Emberwood the art of barter

Smash wanted to say something even before Luke finished, though she bit her tongue and let him get his words out before clarifying, "I personally don't think being mates is a requirement for leading a pack together. As long as the two of you work and play well together, the exact nature of the relationship shouldn't matter. I get it, it's ideal and traditional for a mated pair to rule but... I don't know... maybe it's just me." She shrugged her shoulders and shot him a lighthearted smile. "I'm not necessarily one for the -isms, I guess. Idealism and traditionalism, I mean."

"Anyway," she continued after taking a breath. She rose onto all fours even as she spoke, "she can't have you. I'm your date, Casanova. You've fed me, are you ready to wed me? Or at least bed me?" Smash asked baldly, giving Luke a playfully toothy leer before suddenly pouncing him. "I told you I'd bring my finest booty!" she crowed in one pale ear.