Filed To Story: A Claim of Fortune Book PDF Free by Jaymin Eve
“Magic protects Fletcher,” Hunter rumbled, words as sharp as daggers. “But he won’t stay hidden forever. Not only will he be desperate to keep his plan moving forward, we’re also holding his weapon. Which he’ll be wanting back.”
Slade stood suddenly, that grim expression tugging down his features once more. “I need to break that bastard before we send him back in pieces.”
My heart lurched at the notion of breaking Talon, and even worse, Slade being the one to do it. Words burst from me in a rush. “Can I talk to him first?”
I didn’t miss the look of horror directed my way from Finley, and I hurried to explain. “I have questions for him, and I need to know if there’s a way to deal with this bond without one or both of us having to die. Fletcher has more knowledge than us, and hopefully that means Talon has more too.”
Hunter shook his head. “If he’s Fletcher’s weapon, there’s no way we can trust him in the same room as you.”
That made sense, but it also wasn’t the entire truth. “He’s not involved in their evil plan as an equal. Fletcher treats him like… a pet. No, worse than a pet, he treats him like a weapon that he uses when needed. He called him dragon, it, or thing.
I was the one who gave him the name Talon.” My chest grew tight as I recalled that look on his face when he finally got a name. An identity and piece of dignity returned to him. “He’s never been treated like a shifter, and while I’m furious about what he did to me, blaming Talon would be like blaming the knife for stabbing, instead of the one who wielded it. Talon might have been the blade that struck, but Fletcher was the wielder. All of which is to say… this is not black and white, and I need to talk to him.”
There was complete silence in the kitchen, and then to my surprise, Slade was the first to break. He waved for me to follow him. “I can ensure he doesn’t get free or hurt you.” When Hunter made to follow us too, Slade shook his head. “The rest of you need to wait here. The dragon isn’t going to talk with everyone there.”
They all looked torn, but none of them argued with Slade.
In his current mood, it was far safer just to do as he instructed.
As I left the kitchen, I gave the mixer and ingredients one last look, relieved that I finally felt like I could move on to the next stage of grief. I’d been clinging to baking rather than dealing with what happened to me, but one could only hide for so long before reality forced them into the open. And it was now time to face my demons-starting with the one locked in this house somewhere.
“Can one of you take the tarts out of the oven when the timer beeps,” I called back, not caring who responded.
Finley shouted, “No problem,” at the same time Kellan hollered, “Mine! The tarts are mine and I’ll fucking cut anyone who touches them.”
With a final glance over my shoulder, I chuckled as I caught sight of Kellan with his chest heaving and arms out on either side of him, pointing his fingers at Hunter and Finley. “Don’t even think about it.”
Both alphas wore expressions like they couldn’t believe this idiot was about to fight them over sweets, and I found myself actually happy for the first time in days. Being with my mates reminded me that I hadn’t lost anything yet. We were all alive and together, and we would figure our issues out. One way or another.
EMME
Hunter caught up to me in the entryway and drew me to a halt by wrapping his left hand around my waist. His right hand slid up to encase my throat, claiming me, as he tilted my head back to meet his gaze.
Hunger and heat pulsed from the alpha, and for the first time since I was taken, a flutter of arousal heated my core. My breaths quickened as my tongue darted out to slide across my dry lips, and Hunter followed every movement with predatory focus.
“If you need me, little omega,” he murmured, his scent stronger as he leaned closer, “just call out. I will be there in a heartbeat.”
His fingers flexed, and no one could have missed the low moan that slipped out from between my lips. A pleased expression flickered at the edges of Hunter’s features. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight. My wolf wants to claim you again.”
Our bond pulsed as his need filtered through to me, and the tingles in his bite weakened my legs. “I’d like that too,” I said, desperate to erase the last memories I had of being claimed. “I know I’m a mess at the moment, but I feel like I’m starting to work my way through it. There’s a faint light in the darkness.”
“You’re doing just fucking fine,” he told me, a rasp of truth in those words.
With a groaned huff, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine, and I opened for him without hesitation, needing to taste him. It was a soft touch at first, but Hunter’s dominance soon pushed him to take control. His tongue slid into my mouth, eliciting a whimper from me.
Neither of us were bothered that our pack watched. If anything, I was more relaxed with them there. By the time he pulled away, pressing a few lingering kisses to my lips, his hand flexing around my throat, I felt grounded and calm. The calmest I’d been in days.
“I needed that,” I murmured, shaking my head to clear the drugging arousal holding me captive. “But we might want to wait a few minutes before we question Talon.”
“Great work, Hunt,” Kellan teased from the kitchen doorway, his grin lighting up my fucking world. “You’ve got our girl smelling like a candy shop again, and no time for us to indulge in our favorite sweet.”
Finley, who’d been silently perched beside him, released a rumbly, scoffing sound, and I braced myself for his remark. “Speak for yourself, Golden. I’ve got all the time in the world right now.”
My world ground to a halt, and I swear even the snow falling softly outside the windows of the kitchen slowed.
Did he just…?
Kellan turned in the jerkiest of motions to gawk at his brother. “Did you just say…? You’re just saying inside thoughts out loud now? That’s fucking amazing! Don’t forget what I told you about the two presents, okay?
Do not combine them!
“
I squint-glared at Kellan, wondering what the hell he was talking about.
Presents?
Christmas presents?
It hadn’t escaped my notice that there were decorations around the house, and I’d found myself enjoying moments by the huge, pine-scented tree, decorated and filling one corner of the living room. But no one had mentioned presents.
More importantly, what was going on with Finley Thornton and his new personality? “I only hit your balls when I took you down, right?” I asked, crossing my arms. “You didn’t hit your head as well?”