Page 19 of Lost Fate

Maybe if I tell her everything…

With a sharp breath, I open my eyes, and reality slams back into me.

To my right, Ember is still sleeping peacefully. After the first time, there were more rounds of very rigorous sex before we both passed out in each other’s arms. More rounds than I’ve ever attempted before, and each was better than the fucking last.

Sleeping with Ember near is the greatest comfort that I could have. I’m not averse to sharing a bed with women, on the rare occasion that I do have someone stay with me, but sharing a bed with Ember? It’s utterly amazing.

So the dream is pretty shocking.

I’m not a big dream guy. Just not my style.

I have a sinking realization, though, as I look down at Ember who is curling toward me in her slumber.

I don’t think that was a dream. I think it was a memory. Which makes it even worse.

My head still feels painful as I try to think and focus on the memory. I’d left Florida, tasked with finding…

Shit. I was tasked with finding Ember.

Guilt, accompanied swiftly by panic, floods me.

What the hell? Why was I tasked with finding her? What the hell does the alpha want with her?

I lie back in the bed, trying my best to keep from disturbing her. Ember rolls over, pulling me closer as she murmurs in her sleep. She’s completely naked. I am, too, of course. We just fell into bed together like this, and neither of us bothered to put on clothes before we did.

I had been hoping for maybe another opportunity to enjoy her body, honestly, and now, as she curves toward me, I want it…

But you’re supposed to take her back to your alpha.

Fuck. What the hell am I doing?

My heart sinks.

I definitely didn’t know that I was looking for Ember. But now that I do? I have no clue what I should do.

Ember moves her arms, like she can’t control them, but they’re looking for me. Her lips part, and she says my name. She breathes it. Like a prayer. Like it’s something that matters to her.

I need to leave. I don’t know why my alpha wanted her, but I can’t defy him. I also can’t possibly do anything that would hurt Ember, and while I know my alpha is a pretty stand-up guy, I also know that he sent me to find her. And I was willing to subdue her by any means necessary.

That in itself is pretty telling, and pretty bad.

I could never hurt Ember.

That thought rings through me, clear as a bell. I recognize the truth of it beyond all else. Slowly, reassured by my own conviction, I settle back into the bed with her.

Ember reaches for me, and I tuck her into my arms. She settles against my chest with a little huff, sighing as she breathes against my chest. I kiss her on the top of her head.

My mind churns as the night drags on. I know that I’d never hurt her, and I know that for whatever reason, I might have been sent to do that.

I need to get in contact with my alpha. I need to figure out a way to keep him from realizing that I found Ember while also figuring out why I was sent after her in the first place.

While Ember snores slightly in my arms, I make a plan.

If she’s in danger from him? I’m going to make sure she’s safe. From him. From me.

Forever.

Chapter 7

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