Chapter 39
Fire Kisses
“ M iss Taylor, will you play cards with me?”
I look down to see the little, gray-eyed girl looking up at me with her head tilted to the side. She reminds me so much of myself when I lived in foster care. She gives me a shy smile and I know I can’t tell her no.
I put down the blankets I had been helping Luna Celine fold and put away and I hold out my hand. Then I walk with her to a little table once her palm is in mine. I smile down at her as she looks up at me with big, bright eyes.
We’ve been on the hunt for Seraphina for weeks. I want this shit over with so I can move on with my life. I could be doing so much here with the pack at the orphanage.
For the last few days, we’ve been on the pack grounds as more wolves have joined us for the hunt. Like I suggested, we haven’t made it as obvious that we’re still on the hunt. However, we have teams that spend the days hunting for Seraphina, while at night Bradan and I rest in the original pack house with Alpha Dyson and Luna Celine.
However, today, instead of going out to hunt for her, I’ve spent my day here at the orphanage. My heart goes out to the little wolves who have lost their parents. Some have lost both parents through attacks while off the pack grounds. Others were abandoned like me.
So many different stories have led them here. I want to wrap them all in hugs and take them home with me. They are so adorable. I find it interesting how much they behave like wolves even though they don’t have theirs yet.
“What are we going to play, Frost?” I say to the tiny she-wolf.
“Want to play Pitty Pat?”
“What do you know about Pitty Pat?” I say with a smile.
Her eyes light up. “Alpha Ace taught me. I want to live in the Crescent Moon pack when I get big and have to choose. I want to be one of the warriors for Alpha Ace.”
“I guess you better eat all your vegetables so you can get nice and strong,” I say.
She flexes her arm muscle and smiles. “I’m going to work hard and get nice and strong. I’m going to have a strong wolf too. I can feel it.
“Maybe when you have your own pups, I can be assigned to be their companion by Alpha Ace. That would be such an honor. Alpha Ace will be so proud of me when I’m strong and fierce, I know I’ll get to serve our future luna or the royal family,” she says excitedly.
“How old are you, Frost?”
“I’m seven. Plenty of time to train and get stronger. I won’t be this little forever.”
She’s such a tiny thing for her age, but I believe every single word. She will be strong, and I would love to have her protect my little ones. Speaking of little ones.
Spending the day here with all these children has left me to think about Bradan’s words. When I’m ready, all I have to do is ask. I want to ask. I want desperately to ask.
I sigh at my thoughts. We’re in the middle of what feels like a war. Today has allowed me to forget that. It was nice to take a break from all the stress and monotony of hunting that psycho down.
“Oh, look, it’s the VP, King Bradan,” Frost says as if in awe.
“Have you ever met him?” I ask as she looks nervous but hopeful.
“No,” she whispers.
Bradan comes over and places his palm beneath my chin to tilt my head back. He kisses my forehead and then my nose. I give him a big smile.
“I want you to meet someone,” I say to him.
He lifts his gaze to the little girl sitting across from me. A warm smile comes to his lips. I’m amused as he moves to sit in one of the little chairs.
“Hello, little pup. What’s your name?”
Frost puffs her chest out and straightens in her seat. “I’m Frost, King Bradan.”
“You can just call me Bradan. That’s what all my friends call me.”
“I’m one of your friends?” Frost gasps.
“You are now. What are we playing? Is it too late to deal me in?”
“No, no. Of course not,” she says quickly and gathers the cards to deal again.
I look to Bradan and he winks at me. As much as I love his rough side, I love seeing him like this. It’s no wonder the wolves admire and adore him. I’ve watched a number of different supers show their respect and adoration when at the clubhouse.
“What are we playing, Frost?” he asks.
“Pitty Pat, unless you want to play something else,” she says.
“Pitty Pat is fine with me. How about I have someone bring us some cookies, have you had a snack for today?”
