Ember

29. Getting too close gets you burned

The couch is warm and comfortable. The material lets me sink enough to cradle my aching body. Slightly tired, I am reluctant to move from my place. It has been so long since I felt mostly at peace, I want to enjoy it for a few more minutes. Making amends has brought me into a positive headspace.

Jake is with Angel getting ready, so it's just me and the kids here. I don't mind. Angel has been doing her best to heal our relationship. We have coffee and conversation sometimes, I know she is doing her best. In time it will grow into more.

Kids are getting ready to go peacefully. Finding the ambition to go get out of my peaceful thoughts to ready myself. In my room I have been making this space mine, getting used to sleeping in a bed has been it's own challenge. The more nights I rest the easier it becomes. At least until my dreams torture me with visuals of Silas devouring my body filling me with desperation that my body won't let me relieve. At first I could take care of my needs, now my body craves something real. It's enough to drive any wolf to insanity.

A beastly grumble leaves my lips. Now is not the time to get hot and bothered. I have too much to do.

Looking at myself in the vanity. I have more color in my eyes, my skin looks healthy and my hair has grown out more. Combing out my curls leaving them loose down my back. I decided on a smokey eye with pale nude eyeshadow and a deep red lip. Happy with my look I slip into the high thigh white dress I picked for myself. The straps are thin crossing in the back.

Happy with my look I go back to the living room. The kids are waiting patiently on the couch. Jake and Angel are here in matching grey attire hand in hand with fresh mate marks on their necks. Jake looks healthier. Eating properly and fully entwined in the mate bond.

She smiles at me with glowing honey eyes "Alpha Remi you look so pretty" I smile back at her.

"Thank you Angel. I love the matching outfits you both look great tonight" I really mean it, now that all the past nonsense is taken care of they both have happiness pouring from them.

We are all ready to go. I check both kids hair and clothes. They looked so perfect. They always do, but this is different.
Aleric takes my hand guiding me to the door. Nora looks at Jake pleading and ends up in his arms snuggled tight. She could walk, but I think she misses him and she won't be this little for long. Angel takes Jakes hand with pride.

The sun is starting to set, the air is cool. Such a small thing like walking with my family brings me joy. I am nervous about dinner, the happiness I feel eases my nerves slightly.

The front door opens as we approach, Beta Killian greets us briefly before moving back to welcome us inside.

He was dressed in expensive black fabric that hung loosely with grey pants. He nods his head to follow him. Catching a glimpse of the intracite throne room doors. Flashes of the destruction I caused fill my mind. I haven't stepped foot in that room since that day. The only rooms I have visited is the library and the hospital wing.

Following Killian past the grand staircase, down a beautiful hallway filled with art. The forest, smokey mountain views and waterfalls painted to perfection. They remind me of home. The home I burned to nothing. Feeling tears well in my eyes I breathe deeply blinking them away. Now is not the time.

We turn into a set of open double doors, the dinning area is a warm tan color with gold accents on the fixtures and doors. The large round table is a natural wood with a deep brown cloth on top, the end of the table has silver cloches and silverware.

Beta Killian stops next to the table.

"Alpha Remi will sit next to the bigger chair at the table on the left, the rest can sit anywhere on the left."