-Emmerson-
Six months later, my family and I were sitting around our dinner table when my father announced that there would be a meeting with the Alpha of the Darkwood Pack to discuss a treaty between our packs. The meeting would happen at the end of the week and we were to be on our best behavior. I rolled my eyes as my father looked at me when he said this.
"Why are you looking at me. You should be looking at him." I said nodding towards my seven year old brother Sam.
My brother looked up from his dinner plate, spaghetti dripping from his face. He looked confused, I knew he hadn't been paying attention. My father raised an eyebrow at me as if to say he knew me too well not to mean me.
"Oh leave her alone honey, she is a grown woman, she will be just fine." My mother commented smiling at me encouragingly.
I smiled back at my mother. She had the same dark brown hair as I did only hers was straighter, her Native American heritage showing through. I had the same olive toned skin as her. She however was tall and lengthy I was small standing at only 5 foot. And where she had a thin and petite shape I had a slightly more curvy one.
She looked at my father with adoration as he nodded never to disagree with her. I hoped that one day I could find a man that would treat me how my father treated my mother. I wasn't ready for that yet though. My job at the Gallery was just taking off and I loved the freedom of not being tied to a bossy male werewolf.
Later that evening my mother and father were cleaning dishes while I helped usher my brother to bed. When I came out of his room I stopped to listen in on my parents wondering what they were discussing so fervently. My mother sounded slightly flustered as she chided my father.
"I'm telling you John, stay out of her life. Emmerson is dominant, no male in this pack could even hope to manage her and she wouldn't be happy with someone less dominant than her."
"I just want her to be happy Nora. And she is twenty four it is time. I don't know what she is waiting for." My father said worriedly.
I sat on the stairs, my back against the railing, as I listened. I knew my father was never going to give up on me finding a husband. Deciding my wolf wasn't going to handle hearing any more of their conversation I stood and went to my room. I opened my window quietly and swung my legs over the edge so that I could drop down to the ground below. Easing myself out over the edge I slowly slid down as far as I could before letting go. Landing quietly I quickly shifted letting my wolf out knowing she was stressed and needed to get out her pent up aggression.
I headed for the end of our little town where my favorite trail was. My wolf was happy to be out in the fresh air. The smell of the mountains around us was relaxing and helped soothe her. Not far off the trail I heard a twig snap and turned around baring my teeth at the possible threat. When nothing came out of the bushes I pounced landing on someone who screeched in terror.
Realizing it was one of the pack males around my age I hopped off of him. Jacob brushed his dress pants off standing up flustered. My wolf huffed as he scrambled to straighten his sweater and glasses. Jacob was a scrawny male with absolutely no dominance and no grace. His sandy blond hair was short and thin and his bottle Coke glasses did nothing for his nerdy appearance. The poor guy was not fit to be a werewolf whatsoever.
"Oh um... Emmerson. Umm.. whhhatt arree you doinggg herreee." He stuttered in intimidation.
My wolf stalked forward with a wolfish grin and I had to restrain her. She thought it was hilarious to scare Jacob senseless ever since he tried to ask me out in the fifth grade. I couldn't stop her from growling at him though before I turned away from him and ran further off the path.
I tried to avoid my fathers constant berating about finding a husband, for the rest of the week. When Friday came my father seemed to get nervous around me and stayed holed up in his office with Henry and the pack elders. When I tried to listen in on their meeting my mother shooed me away to my room.
Saturday morning I woke up to the sound of vehicles approaching our house and groaned realizing today was the day for the meeting with the other Alpha. I got out of bed slowly running my fingers through my tangled curls and walked to the window.
I watched out the window as three black vehicles pulled up to the Alpha house, and eight men got out of them; my father the Alpha, our packs council and four other men I didn't recognize. The four I didn't recognize were different, taller, very built and tan; three of them with long graying hair and the fourth much younger than the others, with short raven black hair. He seemed more built than the other his muscular body pulling against his clothes. The younger one looked up at me suddenly and I gasped. His eyes met mine and I felt drawn to him instantly.
