Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 12

Ambrose finished dressing our son and then Tate climbed into the king sized bed. Why are all the beds here so big?

After Tate was tucked in he asked me if I was going to sleep in bed with him. Ambrose turned to me to see what my answer would be.

“Uhm..” I said as my face heated. “Do you want me to?” I asked my son.

Tate looked between his dad and I before nodding his head.

“Just for tonight Mommy. Then I can sleep all by myself.” He said to me.

I frowned at him.

“You’ve never slept alone a day in your life.” I said.

“I have to start some time Mom.” Tate said with an eye roll. “I’m a big boy now. And you have Daddy to cuddle you at night.” He said and then rolled over in his bed.

My face heated.

Only my child would embarrass me by acting like I’m the one who needs someone to sleep with. Although, it would be very strange to sleep without him after these last five years.

Ambrose and I kissed Tate’s head before walking back out to the living room. I plopped down on the gray sectional and sighed. Today was one of the longest days of my life.

“Would you like some more whine?” Ambrose asked me.

My eyes popped open to see him standing a few feet away from me. That same look was in his eyes, the look that had my face hot all day. My core tightened and Ambrose’s nostrils flared. I wasn’t sure what the action meant but it did send excited tingles through my body.

A reaction that only Ambrose has ever ignited inside of me. Now wasn’t the time to focus on that though. We have a lot to talk about.

“Got anything stronger?” I asked with a dry laugh.

Ambrose smiled at me.

“I think that sounds like a great idea actually.” He said as he turned around.

I watched as he walked to the kitchen and adjusted his jeans. That was weird. Are they too tight on him?

My eyes trailed down his massive thighs. For f**k’s sake, one of his thighs is bigger than my head. His jeans don’t look too tight though.

Ambrose grabbed two small glasses and a large glass bottle from the cupboard. Then he came back to the couch and sat down next to me. He set the glasses down on the coffee table and poured us each a drink.

Ambrose handed me one and took the other. I downed mine in one go and then wished I hadn’t. I started coughing and then instantly felt the buzz.

“s**t, I’m sorry Epperly. I didn’t think you were going to down it like that.” Ambrose said as he tapped my back while I continued to cough. “One of my sister’s friend made this, it’s extemely strong even for supernaturals.” He told me.

Finally my coughing had finally stopped. I looked into Ambrose’s worried eyes and couldn’t help it when I burst out with laughter. Ambrose rolled his eyes at me as a dazzling smile fell on his lips.

“And I thought I served strong drinks.” I mumble after my laughter stopped.

Ambrose chuckled at my comment and then the air between us grew serious.

“We have a lot to talk about.” He said softly.

“Where do you wanna start?” I asked him with a sigh.

“Well, for starters you can tell me what you are.” He said.

I poured myself another drink and then turned my body towards him.

“I’m a Djin.” I said and then took a sip.

“Like a Genie?” He asked.

I nodded. “Sort of.” I said.

“So you can grant wishes.” It wasn’t a question but I nodded anyways. “Can Tate do that too?” He asked.

My eyes hardened.

“I haven’t tried to get him to grant a wish and I do not plan to.” I said.

Ambrose raised a brow at me.

“Why not?” He asked.

My heart panged.

“Because I don’t want anyone to know what he is.” I said in a whisper.

Ambrose gave me a pained look.

“So, whoever is after you doesn’t know that Tate exists do they?” He asked.

I shook my head.

“They can never know.” I said.

“Who is after you Epperly?” He asked.

I frowned.

“This isn’t fair. I want to ask questions too.” I whined.

Ambrose set his glass on the table and turned his body fully to me.

“Fine, we can take turns. What do you want to know?” He asked me.

“Your sister out there told me that you did something to the people who were after me five years ago. What’s that about?” I asked.

Ambrose sighed.

“Five years ago I was sent to Montana because we got a tip that there were Angels there. They have been hunting down Gods and Demigods and my family and I have been trying to stop them. Then I found you. The next morning when you were gone I went looking for you. I made Sam show me where you were living and the Angels showed up. At the time I had no idea that you were the person they were looking for. I’m not sure you want the details but I tortured them before leaving them in a very bad state. I’m honestly not sure if they even survived.” He told me.

