The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 14

Dad came and talked to me after school. He told me that mom had told him everything. He was so happy for me, he even teared up a bit. He has always been so emotional, although he's been great at hiding it.

He told me whenever Lien comes, he'll teach me what he's taught Ash so far. It'll probably be faster for me to catch on since I've seen how it's done for so many years.

I took a shower after training, washing my hair really well. I was drying my hair with a towel when my phone pinged.

Toni: I'm not being very responsible with your number. I couldn't help texting you already.

I was smiling so big, like a fucking idiot. Those two sentences have me getting giddy. Butterflies swirled in me. Is this what flirting is?

Me: Maybe I should take my number back.

Toni: It's too late now. There's no going back.

Me: So what now?

Toni: You tell me that it's okay to text you whenever.

Me: Never…

Toni: You hold all the power, oh mighty one.

Me: Thank you for realizing.

"Oh what's happening here? What's that smirk on your face?" Ash came in, hair dripping.

"None of your business. Come sit so I can dry your hair." I told him.

He played with my phone while I dried his hair. He spammed my camera roll with pictures of me drying his hair. Eventually he put the phone back down. My phone dinged as I finished.

Toni: Ash? You shouldn't go through your sister's phone. Although it would be nice if she did.

I scrolled up and found that Ash had sent a couple of pictures of me drying his hair. He wrote: Maybe one day she'll dry your hair for you too. She's really good at it.

I slapped Ash's arm hard, my face burning hot.

"You need to let him in more Ember. He's your mate and a good guy."

"It's way too soon to know that." I reminded him of how long Toni and I have known each other.

"He's your mate, Ember. That stuff doesn't matter." Ash crossed his arms. He has always felt strongly about the mate bond.

"It matters to me." I snapped.

"Is this because of Aelfric?" Ash asked and my heart instantly remembered the deep heartbreak and depression that boy had caused. "This is different."

Aelfric knew that I didn't have my wolf, dragon, or magic. Using that knowledge he pretended to be my chosen one. He told me that he could see my light even if I couldn't see his. I trusted him like an idiot and let him in. He took my first kiss from me and my first love. He broke my heart when he took me to a party and told everyone how he had lied and how easy it was to get me to do things with him. I don't trust these bonds now.

Ash beat the absolute living shit out of him. Mom had him banished, which only made matters at school worse.

"It doesn't feel like it's different." A tear slipped out of my eye.

"It's different, Ember. This time you have your wolf and she's telling you it's true. This isn't like with Aelfric. Trust your wolf and trust Toni." Ash wrapped his arm around my shoulders and I began to cry.

I hadn't realized how hurt I still am over what Aelfric did. I cried for a while letting it all out. Ash healed my heart as I cried. Eryn taught us how to do that. You let the person cry it out, bringing the pain to the forefront, and then you heal it entirely as they cry. The memory of pain is there, but the pain itself is gone.

"Thanks." I told him as I wiped my tears away with my sleeves.