Page 82 of Secrets and S'mores
Hawk takes a beat to process and when he speaks again, his tone is formal, as if he knows more distance is needed. I’m not his to protect.
“Congratulations. I hope you two are really happy.”
“Thank you, I hope you’re happy too,” I say sincerely. “ But I was hoping you could help me with the Orion problem. I need to challenge him and get my pack back.”
“Ember, are you sure about that?” I can picture Hawk’s face and the way he would raise a single eyebrow. No doubt he is making the same expression now.
“Yes.”
“How can I help?”
“Tell me anything you can about Orion. We don’t know much about his weaknesses. Anything that could help. Please.”
“Of course. Let me think,” he says, trailing off.
“I really appreciate it,” I say, closing my eyes as Onyx trails his hand down my hip and thigh.
“He always liked it if he could manipulate people into doing what he wants, and honestly, he’s always been cruel,” Hawk says.
“That tracks with how he’s behaving now,” Onyx replies.
“But he’s charming when he wants to be.”
“We’ve seen that. Thanks.” Onyx’s words are edged with sarcasm. “Why the fuck did you bring this guy along with you?”
“Sorry, I know this doesn’t help, but I do know my Dad sent Orion with money to buy gifts to win people over. I guess he’s used that to his own advantage.”
The idea of this powerful Alpha miles and miles north of our territory who may or may not support our enemy layers more fear on top of my undercurrent of anxiety. But we have to focus on the enemy in front of us, so I push it out of my mind.
“What are his weaknesses?” Onyx cuts in.
“His ego,” Hawk says without hesitation.
“Can you think of anything else?” I ask.
“Let me talk to my sister and I’ll get back to you.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling less optimistic than before.
“I’m glad you’ve got someone who loves you,” he says quickly. My eyes flick to Onyx, and he’s already watching me with an intensity that sets my body aflame.
“Yeah, he’s pretty great,” I say with a smile.
“Good. Take care of her, man.”
“I am,” Onyx says, hanging up without looking at the phone. Gently, he rolls me onto my back. “That went better than the first call, right?”
“Yeah,” I have to agree.
“See? Things are already looking up.” I need his optimism right now. My mother’s negativity rattled me more than I’d like to admit.
My mate’s hair tickles my jaw as he kisses down my throat. When this situation becomes too much to handle, he’s the perfect escape. It’s easy to lose myself in his touch while his citrus scene fills my lungs.
With scattered kisses, he pulls my shirt off. I return the favor, forcing him to stop kissing me long enough to pull it over his head. The second it hits the floor, he jumps up to lock the door before leaping back on the bed with a playful grin.
“Everything is going to work out,” he says, framing me in with his arms as he hovers over me. Instead of answering, I pull him down and nuzzle into the crook of his neck.
“Think about the future when we have our own house, all to ourselves,” he whispers. The picture is beautiful, and my heart jumps. His teeth nip over my claim mark. “I can’t wait to show off this to everyone.”