I thought back to how I had extra time after leaving Montana. How no one had come to look for me and it gave me the time I needed to adjust to becoming a mother. I was thankful for it then but I had no idea that it was all due to Ambrose.

“It was you.” I whispered. “Because of you I had extra time with Tate before having to skip town again.” I said in complete awe. “What are you?” I asked.

Ambrose shook his finger at me.

“Uht uh. My turn.” He said and I rolled my eyes. “Who is after you?” He asked again.

I sighed.

“I have no idea. I just know that someone wants me. I think it’s a God but I have no idea which one or if there is more than one.” I told him honestly.

Ambrose frowned.

“How did you know to keep running if you don’t even know who is after you?” He asked.

I smirked at him.

“Ah ah, it’s my turn.” I said.

Ambrose chuckled.

“My bad.” He said.

“What are you?” I asked him.

Ambrose looked away from me for a moment, when his eyes returned to mine they seemed to be begging me for something.

“You know I am a Werewolf, a Vampire, and a Witch. I’m also a demon, since I am the Devil’s grandson.” He told me. “They refer to us as Demidevils, but our power is immense like a Gods. The Devil is conisdered a God, we would have had half the power we do now, if our mother wasn’t a tribrid.” He told me.

“I thought that the only tribrids were the Anderson family.” I said with a confused frown.

Ambrose’s eyes bore into mine. After a moment the realization hit me.

“Holy shit.. Your mom is an Anderson?” I asked.

Ambrose nodded.

“You are at the Anderson School right now.” He told me.

I stared at him with my mouth open unable to say anything.

“My turn.” Ambrose said. “How did you know to keep running?” He asked.

I downed the rest of my drink and then poured some more before continuing.

“That necklace you took from me. It is enhanced or something like that. It heats up and glows when someone who is dangerous is looking for me, and is near. That was why I left you the next morning.” I said as he stared into my eyes.

“It heated up and woke me. So, I ran.” I told him.

Ambrose stared into my eyes for a moment, those tingles spread through my body and I knew my face was beginning to heat up.

“I wish you would have stayed.” He told me and then set his open, warm palm on my knee. “I could have protected you both this whole time.” He said.

Is he leaning in closer?

“What makes you think that you could protect us?” I whispered.

Ambrose’s smile grew making my heart flutter. He is definitely getting closer. So, close that he’s only inches away from my face. I held my breath in anticipation. Ambrose reached his other hand up to my face and tucked some of my hair behind my ear. Then he sat back and removed both of his hands from me.

Why do I miss his touch already?

“Is that your question or did you want to ask something else?” He asked me.

I gave him a confused look before remembering what I had asked him.

“No I want to know. You say you’re like a God but what makes you think that you can protect us from one? Gods are the most powerful. And I think there is more than one after me.” I told him.

“I know there is more than one after you. None of them stand a chance against my family and me. That is how I know I can. I have an entire army here who will help to protect you.” He told me.

“I can’t ask them to do that..” I said softly. “I can’t ask people to risk their lives for me. Not when..” I trailed off not sure I wanted to bring up my past.

“Not when what?” Ambrose pushed softly.

I looked up into his eyes.

“I don’t want to tell you that.” I whispered as I looked down at my hands in my lap.

Ambrose’s fingers rested under my chin and he brought my face up to meet his. His expression is soft and there’s a small smile on his full lips. Is it getting hotter in here?

“I won’t push you to tell me anything that you don’t want to Epperly. But I do hope that you know that you can tell me anything. We’re mates. I am your other half. I will never judge you or abandon you.” He told me.

Definitely hotter in here.

Ambrose dropped his hand and I grabbed it before he could take it back completely. He smiled at me as I brought his hand to my lap. I tangled my fingers in his and stared at our interlocked hands as the tingles spread through my arm.

“Do you feel that too?” I asked him.

