Warmth bloomed in his stomach. He liked that this was so important to her; liked that the opinions of the people in his life mattered to her. He got the feeling that Casey rarely let the opinions of others matter. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” She slid out of the vehicle and stared up at the lodge.
Rounding the SUV, Eli took her hand in his and led her up the porch steps. Entering the kitchen moments later, he saw that everybody was gathered at the long table.
Everyone other than his mother, he realized a second later.
They all stood as one to greet Casey, staring at her with avid interest. No one would like to be under that kind of scrutiny, but she didn’t squirm or fidget or avoid anyone’s eyes—not even when his Alphas approached. She stood at his side like she had every right to be there, which she did.
Eli draped an arm over her shoulder. “Casey, these are my Alphas, Nick and Shaya.”
“It’s good to meet you both,” said Casey.
Nick inclined his head. “My brother’s been waiting a long time for you. I’m glad you finally found each other.”
“Eli’s been brooding all day because he wanted to go see you,” said Shaya, her eyes twinkling.
Eli frowned. “I was not brooding.”
Shaya snorted. “You were. A lot. It was sad.”
“Let’s get the rest of the introductions out of the way,” said Nick.
Casey kept an easy smile on her face as the Alpha male gestured at each of his pack mates, stating their name and what—if any—position they held within the pack. She received smiles, nods of the head, and little waves. All seemed welcoming enough. One person was suspiciously absent: Kathy.
Her mink pushed to the surface, taking the measure of each of the strangers. Slightly distrustful, the animal kept her muscles bunched tight, coiled to spring. Although she was impressed by the power that pulsed from the Alpha male, it also made her antsy.
Once the introductions were over, Willow turned to her mother. “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
Shaya stroked her daughter’s curls. “Sure, let’s eat.”
Casey soon found herself sitting at the table, wedged between Roni and Eli. He scooped various foods out of the bowls and platters to pile them onto her plate, ignoring her comment that she could do it herself. Conversation came easy, and there was a lot of teasing and laughing. Still, a sharp tension filled the air … as if everyone was bracing themselves for something. Like Kathy charging into the room, raring to spout shit.
Personally, Casey didn’t think the woman would bother. Kathy had clearly wanted to communicate her disapproval, and she’d done that just fine already.
“I heard you’re an enforcer,” Ally said to Casey. “That’s good. If you move to our pack—and I’m hoping you will—we’ll have another enforcer in our ranks.”
Nothing like a bit of pressure to make a girl feel awkward. Casey just smiled.
“I’ve never met a mink before,” said Jesse. “But I heard lots about them. Do your inner animals really do a war dance like weasels do?”
Casey pursed her lips. “Well, that depends.”
“On what?” asked Jesse.
“On whether we’re in the mood to toy with our food,” said Casey.
Madisyn chuckled. “My cat kinda likes playing with hers.”