Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(34)

“Now give me more of that mouth,” said Bracken. “We both have to leave, and I want to take the taste and scent of you with me.” She moved closer, parting her lips, and he took what she offered. Kissed her until they were both panting, needy, and hungry for more. Cock so hard it hurt, he rested his forehead against hers. “I’ll follow you to the shelter and then head home. Don’t argue. It’s pointless. I need to see you get there safely. And don’t forget the promise you made me last night.”

“Like you’d let me forget.”

They walked out together, and he gave her yet another kiss before opening her car door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later,” she agreed, sliding into her car.

As she drove to the shelter with him following close behind, Madisyn marveled over how . . . easy it had been to spend her morning with him. She didn’t feel like he’d treaded on her privacy and disturbed the quiet she treasured. Didn’t feel like he’d invaded her space—it felt more like he’d quite simply fit into it.

Maybe the overnight shift in their dynamics should have felt weird. It didn’t. It felt more like a natural—albeit fast—progression, because she could already feel threads of protectiveness, respect, possessiveness, and affection forming between them. Probably because the seeds of those emotions had already been there.

Yeah . . . maybe they would fit just fine.

Striding into the living area of the main lodge, Bracken found his pack mates scattered around the room. Some sat on the sofas and chairs, while others settled on the large rug in front of the stone fireplace. Only Nick, Eli, Derren, and the pups were absent, so he figured this was as good a time as any to make his little announcement. But then the people around him glanced up, offering him breezy and far-too-casual smiles.

Sighing, he raised a brow at Shaya, who was curled up in an armchair. “They know, don’t they?”

The redhead glanced at Ally, who flushed and said, “It wasn’t my fault.” Which meant it was her fault.

From the sofa, Gwen sheepishly raised her hand. “It was kind of mine.” The only human in the pack also happened to be Zander’s mate. “Ally whispered to me how cool it was that you and Madisyn were mates, figuring that Zander had already told me. But I’d only just got back from my shift at the motel, so he hadn’t had a chance yet.” Like the Velvet Lounge, the motel was owned by the pack. “Stunned, I burst out, ‘Bracken and Madisyn are mates?’ And I said it kind of loud, which—considering how acute shifter hearing is—means I might as well have screeched it into an amplifying microphone.”

Zander squeezed his mate’s nape and then picked up the story. “Caleb heard Gwen and echoed exactly what she said. Kent and Kathy both heard him. Realizing she’d been kept out of the loop, Kathy started complaining how unfair it was that she was one of the last to know you’d found your mate—that was when Roni and Marcus walked in. And so now, yeah, everyone knows. But it’s not Gwen’s fault.”

“Seriously, Bracken, congrats,” said Harley. “Madisyn’s cool. You lucked out.” Everybody echoed that, offering their own well-wishes. Well, almost everyone.

Kathy twisted her fingers. “I’m happy for you, Bracken. I am. And I like Madisyn. It’s just that . . . well, I worry about you. You’ve been through a lot. And Madisyn’s not the most compassionate of people. She’s—”

“What I need,” he finished.

“Bracken, she’s a rather unpredictable character. You don’t need unpredictability at this point in your life. You need consistency. Stability. Support.” Kathy raised her hands. “All I’m saying is that it would be best if you took it slow.”

Not liking the interference, his wolf bristled. “Are you sure you’re not just a little biased, considering how much you dislike pallas cats?”

Kathy stilled. “What?”

Ally winced. “Oh yeah, I didn’t mention that part to her.”

“Pallas cat?” Kathy’s hands fisted. “Madisyn’s a pallas cat? Really?”

“Really,” said Bracken.

Eyes wide, Kent sat up straighter on the rug. “Oh my God, how awesome is that? I didn’t think they truly existed.”

Gwen’s nose wrinkled. “What are pallas cats?”

Roni grinned at Gwen. “Oh, let me tell you, they are fascinating.”

Incredulous, Kathy whirled on her daughter. “Fascinating?”

Appearing to enjoy her mother’s annoyance, Roni shrugged innocently. “Well, they are.”

Bracken sighed. “Kathy, don’t start with the drama. It’s no big deal.”

Stiffly, the older female turned back to face him. “No big deal? Do you even know what a pallas cat is?”

“Of course I do,” said Bracken, impatient. “And I’m sorry that you had your ass handed to you by one—”

Kathy jerked back. “Excuse me?”

“—but you will not vent your anger at that feline on my mate. No fucking way. I won’t stand for it. What’s more, she won’t stand for it.”

“They’re vicious little shits, Bracken.”

“Endearingly vicious,” Roni cut in.

Kathy ignored that. “They fly into rages.”