18 Bubble Baths and Ex-Boyfriends

Ember

“Mom?” I ask, crossing my legs under me as I sit on the bed.

Her voice sounds distant, maybe irritated. “Ember, what do you need?” she says sharply.

“Um, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” She sighs audibly, bringing a flush of embarrassment to my skin.

My hands curl into fists. “Last time I saw you, you were unconscious and looking half-dead.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that. You don’t need to worry about me.” Her words are clipped. I can almost picture her picking at her nails in this moment, as if I am the least interesting part of her day.

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep the sarcasm from my tone.

“Jasper tells me you’re staying away… with that boy,” she says, her casual tone anything but kind.

“Onyx,” I snap. “His name is Onyx.”

“What are you thinking, running around with him?” We’ve moved from dismissive to reprimanding, and things are about to get so much worse.

My shoulders tense, the anxiety spiraling through my body. “He’s my mate.”

“Please tell me you didn’t.”

“I love him and it’s done,” I blurt, recklessly adding, “I don’t need your approval.”

“And you don’t have it.” She’s not angry. I’m not worth her anger, just her half-hearted disdain. But after everything I went through trying to help her and my pack, I’m not accepting it.

“Orion locked me up after I refused to be his mate,” I hiss, a cold sweat prickling across my skin. I’d give anything to be less emotional - it’s like I’m fighting my own reactions as much as I’m fighting her.

Her next words cut deep. “That would have been wiser than that boy.”

How can she say that? “He almost killed you,” I say dumbly. “Onyx has done nothing but protect and support me.”

She huffs. Clearly that’s not good enough in her eyes.

“Orion would have used me, and he’s way old. He would have treated me horribly. ”

“Possibly,” she admits, like it’s an interesting possibility.

“How are you not concerned about that?” My question slips out, and to my surprise, she answers it.

“You are safest when you have power, Ember. And if I can’t protect you, you need to find someone who can. Since you’ve chosen a mate who has no notable ranking, you’ve given away any future position you could have had. So I suppose it’s best you stay away and not come back.”

“I can stay with his pack and Jasper,” I point out, the idea tempting me.

“If you like,” she murmurs, distracted again.

“Actually, that’s why I’m calling.” I clear my throat, needing to recapture her attention.

“Yes?” she asks wearily.

“I’m going to retake the pack.”

There. It’s out there.

Silence rings through the line. Finally, she asks, “How on earth do you intend to do that?”

“I’m going to challenge Orion.”

“You can’t do that.” She sounds horrified, her pitch jumping.

“I’m pretty sure I can,” I say, taking a slow breath to steady myself. We don’t need her approval.

“Ember, you will not win. You and your little mate will be slaughtered.” She finally sounds worried.

“Geez, thanks for the confidence, Mom.”

“I know you don’t think I love you, but I have only ever wanted you safe,” she says, acting like the concerned mother she isn’t. It’s too much. I want to scream at her.

“You didn’t give a shit about me until Jasper left and you were stuck with me as your Heir.” My words shake.

“That’s not true.”

“Look, I didn’t need to tell you any of this.” I say, the sting of her rejection turning my words bitter. “I don’t know why I thought you’d support me.”

“I support you making wise decisions,” she argues. I cut her off.

“You support me doing what you want me to do. Regardless of how it hurts me. Consider this a courtesy warning of what I’m going to do. If you want to help, like actually help me, you can talk to Jasper about it.”

“There’s nothing to discuss!” she says, her voice growing louder. I’ve finally cut through her facade. But now that I have her full attention, I want nothing more than to end this wretched call.

“Mom, I need to go.”

“You aren’t going anywhere,” she snaps back.

I ignore her. “Be safe. I’ll talk to you when it’s over and we have our pack back.”

“Ember!”

I hold the phone away from my ear as she says my name again, louder. My fingers tremble from the confrontation, but I press down the red button to hang up and let out a long, slow breath.

“That sounds like it went well,” Onyx says from the doorway, a half smile on his face. He’s so damn handsome, even with sympathy in his eyes.

“Come here. I need a pick-me-up after all that.”

It’s too much to handle, and his hands on me transport me to a higher plane, where my mother’s bullshit doesn’t exist.

He leaps on the bed, an eager puppy. I welcome his arm across my chest, pushing me down into the mattress. My legs unfold and my hair fans out around my head.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, lowering his face and trailing his lips across my forehead and down my nose.

