-Ember-
I'd gotten my way with the shower, despite Adrian's protests. Of course, his idea of "compromise" had been to join me, pressing me against the cool tile wall while hot water cascaded over us both. By the time we'd finished our "shower," we were both clean but also thoroughly marked with each other's scents---exactly as he'd planned.
I'd seen fancy houses on TV, but nothing prepared me for the sheer magnificence of Dark Pine's packhouse in the daylight.
"If you keep your mouth open like that, your jaw will get stuck," Adrian teases, his hand warm and possessive in mine as we walk through corridors that belong in a luxury mountain resort, not someone's actual home.
"Holy Goddess, are we in a five-star resort or what?" Ivy whispers in awe inside my mind. "We've seriously upgraded from Silver Moon's glorified summer camp aesthetic."
"I can't believe you actually live here," I whisper, taking in the soaring ceilings with exposed wooden beams, massive stone fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame breathtaking mountain views like living paintings.
"We live here," he corrects, squeezing my hand gently. "You'll get used to it after a while."
"Get used to it? I'm ready to roll around on every expensive surface in this place right now," Ivy purrs, making me fight to keep my composure. "Do you think that bearskin rug in the great room is as soft as it looks? Because I have ideas."
The place is a masterclass in rustic luxury---plush leather couches that practically beg you to sink into them, artisan light fixtures crafted from antlers, and enough natural wood to make a lumberjack weep with joy. Everything somehow feels both ridiculously expensive and perfectly at home against the backdrop of pine-covered mountains.
"How do you not get lost in this place?" I ask, trying to mentally map our route through what feels like the world's most beautiful maze.
Adrian's lips twitch with amusement. "After a while, you learn the halls. I'll give you the full tour later." The way he says "full tour" makes it sound distinctly like code for something that has nothing to do with the packhouse and everything to do with what we were doing this morning.
My cheeks heat at the memory, and Adrian, the smug bastard, just grins wider.
"Oh, I'm definitely up for that kind of 'tour'," Ivy chimes in eagerly. "I'm thinking we should start with the bedroom, work our way through the bathroom, maybe check out his office desk... I bet it's sturdy enough to handle some Luna-Alpha bonding activities."
I bite my lip and stare at my lap, trying to silence my enthusiastic wolf while fighting a blush that threatens to give away the explicit images running through my mind.
"Stop," I mutter, giving him a playful nudge. "I already smell of you and probably still of sex... I don't need to walk around where everyone can smell me all turned on."
"Why not?" His eyes darken as he bites his lip, clearly replaying memories in his head. "You smell amazing... and those pretty sounds you made this morning are going to be playing on repeat in my mind all day."
"And they call ME the horny one," Ivy snickers. "This man is one heated look away from dragging us back to bed. Not that I'd complain. Actually, I'd actively encourage it. Maybe suggest a few positions we haven't tried yet."
Before I can formulate a witty retort that doesn't involve jumping him in the hallway, we arrive at two massive wooden doors that stand at least twelve feet tall. The carved mountains, trees, and wolves along the bottom frame a clear glass window in the center, with a full moon etched at the top half of each door.
Adrian pushes the doors open, and holy shit---the dining hall is huge. Long bench tables run down the center of the room, with different sized circular tables along the sides. This room could fit the entire Silver Moon pack in it and still have room left over.
Conversation doesn't exactly stop when we enter, but it definitely dips, dozens of curious eyes turning our way. I resist the urge to hide behind Adrian's broad shoulders, though I do tighten my grip on his hand. He squeezes back reassuringly.
Adrian steers me toward what must be the head table, positioned on a slightly raised platform at the far end of the hall. The table is made of wood with a clear glass top that reflects the morning light. My eyes immediately find Oaklynn, and relief washes through me at the sight of a familiar face.
That relief quickly morphs into wide-eyed surprise. Oaklynn is sandwiched between Jamison and a dark-haired guy I haven't met yet.
