His Breath of Fire

Chapter Fourteen

    “I’m going to go to bed,” I announced, surprising everyone.  “It’s been a long day.”

    “Are you okay, Bren?” My mother asked, standing up.  I stopped her by holding out my hand and shaking my head.

    “I’m fine, just tired,” I answered.  “Goodnight, everyone.”  I nod at everyone, smiling at them as I pass.  Easton grabbed my wrist lightly, and I froze.  Our eyes connected, and I felt my stomach clench under his gaze.  How could something so simple cause my will to break?  How could a simple touch drive me insane?

    Gently, I disentangled my wrist from Easton’s grip, and walked upstairs.  Quietly, I closed the door to my room and leaned back closing my eyes.  After a moment,  I pushed away from the door, grabbing a change of clothes to sleep in.  I know I had homework to do, but it seemed like the world was pushing me to worry about other things.  I heard shuffling outside my door, and the smell of oak and rain hit my nose.

    “Go away,” I murmured, though I know he heard me.  I groaned when I heard the door open, and I pulled my comforter over my head to hide myself from his image.  I felt the bed dip under his weight as he sat down on the bed by my feet.  Silence stretched on as I continued to hide under my comforter and Easton just sat there, sitting on the edge of my bed while staring at something.

    “I’ve always dreamed about my mate,” Easton said, breaking the silence as I tugged my comforter down so I could watch him as he speaks.  He looks tired, body sagging downwards as he rests his arms on his knees, long hair in disarray.  “She’d be perfect.  Smart, sassy, and more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen.  And when my father told me about the pact between him and his Delta, my heart broke at the thought I’d never find her—find you.”

    My breath hitched, and I sat up so I could look at him better.  “After a couple of years, I thought I’d give Mara a chance, see if her personality could match what I had always assumed would be my mate.  But she never met my expectations, never seemed to satisfy the ever-pressing ache that could only be filled by my mate.  The one deemed worthy by the Moon Goddess.”

    Easton sat up straight, looking at me for the first time since entering my room.  “Bren, you are more perfect than I could have ever imagined.  You surpass anything that I had ever imagined I’d have as a mate.  You’re strong, intelligent, so much more spirit than I’d ever seen in anyone, and I couldn’t be happier to know you are the one I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with.”

    He scooted closer, reaching to cup my cheek with his hand, and I closed my eyes at the feeling of sparks that erupted from his touch.  His other arm wrapped around my waist, tugging me closer until my legs are thrown over his thighs, and I’m tucked into his side.  “This may be a lot for me to take in and process, but one thing is abundantly clear.  I’m not leaving you, Bren.  We’re mates, and I will be with you to the end.”

    I could have sobbed from his admission, and I encircled my arms around his torso and hugged him tightly.  As rocky as our relationship started, I knew from his words and his aura that he was being truthful.  I don’t know where the future will take us, but I could only be grateful that my mate accepts me for what I am, and that I can finally have the story my mother has with Paul.

    I woke the next day for school, turning my alarm off before heading towards the shower.  Gathering all the things I need for the day, I get ready.  Choosing to continue to wear a sweater and leggings, I threw my hair into a braid, pulling some strands to frame my face before heading downstairs to grab some breakfast.

    “Good morning, Bren,” my mother greets, turning around to look at me full on.  Paul is sitting at the table, cup of coffee in his hand as he reads a book.

    “Good morning, Mom, Paul,” I say, grabbing an apple before sitting down.  “How was the rest of the conversation?”

    “Alpha Robert invited us to the pack house to discuss further planning on how to deal with your father,” Paul answers, and I mentally roll my eyes at the word “invited.”  More like he used his Alpha tone and they have to obey him.  I hate how that man abuses his powers, but for the most part he takes really good care of his pack members.

    “That reminds me,” my mother interjects, bringing Paul a plate of breakfast before sitting down.  “Paul would prefer us to live at the pack house.  It’d be safer to stay in numbers, and most of the rooms are soundproof.  What do you think, Bren?”

    I tense as I take in her words.  Logically, I know moving into the pack house would make more sense.  However, since it’s almost always been just the two of us, how would I adjust to living with more than one hundred other shifters?  However, as long as I don’t to stay with the two s*x addicts over there, I think I could manage.  It would also be nice to be closer to Easton, and my other forms are ecstatic about that point.  I nod before saying, “As long as I can get my own room.”

    “We’ll ask Alpha about that,” my mother beamed, smiling at me.  “Thank you, Bren.  That takes some stress off of me.”

    I smile at my mother before asking, “How’s the pregnancy going so far?”

    “Not terrible,” she says, putting a hand on her still flat stomach.  “No morning sickness at the moment, but I’ll be feeling it here within the next week or so.”

    We chat for a little while longer before I leave, telling them I’ll see them at the packhouse after school.  The drive to school is uneventful, and I pull up to the school before long.  I park, grab my things, and exit, tugging my jacket on tighter against the chill of the fall breeze.  Walking up the stairs to the main building, I’m greeted with the most delicious scent of wood and rain, and I look up to see Easton casually leaning against the wall.

    “Hey,” he says in greeting, pushing off the wall to meet me.

    “Hi,” I say back, smiling slightly at him.

    “My father wants all of us to meet at the packhouse after school to come up with a plan to deal with your father,” he says, opening the door for me.

    “I know,” I respond, stepping into the foyer.  “My mother told me before I came to school today.”

    Easton nodded, following me into the school.  “Look, Bren, I know it’s awkward for us, seeing as we both don’t really know each other.  But I’d like to get to know you.”

    “What are you saying?” I ask, giving him a questioning look.

    “I’d like to take you on a date tonight,” he says, his eyes hopeful as they take in my image.  “After the meeting.”

    I suppress a smile, pretending to ponder his question for a moment.  He shifts his weight from foot to foot, obviously nervous about my answer.  Has he always been like this when pursuing a girl?  Or is it just because I’m his mate?  Either way, I find it very endearing, and of course I’d love to get one-on-one time with my mate.  “I’d love to,” I answer, and a breathtaking smile breaks out on his face.

    “Great,” he chirps, body relaxing now that he got the answer he desired.  “We’ll talk details after school,” he adds before kissing my cheek and walking off, leaving me watching his retreating form.  My cheek still felt sparks flying from the contact, and I wondered if his lips were tingling like my cheek was.