“I don’t know what I expected, but she just wants to control me.” My fingers curl into his shirt in my frustration.

I love that he doesn’t try to justify Sienna’s behavior or argue with me. Sighing, I turn my head so he can nibble down my neck and run his tongue over my claim mark. He happily scrapes his teeth over the spot, forcing a soft groan out of me.

He pops up, a grin on his face. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t need her. She’s not the Alpha anymore. You’re about to be.”

Before I can protest, he brushes his lips against mine and then presses firmly, encouraging my mouth to open. All my worries fall away as he kisses me, as fervently as the first time.

A contentedness settles over me, and I happily scratch my nails down his chest, hoping to leave red lines under his thin shirt. He grumbles, nipping down on my bottom lip .

I want nothing more than to slip out of our clothes and ravage each other until he’s whispering my name like a prayer, but there’s too much to be done and I’ll be brainless for an hour afterward if we do that.

“As nice as this is,” I say, hating every word, “I have one more call to make, unfortunately.”

His hands knead over my shoulders, squeezing down my arm. “Want me to leave?

“Fuck, no,” I say, closing my eyes and straining my neck at the pinching pleasure he’s inflicting on my tendons. With one more kiss his hands drop away, leaving me desperate for more.

“Let’s get it over with. I have a list of things I want to try with you, and it’ll be really hard for you to make any calls while I do them,” he whispers against my skin.

“You’re not going to like this one.”

“Why?”

Hawk picks up the phone after the fifth ring, when I’m about to give up and end the call. My stomach jumps into my throat and I lean harder into Onyx. The warmth of his chest feels good against my side, banishing the shivers of anxiety.

“Ember? Is everything okay?” His voice sounds odd, unfamiliar. It’s been months since I spoke with him, but he feels like a stranger.

“Hi, Hawk.” My voice falters, and I feel Onyx’s hand tighten on my waist. “Well, not really. That’s why I’m calling.”

I should have called him months ago, to try and reconcile politically, even if we would never be mates. We could use his support right about now, but I doubt his family will give it.

“What’s wrong?” His voice is sharp.

“Orion.”

“What?” His voice lowers, sounding angry, as if he already knows what’s wrong with that one word.

“He challenged my mom and took over the pack,” I admit, praying he will help and that I’m right in trusting him.

“Oh, shit.”

“Yeah.”

“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” he says. I prickle at his pet name for me. There was never any affection behind it and I know that now.

“Hi, Hawk.” Onyx butts in, unable to help himself. He leans his cheek against my fingers gripping the phone, making sure his voice is heard. I press my lips together to keep from laughing at him.

“Uh, hi? Who is that?” Hawk sounds baffled. With a sigh, I press the button for speaker phone.

“It’s Onyx, remember me?” My mate puts on a friendly tone, like he’s reconnecting with an old friend.

“Sorry, no.”

“I’m the one Ember stabbed during the battle at Bracken Creek.”

Hawk coughs. “Oh, I don’t think I saw that.”

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter. But I’m Ember’s mate,” Onyx continues, the words tumbling out. My mouth falls open and he gives me a wink .

Hawk takes a beat to process and when he speaks again, his tone is formal, as if he knows more distance is needed. I’m not his to protect.

“Congratulations. I hope you two are really happy.”

“Thank you, I hope you’re happy too,” I say sincerely. “ But I was hoping you could help me with the Orion problem. I need to challenge him and get my pack back.”

“Ember, are you sure about that?” I can picture Hawk’s face and the way he would raise a single eyebrow. No doubt he is making the same expression now.

“Yes.”

“How can I help?”

“Tell me anything you can about Orion. We don’t know much about his weaknesses. Anything that could help. Please.”

“Of course. Let me think,” he says, trailing off.

“I really appreciate it,” I say, closing my eyes as Onyx trails his hand down my hip and thigh.

“He always liked it if he could manipulate people into doing what he wants, and honestly, he’s always been cruel,” Hawk says.

“That tracks with how he’s behaving now,” Onyx replies.

“But he’s charming when he wants to be.”

“We’ve seen that. Thanks.” Onyx’s words are edged with sarcasm. “Why the fuck did you bring this guy along with you? ”

“Sorry, I know this doesn’t help, but I do know my Dad sent Orion with money to buy gifts to win people over. I guess he’s used that to his own advantage.”

The idea of this powerful Alpha miles and miles north of our territory who may or may not support our enemy layers more fear on top of my undercurrent of anxiety. But we have to focus on the enemy in front of us, so I push it out of my mind.

