Page 75 of Ruin

He leaned down. “You’re welcome,” he breathed in my ear, making me shiver. “I can sense your need, Firecracker.” He gently bit my ear lobe.

“Yes, but we have to go to a meeting,” I squeaked out, my cheeks flushing.

Connor just chuckled and folded his bulk fluidly down onto a chair. I gulped at the bulge I could clearly see in his crotch. He grinned. “Listen to you, all responsible and everything.”

I just rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t want to be responsible, but the ‘baby’ talk needed more time than we had right now.

After I’d finished eating. Connor’s hand found mine, holding firmly as he led me to the cave where he knew Walker and Owen waited.

“Where’s the Halo?”

Connor peered down at me. “In Drake’s safe. Only my brothers know that we have it.”

I frowned.

“Don’t worry. It’s safer there than anywhere else in this camp.”

I relaxed. He was right.

“So is there a way we could use it to bring Reed back?” My voice had a pleading quality that I didn’t like, but I’d do anything I could to bring my friend back.

Connor sighed and put his muscled arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. He kissed the top of my head, the warmth from his body seeping into me, and my own responded immediately. I gently pulled away so that he wouldn’t feel the wave of heat washing over me. Goosebumps broke out across my skin and I wanted to climb him and devour him so badly my hands trembled. I crossed my arms over my aching breasts and stepped further away, unsure what was happening to me. This reaction to him was off the charts...and I didn’t know how to handle it.

“You know I can’t, Ember.” His head cocked minutely, a small crease appearing between his brows as I let go of his hand. “We don’t have anyone who can speak angelic. But we’ll find someone soon, I promise.”

I nodded, biting my bottom lip. I didn’t like to push, but… “But can’t you resist the pull of Hell without the chant? You're a Hell-beast?”

Connor gave me a small smile. “I don’t know. Maybe...I’ll talk to Walker about it after this meeting. Maybe he’ll know a way.”

I swallowed my pain for Reed and nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”

I didn’t reach for his hand again, worried the contact would cause another burst of need in me. I desperately tried to remember exactly when my last season had been, but with everything that had happened it was impossible.

“Hey, I’m sorry about Reed. Don’t be angry with me, love, I would bring him back if I could.”

“Oh, I know you would! And I’m not mad…” I shook my head, feeling guilty.

“You sure?”

“Yes. I’m just tired.”

Connor narrowed his gaze on me. I felt a pulse of suspicion and worry, so I quickly closed my mind. He opened his mouth, but I spoke before he could comment on me closing down our emotional link.

“Come on, everyone’s waiting. I can hear them.” I grabbed his hand, ignoring another rush of heat across my skin, and marched into the large cave.

Owen, as attuned to Connor’s presence as always, noticed us first. He grinned. “Acknowledge your King and Queen!” he bellowed and leaned his head back howling loudly.

My mouth dropped open as one by one the shifters followed his lead.

Queen? Holy shit!

Connor’s eyes flashed red and I was sure my cheeks were now that same glowing colour. “What are they doing?” I hissed up at him. I was not prepared for this.

He grinned. “Honouring their leaders.” He shrugged his massive shoulders as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t tear my eyes from his body. Damn...when he moved like that...I licked my suddenly dry lips, glad I’d muffled our link, but I couldn’t muffle my scent.

“Stand.” His voice was full of command. I flushed as Connor glanced at me, and smirked. “You’re distracting me, Firecracker.”

I gulped and looked away. Maybe I should just drag him aside and tell him. If my body kept moving along at this rate, I could hit the height of my season right here. I glanced around noting the amount of males around me…unmated males. Shit, it would be a bloodbath!

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