Page 91 of Winter Unleashed
“It’s time to return to our friends,” Liam whispered as he ran his fingers through my hair.
“Let’s go.”
We walked hand in hand back to where we’d left our clothes only letting go of each other to dress. When we were done, we slid are arms around each other’s waist as we finished the walk back to the house.
“What about my writing?” I asked out of the blue when we were halfway through his yard.
“You don’t have to stop unless you want to. Ulfurjord has all the modern conveniences of the human world. You can still make phone calls and send emails.”
“Really?” He nodded, and I pinched his side. “Why didn’t you just tell me about Henry and my being able to keep writing? Knowing all of that makes it less sad.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t think about it, and you never asked.”
“Typical Bertie,” I said.
A laugh escaped me when he smacked my ass and growled. “Don’t start calling me that, Red. I’m warning you.”
“Oh? And what will you do if I don’t listen?” He turned and pinned me with a smoldering look meant to frighten me but did little to scare me. Instead, it worked wonders on making me horny again. I nibbled my lip as visions of my ‘punishment’ ran through my mind. “Um, just to be fair, all that look does is make me want to call you Bertie.”
“Hmmph,” he grunted but said nothing else.
The house was quiet when we passed through the doors. I glanced up at him and he shrugged. Before we could get too far, a staff member greeted us with a smile and a slight bow.
“Good evening, Mr. Fraser, Ms. Steele,” the petite female Autumn shifter said. “Please follow me.”
Liam and I shared a look but followed her to the dining room doors. She paused, smiled again, and threw open the doors.
“Surprise!”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Asmile spread across my lips as I surveyed the room. On one side of the dining table, Isaac and Ciara stood next to Mr. Fleming, his wife, and Wendy. On the other, Stella and Philip were with Belial, Astrid, Simon Davies, and his mom.
Simon had just turned eleven and has always been my favorite kid at the Academy. The Winter pack kids are usually the ones to get picked on most because they’re pale and super thin, but not Simon. Kids had picked on him because while he’s small like his other pack mates, he’s also chubby. Since my childhood had been rough, I’d felt a kinship to him and tried to help him through it the best I could. He’d learned to take care of himself and now he’s a little ladies’ man.
“Ember! I missed you.” Simon’s light blue eyes twinkled as he ran to me. A little puff of breath escaped me when he threw his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on my stomach and smiled up at me.
I tousled his light blond hair. “I missed you too, buddy. Happy birthday, by the way. I’m sorry I missed your party.”
“You were saving the world, so it’s okay.”
A little laugh escaped me, and his mom came over to say hi and pry her son from me. Belial waved Liam over. As he moved to talk with the demon, I went to Stella to wrap her in a tight embrace.
“Thank you for this,” I said, inhaling her sunshine and lavender scent.
She pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You know I love to plan a party.”
“And you always knock it out of the park.” I let my arms slip from her to take the beer Isaac handed me. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, and before I could take a sip, he wrapped me in his arms. “I’m going to miss your stupid face.”
“I know, and I’ll miss yours too.”
The night was full of drinks, food, and laughter. It was the perfect party. After a while, Mrs. Davies carried a sleeping Simon off. Then Mr. Fleming and his wife left. Wendy left not long after them. Astrid and Belial had disappeared without anyone noticing.
That left the six of us. Even though it was cold, we moved the party to the backyard where Stella, Isaac, and I took our drinks to the gazebo.
“Where’s Bruno been?” I asked. I’d forgotten about the giant vampire.