Jamison has his arm draped casually over the back of Oaklynn's chair, his fingers lazily drawing circles on her shoulder. I'm honestly surprised by his bravery after the way Carter lashed out at him last night. Meanwhile, the dark-haired stranger has his hand resting high on her thigh, leaning in to whisper something that makes her laugh. And not just any laugh---the full-body, head-thrown-back kind that I've rarely seen from my usually reserved friend.
"Well, well, well," Adrian murmurs beside me, amusement coloring his voice. "Looks like your friend is making herself right at home."
"I guess so," I whisper back, genuinely shocked. Oaklynn's always been the cautious one, the think-before-you-leap girl of our group. Seeing her practically glowing between two ridiculously hot guys is like watching a librarian do shots on a bar top---unexpected, but kind of awesome.
"Someone's getting her flirt on," Ivy comments with approval. "Good for her! About time our little doctor had some fun. I just hope cranky-pants Carter doesn't see this. He'll probably shift and eat someone. Actually, I'd pay good money to see that. Front-row tickets to the Carter Rage Show, please!"
As we approach, Oaklynn spots me and waves enthusiastically with a bright smile. "Ember! Over here!"
The dark-haired guy looks up, and good lord---what is it with this pack and absurdly attractive men? He has a face that belongs on movie posters, all chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes. Is there something in the water at Dark Pine? I've only met a few of the guys, but they're all panty-dropping gorgeous.
"Hey!" I slide into the empty seat across from Oaklynn, Adrian taking the chair at the head of the table beside me. "Looks like you're making friends."
"They didn't really give me any other choice," Oaklynn teases, her cheeks flushing pink. "They've been so welcoming."
"I'll bet," I say dryly, eyeing the placement of Mystery Man's hand through the glass tabletop.
Adrian clears his throat. "Little wolf, this is Killian, our Delta and head of security. Killian, meet my mate, Ember."
Killian flashes me a lopsided grin that he's definitely used to drop panties. "The famous little wolf," he says, the use of Adrian's nickname for me causing my mate to emit a low growl of warning. Killian raises both hands in surrender. "Glad to finally meet the woman our Alpha has been obsessed with for weeks."
"Obsessed with?" I glance sideways at Adrian, who looks like he's contemplating various creative ways to murder his Delta.
"Ignore him," Adrian says, his hand finding mine under the table. "Killian thinks he's funnier than he actually is."
"I'm hilarious," Killian protests, then takes his hand and pushes some hair behind Oaklynn's ear. "Isn't that right, gorgeous?"
Oaklynn giggles---a flirty giggle---and I have to physically stop my jaw from dropping.
"What has your pack done to my friend?" I whisper to Adrian, only half-joking.
Adrian kisses the tip of my nose with a smile. "I'll get us some breakfast. Don't believe anything these idiots say while I'm gone."
As soon as Adrian's out of earshot, Jamison's arm tightens around Oaklynn's shoulders as he turns more toward her, drawing her attention. "So, baby, what are we going to do today?"
"No," Killian interjects, his hand returning to her thigh. "What are WE going to be doing today?" He winks suggestively. "I'm thinking some cardio."
"I don't think that would be in your best interest," I warn, thinking about Carter's reaction last night. "After what happened---"
"Oh, under all that rage, Carter is just a big puppy," Jamison laughs dismissively.
"Yeah, a rabid one with anger management issues and territorial tendencies," Ivy snorts. "These boys are playing with fire."
Killian looks between the three of us, his eyes widening. "Shit! Carter called dibs?"
"You could say that," Jamison says with another laugh.
Killian takes his free hand and strokes Oaklynn's jaw, his voice dropping low and sexy. "I don't mind sharing."
I let out a light laugh and shake my head. I catch Carter entering from a small side door. "Oh shit," I whisper, just as I feel a presence at my back.
"Take your fucking hands off her," Carter snarls, his voice vibrating with barely contained rage.
