Claiming His Fire (14 page)

“Are too. Shadow wouldn’t cheat on you. Fidelity and caring for their mate are programmed into their little wolfy brains. He’s practically a monk because he’s been waiting for you.”

I cocked my head and pursed my lips. “I said he didn’t date, not that he didn’t fuck around.”

Her eyes widened before she pulled her face back into a frown. “So what? As you would probably say if you weren’t so torn up and emotional, his dick may be used but it can be refurbished, plus his heart is showroom shiny.”

I snorted a laugh, her words making my stomach flutter. Not that I was ready to believe them. Not that I was willing to surrender to hope.

“You have no idea what you’re saying.”

“No, I’m right, but you don’t want to admit it. He’s a nice guy, a hot one, and he’s got eyes only for you. So what if the red thread kicked off that attraction? Can you honestly say you wouldn’t have noticed him without that connection? Can you honestly say if he walked up to you in a bar, you wouldn’t have given him the time of day?” She leaned closer, pressing her forehead against mine and dropping her voice to a whisper. “Give the man a chance—an honest to Goddess chance—before you write him off, Scar. He deserves that much.”

I swallowed hard, peering back at her as my heart began to race. “What if I’m not what he wants?”

Amber frowned, obviously thinking about that, before she shrugged. “Then you toss him to the other animals and head back into the woods for seconds. Like Goldilocks, but with shifter dick instead of porridge.”

I huffed even as I fought back a laugh. “Amber, be serious.”

“Scarlett,” she mimicked. “I’m totally serious. I hadn’t believed in the whole red thread legend until Zuri met Phoenix. But seeing them together, feeling the aura of love around them…that bond is real. It’s beautiful and amazing. I want that for you. Be brave, Smoky.”

I pursed my lips, ready to argue. But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. Shadow had grown on me with his manners and his kindness. He’d pulled that red thread tight and wasn’t letting go. And really, I no longer wanted him to. Amber was right, if I’d met him any other way, I’d probably have thrown myself at him.

I sighed and dropped my head. “You’re right.”

Her lips turned up in a big, broad smile. “I really like hearing those words from you.”

“Shut up.” I pushed her shoulder. She laughed, coming back to place her forehead against mine once more, her eyes serious.

“He’s not the coven,” she said in a quiet voice, making the knot in my stomach turn to lead. “He’s not Bethesda or any of the other women who turned their backs on us. He’s a good man, I can feel it. You’ll be so happy with him.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, the ache in my heart deep and strong. “What if he—”

“He won’t,” she interrupted. “He won’t become them. He won’t pretend to love you then turn his back on you. He won’t let one side of him betray the bond between you.”

She drew closer, her lips right against my ear as she whispered, “He won’t shun you.”

The lead knot in my stomach unfurled, spinning and twirling but finally giving me enough room to breathe. I inhaled deeply. The air seeped into my lungs, refreshing my very soul, forcing out the negative with its cool, clean purity. Leaving me with nothing but the simple truth.

I wanted to have Shadow in my life, to explore our connection and learn about him. To give him a chance.

“I need to talk to him.”

Amber shrugged. “So call him.”

I froze, staring at her with wide eyes. “I…don’t know his number.”

“Phoenix will know it.”

“I don’t think he’s told Phoenix about us.” I bit my lip, uncertainty stealing my will to be brave. I didn’t want to spill his secrets, even though they were mine as well. It just didn’t feel as if it was my place to tell one of his denmates about us. Even if said denmate was my future brother-in-law.

“I’ll wait,” I said, knowing my decision affected him and not wanting to hurt him again. “If he’s not at the denhouse tonight, I’ll track him down. He was pretty pissed when I left, and I’d rather give him time to cool off.”

Amber eyed me, probably wishing she could just call him and talk to him on my behalf. Domineering little witch. I gave her a hug and a whispered “Thanks, sis” before leaving her on the couch. I needed to clean up and find some new clothes. My shirt and jeans had new burn holes in them from my tears. I fingered one as I walked across the room, the black edges making me frown. I’d never cried tears of fire before.

“So,” Amber asked as I turned to walk upstairs. “How bad was your freak-out?”

I flinched, flamey tears forgotten as Shadow’s words echoed in my mind.

“Yeah, right. Anytime.”

“Bad enough for him to slam the door in my face.”

