Page 75 of Burning Embers

We stop in front of the game room, where laughter emanates from inside. Izzy’s twinkling, musical laughter.

And Jake’s.

A strange, rumbly sound rattles my chest, and it takes me a second too long to realize it’s a growl. I quickly try to smother the sound by biting my lower lip, but it continues regardless, my whole body shaking from the force of it.

Hale casts me a sharp, searching look, but I attempt to appear nonchalant, as if I’mnotgrowling like a freaking maniac.

Dodododo. Nothing to see here. Just a teeny, tiny growl. Totally normal.

Hale opens his mouth, shuts it, and then immediately reopens it. He seems to be struggling to find words to say.

Finally, he blows out a haggard breath and barks, “Just be careful.”

And that’s that.

No threat to stay away from Izzy.

No questions about my random-ass growl.

No curiosity over my strange reaction to Izzy’s and Jake’s laughter.

He simply nods once, the slightest jerk of his head, and then turns towards the kitchen.

Just before he disappears out of sight, I call out to him, “I would love to stay for dessert. If you’d have me, of course.”

Anything to stay here and not return home.

I don’t want to hear my parents rave on and on about what a perfect son I am and how lucky we are as a pack to mate Desiree. I don’t want to listen to my older sister giggle as she talks about her new boyfriend she’s already desperately in love with. And I definitely don’t want to see the derision, disgust, and loathing on my brother’s face whenever he even glances in my direction.

Hale’s smile turns soft, some of the rigid tension from moments ago melting away. “Of course. Brownies and ice cream sound good to you?”

“Sounds delicious.”

Who can possibly say no to Hale’s homemade brownies? I swear those fuckers melt in my mouth. Even my wolf is salivating, and chocolate gives that asshole gas.

Hale smiles again and then disappears into the kitchen. I, on the other hand, take deep, calculated breaths as I work up the courage to step inside the room.

It’s just video games.

So what if Izzy’s here?

Remember what Ashton said—just be her friend.

You can do that, right?

My attempt to hype myself up is shattered when Izzy squeals with laughter, and jealousy ripples through my veins. I don’t seem to have any control over my body. One second, I’mstanding there, slapping my face and reminding myself that Izzy isn’t the first girl I’ve ever talked to, and the next, I’m storming inside. My wolf howls ferociously in my head, the deafening noise drowning out everything else.

My claws lengthen and my canines elongate when I see Izzy lying on the couch, her hair flowing around her in a waterfall of golden silk. Jake hovers over her, a shit-eating grin on his face and his fucking dimples on full display. Izzy’s shirt has risen up just enough for me to see her toned stomach…and Jake’s fingers brushing the skin there.

A potent mixture of possessiveness and blinding rage weave themselves around the jealousy already present.

They don’t seem to notice I’m even here, too focused on each other.

Izzy kicks out at Jake as another giggle escapes her. “Get off of me, you shit brain!”

Jake just continues to smile wickedly and tickle her sides. “Not until you confess the truth! Admit it!”

“Fuck off!”

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