Prince of Fate (Lions of Pride Island Book 2) Read online

  They took their seats and Kel asked Amber questions about her life, her schooling, and whether or not Jace was treating her well, all while slowly and methodically cracking open pistachios and popping them in his mouth as he leaned back on the too-small restaurant chair.

  As they chatted, a man came up to the table. He wore a black suit and tie with a white shirt that gave the impression of a businessman, though a fairly overworked one.

  “Hey Carter, what kept you so late?” Jace asked as he rose to give the man a quick hug.

  At first glance Carter looked a lot like Jace. Huge body, ripped muscles, tan skin. But upon closer inspection Amber saw that Carter had a more classically handsome face, with shorter, raven-black hair that looked more professional than Jace’s deliciously hot bad-boy looks. He also had piercing green eyes that Amber was sure could melt another woman’s heart if he wanted to.

  But for Amber, Jace was it. All she ever wanted and would ever want. But as their sister-in-law, Amber couldn’t secretly hope that Jace’s brothers got lucky and found the kind of happiness that she and Jace now shared.

  “Amber?” Carter said, sticking out a hand for her to shake with an apologetic look on his face. “Good to see you again.” He took a seat next to them. “Sorry for being late. I was at the office finishing some paperwork. My old partner is retiring this week, and rumor has it they’re setting me up with a detective that’s being transferred in from another precinct.”

  “Is he any good?” Jace asked as he reached under the table and squeezed Amber’s hand.

  “She, actually. And yes, apparently she’s quite good, despite being fairly new. I guess they want me to show her some of the ropes,” Carter said as he glanced at the menu, green eyes catching in the dim candlelight of the restaurant.

  Kel gave out an obviously fake cough to the side. “I’ll bet you will,” he muttered, before resuming his munching on pistachios.

  Carter made to throw the menu at Kel, and Kel flinched slightly, smirking with satisfaction at the reaction from his older brother.

  “It’s not like that, man,” Carter said as he folded up the menu and took a drink.

  “Who knows? Fate works in funny ways,” Jace interjected, turning to Amber and smiling at her. Just the slightest gaze from those beautiful, golden orange eyes and Amber could feel her skin warming with anticipation.

  As fun as it was getting to know Jace’s family, she wouldn’t mind being alone with him right now either.

  Carter just shrugged as Jace ordered a bottle of champagne for the table. After the waiter arrived and poured a glass for each of them, Carter raised his glass.

  “Well then, I’d like to propose a toast. Here’s to the newest member of our little group, Amber, and here’s to family.”

  “To family,” Amber and Jace chimed in as they raised their glasses too. Kel tipped his glass as well, but remained silent.

  As the night continued on and the four of them enjoyed dinner together, Amber couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful to feel so welcome into their little pack. Even though she was still learning more day by day about the shifter world and all of its quirks and laws, it helped that she had a wonderful mate who never stopped showing her just how much she meant to him.

  Once dinner had concluded, the four of them stood to leave. This time, both Carter and Kel gave Amber a warm embrace, seemingly hesitant to say goodbye to their new sister and friend.

  “I guess it’s time to head out,” Jace said, glancing at Amber with an heated gaze.

  “Yeah. I have to be in court at seven tomorrow morning, so you’re probably right,” Carter replied, straightening his tie and standing to leave.

  The four of them headed out together. Jace walked with his arm wrapped tightly around Amber, the two of them walking at the front while behind them Kel tried to convince Carter to set him up on a blind date with his soon-to-be partner. Which of course Carter flat-out refused.

  But as responsible and straight forward as Carter seemed to be, Amber hoped that he wouldn’t let that stand in the way of being with the right woman if she came along.

  As for Kel, Amber figured it would take a special kind of person to see through that stoic, controlled persona of his.

  “Goodnight, you two. Stay out of trouble,” Carter said with a wave as he and Kel walked away from them down the sidewalk, presumably towards their parked cars.

  “Of course,” Jace said, putting an arm around Amber’s waist as his brothers left. He nuzzled her neck. “Unless you want to get in some trouble.”

  “Stop it you, we’re still on the street,” she said, blood already heating at the thought of doing more with him, once they were alone.

  He grinned and stood tall, but kept his arm around her. As she and Jace turned for their car, Amber was again aware of the slight tingling sensation up her spine that she got whenever she was alone with Jace.

  “So, what do you think?” Jace asked as they arrived at his black muscle car. Once they moved, Jace had promised they would get her something a little more serviceable, though Jace still insisted that it be fitted with bulletproof glass regardless.

  “Of your family? Very interesting. It’s kind of nice having siblings that have their lives together,” she said.

  “Together? Hm, I guess that’s one way of putting it,” Jace said with a chuckle as he turned Amber’s back to the car and wrapped his coat around her, shielding her from the cold night air and greeting her with the delicious feel of his hard muscles.

  “You know, about what I said earlier. Maybe we could get into just a bit of trouble?” she said, running her hands over the smooth muscles of his arms.

  “Hm, maybe,” he teased, coming closer. “Just a bit.” He smiled wryly, then came down to press his lips to hers in a searing kiss. For a moment, everything stopped as they held each other, and time itself seemed to slow to a halt.

  Amber knew there were still many, many more experiences to have with her mate. Places they would go, things they would do. But right now, being held in his strong arms, safe with the knowledge that they would always have each other, it was the closest thing to perfection she could imagine.

  After what felt like forever, Jace’s lips left hers and he gazed down at her, his sunset eyes almost glowing in the dark, illuminated by the dim lights far away down the street.

  “Earlier you said I was perfect. Did you mean it?” she asked.

  “Of course,” he said, studying her with those striking eyes, so warm and soft as he gazed at her.

  “Would you mind showing me what you meant?” Amber asked coyly, feeling her temperature rise every second her body was pressed to his.

  Jace brushed her hair behind her ear, coming in close so that his breath blew over her ear in a way that made her shudder. “I’ll show you every damn day,” he said. Then he pulled back and kissed her again, and Amber melted against him.

  Every damn day sounded good.

  Thanks so much for reading Jace and Amber’s story! If you liked it, please consider leaving me a review, it really helps me as an author! I really appreciate your support!

  Carter’s story is next! Click below if you’d like to read it!

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