Ash
He was keenly aware of Ember’s every action, even when he was busy with his own training. He was aware the moment she nodded off, cuddling her pillow like he wished she would do with him soon. But he was not about to push her into thing she was not comfortable with.
When they were done with their training it took him giving a warning glare and a low growl at Leo who had been intent on picking her up. Leo pouted while he picked up his sweet mate who had overworked herself once again. It was clear that he would be more than just the peacekeeper with her; she didn’t know when to stop and rest.
He gently picked her up and she unconsciously cuddled closer into him. He all but melted at how cute she was when she was unguarded. He was worried about what to expect when the king found out about her; he hoped he would not try to take her away from him. If he did he might actually go against the king; she was his ma
UnknownIt had been two days since he had ended Bernadette’s miserable existence and there had been no peep about her death. Of course, it could be that they wanted to keep it quiet, but he had a feeling that she was not a very popular person.After he had finished his planned meetings, he had settled into his hotel room and set to researching and planning. He took the time to research the Wood Creek Academy in detail. His position gave him many privileges and it came in handy.He had had his personal hacker working on getting information on everything he wanted, so he was busy reviewing it on his personal laptop. In his line of business, it was always good to have your own technology to keep business and pleasure separate.After he had done his research, he had changed into cheap jeans and hoody and left all his technology that could track him and rented a car under a fake name. He drove two towns away from the academy
EmberShe was still unable to decide how she felt about the fact that they had been doing their research on a baby and toddler website. It was funny and annoying realizing that they thought she had to be cared for like a toddler. But they were high school boys and she couldn’t really fault them for caring, even if it was a completely dumb way to do it. Their complete ignorance about humans was a little endearing; she had to admit that.She undid the crown braid when she stepped into the bathroom; she would have to wash her hair after that morning’s training. She had a feeling that today’s training was a taste of what was to come. She was nervous about that, since she had never been a particularly athletic person.“We’ll figure things out, don’t worry.” Lume offered with a smile.“It’s really strange having someone else in my head.” She a
AshLeo joined them with a satisfied smirk on his face while they waited in front of the pack house to meet their guests. The king’s car had already passed through the border and would be the first of their guests to arrive. Ember’s guardian was now at the border being admitted.“Where’s Ember?” He asked in a low voice.“She should be here any moment. I heard her come out of the bathroom just before I came down.” Leo grinned at him.“I just know you did something to annoy her again.” He answered, while staring at Leo with narrowed eyes.Oliver chuckled.“That’s nothing new; I’ve forgotten how many times you’ve all gotten into trouble because of him.” His father muttered with a hint of amusement in his tone.“I am the picture of innocence, Alpha.” Leo answered with a tone of dignity.
EmberShe felt overwhelmed with everyone looking at her the way they were. Beta Tom grinned and winked at her like he always did when they met, but she still clung to Ash’s hand like it was her lifeline.His touch soothed her and her wolf and she desperately needed some calm or she would be running and hiding in her temporary room where she could feel alone and safe. She was not in control of the situation and everyone’s attention on her was so uncomfortable it felt like her skin was prickling.Before Calum and Ilene could approach her, Luna Cindy suggested they head to the dining room where everyone could be comfortable; obviously she had sensed the tension in the air. It was perfect timing since Ember was about to run away with the king, the queen, Alpha Anson and Beta Tom staring at her like she was some kind of math problem to solve.Ember was grateful when the three guys stayed at her side and Ash didn’t seem to mi
Ember“Do you know why her father was murdered?” The king asked with interest.“We haven’t been able to find out much aside from that he was…” Alpha Anson hesitated and glanced at her with concern. “…Questioned extensively, before his death.” The inflection in his voice and the huskiness of his tone pointed at something that caused him some pain and Ember frowned in concentration.Did he mean tortured? Another echo in her memories, this one a little more tangible; painful screams. She remembered those in her nightmares; they were always in her nightmares.Alpha Anson cleared his throat and took a sip of his ice water before he continued. “We have reason to suspect that whoever killed him was looking for something, since the place was in shambles. Ember was dehydrated and weak when I came to hear of his death and insisted that they look for her.&nb
Alpha AnsonOnce the teenagers filed out of the formal dining room to give them some privacy, the atmosphere turned decidedly more serious. The younger generation might be next in line, but they were still too young to deal with all that had happened in their generation.“Alpha Anson, do you have any details on the murder of your brother?” The king asked with a frown of worry marring his brow. He was by far the oldest of them, but he carried his age well.“The authorities had deemed it a revenge killing and all but given up, Your Highness. But I’ve been doing my own investigations behind the scenes. Unfortunately with the state of my pack recently, I have been unable to continue with the investigation.”He nodded sagely. “I heard about your troubles with your ex-Luna. It is an embarrassment to any alpha or father to raise such a woman when he knew she would have a high status.&n
King RichardHonestly, he was still reeling from the fact that he had a niece, but both he and his wolf knew it the moment they saw the girl. Not only did she have her mother’s blue-gray eyes, but she also looked so much like her, except for her lighter hair color. Not to mention that she was busy trying to torture the future Gamma in a muddy puddle; that was exactly like his little sister.He would’ve been amused if he hadn’t been so thrown by the discovery that he had a niece and she was already pretty much grown. He had already missed so much of her life. Thankfully his Cordelia was helping him to stay calm and focused on everything that needed to be seen to, especially with all the information they were gleaning from her other uncle.He had to stay focused, even though he and his wolf just wanted to get to know the girl to see how much of her mother she had in her. But it was clear that she was nervous and untr
EmberThe adults had decided during the meeting she was not involved in that they would all head to the palace. Alpha Anson, Calum and Tom had to return to River Ash and thankfully, so did Ilene who had spent the whole morning trying to be friends with her again. Why couldn’t she understand that she couldn’t trust her again?Alpha Denzel would also stay at the Bane pack for the time being. Everyone would come to the palace the day before her eighteenth birthday, the following week, which also happened to be the day of the introduction ball.Ash, Oliver and Leo would be coming with her to the palace that day, where she would be fitted for a new wardrobe and other arrangements would apparently be made for her new life as the princess.She wasn’t happy about being moved to another room yet again. That was four different rooms in less than two months. It was exhausting and irritating, because once again she was