Page 85 of Secrets and S'mores
Her embarrassment burns through our mate bond, butting up against my own pride at showing off my beautiful mate. “It’s okay,” I whisper, landing a kiss on her cheek.
“Yeah, I know,” she murmurs.
Clearing my throat, I regain the room’s attention. “As much fun as this is, we need to get the show on the road.”
We only have a few bags with us, so it’s easy to load up Jasper’s trunk and pile into the sporty vehicle. A moment later, we’re pulling onto the road.
Ember leans against me in the back seat, anxiously swirling her thumb in circles around myknuckles. Cedar sits on the other side, staring out the window.
“So before we get into our plan,” Ember says, taking the lead, “do you guys have any updates to share? Any new ideas?”
Jasper’s pale hair shakes. “Sorry, no. Slate and Hazel haven’t been able to find any common ground with Sienna or Zephyr.”
“I don’t think there’s much they can do to help,” she says. “We are going to have to handle this ourselves.”
Marigold twists around, a line between her brows as she frowns at us. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m going to challenge Orion.”
“Ember!” Marigold snaps, eyes going wide. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” Jasper’s knuckles are white across the steering wheel.
“I’m not going in unprepared. We need something to even the playing field, which is why I asked to come back to Bracken Creek.”
That’s my feisty girl, standing up for herself while being mysterious and irresistible. I hide my smirk in her hair by nuzzling against her neck.
“Oh, and Jasper?” she asks. “Can we borrow your car? I want to make a good impression when we go back. You can sit in the back seat and let Onyx drive, if you don’t mind.”
She’s incredible. I don’t even attempt to hide my grin as I peek at Jasper’s reaction. His mouth thins and his jaw ticks. After a moment, he answers. “If it’ll help, that’s fine.”
A small smile curves Ember’s mouth and she meets my gaze in the rear view mirror.
Pulling into the gravel lot, we are greeted by several pack members. Cedar unfolds himself and heads straight to our parents. Ember moves to follow him out of the back seat, but I hold tight.
“What?” she whispers.
Reaching up, I tug the neckline of her shirt slightly askew, revealing the circle of tiny, pale scars. “I want everyone to see that you’re mine.”
“You’re ridiculous,” she says, rolling her eyes, but I can feel through our bond that she likes it.
Once I’ve retrieved our bags, I hold them both with one hand, keeping the other free to hold Ember’s hand. No one will doubt our relationship. I don’t want anyone to question or disrespect her.
My mother hugs Ember tightly, and tears glitter in her eyes as she steps back, holding Ember’s shoulders firmly. “I’m so glad you are back. I missed you, dear. And now I get to keep you.”
“Mom, I’m sorry, but it’s just a quick visit. We have a situation to handle in Ember’s pack.” She pales at my words.
“Can we go see the healer?” Ember asks quietly.
Slate and Hazel stand in our path. “Am I seeing correctly?” Slate says.
“What are you seeing?” I tug Ember closer, squeezing her hand.
“You’ve claimed each other?” Hazel asks. A hopeful smile curves her mouth, though concern furrows her brows.
“Looks like it,” I say with a smirk.
Slate opens and closes his mouth, emotions warring in his eyes.
It’s Hazel who reaches out to embrace Ember. “Congratulations.”
