*Ember*

Alec left me in the gazebo after fixing my clothes. He kissed my forehead and told me he’d be back when it was time to go. As I looked out over the lake and across it to the mountains, I sighed with relief. All my fears about Alec’s plans for me were gone.

Better than that, we were mates. The joy that filled me made my toes curl. My stomach was filled with butterflies at the thought. I couldn’t even feel the soreness from earlier. I was so happy and ...