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)
Hearing Roni threaten the referee for not red-carding the Wildcat, Eli smiled and said, “You do know he can’t hear you, right?”
His sister just snarled at him.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling for the teams to resume playing. Through their bond, he could feel that Casey was hot and tired. But she went after the ball just as aggressively as she had in the beginning. Kept on tackling and kicking and passing the ball on. It finally paid off, and she scored another goal. Again, Eli was on his feet, pride flooding him. A Hounds midfielder scored another goal shortly afterward, and the game finished 3-1.
Smiling like loons, Casey and her teammates exchanged hugs, high fives, and ass-slaps. They also shook hands with the Wildcats—even those who’d delivered some exceptionally dirty fouls. Then again, the Hounds had committed enough fouls of their own.
“Casey’s damn good,” said Nick. “Every inch the predator when she goes after the ball.”
Marcus nodded. “She oozes confidence in general. But when on the field, it’s the kind of unshakable self-belief that even I find intimidating.”
Smug, Eli smiled. “Yeah, my Casey’s the shit.” The scent of a male mink drifted into his personal space, and his wolf stilled. Eli turned and found himself face-to-face with a bulky, middle-aged guy who was all alpha. “You must be Adrian.”
“I am. Behind me is my Beta female, Clare. And I’m guessing by the comment you just made that you’re Eli.” He held out his hand. “I wanted to introduce myself to you and your pack mates and congratulate you on your mating. Casey’s a keeper.”
Eli shook the Alpha’s hand. “I agree. It’s good to meet you both.” He introduced them to his pack mates. Of course, Adrian and Nick did a little dumb Alpha male posturing, to which Shaya rolled her eyes.
Eli glanced back at the field to see his mate sprinting to the front row of the stands, grinning. He leaned over the barrier, caught her around the waist, and lifted her just enough to plant a kiss on her mouth. She was all sweaty and flushed, her eyes fevered with joy and triumph. And he wanted to straight up fuck her right there.
“Congratulations on your win, baby.” He brushed his nose against hers. “I’m proud of you. You’re like lightning on that field.”
“Totally,” agreed Roni, who then proceeded to give a quick, succinct commentary on how incompetent she believed the ref was.
Adrian congratulated Casey, adding, “Didn’t fail to notice how you accidentally almost snapped off the arm of the midfielder who flattened Kristin. Good move.”
She snickered. “Thanks.” After Clare and Eli’s other pack mates had finished congratulating her, Casey turned to him and said, “I need to go shower.”
“All right. I’ll meet you in the parking lot.” Eli pressed a kiss to her mouth and set her on her feet. “Don’t be long.”
She gave him a brief wave and then followed her team off the field.
“Who’s that?” asked Roni.
“Who’s who?” Eli tracked her gaze, frowning as he noticed a skinny, pink-haired female glaring hotly at his mate. “Yeah, who the fuck is that?”
Clare sighed. “That would be Sherryl. She used to be part of our pack and played for the Hounds. She also dated Casey’s brother, Miles.”
Casey had mentioned her once. She hadn’t, however, mentioned that Sherryl seemed to hate her guts. He made a mental note to ask Casey about it later.
“So, tell me, Eli,” said Adrian. “You planning to move Casey to your territory?”
He’d anticipated that the Alpha would throw that question at him. “I’m planning to do whatever will make Casey happiest.”
“Even if that means moving here and living among minks?” asked Clare.
“As long as she agrees to move out of that large room she calls an apartment,” said Eli.
Adrian chuckled. “I think that can be arranged. It’s good to see that your family members came along to support her today. She doesn’t have that same support from her own family. You know, her mother was once a force to be reckoned with. But she let Casey’s father emotionally beat her down over the years. He only did it because he felt threatened by her strength, just as he does by Casey’s. But I won’t have that worry with you, will I?” It was a question that held a threat.
Ignoring the amusement that he could feel emanating from Roni, Eli replied, “No, you won’t.”
Adrian clapped him on his back. “Excellent.”
Walking toward the parking lot with her teammates, Casey rolled back her shoulders. Feeling pumped from the team’s win, it was easy to ignore the tightness in her muscles and the heaviness in her limbs, but she knew from experience that she’d no doubt crash sometime within the next hour. She needed food first. The post-game smoothie she’d had in the locker room had done little to ease the gnawing sensation in her stomach.