“The tingles and sparks?” He asked and I nodded. “Yeah,” He said with a chuckle. “I feel it. I felt it the very first time we were together too.” He said.

I thought back to that night. There were tingles then. How did I not notice it then?

“Why don’t I know that you’re my mate the way that you do?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He answered honestly. “For me, my wolf told me. I know for Vampires and Fae they just kind of know. Witches don’t though. A lot of them don’t really realize it until their marks are on their mate. It’s complicated.” He told me.

“Maybe you are like that. Your body reacts to me like a mates would. You feel safe and comfortable with me I assume. .” He trailed off as he stared at me, a question in his eyes.

It took me a moment to realize what he wanted.

“Oh!” I said. “Yeah, I do actually.” I told him.

Ambrose’s smile grew.

“You might not understand it in here.” He said as he pointed a finger to my head. “But you feel it in here.” He pointed to my heart.

I thought about what he told me. He’s right, I do feel connected to him in a way I never have before. Or at all. The only other person I felt a connection with was Kiah. I had friends back at the pack, but it was different with Kiah and Ambrose. Kiah was the father figure I never had, Ambrose…. well I guess he’s my mate.

“Do you have any more questions for me?” Ambrose asked.

I put my finger to my chin and thought about it for a minute. There are tons of questions running through my mind. Although, there is one thing he did just say that I didn’t understand.

“What’s a mark?” I asked him.

Ambrose eyes went wide and his face turned red.

“Uhm, a mark is how supernaturals show they found their mates.” He said.

I frowned, why is he acting weird over that?

“Are you going to give me a mark?” I asked him.

I suppose I do remember Angela telling me a little about marks. Some of the members had marks from their mates but I never really asked about it.

Ambrose eyes turned to mine. They darkened and it ignited heat in my core. He parted his lips and then licked them, my eyes zeroed in on the action and I had to take another drink to try and calm myself.

“Not right now.” He answered after a long pause.

I frowned at him. “Why not?” I asked.

Ambrose chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“You really don’t know a whole lot about supernaturals do you?” He asked.

Oh, you have no idea.

“Not really.” I said instead.

“Well, mates usually mark and finish the mating process the same night they meet each other.” He started but I interrupted him.

“Mating process?” I asked.

Ambrose’s face turned even more red and I couldn’t help but giggle at him. He’s so cute, its extremely unfair.

Wait, am I drunk?

Might as well have more then.

“When you meet your mate you have s*x, and mark them. That’s pretty much the mating process.” He told me awkwardly.

“But we already had s*x.” I said confused.

Ambrose let out another chuckle and nodded.

“Yeah, I remember, believe me I’d never forget that night.” He said with a smile.

“Me either.” I said with my own smile. “I’d never forget the only time I’ve ever had s*x and not to mention the son I got from the best night of my life.” I said and then took another drink.

Okay, definitely getting tispy.

Ambrose’s eyes darkened again.

“Best night of your life huh?” He asked.

Now it was my turn to get flustered.

“Uhm, I mean, I don’t have anything else to compare it to.” I said making Ambrose laugh.

“I can give you more to compare it to if you want.” He told me with a smirk.

It’s definitely getting hot in here now. I pulled at my shirt trying to fan myself. I’m pretty sure that my panties are soaking wet.

“Is it hot in here?” I asked lamely.

Ambrose chuckled and got up to open the window behind me. The breeze blew in fanning my hot body. Ambrose sat back down and grabbed my hand again.

“Better?” He asked and I nodded.

“So, how come you didn’t mark me that night?” I asked after a moment.

Ambrose gave me a sad smile.

“I wish I would of. I’ve regretted not doing it every day since that night.” He said softly. “I just wanted to tell you what I was first. I thought you were human just like you thought I was. I didn’t want to freak you out.” He told me.

“Why would it have freaked me out?” I asked.

Ambrose chuckled again.

