Page 34 of An Uncertain Claim

She hesitated, then relented and returned to her seat.

“So, you’re Peyton.” My dad grinned and sauntered over to shake her hand. “My wife speaks very highly of you.”

“She’s amazing,” Peyton replied with a smile. “You’re a very lucky man.”

My dad nodded and took a seat in the other chair next to the chessboard. “That I am.” He canted his head and scrutinized her for a second. “She tells me you have an eidetic memory?”

Peyton glanced uneasily at the other two shifters in the room. She didn’t like people knowing about that particular skill as it gave her an edge, but she answered him honestly. “Yes.”

“Which means if you are told the rules to a game, you’ll always remember them?” he queried. I rolled my eyes, knowing where he was going with his inquisition.

“Correct.”

He sat back with a satisfied smile and looked at me. “I approve. Just think, you won’t have to spend eternity explaining the games to her and having her promptly forget them.” His eyes swung back to Peyton. “Are you a fan of any sports?”

“Tennis mostly,” Peyton replied with an amused smile.

My dad grinned. “You play?”

Peyton reflected his expression. “Sometimes.”

He laughed, a robust sound that made Peyton’s beautiful emeralds sparkle.

When they fell quiet, I jumped in to move things along. We went over the pack accounts and investments, then discussed the pack-owned businesses. When we were done, Felicia and Dane left just as another pack member arrived. We talked over other pack issues, then we met with all my enforcers to discuss security and training. I had to bite back a smile whenever Peyton casually participated in the conversations. I didn’t think she even realized what she was doing, she simply listened and acted on instinct. Her suggestions were quite insightful and each one only further convinced me that she would make an incredible Alpha female for the pack, as well as an asset to KBO.

When the meetings ended, it was early evening and my father and Tanner lingered, discussing one of our KBO projects, body armor that complemented the new helmets we’d developed.

Peyton asked a couple of clarifying questions, but otherwise she just listened. Then my dad turned and asked her opinion. “We’ve considered working with the Fae to use metal forged in Faery for the breastplate, what do you think?”

She played with the ends of her midnight hair as she thought. “Have you reached out to Rogan?”

Rogan was the prince of the Light Fae, and he was always more open to working with us than anyone else from Faery. Though that wasn’t saying much. The Fae were…wrapped up in themselves most of the time.

“Yes,” I answered. “He’s open to considering the idea. But he wants more details before he’ll take it to his father.”

“Is there an alternative that will work?”

“There are a few options,” Tanner piped up. “But none of them would be as strong or reliable. We used hellfire to forge the material for the helmets, but Fae magic is stronger when protecting the heart.”

“It can’t hurt to explore the idea a little more,” Peyton said. “But you always run the risk of the well running dry when you’re relying on other creatures rather than your own resources. So my suggestion is to explore every option thoroughly before you make a decision.” She paused for a few seconds, her expression thoughtful. Then she listed a few different places where we might find materials that would work for the armor.

My father and Tanner stared at her with curiosity. “Those seem like odd places for you to be familiar with,” my father mused.

Peyton shrugged. “I’ve lived in a lot of interesting places. Most of them off the grid.”

Tanner’s lips quirked and a knowing gleam entered his eyes. “Not a city girl?”

“Not particularly,” she conceded, and he smiled with satisfaction. “I mean, New York is my home and I’ve spent time in several other heavily populated cities when they piqued my interest. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for modern conveniences, but I prefer them in solitude. I love exploring new places, but especially ones that are undiscovered.” Her tone became wistful, and I frowned, frustrated to see the wanderlust in her eyes. “I haven’t decided where to go next”—my gut twisted at her words—“but if I find any other possibilities for you, I’ll get word to you.”

Confusion filled Tanner’s face, but what I found curious was my dad’s reaction. He smiled and nodded. “We would very much appreciate that. Thank you.”

“But—” Tanner began.

I waved him off, not wanting to get into it right then.

“Time to leave, Tanner,” my dad announced as he stood. He pulled Peyton up from her chair and wrapped her up in a hug. “I look forward to getting to know you, Peyton,” he told her with a soft smile. “I have a feeling Nathan is just as lucky as I am.” He released her and started for the door, but before he left, he stopped and twisted his neck to glance back at us. “That pup is going to be a spitfire,” he declared with a hearty laugh. Then he was gone.

Peyton took a step toward the door. “I’m going to—”

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