Chapter 29 Taya Quinn POV We were halfway back to the Keep when I caught it .... that damn scent . Smoke . And cardamom . 7 I skidded to a stop mid stride , my paws digging into the mossy earth as the scent wrapped around me like a warm damn blanket . Zuki's voice echoed in my head like a feral squeal . Zuki : " Mate . It's him . Rylen's close . " My heart stuttered . I turned , sniffed again . Yep . Definitely smoke . And cardamom . With just a hint of leather and something I could only describe as Alpha swagger with a side of danger . Me : " Calm down , it could just be a bonfire .. " Zuki : " With HIS BONES NEXT TO IT . Let's go ! " I howled once to Elowen ... short and sharp , and veered off the path , crashing through the underbrush like a heat seeking wolf missile . A few moments later , I burst into a clearing bathed in soft orange firelight . And there they were . Rylen Verric , all six foot five of muscled , tatted beta energy leaning back against a log with a half empty bottle of dark liquor in one hand , his eyes glowing in the firelight . Beside him sat Jace Ironpaw , the gamma's son , smirking like he knew secrets he shouldn't . A guitar rested next to his leg , fingers tapping against the strings like he was half drunk and half inspired . Elowen caught up just behind me , shifting as she stepped into the light , both of us scrambling to pull on the clothes she'd stashed earlier under a tree root . Basic leggings and oversized shirts , we looked feral chic , but whatever . Rylen turned as we stepped into view , and gods ... the way his gaze landed on me ? Like I was the fire . " Taya , " he said , voice rough and warm , like he'd been waiting to say my name all night . Zuki damn near purred . Zuki : " He knows . His wolf knows . Sit on his lap . Lick his jaw . Climb him like a damn tree ... " Me : " Zuki , holy shit . " 1/3 12:01 Mon , Sep 22 Chapter 29 Jace raised an eyebrow . " Y'all look like you ran through hell . " Elowen smirked . " Emotionally ? We did . " We sat down beside the fire , accepting the bottle Jace passed over like it was holy medicine . Whatever it was burned going down , but gods , it hit just right . Warmth bloomed in my chest . The tension bled out of my shoulders . Rylen didn't say much , but he moved just a little closer every time I looked away . And Zuki ? Zuki was vibrating . Zuki : " Touch him . Elbow graze . Accidental knee bump . FALL INTO HIS LAP . " Me : " You're embarrassing me . " Zuki : " Do it or I will . " 64 I finally let my knee brush his . The jolt that shot through my body was instant . Like lightning wrapped in velvet . He stiffened just slightly ... then leaned into it . His scent flared , Beta strength and home and gods , him ... and I knew Anton , his wolf , had just shoved his way to the front too . Rylen didn't speak , just handed me the bottle and watched me like I was the only thing he saw . We drank , and danced as Jace played the guitar , letting ourselves go and it felt amazing . I definitely had to much to drink . Elowen was chugging from the bottle like it was a lifeline . By the time we stood to leave , I was giggly , flushed , and lightheaded in the best way . Elowen was worse , tripping over roots , mumbling about cupcakes and sword dancing . " Okay , okay , " Jace laughed . " Time to get the moon witches back home , before Daxon has our asses . " Rylen stood next to me and offered his arm . My eyes glowed as I looked up at him . I'm 5'3 , he is 6'5 , no clue how this will work , but damned if I'll figure it out . I vibrated with happiness as the lightning coursed through my body again at his touch . Zuki just purred like a kitten . I was in deep shit . We stumbled through the trees , Elowen leaning into me like a drunk little sprite , until we reached the edge of the Keep grounds . And there they were . Daxon and Ash . Waiting . Both of them looked her over at once , the smudged makeup , the tangled hair , the red cheeks , and stepped forward without a word . Daxon scooped her up bridal style like it was nothing . Ash trailed close behind , murmuring something about hydration and a hot bath , his jaw tight but his eyes warm . 2/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!