Page 40 of When Embers Become Ashes

Next is an older man in a posh suit that isn't tailored. He seems nervous and keeps glancing around; his salt-and-pepper hair is ruffled, and he has nicks where he’s cut himself shaving.

"He’s a stone mage. They’re rare. Basically, he can manipulate wards, charms, and things like that, but he can’t create his own.” Saint whispers to Trent at that one who moves off the platform and inside.

"His name is Lionel, but that’s all I know," says Miles. So, I move to the last two who are sitting. I would say talking, but I’m not an idiot.

“Is Stacey doing reverse cowgirl on Brett during the meeting?” Miles gasps. Brett looks like he wants to be a rock star, but he’s more suited for a boy band and realizes he looks like a jerk. He’s an incubus-sun bear hybrid at a low level again. Stacey is in her cheer uniform, and even though Brett has touched her hair a few times, it’s not moving; someone used too much hairspray. She’s a wolf shifter. I feel Saint’s shadow leave my ear, making me shiver now that the cool sensation has left me. Declan steps next to Dominic as Saint partially shifts, showing as a level eight. A few people screech at the sight, and I smirk, wondering how they would react to his full form. The thought makes my core flutter, and I feel my panties become damp... whoops.

Levels 1-5 are classified as night terrors. Some have horn nubs, fangs, and claws, but that’s it. At level 6, they possess horns the size of a goat's. At level 7, they develop a second set of horns. Level 8 beings have small bat-like wings, which are more decorative than functional, and their horns are larger as well. At level 9, their wings become functional and resemble those of a dragon, and one set of horns begins to curl like a ram's horns; they also have visible fangs. Level 10 introduces a third set of horns, with the ram's horns curving forward from above the ears, the second set positioned on the top of the head like cat ears, and the third set appearing as nubs on the forehead, resembling bull's horns. The wings change shape similar to a bird's but are leathery with no feathers. Then you have my gorgeous Dark Angel. His wings are black angel wings, hence the name, and his entire being seems to pulse with shadows. He has clothing, but again, they are more shadow than cloth. His ram horns are white, while the other two sets are black onyx. The white ones change to gray when he uses his abilities. He has four-inch claws at the end of each finger; his index and middle fingers are both curved like an eagle's talons, while the others are straight. You can see his defined muscles, and I won’t mention his size or I’ll end up being a panting mess, but 'MONSTER COCK' doesn’t quite define that weapon yummy.

Dominic glances at Declan and then steps back as Dec starts to speak.

"To say that having sex while being addressed by your Alpha is disrespectful would not fully convey my disgust. Also, while we're at it, concealment charms are illegal within this pack." As Declan finishes, the seven offenders are surrounded by Saints’ shadows long enough for everyone to see who they are, and then they disappear. Saint shifts back.

“I put the chair the two brats were having sex on in the trash”, he informs Dominic as he steps forward again, and Declan returns to his place with a proud smile and a nod to me.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ember

Dominic wraps up his speech as four familiar faces appear beside him. Giovanni is among them, and he gives Dad a cheeky thumbs up before heading over to sit with the older folks. Dad steps forward, and together, Declan, Bastille, and Brayden circle behind him.

“I have a few announcements to make, but after recent events, I want to make one thing perfectly clear: every person on this platform wants to meet their marked mate before making a choice on a chosen one. Therefore, the 284 requests that have crossed my brother's desk this week are pointless and a waste of your Alpha's time. You all know that Dominic lost his mate when we were 17, and he swore she would never be replaced. Don’t mistake his kindness for an invitation to his bed. Additionally, the 12—sorry, 13 as of this morning—claims that one of us has gotten you pregnant are void, as we are all on guaranteed contraceptives. At the next pack meeting, anyone sending claims of mating or pregnancy will be named and shamed in front of the entire pack.” Maykal takes a breath letting it sink in; a female has started to move, so she’s in front of him, her boobs and ass only just covered in her bodycon dress.

“Most of you know that when Brayden was born, he had a twin; what most of you don’t know was the twin his mother took with her was a little girl, one who is now a woman and has found her way back to us.”

Dad turns, holding his hand out to me. After a final pinky squeeze from Miles, I step forward with a smile, focusing on my family and praying this isn’t a trick. I take my place at my father’s side with Brayden over my right shoulder. I hear a sob and glance over to see my guidance counsellor stomping her way over, tears running down her face. She strokes Dec, Bas, and Bray’s cheeks on her way past, ignoring my father, before she engulfs me in a spine-crushing hug.

"Little Sister, you're here." Her voice is hoarse from crying.

“I think it should be daughter now, mother dearest,” I reply in Russian and nearly laugh at her offended face as she mutters something about not being old enough to be a mother.

Dad continues his announcements,

“My last piece of news is that Lilliana has finally agreed to marry me, so we will be sealing our bond after my next deployment.”As Dad finishes, the woman I saw moving closer screeches and dives for Lily. Bas spins Lily behind him. Brayden mimics the action with me as Declan grabs the woman.

“Audrey, I think some time in lockup will cool you down before you explain why you attacked my father's Luna,” Dec sneers at her as they vanish into a puff of Saint's shadows. Dominic steps forward again as Dad pulls Lily into his arms, and Brayden offers a comforting arm around Miles.

“After all that excitement, let’s...” but before Uncle Nic can finish, Ren grabs my hand and pulls me to level with Nic.

“Before everyone starts diving into Alma and Embers’ amazing feast, I want to clarify that Ember is my marked Mate, and aside from the blessing ceremony, we are fully mated.” There are a few mournful “no's” from the crowd, not all of them females, as Ren finishes, and Uncle Nic quickly tells everyone to dig into the food.

The Bears and Hounds scramble to be the first to the Gumbo. As my old art teacher and English teacher join us, I’m starting to feel tired. I mumble to Ren,

"Can we get a quick bite to eat and head to bed?” As I look up at him, he smiles and kisses my temple, then picks me up bridal style. As my eyes fall closed, I hear him ask one of the guys to grab food and bring it up to his room.

Creed

Ren starts to carry Ember off toward the pack house as he passes me, he pauses,

"Can you please grab her some food and bring it to my room?" I pat his shoulder and head to the kitchen, grabbing one of the breakfast trays from the larder. I fill it with a selection of everything in sight. Alma gives me a look and then tucks some cutlery into my pocket,

"You might need these." She winks at me.

I freeze at the door. They are nowhere in sight. I expected to find them in bed; their scent is fresh. I notice the balcony doors are open; when I reach the doors, I find them curled on a blanket, some cushions spread around to lean on; I walk over and pop the tray on the floor in front of them as I go to stand and leave them to their new bond, Ember pats the spot next to her as Ren passes me a drink from his stash, we all started hiding our favorite fizzy drinks from J as he will chug the lot and none of the rest of us were getting any, now Ember has explained why he has such a sweet tooth it makes sense.

I sit down, and we work our way through the tray of food, not a word between us. Partway Ember disappears, I notice she’s only wearing Ren’s shirt, and I ponder to myself if she’s wearing panties... stop! I take a calming breath.

“I want to bond with her. I have since I met her. Is Pine expecting to be part of our first time, or can that just be between me and her?”

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