Page 73 of Secrets and S'mores
“Yes, because rushing in worked out so well the first time,” Ember quips, her hand slapping over her mouth when she realizes what she said.
I chuckle. “No, you’re right.”
“I’m so sorry,” she says, “I can’t believe they hurt you like that.”
“Not the worst beating I’ve had,” I say with a shrug.
Cedar washes the dishes while Ember cuddles up to me on the sofa. Marigold and Jasper sit opposite us, hands linked over the side table. Jasper’s thumb rubs circles over Marigold’s wrist absently.
“Anything you can tell us would be helpful,” Jasper says, pulling out his phone to take notes. “I don’t think Sienna was being entirely honest with us and we don’t know enough about Orion or the situation.”
Ember pinches the bridge of her nose, gathering her resolve. Her bright hazel eyes move from me to Jasper. “It seems like most of the pack supports him. I don’t know what he’s been doing to win them over. Maybe they just respect his strength. After everything with my father, Sienna definitely lost their favor. I didn’t really pick up on it, but I’ve always-” She pauses.
“I know it’s been hard,” Jasper says softly. “Becoming Heir suddenly, trying to prove yourself especially when the pack is in so much turmoil.”
“Guess what, I’m not Heir anymore,” she says, her voice a little too high. My hand goes to her thigh. She’s not in this alone.
“So everyone seems to like him?” Jasper asks.
Ember nods, sinking her teeth into her lush bottom lip. It takes her two tries to speak again, as if she’s scared of what she’s going to say.
“I don’t think he desires me. He wants me as his mate to solidify his position as Alpha. So there has to be some dissent. But I honestly couldn’t tell you who or how much.”
My hold on her thigh tightens, and I have to flex my hand open before I hurt her. The reminder that heis demanding she become his mate heats my blood. I’m so ready to hurt this dipshit.
Sending my anger, she takes my hand and draws it to her mouth, pressing a sweet kiss to my knuckles. It feels so natural, like nothing at all, even though it’s everything to me. I’m crazy about this woman.
“We can use that,” Jasper says, leaning back in his seat. “I noticed a handful of wolves that seemed unhappy with him becoming second to Sienna. We might have a few allies.”
“Why?” Ember asks. “Your pack won’t want to interfere.”
“You know just as well as I do that Orion’s wolves will want war. Better to face them now than wait until they’re stronger and prepared.”
“Are you serious?” Ember says, her lips parted in surprise.
“Orion can’t stay in power. We worked too hard to become allies with your pack again. Zephyr agrees, as Cashel. We just have to find the right way to do it,” I say.
“I didn’t realize.” Ember breaks off her words with a yawn.
“It’s getting late. We should head back, babe,” Marigold says. “We can go back over our notes and make a list.”
Jasper nods absently, still lost in his own head.
Jasper and Marigold both hug Ember and she squeezes them back. My heart is full.
Cedar retreats to the secondary bedroom until it’s only Ember and I standing in the little living room.
“How are you doing there?” I ask softly.
She lets me wrap her in my arms, her chin tucking to her chest as she leans into me. “I can’t believe I’m here. I thought it was over. Seriously, I had lost hope.”
“No,” I murmur, gathering her up.
“You almost died.”
“Nah, it would take way more than that to take me out. Remember, you even tried to kill me and it didn’t stick. They didn’t stand a chance.”
“Onyx,” she says sharply, and I drop my playful smile. “I can’t go through that again. Seeing you unconscious and bleeding. It was the worst moment of my life.”
