Page 25 of Lost Fate

“Leander?” His voice softens. “Shit, I haven’t heard from you in weeks. Your mom said that you were okay, but damn. What happened?”

“Long story. I told you that I went to the aunt’s house and didn’t find her?”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice deepening. I can tell that there’s still grief there, because he didn’t know Ember’s mother had died until I found out and told him. “Is something wrong with my daughter, Payne?”

“No, sir. She’s in Colorado, as the aunt told us. She is still with the same pack, but they relocated to Oakwood after leaving Alaska.”

He curses softly. “If I had known, she wouldn’t have been raised by her aunt.”

“The pack seems pretty solid,” I say, thinking of how chill Alpha Thorne was with me yesterday. “But the most important thing, sir... I found her.”

There’s silence coming from the phone.

“That’s great news,” he says finally.

I’ve seen Alpha James do a lot of things over the years. I’ve seen him facilitate mating, parties, and carry out justice.

I’ve never heard his throat sound this tight.

“Great news,” he repeats. “So. What’s next?”

“I’m going to get her home. And sir, she’s…” I swallow.

It occurs to me that I’ve spent the past week or so fucking my alpha’s daughter.

Shit.

“Payne?”

“She’s incredible, sir,” I say finally. “She’s strong as hell, smart, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do.”

“Anyone?” The question feels loaded. But I know what he’s asking.

“Yeah. Anyone.”

“Well. I guess that’s something,” he murmurs. “How soon can you have her back?”

“Sir, I just have to…”

I don’t get to finish that sentence. A body slams into mine, taking my breath away, and the phone flies from my hand. I’m definitely caught off guard, but long years of training take over. I manage to worm away from my attacker, and when I do, a familiar smell crosses my nose.

It’s Ember.

She’s not in her wolf form, but when she comes at me again, it’s all I can do to dodge her and get out of the way.

“What the hell, Leander!” she yells at me.

Oh. Oh, fuck. I don’t know what she heard, but I know that it’s not good.

“Ember, stop,” I try, dodging her again as she tries to tackle me. “It’s not what you think.”

“Explain to me again what it is!” she cries. There’s pain in her voice.

Fucking hell. I need to get her to listen.

This is going to hurt.

This time, when she runs at me, I’m ready for her. I’m a big guy, and Ember’s size is pretty small, despite the fact that she’s hella strong. I have to use that to my advantage.

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