Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘You weren’t safe with the coven; they wouldn’t accept you. You weren’t safe with Michael; he let you down. You weren’t even completely safe with Millicent; she wasn’t there for you emotionally. But, baby, I swear you’re safe with me.’
Her throat bobbed, and she dropped her gaze.
‘Don’t hide from me,’ he said, his tone soft. ‘Eyes back to mine.’
‘No.’
Well, of course she couldn’t just do as he’d asked without hesitation. She never did. But it was one of the many things he liked about her. ‘Em, look at me.’
She did, though he figured that was more due to her surprise at his abbreviating her name.
He slid both his hands up to cradle her face. ‘You trust me?’
‘I wouldn’t have told you the truth of what happened with Michael if I didn’t.’
He’d suspected as much. ‘Then trust that I mean everything I’ve said here.’
Her eyelids drifted down, and a long breath eased out of her. Finally, her eyes met his again – the conflict was now gone, replaced by a hard determination. ‘We’ll ride this out, then. But, Rip, if you fuck me over—’
‘Won’t happen,’ he stated, relief blowing through him. He’d worried that she might put up roadblocks or demand they slow things down. That wasn’t how his kind operated.
Werewolves liked their space and boundaries, and they were careful how much of themselves they gave to another person. But if such an intense attachment formed, they had no limits.
‘No threats are necessary.’ He skated his hands upward and sank his fingers into her hair. ‘Keep trusting me. There’ll never be a time when you can’t. I swear that to you.’
She swallowed, the last of the cautiousness in her gaze draining away; the stiffness leaching from her frame as she leaned slightly into his touch.
Good girl. He nuzzled her temple. ‘Now, let’s have breakfast. I’m fucking famished.’ He held his breath, half-expecting her to suggest he head downstairs and get started on breakfast while she showered – needing to snatch a little alone-time to process.
Her eyes still holding his, she gave a slow nod. ‘Okay.’
His chest clenched. Because that easy and simple agreement – no hesitation, no vying for space, no indication that she had any reservations – showed she really was all in this. Good. He truly couldn’t have accepted anything else.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
A couple of hours later, Emberlyn pulled up outside the house of Mari’s boyfriend. Her brow pinched. Quite a few people stood in his neighbor’s front yard, tense and angry.
Weird.
Emberlyn’s scalp prickled. Mari had called her, asking if they could talk, saying she had important information to share. Why she’d care to share anything at all with Emberlyn was so far a mystery.
It wasn’t as if they were at all friendly with each other. But Emberlyn hadn’t been able to understand why Mari would call her here on false pretenses, so she’d decided to go see what was so ‘important’. Better that than Mari turning up at the manor.
Besides, it would give Emberlyn something to do while Ripper dealt with whatever clan issue had cropped up that demanded his presence. After Kerr had sought him out, he’d left with a promise that he’d be back soon. It was mere minutes later that Mari had called her.
Ripper likely wouldn’t be happy that Emberlyn had come here without him, but it wasn’t all that different from him addressing clan issues alone. He’d know that. But, protective as he was, he still wouldn’t like it.
God, they were actually together now.
For the first time in years, she was in a serious relationship. One that could potentially have a real future. She didn’t have to be alone anymore. All of which was good but still ruffled up her nerves.
Emberlyn was no coward, though. She’d repeatedly taken risks throughout her life. There were times when it hadn’t paid off, but there were times when it had.
When it came to Ripper, the only regret she’d have would be not taking a chance on him, on them; not knowing what could have been. So, as she’d told him, she would do as he asked and ride this out.
Had Millicent foreseen that Emberlyn would end up in a relationship with Ripper? Had she ‘bequeathed’ Emberlyn to him as a way to nudge them together faster? Or would this never have happened if it hadn’t been for the stipulations in the will that had led to them becoming allies?
There was no way to know, but it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Millicent had seen it coming.
Mentally putting that aside for now, Emberlyn exited the car and strode up the cobbled path. The witches in the neighboring yard fell quiet, watching her carefully.
Mari’s boyfriend’s front door opened, and the young woman stepped out. She gave Emberlyn a tremulous, apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry.’
Halting, Emberlyn squinted. ‘For what?’
Mari slid the witches in the other yard a quick look. ‘They were talking about gathering a large number of people and storming the manor. I thought it’d be better if they could just talk to you so things wouldn’t escalate that way.’