Slide

15

Slide wasn’t so easily calmed. Neurotransmitters were flooding his brain, not only with the delight from the orgasm but with the uncertainty of his very nature as a shifter.

He had been told as a young child about the concept of fated mates. He knew his parents were fated mates, as were most of the shifters he knew who had been coupled. It was a romantic idea that he had toyed with as a boy. The bubble around it had been shattered violently when his beloved parents were taken from him.

Since then, he only had flirted with the various fantasies of revenge. The only two people he had ever loved and trusted in the entire world had been murdered by a terrible overlord. There was no space left inside him for any idyllic wistful thoughts anymore. He had fought with his fists, and he had charmed women only so that they would go to bed with him.

Even then, the s*x was merely a way of relaxation, a distraction from his rage. A form of expression so he could settle back into structuring the most efficient plan of attack. It had taken him years, and within those years, many people had told him that he was blind. Blinded by his grief and thirst for violence.

It had landed him in the prison, and he had known that all too well. The same man who had taken his parents from him had also framed him, and he was blind to it then too. It took him time alone and time with his lion’s roars diminished to only whimpers before he realized that perhaps violence wasn’t what would make all of his pain go away.

It was only when laying there with Ember that he reconsidered the notion. His lion was whispering to him how wonderful she felt, how strong her scent was to him, and how devastating her loss would be. It was all a harrowing consideration to have in the dead of night where the shadows could often talk.

Eventually, he dozed off to sleep. He dreamed of his time in the country as a child, playing in the backyard. His parents had taught him about the wildlife and how to respect it all as a shifter. When he awoke, a part of him wanted to burst into tears while the other had grabbed hold of that familiar fury.

Ember was shaking him gently, then planted a light kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning, handsome,” she said.

The fury melted as he looked up at her. She was completely dressed and dry and looked ready to hit the road. Slide sat up and tried to let the residue of the dream fade into the ether of his mind.

“Good to go?” he asked.

Ember nodded, and she took him by the hand to help him stand.

Slide knew he was completely screwed as the touch crackled between them.

EMBER

Ember chewed on a few nuts as she helped Slide wake the others. They had been well stocked by Uncle Sol, and she appreciated the fact there was at least a little food left. She handed out nuts and dried fruit to the others, making sure Layla got more than the rest of them.

Ember looked her over with concern, but Layla waved her off, protesting that she was fine. Ember didn’t agree but didn’t push the issue.

When she turned, she was surprised to see Slide organizing the group into ranks. He spoke softly but with confidence, and her friends were listening carefully. None of them were soldiers, but all of them were still responding to Slide as if they knew their survival depended on it.

“Killian, Mick, I want you to bring up the rear,” Slide said. “Watch behind us and to the sides to make sure no one gets left behind. It’s important to check behind you as well as observe the trail on either side of us. You’ll have the best vantage point. Any questions?”

They shook their heads. Both of them looked a little worried, but Ember knew it was time for all of them to take responsibility on this mission. Slide couldn’t cover so many people by himself.

“Jane and Bob, I want you with Dean. Keep him in the middle of the group and give him any support he needs.”

Dean did not look happy about this, but he kept his mouth shut. He was trying his best, but he knew he was a burden on the entire party, and nothing could be done about it.

“Anne, I need you to stay with Layla,” Slide said. “Keep pace with her, support her if necessary.”

“No problem,” Anne whispered. She was a calm, soft-spoken person who had obviously never been in danger before. She was a good choice to stay in the middle of the group with Layla.

“Tjon and Nancy,” Slide’s voice was becoming stronger with each command. The way her people were responding probably triggered his military instincts. She smiled, admiring Slide’s talent for leadership.

“I want you near the front, Tjon,” Slide said. “Ahead of Layla and Dean but behind Ember and me. Nellie, I want you behind the middle of the pack but ahead of Killian and Mick.”

They murmured their agreement, and slowly everyone started to move into place. Ember was incredibly impressed that he knew everyone’s names and, furthermore, seemed to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

She also noticed he had placed her at the front of the group. She was pretty sure this was personal rather than tactical.

He checked out the others as they moved into line. Once he was satisfied with their formation, he gestured forward and led them into the nearby scrub.

He left the even ground almost immediately to cut through piles of sharp rocks. Ember was panting after the first few minutes. She had to climb up sheer, flat edges of slippery rock and haul herself over outcrops while trying not to fall on the other side. A quick glance behind her showed that Layla and Dean were in trouble.