Ascension by Laura Hall (accelerated reader books .TXT) đź“•
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- Author: Laura Hall
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When I’d told him he didn’t have to run with me, he’d given me a flat look and said, “Tell that to my boss.”
I decided not to be offended.
I was in the middle of stretching my quads when a rustling alerted me to company. I looked around, but saw nothing save for pine trees and thick undergrowth. It was very quiet, even the birds having ceased their trills.
“Declan?”
Brush moved to my left and I swiveled on my heels, coming face-to-face with a lovely, petite redhead. She was also completely naked.
“Shit,” I blurted, averting my eyes.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” More rustling, this time of fabric, and then a throaty giggle. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I was in wolf form and didn’t want to sneak up on you, but completely forgot about the flashing side effect of the change. You can turn around now.”
I did, and thankfully she was clothed, albeit in a random outfit—overly large, men’s athletic shorts and a sports jersey. Wild red hair sprang from her head in tight coils. Her bright blue eyes were filled with humor and curiosity.
“You’re Fiona, right?” she asked, but didn’t wait for an affirmative, grabbing my hand and shaking it vigorously. “Dec told me about you. Well, he told all of us. Said you were a cool girl. I’m Tabitha, but everyone calls me Tabby. Like the cat.” She grimaced. “It’s kinda an insult, seeing that I’m a wolf. But whatever. It’s all about perspective, right? I’m fast and agile, like a cat. So I’m okay with it.”
I blinked repeatedly, trying to make sense of her rambling. “Uhh—”
Tabitha—Tabby—turned at some noise I didn’t hear. “Declan!” she exclaimed with pleasure.
The man in question stepped forward from between two trees, his expression somewhere between chagrined and amused. He avoided my gaze as Tabby skipped forward and threw her arms around his waist, pressing a kiss to his bearded chin.
Ah.
The sudden, deep pang of loneliness in my gut took me by surprise. As Declan returned her embrace, I turned away, both to grant them privacy and to give myself a chance to get my feelings under control.
I didn’t know Declan outside the hour we’d spent together last night, and it wasn’t like I’d seriously considered having a fling with the man. But despite knowing that a little flirting did not a declaration of love make, now that I’d met Tabby I felt ashamed of my behavior.
The Prime had warned me, but I hadn’t listened. I’d been too wrapped up in the possibility of physically being with someone again.
It would have been a lot easier if she was a bitch like Samantha.
“Ready for that run?” asked Declan.
I plastered a smile on my face and turned. “Absolutely. It was great meeting you, Tabby.”
She grinned. “Likewise. And if you need anything at all, let me know.”
A lightbulb went off in my head. I needed underwear and some clothing besides leggings. And socks. I was banking on the Prime footing the bill; as I saw it, he owed me.
“If that’s a serious offer, I actually do need some things. Girl stuff. Is there a mall nearby, and if so, how can I get there?”
Tabby nodded enthusiastically. “It’s about a half hour away. If it’s okay with Connor, I’d be happy to take you. How’s after lunch sound?”
“Connor says that’s fine,” Declan offered. I shot him an incredulous look and he tapped his temple. “The boss has links to Adam and me.”
I shuddered. “Creepy.”
Tabby laughed. “It’s pretty weird, right? One time, Connor started talking to Declan in the middle of—”
“Okay,” Declan interjected, laughing forcefully. “Time to get moving. Fiona looks cold.” He kissed Tabby’s temple. “We’ll meet you in the cafeteria at noon. Connor wants me to tag along.” He winked at me. “Wouldn’t want our guest to wander off.”
I snorted. Tabby nodded happily. “That sounds great, see you then. Have a good run!” She took off at a jog toward the compound, and we watched her go.
After a few moments of pregnant silence, Declan began, “Fiona, I—”
“Whoa.” I held up a stalling hand. “No harm, no foul.”
“I still feel like I should apologize.”
I forced my own laugh. “Great, so you’re emotionally mature, too. Way to rub it in.”
