Page 117 of Campfires & Canines
I nod, smiling at her.
“Any word from Granite Ridge?” Slate asks Jasper.
Jasper has been helping Hawthorne and Heath with a border negotiation involving the Raven pack for the last few weeks, but Ferris is decidedly uncooperative.
He shakes his head. “No one will answer my messages. They’re too afraid of upsetting the alphas.”
"Why would they be upset?" Marigold cocks her head. She's sitting between Cedar and Jasper, and I don't miss the weird push and pull between them.
Jasper laughs. "I'm sure they don't allow anyone to talk about me. I mean, my parents probably think I'm either dead or being treated like a slave."
"I told you we don't do that here," Slate adds dryly.
"Thanks, dude." Jasper shoots back, sarcastically. "Sienna would shit herself if she could see me now."
"Hope so."
Marigold giggles. "Look at you guys, getting along so nicely."
Onyx reaches across the table and pats Jasper on the back, a little too hard because he lurches forward. He rolls his eyes.
"He isn't too bad. He's a lot like you, Slate. But without the stick up his ass." Onyx taunts.
"You're sure fixated on my ass, Onyx." Slate teases right back.
Onyx lets out a huge laugh. "You wish!"
Jasper groans. "Dude, that was the lamest reply ever. You’ve got to step it up."
"Don't encourage him," Cedar deadpans. Marigold bursts into a huge fit of giggles, clutching her side.
I place my hand over Slate's and squeeze his fingers. I love our group. Jasper fits in perfectly, though Slate won’t admit it.
"Campfire tonight?" Marigold proposes.
"I'm in!" Onyx answers. Cedar and Jasper nod.
I glance at Slate. He grips my thigh possessively. I want to drag him home and ravage him, but I also don't want to miss out on time with our friends.
"Your choice," he murmurs, his face calm. But I can tell my need has bled through our bond because his pupils are blown out and his hand is slipping higher up my thigh.
"Let's go for a while. Then I want you to myself," I answer. His green eyes shine back at me and his Adam's apple bobs. I stare at thecolumn of his throat for a second, letting out a slow breath. I need to calm down.
Jasper gathers up our plates and takes them to the kitchen. He's still trying to earn his place here, though we've all accepted him.
Slate takes my hand and we wander towards the twins’ cabin. I pull him closer and he kisses my temple.
I revel in the darkness. While not as keen as my vision as a wolf, I still can see surprisingly well now. It’s almost pitch black in the trees, but I can make out each root and rock in our path.
We grab an Adirondack chair and pull it closer to the fire pit. Slate draws me down into his lap and I nestle my forehead against his neck, my cheek on his claim mark.
Cedar is feeding the flames and coaxing them to grow. Marigold perches on the nearby bench, watching him.
Jasper arrives, unfolding a thick plaid blanket. He offers it to Marigold, and she smiles sweetly as he sits beside her and drapes it around both of them.
I don’t miss how Cedar glances back and his gaze lingers on them. Marigold's cheeks flush as Jasper quietly speaks to her.
Onyx arrives with his bag of marshmallows and a stack of graham crackers and chocolate. I've started to insist we make full s'mores instead of gooey marshmallows alone. Any chance for more chocolate.
