Ember Rains

New Home

The next day Zane and I left early to go furniture shopping. Before we left I asked Layla and Rowan to take Myra and Tyler shopping. They agreed ecstatically.

Zane and I spent the day carrying and setting up beds, dressers, a couch, and any other furniture. 

“Ouch! Damn it I hate electricity.” I snapped, fighting to hook up the TV and DVR.

Zane laughed out loud as he walked in from the back bedroom. “Can’t say I’m surprised, water and electricity never mix well. Let me do that, you finish setting up Ty’s bed.”

“Thanks.” I grumbled.

I had always known of the down sides to my power, but electricity had always been my kryptonite. I conducted electricity on a scale far larger than your average human.

I walked back into the back bedroom and was able to set up the bed and dresser before my phone dinged.

Rowan had texted me; “On our way. What apt number?”

I responded with a thank you and told her we would meet them downstairs, then headed out to the main room with Zane.

“They will be here in a couple minutes.” I couldn’t help the excited smile that spread across my face. “We should go help them carry stuff in.”

“Sure.” He chuckled in response.

We headed out the door and past the pool towards the parking lot.

“So remember the apartment was pre furnished, she’s going to be mad enough about the clothes and food and other stuff.” I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.

By now we stood at the edge of the lot

“She’ll appreciate it later, you’re doing the right thing.” Zane clapped my shoulder as Rowan’s blue Land Rover pulled up in front of us.

As the door opened a beautiful little blonde girl with ringlets and light brown eyes jumped out and ran towards us.

“Daddy daddy! I missed you!” Avrily yelled, running into Zane’s open arms.

“Hey princess. How was your sleepover at Jessica’s?” Zane smiled, placing the four year old on his hip.

“Perfect!” Avrily beamed.

“Were you good?”  Zane asked.

Rowan came over chuckling and kissed his cheek. “According to Jess’s mom they were little angels.”

“Well like mother, like daughter.” Zane grinned down at Rowan, his eyes shining.

I couldn’t help but smile. Zane and Rowan had been lucky with finding their mates. They had been best friends since elementary school and dated throughout high school. Nobody was really surprised when on Rowan’s eighteenth birthday they verified that they were in fact mates. They had Avrily just over a year later.

“Can someone please help us?” Layla asked awkwardly.

Now, as I turned towards the car, the pang of jealousy I always felt vanished.

Myra was talking quietly to Layla while handing lighter bags to a very excited Tyler. Tyler bounced up and down and Myra was smiling. I had never seen her really smile before and the sight took my breath away.

“Hi Mr. Richard!” Tyler said as he walked up, grinning widely. “Thank you for my new clothes!”

“Of course Ty, and call me Richard bud.” I smiled at him.

I reached down to ruffle his hair. He flinched away slightly before blushing bashfully.

“Sorry.” He hung his head embarrassed.

“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault.” Brooke snarled in the back of my head and I forced a smile. “Let me grab some bags then I’ll lead you to your new room, okay?”

“Okay.” He smiled back at me.

Something in me shifted and I knew, even if Myra never wanted to be with me, I would always want to be there for Tyler. I had heard only a few cases where one mate had a child before finding the other. Knowing you have someone out there waiting for you makes most people hold off on intimacy. The stories I had heard mentioned a theory that the mate bond would spread. That by being part your mate you are automatically drawn to the child as well.

I had never put much stock in these tales until this moment when I realized, I loved Tyler.

It took several trips to haul everything inside. When we were finally done I sent Zane home with the others and insisted on staying to help put everything away. 

First I helped Ty start a load of laundry before heading into the kitchen to start on groceries. Myra was already there dividing meat meticulously into meal sized portions to freeze.

She glanced up cautiously as I grabbed a gallon of milk and bag with refrigerator food in it. I carried it to the fridge and started putting everything in.

“You don’t need to do that.” Myra’s voice was quiet but still sounded annoyed.

I grinned ignoring her statement. “Did you have a good day?”

“Yes.” She admitted tentatively. “I’m paying you back though.”

“Good, do I get a say in how?” I asked, turning to face her.

She eyed me nervously and swallowed hard. Her eyes suddenly burned with the same fire from when she burned Logan, fear. I could hear her heart speed up and realized my mistake.

“I mean I would love it if you would allow me to take you out.” I added, quickly.

She frowned, surprised before taking a deep breath. 

“How is allowing you to spend more money on me, paying you back?” She crossed her arms.

“I have more money then I know what to do with, if you give me more it’ll sit in the bank completely useless.” I grinned, taking a small step towards her. “However every second I get to spend with you is worth more than all my money.”

I had been planning that since the night before, and the blush that spread across her cheeks was definitely worth it.

I reached out slowly and gently brushing a stray strand of hair off her cheek. She flinched but only slightly before subconsciously relaxing into my touch.

“Please?” I added quietly.

“I don’t…” She started before biting her bottom lip.

My heart dropped if she said no now, I wouldn’t give up but it would hurt.

“Can I think about it?” She finally asked quietly.

