Chapter 23: Precursor

Hammering echoed throughout the valley on the outskirts of the village, accompanied by the occasional grunt of exertion. Atop a half-caved in rooftop, Jaxx straddled a beam, leaning over the arcing space with several nails tucked between her lips. A grey tank top wet with sweat clung to her heaving upper half as she pounded away, determined to finish repairing the roof before nightfall.

“Fixing up the hunting cabin?” a voice asked from below Jaxx’s perch and she craned backward to see who was talking.

Richard stood a few paces from the front porch, one hand in the pocket of his jeans and the other shielding his eyes from the sun.

“An Alpha shouldn’t live with their parents,” Jaxx said with a chuckle after she’d removed the nails from her mouth and shoved them into a work belt that hung loosely on her hips.

“Fair enough,” he paused and then continued. “You got a second to talk about something?”

“I’m kind of busy here, Richard.”

“I won’t take up too much time.”