by AJ Blackburn
The Embers of Phoenix
The Inferno Pack
AJ Blackburn
Contents
The Embers of Phoenix
Authors Note
Untitled
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
The Embers of Phoenix
The Inferno Pack
Book One
AJ Blackburn
Copyright © 2020 by AJ Blackburn
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
AJ Blackburn asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
AJ Blackburn has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
First edition
Editing: Emma Luna at Moonlight Editing
Cover Design: Leanne Brown at Sirenic Creations
Formatting: Kat Blak
Authors Note
This story contains adult sexual content and mature language. This book is intended for readers eighteen years and over.
AJ Blackburn is a British Author and therefore writes with British spelling throughout her work.
For my family, the ones who still roam the earth and for those who departed far to fucking soon! Without each of you then I wouldn’t be the potty mouthed and slightly crazy individual I am today.
Maybe this is where I should apologise to you all for the smut written in the next however many pages…but what's the point, you all know me well and you weren't born yesterday.
Hell, I miss you Daddy. I wish you could have seen this!
“Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and true as the sky, and the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
- The Law of The Jungle by Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)
As I sit watching my sister Ember’s mating ceremony, I can feel my heart swell in my chest with pride and happiness for her. The way her golden dress swirls around her legs, her long auburn hair flows in tresses down her back and over her shoulders, she looks so beautiful. Finally, she’s getting all she’s ever desired. I watch as Ember glides her way through the middle of our pack, right to her mate. They will be official mates after tonight, at long last.
The harvest moon is high and full, and casts its light down on them both. Ember reaches Hunter, who stands next to our father, Dane, Alpha of the Inferno pack. The pack is aptly named Inferno because our father, the ruthless bastard he is, likes to not only butcher and kill those who wrong him, but then he sets fire to their remains. All the packs know not to piss him off. We have a reputation as a great pack, but it’s fear that makes us the best.
Whilst everyone else may know not to piss Dane off, that doesn’t always apply to his only children. Ember never pisses our father off, she is the apple of his eye. I was part of that apple at one time too. Right until I turned down the offer of an arranged mating that would have gotten him an allegiance with the most powerful Alpha in Australia. Unfortunately for my daddio, I'm not a piece of meat that’s for sale.
Luckily for Ember she'd already met Hunter, her fated mate, her soulmate. Sometimes I envy her and feel sad about not having someone so devoted to me. When I watch their interactions, the little sweet things they do for each other, I get a pang of longing for my own mate. I also get a euphoric feeling of happiness for my sister. Being twins gives us an extra special bond and I know that she has always wanted a mate, whereas I‘ve never been quite sold on the idea. I'm sure I couldn't cope with a mate who would need that level of total devotion back. Or what if I fell in love and they didn't love me back? That feeling would destroy me, and I can’t let any male hurt me, ever. It's possible some daddy issues are afoot here. But just the thought of falling in love makes my stomach flip a little and not in a good way, instead it’s the thought of being left or disregarded that scares me. So, I avoid that kind of thing, make sure I’m always the one in charge and am never hurt. My friends with benefits situation suits my life right now.
Chattering around me brings me back to focusing on Ember. She stands tall and strong, hand in hand with Hunter, who towers over her. Damn, she is one lucky bitch my twin sister. Hunter is the embodiment of every woman’s wet dreams; tall, athletically muscled body, dark messy styled hair, deep brown eyes, lips that can either give you one of those boyish cute grins, or a sensual smile that can turn your panties damp in seconds. However, those smiles are only ever aimed at Ember. Like I said, she’s one lucky bitch. It’s a shame we are fraternal twins and not identical, I could have switched places with her sometimes. I’m super good at stealth. I bet I could sneak into her cabin and slip into their bed without Hunter knowing…just kidding. Maybe (wink wink). No, honestly, Ember knows full well she means too much to me and I'd never trespass on a relationship, especially one of true mates. I do still love winding her up about it, I’m a bitch that way.
The ceremony continues as my father's voice echoes around us. "By the light of the harvest moon, I, Alpha of the Inferno pack and father to Ember, call on the spirits of our past to join you both together as true mates for all eternity, in this life and the next. Your faith and trust in each other will make you stronger together than you will ever be apart. From this day forth, one shall not live without the other."
Those last words ring out like a fucking church bell. If one should die, then so shall the other after the bonding of blood is complete. That thought twists like a knife to the gut. I couldn't live without my sister either. I know that technically I could, it’s not like I would die instantly the moment she does like Hunter will, but still, we have a bond that cannot be broken.
