Page 38 of Secrets and S'mores
“You’re welcome to come back any time.”
“I don’t think that’s very likely. My mom is pretty controlling.”
“Yes, I suppose she is.”
“I need to find out what’s going on. I can tell Jasper was lying to me. Do you know what they were meeting about?”
Clove’s hand brushes over my hair, the way I always imagined a mother would do. My throat aches and my eyes sting.
“I’m sure Jasper will explain everything tomorrow. It’ll be okay.”
“If it wasn’t a big deal, they wouldn’t have kept anything from me,” I mutter.
“Maybe,” Clove answers. “But I have a feeling this is going to be a transformative time for you and your pack. They may need you, but you also need space and independence to grow. A little separation from your mother isn’t a bad thing.”
The truth of her words grips me. I would have given anything to be away from my mother’s control and scrutiny. But it’s the feeling of helplessness that turns my blood to ice. It’s something I fight every day in Granite Ridge when wolves disrespect my ranking and my mother speaks down to me. If things go wrong, I don’t have the power to stop it. Something deep inside of me knows that’s why my mother didn’t want me there. I’m too weak to be of any help.
“Ember,” Clove says, pulling me from my spiraling anxiety. “Try to enjoy the time you have with us. Everyone here cares about you. You’re safe. Make sure to rest and recharge.”
“I will, after Jasper is honest with me.” I’m not ready to let go of my anger, though Clove’s kindness softens it.
“If that’s what you need to do,” she says, standing. I let her take my plate.
“Thanks, Clove.”
“Good night, love.” She opens the door and I hear Onyx scrambling out of the way. After she leaves, I listen to him settle back against the door. Ridiculous man.
My body itches to go open the door and let him in. I’ve already used him as a distraction before. But that wasn’t wise. This time, I won’t be opening the door and falling into his arms. I can’t figure out how to deal with the situation when I’m distracted by his mouth.
I sleep fitfully, my heart aching. A deeper sleep takes me some time in the early hours and when I wake, it’s late morning.
Scrubbing myself helps marginally, as does blow drying my hair smooth. A little extra eyeliner and I feel ready to face everyone.
When I open the door, Onyx falls back onto my shins. He smiles up at me sheepishly.
“Have you been here the whole time?”
He scrambles to his feet and shrugs. “I went to the bathroom once or twice.”
I almost laugh, but remember the divide between us. He’s just following his Alphas’ orders. But being left in the dark is somehow worse when he’s unable to help and clearly wants to.
“Where’s my brother?”
“I’ll take you to him after you eat some breakfast.”
“Onyx,” I warn, my nails digging into my palms.
“Breakfast,” he answers in the same tone, the twinkle in his eyes the only sign he’s teasing me.
With a scowl, I march to the kitchen and allow him to present me with some of the brioche spread with butter and jam. It’s just as delicious cool, and despite my irritation, I eat the entire plate.
“We made this jam, you know.” He scrapes the knife against the jar to capture a smudge of jam to spread across his last bite of bread.
I don’t have the energy to respond. My cold anger gathers up inside of me as I mentally rehearse my discussion with Jasper, ready to unleash when my brotherinevitably refuses to answer my questions.
“Everyone is at training. My dad and Slate ordered double training for the next few weeks, including weapons.” My ears perk up at weapons.
The meadow is quiet. It’s Monday, maybe the children of this pack are in school. A little spike of curiosity urges me toward the school to see if it’s Marigold in the classroom, but I ignore it. My pack doesn’t have a school. I did online classes, like my brother. But maybe someday, Marigold can help me set up a proper school for my pack when I’m the Alpha.