“What are his weaknesses?” Onyx cuts in.

“His ego,” Hawk says without hesitation.

“Can you think of anything else?” I ask.

“Let me talk to my sister and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling less optimistic than before.

“I’m glad you’ve got someone who loves you,” he says quickly. My eyes flick to Onyx, and he’s already watching me with an intensity that sets my body aflame.

“Yeah, he’s pretty great,” I say with a smile.

“Good. Take care of her, man.”

“I am,” Onyx says, hanging up without looking at the phone. Gently, he rolls me onto my back. “That went better than the first call, right?”

“Yeah,” I have to agree.

“See? Things are already looking up.” I need his optimism right now. My mother’s negativity rattled me more than I’d like to admit.

My mate’s hair tickles my jaw as he kisses down my throat. When this situation becomes too much to handle, he’s the perfect escape. It’s easy to lose myself in his touch while his citrus scene fills my lungs .

With scattered kisses, he pulls my shirt off. I return the favor, forcing him to stop kissing me long enough to pull it over his head. The second it hits the floor, he jumps up to lock the door before leaping back on the bed with a playful grin.

“Everything is going to work out,” he says, framing me in with his arms as he hovers over me. Instead of answering, I pull him down and nuzzle into the crook of his neck.

“Think about the future when we have our own house, all to ourselves,” he whispers. The picture is beautiful, and my heart jumps. His teeth nip over my claim mark. “I can’t wait to show off this to everyone.”

My fingers skim over the place I know his mark is, even if I can’t see it while he overwhelms my senses. “You’re so tense,” he says. I don’t feel that, not when he’s turning me boneless.

With a sharp exhale, Onyx sits up. The cold air washing over my chest makes me scowl at him. “What?”

“You are too stressed,” he says, his eyes roaming over me hungrily.

“Yeah, but we were…” I reach for him, but he holds up a hand to silence me.

“Wait, I’ve got it.”

My breath comes out harsh as he climbs off the bed and walks away. What the hell? My irritation keeps me from following him, and instead I open my phone back up to see if anyone has texted me an update. There’s nothing .

The sound of a faucet sounds from the bathroom. Cabinet doors clang as he does whatever he’s doing. Exhaling slowly, I lay back and close my eyes.

“Okay, my love, it’s time to relax,” Onyx says. I jerk up and my phone drops my chest and bounces across the duvet. Ignoring it, he takes my hand and ushers me to the bathroom.

The garden tub is steaming with bubbles piled on top. “You made me a bath?” I ask stupidly.

“I found bubble bath under the sink,” Onyx says, his grin crooked. “Do you like baths?”

“I don’t really do them.” My arms cross over my breasts, my shoulders hunching.

“You’ll like this one, I promise.” He could convince me of anything when he smirks like that. My annoyance falls away as his clever fingers pull my shorts off and then his own sweats. With a steady hand, he guides me into the tub and then steps after me.

“Oh, it’s a two person bath?” I ask with a laugh.

“Yes, strict quality control. How else would I know you’re enjoying yourself and destressing properly?”

“Good to know my mate is a bath connoisseur.”

“I’m a lot of things.”

“A man of mystery,” I tease as my toes dip into the hot water. “Oh, that’s nice.” Pausing, I look up at him. “Do we need to get a hot tub?”

“Only if it’s private,” he says, his dark eyes promising pleasure as his hands guide me into the tub .

We settle into the water and the steam caresses me. My back rests against his chest, my head leaning back until my temple rests against his jaw.

It’s a little strange, but as his hands brush over my skin under the water, I find myself calming. The lavender of the bubbles obscures his scent, so I turn my face against his neck and breathe him in. He lets out a rumbling chuckle, and impulsively my tongue darts out to taste his skin. His laugh turns to a groan.

“Oh, sorry, am I interrupting your special bath?” I ask, leaning back and giving him an innocent smile. “I better control myself.”

Water sloshes as he dives for me, crashing our mouths together. Bubbles splatter on my face and neck, his wet hands digging into my hair to keep me where he wants me.

Feeling victorious, I drag my nails down his soapy back. “So much for a relaxing bath,” I hum.

“Damn, you’re so…” he pauses, his teeth closing over my lip. My hips buck, pressing against him. “Slippery.” It’s my turn to tip my head back and laugh.

“I don’t think we can do what we want in here,” I say, breathless. “Maybe we relocate?”

