Page 41 of When Embers Become Ashes

I don’t look at him when I’m finished. I just sip my drink and wait.

“He doesn't have a problem not being there physically. He just wants to be told, not us, to go to school and come home to find an unknown mark, and the person hasn’t even told me they are interested. There are enough unknown marks on her gorgeous body without one made by a friend,” he ends on a growl.

“I have no problem with anyone having one-on-one time with her. Same as I will want the same now and then. I just want to know who has accepted her so if for any fucking reason something happens and one of her mates regrets it after; I know whose ass I’m kicking and who to grab to comfort our mate while I’m busy,” he says this all so unemotionally, and we both burst out laughing as Ember comes out, smiling at us.

She sinks back into her spot, pulling out a sketch pad and watercolor pencils. She fidgets a bit, trying to decide what to draw, getting comfortable as she ponders. I pick her up, making her squeak, plonking her so she can lean against my chest, but her shoulder is near my mouth, how I’m laid on my side. Ren moves over so he’s in a similar position but her legs go over him and her biteable ass is pressed against his crotch, and he curls up so his head is level with her chest, we both give her kisses and strokes now and then. Ren and I are talking, but not about anything in particular.

We can hear the meet winding down. J comes in and says goodnight, kissing Smudge on the head. Jace and River head to bed; they share the balcony with Ren, but they don’t come out. Ren has been feeding Ember every now and then, but there is hardly anything left now. All of Ember's sketches are of things from tonight.

“My favorite so far is the one with the oldies and Alma," I say. Ren hums,

"I like the one with Miles over I’m guessing mine and B's shoulder." She confirms his suspicion while packing up, taking care to put her pencils back in the right spot in their box.

“I never have a favourite, even though I hate some. I sometimes draw bad dreams to get them out of my head, it helps me go back to sleep most of the time.” She says it so casually, and we just watch her as she heads in.

"I’ll take the tray down. Do you want anything while I’m downstairs? Go curl up with her," Ren asks while organizing the tray so nothing falls.

“Bottle of water if you don’t have any up here,” I say, chuckling when Ember calls the same thing.

"There’s some in my fridge. Help yourselves." With that last statement, he’s off.

As Ember is crawls onto Ren’s bed. I strip to my boxers and climb in next to her.

Ren walks in and copies my actions, but he grabs the clothes and throws them in the hamper. As he climbs in he leans over Ember kissing her deeply

“I love you”

She repeats the sentiment, I have no idea what it means, She rolls so she faces me, kisses my peck over my heart, and curls into me. Ren acts as her big spoon, and one by one, we fall asleep.

Ember

I wake up to a very hard body behind me. Someone is kissing my face, I move slowly so I’m on my back, but that’s made the person in front of me move more comfortably between my legs. The kisses are now over my mate bite.

“Ren” I breathe and all he does is hum and grind his solid cock on my throbbing core.

“Dude, seriously, I’m full. Take it in the bathroom, have a cold shower,” Creed groans.

I feel Ren pulse against my core and a warm wet feeling appears there as he groans out my name,

“Your ass has been rubbing against me all night, but now Creed is awake. Maybe he will help you with your problem, baby; I need to get to the gym before Brayden comes knocking.” He kisses me deeply again. My core is fluttering, begging to be filled.

“I love you.”Then he’s gone.

I hear water run in the bathroom, and then he struts naked into the closet. Not even a minute later, he appears in a stretched tank and shorts, kisses my lips again, and leaves. I lay staring at the door for a few minutes before huffing and rolling on my side, planning on going back to sleep.

“Fucking arsehole,” Creed grumbles; the next second, I’m thrown over his shoulder, and he's striding from the room, entering another down the hall; from the scent, it's his.

I’m thrown onto the bed. He walks over to the door and locks it before sending a text on his phone and tossing it onto the chair. When he turns back to me, he takes a deep breath; he’s happy, but I’m guessing it’s due to the lingering smell of Ren. His skin has transformed, and his sun-kissed blonde hair has taken on a more golden hue. He seems to radiate a glow, his wolf ears have appeared, and his features are more canine. Everything about him feels airbrushed.

“Our Alpha is a tease to both of us; he left you smelling so sweet, but the first time I kiss you won’t be in another’s bed.” I wouldn't even call it a croon or a purr; it’s closer to a purr, but even that doesn't seem to explain the tone he’s speaking with! He stalks forward,

“Can I mark you, Ember? Will you make me yours?” He’s now over me on the bed but not touching me as he slides one knee and then the other between my legs. He speaks again,

“Can I taste every inch of you? Memorise the taste of your skin!” His nose rubs my neck, keeping away from Ren’s mark; his lips hover over mine,

“Can I memorise the taste of your slick pussy?”

He hums, pulling my t-shirt off me,

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