The Alpha’s Flame

Our Home - John’s POV

I watch as she saunters off with the blond. I barely know her, yet it feels like home when I’m in her presence. Oh the mate bond. It really does whip a wolf. “You’re putty when she stares at you.” Silas comments. Mhm is my only response. I really am.

She’s breathtakingly gorgeous, hard working and brave. What else will I learn about her. Holding her hand sent shivers through my body. I wonder what kissing her will feel like. “Never mind that. I got my eyes on making her ours.” Silas coos. It’s too early for that I scold him. Damon scowls at me.

“Is Ember really your mate, or are you messing with me?” His voice is sour. “He wants what’s ours.” Silas growls.

“She’s my mate Damon. You can’t pursue her. I won’t let you.” I let my alpha tone slip into that. He just stands there and scowls at me.

“What about the blond?” I ask him. Damon shakes his head.

“Not interested in her.” He raises his head as if he’s challenging me.

“She’s my mate. Don’t even think about it.” I say getting into his face. Damon squares up with me and just growls. I hear the girls approaching just in time to take a couple steps back so they don’t walk into the middle of this. Wow. She’s gorgeous. Even wearing a jeans with a fitted hoodie. I smile at her. She beams back at me.

“Okay, so uh.. we should go before Nick catches me still here. That’s if you still want to go?” She’s trying to play it cool but I can tell she wants to spend more time together. I was worried she was going to be really shy and guarded. This is a bit of a relief. I reach out my hand as she approaches and take her hand in mine. “Home.” Silas says. Yes I agree. She is home. Our home. I’ll do whatever it takes to have her. Our mate. Our Luna.

She smiles up at me. Her bright blue eyes shining up at mine. I can hear a low growl escape Damon. Low enough that the girls won’t hear it. Ember turns her head slightly towards Damon, but her eyes never leave mine. Did she hear him? I shake the thought away as I lead her to the door. She looks over her shoulder and waves at her friend and Damon.

My heart begins to race. What the hell is this. I’m an Alpha. Yet she undoes me. She’s already made me so vulnerable, within the first couple hours of finding her. She’s the first to break the silence.

“So.., how do you know Damon?” She looks up at me. I kind of chuckle at her question.

“He’s my younger brother. How do you know him?” I prob back. I need to know that she doesn’t feel anything for him.

“He and Kate met. They’ve been hanging out non stop the last couple weeks and sometimes I tag along, or he comes to the station to see her.” Ember responds.

“So you know what I do for a living. What do you do?”

“Well, I run a business.” “A business?” Silas mocks my answer. Shut up I tell him. It’s kind of true. Running the pack and it’s affairs is like a business. And we have a lot to do in the operations of the hospital, police and fire stations in our territory.

“Oh? What kind?” She prompts me, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“I kind of run the hospitals and stations.” She literally haults to a stop.

“Stations? As in police and fire?” Her eyes are wide. “That’s right sunshine. We’re your boss.” Silas smiles at me in my head. I look at her and nod.

“Oh.” She says looking at the ground. Crap. Of course that would make her feel uncomfortable.

I raise her chin so she’s looking at me.

“It’s alright you know. Us getting to know each other. There’s no harm in it.” I try reassure her. She just continues to stare at me. Crap. She’s made up her mind, and I’ve way overstepped. Perhaps taking her out tonight was moving to fast. I just got caught up in the excitement of wanting to be close to my mate. I didn’t think that I should be moving at her pace with this. But to my surprise, she smiles at me and says

“Okay.” She starts to continue with our walk. Ok not as much damage as I thought. I could still save this evening. I decide that’s I should make a small move. Throw the ball in her court.

“Can I buy you dinner?” She laughs.

“Its almost ten o’clock.” Crap I didn’t even look at the time. “What about one of the wolf restaurants?” Silas suggests. Brilliant I tell him. Probably shouldn’t stroke his ego, but it was a good suggestion.

“I know a place that’s still open.”

“Really? I’ve lived here for a few years now. Everything usually closes at eight on Sundays.” She looks quizzically at me. She’s adorable with her one brow raised.

“I know people.” I smile down at her.

-

“They’re ready for you.” Alec links me. I had linked him to call mike’s bistro and pub to let him know we were coming.

“Thanks.” I link back.

“Hey, where’d you go just now?” I look down at Ember and she’s staring at me. She’s very observant. I scratch the back of my head and chuckle.

“I’m not boring you am I?” I can sense the slight panic in her voice.

“Not at all.” I reassure her. She beams her beautiful smile up at me.

She looks down at our hands that are still entwined with each other’s.

“This is kind of weird no?” Sounds more like a question than statement. I stay quiet and let her continue.

“I mean. We just met, and we’re here now, holding hands and talking. It just feels odd. Feels odd that it doesn’t feel all that odd if that makes sense?” I chuckle at the bit of panic the crept into her voice as she started explaining.

“Yes and no? To me, I don’t feel like I’m supposed to be anywhere else.” I tell her. That earned a shy smile from her. I open the door for her to enter, and she looks at me surprised.

“Ladies first.”

“Why thank you.” She does her best southern accent imitation. A chuckle escapes my throat but is cut short when I see her reach onto her toes and peck my cheek quickly. I’m frozen. She giggles and steps inside.