Page 62 of Ruin

Her body tensed and she released a shaking breath against my skin. “Did you hurt him?”

I sighed, but couldn’t help but smile at her worry for Stone. “No, not much.”

The silence that followed left me wondering what she was thinking, until she moved her body into mine. “Good. He didn’t deserve to be.”

I kissed the back of her neck and tightened my hold on her, enjoying her closeness. I’d never wanted to hold a woman so close, now I couldn’t imagine sleeping without her beside me. “I know. He has...issues with Shannon, and his past isn’t helping.”

She turned her head just a little to look at me through sleepy eyes. “His past?”

“Yes, he had a mate before and Doherty killed her. He’s confused, or at least that’s the only word I can use to describe what Prime feels from him. But it goes far deeper than that.”

She kissed my arm. “I guessed he was messed up, but not why. Poor bugger. I hope they can work it out.”

“Me too.”

She tilted her head back again and I kissed her, thoroughly and gently. “Sleep, love. We both need it.”

She snuggled deeper into my hold and soon her breathing was even and regular.

I closed my eyes and slid my hand around her body, resting my palm flat across her lower belly. I drifted off with my mate in my arms, thinking about what it would be like to feel her belly swell with my baby.

Chapter 19

Connor

On my order,Owen had not attacked the prison since I had arrived, instead, I wanted intel. I’d sent small squads to observe. I would not put my people at risk until we were ready to annihilate the demon army squatting there.

Weak dawn light filtered into the communal cave. Even at this early hour there were people milling around.

Males loitered around in fighting gear. Other males sat waiting, chests naked, ready to shift to practice fighting in wolf form. The large cave was used for downtime, but some of the smaller back caves had been turned into inside training areas to avoid the harsh weather. The compound’s on duty guards kept the peace. With an abundance of shifter males in a confined space, fights inevitably broke out.

Two women with babes in arms sat talking, another couple of women reading books from the small collection Drake had supplied. He’d thought of everything a community could need. He’d even brought enough necessities for the women and babies; they didn’t want for anything. I felt a swell of pride that such a good male was fighting by my side. I had gained men I could trust in Lionel, Alex and Drake; even Shane, the leader of the old East pack from the prison, had proved a trustworthy male to have around.

I tried to ignore it most of the time, but there was a permanent ache inside my soul where Dagnar’s and Reed’s bonds had been. Reed was so close, yet I couldn’t reach him, and every time I saw him, I was reminded of my impotence. The beast inside me growled, and a sudden memory consumed me. I stopped walking and clutched my head, closing my eyes.

“Hey, you okay?”

I nodded at Ember’s question, sensing Lionel and Kawan move closer.

“I’m fine.” My voice came out a deep growl, and I forced myself to stand tall, unwilling to show any kind of weakness to those around me. I looked at Lionel and Kawan, who still looked alert even after a night on guard duty. “Who’s taking over for you?” I’d accepted long ago that, as Prime, I was a target, and even though I was more powerful than I’d ever been before, having someone watch my back and protect my mate was only sensible.

“Me.” Alex sauntered up to Kawan’s side—and morphed into a huge and mean looking Were. I smirked, trying to hide how much being hit with the memory of my brother, Dagnar, guarding the gates of Hell, had hurt. My beast only returned my more painful memories when he felt they were necessary. Hiding them helped me function, and I had no desire to fully remember the physical and emotional agony of the torture Berith had inflicted on me. I kept my voice strong. None of my brothers needed to know I’d seen D in Hell. But Alex’s little show had given me an idea for our upcoming battle. “Fine. You’re both dismissed. Go and get some sleep.”

They nodded and said their farewells.

“Change back, you idiot, before someone shoots you.” Ember smacked Alex’s bicep.

His eyes grew comically wide, and he peered around as if someone might have a gun trained on him already. In seconds he was back.

“You really don’t think sometimes, do you.” I raised my brows and grinned at him.

“Well, at least it made you both smile. Besides, immortal. Remember?”

“True. Alex you’re with me. I want to see my mother, but then I have something to discuss with you.”

Stone’s scent hit my nostrils. He walked up to Ember and my muscles tensed. “Ember? You want to train with me and Shannon?” His eyes met mine. His wolf was more settled today, and I sensed his genuine intentions. Relaxing, I gave him a nod that told him I was happy with that. Ember kissed my cheek oblivious to our silent exchange. She just looked relieved Stone wasn’t a mass of bruised flesh and broken bones.

“Sure. I can teach you how to shift with clothes on.”

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