Blood of the Pack

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)

  Cause of Death by Sheri Lewis Wohl. Medical student Vi Akiak and K9 Search and Rescue officer Kate Renard must work together to find a killer before they end up the next targets. In the race for survival, they discover that love may be the biggest risk of all. (978-1-63555-441-0)

  Chasing Sunset by Missouri Vaun. Hijinks and mishaps ensue as Iris and Finn set off on a road trip adventure, chasing the sunset, and falling in love along the way. (978-1-63555-454-0)

  Double Down by MB Austin. When an unlikely friendship with Spanish pop star Erlea turns deeper, Celeste, in-house physician for the hotel hosting Erlea’s show, has a choice to make—run or double down on love. (978-1-63555-423-6)

  Party of Three by Sandy Lowe. Three friends are in for a wild night at billionaire heiress Eleanor McGregor’s twenty-fifth birthday party. Love, lust, and doing the right thing, even when it hurts, turn the evening into one that will change their lives forever. (978-1-63555-246-1)

  Sit. Stay. Love. by Karis Walsh. City girl Alana Brendt and country vet Tegan Evans both know they don’t belong together. Only problem is, they’re falling in love. (978-1-63555-439-7)

  Where the Lies Hide by Renee Roman. As P.I. Camdyn Stark gets closer to solving the case, will her dark secrets and the lies she’s buried jeopardize her future with the quietly beautiful Sarah Peters? (978-1-63555-371-0)

  Beautiful Dreamer by Melissa Brayden. With love on the line, can Devyn Winters find it in her heart to stay in the small town of Dreamer’s Bay, the one place she swore she’d never remain? (978-1-63555-305-5)

  Create a Life to Love by Erin Zak. When sixteen-year-old Beth shows up at her birth mother’s door, three lives will change forever. (978-1-63555-425-0)

  Deadeye by Meredith Doench. Stranded while hunting the serial predator Deadeye, Special Agent Luce Hansen fights for survival while her lover, forensic pathologist Harper Bennett, hunts for clues to Hansen’s disappearance along the killer’s trail. (978-1-63555-253-9)

  Endangered by Michelle Larkin. Shapeshifters Officer Aspen Wolfe and Dr. Tora Madigan fight their growing attraction as they work together to destroy a secret government agency that exterminates their kind. (978-1-63555-377-2)

  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)

  Insult to Injury by Gun Brooke. After losing everything, Gail Owen withdraws to her old farmhouse and finds a destitute young woman, Romi Shepherd, living in a secret room. (978-1-63555-323-9)

  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)

  Fear of Falling by Georgia Beers. Singer Sophie James is ready to shake up her career, but her new manager, the gorgeous Dana Landon, has other ideas. (978-1-63555-443-4)

  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)

  Cash and the Sorority Girl by Ashley Bartlett. Cash Braddock doesn’t want to deal with morality, drugs, or people. Unfortunately, she’s going to have to. (978-1-63555-310-9)

  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)

  The Road to Madison by Elle Spencer. Can two women who fell in love as girls overcome the hurt caused by the father who tore them apart? (978-1-63555-421-2)

  Dangerous Curves by Larkin Rose. When love waits at the finish line, dangerous curves are a risk worth taking. (978-1-63555-353-6)

  Love to the Rescue by Radclyffe. Can two people who share a past really be strangers? (978-1-62639-973-0)

  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)

  Model Behavior by MJ Williamz. Can one woman’s instability shatter a new couple’s dreams of happiness? (978-1-63555-379-6)

  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)

  The House by Eden Darry. After a vicious assault, Sadie, Fin, and their family retreat to a house they think is the perfect place to start over, until they realize not all is as it seems. (978-1-63555-395-6)

  Uninvited by Jane C. Esther. When Aerin McLeary’s body becomes host for an alien intent on invading Earth, she must work with researcher Olivia Ando to uncover the truth and save humankind. (978-1-63555-282-9)

  BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM

  Looking for your next great read?

  Visit BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM

  to browse our entire catalog of paperbacks, ebooks, and audiobooks.

  Want the first word on what’s new?

  Visit our website for event info,

  author interviews, and blogs.

  Subscribe to our free newsletter for sneak peeks,

  new releases, plus first notice of promos

  and daily bargains

  SIGN UP AT

  BOLDSTROKESBOOKS.COM/signup