Page 98 of King of Inferno

“No, no. Of course not,” she says quickly and gathers the cards to deal again.

I look to Bradan and he winks at me. As much as I love his rough side, I love seeing him like this. It’s no wonder the wolves admire and adore him. I’ve watched a number of different supers show their respect and adoration when at the clubhouse.

“What are we playing, Frost?” he asks.

“Pitty Pat, unless you want to play something else,” she says.

“Pitty Pat is fine with me. How about I have someone bring us some cookies, have you had a snack for today?”

“No, I haven’t. That would be awesome. I love cookies,” she says.

A little blush turns her light-brown cheeks pink as she ducks her head at the end. Bradan and I look at each other, then turn to study Frost. I reach to brush a hand over her reddish-blonde waves.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper.

“Adonis says I talk too much to the adults. That’s why none of the wolves want me. I’ll never get adopted from here because I don’t know how to shut up. I mean, you’re not wolves. So it doesn’t matter, right?”

“Where is Adonis?” Bradan demands.

“He was adopted yesterday. I’m not sure which pack he’s in now,” Frost whispers.

“Bradan, can we take her? I know we’re not wolves … but … I mean, I’m ready for us to have our own kids. Can’t we start with her like Kendrick and Ray? I know she’s older, but I promise to keep her out of your hair,” I say through our bond.

“I’m still going to have a talk with Adonis. You talk as much as you like, little pup,” Bradan grumbles to Frost. He then looks to me and his eyes soften.

“I will talk to Alpha Dyson and see if the packs would mind if we adopted her. I’ve never heard of it being done, but they’re enough wolves among us at the clubhouse, I don’t see how it could hurt,” he says back to me in my head.

His eyes then fill with heat as he looks me over. My cheeks grow warm and I have to look away. As I think over all I’ve said to him, I realize I’ve told him I’m ready for babies of our own.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite little pup,” Ace croons as he’s the one to bring a plate filled with cookies over with a tray of glasses of milk.

Frost’s face brightens all over again. I almost burst into laughter as Ace takes the other seat at our table, causing Frost to take our cards and deal again. She doesn’t seem to mind at all.

This is actually the happiest I’ve seen her since I’ve met her. I learn of a whole silly side of Bradan I didn’t know about as he engages with Frost. It’s not lost on me how some of the other children watch with envy and longing.

“Frost, I had a great time getting to know you, my little friend. We will see each other again soon. I’ve been told you want to be a warrior.

“I will be back to start your training myself. You stay out of trouble around here. We can’t have our best future warrior getting into trouble,” Bradan says to Frost, giving her a huge smile.

“Y … you’re going to train me?”

“I am. You will train with my queen and her court. I am in charge of their training.”

“Don’t I have to go to headquarters for that? I haven’t been sworn in or anything for that. I don’t have parents … I have no one to vouch for me,” Frosts says, going from excited to sad.

“I’ll vouch for you. As your alpha, I’ll even take you to HQ myself your first time,” Ace says.

“My alpha?” Frost whispers as tears fill her eyes.

“That’s right. I heard you wanted to be Crescent Moon when you get to declare a pack. I accept. That makes me your alpha.”

“I will also vouch for you. I’m the VP. They can’t keep out one of my best friends. Don’t worry. Taylor will take care of your new room for you to come stay with us.

“When it’s ready, Alpha Ace will bring you home. It’s all been taken care of. You?—”

He doesn’t get to finish his words as Frost leaps from her seat and launches herself at him across the table, wrapping around his leg. Tears fill my eyes and my throat clogs.

“Bray, what have you done? What’s going on?” I link him.