He made a low noise, very near a growl. I startled at the sight of his eyes, bleeding to yellow and full of heat. I flushed and looked away, trying recall the last time someone had looked at me with such hunger. I couldn’t remember.
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “You’re just, I don’t know, so different. You bring out the alpha in me, which is odd since you’re not a shifter.” He paused, and I glanced up to see him dragging a hand through his hair. “I’m probably an asshole for saying this, but shifter relationships are usually open.”
I couldn’t quite repress a squint of revulsion; I was also grudgingly impressed by his bluntness. Feeling conflicted, I backpedaled into humor.
“This conversation is getting a little intense for me. I haven’t even had breakfast yet.”
The tension broke and he grinned. “We’re okay then?”
“Of course.” I narrowed my eyes. “You know, despite popular opinion, men and women are capable of friendship.”
His eyes twinkled. “With benefits?”
I groaned. “About that emotionally mature comment…”
He laughed. “Come on, sparky, let’s run.”
Late that evening, as I was unpacking three large shopping bags courtesy of the Prime’s black American Express, there was a knock on my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I called.
The door clicked open. “Hey, kiddo.”
I dropped the current bag and ran, launching into my uncle’s arms with zero care for my status as a grown woman or the Prime standing behind him.
Mal caught me with an, “Oomph,” and laughed, spinning me around before setting me back on my feet. He ruffled my hair, fingers pausing on the streak of white.
“It suits your coloring,” he said gruffly.
I smiled halfheartedly. “Who are you and what did you do with my uncle?”
Troubled hazel eyes found mine. “It’s good to see you. Let’s go over to the library for a chat.”
Nerves danced in my belly. Nodding, I followed him into the hallway. The opposite door stood open, emitting murmurs of conversation and the auras of those within.
As much as it pained me to admit, the Prime was right about one thing. My sensitivity to auras had definitely increased, making it easier to distinguish between individuals.
Whereas before I could see but not feel the auras of mages, now I felt the spine-tingling heat of the two Opals and the less potent sting of Mal’s Sapphire rank. Declan’s heady shifter pulse was also easily identifiable, but there were several others in the room whose auras I didn’t know. Two vampires, who felt like sharp jabs of cold air, and another shifter. An alpha, if I wasn’t mistaken.
“You look lovely,” murmured the Prime.
I mentally catalogued the price of my outfit, then met the amused green gaze. “You’ll change your mind when you see the bill.”
He smirked, pausing at the door through which Mal had already disappeared. “After you, Fiona.”
I crossed the threshold and received nods of greeting from Adam, Declan, and Alisande. At my entrance the three strangers stood, though their deference probably had more to do with the man at my back.
The Prime spoke over my head, “Fiona, meet Charles, Eve, and Matthew. Charles and Eve are masters in Seattle and Matthew is the alpha werebear of this region.”
Matthew wasn’t the first shifter I’d met who physically resembled his animal form, but in his case, the similarity was pronounced. He was huge and burly, with long, shaggy dark hair and a grizzled beard shot through with gray. His eyes as they met mine, though, were kind, without the usual aggression common to alphas.
The unsmiling vamps could have been twins, both slender and dark-haired, with luminous olive skin. They eyed me like I was a tasty treat, nostrils flaring and dark eyes gleaming.
When the female, Eve, licked her lips hungrily, I took an involuntary step back, straight into the Prime’s chest. His fingers curled over my shoulders, lifting goose bumps under my clothes. Whatever the look on his face was, the vamps immediately sat down, eyes lowering.
Neat trick, I thought pointedly, and he gently squeezed my shoulders before releasing me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Fiona,” said Matthew, eyes a little wide as they veered between the vamps and me. “Though I’m sorry for the circumstances.”
“Thanks,” I said weakly.
Mal, occupying a chair beside Alisande, said, “Let’s begin, shall we?”
Declan and Adam took the second couch, leaving an empty love seat and one chair. I promptly veered toward the chair, set farthest away from the gathering and nearest a dark fireplace.
The Prime sprawled on the love seat, a small, knowing smile on his face and his eyes on Mal. The smile vanished as my uncle began to speak, and I
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