4 Flaming Marshmallows

Ember

I was hoping the day was over and I could hide away from everyone, but instead, I’m stuck sitting around a campfire staring at my half-brother and his mate, and my one-time-makeout-partner enemy-turned-ally and his less personable twin. Not my idea of a fun evening, despite Hazel’s promises.

She pops open the box of graham crackers in her lap and begins to distribute them in pairs. A square of dark chocolate joins the crackers, and then I’m being handed a wire rod with the biggest marshmallow I’ve ever seen stuck onto the end.

No one bothers to explain so I copy Onyx and thrust my marshmallow into the fire.

“So what do you think Jasper and Marigold are doing over with your mom?” Hazel asks. She rotates her marshmallow over the flames and I mimic the movement. The underside has turned a golden color on the edges.

“Who knows? His old house was given to someone else, so they’re probably staying in the basement you enjoyed so much,” I say. There’s an edge to my words, but I can’t seem to control myself. Anger and embarrassment are still fresh from our confrontation at dinner.

Shrugging, I continue, “So probably waiting around for Sienna to meet with them. And trying to not get beat up by the wolves who hate Jasper’s guts for leaving.”

Onyx’s forehead falls into his open palm, like he’s given up on the conversation. His hair sweeps over his hand and cheeks, shielding him from my stupidity.

“Hopefully it’s going better than that,” Hazel says. There’s a coldness to her tone that I want to flinch away from, but I keep my shoulders back and my chin raised.

“We’ll get a report soon enough,” Slate reassures her. “I’m sure it’s going fine.”

Slate removes his marshmallow from the flames and pinches it between two graham crackers, sliding the stick out with a smooth movement. The marshmallow oozes out the side and he has to rotate it and take a bite to keep from making a mess.

Ah, so that’s a s’more - a marshmallow sandwich. It’s got to be overly sweet. I’ve only had marshmallows a handful of times in my life and never these giant ones. I stare as he takes another bite and chocolate peeks between the layers.

“Ember,” Onyx says sharply, breaking my concentration.

“What?” I say, my attention snagging on a ball of flames at the end of the stick I’m holding. My marshmallow is on fire. Crap!

“What do I do?” I yelp, all dignity forgotten.

“Blow on it,” Hazel coaches. Her words aren’t absorbed. Waving my metal stick wildly, I attempt to extinguish the flaming marshmallow with zero success. The flames trail behind it like a burning ribbon.

“Woah, watch it,” Onyx warns. He crouches beside me, grasping my wrist in one hand while the other extracts the marshmallow from my grip. His skin is hot against mine and he envelops my entire wrist.

My mind replays a flash of memory. His hand effortlessly holding both of my wrists above my head. My back against the cold, rough wall. His stubble against my throat. Sharp teeth against skin.

With a small shake, I clear my head in time to see Onyx bring the flaming confection toward his face. His lips part and he blows out the flames, leaving a blackened blob.

“Geez, Ember, were you trying to burn the shit out of it?” he murmurs. Maybe it’s his deep voice, or the feel of his hand still holding my wrist, but my body is suddenly on alert. My skin feels overly sensitive as his body heat rolls across me. Even under the charred marshmallow and woodsmoke, I can smell his citrus and bakery scent .

“Maybe that’s how I like my marshmallows,” I say lamely.

With his lips quirked into a half-smile, he grabs my graham crackers and chocolate stack and assembles my s’more. The blackened outer layer cracks and the melted interior oozes through.

“Black like your soul,” he teases, offering me the dessert I ruined.

My nose wrinkles as I scowl at him. “I’ve never cooked a marshmallow like this before,” I admit quietly. Hazel and Slate are distracted with their own private murmurings, giving me a false sense of privacy.

“Don’t tell me you make s’mores in the fucking microwave,” Onyx quips.

“No microwave for me,” I say, hoping he’ll drop it. A beat of silence hangs between us, his navy eyes unwavering. A choking sensation tightens my throat as he raises a single eyebrow and smirks.

“You’ve never had s'mores before, have you?” Onyx finally asks.

“Don’t be an idiot,” I growl, my cheeks flushing under his stare.

