Cracked ribs be damned.
49
Out of the Frying Pan
Sage
Ronan was warring with himself between wanting to get me alone versus not wanting to go back to Ignareth. He found a happy medium by deciding to wait until sunrise to leave, when Garrick and Rudy would shift back.
As dawn’s golden rays touched their thick fur, the werewolves disappeared, leaving two very naked men in their place.
But the seraphim were ready.
Naomi tossed them both some sweatpants with a scowl on her face. “Hurry up. The last thing I want to see is you two hanging knot.”
“You’d be so lucky,” Rudy replied with a wink. The beta werewolf was tall and well-built, with dark locks and that trademark werewolf body hair in all the right places.
As opposed to Garrick, who could easily be mistaken for wearing a shirt despite coming fresh from a shift.
Draven had left hours ago. He wasn’t one for sentimental goodbyes, apparently.
But Ella certainly was.
She squealed as she wrapped her arms around both me and Ronan, wiggling back and forth. “So happy for you guys! Come visit us in Halcyon, okay?”
She and Naomi looked identical, with their honey blonde locks, cherubic cheeks, petite frames, and bright blue eyes. But even without any scent, you could tell their designations just by their opposing expressions and postures alone.
“Good luck with everything, Ronan. It’ll be hard to replace you,” Naomi said, her body still and arms crossed.
Ronan nodded, his gaze darting towards his old handler. “Oh, I’m sure Garrick’s already got a folder full of resumes to start pulling from.”
The werewolf chuckled. “Hiring was on freeze while I fixed my mistake.” He opened his arms, gesturing for Ronan to come in. “Consider this your retirement gift.”
They hugged it out as best as two alphas could, which meant awkward pats on the back. But before Ronan could turn around, Garrick grabbed his cheeks and kissed him right on the lips.
I bit back my laugh as Ronan sputtered and pulled away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “What the hell was that for?”
“Just checking,” he said with a wide grin. “You’re right—itisfunny.”
* * *
As soon as the goodbyes were over, the Oniguro driver, Kurai, took us to Ignareth.
I’d never been to the demon city-state before. I wasn’t sure if it would offend Ronan or make him upset to hear it, but it had never really been on the top of my travel list. Gambling, clubs, and hookers?
Yeah, not really my thing.
But even still, I had to appreciate the spectacle. The glittering den of vice and sin appeared like a magical oasis on the horizon, bursting out of the desert in color and motion. It was loud and unapologetic and alive, and I could appreciate the almost silly quality to it all.
An adult playground, but a playground all the same.
With a deep sigh, I nestled into Ronan’s side.
Victor was gone. My real mate was with me. And as Ignareth’s glow swallowed us whole, I got used to the idea that this place, despite the danger, could still be home.
Ronan tensed as we drove the streets, like he was just waiting for something to pop out at us.
“Home, sir?” Kurai asked.
