Page 25 of Challenged Mate
Not surprising.
“You said she pines for the alpha. Were they a thing?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Jenifer snorted. “No. Never. Our alpha would never debase himself like that.”
“Because she doesn’t have magic?”
“Because she’s a horrible person. Our alpha doesn’t care about magic.”
I bit my tongue to refrain from expressing my doubt.
“I’m Jenifer, by the way,” she introduced herself, holding out her hand. “But my friends call me Jenny.”
I shook her hand. “I’m Blair.”
“I know.” She smiled. The friendly expression made her brown eyes shine and softened her features. She was pretty.
I gave her a weak smile in return.
“Jenny is my age,” Kayla said, “and she’s the highest-ranking female in our pack’s defensive force.”
Defensive force?
I eyed the female. She was lean, clearly toned, but still not as physically impressive as a male shifter would be. But I remembered the Wilds Pack found strength in more than physical ability. “I’m going to guess you have strong magic?”
“I’m a quarter-sorceress,” Jenny confirmed. “I’m only outranked by this fifty-percenter and her family.” She joked and nudged Kayla playfully.
Kayla laughed. “I’d say you’re almost as powerful as I am.”
“Psh. Stop lying.”
“It’s not a lie. Your spells and charms are intricate and impactful. You almost have Asher beat.”
I watched the two banter back and forth with a sad smile. They reminded me of my friendship Stephanie.
Maybe it was time to reach out to her. I knew she worried about me. I received a daily text message saying as much, telling me she was eager to hear from me once I felt ready.
“Yeah, right.” Jenny rolled her eyes at her friend’s remark, but a small smile curved her lips.
“Asher is powerful then?” I made sure I didn’t look too eager to hear the response. The sooner I mastered the art of hiding how I felt about the dark-haired shifter, the better.
Kayla and Jenny exchanged a look. I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“Asher is the most powerful sorcerer in the pack,” Kayla admitted slowly—almost like she wasn’t sure if she should tell me that.
“Really?” I failed to hide my shock. Hadn’t Chase told me Asher was also the most powerful shifter, in general? “What about the alpha?”
“Yep,” Kayla replied quickly. “Even him.”
Jenny lifted a brow, looking confused, but she didn’t disagree with her friend.
“What about Chase?” I asked. “How does he rank with magic?”
“All the Monroe boys are powerful, but Chase is the strongest.”
“Much to his older brother’s irritation,” Jenny snorted.
“You mean Stanley?” I asked.