Killian doesn't even look up at Carter. Instead, he licks his lips as his eyes bore into Oaklynn's face. "She doesn't mind. Do you, babe?"
Oaklynn's eyes shift to Carter's face. She looks like she wants to be anywhere but here, caught in this testosterone-fueled standoff.
"I said," Carter repeats, leaning forward until he's right in Killian's face, "take your fucking hands off her. Now."
Jamison jumps into the interaction, his hand moving to hold the back of Oaklynn's neck, his thumb now rubbing over her marking spot. "Or what? Last I checked, she isn't wearing your mark, Carter. She's free to enjoy doing whatever... or whoever, she wants."
The sound that tears from Carter's throat isn't his---it's his wolf's, a warning growl that raises the hair on my arms. His eyes are now fully gold, showing that his control is slipping away.
"Don't test me, Jamison," Carter growls, his voice dropping to a register that vibrates through my bones.
Jamison leans closer to Oaklynn, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Don't mind him, he's all growl."
Killian's hand slides dangerously close to a place he shouldn't have it, causing Oaklynn to squirm uncomfortably. "Relax, big guy, we're just making conversation. Aren't we, Oak, baby?"
"Killian, if you don't remove your hand," Carter snarls through clenched teeth, "I will rip it from your body."
Jamison twirls a lock of Oaklynn's hair between his fingers. "You're being a buzz kill, Carter. Why don't you find your own playmate? This one is happy right here."
"You have no idea who you're playing with," Carter warns, his voice deadly quiet.
I look around for Adrian, feeling like this is about to get ugly. I'm not sure I can handle being in the middle of three male wolves fighting, especially when one is looking at the other two like he's going to tear them limb from limb.
Jamison gets a cocky grin on his face. "I think I know exactly who I'm playing with." His hand travels from Oaklynn's neck to her collarbone and slowly descends. Oaklynn looks too afraid to move.
"Okay, guys, that's enough," I say, having had enough of this game they're playing with my friend, but my words fall on deaf ears.
Carter snarls at both men, watching their hands roam over Oaklynn. He grabs Killian by the collar and drags him forward over the table. I'm almost as in the middle of this as Oaklynn is now.
"I said. Hands. Off." Each word is punctuated with barely contained violence.
Jamison, clearly done pushing things, removes his entire arm from Oaklynn, but still can't resist being cocky. "What if she wants our hands on her... all over her?"
"Does this guy have a death wish?" Ivy wonders.
Carter's eyes dart over to Oaklynn as he shoves Killian back into his chair. "Is this okay with you?" His voice is rough with emotion and rage. "Tell me the truth."
Oaklynn answers quietly, her eyes downcast. "No."
They stare at each other, something unspoken passing between them. The whole time, Killian is eyeing Carter with a tense, calculating expression. Then, with deliberate slowness, he leans toward Oaklynn, brushing her hair away from her ear. He gently lifts her jaw, exposing her neck. Oaklynn's eyes dart frantically between Killian and Carter. I can see her breathing becoming rapid.
Before anyone can react, Killian leans down and presses his lips to her neck. Then he flicks out his tongue and licks a tiny path to her jaw.
Carter's reaction is instantaneous and terrifying. A roar of pure rage erupts from him as he lunges over the table and rips Killian away from Oaklynn.
"I'm going to fucking kill you," Carter snarls, pure rage and murder in his voice.
"Oh shit," Jamison yells, jumping up and pushing Oaklynn under the table.
I drop down and help Oaklynn get to the safer side of the table as Carter and Killian fight---well, Carter fights. His teeth and claws are out while Killian is more dodging than fighting back. Jamison jumps into the mess, trying to pull the two apart, but Carter's strength, fueled by rage, is no match for him.
Adrian arrives just then, plates still in hand, his expression shifting from confusion to Alpha in an instant. Around us, the dining hall has erupted into chaos -- wolves jumping back from tables, others calling for help.
