Rem didn't know how to feel about Gally in particular, and nearly even protested, but if it was good enough for Ronan, it was good enough for her. Plus, he apparently had a brother that was with Oliver, even if she hadn’t met that shifter yet. She trusted Ronan’s judgement in that regard.
“You have a brother?”
“He is a few years younger than Suna and I. He lives with the Mountain Fang pack, but came south as soon as he heard I had left Scarlet. He has a mate up there, and she came with him. Mother will be happily surprised to see him.”
Every detail about this shifter before her fascinated her. “Well, thank you. I don’t like Gally, but your family… Is good. Oliver is safe withyourfamily.”
Ronan spoke again with a grittier rasp, and it reminded her how beat he must be. "If it weren't dangerous for him to come, I would have brought him here as a surprise for you."
She stared, unblinking. "That... You are kind. You areverykind."
For a moment he said nothing, the only movement being the slow rise and fall of his chest, and then he finally opened his eyes. "You care a lot for your family."
Their eyes connected before she slowly looked back down at the water, watching the candlelight make its way through the steam. "Family is home."
"What other family do you have?”
"Mother and father."
Ronan considered her before saying, "Where are they?"
She stared into those eyes that intimidated, emboldened, and roused her all at once. "Ashmire. One day, Oliver and I, were just gone," she said, slightly cringing at her failed mastery of his language. "I don't know how my parents are. Oliver and I are the only family for them. Their heart, it probably hurts, a lot. Broken—" she said, stopping herself as a flood of guilt and anger drowned her happiness.
Now that Oliver was secure, the next thing the Callons would pay for was putting her family through such heartache.
Ronan languidly blinked and looked away before closing his eyes again, dropping his muscled arms into the water. "We can correct that."
"What?"
He sighed through his nose once again. "There is no reason your family shouldn’t be with you.”
She tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear as she went over everything he just told her: from Owen, to Oliver, to her family, to how he seemed to think of everything... She looked over him once again, and this time, she saw him for the Alpha that he was.
Rem wasn't quite able to express her gratitude, unable to find the words in the foreign tongue. So, she went for a simple compliment, her tone as earnest as she could make it. "You are a really good leader."
The corner of his mouth gently curved upward. "Your Icelandic has improved. That's much better than 'You good alpha.'"
Her expression completely changed as her jaw dropped, a sly smile coming to her. She pulled her arm back and pushed the water forward, splashing him. "It’s better than your English."
His eyes opened, and he shot a warning glare, the water dripping down his face. Despite that, a humor softened his eyes. He slowly wiped his face, his brow cocked, before saying, "Well, aren't you bold."
“You said you like surprises," she replied, moving her shoulder in a coy manner. Only moments ago, she was ready to fall asleep in the water, but now, she was happy. Oliver was safe. Oliver washappy. And she had Ronan all to herself.
He let out a low growl, a rejuvenation reclaiming his weary eyes. He rose from his spot, which prompted her to do it again, but he grabbed her wrist with an agility that continued to surprise her, pulling her up out of the water so her breasts were bare and nearly touching him.
She stared into his pale blue eyes, heat radiating from his skin. She couldn't control the feeling of beingalive, her joy overtaking her. She flicked her free hand, splashing him again, a genuine laugh escaping her. "Letting your guard down?"
A smile slowly crept onto his face as he opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but instead he simply let his gaze wander her face.
Her mouth fell agape when her nipple grazed his skin, sucking in a breath of warm air. She wanted him. She wanted him to grab her, pick her up, and have her in whatever way he chose. Then, she wanted to lie next to him and learn more Icelandic so should speak to him all night. He picked up on the change.
No matter what, Rem couldn’t understand whyher. How was she the one to captivate him? Quietly, she asked, “Why you have an interest in me, not other Silvers?”
“I admire your dedication to your family,” he said, his eyes earnest. Her arm lowered in slight disappointment, as that sounded so formal, but he still gripped her wrist. He added, “I can have nearly any female I want, just from my position alone. Especially now, after this ordeal. So, to catch my interest, it has to be more than a pretty face. You already caught my eye in that regard, Rem, not even mentioning your scent… But I want someone who can stand on her own, someone who commands respect. So far, your loyalty to your brother and ability to endure is something I admire. And if I am to choose a Silver, I see no reason to ignore the curiosity I have for you. I have a feeling you will blossom well once you settle… And I admit,” his voice lowered, “that I don’t like the idea of another male getting to experience that.”
She was grateful that he spoke slowly so she could translate as much as possible, her pulse quickening with each word that he spoke. He leaned down to her ear, her body melting with each breath that she took. “I am very eager to see the she-wolf you will become. That fire excites me.”
Rem breathed in his musky, barely sweetened scent.
