Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33372 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Doing everything that no one else wants to do?” Rage asked.
Karina didn’t know why, but she felt compelled to look behind her to see if anyone had heard what he said. Even from a brief glance, she saw how nervous the pack was. Was that it?
“I’m doing what needs to be done. I’m still pack.” Even though I’m human and not as important as the rest. She didn’t add that last part, because there was no need to. He’d already hinted at it. “Anyway, I don’t need to talk about what I do here, why are you here? Have you come to eat?” she asked, wanting any excuse to change the subject and divert him.
“I came to see you.”
“Oh. Well, there is nothing to see here. I’m busy. I’m sure my dad will be quite happy to show you around the pack and stuff like that. You’re here on business, aren’t you?”
“You are part of my business.” He moved closer toward her, and she didn’t think it was possible, because he was less than a foot away from her, but it would seem Rage had other ideas.
She was very much aware of the pack watching.
“Don’t you have a woman within your own pack?” she asked.
“No.”
“You don’t want me.”
“I do.”
This was insane.
“I think you’re wrong.”
****
Rage couldn’t recall meeting someone so skittish before, and certainly not a wolf. Karina wasn’t a wolf, though. He had no choice but to ask William if she was adopted, or if she was even his child.
William and Patricia had assured him that Karina was their daughter. He knew it was very rare for two wolves to have a human child. She was human, but she did smell like a member of the Westblood pack.
He found it utterly cute that she wouldn’t quite meet his gaze. He did not like the fact that she was assigned the work that no other pack member would do. Glancing over her shoulder, he saw the pack watching them. At the same time, the pack was also pretending not to watch.
William had asked him to choose someone else, but Rage couldn’t. Karina was his mate.
“You think I’m wrong?” he asked.
Rage couldn’t remember a time someone had accused him of being wrong. This made Karina even more exciting.
“Yes, you’re wrong.” She shrugged. “There are a lot of other pack females who would suit you much better.”
“And now you know what will and won’t suit me?” he asked. “Just like a mate.”
She opened her mouth then closed it. “You’re messing up my words on purpose, aren’t you?”
“How long have you been working?” he asked.
“Most of the morning.”
“So, you’re due a break, sit and talk to me.” He pulled out the chair of the table she’d been cleaning, and pushed her into it. Rounding the small table, he sat down.
“I can’t just take time off.”
“If I need to, I’ll talk to your father. I’m sure as the alpha of the pack, he’d be able to make some leeway in the rules of hard work.”
She glared at him. “Why are you being so difficult?”
“What’s good here?” he asked.
“Everything, and stop avoiding the question.”
“I’m not avoiding the question. I’m not being difficult. I picked you. You were part of the lineup last night, and you’re my choice. If your father didn’t want you to be chosen, he shouldn’t have put you there.” Rage would have still chosen her. The scent was driving him crazy. She made his mouth water.
All he wanted to do was press his face against her neck and breathe her in. There might even be some licking involved as well, but he wasn’t sure.
This morning, he’d gone to see William, hoping to catch sight of Karina, only to find her gone for the day. William tried to reason with him, but Rage told him he couldn’t be swayed. This wasn’t just about aligning their packs anymore. Karina was his mate, and he wasn’t going to leave without her. He couldn’t turn his back on her, and now no other woman in the world would ever be good enough.
He’d scented his mate, knew she existed. One day soon, Karina would know who she was, who he was, and what they meant to each other.
“Let’s be honest, my dad didn’t think you were going to choose me. He put me there as a sign of respect. That’s all. What has happened is crazy.” She gave a little chuckle.
He loved the sound.
“And I guess I’m going a little crazy.”
She sighed and sat back. “Can I get back to work?” she asked.
“No, I want you to sit and eat something.” He loved her curves. He also noticed that once again she was in a dress. She wore an apron around her waist with the ties in front. The apron hid her impressive tits, and he wanted to rip the offending item off her. In good time. He would have everything he ever wanted.