Page 94 of Burning Embers
And my world explodes into shards of agony.
Thirty-One
ASHTON
Irun through the play for the thirteenth time in my head.
Thirteen is my favorite number. I don’t know why some people believe it’s unlucky; it’s only ever brought me good things.
I was born on the thirteenth of June.
I discovered Ethan, Emery, and Reid were a part of my pack on my thirteenth birthday.
My football jersey number is thirteen.
And I met my fated mate on September thirteenth.
I bounce on the tips of my toes in eager anticipation as our defense makes another incredible tackle. Emery roars like a Neanderthal, jumps into the air, and then tackles me from behind, wrapping his arms around my neck. I just barely stop myself from flipping him onto the ground.
He knows how I feel about unsanctioned touch.
“We have this game in the bag!” my best friend hollers, practically vibrating with excitement.
I grimace and am finally able to detangle myself from the human-sized koala. “Don’t get cocky. That’s when people start making mistakes.”
He snorts and takes a step away from me. “People. You say that like you’re not one of them.”
I cock an eyebrow at him, something he’s unable to see with my helmet firmly in place. “Aren’t I?”
“I forget that you’re perfect and infallible.” Emery slaps me on the shoulder hard enough to send me staggering forward a few steps. Asshole. “Certainly more perfect than a certain blonde?—”
“Shut the fuck up, Emery.” Abruptly, my good mood from our impending win diminishes in an explosion of flaky ash.
Any mention of the elusive Isabella does that to me.
She’s an enigma—one I’m not certain if I want to figure out or ignore. I don’t believe in coincidences, and I’m sure even my smitten packmate can admit that her sudden appearance leaves a lot to be desired.
Why now?
Why here?
I wouldn’t put it past my father to use her as a tool to manipulate me.
Is that why she’s here? Did he bring her? Is she working for him?
I’m suddenly desperate to get out on the field and abolish some of this restless, chaotic energy bursting to life inside of me. I’m afraid I’m going to implode and obliterate everyone in the immediate vicinity if I don’t fuckingmove.
And it’ll be Isabella’s fault.
It doesn’t help matters that my brothers turn into simpering fools when it comes to her. Ethan spends most of his nights talking to her on the phone or playing video games online. He doesn’t even seem to care that he’s no longer at the top of the class and is falling behind Ansel. And Emery hasn’t even looked at another girl since she barreled her way into our lives.
EvenReidis intrigued by her. He’ll never admit it, but I know he watches her house late at night, especially when he heard about the two murders. The man hates all women, yet he willingly curls himself around her tiny finger without a second thought.
It doesn’t make a lick of sense.
Unbidden, my gaze slides to where she stands on the track. I despise how beautiful she is. How perfect. The wind blows back her blonde curls, allowing me a view of her cheeks. A strange, indecipherable feeling bubbles to life in my chest at the sight of my number on her smooth skin.
Mynumber.