“Not yet.” Onyx’s answer is a growl as he slides me back against his chest. I open my mouth to argue, but he silences me with fingers reaching between my thighs.

“Is this normal procedure for a bath?” I ask him, my teasing sounding desperate as he starts to explore my body .

He bites my shoulder firmly for a few seconds and says, “Time to stop talking.” As if he knows I’ll argue again, his other hand goes to my breast while he continues to rub soft circles against my clit.

There’s no way I could speak again if I wanted to. An embarrassing moan escapes me. My body burns, the hot water intensifying it until I’m gasping and gripping the edge of the tub.

I want to reach for him and give him some of the attention he’s lavishing on me, but I can hardly control my limbs. My knees fall open, giving him as much access as possible.

His free hand moves from my breasts up to my throat. My breathing hitches as he collars my neck, gripping softly without squeezing.

Whimpering pathetically, I surrender to his control. His thumb swipes down the column of my throat while he gently strokes my core. I’m lost in each movement, the waves of pleasure of his touch rising until I’m gasping and shivering. My back arches and I press my head back against him, my vision dancing with stars. My mate’s soft voice murmurs against my ear. “You’re so perfect. I fucking love you.”

I’ve barely come down when he scoops me up and sets me on the edge of the tub. My mate dries me off and then dries himself with rough drags of the towel. I bite my lip as I watch his muscles flex while he contorts to dry his back.

“Enjoying the show?” he asks .

“It’s okay, I guess,” I quip back. With a playful snarl, he hauls me against his chest and walks us back to the bed.

Still blissed out from his ministrations in the tub, I stretch out and grin at him. “I believe I was promised an entire list of things done to me.”

Onyx’s wolfish grin rekindles my lust. “You sure you’re up for that?”

I’ve barely nodded when he lifts my hips and lines us up. Our bodies fit together so perfectly, and I find myself murmuring how much I love him while he’s buried inside of me. Murmurs turn to gasps and moans as we try new positions and angles. I’d like nothing more than to hide away with him for the next month. But after we’re both spent, I know we have to face all the unspoken worries.

But for a moment, we rest quietly. Onyx brushes my hair back so he can press kisses along the curve of my ear. His arm loops over my waist, his chest against my back, our legs folded together.

“Is there any chance I can convince you to let me be the one to fight Orion?” he asks softly.

I wish I could say yes. It would be so nice to let him face this for me. There’s plenty of good reasons to agree. But I just can’t.

“Sorry, I’ve got to do this myself.”

His breath ghosts over my neck. “Alright,” he says with a sigh. I can sense how worried he is through our bond, and I love him for respecting my choice .

Turning in his arms, I face him. His stormy eyes are full of conflict, and I can’t help but brush his hair back and run my hand down his striking face.

“I’ve got this. With you backing me up, I know we can win.”

Perhaps he can tell I’m lying, but regardless, he kisses the tip of my nose and nuzzles down into his pillow.

“I don’t think we have time for a nap before dinner,” I say with a chuckle.

His answer is a rough tug on my hips to drag my closer. I almost miss his response, mumbled into his pillow. “Just let me hold you, for a while.” Feeling treasured, I comply.

Onyx

Jasper and Marigold fetch us the next day.

Cedar answers the door, and Marigold greets him loud enough we can hear her clearly in our bedroom. Ember tucks the last few items we have into a backpack.

“Ready?”

She eyes my extended hand. I wiggle my fingers, trying to make her smile. With a deep breath, she squares her shoulders and threads her fingers through mine.

Jasper and Marigold stand in the living room, talking quietly with Cedar about pack updates. The second we come into view, Marigold lets out a gasp.

“Hey, guys,” Ember says, her iron grip on my hand betraying her nervousness .

“You’re mated!” she squeals, flinging her arms around Ember in a violent hug that pulls her away from me.

Ember’s eyes widen and anxiety bleeds through our bond. “Careful, Goldie,” I say with a chuckle, prying Marigold off my mate. She transfers to me, nonsensical words of happiness tumbling out of her as she squeezes me.

Jasper hugs his sister next and congratulates her softly while I work on extracting myself from Marigold’s hold. She spins toward my twin.

“How could you not tell us?” Marigold swats at Cedar and he raises his hands defensively.

“It was bad enough being here at the time. They’re not the most quiet pair,” Cedar grumbles, his ears turning a red that matches the blush spreading across Ember’s cheeks.