“No, I haven’t. That would be awesome. I love cookies,” she says.
A little blush turns her light-brown cheeks pink as she ducks her head at the end. Bradan and I look at each other, then turn to study Frost. I reach to brush a hand over her reddish-blonde waves.
“What’s wrong?” I whisper.
“Adonis says I talk too much to the adults. That’s why none of the wolves want me. I’ll never get adopted from here because I don’t know how to shut up. I mean, you’re not wolves. So it doesn’t matter, right?”
“Where is Adonis?” Bradan demands.
“He was adopted yesterday. I’m not sure which pack he’s in now,” Frost whispers.
“Bradan, can we take her? I know we’re not wolves … but … I mean, I’m ready for us to have our own kids. Can’t we start with her like Kendrick and Ray? I know she’s older, but I promise to keep her out of your hair,” I say through our bond.
“I’m still going to have a talk with Adonis. You talk as much as you like, little pup,” Bradan grumbles to Frost. He then looks to me and his eyes soften.
“I will talk to Alpha Dyson and see if the packs would mind if we adopted her. I’ve never heard of it being done, but they’re enough wolves among us at the clubhouse, I don’t see how it could hurt,” he says back to me in my head.
His eyes then fill with heat as he looks me over. My cheeks grow warm and I have to look away. As I think over all I’ve said to him, I realize I’ve told him I’m ready for babies of our own.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite little pup,” Ace croons as he’s the one to bring a plate filled with cookies over with a tray of glasses of milk.
Frost’s face brightens all over again. I almost burst into laughter as Ace takes the other seat at our table, causing Frost to take our cards and deal again. She doesn’t seem to mind at all.
This is actually the happiest I’ve seen her since I’ve met her. I learn of a whole silly side of Bradan I didn’t know about as he engages with Frost. It’s not lost on me how some of the other children watch with envy and longing.
“Frost, I had a great time getting to know you, my little friend. We will see each other again soon. I’ve been told you want to be a warrior.
“I will be back to start your training myself. You stay out of trouble around here. We can’t have our best future warrior getting into trouble,” Bradan says to Frost, giving her a huge smile.
“Y … you’re going to train me?”
“I am. You will train with my queen and her court. I am in charge of their training.”
“Don’t I have to go to headquarters for that? I haven’t been sworn in or anything for that. I don’t have parents … I have no one to vouch for me,” Frosts says, going from excited to sad.
“I’ll vouch for you. As your alpha, I’ll even take you to HQ myself your first time,” Ace says.
“My alpha?” Frost whispers as tears fill her eyes.
“That’s right. I heard you wanted to be Crescent Moon when you get to declare a pack. I accept. That makes me your alpha.”
“I will also vouch for you. I’m the VP. They can’t keep out one of my best friends. Don’t worry. Taylor will take care of your new room for you to come stay with us.
“When it’s ready, Alpha Ace will bring you home. It’s all been taken care of. You?—”
He doesn’t get to finish his words as Frost leaps from her seat and launches herself at him across the table, wrapping around his leg. Tears fill my eyes and my throat clogs.
“Bray, what have you done? What’s going on?” I link him.
“I’ve been speaking with both Alpha Ace and Alpha Dyson while sitting here with you two. Frost is ours. I want to wait until we settle things before we take her home, but you can get her room ready, or we can find a place.
“Honestly, I’ve been thinking about doing some more remodeling to my room to make it more like a home for you. You know, a kitchen and living area. I can do anything you want,” he replies.
“Oh my God, I love you.”
“She already has red hair. Might as well be ours,” He chuckles.
“We’ll see you soon, Frost. I have to take Taylor for her next surprise.”
“Okay, see you next time. I promise I’ll be good. It was so nice to meet you both,” Frost says as she steps away from Bradan and gives a small wave.
My heart squeezes. I want to take her home now. A fire ignites in my belly.
This shit ends. We have a life to live. When we find that evil bitch, she’s mine.
