Page 24 of When Embers Become Ashes

I can feel a rumbling chest holding me, and I know it is Ren from the Pine trees and fresh snow scent. I also feel the brush of unease I’ve only ever felt around omegas. I decided to take a gamble and hope I’m right.

“Grumpy, stop growling. You’ll scare the omega.” He sighs and starts to purr. I hear a startled squeak and a chuckle from Ren’s left, which is in front of me as he’s holding me bridal-style.

Opening my eyes I see a gorgeous man with blue pinstripe slacks, a light blue shirt with black suspenders, and black Converse shoes. When I reach his face, his features are more feline but more kitten than cat, ice blonde hair and striking blue eyes with unique smokey eye shadow. He’s an albino Panther, but not entirely because of his eyes, and I instantly want to snuggle and have a movie day with him.

He won’t make eye contact, but I don’t often myself. I then notice he’s sat on the arm of my twin’s chair, with Brayden’s hand on his thigh, Dex and Levi are giving me smug looks their tails wagging in happiness. The omega is my twin’s mate. I smile and relax more into Ren as I notice Brayden watching me guardedly. I averted my eyes and turned to look at Mika. Wow, he wasn’t joking when he said he was identical to his brothers, I’m glad he showed me photos of everyone, not only so I know who to trust but so I don’t go insulting my new uncles.

“Ren, are you going to put my daughter down so we can talk?” Mika asks.

Ren tenses and starts to growl. I see Brayden’s mate recoil, and I twist and swat Ren’s nose. He promptly stops growling and whines at me,

“Emmy, don’t do that. You know it hurts,” he says while burrowing his nose back in my hair and complaining about my braids.

He spins me round and busies himself, taking them out. I look at Mika and raise an eyebrow. Lucian, Bastille, and Brayden burst out laughing, Dominic smirks, Declan and Brayden’s mate looks confused, Mika sighs, rubs his face, and starts to explain,

“Boys, this is your sister Ember. I won’t go into how she came back to us right now, know it wasn’t brilliant. It might take her a while to accept that she is wanted here.” Ren hums behind me, happy my hair is now loose and knowing a little of my story.

“You're safe now. They all know how my brother and I feel about his Quinny!” Ren says, and recognition flashes in everyone’s eyes.

“Ember, what happened just now? Do you need a doctor?” Mika asks, already reaching for a phone. I decided to lie slightly, not wanting to say it was the shock the wolves from my dreams were both inside my twin, does that mean one should have been mine?

“I think I was just overwhelmed. I saw a few faces I recognized, but the recognition I got when I saw Brayden was just too much.” It then clicks. I’m still sitting on Ren’s lap and can feel things, hard things, knotted things. I stand up; he holds my hips to keep me steady if I fall again.

“If it’s okay, can I go to bed? It’s been a long day?” Mika takes in my pleading look and agrees, asking Miles, who is Brayden’s mate, to show me to my room and find out my sizes so he can get me clothes tomorrow, as winter is still in full swing, and I have the bare minimum.

Ren follows us out, but the rest start firing questions at Mika as the door clicks shut. Ren has yet to let go of me; I turn slightly, already seeing the pretty blonde from before watching us.

“You best get back to your girlfriend; thank you for catching me, and it’s good to see you again, Alpha Firefall!” I state and try to keep my emotions on lockdown.

I turn and follow Miles upstairs as he rapidly fires questions about clothes, style, makeup, and underwear at me. I laugh and shake my head. He stops and pouts at me, putting his hands on his hips. I smile.

“I’m Curvy, think Marlyn Monroe, but no pink or frills. I prefer emo/steampunk/skater style, and panties need to cover my arse, so no dental floss. I need supportive bras, I’m self-measured, so I might be wrong on actual sizes.” I take a breath and tug on my hoodie sleeves.

“I need long sleeves and nothing above my knees to hide my scars. I can cope with leggings as long as they don’t have big seams and nothing tight, as they rubs on my scars.” I’m mumbling by the end, and I've not looked at his face once.

“I haven’t cut my hair for years, other than snipping the split ends myself and doing a little shaping round my face, so I tend to wash and condition with what I can get hold of, then dry it in braids so it’s easier to tame. I’ve never worn makeup, and I could do with some period things soon.” I look up as I finish.

"My diet's been poor to starving, until three years ago when I got a decent home, but I’m naturally curvy, so don’t get any hopes that you’ll find a Barbie doll under my baggy clothes." I try to laugh, but it's hollow. When my eyes finally get to his face, he’s crying. Before I apologize, he flies at me, turning into an octopus—not physically, but it feels like it. He hugs me so tightly.

“You are gorgeous. If Brayden wasn’t my mate and you had a dick, I would be shaking my ass to get your attention.” I laugh, and the hug starts to loosen a little,

“We start covered, but we will work together to improve your confidence. You're hot and the official badass pack princess. I will have you wearing your battle scars with pride like armor. We finally have someone to fight the pack princess wannabes off and show them who’s boss.” I burst into giggles. Pleased with his work, Miles nods, releases me, kisses my forehead, and leaves with

“Goodnight, sweet cheeks, the bathroom has basics. I’ll get you better tomorrow.” I manage to get out

“Good night, pretty kitty. Thank you.” as the door clicks shut.

I shower and put on one of the T-shirts Xander got me, along with a pair of panties and some socks. I braid my hair and slip into bed.

I fall asleep with tears running down my face, but I’m not 100% sure why.

I’m safe,

I have my friends back, and I’m wanted here.

I feel so vulnerable, and I’m safe to be that way—I hope so anyway.

I stir sometime later. hearing the door click and then feel someone slide into bed,

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