Mate.
The thought crossed through my mind a split second before I heard his voice.
Luna, do you mind telling me why you are standing in the window for the entire world to see you undressed?
Looking down I realized I was still only in my underwear and bra, both a deep forest green against my olive toned skin. I stepped away from the window, letting the curtains fall back into place, effectively blocking anyone's view into my second story room.
That's better.
I had heard him speak in my mind, that was impossible. I sat down in my chair next to the window in complete shock. Only true mates could have soul bonds, a link between their souls allowing thought transferral. The problem with this is that there hasn't been true mates in several centuries. There wasn't much knowledge about true mates anymore, the only thing I remember being told was that of the soul bond.
My mind wandered back to the tall handsome man outside, his voice in my mind had been rich and deep. I could somehow feel him through the bond, it was intoxicating. My senses were going haywire like they had just been brought to life by an electric fire. My soul was bursting with feelings for a man I only just laid eyes on.
Taking a deep breath I went to my bathroom looking in the mirror. My wolf's eyes were shining through, a bright green against my olive skin. I tried to calm her, but she wasn't having it. I brushed my dark brown hair back behind my ear, the slight curls bouncing as I did so.
"Easy, calm down." I said trying once more to calm my wolf.
I could feel her eagerness to meet our mate, she wasn't afraid like I was. When I was in human form my wolf let me lead, and as a wolf she was dominant, as if we were separate from each other. However right now she was fighting me for control. I forced her back and she finally submitted, allowing me to run the show at least for now. My eyes however were still the bright emerald green and I knew there was no helping it.
Walking back into my bedroom I continued my earlier task of getting ready pulling on a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a dark green deep v-neck sweater. I had been planning on a hike through my favorite part of the pack's territory and the weather was getting a bit chilly being that it was late September and the snow was starting to stick to the ground. I pulled on my brown hiking boots and a thick jacket over my sweater, as well as pulling my hair up into an easy ponytail. I grabbed my sketch book and a few led pencils and stuffed them and my photography camera into my satchel.
I headed downstairs with determination deciding that I would stick to my plans for the day and ignore the strange Alpha as long as I could. The eight men were still outside the house talking a great deal, whatever it was about seeming important.
I could still feel him, my mate, through the bond. The two Alphas and their pack elders looked up when I stepped off the porch of the huge white house. I carefully kept my eyes down and tried to continue walking. Knowing my wolf eyes were still glowing and they had all more than likely noticed.
"Emmy, where are you off to my dear," My father asked me concern written all over his face as he stopped me. "What is wrong?"
I sighed at the question knowing he asked because of my wolf eyes. I could feel the other Alpha's eyes on me and I had to keep myself from looking to him. It was becoming increasingly hard as his warm woodsy scent surrounded me.
"I am heading up to the black falls, the water is just starting to ice over and I wanted some more pictures before it does." I told my father ignoring his last question.
"You're not going alone are you Emmy, you know the rules, no one in the pack is aloud up there alone especially at this time of year, it's too dangerous." He had a stern look on his face making me pause.
I scrambled to find something to say, something that would allow me to get going. My head was spinning with the irresistible smell of my mate and I needed to get away from him. I didn't want to deal with this right now. I knew it was a blessing, with how non existent mates were, but I felt like I was suffocating as I tried to process the information. From what I was able to read six months ago true mates meant prosperity and long life spans. That was great and exciting but to be so intimately close to someone, even someone I hadn't even been introduced to, that scared me. It took everything in me to focus on what I was doing. I looked up to my father and tried to keep my voice steady.
"I was going to ask Maddy, but she still hasn't got back from her sister's house." I replied, pleading with my eyes. "Please dad, I won't be long. I'll find Heather and bring her."
"You know very well that Heather can't go up there she is busy planning the pack meeting for tomorrow. I'm sorry Emmy but the answer is no, unless you can find someone that is suitable to go with you cannot go." His statement was finale, an Alpha command.
