Page 98 of Campfires & Canines
"Did you have anyone who was a father figure, growing up? After your dad died?" My words are faltering, worried I will upset her.
"Heath." Shaking her head, she turns the page to a landscape of the mountain. She runs her finger over the edge of the paper. "What was your dad like?"
I take a moment, thinking of my dad with his easy smile and messy reddish-brown hair. "He was steady." It's the best way I can describe him. "He loved this pack. He was always helping people, even outside his beta duties."
"And he liked to draw too?"
I nod. "Charcoal and ink. He wasn't a huge fan of my tattoos, but he would still get me equipment and supplies."
She smiles at me. Her affection is like an energy inside of me, bubbling up and making me feel light. "He sounds amazing." She squeezes my hand.
"He was," I agree. “I try to be like him. Everyone depended on him, and I’m afraid I’m not as good.” I rest my cheek against her hair and breathe her in.
“You are,” she says. “I can tell how much everyone loves you. I think you do way more than you realize.”
“You’re amazing,” I say, nuzzling against her neck.
"Are you doing okay with the whole mom situation?" she asks.
I pause again, but this time it's not because of thought, it's because of the spark of irritation thinking of my mother brings up. But I don't want her to think I'm upset with her. I run a finger through her hair, reveling in the silky strands.
She studies my face. "Not really." My voice cracks. "I'm so angry. It feels like she wants to destroy everything in my life."
"She could never do that." She sets the sketchbook aside and turns, wrapping herself around me, arms around my shoulders and head in the crook of my neck.
"She betrayed my pack, caused my father pain every day for almost twenty years, and then abducted my mate." She squeezes me tighter.
"She failed." It's only two words, but it breaks some of my fears. Hazel is so much stronger than I knew. I'm so in lovewith her.
I grip her waist as if she’s my life preserver and I’m drowning. Without even considering what I'm doing, I'm kissing her.
She slides one leg over so she's straddling me and kisses like I am her air. Her hands trail down my neck and shoulders, burning me.
I slide my hands down her waist and over her hips, loving the curve. She hums her approval as I squeeze her plump ass. The vibration raises the hairs on the back of my neck.
She swivels her hips and I can't breathe. I try to get more air while she kisses my cheek, my jaw, my earlobe. She nips my neck and electricity sparks from the point of contact.
I need her so badly. Even if we only have five minutes, I'll take whatever I can get.
She grabs the hem of her shirt. Before she can pull it off, my phone pings. I let out a frustrated growl. She giggles.
Another message pings. I grimace. I’m desperate for her, but also anxious to get any news. I reach for my phone and unlock it.
I have to clear my throat to speak. "We're needed for a meeting in the training room."
"When?" she asks dismissively, tugging her shirt up to show the soft curves of her stomach.
I hate myself. "It's right now."
She drops her hands and groans. Even this sound resonates through me. I take a slow breath, reaching for neutral.
"Let's go see our friends. I'm sure everyone is excited," I say. She rolls her eyes at me. So I lean in, whispering into her ear, "And then I'm going to take you back here and fuck you against every surface in our home." She shivers and I grin, loving her reaction.
We take a few minutes to arrange ourselves, and then I take her hand and we head towards the training building.
Heath and Sable are waiting for us. Heath clasps his hands behind his back like he is facing a difficult discussion. I can sense their apprehension across the room.
We stop a few feet from them and I pull Hazel against me, looping my arm across her chest. Even with her uncle and our healer, I feel the instinct to protect her. Or maybe to keep her to myself.
