Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I do.”
“It's a nice property.”
“I'm sure it is.”
“It's so nice. You'll probably stay there. In fact, it would be crazy to not move in.” Duck picked up another chocolate covered strawberry.
I made sure to not focus on the fruit between his fingers. “Maybe. I'm still weighing my options.”
“If you stay in the East, in Lotus Blossom, barely a five-minute walk from my suite. . .and Lei returns to obsessing over Chanel's dead body. . .” Duck popped the chocolate strawberry in his mouth and groaned in delight. “Mmmm.”
Swallowing, I watched as he licked his fingers clean. His tongue slowly swirled around each one, and I felt a warmth build between my legs that I hadn't expected.
Heat radiated within my core.
Duck's eyes met mine and a mischievous grin spread across his face. He knew exactly what he was doing to me.
“Well. . .” I blushed. “I'm just taking this all. . .day by day.”
“As you should.” He placed both hands on the table and threaded his fingers. “Just never forget. . .”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Wolves. Sharp fangs. Bloodied claws.”
“And you don't forget.” I pointed at him.
He eyed me.
“Cousins. Brothers. Best friends. I don't do messy.”
He laughed and then his phone rang, interrupting the crazy conversation. Sighing, he pulled it out, checked the screen, rolled his eyes, and answered. “What?”
I tried to catch the person's voice on the other end.
“Do you really need me?” He frowned. “It's one dead body. Surely, it didn't go too far—”
The other person must have interrupted him because Duck shook his head and listened with an annoyed expression.
“Yes. Yes.” Duck glanced over his shoulder at the men who had carried me up and gestured for them to come over.
I took it all in.
“Sure. I'll be there.” Duck slowly rose. “Just let me make sure Monique gets back to her tent.”
Oh fuck. Duck has to go too.
I gazed around at all the strangers intently watching me.
Damn it. . .I don't want to be alone on this mountain.
“Yes. Yes.” Duck groaned in annoyance. “I'm just taking her back to the tent. Nothing else will happen.”
That must be Chen.
Duck shut off the phone and put it in his pocket. “They apparently need my help.”
“Did they find Chanel's body?”
“No, but they found some of Yan's men. It'll probably be a big fight.” Standing by his chair, Duck watched the men come over. “So. . .I figured you would want me to get you out of here, instead of simply running off without saying goodbye.”
“That would be nice.”
“And we can finish our conversation about wolves and panties later.”
“Absolutely not.”
Chapter seventeen
The Essence of the Cloud Dragon
Monique
When is Lei going to return?
Once back in the tent, I undressed, put on my pajamas, searched for my phone, and never found it.
Did Lei take my phone?
However, I did find two books underneath my pillow just like Duck had promised.
Both were bound in rich, dark blue leather, but The Essence of the Cloud Dragon was the thickest.
I started with that one and made so many notes.
I couldn't deny that it was a window into the world Lei had grown up in. Every page revealed shocking history.
Hours passed, and I delved deeper, reading about traditions bound by stringent, often brutal codes.
The rituals, far from mere formalities, were definite tests of strength, loyalty, and resolve, designed to forge leaders and warriors out of the members.
One passage detailed a pivotal moment in Lei's life when he was just fourteen. It described his violent rite of passage, a bloody trial where Lei had to fight for the throne.
And the text didn't shy away from the details—it spoke of a young Lei, facing opponents much older and experienced, defeating them in a series of grueling combat.
But Lei's trials didn't end there.
On his eighteenth birthday, Lei faced another daunting ceremony. This time, it was a continuous six-hour duel with many challengers. There, he had to defend his position again and again. Apparently, this was to ensure that only the strongest and most capable leader would guide the Four Aces.
Lei's victory in this duel cemented his position as the undisputed leader.
As if that wasn't enough violence, the book also shed light on the paths of Duck and Chen.
Before Duck could take on his current role as Red Pole, he had to endure a series of strategic tests, designed to assess his intelligence, cunning, and loyalty. One night, he was taken from his bedroom without any warning and thrown into a forest, blindfolded with his hands and ankles tied. Of course, there was no food, water, or weapons given.
Duck was expected to return within seven days or face disappointment and no chance of ever being Red Pole. In fact, if he failed, the text explained that he would forever hold the lowest position possible with no chance of ever being promoted.
Somehow, Duck returned to the East on the third day, bruised, scarred, and starving, but alive.