Cinder and Char Read Online Free PDF Page A

greeting. Ulfric was similar to him in looks, build, and size. They were always mistaken for twins, but their physical appearance was where their similarities ended. Ulfric would resort to anything, including dishonoring himself and the clan, to obtain power.
    “Welcome home, brother. You departed in such a hurry you left the clan open for a take-over.”
    “If Father were still here—-”
    “Keep up with the times, Char. After Father died, you instantly left on a foolish quest across the galaxy to find your mate. Did you expect we’d all wait here patiently like meek lambs for your return?”
    Char let out a silent curse. He’d never gotten along with Ulfric, but he thought they had gotten past their competitiveness and animosity during the past year when they had to work together while their father was dying. They even found some measure of peace after uncovering several political schemes from rival clans who intended to overthrow their ruling clan—or so Char thought.
    Ulfric’s betrayal stung, because he’d been deceiving himself in thinking he and his brother could work out their differences and rule Woof together.
    Char also didn’t like the way his brother’s leering eyes finally rested on Cinder.
    “The little terran clinging to you—is he your mate, brother?”
    Protective instincts swept over him when he felt Cinder clutching at his arm.
    “Cinder isn’t part of this, Ulfric. If you want to arrest me and my men, then arrest us, but let Cinder go.”
    Char knew he'd said the wrong words, because Ulfric’s smirk grew wider, showing sharp rows of canines. “Why would I do such a thing, brother, when I can use your mate to keep you in line?”
    Char and the beast inside him growled as one. Ulfric could do with him as he pleased. His brother could torture, main and execute him for all he cared, but involving Cinder was crossing the line. He could feel the rest of his wolves reacting to his anger. They were primed and ready for a fight as he was. The slender fingers on his bicep tightened in warning, making him remember Cinder was still beside him.
    “Don’t do it, Char. You’ll die,” Cinder hissed.
    “This is our way, Cinder. You knew how it was going to be when you mated a shifter.”
    “Well, isn’t this stupid? Are you really just going to let your asshole of a brother get the better of you, and kill you and your men in the process?” Cinder went on, undaunted by his snarl. “I mean sure, it’s touching that you’re all manly and protective of me, but if you’re dead, what will that achieve?”
    Char glowered at his mate, but his human brain recognized the logic there. Slowly, his human half regained control.
    “Alpha, orders?” Gunter asked.
    “Cinder’s right. Stand down,” Char ordered.
    Ulfric looked surprised for a moment, then mocking laughter bubbled out of him. “Who could ever imagine my ferocious warrior brother rendered weak and soft? The heir to the throne, whipped by a terran boy.”
    Cinder threw Ulfric a severe and withering look of contempt and disdain only he was capable of. “Well, excuse me, Mister Traitorous Bastard. Char is twice the man and shifter you’ll ever be.”
    Char couldn’t help but be both amused and proud of his sassy mate.
    “You insignificant little terran shit,” Ulfric growled. “Be careful of your next words, or I might just decide to eat you for supper.”
    Cinder slipped a slender private vid screen from a compartment in his tight fitting, silver full-bodysuit.
    “Unfortunately, according to the Ever-after Galaxy’s Inter-planet Accords, which your planet is part of, you have to treat political prisoners with some degree of civility.”
    Char wasn’t sure why Cinder always carried the Ever-after Galaxy’s interplanetary handbook in his vid, but he was grateful for it. His mate had quoted from the same damn book about some kind of employment law or some sort when Char bought him from Sulli.
    “What nonsense are you spouting?”