Page 5 of Secrets and S'mores
2 Hangovers & Heirs
Ember
Eyeliner streaks down my face, turning me into a deranged raccoon. Half asleep, I turn on the shower and let steam fill my bathroom. It fogs the mirror, misty gray against the pristine white tile walls. My mother embraced the minimalistic aesthetic while decorating this house, and I hate it.
Twenty minutes of scrubbing later, I feel like myself again. With wet hair clinging to my neck, I yank on joggers and a sweatshirt before heading to the kitchen.
“Good morning, Ember,” Sienna purrs. Others might mistake her tone for charm, but after eighteen years, I know it’s a sign she’s ready for a fight. She perches on the edge of her seat at the breakfast table,already in heels with her signature crimson lip. Her silk wrap dress hangs loose on her frame, the only sign she’s grieved her spouse at all.
I’m surprised she hasn’t taken a new mate already. There are a dozen dominant males in the pack who are more than eager, despite the risk, and it would help secure her position.
It’s hard to stay Alpha when you murder your mate.
Whispers have circulated the ranks and many of the males are reluctant to follow a single female’s leadership. But I suppose that’s the consequence of building a pack made up almost exclusively of ruthless fighters, especially ones that aren’t particularly bright.
My response is a grunt. I wait for her criticism, but the only sound is the cabinet hinge and the dry rustling of cereal hitting the bottom of my bowl, followed by the clink of a spoon.
Either she’s playing at being a good mom this morning, or she’s biding her time.Fantastic.
“So how was the gathering last night?” she asks after a delicate sip of coffee.
“Fine.”
“I’d appreciate a more thorough answer.” Her polite smile stays plastered in place.
With a deep sigh, I plop into my seat and shovel cereal into my mouth. The crunch echoes inside my head, drowning out the bleak thoughts that make up my mental playlist.
“Don’t you have minions to report to you for these types of things?”
Her dark eyes study me for a moment. I hate that Jasper takes after our dad and I take after her. It’s why I bleach and color my hair various shades of the rainbow every few weeks.
“Yes, I do. But no one else spoke with the Alphas of the Bracken Creek Pack.” Her words are crisp, only a hint of her disdain toward her former pack shining through. If a stranger were listening, they’d never know that one of those Alphas is her oldest son from her first relationship, before she met my dad.
Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms and tuck my leg under me. “Look, we barely spoke. Hazel was gossiping about her packmates and Slate was just drinking and groping her.”
Sienna’s eyebrows shoot up.
I almost regret my harsh assessment. “Not like he was drunk. He just didn’t talk when I was there.”
Her expression turns analytical and I resume eating my cereal to escape her assessment. “Anything else you’d like to share?”
“Nope.” The answer is too quick. I force myself to meet her gaze for a moment, keeping the guilt churning in my gut from seeping into my expression.
No,Mother dear, nothing else happened. Only made out with the enemy. Yes, the same one I stabbed. No big deal. just let him suck on my neck while I ground against him like a shameless hussy. And now I’m ruined because every other man I’ve ever kissed had cold fish lips compared to him. Shit.
“I’m glad you had a good time because you’re going to spend several days with them.”
My breakfast catches in my throat and I splutter and cough.
“Why?” I choke out.
“I’ve requested your brother come home for a visit and bring his little mate.”
“So?” My coffee does little to soothe me as I wait for her to explain.
“They suggested an exchange in order to ensure their safety, since, as their Beta, Jasper is technically also their Heir until those two have a child of their own.”
My brain blanks for a minute. So much for holding my superior position as Heir over Jasper’s head.