“Okay maybe I should actually explain what a mark is. For Werewolves, it’s our wolves that surface to mark our mates. My canines will elongate and puncture you. It’ll hurt for a second but then its europhic. For Vampires they bite their mates and then a mark appears. It’s different for all of them. For Witches, their marks just appear. So far for my sisters, it has been a phase of the moon with their and their mates initials. And for Demons its a bit more complicated. There would be a small b***d exchange and some words in an acient language, then you would have another mark.” He explained.

“And I would have all of those?” I asked.

Ambrose nodded.

“For us to be fully mated yes. Marks connect mates even more. You’ll be able to do tons of things after you’re marked. But we can wait for that.” He told me.

I thought about the information he gave me.

“Can I mark you?” I asked him.

Ambrose’s eyes bore into mine.

“Goddess, I hope so.” He breathed out. “But right now I’m not sure. I don’t know much about Djin’s but I’m sure we have information in the archives.” He said.

“Archives?” I asked.

Ambrose nodded.

“Yeah, we have all kinds of information on all kinds of supernaturals here. It helps us to help the kids.” He told me.

I smiled. “What’s this place like?” I asked.

Ambrose smiled brightly.

“It’s the perfect place for you and Tate. The school teaches supernaturals not only about themselves, but how to live with humans. We teach all different kinds of things and we also make the kids learn self defense. If they want to learn to fight further than that, then we offer that as well. When they graduate they can either go out into the world or they can join the Black Opps Core.” He said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“The Black Ops Core, or BOC is an organization run by my family, well my sister. People call in reports or send them another way, when they need help. Tia, the second oldest, her mate, and a family friend named Brooke go through them and assign missions to the members. We help all kinds of supernatural communities and travel to different realms.” He told me.

“Other realms? They exist?” I asked and I moved even closer to him.

“Yeah, a lot of them. I can take you and Tate to some of them sometime. Maybe for the summer festival in the Fae realm. I think you two would like it.” He said as he brushed some hair out of my face.

“Wow..” I breathed out. “That would be so cool.” I said.

Ambrose chuckled. “It would be.” He agreed.

“So, what do you do here? Do you teach?” I asked him.

“Uhm, yeah you could say that.” He said and I frowned.

“I train the new recurits. When you join the BOC you have to train for a full year before being sent out on missions. I prepare them for missions.” He said.

I blinked at him for a moment.

“So, the people who go out as assasins or whatever, you train them?” I asked and Ambrose nodded. “No wonder why you’re so big.” I mumbled making him laugh. “Hmmmm, I love that sound.”

s**t did I just say that out loud?

Ambrose laughed again. I don’t know how I got this close to him but before I realized it I was practically in his lap. I stared up at him as he laughed and it felt like butterflies swarmed in my belly.

My free hand rested on Ambrose’s chest and his eyes flickered down to mine. His free hand came up to brush along my cheek.

“You have no idea how happy I am to have found you again.” He whispered.

Are we getting closer to each other again?

“Even if I get your home attacked?” I whispered back.

Ambrose smiled. “You’ll learn soon enough my love. No God, even multiple, would dare to start a war with us.” He told me.

“I hope you’re right Ambrose.” I said.

“I am Epperly.” He’s so close to me now that I can feel his hot breath fan my lips.

A deep need that I haven’t felt in five long years spread through me. Before Ambrose could say anything else I pressed my lips to his.

Ambrose kissed me back immediately. His soft and full lips moved in sync with mine. And then that deep need spread even more. I pushed back on Ambrose slightly and crawled more into his lap.

Our tangled hands moved to grip each other places. My hands wrapped around his neck and pushed into his hair loosening his man bun. Ambrose hands moved to my h**s and pulled me closer. Sparks ignited through my body.

Holy s**t, this feels so f*****g good. I missed touching him more than I realized.

Suddenly Ambrose pulled away from me. Unfortunately, I was too drunk to care why. I started to k**s down his neck and when he shivered, it only fueled me to keep going. My hands trailed down his huge chest as I nibbled on the sensitive part of his neck.

“Epperly.” Ambrose breathed out and the sound was so sexy. “Epp, baby, oh f**k.” He breathed out again.