Hands raised to pacify me, he backs away until he settles beside his brother.

Cedar still won’t look at me, but I have a feeling he clinically analyzed my entire interaction with Onyx. More judgment. Fucking fantastic.

The burned s’mores sits in my palm. I ignore it, instead watching Hazel devour hers like it’s a transcendental experience. Slate wipes a smudge of chocolate from her lip and licks it off his thumb. It would be cute with anyone else, but seeing my half-brother do that is gross.

“Perfect,” Onyx says, lifting his own marshmallow from the flames. It’s smoldering. His full mouth curves as he blows out the flames and assembles a s’more that rivals my own.

I can’t help my wince as he lifts the s’more to his lips and takes a bite. His eyes close and he lets out a soft moan. When his eyes spring open, they connect with mine. “I like mine burned too,” he says. I would assume he’s mocking me, but he proceeds to eat the entire thing.

Frowning down at the cooling s’more in my hand, I weigh how embarrassing it would be to try it and then realize he was trying to trick me. But no one else watches either of us. With a sigh, I raise it to my mouth and take a small bite.

The charred flavor gives way to the sugary marshmallow. Bitter dark chocolate cuts the sweetness, tempered by the nutty graham cracker. It’s divine.

I try to slow my bites to regain some of my dignity, but the dessert is delicious and I can’t help but eat every crumb and then lick the sticky marshmallow off my fingers.

Onyx stares at the flames, but his smirk says, I told you so.

Hazel lets out a contented hum and snaps off a piece of chocolate to eat on its own. “That’s better. I’ve needed a sugar fix all day.”

“Was patrol really that bad?” Onyx teases .

Her amber eyes narrow. “Vale is still obsessed over his Raven girl. I swear, I’ve never heard the kid say so many words in the whole time I’ve known him as he did today.”

Slate chuckles, his hands skimming down Hazel’s thighs.

“Is he seeing her again?” Cedar asks.

“I guess she doesn’t have a phone, so he wants to go there and make a big romantic gesture.” Her head lolls back against Slate’s shoulder. “I need Marigold to come back here and help. I don’t know what to do with these teenagers.”

“You should have seen Indigo and Briar tonight,” Onyx mutters.

“Will you accept a new pack member or have him leave?” I ask, attempting to contribute to the conversation.

“I suppose that’s up to them,” Slate answers.

“Will Alpha Nyx cooperate in either instance?” My voice quiets.

“She should,” Hazel answers patiently. “She’s been opening up over the last year. She’s even meeting with the Ironcrest Pack soon.”

My eyes widen. Surely she misspoke. The Ironcrest Pack and the Raven Pack have been enemies for years.

“Are we okay with this information getting back to Granite Ridge?” Onyx asked softly, tipping his head in my direction.

My teeth click together, my jaw tight. So much for a friendly hangout. Anger rising in my chest, I wait for Hazel or Slate to reprimand him. Not that I expect anyone to defend me, but how dare he question them?

Spots dance in my vision from staring into the flames. I can’t take any more teasing from Onyx, or worse, friendly sympathy. My teeth sink into the inside of my lower lip, a poor attempt to contain the chaotic energy battering around in my head.

“It’s fine,” Hazel says, her tone gentle.

“I suspect they already know. It’s not being kept quiet,” Slate explains. His calm energy starts to relax me, and I buck against the false sense of security.

Seemingly accepting his Alpha’s answer, Onyx sits back. Beside him, Cedar leans forward with his forearms across his knees. “So Nyx is actually willing to meet with them?”

“Yep!” Hazel says.

“I guess she realized hiding in her den is no longer a viable option,” I mutter before I can think better of opening my mouth again.

Hazel’s head bobs. “Exactly!” Her agreement surprises me, and my lips part silently. “I think the power dynamic is different now with mediation and all the groveling Zephyr has done over the last year.”

“Really? Like what?” I ask, feeling foolish for not knowing what was happening with our neighboring packs. It’ll be something to correct as soon as I get home.

Slate answers, “He paid to repair all the damage from the fight. ”

Hazel giggles. “Zephyr seems quite taken with her, actually. He keeps sending gifts and she avoids him. This meeting is a big step for her.”

