Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“I don’t like politics,” Evan said with a frown. “I prefer being a fighter.”
“You and me both, sister.” I was on Evan’s side in this. “I prefer to leave the politics to the men and kick a little ass.”
“What Casey said is correct though.” Trent’s arms were crossed over that glorious chest of his. “We’ve all been in a holding pattern, and now the war will begin in earnest. That means we need to deal with the wolves.”
“There is no deal with the wolves.” Fenrir stepped back, and I could see he was emotional. It was there in the way his eyes darkened, how his hands clenched. “You know what they want from me, Father. I will not do it.”
“I didn’t say you needed to deal with them politically, son. I know what it means to have a mate. She is the one thing you can never sacrifice,” Trent said.
“That’s the problem. The wolves don’t see me as a mate,” Evan replied, her tone calm as though she knew she needed to keep Fen from losing his cool. “They see me as a crush their king has who will be easily forgotten once he’s properly mated.”
“Then they’ve never heard him call for you.” Trent moved toward Fenrir, his focus going to our son. “Fenrir, you called to her when you were sixteen. We were on the wolf plane and the mountain troll attacked. You thought you were going to die, and you called to her in wolf form. That was a mating call, and it is only performed for one female in your whole life. Make no mistake. I will always support your relationship with Evan. I wouldn’t ask you to give her up any more than I would give up your mother. When I say we deal with the wolves, we do it on our terms. You are a king. They will take you as you are or they will face your wrath.”
I found him extremely sexy in that moment, but I did have a few questions. “Are you saying they’ll bow before Fen or die? Because that seems pretty rough, babe.”
“I didn’t mean it that way,” Trent hedged.
“He means they can accept me as their king with my mate at my side, choose to leave me alone, or I’ll kill every one of the fuckers who come after her,” Fen promised. “That’s what he’s talking about. There have been several attempts on her life, and they didn’t come from Myrddin. Up until now I’ve been forced to negotiate to protect Evan. I won’t do that a second more. I will kill anyone who thinks about harming my mate, and I will do it with the full force of the King of All Vampire behind me.”
“And His Grace, the High Priest of Faery,” Evan pointed out. “Papa might not like our relationship, but I assure you he’ll like those wolves far less. Honestly, the one they should be afraid of is my mother.”
“They should be afraid of me.” I wasn’t about to allow a bunch of wolves to harm my son or his mate. I wouldn’t let them hurt anyone, but especially not two kids who kind of belonged to me.
Fen’s gaze softened, as though my acceptance had calmed him in some way. “Yes, they should. My mother has killed far greater enemies. And she trusts Casey and the academics. Please forgive my lapse of control. I need a run.”
“That’s not what you need,” Evan said under her breath.
He probably desperately needed his mate, but he’d made a deal with her brothers, and Fen seemed set on keeping his promises.
“Let’s go,” Trent offered. “I’ll have Eddie take us back to the bayou. It’s a full moon, and it’s been a while since the townsfolk have had a werewolf sighting.”
Fen shook his head. “It’s your first night with Mom. I’ll be fine.”
“He needs to run since he won’t do the other thing,” Evan said firmly.
“Your dad and I are fine. We spent the whole afternoon together.” I didn’t want Trent to go but I had a few things to deal with here, and it was easy to see not running on the full moon was having an impact on Fen. The last thing I wanted was him out there alone. “Go and have a good time, and I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast. I’ll catch you both up on everything we get done tonight.”
Fen frowned. “Are you sure?”
I got into his space and brushed his hair back like I used to when he was a kid. “I am sure. Evan will help me with the investigation.”
Evan gasped slightly. “I get to investigate? I usually get put on the sidelines.”
“Uhm, not with me you won’t. Or your mom. You should understand the chicks are back, and we’re going to take control,” I replied. The queen and I didn’t sit on the sidelines. Our daughters wouldn’t either.