He’s survived…but is he single? Is he here as the Aurora Alpha or as a participant?
I rise and force my legs to move, though they tremble beneath me. Roman grins when I approach. “Ember! We were just talking about you.”
“Oh?” my voice breaks. I desperately want to know what they were discussing. But the silence deepens. Thorn’s eyes are intense on me. Mine are on him as well.
“Well,” Roman coughs. “I’ll leave you two catch up. I should get back before Cullen eats all the venison.” My brother slips past me, I feel him leave as I remain pinned beneath Thorn’s icy gaze.
I’ve had a million things I wanted to say to him, but now that he’s standing in front of me…and he smells so good, I’m having trouble remembering what they are. “Listen, I…”
But then he leans in and the scent of him overwhelms me. I forget what I was going to say.
“It’s good to see you, Ember. Even better to smell you,” he purrs into my ear, brushing past me. His scent — pine and winterberry wraps around me like a chain pulling me tighter. His low growl rumbles soft, meant only for me. Then he’s gone, striding back to the tables.
My knees weaken. His absence is a physical ache. I didn’t realize how much his physical presence affected me until I was missing it for so long. After collecting myself, I return to my seat, only to find Roman and Thorn now seated across from me, laughing like they’ve known each other for years. This is new…
“Pie, Ember? It’s delicious,” Thorn offers smoothly, sliding a plate toward me.
“No, thanks.”
He pulls the plate back before cutting a slice and piling it on Roman’s plate.
“She’s watching her figure,” Roman leans in conspiratorially to Thorn. “Hasn’t eaten meat in weeks, and we go for runs three hours a day.”
Thorn’s eyes linger on me as he mutters, “I’m watching it too.”
Roman groans. “Gross.”
What is happening?
Throughout my meal, I feel Thorn’s eyes on me as he continually loops my brother and Cullen in conversation. Thetable grows louder with drink, excitement, and boasting until a sneer cuts through it.
“Back again, Thorn? Couldn’t nail it last season?” A broad-shouldered male in a green robe calls.
Thorn only shrugs. “I had to give you other guys a chance.”
Laughter ripples, but then a white-robed woman speaks, her voice bitter and shaking. “It wasn’t without consequence. He practically fought half the Aurora pack to keep Alpha.
My fork clatters onto my plate. Thorn’s gaze flickers away from mine, unreadable.
“That’s why I’m back,” the woman continues, her voice cracking. “Because he killed my mate.”
Gasps and murmurs echo down the table. Her eyes cut toward me, brimming with tears but edged in fire. “If he’d taken you when he had the chance, my mate might still be alive.”
Heat floods my chest. The words feel like claws raking across my ribs. My scars throb on my abdomen in response as I remember the Challenge experience, and everything I’d lost.
“Lucia.” Thorn’s voice cracks like a whip. She flinches, dropping her gaze to her plate.
“If your mate was foolish enough to challenge an Alpha,” someone adds, “you deserve better. I’m available.”
“Fuck you,” she spits, quieter this time.
The table falls tense and silent.
“Did you really fight them all?” Roman blurts, oblivious to the tension.
“Yes.”
“Why did they Challenge?” Roman continues, all eyes on their interaction.
