Page 50 of Ember's Claim

Me motherfucking too.

His gaze finally moves to me, and I shrug.

“I didn’t know they knew each other until right this second,” I say, because I don’t want there to be doubt inanyone’smind about that.

Especially the stunning female alpha’s. She truly is gorgeous with her eyes narrowed at Lorcan.

“How could I possibly have known you’d poke around pack lands tonight?” Lorcan’s accent gets thicker when he’sflabbergasted…apparently. I’ve never seen him particularly riled up about anything, so that really is an assumption based on this one occurrence. “I’d thought you’d pop in closer to the full moon. I simply wanted an opportunity to see your wolf in her full glory. I thought coming across me would be a grand surprise.”

“You’re a terrible stalker,” Ember huffs. “This is all your fault.” She jabs a finger at his cloaked chest.

“My influence in what happened tonight was unintentional.” Lorcan stares down at Ember with a look I can’t quite decipher. “And if you have any doubts about us being fated, I suggest you allow your wolf to get a good whiff of my scent.”

She sways a bit as her nostrils flare, and her eyes light bright amber.

The dragon grabs her hips to straighten her, but she ends up sniffing Lorcan quite thoroughly.

“W-Why do you smell like that?” she asks. “What did you do to yourself to confuse my wolf?”

“This is going to get tedious if you don’t listen the first time I speak.” Lorcan chuckles. “I told you that you had multiple mates, now, didn’t I?”

“Watch your fucking tone,” the dragon growls, tossing an arm over her shoulder. He allows it to fall down her front until his arm rests between her tits, and he captures her dangling hand.

Ember glances over her shoulder at the dragon, fluttering her long blonde lashes.

“I’m seeing a running theme.” Lorcan sighs. “To answer your earlier question, I’d imagine you’re just getting the first true hints of my scent without the cloaking spell. I partially released it in the bar, but we’re safe enough here, so I dispatched it completely.” He tilts his head up to address the dragon. “And I would never truly disrespectmymate, but I’ll allow that to slidethis one time in the interest of maintaining peace. We have much to discuss. Can I offer anyone a beverage?”

“My wolf is fond of your scent…” Ember’s huge blue eyes blink repeatedly. “Did you influence me with the rune you put on my wrist?”

Lorcan frowns. “I did not. I simply gave you access to contact me anytime without needing a telephone to make it happen.”

Ember tilts her head, pushing her lips together. It seems likely that she’s gauging whether she believes him.

My beasts are fond of the amber color that signals her wolf, but her eyes in human form are equally mesmerizing.

Perhaps it’s time we tell her she’s also our mate,my lion rumbles in my mind.

Oh, fuck me.

I was ready to possibly die tonight when I challenged Aimes, but this is a whole lot more than I bargained for.

I finally learn the dragon’s name. There’s way too much going on for it to be two or three in the morning.

Veryn and Lorcan argue in low tones about something, but I turn to Ember, who leans her head back against the couch. She somehow ended up on the cushion next to mine, and the urge to run my fingers over her soft cheek is almost uncontrollable.

“Did I even get the chance to thank you for interceding?” I ask softly.

Ember’s tired eyes pop open, and she nods. “Yeah, you did.”

“I heard you tell the dragon you have no desire to lead the pack…” I grimace, shaking my head. “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”

“Super hearing is a pain in the ass when you can’t shut it off,” she mumbles, rubbing her stomach. “I thought I was doing better, but I feel awful all over again.”

Lorcan and Veryn seem to be discussing a plan of action for what happens next. If nothing else, I believe the dragon can appreciate the gift it will be to have Lorcan’s magic and powers of strategy backing up the new alpha. They’re otherwise engaged, and it’s not like I need their permission to act.

“How about I take you back upstairs?” I offer. “You’re still battling the effects of the wolfsbane poisoning and, on top of that, healing from the wounds you sustained during the fight.”

Veryn’s head twists until his eyes meet mine. He studies me for several long seconds before giving a clipped nod.