Page 30 of When Embers Become Ashes

Twenty-five minutes later, we head down for breakfast. Trick introduces me to Alma, who gets a quick rundown of my likes and dislikes before she passes me a mug of English tea. We make our way to the breakfast room and take a seat; only those who live in the pack house and a few older folks are allowed in this part of the chalet.

Trick explains that unless there are visitors, we can sit wherever we want, even in the Alpha's chair.

As we sit down, like Ren did all those years ago, Trick loads up my plate for me. I smile at him, and then over his shoulder, I see Creed walk in. Freeze, and someone bumps into his back, sending him flat on his face. The new guy and Creed lean down to help him up... wait, does Creed have an identical twin? The first guy isn’t Creed, but the second one is. Once his brother is on his feet, Creed swaggers over to me, hauling me out of my chair and into a huge hug. He still smells like dark chocolate, but now it’s accompanied by something else, like bourbon and cigars. As he pulls back,

“Smudge, I’d like you to meet my brother Jace.” I smile at said twin,

“Hello, Jace, it’s nice to meet you.” Turning to Creed, I punch his chest

“You said brother, not mirror image.” I say with a laugh.

“Not like you can't tell the difference, smudge,” he says so quietly that only Trick and I can hear.

“You told him?” Jenson breaths out next to me, I can’t tell if he’s hurt or upset by the fact.

At a glance around the room, everyone feels safe. I smile as I sit back down and turn to Trick as I sip my tea,

“He felt safe, but I was curious what he was. I’d never seen someone like him before.” Trick relaxes. Creed pats his shoulder and sits next to a very red-faced Jace. The dark-haired guy looks thoughtful and then sits opposite me. He seems familiar, but I don’t know why. Bram and Miles Walk in and sit near the dark-haired guy.

Bram kisses my crown on the way past, and before his ass hits the seat, he starts talking music with the unknown nightmare. Brayden walks in with Bastille and two other bear shifters. A vampire and a dragon come in next.

Trick puts a hand on my thigh, thinking I’m tensing at the vampire, which I kind of am, but it’s more because the dragon has some gold scales. Trick frowns when he notices who is making me tense. He looks at the dragon, then back at me with a raised eyebrow. I shake my head, and he thankfully leaves it. Trent walks in and blushes when he sees me, along with another bear shifter who, again, seems familiar, and I smile when I realise why.

“Enforcer Trunk, it's been a while.” He double-takes at me before the pieces click into place, seeing me next to Jenson.

“Miss Ashes, we've been looking for you everywhere. Call meAqiduda, or Gramps, like all the rest.” He pats the boys on the head on his way past to his seat. Dominic and Lucian come in, deep in conversation, and sit down. Mika and Ren walk in; Mika kisses my crown, ruffles Brayden’s hair, and pats Bastille's shoulder.

A few minutes later, Declan walks in, seeming to second-guess himself as if he wants to interact with me but is unsure, if he is allowed or I would want him to, He kind of slumps and goes to sit next to Mika. The two guys behind him surprise me; Silas Hound walks straight over and picks me up.

“Sparkplug, what are you doing here?” I answer his following questions before my stomach yells again, and Si plonks me back in my chair with a chuckle.

The final person walks up and takes my chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing my gaze to his. Everyone has gone, still watching this exchange. My dark Angel looks into my eyes as if they hold all the answers he needs.

“Starshine,”he whispers in Latin. He kisses my nose, then sits next to the dark-haired nightmare opposite me... his younger brother, of course, that’s why he looks familiar. The hair color was throwing me off.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” from Declan; everyone starts to eat again. Most take joy in ignoring Declan’s question.

CHAPTER TEN

Ember

Shortly after breakfast, Miles, Creed, Jenson, Ren, and Bram disappear into town. Dominic asks me to come to his office to go over pack rules, receiving a dirty look from Mika in the process.

“I need to call Lily before she finds out we found Ember from somewhere else," Mika says as he walks off. I glance at Brayden.

“Lily is Dad's mate; he only found her five years ago through an old friend. She has some bad history, so they are taking it slow,” he tells me as he comes to my side.

“Want me to come for 'the talk' with Uncle Nic?” he says shyly.

“Sure, I have something to give you afterward, if that’s okay?” He looks shocked, but I walk to the office and take a seat. Nic doesn’t seem surprised to see Brayden following me. Mika, Luc, Declan, and Bastille all file in, and I start to panic. Bray takes my hand, giving it a squeeze and a smile.

“I know you’ve lived in packs before, but we’re different; our rules,” Dominic states. “Anyone can challenge or be challenged unless one of the parties is pregnant. If a female challenges a male or vice versa, a substitute will be asked to stand in. No concealment charms or spells can be used while on pack lands.” That last one I frown at.

“If there is a problem, come to me or Luc before stating a challenge. That’s it.” To say I’m shocked is an understatement. Lakeview Pack had a binder.

“No arranged matings can happen without the full consent of both parties, Uncle," Declan says with a scowl, and Nic gives an affirming nod.

“Erm, that blonde girl standing with Bray and Ren when I arrived has a concealment charm. She’s a low-level succubus,” I say quickly, ducking my head.

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