“It’ll be interesting to hear what they agree on,” Slate says.

“Have you been meeting with Nyx yourself?” I ask.

Slate brushes Hazel’s hair over her shoulder, answering without taking his eyes off his mate. “We’ve had a few calls. Not a lot. Ironcrest is always eager to talk, but both Raven Pack and Granite Ridge are still resistant to meeting regularly.”

Hazel sighs. “I wish Sienna would agree to meet with us again, but having Jasper visit is a good step forward.”

“So why the exchange? Do you really need me as a hostage to ensure his safe return?”

I wish I could suck the words back into my throat. Four sets of eyes regard me with varying emotions, from surprise to disdain.

“It’s not about that,” Hazel ventures. “We want to build relationships both ways, and besides, you’ve never spent time with your half-brother.” Her hand tightens over Slate’s.

“Right.” As if Slate wanted to get to know me. With some effort, I keep sarcasm out of my voice.

“Speaking of,” Hazel continues, “We’d really like to have you over for dinner. Just you and us, if that sounds good.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night. I’ll make enchiladas. ”

“Okay.” I’ve never had enchiladas either and I’m not even sure what they are. But considering how delectable dinner was tonight, I’m optimistic they will be delicious too.

“Want me to join you?” Onyx asks. Does he really think I need a guard to eat dinner with the Alphas, one of whom is my half-brother?

Hazel cocks her head, frowning at Onyx. “That’s okay. Have some down time.”

With a shrug, Onyx lifts another burned marshmallow to his mouth and takes a bite. I couldn’t pull my gaze away from his mouth if I wanted to as he licks the sugar off his lips.

Hazel slips off Slate’s lap and they rise. “We’re calling it a night. See you guys tomorrow.”

I return her little wave. Hand in hand, they disappear into the shadows.

“Alright, the lovebirds are off to their nest,” Onyx jokes. “Anyone want more s’mores?”

“Um, no thank you,” I say, voice rough. I can’t meet his eyes after the way I drooled over him eating a marshmallow. “I think I’m ready to get some rest.”

“Sure, totally.”

The twins make quick work of extinguishing the fire and packing away the graham crackers and marshmallows. I notice the chocolate has disappeared entirely.

Onyx shadows me as I trail across the back patio and down the hall to Briar’s room. Instead of going to his own door, he follows me to mine. I spin to face him.

“Can I help you?” I snap .

He leans against the door frame, invading my personal space. In place of the sass I expect, his expression is concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. I mean, your brother is rude, but that doesn’t bother me.”

His chin dips, his night sky irises searching my face. “He’s just like that. He isn’t trying to be an asshole. He’s just very honest and straightforward.”

“Don’t bother. You don’t need to stick up for me. I can handle myself.” My hands rest on the door frame, anchoring myself.

“You know, if you just talked to him, you guys would get along just fine.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“But you and I get along just fine and he’s much nicer than I am, I promise.” He grins at my hesitation. “See? We aren’t so bad.”

“I didn’t say you were bad. I said you were a dick.”

“Not disagreeing,” he says, that infuriating smirk back.

My pulse flutters in my skin, every sensation heightened as my body reacts to his nearness. Damn it!

Scowling at him, I say, “And you called me a bitch.”

“I apologized.”

“You said Marigold was making you apologize. You didn’t actually do it. That doesn’t count.”

“What about the rest of what I did to you? Did that count as an apology?”

“Onyx,” I warn. My thoughts have gone fuzzy.

“I like how you say my name,” he purrs .

I know it’s not genuine, but his silky words still affect me. Scoffing, I grip the doorknob at the small of my back and twist. Without breaking eye contact, I step back into his sister’s room.

“Good night, Onyx.” His tormenting grin is the last thing I see before I close the door between us.

My skin is tingly and hot. Does he enjoy making me uncomfortable? Though from what I can tell, he still hasn’t told a soul about our encounter at the party.

Heart racing, I trade my clothes for a nightshirt and slip into the bed. The cool pillowcase soothes my heated cheeks. Eyes squeezed shut, I try to think of anything except the wolf sleeping across the hall.