Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(66)

“It happened while you and Kathy were having your little confrontation. Seriously, baby, there’s nothing between me and Shiloh.”

“I believe you.”

But he knew she was still hurting. And he hated it. “I know what it’s like to find yourself battling pointless jealousy. You and Dominic had plenty to talk about.”

Her frown deepened. “He was, in his own odd way, distracting me from my anger so Kathy didn’t get the satisfaction of a reaction. Dominic and I have only ever been friends.”

“Your cat lets him close.”

“She’s fond of him.”

The dark jealousy from earlier began to creep back up on Bracken. “Fond of him?”

“In a sisterly way. She’s never wanted him. He tests her patience a fair bit.” Madisyn paused to watch a squirrel scrabble up a tree trunk. “She likes you much more. She’s comfortable with you, which says a lot.”

That made Bracken’s mouth curve. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“How about we let our animals go for a run together tonight? My wolf is desperate to have time with your cat. He wants to get some attention from you as well.”

“Okay. But don’t come whining to me if my cat bites him for getting too pushy or anything.”

“No whining,” he promised.

Stopping at a tree, she traced the claw marks that had been scored into the rough bark. “Yours?” She could smell his scent there.

“Mine,” he confirmed. “We’re close to my lodge.”

A few minutes later, a tree-lined, timber-framed alpine lodge came into view. Her mouth fell open. With its cozy wraparound porch, wishing well, and minigarden, it looked like a charming rustic retreat. As they climbed the porch steps, she took in the woodpile set neatly next to the rocking chairs. Could easily imagine herself sitting there.

Bracken pushed open the front door and then stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter first. Madisyn took a tentative step into the small foyer. The scents of wood, leather, and Bracken greeted her and drew her deeper inside. Well aware of his gaze on her, she drank everything in—the tan walls, high ceilings, tall windows, wooden beams, log furniture, corner stone fireplace, black leather sofa, and wide-screen mounted TV.

“Come on,” said Bracken. “I’ll give you a tour.”

The hardwood flooring barely creaked beneath their feet as he led her around, showing her the rustic kitchen with its rich oiled woods, granite countertop, stainless-steel appliances, and the island in the center surrounded by four chairs.

As they walked back into the living room, she asked, “Didn’t you used to have an Xbox? I remember hearing you and Roni debate who was the best COD player out of the two of you.” But it wasn’t in this room.

“I gave the Xbox to the shelter not so long ago.”

“That was yours? How come you gave it away?”

“Shooting people and launching grenades on a video game no longer seems so . . . innocent . . . when you’ve seen the damage in real life.”

Shit, she hadn’t thought of that. “There are other games, though, right?”

“I associated the Xbox too much with COD. Come on, I’ll show you upstairs.”

She ran her hand along the smoothly polished banister as she followed him up the stairs. He pointed out the guest room and large bathroom before taking her into the master suite. Her brows lifted at the unexpected sight of a second fireplace flanked by two overstuffed chairs. The country-style bed was big and bulky and inviting.

As she stood staring out the window at the to-die-for mountain view, she heard . . . nothing. It was quiet in a way that some might have found creepy. She loved it.

“Well?” prompted Bracken.

She turned to face him. “I’m pleasantly surprised. I expected something more . . . sparse. Basic.”

“My old lodge was pretty sparse. This was originally a guest lodge; Shaya, Kent, and Caleb decorated it. I recently moved here, needing a change of scenery, and kept a lot of the furnishings that were already here.”

“It suits you.” Had the same charm and strength of character.

He crossed to her. “And you like it?”

“And I like it.”

Bracken caught her face with his hands. “Good.” Closing his mouth over hers, he thrust his tongue inside. He delved. Ravished. Dominated. Owned. She melted into him, sank into the kiss, gave as good as she got. But the hesitancy she’d shown the night she first felt the bond was back. Kathy’s words had shaken her more than she was willing to admit to him.

His wolf snarled, refusing to allow there to be any emotional distance between him and his mate. But Bracken knew he had to be patient, not throw his dominance around. He rubbed his nose against hers and said softly, “No retreating from me. I might not have all of you yet, but I have a really big part. Do you honestly think I’ll give it back?”

“I don’t want to take it back.”

Well, that was something. But although she might not have wanted to withdraw from him, she’d done it instinctively. He hadn’t heard her entire conversation with Kathy, so he couldn’t be sure what exactly had caused the withdrawal. “Talk to me, baby,” he coaxed, keeping his voice gentle, wanting her to trust that she was safe enough with him to lay out her feelings. “The things Kathy said are playing on your mind, aren’t they?”