Chapter 29
Taya Quinn POV
We were halfway back to the Keep when I caught it….that damn scent.
Smoke. And cardamom.
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I skidded to a stop mid stride, my paws digging into the mossy earth as the scent wrapped around me like a warm damn blanket.
Zuki’s voice echoed in my head like a feral squeal.
Zuki: “Mate. It’s him. Rylen’s close.”
My heart stuttered. I turned, sniffed again.
Yep. Definitely smoke. And cardamom. With just a hint of leather and something I could only describe as Alpha swagger with a side of danger.
Me: “Calm down, it could just be a bonfire..”
Zuki: “With HIS BONES NEXT TO IT. Let’s go!”
I howled once to Elowen… short and sharp, and veered off the path, crashing through the underbrush like a heat seeking wolf missile.
A few moments later, I burst into a clearing bathed in soft orange firelight.
And there they were.
Rylen Verric, all six foot five of muscled, tatted beta energy leaning back against a log with a half empty bottle of dark liquor in one hand, his eyes glowing in the firelight.
Beside him sat Jace Ironpaw, the gamma’s son, smirking like he knew secrets he shouldn’t. A guitar rested next to his leg, fingers tapping against the strings like he was half drunk and half inspired.
Elowen caught up just behind me, shifting as she stepped into the light, both of us scrambling to pull on the clothes she’d stashed earlier under a tree root. Basic leggings and oversized shirts, we looked feral chic, but whatever.
Rylen turned as we stepped into view, and gods… the way his gaze landed on me?
Like I was the fire.
“Taya,” he said, voice rough and warm, like he’d been waiting to say my name all night.
Zuki damn near purred.
Zuki: “He knows. His wolf knows. Sit on his lap. Lick his jaw. Climb him like a damn tree…”
Me: “Zuki, holy shit.”
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12:01 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 29
Jace raised an eyebrow. “Y’all look like you ran through hell.”
Elowen smirked. “Emotionally? We did.”
We sat down beside the fire, accepting the bottle Jace passed over like it was holy medicine. Whatever it was burned going down, but gods, it hit just right. Warmth bloomed in my chest. The tension bled out of my shoulders.
Rylen didn’t say much, but he moved just a little closer every time I looked away. And Zuki? Zuki was vibrating.
Zuki: “Touch him. Elbow graze. Accidental knee bump. FALL INTO HIS LAP.”
Me: “You’re embarrassing me.”
Zuki: “Do it or I will.”
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I finally let my knee brush his.
The jolt that shot through my body was instant. Like lightning wrapped in velvet.
He stiffened just slightly… then leaned into it. His scent flared, Beta strength and home and gods, him… and I knew Anton, his wolf, had just shoved his way to the front too.
Rylen didn’t speak, just handed me the bottle and watched me like I was the only thing he saw. We drank, and danced as Jace played the guitar, letting ourselves go and it felt amazing.
I definitely had to much to drink. Elowen was chugging from the bottle like it was a lifeline.
By the time we stood to leave, I was giggly, flushed, and lightheaded in the best way. Elowen was worse, tripping over roots, mumbling
about cupcakes and sword dancing.
“Okay, okay,” Jace laughed. “Time to get the moon witches back home, before Daxon has our asses.”
Rylen stood next to me and offered his arm. My eyes glowed as I looked up at him. I’m 5’3, he is 6’5, no clue how this will work, but damned if I’ll figure it out. I vibrated with happiness as the lightning coursed through my body again at his touch.
Zuki just purred like a kitten. I was in deep shit.
We stumbled through the trees, Elowen leaning into me like a drunk little sprite, until we reached the edge of the Keep grounds.
And there they were. Daxon and Ash. Waiting.
Both of them looked her over at once, the smudged makeup, the tangled hair, the red cheeks, and stepped forward without a word.
Daxon scooped her up bridal style like it was nothing.
Ash trailed close behind, murmuring something about hydration and a hot bath, his jaw tight but his eyes warm.
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