"Give me your hand, child." Dane holds his palm up and Ember lies hers on top but still facing upwards. In his other hand is a dagger, made from beautifully carved bone with a white wolf's head on the handle and emerald jewels for eyes. He slices it across my sister’s palm and I feel the tell-tale ti
ngle that emulates the echo of Ember’s pain, on my right hand too. As long as our twin connection to one another is open I can feel her pain. My father then does the same to Hunter's left hand and joins them together. They entwine their fingers, locking their bleeding hands together, mixing their blood and becoming one.
"By the blood running in your veins, you are one, eternally." Dane’s voice bellows as he raises his arms to the moon, and our pack goes wild, like someone hit the detonate button. Whoops and cheers, wolf whistles and howls, ring out through the clearing of our forest territory. I think we may actually be rattling the Scottish mountains that we live between. Hunter claims my sister’s mouth in a dominating kiss. From the way her legs almost give out, I just know she’s wishing she was alone with him so she could be ruthlessly fucked instead. Some of us are a little more voyeuristic, but not Ember. The prude likes her private time.
Ember is practically glowing as together they make their way through the crowd. Everyone kisses Ember on the cheek. The males that do get sharp, hostile looks, and a few rumbling growls from Hunter, who in return receives some manly smacks on the back. We are all a pack, which means family, so naturally, we torment the absolute shit out of each other. We would also kill for one another and have done in the past. Looking around at everyone here makes me smile, Inferno wolves do love a good party. The music has started and the pups of the pack are already running riot, making my smile turn to a giggle. Being a pup was so much fun, you could get away with murder at that age, just pull out the puppy dog eyes and poof, all the naughtiness forgotten. Ember and I had done it often.
The newly mated couple finally make their way to me and I sweep my beautiful sister up in a huge hug before spinning us around giggling.
"Those aren’t tears I see are they, Phoenix?" she asks as I put her back on her feet. Good thing we aren’t drunk yet, we would not have stayed upright if we were. I swipe my eyes quickly, I knew she would notice.
"No, I never cry at anything, and if I am weeping at this,” I sweep my arm over them both before continuing, “It’s because I’m getting upset over how long it’s taking and I want cake!" The cowbag full on laughs at me. Ignoring Ember, I turn to look at her mate. Schooling my face into a serious mask, I point my finger at him, poking him in his chest, a sculpted hard chest I might add.
"Hurt my sister, boy, and I will not only castrate you with a spoon, but then I'll dangle those mother fuckers you call balls, for the world to see as I skip around joyfully laughing." I narrow my eyes at Hunter. It’s my duty as her sister to warn him, but I know full well he would never hurt her. From the moment he locked eyes on her four years ago, he’s never looked at anyone else. He’s totally and irrevocably in love and devoted to her, but still it’s funny to watch him squirm. His throat bobs as he gulps my statement down, a very sinister grin spreads across my face. Unfortunately for Hunter, he also knows I’m crazy and would totally go through with it just for the shits and giggles. Four long years they have had to wait till Dane would let them bind to each other. Yet he'd wanted me shipped off as soon as he could. If I could roll my eyes at him each time he bangs on about being mated, without getting reprimanded for it, I would.
"There you both are, the newly-mated." The sing-song voice of our mother, Edith, comes up behind us. Fuck sake, I just want to make my way to the buffet and snag some of that epic looking chocolate cake, maybe some profiteroles to go with it, possibly some whipped cream too. I turn around after Ember and Hunter do, taking one last longing look at the array of food on the buffet table. I just know Jordan will be scoffing his face in no time, trying to eat it all before me, because my fuck boy loves to be a tool. In our pack you have to get to the buffet fast because some of these wolves can really pack it in, myself included. Instead I have to listen to my mother.
"Ahh, look at you both," she practically sings whilst beaming at them. "Ember, you look absolutely beautiful, my sweet girl," she gushes out as she strokes a hand down my sister's cheek and kisses the other. Ember takes after our mother, with their matching long waves of auburn hair, big brown eyes that always glint with mischief, round cherub faces, perfect bow shaped lips, and their slim athletic bodies. The only thing we all have in common is our heights; Ember and I are five foot six, and Edith is just an inch shorter. I, however, took on Dane's features; thick dark hair, golden eyes and strong jawline. Yay, lucky me. Not forgetting our button noses. His hair is now peppered with white these days and obviously it’s kept short compared to my long, loose curled waves.
Hunter kisses my mother's hand and tells her they will come and find her later because Ember is starving and needs food. Urmm hello, so do I! Turning back to the buffet table, I practically stomp my way there; the hanger is starting to get to me. No one wants a hangry Phoenix at the party. A wolf whistle behind me stops my heavy stomping and irritation washes over my body at the sound.