Amber’s eyes went wide. “Ouch. You might want to make that apology in private. Wearing lingerie. Carrying a giant pan of lasagna.”

I huffed and headed up the stairs. “Yeah, that makes sense. ‘Sorry for being a bitch. Have some pasta and me.’”

“Hey, no man can turn it down,” she hollered up the stairs.

“Please, I’ve been turned down plenty.”

“I meant the lasagna!”

I took a sip of my drink and scanned the bar again. Still no Shadow. My stomach pitched as I berated myself for not having the guts to just track down his phone number, but I’d been too nervous. Too afraid he wouldn’t answer or wouldn’t be willing to talk to me if he did. I’d waited all day at the denhouse for him but to no avail. So I came to the bar down the street where I knew the guys hung out, dragging Amber with me. And then I lurked on the edge of the dance floor like a creeper. Waiting.

I hated waiting.

“Hey, Scarlett.”

I spun, my deep need to see Shadow overriding the reality of the voice behind me. Because it wasn’t him—not even close. Too weak, too soft, too…wrong. Way too wrong. Dull Doug stood with two drinks in his hands, smiling down at me, wearing pleated khakis and a pale blue Polo shirt. Bland, boring, and fifteen different levels of wrong. What had I been thinking?

My smile felt plastic, my eyes darting behind him of their own volition. “Hey, Doug. How are you?”

“Good.” He grinned, really putting out the plastic Ken-doll vibe, making me recoil a few inches. “I’m glad I ran into you. I was thinking about heading out to a brewpub in Novi for dinner tomorrow night. Was wondering if you’d want to come along?”

He handed me a drink just as I spotted a head of dark hair over the crowd around the bar. Long, shiny hair pulled into a low ponytail. Hair I knew smelled like some kind of deep, masculine soap. That felt good pressed against my cheek.

Hair that belonged to the only man I wanted to talk to.

I shook my head, trying my best to smile politely at Doug while keeping an eye on Shadow. “I’m sorry, but no. I’m not available.”

“That’s okay. Maybe next weekend.” He reached out and grabbed my arm, directing me closer. Sparks fired under my skin, heating me in a way Doug would never understand. That he could never know about.

“No, I really can’t.” I finally got a clear view of Shadow as the crowd parted, just in time to see him walking across the dance floor. Away from me. I took a step in his direction but stopped, frozen, stomach dropping all the way to the floor.

Some blonde walked right behind my Shadow, following him too closely to be a stranger.

“So what do you think?”

“What?” I asked, really getting sick of Dull Doug getting in my way. I needed to see what was happening across the bar. Shadow wouldn’t have hooked up with someone already. I’d slept in his bed last night, plus he was my mate, my fated red thread. He wouldn’t…would he?

“Are you feeling okay?” Doug ducked down, blocking my view as he gave me a quizzical look. But I had no answer to give because Shadow had just walked out the back door, the girl right by his side. Together. My heart paused, my breathing stopped, and the fire inside of me died, leaving me cold and alone.

Oh hell, they left
together.

“Scarlett? What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I’m fine,” I whispered. But I wasn’t fine. My heart was breaking from the loss of something I hadn’t known I truly wanted, my red thread strangling me. I wasn’t even close to fine.

I turned away from the door, the image of Shadow’s back slipping outside with blondie right on his ass burned into my memory. He left with someone else. A woman. Someone who wasn’t me. The pain turned my skin cold, my blood to ice. Stopped my heart and froze it in place. Or at least that’s how it felt. He’d shunned me for someone else.

“What’s going on, Scarlett?” Doug stared down at me, eyes a little angry, mouth hard. Not that I cared. Not anymore.

I shook my head and handed him back the drink he’d given me. Over it…over him…over the games and the fear and the distance I purposely kept between my red thread and me. I was over everything.

“I’m really not interested in you like that, Doug.”

Before he could do much more than drop his jaw, I rushed across the floor, the icy sting of hurt quickly turning to anger. My blood boiled, my hands growing hot and uncomfortable as I lost control of my power. I needed to leave, to run. To get out. Before I exposed myself or hurt someone. Before I exploded.

“Where are you going?” Amber asked when I grabbed my purse from the seat next to her.

“Home.”

“Why?” She raised her eyebrows, obviously confused as she watched me dig for my keys.