My jaw tensed as I tried not to scream at my father, my Alpha. I fidgeted uncomfortably with the strap of my bag. I was trying to plead with him with my eyes. There was no way I was going to stay here, not with this irresistibly handsome Alpha wolf that claimed my soul with one look.
"John if you don't mind, I wouldn't mind seeing some of your land; I could go with her if you would allow." I heard his rich baritone voice behind me and felt my entire body react in a heated blush.
"That would be fine with me Marcus; it will give you a chance to get to know each other before tomorrow." My father said watching my reaction closely.
"Thank you father!" I ground out irritatedly. I mentally noted the name of the man that was my mate. I turned and headed towards the other side of our small town ignoring the huge man that followed behind me.
"Emmerson," My father using my full name caught my attention, and I turned back around to him. "Stay on the marked path. Jacob said he saw you away from the path yesterday, I don't want you getting hurt." His voice was stern.
"Father I..." I started to defend myself, before he interrupted me.
"Emmerson, I'm serious; stay on the path I marked for you, I don't want to see you killed by some poacher."
"Alright." I said with frustration, turning back around.
As I walked I could feel Marcus ever present in my mind and his closeness was making me squirm in uncomfortable anticipation. I knew his eyes were still on me and it was making me uneasy. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up as I tried to keep the emotions at bay.
"You are scared." He said next to me.
I ignored him walking faster toward the small trailhead at the edge of town. I was scared because I knew my life had changed the second I had looked out that window earlier today, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.
Talk to me little one.
His voice in my mind making me almost trip at the command behind his words. My nerves where raw at the implications of the mate bond. When I continued to ignore him he grabbed my arm pulling me to a stop facing him. I looked up at him nervously, my vision started to blur as the threat of tears became eminent.
"Yes, I'm scared." I burst out angry at myself for not being able to control my emotions. "I woke up this morning thinking it would be a normal day, I would go to work and come home like usual. Just a wonderfully normal and uneventful day. Instead I looked out the window to see you." My anger was searing my thought process.
He grunted at my outburst a small smirk playing at his lips. I glared at him angrily and turned around to continue on the path but he pulled me back to face him again, and I had to stop myself from running into him by placing a palm out against his chest. I was close enough to feel the heat from his body and it made me shiver with goose bumps. He was so tall, standing next to him the top of my head came to just under his chest. I felt like a child in comparison to him.
"What!" I growled at him trying to keep myself from saying something stupid.
"We need to talk about this Emmerson, before you lose control over your wolf." I narrowed my eyes at him when he used my full name. Even though it had sent a shiver of warmth down my spine I was determined to ignore it.
"No, we don't." I yanked my arm from his grasp and turned back to the path walking away from him at a brisk pace. I couldn't do this right now. I didn't want to feel the undeniable attraction towards a man I just met.
"You can't ignore this." His growl froze me in my tracks.
I turned to see his bright blue wolf eyes trained on me and for the first time felt his emotions through the bond as well. He was just as scared and nervous as I was, scared of the changes to come. His entire body was stiff and I could feel him battling with his wolf. Ignoring him had angered his wolf. His wolf felt rejected.
I took a step away from him not knowing what to do and he growled low in warning. "Don't." He demanded and it was as if my body was frozen in fear. How could I be so stupid, we were predators and I was running from him like prey. He stalked towards me covering the distance between us in seconds. His hand came up to my face gently cupping my cheek. I wanted to look away but I couldn't get myself to do so. The feel of his hand on my cheek was sending waves of warmth through my body.
"We are going to talk about this because you wont like the alternative." He said his eyes slowly faded back to their regular blue. I had the sense that he was always this bossy. He was an Alpha so it came naturally but he seemed more so.
"I'm not ready to talk." I said truthfully, my anger had disappeared the second his hand came in contact with my skin.
