Page 18 of Secrets and S'mores
“Yeah, that sounds interesting, actually.”
We finish eating and my mother adamantly rejects her offer to wash dishes. It’s another instance where Ember seems entirely normal, even kind, and my heart does a flip that I know will only end badly.
Ten minutes later she reappears in her version of training clothes. I’m used to women wearing loose t-shirts and sweats or maybe leggings to train. She wears a skin-tight black tank top and bike shorts that show a stripe of midriff.
Peeling my eyes off her skin, I take a slow breath. This would be easier if Ember wasn’t so appealing. If she was just mean, I could ignoreher, but she’s complicated and every time she shows a different side, my defenses start to crumble.
“Ready?” I ask. That dimple reappears in her cheek as she nods.
As we cross the meadow, the three feet between us feels like a chasm, but she walks with her chin thrust upward and her shoulders back. She’s trying her best to not look nervous and I respect that.
But there’s no reason for her to be anxious. No one here would harm her. Mistrust her, give her suspicious looks, maybe, but no one would lay a hand on her. She’s under Slate and Hazel’s protection as their guest, not to mention our pack is generally peaceful - especially compared to the brutal way her pack operates.
She hesitates at the door to the training building. Last time she was here, we were battling and she was dragged out with her hands zip tied. Jaw set, she pushes the door open.
My father looks up. Most of the teenage wolves in our pack circle around him, including my sister. Indigo straightens beside her, puffing his chest out. With a wave of his hand, my father dismisses the students.
“Dad, we were hoping to join training.” I keep my eyes on the ground in a sign of respect. As I walk closer, I’m pleased to see Ember falls a half-step behind me, allowing me to take the lead.
“I don’t think that’s entirely appropriate. Do you?” he says, clearing his throat.
“Sir, I can’t just sit alone in a room the whole time I’m here,” Ember argues, “Let me test myself. I’d like to see how I stack up against your wolves.”
My father pauses, and I look up to see him studying Ember. She is stone, unwavering under his judicious stare.
“Alright, but no weapons. The Alphas led patrol out a few minutes ago, so you’ll have the place to yourself. But I’ll be out back with the pups.”
“Thank you Dad,” I say, shoulders dropping in relief.
“Can I use a small dagger or maybe a staff?”
Has she lost her mind? I didn’t expect my dad to allow her to participate at all, and now she’s asking to be armed?
“Hand to hand or go back to the cabin,” my father says over his shoulder. With a few motions, he ushers Briar and her friends out of the building.
“Yes, sir,” Ember grumbles to his back.
At the door, he twists and fixes me with a hard look. “Onyx, I’m expecting you to enforce my rules. I’ll be right outside if there is any trouble.”
“Not a problem.” I hope it’s true. Ember scowls as he props the door open, and I suddenly wish that all of our weapons were behind locked doors. At least the firearms are inaccessible. She looks ready to draw blood after what my father said.
Her voice drops as she draws closer to me. “Do we really have to obey him? He seems easy going.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that. He’s been our pack trainer for twenty years and I can promise he isn’t remotely easy going,” I caution her.
Ember shrugs, hands flattening along her hips. “My pack’s Delta is always yelling and hitting anyonewho doesn’t obey fast enough. Your dad isn’t like that. I can’t see him hurting anyone.”
“You know there’s other ways to gain respect other than violence.”
“Ineffective ways.”
“I don’t think you’ve had very good trainers.”
“Come fight me and find out.”
“Do you have any weapons on your person?”
“No.” The words are light, flippant. Somehow, they ring untrue.
