Page 29 of When Embers Become Ashes

“I asked what she needed to get back to sleep. She asked for a first kiss so it could never be taken from her! I then replaced his touch with mine. We didn’t have sex, but when she came, her instinct hit, and she marked me.” I lift my shirt, showing my mark proudly, and a slight smirk appears on my face,

“I gave her the first mark too, I nearly fucked up, making her think I was regretting it, but we talked, and we know where we both stand.” I look him straight in the eye now, and he raises a brow.

“After we stripped her bed, I gave her some clean clothes, and we showered. I saw her mate marks.” He’s lost that relaxed look and looks annoyed at my smug look,

“She has 10 marks in total; Jenson and mine are among them. I recognize a few others, too.” I can’t work out if he looks more sick or angry. Maybe both.

“I’m not asking permission, as it is Ember’s choice, but I wanted to make you aware Ember and I were born under blood moons. The first time we met was a blood moon – tonight is a blood moon, and I plan to fully seal our bond, give her my mother'sring and my Alpha mark.” I stop and wait. It takes nearly five minutes. He sits, running his index finger across his lip

“You’re right. The decision is hers. I’ve been her father for two days; you have been her friend for years and have been faithful to her, and I value that. I care for you as much as my own son, her twin. I also respect that you had the balls to talk to me, not that I would expect anything less from Alpha Ren Firefall. If she agrees, you have my blessing to mate my daughter.” I sag in relief, the tension I didn’t know I had leaving me.

“BUT you hurt her in any way. What you did to Gerald and Rafe will be a cakewalk.” His voice is full of Dominance, and it hits me. I suck in a breath.

“If I hurt her, I’ll sharpen your claws for you first.” He nods, happy with my answer, raises and leads me out, ready for breakfast. He puts a hand on my shoulder.

“I couldn’t ask for someone better for her. Let’s hope the rest pass the test, too,” he laughs.

“I also want your mating to be Alpha blessed, so talk to Nic about a ceremony.” He adds, and I give him a confused look

“Why wouldn’t we?”

Ember

I hear Ren speak to someone as the door clicks shut, but I don’t think anything of it. I spend a few more minutes, working on this sketch.

I then sit up and look at the view, trying to decide what to do next.

My dark angel was next, but I don’t want to share him yet, which would make Dan and Elise next. I smile and turn to a clean page, making sure to leave one spare.

I see the curtains open over one of the other sets of doors, I promptly swallow my tongue. I don’t move, my pencil poised over my page, but out the corner of my eye, there is a guy 5ft 9ish, lean build, broad shoulders like a swimmer, tousled blonde hair, and very, very naked. I force myself to start drawing. I chance a glance again out the corner of my eye, not turning my head. He’s rubbing his face, his mate mark that is 3 inches down his side from his right armpit. It looks like a paw print or a hand, but the palm is a crescent moon shape.

I continue to sketch the outline of Dan and Elise’s back porch. I glance again and reach his face, canine features, but they are mixed with a Fae-like perfection just like… fuck Creed, no, it can’t be. Creed doesn’t have a wolf, and this guy does. I keep my focus on my page, I hear a muffled “FUCK!” from his direction.

I swallow a smile, and the figure moves out of view. I sigh, unsure if I’m relieved from him not coming out or him walking away. I carry on drawing and hear shuffling coming from Ren’s room; Trick’s scent fills my nose as a grunted

“Shuffle” comes from my sleepy trickster. He slides behind me. His nose sinks in behind my right ear, and both arms around my tummy, legs on either side of me.

“I woke up, and you were gone. I thought I’d dreamed it, then heard you sketching.” he huffs but says no more.

“Sorry, I felt restless. I decided to do some of my wolf dreams.” He hums behind me, and we sit. Part of me thinks he’s fallen asleep.

“Where’s Ren?” he asks, still not moving. I leave it a beat before answering,

“He went to talk to Mika about the fact we marked each other last night.” I feel him tense, and I panic I’ve triggered something for him. He sniffs, then pulls the hoody and t-shirt away from my left shoulder, careful not to touch Ren’s mark.

His voice is cold and sharp, like a knife’s edge, when he finally speaks,

“He didn’t force you, did he?” Wide-eyed, I turn and look at him. He’s serious. His hair and eyes flash with his warring emotions. Putting my sketch pad down, I turn, going up on my knees, cradling his face in my hands,

“Your brother would never force or hurt us, you know that!” He relaxes but keeps my gaze.

“I woke from a bad dream, and he helped banish those memories. We didn’t have sex. Well, he gave me oral, but he kept his boxers on. We did what you and I HAD to do, nothing more, but when we came, I marked him, and Pine pushed forward,” I bow my head, ashamed I kind of forced Ren into the bond. Trick kisses my forehead,

“I doubt it was all Pine. Ren has loved you since we were kids.” He smiles, then my tummy grumbles, and he chuckles at me,

“I need to shower. Can you put my faux hawk back in, and then we can feed the monster that is your stomach?” I smile.

“Do you have clippers?” I follow him out of the room, putting the pencils in my hoodie pocket.

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