Ember Rains

Threats

In the next second I had put myself between them and the threat.

“What are you doing here Azrael?” Brooke growled as we stood defensively in front of Myra and Tyler.

‘He’s pulling them!’ Brooke snarled in my head.

‘I know!’ I snapped back angrily.

“Mom.” I heard Tyler groan.

“Ty!” Myra gasped in shock and fear.

I stuck my hand out knowing that the child would be unable to resist the sensation even if his mother seemed untouched. 

I placed my hand firmly on his chest holding him slightly behind me. I could feel heat from Myra’s fear on my back as I gently pushed Tyler back within her reach. In my peripheral vision I watched her crouch down pulling him tightly to her.

“What do you have there.” Azrael’s voice was suddenly more alive with interest as he grinned maliciously past me and at them. 

No just Myra, he could feel as well as I could the power that repelled his own.

He was a couple inches shorter than me with pale white skin and bright red hair and eyes. 

I snarled the sound echoing off the walls.

Azrael blinked slowly, shifting only his eyes to me.

“So you finally found her. Too bad she’s clearly damaged goods.” He chuckled, clearly amused.

Myra’s wolf, still surfaced protectively, whimpered. 

Brooke growled furiously in my head, and shifted my weight blocking them completely from view.

“Why are you here?” I demanded again.

“Just heading out. I had a meeting with Logan this morning. I figured I would hang around to see my favorite maître de l’eau.” His voice dripped with false pleasantries. “Have you reconsidered my offer?”

I tensed, then with the same formality, “I am not interested.”

“Nobody here can understand you, Richard.” Azrael’s voice was soothing and I could feel him pulling harder, fighting for Myra, as well as myself now. 

“Not a single one of them could beat you.”

I flinched at the image of fighting any of my pack members.

“Luckily, they wont ever have to.” I shrugged, the motion jerky and sharp.

“You will change your mind.” Azrael snapped, uncertainty coating his voice. Then he stomped past us and out the door.

Brooke growled, still fuming.

‘Calm down.’ I said tensely as I willed myself to do the same.

‘She is not damaged goods!’ Brooke snarled at me.

‘We both know that.’

‘But she doesn’t!’ He snapped, ‘Didn’t you hear her?’

‘We can’t do anything about that until she trusts us and believes we are her mate. You freaking out right now helps nothing.’ I pointed out.

He whimpered but I could feel myself calming. I sighed deeply, relaxing my head and shoulders.

‘What if we scared her even more?’ I asked in a hushed whisper of a thought.

All I got in response was a feeling of deep concern.

Suddenly I felt a small finger poke the hand I still had outstretched, palm facing backwards. I chuckled then smiled down at Tyler who was watching me nervously. 

Slowly, suddenly exhausted, I turned to face Myra again. I smiled cautiously down at her. “I’m so sorry. I had no clue he was coming over today.” 

She shrugged stiffly, “It’s not like anything happened. Thank you for standing up for us.” She said rubbing her arm awkwardly.

“Always.” I felt my smile widen. 

She was so beautiful; how did I get so lucky?

“Can I walk with you now? When do we get ice cream?” Tyler asked.

I observed him as he watched my hand. He flinched slightly, as I lifted it to pull my long hair back into a quick bun. 

Anger and pain flashed through me as I realized he was waiting for an offensive move against him. Apparently he wasn’t the only one either.

“You can walk with me Ty.” Myra snapped anxiously.

She stepped up next to him, then looked at me biting her lips. Clearly she was not comfortable with how close that step had gotten her to me. 

I however was suddenly distracted by an amazing smell of rain and pine. Somehow they weren’t quite the same as outside though, it was better. Her smell was everything I liked about rain and more.

“We can all walk together. Kitchens this way.” I smiled down at him after I caught my breath.

As we walked through the doorway Myra inhaled sharply and froze. I knew she was feeling the immense amount of combined power from the other five wolves in the room. 

They all stopped and looked at her for a moment before adverting their eyes. All except one.

“What the hell?” Rowan said, stomping over to me.

I felt Myra flinch behind me but I just watched the petite blonde. Her curly hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. Her honey colored eyes were piercing as she glared at me.

 She had no makeup on but with her fair clear skin she didn’t need any. Rowan was in one word cute and had been like a little sister to me for years.

“You didn’t even give her proper clothes before bringing her to meet the pack leaders?” She continued her icy blue eyes piecing me.

