Chapter 23 – Emerson
Chapter Twenty-Three
Emerson
“ M ommy,” Ember's small voice calls out.
I immediately slide out from under Dread's arm and bolt for the attached nursery.
After our late-night fuck session, I needed to get dressed, so I threw on one of Dread's oversized t-shirts.
It's comfy and smells exactly like him. My thighs clench as I recall the details of how incredible he felt inside me.
“Where's Mommy?”
“She'll be along shortly,” Ryktus's deep, growly voice replies.
“Okay,” Ember says as I come through the open door. “You got wings.”
“I do,” Ryktus agrees. He's cradling Ember on one dark gray forearm, and my heart pounds at the sight.
As he grins down at her, I swear my ovaries shiver.
There's something about seeing the strong gargoyle turning into a giant softy for my toddler that makes me want to climb him.
“I took you for a flight last night, but you slept right through it.”
“What?” she asks, tilting her head and blinking. “I wanna do it.” She nods wildly. “Fly!”
“Good morning,” I say, finally making myself known. Ember chucks herself at me as soon as I get close. There's a bizarre fluttering in my chest as Ryktus wraps an arm around my back to steady me in place. Ember is a sturdy kid, and she's always been stronger than I am.
“I'll get the cook to start breakfast,” Ryktus says, clearing his throat. “Any preferences or allergies?”
“Bacons and pancakes,” Ember says, grinning at the gargoyle.
He smiles a wide smile that shows off his sharp canines. That smile takes my damn breath away. It's hard to believe he can be so soft with Ember when I know he destroyed those wolves last night.
Ember isn't fazed in the least by vicious-looking fangs.
I can't tell if she adapted to monsters so easily because she's a shifter, or maybe all kids just roll with the weird better than adults.
... Honestly, I've got no clue, but since we've been here, she's had so many extra people looking after her.
“I'll put in the request with the cook,” Ryktus says, fluttering his wings behind him as he finally releases his hold on me. He boops Ember on the nose and heads out.
“T-thank you,” I say to his back and hold Ember even closer.
Last night was a shit show, but today is worse, because I know I eventually need to speak to Alix. Which isn't even his real name. Apparently, his name is Carson.
“Let's get you changed.” I kiss the top of her head.
I don't get to wallow in my feelings of hurt and sadness. I have to suck it up and take care of my daughter.
“Okay,” Ember says, smacking a kiss on my cheek.
Ember and I are finishing up breakfast at the bar in the huge eat-in kitchen when Dread and Laithe come in. I've got Ember in my lap, since I don't have a booster seat and the high-back barstools are tall.
Laithe immediately comes over and scoops her out of my arms. “Good morning, sticky child.”
“Mornin’,” Ember says, bouncing around in his hold. “Hey, Dread.”
The easy way she climbs right over into his out-stretched arms makes my heart pound rapidly. Life is so different since coming to Haven, it's unreal. It's always just been me and Ember, and I struggle to shake away the emotions that rattle through me watching Dread hold her.
“Good morning, little wolf,” he says, nuzzling his beard to her cheek.
My heart sinks when I remember Alix—I mean, Carson—is around here somewhere. God, what a clusterfuck.
There's so much to unpack with my ex, I honestly don't know where to start. But if he has a mate being held by Brayden, then it feels wrong to not try to help him. Maybe there's a supernatural council or something to report Alpha Brayden to?
I'm horrified on his mate's behalf. The thought of Dread being intimate with someone other than me makes me feel like I could commit murder. At the very least, I'd have to cut someone.
Alix and I weren't together for long. I was pregnant, and he dipped out pretty quickly, but it makes me question everything.
Apparently, he's a very good actor, because I don't think I could fake being sexually attracted to someone else...
But you'd figure out how to manage it real fucking quick if some psycho was holding Ember hostage, wouldn't you? It's hard, because I'm still so bitter.
So many things make more sense now. How he was only around sometimes. The way he reacted when he found out I was pregnant.
It's not a good feeling, realizing I was used. It sucks even more knowing he was out hooking up with other women. All while his poor mate was being held captive by his maniac of a brother.
I consider myself a pretty empathetic person, and I can't even fathom the level of hurt and heartbreak that his poor mate has been through. I can only hope that because they haven't bonded, and because he's human, he hasn’t felt the ache like a shifter.
“What an adorable little face,” Laithe says, tickling Ember's sides.