Bradan
The alphas all insisted on decorating and blowing up balloons again. I had to laugh when Ace ducked out to bring over the cookies for Frost and Taylor. Although, I’m happy he did come to the orphanage.
I like Frost, and from what I’ve been told, she’s a good kid. I’ve sat and watched my mate fall in love with the little pup. When Taylor asked could we take the pup to live with us, I didn’t have it in me to tell her no.
Especially not after she said she’s ready to have children of our own. I’m going to make that happen too. Seraphina may still be eluding me, but that’s not going to stop me from knocking up my little mate.
Baby girl has a long night ahead of her. If I have it my way, Taylor will have no questions about how I feel about her after tonight.
“I have never been so happy in my life. I wish I had someone to adopt me who would have had as much love to give as I plan to give Frost. I want to be to her everything I never had. Thank you so much, Bray. This means the world to me,” Taylor says beside me as we walk to the pack house where the brothers are once again setting up my surprise for her.
“You will make a great mother to her and all our other children.”
“About that. I’m sorry I blurted that out. I am ready, but if it’s not the right time, I’ll wait.”
I pull to a stop and turn to look down at her. She cranes her neck back to look up at me. In this moment I can’t find the words to explain how much I want to place my seed in her right here and now.
There is nothing that will stop me from doing so this evening. I cup her face and run my thumb across her soft lip. She darts her tongue out to lick my fingertip.
A smile comes to my lips. Absolutely nothing will stop me tonight. I’m going to enjoy it too.
“I will not ask you to wait. Seraphina has taken enough from you, from us. She doesn’t get to dictate this. You want a baby, I will give you one. May the favor of the gods be with you, I shall show that sweet little pussy no mercy,” I say as I stare deep into her eyes.
“Why do I feel like I might have asked for more than I can chew?”
I laugh. “Come on. They are waiting.”
She gives me a confused look but continues to walk with me. I move her in front of me as we get to the pack house. I lead her up the stairs to the front door. The door swings open before I can reach for it or try to open it myself.
An excited Bree bounces on her toes on the other side waving us in. I laugh to myself and push Taylor through. Little candles create a pathway for us to follow.
Taylor pauses and looks back over her shoulder at me. I give her an encouraging nod for her to move forward. She takes a deep breath then turns to follow the path. I fall back a step or two to watch her and take it all in.
I know the moment the main hall comes into view. Taylor freezes and gasps. I place a hand on the small of her back and lead her fully into the room.
“Bradan, what’s this all about? What’s going on?”
When she turns to face me, I’m already on one knee. Unshed tears begin to fill her eyes as she covers her mouth with her hand. I give her a smile as I hold the ring box up for her to see.
“This is a human tradition I don’t want to rob you of. I’ve seen in your thoughts that this is something you desire. I had planned to do this sooner, but it seems something is always getting in the way. Now, here we are, baby girl. I want to ask you to not only be my old lady but also my mate. Taylor, will you be my wife?”
“Oh my God, yes, Bradan. A million times yes,” she chokes out.
Music begins to play as I stand and place the ring on her finger. The wolves who I’ve invited to join us begin to pour into the room, clapping in celebration. My chest fills with pride as I can feel her emotions through our bond. She’s much happier than I thought she would be.
I pick her up and hold her close as her small body trembles within my embrace. Taking her lips in a passionate kiss, I allow her to feel all my emotions. I never thought this would be my life, but the gods have certainly presented me with a surprise.
I wouldn’t trade Taylor for anything. Her heart, her mind, and her kindness are teaching me about the man I am each day. Fire can breed passion but wisdom harnesses compassion. Something I’ve learned from this little woman in my arms.
“And I thought this was already the best day ever. I love you, Bradan. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“For now, dance with me. They put in a lot of work for this surprise.”
“It’s so beautiful in here. There’s so many balloons and flowers. It’s perfect.”