“Did you not see that?” I yelled, not caring who heard me. “He was here. He didn’t come over to me, didn’t talk to me, and then he left with someone else.”

Amber’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Shadow…he left with some” —I waved my hand and made a face— “blond chick.”

Amber’s laugh sounded loud and bright, attracting more attention than I wanted and making the heat of my anger burn hotter.

I shook my head and turned for the door. “Thanks for the support, sis.”

“You are an idiot,” she said, rushing to my side and falling into step with me.

“What? How am I the idiot?”

“That was Kaija.”

I froze, hand on the door, brow pulled down tight. “No, it wasn’t.”

“Yes, it was. One of the guys was calling for Shadow, but he wasn’t answering his phone. Kaija came to bring Shadow back to the denhouse. She was talking to me when he walked in, and they left together.”

“No way.” I shook my head. “I would have recognized her. I
know
Kaija.”

“Well, apparently you don’t know her ass, because that’s the blonde who just walked out with Shadow.” Amber grimaced. “He looked a little pissed off, by the way.”

“Why?” I stared at her as she raised her eyebrows. Thinking back to the moment when I saw him, I tried to imagine what would have pissed him off. I’d been on the dance floor, waiting, watching. I’d looked past Dull Doug to…

“Shit.” Pain rushed through me as my fingers sparked, pops of light dropping between the door and me.

“Yeah,” Amber said with a nod, glancing toward the falling embers. “
Shit
about covers it.”

“Not helping, sister-mine.” I huffed and stepped outside, clenching my hands into fists, looking toward the denhouse.

Amber snapped her fingers in my face, making me jump. “You want my help? Here it is—grow up, get your act together, and go to his apartment.”

“For what? You just said—”

A cold wind blew past us, one not fitting with the heat of the evening air. A sure sign Amber was calling on her own magickal element.

“I don’t care what I just said.” Her hair caught in a circle of wind wrapping around her, lifting it, making her seem as if she stood in the center of a tornado. And maybe she did. Maybe she was struggling with control as much as I was. Between her wind and the sparks falling from my fingers, we’d certainly have trouble explaining ourselves should someone see us.

Before anyone else walked out of the bar, I grabbed her arm and dragged her down the road toward the only safe space I could think of. The only place where we could go full witch without earning much more than a raised eyebrow, or a growl.

“We need to get off the street,” I hissed, clenching my hands to try to contain the sparks.

“We need to get you to Shadow.”

I huffed, my stomach tight. “Why are you pushing this so much? It’s my future, not yours. Besides, you said someone called him. Last time he had to meet up with these guys, he was gone for hours.”

Amber shook her head, the action making dirt from the sidewalk lift into the vortex of her personal wind. “Not this time. He’ll be there in a few minutes. You have to go to him.”

“Amber—”

“Don’t Amber me.” She stopped, head high and eyes unfocused, wind blowing hard against me as she shook. “Dammit, Scarlett, quit acting like a child and do something the right way for once. You only have a few hours before…”

The wind died, and Amber sagged, almost physically shrinking in front of my eyes.

“Amber?”

She shook her head, her eyes tired and sad when they met mine. “If you wait, you’ll run out of time. I’ve done my best, Scarlett, but I can’t keep playing against their destiny. Go now…before it’s too late.”

“We ride at seven.” Jameson grabbed his beer, cracking his neck before downing the bottle.

“Sounds good. Gideon will be glad to hear it.” I stretched as I stood, tired but too revved up for sleep. We’d been working out the North Dakota mission finalization all day. I’d taken one break, a quick walk over to the bar down the street to track down Scarlett, but I’d been called back to go over the ride details. Good thing, too… I’d found Scarlett all right. At the bar, on the dance floor, talking to that preppy bastard I’d seen her with a few times. Maybe it was a good thing Kaija had come to bring me back. I’d been as close to losing control of my animal side as I’d ever been watching her smile at that guy. She pushed me away and ran to someone else, someone almost the complete opposite of me. A human. If that was what she wanted, I’d have to let her go. I couldn’t be human, couldn’t hide my animal sides or desires. I couldn’t be what she seemed to want.

Leaving her wasn’t what I really wanted to do, but it was inevitable. I’d be heading back to Chicago after this mission anyway. One reclaiming wouldn’t solve the case, and my time was better served there. Or at least, that’s what I let myself believe.