kind that can give birth to mini-bots.” I kept my voice low as I dropped a little more information.
Drake raised his brows, his interest definitely piqued. “Y’all must know that’s my favourite kind. And what I don’t know, I can learn real quick.” He smirked and his eyes twinkled. “But what learning material d’ y’all have for me?”
Oh yeah, he was definitely on this. A spark of hope flickered in my chest, and I smiled. “Leave that to me. When I have some learning material for you, can you study in private?”
Drake nodded, his mouth twisting. “I can, though it would be useful to have an assistant.”
“Know anyone?” I enquired, thinking through all the people in the prison and coming up empty.
Drake unfolded his arms and leaned back on his hands on the table, eyebrows drawn, obviously thinking. “Not in my pack, no.”
“Okay. I’ll find you someone.” Though from where I had no idea. But there had to be an IT geek somewhere among all the people in this prison.
“Is there a time frame on this robotics learning curve?” Drake enquired, his green eyes narrowed.
“Yes, two weeks.”
“Am I allowed to know what’s going on after two weeks?”
“Yes, you are, but not yet.”
“Hmm, and what’s my part after your two weeks are up?”
I smiled, not being deliberately obtuse, but I really didn’t know what Drake’s part would be. The plan in my head was only just forming. He didn’t need to know that though, and neither did Owen. “Like I said, I’ll let you know as soon as I have your learning materials and an assistant.”
Inclining my head to the door, I gestured to Owen that we should leave, but before we stepped out, I turned back around. My heart and soul had already claimed Ember as my mate, but Drake didn’t know that. That lack of clarity couldn’t continue, not when she was part of his pack. “Don’t expect Ember back in her cell after training is done. She’s spending her evening with me.”
Drake gave me a long hard look as he crossed his arms over his thick chest, then gave a cursory nod. I didn’t like the warning in his eyes, so I turned away before my wolf could see it as a challenge. My boot squeaked as I pivoted on the concrete floor and stepped out of the door.
“Choices, Prime, remember that.” His voice was quiet, but full of warning.
I didn’t bother to answer him. Ember could have all the choices she liked, as long as they didn’t put her at more risk, and as long as she chose me.
Chapter 13
Ember
* * *
Kawan held out his hand, and I helped him up from the mat. His handsome face was covered in a sheen of sweat, and his dark hair gleamed. He’d been training with Lionel and me under Rawson’s tough tuition for the last two hours. Lionel had dipped into the next ring with D and although Kawan wasn’t as heavily muscled or as tall as the lion shifter, he was fast and lethal.
“You still okay to keep doing this?” I asked Kawan, glaring at Rawson who’d enlisted the alpha’s help. Kawan had been a patient and cheerful training partner. His attitude with me didn’t change even when I’d thrown him to the ground dozens of times.
“Sure am.” He flashed his white teeth, his canines making an appearance.
I grinned back. It took a special kind of male to be slammed into the mat over and over and not mind, especially after Lionel had bowed out, the pussy.
“I haven’t had so much fun being thrown around by a beautiful woman in ages.” Kawan waggled his brows and smirked.
“Cut the smooth talk, brother. You’ve never been thrown around by any woman as beautiful as my Firecracker.”
That drawl sent my stomach into a mess of butterflies.
“Yep, totally agree, Prime.” Kawan winked down at me, all charm and handsomeness. If I didn’t already know that he was a killer, that smile and the amused twinkle in his dark eyes would sure fool me.
In one powerful move that left me drooling, Connor vaulted into the ring. Of course, I pretended not to notice and bent to pick up an old towel instead of ogling him.
“That’s enough for today.” Connor addressed Rawson then narrowed his gaze on me, his sky blue eyes studying me from head to toe and sending my heart into flutters worthy of a teenage girl. I scowled at my reaction and busied myself, retying my hair and wiping the sweat