"Oh, for fucks sake, Jordan, I'm starving! Can't you just wait until I've eaten!" I grind out through clenched teeth. His strong hand snakes around my waist as his muscled toned body pushes flush against my back.
"But you look so edible yourself, I want to take a bite." His lips brush my ear and then his teeth nip the same soft spot. I involuntarily clench my thighs together. The heat that pours off his body, the sound of his voice, and his honed ripped body is mind addeling. However, this is about all he has going for him. Jordan, is the definition of arrogant charm, and he's a total player, which to be honest suits me just fine. Right now though, I could snap his hand off and shove it up his arse if I don’t get my food. He must sense my wild rage bubble to the surface and he quickly steps back.
"I'll find you later, sweet ass," he coos with a spank to my arse. I let out a yelp as he turns to leave.
Right, this time I'm making it. I full on march my way to the buffet, my pack mates and guests part like the Red Sea. I finally reach the table and there is…nothing left, just dribs and drabs of food, my heart actually fucking sinks. Why does the world hate me so much? Someone taps my shoulder disturbing me from my self pity. I turn around totally defeated, to find Ember holding a loaded plate of food out to me.
"I saw Jordan snag you back there, your eyes filled with a twisted kind of rage, so I thought I'd grab your food for you before it was all gone. I know everyone here scoffs like they have never eaten before. Hunter has your cake and profiteroles at the table." She leans in closer, “he even got you whipped cream.” She winks at me. This is why I'd die without her.
“I’m going to kiss him, you know that right?” I say, my face lights up as my heart picks itself back up off the forest floor. Ember laughs at me. I take the plate off her before she throws it at me for my comment. It’s loaded with cold meats, an egg mayo sandwich, salad, quiche, pork pie, and a handful of crisps. In my head I’m doing a happy dance. My inner bitch also settles down now she is being fed. Yeah I know, I shouldn't get so pissed off about no food, but I'd helped out all day to prepare this party and I'd not eaten. When I thought about eating it was too late. I'd finally gotten strapped into my black dress, which has a tight basque like bodice that doesn't allow much breathing room, or eating for that matter. The silky material flows down my body, clinging to my skin so tightly. It’s going to be impossible to hide the food baby I just demolished. Possibly shouldn’t have worn such a clingy material, hell I look hot as fuck though. Both of my legs move through the slits in the fabric as I walk, so with each step my legs flash all the way up to the naked flesh of my thighs. I love it, and that’s coming from a girl who doesn’t dress up much. In fact, the only times I have worn dresses is at other mating ceremonies. I’m more of a jeans and casual t-shirt woman.
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect night. I’m now eternally bound to Hunter, the one wolf who completes me. I know my soul has been looking for him since the day I first shifted. Yes, being ten and thinking about your true mate might sound weird, but wolves grow up quicker. Looking at Hunter now, my heart, body, and soul finally feels calm and content, settled, for the
first time in a long time. I remember the first time I saw him, surprisingly, considering Phoenix and I were blind drunk at the time, playing chicken. Well our own kind of chicken. Our Dad didn’t know where we had gone and we could feel how pissed he was through the pack bond. He’d been more pissed at Phoenix than me, he always was. But the fact is, both of us normally got into trouble. We bounced off each other, dared each other to do stupid things constantly. He always blamed Phoenix and not me. I always tried to take the blame, but he never listened. He is still angry with her about the fact she told him where to shove his arranged mating. I still cannot work out why he’s so desperate to mate her half-way across the world, it annoys me that he wants to split us up like that. I’m sure he has some reason for doing it, I’d like to know the truth, maybe one day I’ll find out.
But yes, back to the story, we were both blind drunk and with God knows how many males from our neighbouring pack, the Galaxy Wolves. Hot males, I will add. We knew most of them but some we had never met. In pure Phoenix style we had been playing drinking games for most of the night, which had led to some clothing being lost. I was in shorts and a bra, and my sister had somehow lost all her clothes apart from her pink thong, but she managed to steal one of the guys tops that came to mid-thigh on her, so she could keep some of her modesty. She had been so drunk that she’d ended up throwing her clothes onto the bonfire, ‘making it burn better’ she had said. Then we moved onto playing kiss or dare. I eye rolled at her for that one too. So, while my sister was tongue twisting with every male the bottle spun towards, I had to climb the tallest tree for a dare. Seems strange yeah, but I then had to pretend to be Tarzan.