Page 68 of Ember's Claim

I’m cranky, and I can admit that.

I’ve been patient and allowed them their time together. It’s only fair that they do the same.

Giving the nest a final once-over, I plant my hands on my hips and nod. It’s a solid change from what the room used to look like, but I believe Ember’s wolf will be pleased with my efforts.

Now it’s time for my mate to offer me some attention.

Ember gives me a confused frown, but she follows me out the bedroom door without complaint.

“We’ll be leaving the house. Would you like to dress yourself, should I handle that for you, or would you like to trot along in shifted form?” I grin. “I’m not picky.” I’d love to see her wolf, but I also want one-on-one time with Ember, so I’m willing to let her make that call.

“I thought you were going to show me the nest. My wolf is hardcore pouting right now.” She crosses her arms over her nude chest, and somehow, it only manages to push her breasts up more.

“Yes, well, pout if you’d like.” It’s difficult to keep my eyes locked with hers when the tops of her bare tits are right there. “I’ve been patient all day, and it’s my chance to woo you.”

Her chin raises as her eyes glimmer. “Where are we going?”

“For a walk.” I take the choice out of her hands by snapping. A plain white T-shirt and jean shorts appear on her curvy frame. I also opt for a pair of tennis shoes that can be easily disposed of. Extending my arm, I tilt my head. “Ready?”

The sexy little gasp that escapes her mouth when she sees she’s now dressed makes my cock throb.

“Am I going to need to be prepared to fight?” She tilts her head and looks up at me while linking her arm through mine.

I chuckle. “This is a date.”

She snorts. “I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but I was going to ask for jeans and boots if so.”

A giddy excitement fills my chest. She’s everything I would ask for if I could build my perfect partner.

The cool night is just warm enough that I don’t regret the shorts I placed her in. The pack lands may be a shadow of what they were several hundred years ago, but if you know where to look, there is breathtaking beauty to be found.

We walk for close to ten minutes in companionable silence. I’ve got my bag thrown over my chest, and it bumps against my side with every stride.

“I’ve barely had any time to think about it, but Veryn mentioned Rogue left with a warlock.” Ember stops dead in her tracks, turning to face me. “She’s important to me. Anders said she would be fine with Cohen, but I’ve never met him. I need you to be honest with me. Is she safe with him?”

Bringing a hand up, I brush my fingers over her soft cheek. “Your friend is safer with Cohen than he likely is with her. The man is physically incapable of telling a convincing lie or even casual misdirection.”

“Neither is Rogue. It’s part of her Seelie magic. She physically cannot lie.” Ember’s bright blue eyes search my face, and she must finally find what she’s looking for because she nods. “Cohen is who Rogue and I were sent to find? Sanders…his alias or whatever?”

“Yes. Although, it all trails back to Calyx.” I bend a bit, wrapping my forearm under her backside and lifting her. She immediately wraps her feet around my ass, and her arms circle my middle as she places her head on my chest. It’s quite a cozy position. “Calyx is older than I am, if you can believe that.” I chuckle, calling a burst of magic to carry us along. “He is also not a threat to your friend, but he is searching for something very important that was stolen from him.”

“Why does the paranormal council want him to begin with?” she asks against my shirt.

“He’s ancient and powerful, but honestly, there’s no way to tell what caught their interest.” I soothe a hand down the back of her shirt. “I feel a fair amount of guilt, considering we only made our way to North America to support Anders.”

“It’s very sweet that you all immediately dropped everything to come with him to see his sister.” She sighs heavily. “I wish something could be done about Burke. I have a close family friend who is a reaper, but he’s told us before that once someone is gone…they’re beyond even his reach. My Aunt Nadia—the fertility witch—he’s her mate. She’s the one who will help with the ward too. Okay, so, this is a very closely kept secret, but she’s a blood witch. She just hides as a fertility witch because of the way blood witches were hunted out of existence. Oh, and she’s an omega too.”

My jaw opens and closes, but no words come out.

Fucking hell.

She knows many formidable individuals. And while I understand her need to make her own way and prove her ability to run the pack…if the wolves who oppose her leadership decided to do something rash, I’m sure Veryn would have no trouble calling in the female nightmare. Knowing a reaper and blood witch would be available, if need be, is an even more shocking prospect.

“I won’t tell a soul,” I assure Ember.

My shoulders pull back with pride. She trusts me enough to tell me secrets. That’s a very good feeling, indeed.

We continue up the dirt path that lines the side of the mountain.

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