The Ember In The Dark
Ch. 14

Dad came and talked to me after school. He told me that mom had told him everything. He was sohappy for me, he even teared up a bit. He has always been so emotional, although he's been greatat hiding it.

He told me whenever Lien comes, he'll teach me what he's taught Ash so far. It'll probably be fasterfor me to catch on since I've seen how it's done for so many years.

I took a shower after training, washing my hair really well. I was drying my hair with a towel whenmy phone pinged.

Toni: I'm not being very responsible with your number. I couldn't help texting you already.

I was smiling so big, like a fucking idiot. Those two sentences have me getting giddy. Butterfliesswirled in me. Is this what flirting is?

Me: Maybe I should take my number back.

Toni: It's too late now. There's no going back.

Me: So what now?

Toni: You tell me that it's okay to text you whenever.

Me: Never...

Toni: You hold all the power, oh mighty one.

Me: Thank you for realizing.

"Oh what's happening here? What's that smirk on your face?” Ash came in, hair dripping.

"None of your business. Come sit so I can dry your hair." I told him

He played with my phone while I dried his hair. He spammed my camera roll with pictures of medrying his hair. Eventually he put the phone back down. My phone dinged as I finished.

Toni: Ash? You shouldn't go through your sister's phone. Although it would be nice if she did.

I scrolled up and found that Ash had sent a couple of pictures of me drying his hair. He wrote:Maybe one day she'll dry your hair for you too. She's really good at it.

I slapped Ash's arm hard, my face burning hot.

"You need to let him in more Ember. He's your mate and a good guy."

"It's way too soon to know that.” I reminded him of how long Toni and I have known each other."He's your mate, Ember. That stuff doesn't matter.” Ash crossed his arms. He has always felt stronglyabout the mate bond.

"It matters to me." I snapped.

"Is this because of Aelfric?" Ash asked and my heart instantly remembered the deep heartbreak anddepression that boy had caused. "This is different.”

Aelfric knew that I didn't have my wolf, dragon, or magic. Using that knowledge he pretended to bemy chosen one. He told me that he could see my light even if I couldn't see his. I trusted him like anidiot and let him in. He took my first kiss from me and my first love. He broke my heart when hetook me to a party and told everyone how he had lied and how easy it was to get me to do thingswith him. I don't trust these bonds now.

Ash beat the absolute living shit out of him. Mom had him banished, which only made matters atschool worse.

"It doesn't feel like it's different.” A tear slipped out of my eye.

"It's different, Ember. This time you have your wolf and she's telling you it's true. This isn't like withAelfric. Trust your wolf and trust Toni." Ash wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I began tocry.

I hadn't realized how hurt I still am over what Aelfric did. I cried for a while letting it all out. Ashhealed my heart as I cried. Eryn taught us how to do that. You let the person cry it out, bringing thepain to the forefront, and then you heal it entirely as they cry. The memory of pain is there, but thepain itself is gone.

"Thanks." I told him as I wiped my tears away with my sleeves.

"We are going to that concert gig of Josh's tomorrow. I've already spoken with Charles and he saidyou can go after some training.” He smiled at me. "Now text your friend and let him know and thentext Toni." He ordered me, sitting me up and grinning at me.

"I don't know where I'd be without you." I told him, deeply appreciating my twin.

"Are you kidding? I don't know where I would be without you, Ember." I shook my head.

Me: Hey. I'll be attending your gig. Can't wait to see your band play. You better be worth my time.

I inserted some emojis to let him know I was only playing around with that last sentence.

Josh: Awesome! It'll definitely be worth your while.

He texted back instantly.

Me: You willing to drive Ash and I too with Rachel to Josh's gig tomorrow?

I texted Toni. I don't know if what Rachel had said was true. Was he really going to drive her or hadshe just volunteered him?

Toni: Only if I get to stay by your side during it.

His response was quick, but it made me pause for a moment. I was kind of scared of letting him inand getting hurt again. Ash's words were still fresh in my mind. I need to trust him more.

Me: I can manage that.

I can't help the smirk that sneaks onto my face when I text him. It's a stupid grin that I can't avoid.Toni: Will you be on pack lands?

Me:Yeah. Ash and I will get there tomorrow morning. We're training with everyone for once.

Toni: Perfect. See you there.

I plopped my face into my pillow letting out a small squeak of excitement. I can't believe I actuallyhave plans with people that seem to be my real friends this weekend. I can't believe I have a guy likeToni who is actually interested in me. This feels too good to be true and I'm just waiting for theother shoe to drop.

A knock at my door had me collecting myself. I stood up taking a couple of deep breaths, bringingthe giddy feeling down.

"Hey cupcake.” Charles smiled at me. He knows I hate being called cupcake.

"Hey. I thought we were coming tomorrow?" I asked him confused.

"That was the plan, but I really wanted to be here for your first shift.” He smiled down at me. Hismuscles have only gotten bigger throughout the years. He was this beast of a man and yet when itcame to Ash and I he was this squishy teddy bear.

"My first shift?" I scrunch my eyebrows at him.

"Your mom told me you got your wolf. Tonight's a full moon, so a perfect night for you to shift forthe first time. We'll run to the pack lands from here. I want everyone to meet your wolf. I told Ashalready and he brought your bags over. He's coming back now so we can all run together. Yourmother included.” Charles was so excited I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. It was veryadorable to see this intimidating man be excited.

"I was wondering why I hadn't heard Ash in a good minute.” I snorted.

"He is very energetic, isn't he?" Charles crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "Ember I reallyam so happy for you. I know Gunner and I are very excited to meet your wolf. What's her name?""Talia. I think she's excited to meet you all too. At least that's what I feel when I think of her.” Myface slightly strained as I thought about it.

"Hey, it's okay. You'll get a handle on your wolf and your bond. Don't stress too much. I can see youthinking too hard.” He poked my forehead. "You'll get wrinkles straining that hard.” He laughed."Come here cupcake.” He hugged me real tight, just like Ash does. "I love you kiddo."

"I love you too." I am glad that Charles finally gets to have a kid of his own with mom. Somehowmom managed to pull the rarest of rare cards. She was still able to have kids with the mates shesupposedly would never be able to have any with.

"We'll all meet you outside as soon as the sun sets.” He waved at me as he walked down the hall.I'm shifting for the first time tonight! Holy fuck.