She laughs against Dread's chest, and despite everything . . .
All the hurt and heartbreak I lived through trying to navigate pregnancy alone.
All the questions I had of why her dad abandoned me when I needed him the most...
It's all worth it because I got her.
I wouldn't go back and change things, because then I wouldn't have Ember. She's the most important thing in my life. I'd suffer through unimaginable hurt and heartache to have her and keep her safe. I'm pretty sure any parent would.
Any parent, except the one who never wanted her to begin with...
I don't think I was ever in love with him, but the feelings of betrayal are extreme. I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to just shake that off and co-parent with him. At this point, there's zero trust. I honestly don't know where we go from here.
I swallow thickly, glancing away to try to get my feelings under control.
Dread's mom enters the kitchen, looking every bit as regal and beautiful as possible. It makes me feel incredibly out of place. I shake away those thoughts and climb off the barstool to greet her.
“Come meet Grandma Dread,” Laithe says, grabbing Ember from Dread and heading over to introduce them.
“Good morning, sweet mate,” Arsyn says, pulling my mouth to his. His warm hands skate over my backside as he cradles me to him like I'm precious.
It's much easier to handle the truth of things here in Dread's kitchen, with Arsyn at my side and Laithe introducing Ember to Octavia.
Ryktus stands stoic and steady by the door that leads to the massive dining room.
I can't even imagine what I'd feel like finding out all this back in that duplex when I was completely on my own and working double shifts to barely manage paying the bills.
“We're all here for you,” Arsyn says, rubbing his cheek against mine. “We'll face this together. I can assure you, we will keep you and Ember safe at all costs.”
I swallow thickly. “I believe you,” I say sincerely.
“Oh my goodness,” Dread's mom, Octavia, coos. “You're the cutest thing I've ever seen.”
My eyes fly to the two of them, and Ember is a tiny wolf again, trying to wriggle out of her dress. Octavia places her on the bar, then slides down her underwear and pulls the dress off.
“You're so fluffy,” Octavia coos, running her fingers through Ember's fur.
Ember barks a tiny sound that echoes around the spacious kitchen. Dread scoops her up and puts her on the floor. She immediately runs over and jumps on my legs. Her sharp teeth catch on my dress, and she growls playfully as she stretches back.
I laugh, bending down and lifting her into my arms. She immediately licks my face.
“Holy shit,” Carson says from the doorway. He's with several of the people I saw at the hearing with Octavia yesterday.
“Sorry,” Dread's sister says, grimacing. She's standing at Carson's side and gives me an apologetic look.
Dread never got the chance to introduce us at the council meeting, but he told me who she was last night as he carried me to our shower. I found it extremely sweet that he brought it up without me having to ask. He seemed concerned I might be upset to find a woman in his house.
“Mom,” he growls. His posture is rigid, like he's barely holding back the hound.
“Yes, of course.” Octavia grabs Ember's clothes off the counter and comes over to us. “Would it be okay if I bring Ember to my house for a few hours? I was going to ask before the company arrived. It's just right next door. I promise she'll be safe with us.”
My eyes fly back to Carson and down to Ember. I have no idea what to do in this situation. Until I know where his head is at, I won't be introducing him as her father.
My chest rises and falls in rapid movements. I don't know what to do. A huge part of me doesn't want her out of my sight. Another part doesn't want her around for the conversation that needs to happen.
I don't even want him looking at her, but I think that's my own betrayal talking. He let us be tormented by his psychopath of a brother, and I'm not sure if it's even possible to move past that.
“How about I go with them?” Arsyn offers, obviously sensing my panic.
I give him an appreciative smile. I'm going to fuck the hell out of my incubus in the very near future to thank him for being here for me. I've never had this type of support before, and it's making me even more emotional.
Blowing out a breath, I pull myself together.
“Would you like to go with Octavia? She's Dread's mom...” I don't even know if she can understand me like this. Her tiny head tilts, but I have no idea what that means.
“Grandmas always spoil the best,” Arsyn says, stretching out his free arm to Ember. She climbs over onto his forearm, and I bend, giving her a quick kiss on her furry forehead. “We'll call or come back immediately if she gets anxious without you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
“Always, sweet mate,” Arsyn assures me. It's terrifying and exhilarating to realize I can feel his sincerity through the bond.
“I promise she'll be very well-cared for,” Octavia says, giving me a quick squeeze.