Kindling Flames: Smoke Rising (The Ancient Fire Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

“This is a sweet computer.” He closed out of the window he had been using to surf the Internet. “It’s nice to see that you have finally joined this century, but you really should pick better passwords. It only took me five minutes to guess it.”
    Darien chuckled as Rupert got up from his chair. “Miss Westernly thought it would help with the business.” He nodded at the sleek machine. “So, how many ways did you spell ‘Dubhlainn’ before you got it right?”
    “Six.” Rupert chuckled. “It’s that double ‘n’ at the end that gave me trouble.” He came out from behind the desk so Darien could take his normal chair. The local pack alpha dropped himself into one of the leather seats in front of Darien’s desk and stuck out his legs, crossing his ankles.
    Darien watched as Rupert folded his hands over his chest and relaxed into the soft leather. “So, what can I do for you today?” He sat forwards in his chair and folded his hands on his desk.
    Rupert looked at him through half-lidded eyes and yawned slightly. “You work too early in the morning.” He wiggled to get more comfortable in the chair.
    Darien snickered at him. “You didn’t have to get up so early and come here. I would’ve made time for you later.” Darien leaned back into his chair and relaxed. If Rupert wasn’t getting to the point, then nothing was seriously wrong.
    “I haven’t been to bed yet.” Rupert closed his eyes. “Been up all night dealing with the wolves. They’re stressed out over the new master in town.”
    Darien chuckled. “Christian Bridges,” he said, slightly disgusted. The new master had made a bad impression on him at the club. “He is powerful, but I don’t think he’ll give the Council any trouble.” Darien had taken a moment to size up the man during their handshake. “I gave him Clara’s number so he can talk to her about residency.”
    “I heard about the scene at the club from Zoe. Is Vicky okay?” Rupert sounded a little worried about the woman. He had been a little rough with Vicky when they first met, but he had grown to like her.
    “Yes, Miss Westernly will be back in a little bit with coffee, and you can ask her yourself if you like.” Darien turned his attention to his computer to get started on his day. It was obvious that Rupert only wanted to touch base with him about the master.
    “You and your coffee.” Rupert chuckled.
    Darien gave him a fake offended look that the wolf missed behind his closed eyes. Shaking his head, he pulled up the numbers that he would have to go over before the board meeting at nine. They would tell him if he needed to address the board with praise or a ball bat.
     
    ***
     
    Vicky walked into Darien’s office with the morning refreshments. She quietly set his coffee and Danish next to him, placing a blueberry muffin and coffee on the desk for the sleeping werewolf. Sue, the spunky wolf that ran the café, had warned Vicky that her brother was up visiting and sent him breakfast.
    “Thank you,” Darien said as Vicky laid the newspaper on the desk next to his coffee.
    Walking over to the cabinet, she pulled a woven throw out and fluffed it over the alpha. During her morning chat with Sue, Vicky had found out the poor man had been up all night dealing with a tense pack. It was only a few more days until the full moon, and the wolves were wound up with the growing energy. The addition of a few new vampires just added to that chaos.
    “Let me know if you need anything.” Vicky slipped from the office and shut the heavy, wooden door.
    Darien let out a contented sigh and nodded. Picking up his pastry, he took a big bite out of it and made a sound that bordered on the edge of obscene. He had no idea why he suddenly had a craving for the treat, or why it tasted so good today. Picking up his cup, he sipped the caramel macchiato. It was heavenly this morning. Caffeine didn’t affect vampires like it did normal people, but Darien loved the way the smell and