I continued to move my hands down his chest as I sucked on his skin.

How can someones skin taste so good?

Suddenly I was flipped over onto my back with Ambrose hovering above me. My eyes snapped to his and his are so dark that I didn’t even care why he changed positions. If I remember correctly he liked changing positions anyways.

My legs wrapped around his waist and my hands trailed up his chest under his shirt. Ambrose shivered again and I couldn’t help how powerful that made me feel. To have someone so large and menacing shivering under my touch.

I love it.

“Epperly, you are drunk.” He told me.

I leaned up and licked up his neck to his ear before biting on his earlobe.

“So.” I whispered and he shivered again.

“I’m not taking this further when you’re intoxicated.” He said but it sounded forced.

I pouted as I fell back against the couch.

“Why? We’ve already had s*x.” I pracitcally whined.

“Yes, five years ago. Before you knew we were mates and before I knew I had a son.” He said softly.

I stared up at him and sighed. He’s right I suppose. I’m just drunk and much hornier than I thought I would be.

“Do you hate me for it?” I asked softly.

“Hate you for what baby?” He asked as he brushed his thumb across my cheek.

“Keeping him from you?” I asked.

Ambrose shook his head.

“I could never hate you to start off with, but you didn’t know. I’m just glad to be here now, with both of you.” He said.

“Well, I thought you wanted to try for another?” I asked as I pulled his closer with my legs.

Ambrose chuckled.

“I’d love to, when you aren’t drunk or at least when you’ve been here longer.” He said as he unwrapped my legs from his body.

Ambrose sat up and pulled me up with him. I’m back to sitting in his lap and I don’t think I’ve ever felt this relaxed in my life.

“Can I ask you stuff about Tate?” Ambrose asked me.

“What do you wanna know?” I asked him.

“What was it like moving with him so much?” Ambrose asked.

“Hard.” I said honestly. “It was hard enough on my own, but with Tate… The anxiety was the worst. He spent all of his time locked up in whatever s**t hole we were living in at the time. He hated it. The kid has begged me to go to school for the last year.” I said with a laugh.

“I taught him as much as I could but he craves to be around other people.” I said.

“He needs a pack.” Ambrose said.

“You don’t have one.” I countered.

“No I don’t. But I have a big family and I grew up here. It might not be a pack but we pretty much are here. We look out for each other, protect each other.” Ambrose told me.

“Can Tate have all of that now?” I asked Ambrose as I looked into his eyes.

Ambrose grabbed my face with both of his hands.

“You both can.” He told me.

I nodded.

“Okay.” I whispered then leaned into his palm.

“Epperly, did Tate kill someone before you guys arrived here?” Ambrose asked.

My eyes popped open.

“It wasn’t his fault.” I defended immediately.

“Baby, it’s alright. I’m not mad, neither of you are in trouble, but I need to know everything so that I can help better.” He told me softly.

Everything?

I took a deep breath.

“The first time was a few weeks ago. We were traveling to the next place and stopped at a gas station. Someone attacked me from behind, a human. That was when Tate used magic for the first time. He lifted the man into the air and snapped his neck.” I told him.

“That explains why he acted strangely when I asked if he ever used magic.” Ambrose commented.

“When else?” He asked.

How does he know it happened more than once?

“The second time was the night before we got to this town. The neighbor of the place we were living at was a bad man. He waited until I got home from work and held a gun to my back. Things escalated quickly and that was the first time Tate shifted. I didn’t even know he was a wolf. He ate some of the man and eventually changed back. I cleaned him up, grabbed our stuff, and booked it out of there.” I told him.

“He didn’t mean it, he was just protecting me. He’s just a kid..” I defended my son.

“I know Epperly.” Ambrose said. “He did a great job protecting you. And you did a wonderful job raising him so far. But you are not alone anymore though. I’m here now, for the both of you.” He told me.

I smiled at him. Not being alone anymore sounds amazing, but can I really have that? After everything with the lab and loosing my home after that… I’m not sure I know how to not be alone.

Can Ambrose really give me the life I’ve always wanted?