I sighed relieved then nodded. “Of course, just let me know.”

“How?” She asked, stepping back and turning back to the grocery bags. 

I chuckled lightly, pleased at how flustered she suddenly seemed.

“The apartment has a landline, I left a paper with some phone numbers in case you need anything. Mines there.” I didn’t mention that I was going to have somebody watching the building at all times as long as she was here.

“Oh, it’s amazing that it came pre furnished with no down payment.” She glared at me knowingly.

I shrugged, stifling a laugh. She wasn’t going to get me to admit anything that easily.

“You’re just lucky I guess.” I winked at her.

I watched as her expression suddenly turned pained than guarded.

“No I’m not.” She said looking back at the meat on the counter.

I sighed sadly before grabbing more groceries.

That night I stayed up late getting caught up on my work. The past two days I had been focused on Myra and Tyler, and that was okay. However, I knew if I was so lucky as to keep them in my life, I needed to learn to make time for them and work.

Especially if what Logan had said was true, I had to do everything I  could to protect my friends and family. I owed them everything, and knowing that I would possibly be the reason for their downfall killed me.

‘You can’t think like that Rich.’ Brooke sighed, ‘You know we would do anything to protect this pack.’

‘Yeah but if Azrael gets to Myra, I don’t think I could ever hurt her.’ I moaned.

‘Well you don’t have to worry about that because he will never get close enough to try.’ Brooke snarled.

“I’m surprised you’re home.” Trisha’s voice sounded from the doorway.

I turned slowly to see her standing just inside the door. Trishana was a couple inches taller than her twin Layla, otherwise they were identical. With the same light rose toned skin and straight brown hair. Those deep blue eyes that seemed to engulf anything they touched.

“Luna,” I nodded at her respectfully and she rolled her eyes.

“None of that right now please. I'm as big as a whale and exhausted. My patience is nonexistent.” She groaned walking into my room and sitting on the edge of the bed.

I swiveled in my chair away from my desk to face her.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I chuckled.

“I just wanted to tell you in person I am happy for you. I can’t wait to meet your mate, and her son. You got the package deal.” She eyed me nervously.

“I really did.” I grinned, “She is perfect, and Tyler.” I laugh out loud. “He is so smart and curious about everything.”

“So you aren’t mad she already has a pup?” Trisha asked, finally getting to the point.

“No, I mean I was a little shocked at first. Especially with how old he is, but I already love the kid. He is just as much mine as she is.” I said confidently.

“What about his biological dad?” Trish asked, leaning back on the bed and studying me.

“All I know is Myra took Ty and ran after his father coated his teeth and bit his shoulder. The scar is so close to his neck I wonder if it was an attempt to kill the child and maybe Myra got to him barely in time or something.” I frowned at the floor as Trish shuddered.

“God, that is horrible.” She gasped wrapping her arms protectively around her swollen abdomen.

I nodded grimly.

“Well at least they have you now. As well as a whole pack willing to do anything for you.” Trish smiled before standing with a groan. “We love you Rich, and I really am happy for you.”

“Thanks Trish.” I smiled half-heartedly.

I felt as though I had just been slapped in the face. 

Yes a whole pack willing to do anything for me, while I was quite possibly bringing a bloodbath down on them. No, I would fix this. I had to fix this. 

‘With Myra on our side there would be no contest.’ Brooke mused

‘I will not see her as a weapon, and I don’t want her anywhere near a fight.’ I snapped in return.

‘You’re right. You know I didn’t mean it as her being a weapon, just our partner.’ Brooke whimpered.

I sighed, I knew he was right. I would never try to use Myra to fight for me, but I would be willing to train her to fight with me if she wanted to. 

However before I could even think of that she had to trust me. It was unbelievable how hopeless I suddenly felt, as if I had already lost the war.

Next to me my phone pinged, Myra’s landline flashing across my screen. I picked it up quickly terrified something was wrong.

“Hello?” My voice was too cloaked to portray the nonchalance I wanted.

“Ok…” Myra’s voice was low and unsure.

I was confused, what was she trying to say, but before I could ask she sighed then continued.

“But only if Rowan can watch Tyler, otherwise no deal.” Her voice was stronger than before but still shaken, afraid.

It hurt that she was so clearly afraid of me. I had to prove myself to her, and now I had a chance to start.

“Great, I’ll talk to Rowan. Do you work tomorrow night?” I asked, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face from coating my voice.

“No I don’t.” She sounded like she might be smiling too, or maybe that was just wishful thinking.

“I’ll pick you guys up at four.” I was already making plans.

“Ok.” She said before hanging up leaving the dial tone ringing in my ear.

“Ok.” I repeated, hanging up the phone.

‘Well it’s something.’ Brooke sighed.

‘No.’ I grinned widely, ‘It’s everything.’

Brooke rolled his eyes, ‘Since when are you such a romantic?’

‘I’m not sure.’ I admitted.

‘I am.’ He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, turning back to my computer and began planning. I would make this the best decision she ever made.