Page 46 of Reign

“We can shower later. Right now, I want you in my arms. I need to hold you close.”

From under hooded eyes, I watched him slide in next to me. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for a cuddler.”

He grinned. “Only ever with you.” And he pulled me in close. I wrapped my arms and legs around him, holding him just as closely—and I slept deeply.

Chapter 17

Connor

The phonein my pocket buzzed. I slid it out and unlocked it. Drake’s message was short and to the point.

“We have to get to the club—quickly.”

Owen grunted. “Let’s get going then.”

I glanced down at Ember. “Can you keep up if we run?”

She cocked a brow and glared at me, but the small smile that curled her lips was sexy enough to be distracting.

I grinned. “Okay, then. Sorry.”

Since we’d reclaimed each other nearly two weeks ago, I’d not wanted to leave her side, but she was becoming more independent and more confident with each day that passed. My mother had cautioned me against not telling her she was pregnant. Since we were back together, Ember’s nausea had settled, and her headaches had resolved. Her memories were coming back in sporadic dreams and flashes, which I knew was disconcerting for her, but it was a relief not to have to ask Balthazar for help. We were both certain that, given time, they would return fully.

We covered the distance to the Gambit at a steady run. I didn’t want to go too fast. Ember might not know it, butIknew she carried our baby, and I didn’t want her to trip or get too tired. Owen glanced sideways at me as I checked on her again, taking in her breathing rate and complexion. He raised his brows. Yeah, I’d had the argument that was in his eyes with all of my pack, especially my mother. They argued she should stay in the compound where it was safe. But over the past fourteen days, she’d begun to remember her fighting abilities and her fierce spirit. Leaving her behind wasn’t an option. One, because she’d find a way to follow me, and two, because I selfishly didn’t want to be separated from her, at all, for any length of time. My anxiety spiked at the thought of losing her again, and even though she’d called Fire to her, the only way I knew she’d be safe was if I was by her side.

My mother was right, though. I needed to sit down with Ember and tell her the truth. I’d only kept it hidden because I didn’t want to overwhelm her while she was still remembering who she was. Finding out she was pregnant might prevent her memories from returning if she became too stressed. And I didn’t want to lose her. Not just physically, but I didn’t want anything stopping the full version ofmyEmber from coming back. I wanted her to remember every touch, every part of our past together, every bit of my claiming her, everything…

We slowed as the club came into view. I cracked my neck and my knuckles. I wanted to run in and get my hands on Manivera, but the leader in me knew if I wasn’t careful, he could just slip from my grasp again, no matter my allies.

“Shifter King,” greeted Davlov. The vampire had been the constant in my dealings with Balthazar. I nodded at him. His gaze landed on Ember, his pupils dilating.

I snarled viciously. “She’s mine. Stay away from her.”

A smug grin stretched his lips, his eyes glinting, but he nodded. “Understood.”

Ember cocked her head and studied him, a smirk of her own in place. “You could never give me the pleasure he does, anyway,” she drawled and sashayed up to me, kissing me soundly.

Davlov chuckled but didn’t comment. “He’s expecting you. He has your goods in his office.”

I nodded, keeping my face blank, resisting the urge to roar and charge down there to kill my prey. Instead, I walked calmly down the steps and into the club. Ember had been in with me before and was cool with surrendering her weapons, as was Owen. He didn’t even flirt with the female demon tonight. He was all business.

“You up for playing tonight?’ she purred at Owen as she accepted our weapons.

“Nope, sorry, doll. Not tonight. Tonight is business, not pleasure.”

She didn’t hide her disappointment. Neither of us acknowledged it. Ember gave her a smile and shrugged before moving on past. I hadn’t actually told her why we had been called to the club, only that Drake had told us to meet him and that the Count had something for me. I wouldn’t have my pregnant mate anywhere near the male who’d taken her and abused her mind so much.

I walked toward Balthazar’s office. Drake and Sophie waited by the bar. Both of them looked impatient.

“Thank fuck.”

I growled a low warning.

Drake stopped short, swallowing his next words.

I leaned against the bar and pulled Ember into my body until she was flush with me. The roses in her cheeks told me my distraction tactic had worked. Her reaction to me was instant; her body melted against mine. That response had only gotten more and more pronounced the longer we were together. I swallowed hard. It wasn’t just her that reacted to our closeness, either.

The others inhaled and shifted uncomfortably. Yeah, it was pretty obvious to everyone around us that we needed each other pretty much all the time. It was hard to control my thoughts, but I wouldn’t be distracted from my purpose.

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