Her embarrassment burns through our mate bond, butting up against my own pride at showing off my beautiful mate. “It’s okay,” I whisper, landing a kiss on her cheek.

“Yeah, I know,” she murmurs.

Clearing my throat, I regain the room’s attention. “As much fun as this is, we need to get the show on the road.”

We only have a few bags with us, so it’s easy to load up Jasper’s trunk and pile into the sporty vehicle. A moment later, we’re pulling onto the road.

Ember leans against me in the back seat, anxiously swirling her thumb in circles around my knuckles. Cedar sits on the other side, staring out the window.

“So before we get into our plan,” Ember says, taking the lead, “do you guys have any updates to share? Any new ideas?”

Jasper’s pale hair shakes. “Sorry, no. Slate and Hazel haven’t been able to find any common ground with Sienna or Zephyr.”

“I don’t think there’s much they can do to help,” she says. “We are going to have to handle this ourselves.”

Marigold twists around, a line between her brows as she frowns at us. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m going to challenge Orion.”

“Ember!” Marigold snaps, eyes going wide. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” Jasper’s knuckles are white across the steering wheel.

“I’m not going in unprepared. We need something to even the playing field, which is why I asked to come back to Bracken Creek.”

That’s my feisty girl, standing up for herself while being mysterious and irresistible. I hide my smirk in her hair by nuzzling against her neck.

“Oh, and Jasper?” she asks. “Can we borrow your car? I want to make a good impression when we go back. You can sit in the back seat and let Onyx drive, if you don’t mind.”

She’s incredible. I don’t even attempt to hide my grin as I peek at Jasper’s reaction. His mouth thins and his jaw ticks. After a moment, he answers. “If it’ll help, that’s fine. ”

A small smile curves Ember’s mouth and she meets my gaze in the rear view mirror.

Pulling into the gravel lot, we are greeted by several pack members. Cedar unfolds himself and heads straight to our parents. Ember moves to follow him out of the back seat, but I hold tight.

“What?” she whispers.

Reaching up, I tug the neckline of her shirt slightly askew, revealing the circle of tiny, pale scars. “I want everyone to see that you’re mine.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she says, rolling her eyes, but I can feel through our bond that she likes it.

Once I’ve retrieved our bags, I hold them both with one hand, keeping the other free to hold Ember’s hand. No one will doubt our relationship. I don’t want anyone to question or disrespect her.

My mother hugs Ember tightly, and tears glitter in her eyes as she steps back, holding Ember’s shoulders firmly. “I’m so glad you are back. I missed you, dear. And now I get to keep you.”

“Mom, I’m sorry, but it’s just a quick visit. We have a situation to handle in Ember’s pack.” She pales at my words.

“Can we go see the healer?” Ember asks quietly.

Slate and Hazel stand in our path. “Am I seeing correctly?” Slate says.

“What are you seeing?” I tug Ember closer, squeezing her hand .

“You’ve claimed each other?” Hazel asks. A hopeful smile curves her mouth, though concern furrows her brows.

“Looks like it,” I say with a smirk.

Slate opens and closes his mouth, emotions warring in his eyes.

It’s Hazel who reaches out to embrace Ember. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Ember murmurs, smiling at her brother’s mate.

Slate relents, his face relaxing. “I’m happy for you guys, but maybe we should focus on the issue at hand.”

“Stop being an ass,” Hazel says. “After things are settled, we should have a party to celebrate.”

“So what’s this plan you mentioned?” Slate asks me.

“We are going back to Granite Ridge. I’m going to challenge Orion,” Ember answers, raising her chin.

Hazel’s intake of breath is audible, but Ember isn’t done. She inches closer to Slate. “And let me be clear. If you even think about stopping me, I will consider the alliance between our packs to be null. I’m taking my pack back with or without your help.”

Facing each other, the similarities are obvious - the same straight nose and intense gaze, the way they clench their hands when they’re nervous and determined.

Slate’s shoulders slump minutely and his head ducks. “I’m sorry you’d even worry that I would do that. Tell me what I can do to help. ”

“Thank you,” she says softly, giving him a grim smile. “Can I see your healer?”

“Are you hurt?” Hazel asks.

“No, I just need her help with our plan,” Ember explains.

“Alright, let’s go to Sable’s cottage.” Hazel waves us forward. Jasper and Marigold trail behind, and the six of us make our way across the meadow to secure that advantage that my brilliant mate came up with.