Page 43 of Ember's Claim

Bane nods, a slow smile crossing his face. “Take their heads before they can utter the words. After a few bodies pile up, the rest will get the idea.”

“I always forget the fae realm still fears your name.” Athos chuckles darkly, turning to me. “Usually, I try to temper his violent tendencies, but for once, I agree with Bane.”

Bane stomps over, grabbing my arm and dragging me a few feet away. “I don’t have to tell you how vulnerable of a position she’s in.”

“No, you don’t,” I deadpan.

“That means you have to do everything in your power to make the transition easier on her,” he says in barely more than a whisper. “Never question her in front of her wolves. You save that for when the two of you are alone, or you’ll completely undermine any authority she builds.”

I exhale heavily, giving a clipped nod. The only time I would want to is when her safety is at risk, but I also understand the point he’s trying to make.

“It doesn’t matter if she makes the wrong call,” Bane continues. “You’re her number one supporter and, by default, her executioner from here on out. If she’s unreasonable, you follow her command with a smile on your face. Lead by example, and the weaker should fall in line.” He shrugs. “If that doesn’twork, call me. We’ll kill them all and install a new form of government for the pack.”

“Thanks, Dad.” My heart races as he pulls me in for a quick hug. Once I step back, my eyes land on the warlock. “Take me to Ember.”

“Could you maybe, I don’t know, put your wings away?” Cohen asks as we stomp through the trees. His silvery magic carries the corpse of the former alpha.

My dragon would like to burn him to cinders, but that wouldn’t help us keep a low profile.

“No, not yet,” I reply as my wings flex.

Once we’re closer, possibly.

For right now, I don’t trust the warlock, and I need to be able to make a quick escape if necessary.

My phone is in my back pocket. If I don’t check in with my family in two hours, they’ll return with reinforcements.

My mind has been continually turning over the possibilities, but nothing makes sense. The best thing I can come up with is that she was found on pack land and wouldn’t back down.

The stubborn little wolf.

“Tell me what I need to know. How did Ember get involved in the challenge?”

“The pack had a decent alpha for years,” Cohen says. “He was an honorable wolf, by all accounts. Aimes came in and took him out seven or eight months ago. The new alpha tried and failed to force the previous alpha’s widow to mate with him. He imprisoned Sofia. Her brother attempted to challenge the alpha, but it was going to be a bloodbath. Your mate intervened.”

“And none of the males thought to stop her?” I growl, fighting my beast for control. He can’t fathom the idea that other shifters stood by and didn’t intercede.

“None of the wolves present were strong enough to stop her,” Cohen says, ducking under a branch. “She killed the alpha that no male in the pack had a hope of defeating…”

My anger grows the closer we get to the edge of the forest.

Tugging in my wings, I shiver at the uncomfortable feeling of having them disappear into my human form. Ever since I was little, I’ve always hated having to keep them tucked away.

I exhale heavily and grab the warlock’s arm. “Tell me how bad it is.”

“Her injuries?” He shakes out of my hold. “Or her chances of surviving whatever comes next?”

“Her injuries,” I snarl.

Nothing will hurt her from here on out, because I’ll be at her side, watching her sexy little ass every moment of the day and night.

“Not bad,” Cohen replies, shoving up his glasses as he walks at an angle. “She was conscious before the healer gave her a tea to counter the wolfsbane. She would have been better off if her wolf didn’t decide to eat Aimes’s heart to ensure he couldn’t regenerate.”

I laugh.

God, I love that pretty little lunatic.

My dragon has been anxious to escape, but hearing her actions, he turns smug. He’s sure he picked a good mate for us, and I wholeheartedly agree.

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