Chapter 52
Emris.
Shit.
Okay, so I didn’t think that far. Taking over that part of the Lion Pride Pack has been been on my To do list since last year May. One purpose only…to have them begging me to release it, and in exchange for their precious land back, I get the one thing Alpha Ronin has been gatekeeping for years.
What happened to my father, Alpha Kael Covenant, on that night.
He and Alpha Ronin were close friends. So close that after I was born, they wanted Slade and I to become friends too.
Problem was, Alpha Ronin raised a little bastard as a son, and I was bullied by him and the rest of his fucking little boy friends. That night, Dad left home for an emergency Alpha meeting. There was an attack. They sent back his dead body. Alpha Ronin never told us what the emergency meeting was for. Never explained how they were attacked by rogues. How can a group of nothing rogues attack and lead to my father’s death?
Answers. Answers are all I need, and the Lion Pride Pack has them. For the longest time, my dream has been to put them on their knees. And I think this one might just work. Slade will have to watch his pack starve if his father doesn’t tell me the truth.
“Okay, at exactly 9pm… let’s do Night Club 9. I heard they have stripper boys.”
I stop as I pass Teddy’s room. Door’s cracked open which is typical. I’m looking for Milo. Kid’s either in here terrorizing his aunt or in my room committing property damage.
“Ted-”
“Are you gonna make Demetra come?”
My brain short–circuits. Did she just say Demetra? In the same breath as club? Hell no. That cannot be what I heard.
I lean closer and peek through the crack. Teddy’s room is a disaster zone of purple walls, fairy lights and clothes everywhere. She’s pulling out glittery shirts, miniskirts that look more like belts, complete disaster outfits that no college boy should be looking at her in, laying them across her bed.
“Yeah, Eden is definitely gonna come.” She’s on the phone, tucked between her ear and shoulder, laughing. “He’ll be too jealous to let me go by myself. You know how he gets.”
I take note of that.
“Okay, bet. I’ll meet you guys.”
The second she hangs up, she turns and screams like she’s seen a ghost!
“What the hell, Emris!”
I clear my throat and walk in.
Teddy is stares daggers at me with her hands on her hips.
“What do you want? Why you in my space?”
“Shut up. I can be in your room if I want.” I glance around cause I In fact pay the bills around here. 1/3
Chapter 52
“I’m not thirteen or fourteen or sixteen anymore, Emris. So no, you cannot just be lurking in my room!” She marches over and tries to push me out. Cute effort. My body doesn’t move an inch.
“What is that little string situation you call an outfit?” I point at the pile of chaos on her bed.
“It’s a club fit. What? I’m banned from having a life now?”
“A nightclub… to go dancing with Eden?” My voice drops. “Are you sleeping with that damn boy-”
“Stop insulting him, Emris. He’s my mate and my boyfriend-”
“Yeah, he’s your mate and boyfriend only because I allow him to continue being. He should be lucky he’s mated to the hybrid’s sister.” I step closer. “He needs to know that just because you’re his mate doesn’t mean he gets to see you in dangly outfits like that.” I pause. “How many times a week do you both do it?”
“Ugh!‘ Teddy throws her hands up. “You always do this, Emris! Can you be a normal brother for once in your life?”
I raise an eyebrow. Normal? When have I ever been normal?
“Answer the question.”
“No! I’m not answering that!”
“Then you’re not going to any club.”
“You can’t stop me!”
“I’m the Alpha. I can stop everyone.”
Teddy’s face is both red and embarrassed as she covers it with her hands, then launches her phone at the bed like it personally offended her. I step further in. I’d rather have this conversation now than watch her end up knocked up with a pup before she even finishes college.
“I am a normal brother and I didn’t raise you to be running around with some college boy just cause he’s your mate-”
“Oh, really?” She tilts her head with a smirk spreading like she’s been waiting for this. “Because I can swear you’re preaching something different from who you really are.” She steps closer, invading my space. “Does Elena know you had Demetra pressed against a tree? Your hand was on her thigh. Looked like she was trying to resist you, but you were so adamant on kissing her.”
Teddy is full–on grinning like she just caught me lacking.
“You were like an animal. Like a freaking lion. Starved of her.” She’s inches from me now. “You couldn’t even control yourself when you were near your own mate. So why should I listen to you?”
I grind my teeth.
I hate it when any of my siblings are wiser than me in a conversation. But this? This is worse, because I can’t even advise her about Eden when I’ve failed so badly in my own bond.
“Shut up.”
“You’re not happy with Elena, Emris.” Her voice softens just a little. “The whole entire pack knows you guys don’t sleep in the same room. I’ve never seen you kiss. Never seen you hug. Matter of fact, you’ve been through so many heats, so many full moons, and none of it ended with you being with Elena. Or any other woman, actually.”
“Let’s go back to what we were talking about.” I try to pivot. “You and Eden.
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Chapter 52
“I have never seen you look at anyone the way you look at Demetra.” Teddy keeps going, completely ignoring my attempt to change the subject.
“Teddy-”
“And don’t even pretend you took Milo to that birthday party for him. I know you went because of Demetra and honestly? Demetra is really sweet and kind. Despite everything our family did to her, she still spoke up for me and Eden to be together.”
I put my hands in my pockets, letting that land. Someone in my family is actually warming up to the idea of Demetra and me being together. I’ve been running this play solo in my head. But Teddy here seems to already like her.
“Plus, Elena’s the worst Luna ever.” Teddy scoffs. “I don’t even know why you-”
“Emris?”
I see Teddy roll her eyes. I don’t have to turn around to know who just called my name.
I know it’s Elena.
3/3
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.

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