Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(57)

Once he was ready and they said their goodbyes, he led her out of the main lodge and down the steps of the porch. “You know, when I was looking down at those dead bears, I thought about leaving. Hunting Archer and—”

Madisyn came to an abrupt halt. “What? No.” She vigorously shook her head. “No, no, no, no, no. You said you’d stay.”

“They’ll keep coming unless—”

“No. You might think you found it easy to kill those extremists, but it took something out of you. Don’t lie. It did. I’m not having you lose any more of yourself. You’d say the same if the situation were reversed.” She gripped his arm. “Archer’s counting on your setting off on your own, Bracken. He wants to separate us.”

“I know. If you’d let me get a word in edgewise, you’d hear that I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying with you, like I said I would.”

“Oh. Well. All right, then.” She gestured at the SUV. “You may drive me home now.”

He snorted. “Why, thank you.”





CHAPTER ELEVEN



Whipping the SUV into the parking lot outside his Alpha’s lodge the next day, Bracken let out a contented breath. He laid a hand on Madisyn’s bare thigh, satisfaction buzzing in his veins. His mate was on his territory. Nervous and edgy, but there.

Right up until this morning, she’d hemmed and hawed about going to the barbecue. He’d finally talked her into not only attending the gathering but also into staying the night at his lodge. The latter was huge for her, because she had to know just how much he wanted her to like his home. Part of her would be fretting that she wouldn’t, not wanting to hurt him. He adored her for that alone.

He gently squeezed her thigh. “You ready?”

A little wide-eyed, she nodded. “Mmm-hmm.”

“It’s going to be fine. It’s not a big affair. Shaya only invited Dawn and the Phoenix Pack. You’ve met everyone before.”

“I know. I’m fine.”

His mouth twitched at her curt tone. “Still mad at me for earlier? Or is it that you’re mad at yourself for losing?”

Madisyn sniffed. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She hated to lose. In hindsight, she should have known better than to play any games with Bracken Slater, considering he was a sneaky fucker. He’d been lying on top of her naked when he said, “We both know how much you like to curse at me when you’re not getting your way in bed, so I can’t help thinking what fun it will be to challenge you to bite those words back.”

The word “challenge” had flipped a switch in her brain. “Oh yeah?” she’d asked.

“Yeah. So here’s my deal: You won’t curse at me, won’t hurl any insults, won’t give me any back talk while I play. If you can show real restraint, I’ll reward you.”

She’d swallowed hard. His deep, velvety whisper had promised all sorts of dirty things. “How?”

“I’ll let you have the control later tonight at my lodge. Total control.” Bracken had smiled, no doubt sensing that he’d piqued her interest. “But . . . if you fail . . .”

“If I fail?”

“I get the control. And that means you’ll follow every directive I give you without question.” He’d licked over his brand on her neck. “Up for the challenge, baby?”

Madisyn had bristled at the implication that she’d ever turn one down, and responded, “Always.”

Still smarting from losing, she slid out of the SUV. She’d been on Mercury Pack land several times. Was more than familiar with the tall territorially marked trees, the huge rustic lodge, and the scents of pine, moss, and sun-warmed earth. She’d never thought that it would be a place she’d ever need to consider calling “home.” While she believed that Bracken truly would be okay dividing his time between her house and his lodge, it wouldn’t be ideal. She wouldn’t like living out of a suitcase.

Taking her hand, Bracken led her past the many all-terrain vehicles. “Get rid of that tension in your spine, baby. I told you, no one is going to gang up on you or talk you into anything you’re not ready for.”

She rolled back her shoulders. “But there’ll be . . . fuss. Hugs. That sort of thing.”

Bracken couldn’t help but smile. His mate was a host of contradictions. Introverted, yet not soft-spoken or careful with words. Caring, but not physically demonstrative. Fine with crowds, but not a great lover of attention or socializing. He made a mental note never to throw her a surprise party. “I’ll be with you. I’ll handle the fuss. You just nod and smile.”

Nod and smile . . . She could do that. Madisyn made an effort to shake off her anxiety as they climbed the wooden steps onto the porch. “You are virtually glowing with satisfaction right now.”

“I have you here on my territory where you’ve agreed to stay the night. Why wouldn’t I be satisfied?”

“Hmm.”

The front door abruptly opened. Kathy stood there, a wide smile of delight on her face. “You’re here! Great!” She moved aside. “Come in, come in.” As they stepped into the rustic kitchen, Kathy eyed Madisyn. “You look very pretty today.”

Taken aback by the woman’s welcoming behavior, Madisyn couldn’t keep the dubiousness out of her tone as she said, “Thank you.”