Page 56 of Bait Wolf
If they got their way, she wouldn’t have a home to come back to.
I swallowed.
“Where do I meet you?”
Kai smiled benignly.
“Crow’s Diner. Be there at seven tomorrow morning.”
I could still hear Asha’s little voice, trying to get my attention just as Kai hung up.
I was left staring at the blank screen, feeling like the world was caving in around me.
Next to me, I had a nice, normal breakfast cooking. Meanwhile, she was being kept by monsters and I had no control over the situation whatsoever.
Suddenly, arms came around me, strong and sturdy, and I leaned into the embrace the moment it was offered to me, taking the comfort Ember had to offer.
“I didn’t hear you come down here,” I said.
Ember stroked my arm, used the other to take the pan off the stove and then came right back, holding me tightly.
“Are you okay?” he asked, voice small.
I glanced at him, saw the distressed look in his eyes, and managed a nod. It felt weird to lie to my mate, like the world tipped sideways, but I ignored it. I didn’t want Ember to have to worry about all of this.
“I guess you heard all that?”
“Some of it... Most of it, actually.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“Let’s eat,” I eventually said, gesturing to the food.
Ember gave me a look that I couldn’t read but didn’t argue.
A strange silence fell over us as I served the eggs. They were burned at the bottom, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. It wasn’t until we were sitting at the table eating in continued silence that I realized I’d forgotten about the toast. I hadn’t even remembered that I should try to engage in a conversation. I was supposed to be making Ember happy, after all, but when I looked at him, Ember just appeared sad and distant, like he was miles away. Thank god he wasn’tactuallymiles away. That would kill me. Just as much as losing Asha.
The thought was so upsetting that I set down my fork and took a shuddering breath to calm myself. When I reached for Ember’s hand, he took it at once, clinging to me like a lifeline.
“Do you like the food?” I asked.
Ember blinked.
“That’swhat you want to talk about?” he demanded. “Coal, your sister—”
“She’ll be with us by tomorrow. I have to trust that she’s okay and be patient.”
“So, you have the money for her?”
I couldn’t meet his gaze but managed a nod, and again, guilt immediately hit me. I could trust Ember, of course, but I didn’t want to burden him. Not when he’d only just escaped such a hard life.
“How’s the food?” I repeated.
For a moment, Ember looked incredulous, but then, his gaze dropped and fixed on the burned eggs. He picked up his fork again and took a bite.
“Delicious,” he said sincerely, and I believed him. He still looked upset, but his emotions, even through his scent and our bond, were hard to read. He ate every last bite though and eventually he changed the subject.
Ember asked all about me, about my friends, my favorite things to do when I had time.
