Twilight of Embers (Dragons of Ember Hollow, #1)

by Tessa Hale

Five men and one woman. What a hell of a lucky woman she would be.

I blinked a few times, staring into those beautiful green eyes. There was nothing but truth there. He did know. And that knowing made me feel truly seen for the first time in years.

Finding a mate changed everything. And not always for the better. Sometimes finding a mate meant having your whole world ripped out from under you.

“You’re not going to be alone anymore.”

“No more shadows.” I couldn’t help it. I laughed. “Life is full of them.” “Not for you. Not anymore.” I grinned at him. “I love that you think you can just erase them.” “Not just think. I can.

Our bond was going to eat this girl alive. She was tiny and delicate, with clearly no idea of what we were or what she was.

“Cáel doesn’t usually touch…anyone,” Knox explained. “He can’t handle the contact.”

“You’re kind of a miracle, Hayden Parrish.”

It wouldn’t matter if Hayden never shifted. She’d still be the most important being on the planet to me.

Some part of my brain knew it because the man before me was a predator. And the way he was looking at me told me one thing. I was the prey.

“What about you?” she challenged. “Where are you from?” The depths of hell. That would’ve been closer to the truth.

There would be consequences for what I’d done. But looking down at the woman in my arms, she was the only thing I could think about. She was everything. And I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Teaghlach Clan territory. Gaelic for family. Because that was what we were. Family by choice, which in many cases was stronger than blood.

“What do you think it would be like to have five men devoted to your every need?”

“Does he know that I’m going to take you to bed sometime soon and fuck you so hard you’ll feel me for days? Yes, Little Flame, he does. And he likes it.”

“I’d take a blade for you a thousand times.” My eyes burned as my head swam. “Why?” “Because you matter.”

“You care about me?” I stared into those violet eyes. “I’d do anything for you.”

“Make her shatter, brother. Tell me what it feels like to have her strangle your fingers like she’s going to strangle my cock.”

“You will always have a choice, Little Flame. But know that we were made to love you.”

“Remind me I’m alive, Cillian.”

I think it would kill me to walk away from you, Little Flame.”