by Jenny Frame
Fergus instructed them to stand and Elspeth and his Second, Angus, came down off the podium to join him.
“Do you have a Second, Kenrick?” Fergus asked.
“Aye, Rhuri is my chosen Second.”
Rhuri walked from the side dressed in tartan trousers, a lace-up white tunic, a short sword on her hip. Like Kenrick and her, she was barefoot.
Angus bowed his head to Fergus and then took off her fur cape, then handed it to Rhuri. Rhuri bowed, took the cape, and placed it on Kenrick. It clipped at the front with a gold chain. Then Angus lifted off the cross shoulder leather scabbard with the ancient sword Zaria had seen in the whisky cellar. Rhuri took the sword and placed it over Kenrick’s shoulders.
Fergus said, “Princess Scota gave this sword to her successor as a symbol of authority for all the Wulver Alphas to come. It is now yours.”
Hilda helped Elspeth off with her cloak and put it around Zaria’s shoulders. Elspeth said, “Take care of your pack as if they were your own cubs.”
Zaria felt a deep responsibility in that moment, and she promised herself to dedicate her life, long or short, to these people who took in a stray and made her Mater.
Kenrick turned and kissed her softly. “Nearly there, lassie.”
Fergus then addressed Rhuri. “Rhuri, do you pledge your loyalty, life, and body to your Alpha and Mater?”
“Aye, with all my heart,” Rhuri replied confidently.
“All three of you are now the heart of the Wulver pack.” Fergus took Elspeth’s hand and grinned with pride. “With a heart like this, the Wulver pack will go on from strength to strength. Wolves, I give you your new Alpha and Mater, Kenrick and Zaria.”
Every wolf there, including Fergus and Elspeth, dropped to one knee and punched the air chanting their names.
Kenrick took both Zaria’s hands. “We did it, Mater.”
Zaria could feel Kenrick’s new power coursing through her body. Her dominance was thrillingly exciting, and she couldn’t wait to get back to their den, to bite and claim her. What a long way she had come since Kenrick first found her by the side of the road outside Wolfgang County.
She had been terrified of dominant wolves, so much so that Kenrick felt she had to hide who she was, but when she looked at Kenrick now, it should have seemed so simple. Kenrick was born to be Alpha and Zaria as born to be the one by her side. She had been running her whole life, but little had she known that she was running to her new home.
“We sure did, Alpha,” Zaria said, beaming.
Kenrick turned back to the ensemble of wolves and lifted her fist. “Good hunting, wolves.”
“Good hunting, Alpha,” they replied.
Zaria sensed the love from all the wolves there to them both. She truly was home—at last.
About the Author
Jenny Frame is from the small town of Motherwell in Scotland, where she lives with her partner, Lou, and their well-loved and very spoiled dog.
She has a diverse range of qualifications, including a BA in public management and a diploma in acting and performance. Nowadays, she likes to put her creative energies into writing rather than treading the boards.
When not writing or reading, Jenny loves cheering on her local football team, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Jenny can be contacted at www.jennyframe.com.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Blood of the Pack by Jenny Frame. When Alpha of the Scottish pack Kenrick Wulver visits the Wolfgangs, she falls for Zaria Lupa, a wolf on the run. (978-1-63555-431-1)
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Incognito by VK Powell. The only thing Evan Spears is focused on is capturing a fleeing murder suspect until wild card Frankie Strong is added to her team and causes chaos on and off the job. (978-1-63555-389-5)
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Just One Moment by Dena Blake. If you were given the chance to have the love of your life back, could you ignore everything that went wrong and start over again? (978-1-63555-387-1)
Scene of the Crime by MJ Williamz. Cullen Mathew finds herself caught between the woman she thinks she loves but can no longer trust and a beautiful detective she can’t stop thinking about who will stop at nothing to find the truth. (978-1-63555-405-2)
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Daughter of No One by Sam Ledel. When their worlds are threatened, a princess and a village outcast must overcome their differences and embrace a budding attraction if they want to survive. (978-1-63555-427-4)
Playing with Fire by Lesley Davis. When Takira Lathan and Dante Groves meet at Takira’s restaurant, love may find its way onto the menu. (978-1-63555-433-5)
Practice Makes Perfect by Carsen Taite. Meet law school friends Campbell, Abby, and Grace, law partners at Austin’s premier boutique legal firm for young, hip entrepreneurs. Legal Affairs: one law firm, three best friends, three chances to fall in love. (978-1-63555-357-4)
The Last Seduction by Ronica Black. When you allow true love to elude you once and you desperately regret it, are you brave enough to grab it when it comes around again? (978-1-63555-211-9)
Wavering Convictions by Erin Dutton. After a traumatic event, Maggie has vowed to regain her strength and independence. So how can Ally be both the woman who makes her feel safe and a constant reminder of the person who took her security away? (978-1-63555-403-8)
A Bird of Sorrow by Shea Godfrey. As Darrius and her lover, Princess Jessa, gather their strength for the coming war, a mysterious spell will reveal the truth of an ancient love. (978-1-63555-009-2)
All the
Worlds Between Us by Morgan Lee Miller. High school senior Quinn Hughes discovers that a broken friendship is actually a door propped open for an unexpected romance. (978-1-63555-457-1)
Falling by Kris Bryant. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan, but will Shaylie Beck put her heart first and stick around, or tell the damaging truth? (978-1-63555-373-4)
An Intimate Deception by CJ Birch. Flynn County Sheriff Elle Ashley has spent her adult life atoning for her wild youth, but when she finds her ex, Jessie, murdered two weeks before the small town’s biggest social event, she comes face-to-face with her past and all her well-kept secrets. (978-1-63555-417-5)
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Secrets in a Small Town by Nicole Stiling. Deputy Chief Mackenzie Blake has one mission: find the person harassing Savannah Castillo and her daughter before they cause real harm. (978-1-63555-436-6)
Stormy Seas by Ali Vali. The high-octane follow-up to the best-selling action-romance Blue Skies. (978-1-63555-299-7)
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Dangerous Curves by Larkin Rose. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking. (978-1-63555-353-6)
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Love’s Portrait by Anna Larner. When museum curator Molly Goode and benefactor Georgina Wright uncover a portrait’s secret, public and private truths are exposed, and their deepening love hangs in the balance. (978-1-63555-057-3)
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Pretending in Paradise by M. Ullrich. When travelwisdom.com assigns PR specialist Caroline Beckett and travel blogger Emma Morgan to cover a hot new couples retreat, they’re forced to fake a relationship to secure a reservation. (978-1-63555-399-4)
Recipe for Love by Aurora Rey. Hannah Little doesn’t have much use for fancy chefs or fancy restaurants, but when New York City chef Drew Davis comes to town, their attraction just might be a recipe for love. (978-1-63555-367-3)
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