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)
The Alpha pair weren’t so happy to hear that Casey wouldn’t immediately join the pack, and Eli figured they worried she’d change her mind at some point. But they claimed to understand her reasons, and he highly suspected Shaya would still arrange a “welcome to the pack” party—if for no other reason than to communicate to Casey that she was wanted there.
After the meeting was over, Eli drove Casey to Adrian’s house, which was located deep in Craven Pack territory. The Alpha welcomed them inside with an easy smile, but that smile faded when Casey shared the reason for the visit.
Settled in an armchair, Adrian blew out a breath. “I can’t say this is a surprise. I’ll be sorry to lose you, Casey. You’re one of my best enforcers, and this will be a heavy loss to the others. I can proudly say that, collectively, my enforcers function like a well-oiled machine. Taking away a piece of that machinery will rock them. But I can see why you’ve decided to leave, and I can’t disapprove of you putting your mate first.” His gaze cut to Eli. “You’re a lucky man, Axton. I hope you know that.”
“I do,” said Eli, his arm draped over the back of the sofa, where she sat beside him.
“I also hope your pack will see her value. Casey’s meant for better things than hanging around, seeing to this and that. She’s an enforcer straight down to the bone.”
“I know that better than anyone.”
“Yes, I suppose you do.”
“I want to continue playing for the Hounds,” Casey told the Alpha. “Eli has promised to be supportive of that, and Nick has assured me that it won’t be an issue. I’m hoping it won’t be one for you either.”
Adrian looked at Eli. “You and your brother are both certain you can fully support this in the long-run?”
“We’re sure,” said Eli.
“Good.” Adrian slid his gaze back to Casey. “I have no problems with it. I suspect your team would go on strike if I didn’t allow you to remain part of it anyway.”
Smiling, she gave a short nod. “Thank you.”
“When will you be packing up?” Adrian asked.
“Not until after the games are over.”
“Ah. You don’t want the emotional upheaval to throw you off your game—no pun intended.”
“Exactly.”
The Alpha shrugged. “Well, there’s no rush on my end.”
“Until I officially leave the pack, I want to continue working my enforcer shifts.”
“You think I’d stop you? I’ll be happy to—” Adrian frowned as a fist hammered on the front door. He stood. “Excuse me.”
The fist pounded on it twice more before the Alpha even stepped out into the hallway. Casey exchanged a look with Eli.
The hinges of the front door creaked, and then Adrian snapped, “What the fuck is your—?”
“Where is the little bitch?”
Hearing Mallory’s voice, Casey glanced at Eli again. She was sure they were both thinking the same thing: she knows. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“Calm down, honey,” urged Preston.
“Don’t you tell me to calm the fuck down, asshole!” Mallory yelled. “I know she’s here—the wolf’s SUV is outside!”
Adrian cursed, and then high heels click-clacked down the hardwood floor of the hallway, getting louder and louder.
Squaring her shoulders, Casey stood, readying herself. She’d let her cousin get one hit in, she decided. Just one. After all, the other female had a right to her wrath.
Mallory stormed into the room, and her eyes blazed as they fixed on Casey. “You bitch,” she spat, closing in on her fast. “You fucking, fucking, fucking bitch.”
Growling, Eli slid in front of Casey, shielding her. “No,” he told Mallory, who stumbled to a halt.
Mallory bared her teeth. “Step aside.”
“It’s fine, Eli,” said Casey with a sigh. “Let her pass.”
“No,” he told Casey, though his eyes remained on the female in front of him, “because I know you’ll let her hit you, even though you don’t deserve it.”
Mallory fisted her hands. “She’ll totally deserve it.”
“What the hell is this all about?” demanded Adrian, sidling up to her.
“Oh, you don’t know?” Mallory let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “Well then, let me tell you.” She jabbed her finger at Casey. “That bitch fucked my mate!”
Standing behind Mallory, Preston rubbed at his temple. “It was one night,” he told the Alpha. “It happened before Mallory and I started dating.”
“Days before.” Mallory’s eyes narrowed to little slits of fury. “Bitch, you should’ve told me! I had to hear about it from Sherryl. Sherryl.”
“That’s my fault; I asked Casey not to say anything,” said Preston. He grabbed his mate’s arm, but she shook him off. “It’s not Casey you should be pissed at. It’s me. This whole thing is on me.”
“Oh, is that right?”
“Yes. I put her in an impossible situation. If I’d thought for even a second that I’d come to feel even half of what I feel for you now, I’d have told you about the one-night stand in the very beginning. But I didn’t, and then I was scared to tell you because I didn’t want to lose you.”