I suddenly remembered that Myra was still in nothing but my now blood stained t-shirt. I felt a flush rising into my cheeks.

I shrugged suddenly embarrassed, “I… didn't..”

“Think? I know.” She glowered rolling her eyes before adding to Myra, “I’m so sorry, come with me hon. I got something set aside. We are about the same size.”

Myra glanced at me and I smiled encouragingly, though I wasn’t sure why she was suddenly taking cues from me. Not that I was complaining.

“What's the story?” Logan asked. 

His black dreads were thrown up in a loose bun and with that his dark skin and black eyes he always appeared dark and dangerous but I knew better.

“I don’t know. She was being hunted. The kid let slip that they knew the other wolf's name, so it wasn’t some blitz attack. He’s going to be afraid of you due to you being alpha that's really all I got.” I said slowly Logan frowned but nodded. 

It was getting more and more common that Alphas abused their power and as much as he hated it he knew that the fear wasn’t unfounded

“And Rowan said the girl is your mate?” He asked, smiling slightly.

“Yes she is.” I smiled back brightly.

“I’m glad.”

“I bet ten bucks Rowan forgets to introduce herself.” Jason said suddenly. 

His bright hazel eyes shimmered and he laughed. 

Layla, his mate, glanced up to glower at him before tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear and turning back to her book.

I chuckled, I didn’t doubt for a second that Rowan would forget.

“No,” Zane defended her. “She’s not that forgetful.” 

Zane’s honey colored hair bounced as he shook his head. His eyebrows furrowed over his light brown eyes 

“What’s that babe?” Rowan asked, skipping back into the room with Myra and Tyler right behind her.

Myra wore a red tank top and a pair of black jeans that hugged every one of her curves perfectly. Tyler wore a huge men’s T-shirt that I recognized as Zane’s.

I frowned, suddenly possessive and jealous that the young boy wasn’t in one of my shirts.

Brooke growled possessively

‘What was that?’ I asked

‘I’m not sure…’ He responded sheepishly.

“Oh hey babe.” Zane said, kissing Rowan lightly on the cheek as she giggled and flushed a deep red.

“I was making a bet that you never actually introduced yourself to the poor girl.” Jason grinned, flipping his fawn colored hair so it fanned across his forehead.

Rowan's mouth popped open forming a perfect O and her eyes were wide. She spun on her heel looking back at Myra.

“I’m so sorry. My name is Rowan and this is my mate Zane. We were the ones in the forest with you earlier.” Rowan said frantically.

Jason and Logan laughed out loud as Zane pulled out his wallet muttering something incoherently. I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m Tyler!” Tyler exclaimed while eying everyone cautiously. 

“Nice to meet you Tyler. I’m Jason and this is my mate Layla.” Jason, still chuckling, smiled at the little boy.

“Hi!” Layla waved, putting down her book and waving. Her bright blue eyes shone with excitement.

“And I’m Logan.” Logan stood walking towards them. 

I knew he was the same height I was, but next to her he looked like a giant. She was at least a foot shorter than him and so thin I was worried for her.

“You’re the Alpha...” Tyler said, shying away.

“That’s what they tell me.” Logan smiled at him before turning to Myra.

Myra flinched and bowed her head submissively.

“What’s your name?” Logan said, taking a small step back, trying not to scare her more.

“Myra, sir.” Her voice was stronger than I expected and when she looked up there was a strange fire in her eyes again.

“Nice to meet you Myra. None of that ‘sir’ stuff, if you need anything, let me know.” Logan said, offering his hand.

After flinching slightly, she reached out to take it.

“s**t!” Logan jerked back the second her fingers touched his hand.

‘Richard, she burned me. She is a maitre de fue.’ Logan linked me.

‘That explains a lot.’ I responded before heading over to where she stood.

“I’m so so sorry. It was an accident!” She cried stepping back against the wall.

She had Tyler behind her and her hands outstretched as if to surrender. 

“It’s okay.” Logan said, as I reached out  grabbing one of Myra's shaking hands. 

“No, don’t!” She said urgently. 

She stared down at our hands as fear, then confusion, crossed her face.

It burned but I willed myself to absorb the heat and cool her down. 

Logan was definitely right; she could create and control fire. I could do the same with water but maitre de fue’s are so rare. She was probably the only one in existants right now, while there's always four or five people like me alive at a time. 

Finally she met my gaze with a more relaxed and awed expression.