With a final roar, Carter shoves Killian away, barely registering Jamison who falls back into a nearby table with a crash. Carter's chest heaves with exertion, blood smeared across his knuckles. There's a cut on Killian's cheek, but the Delta is grinning like he's won some prize despite the beating he just took.
Carter seems to suddenly remember why he started the fight in the first place. His eyes dart around frantically until they find Oaklynn, who's standing beside me looking shell-shocked. Before I can blink, he's around the table, reaching her.
With surprising gentleness for someone who was just trying to tear another wolf apart, Carter cups Oaklynn's face, turning it from side to side as he examines her. His eyes, still glowing wolf-gold, scan over her body as if checking for injuries, his hands following like he can't quite believe she's whole and unharmed.
"Are you hurt?" he demands, voice rough with emotion. "Did they hurt you?"
Oaklynn shakes her head, seeming unable to speak with his hands still cradling her face. The contrast between his tenderness with her and his violence moments before is striking -- and oddly moving.
"Aww, look at him all worried and protective after nearly committing murder," Ivy coos, surprisingly touched. "It's almost sweet. In a psychotic, possessive werewolf kind of way. I'm kind of jealous. Think Adrian would murder someone for touching us? Actually, don't answer that—we already know he would."
Without another word, Carter grabs her hand and starts dragging her toward the door. Oaklynn stumbles slightly before falling into step behind him, looking both frightened and exhilarated as they weave through the stunned onlookers.
"Carter, wait---" she finally manages, but he doesn't slow down.
The dining hall doors swing shut behind them with a definitive thud, leaving behind a roomful of shocked wolves and one very smug-looking Killian, who's dabbing at his bleeding lip with a napkin.
Adrian sets down the breakfast plates with a sigh, looking equal parts irritated and resigned. "I leave for five minutes..."
"So," I say, trying to process what just happened, "does breakfast always come with a show around here?"
"If it does, I'm going to love it here," Ivy comments gleefully.
Adrian slides into the seat beside me, pushing a plate of what looks like the most delicious French toast I've ever seen in front of me. "Welcome to Dark Pine," he says dryly, but I don't miss the concern in his eyes as he glances toward the door. "Eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
I pick up my fork, but my appetite has been dampened by concern for my friend. "Should we go after them? Make sure she's okay?"
"Carter won't hurt her," Adrian assures me, his voice confident. "In fact, I think this might be exactly what they both needed."
I take a bite of the French toast and nearly moan at the explosion of flavors. "This is incredible," I say, suddenly remembering how hungry I am after our morning... activities.
"Worked up an appetite, did we?" Ivy teases.
Adrian grins, clearly pleased by my reaction. "Wait until you try the bacon."
As I dig into what turns out to be the best breakfast I've ever had (despite the excitement), I can't help but wonder what's happening between Oaklynn and Carter right now. Whatever it is, I have a feeling life in Dark Pine is going to be anything but boring. And honestly? After years of isolation with Tanner, I'm more than ready for a little excitement.
Even if it comes with a side of wolf testosterone and flying furniture.
"So," I say, turning to Killian who's still looking far too pleased with himself, "was that your plan all along? To push Carter over the edge?"
Killian's grin widens. "Maybe."
"You're either very brave or very stupid," I observe, taking another bite of my French toast.
"I prefer the term 'strategically reckless,'" he replies, wiping away the last of the blood from his lip. "Sometimes people need a little push."
"Or a full-body tackle across a dining table," Adrian mutters, but there's a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Just doing my part for pack harmony," Killian says innocently.
"By causing chaos at breakfast?" I raise an eyebrow.
"By helping one very stubborn wolf figure out what everyone else already knows," he corrects. "Trust me, this was the cleanest solution."
"If that was clean, I'd hate to see your definition of messy," I laugh, shaking my head.
"Stick around, Luna," Killian winks. "Dark Pine is never boring."
"I'm counting on it," I reply, and I mean it. After years of feeling trapped and controlled, a little chaos feels exactly like freedom.