He watched me for a moment and I knew he was trying to determine what to do. "We have to talk, otherwise my wolf will take over and you don't want that." He said finally and his eyes caught mine intently.
"Why? I don't even know how to talk about this. So why should we?" I could see his frustration with me as I said this.
He closed his eyes taking a deep breath before continuing. "Because my wolf has no respect of our human thoughts and emotions. All he sees is his unclaimed mate and his need to make sure everyone, including you, knows you are ours."
And I agree with him.
I heard his thought in my mind and realized he wasn't meaning for me to hear it. Before I could say anything in response to that, the sound of someone small running towards us caught our attention. As soon as I saw the young boy running at me fast, waving his arms in hysterics I pulled away from Marcus running to meet the child. He was screaming my name and I could smell the fear coming from the young boy.
"Emmy, Emmy!" He screamed as a pit formed in my stomach, something was wrong.
"Ben, Ben hush, hush, what's going on? Calm down Ben, tell me what's going on." I held him in my arms; the young pup was only six years old.
"It's Sam, I told him not to but he didn't listen. He went off the marked path the Alpha made, close to the old cabins." Ben stammered crying. "He got stuck in a trap and I couldn't get him out."
I closed my eyes trying to push all the crazy emotions from the mate bond away so I could focus on Ben. The poor boy was shaking and crying uncontrollably. I stood him back away from me so I could look in his eyes.
"Ben take my things," I handed him my bag. "Take it to your house and let Henry and the Alpha know what's going on, run." As soon as I said it he ran towards town and I headed in the direction of the old cabins.
"Where are you going?" Marcus, now running beside me demanded.
"To get Sam, there is no time to wait for the others." I started to sprint now deciding I would just forget about my clothes and shift through them. I wasn't about to undress in front of Marcus, mate or not.
"Emmerson, stop!" Marcus growled loud at me, more power of an Alpha in his voice then I've ever thought possible. I stumbled to a stop. "If there are poachers out there it isn't safe, and I will not let you run into danger like that." It was an Alpha decree.
"I have to, that's my little brother out there! You are not my Alpha, and I am going, you can come or stay, but I am going." I screamed frustrated. He grabbed my arm, not letting me go. "Let me go. If they kill him, before I get to him, I will kill you." I growled, pissed off now.
"And what do you suppose you're going to do when you get there? We don't know what kind of trap he is caught in or if there are poachers out there, it's a death trap no matter what. I will not allow you to go. Let's go back and tell your Alpha, from there some of your father's patrol will be sent out to keep your brother safe, until your father or his beta can get your brother out of there. This isn't a suggestion, you are going back to your Alpha whether you like it or not." This man that stood before me, was not young at all, he was strong, and wise and beyond all else powerful, what he says goes and he was not to be disobeyed.
"But I... please, he's so young." I whispered, wanting so badly to cry, but refused to show this man, this stranger, any weakness.
"Everything will be okay, Emmerson."
I didn't say anything just started running back to my house as fast as my human legs could carry me. "Dad!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I entered the house. I ran towards the pack meeting room throwing the doors open, confronting the already standing leaders. "It's Sam, he's caught in a trap by the old cabins, Ben just told me." I stammered, in a half growl. I was out of breath from running so fast I had pushed my human body to the limit.
"Sam, are you sure Emmerson?" My father said coming to me and Marcus who had kept by my side this entire time.
"It's true John, she was going to try and go get him by herself." Marcus growled angrily taking a protective stance next to me. I rolled my eyes of all wolves why did it have to be a bossy overprotective Alpha that was chosen to be my mate.
"Thank you for bringing her home we will send out a search party immediately." My father said calmly as he pulled out his cell phone.
I huffed, now pissed off that they were treating me like I was a child. I headed towards the stairs stomping my feet a little louder than needed. I was hoping my mother would take notice and come save me from the annoying man that was surely following me.
"Where are you going?" Marcus's deep voice growled behind me. I turned to him pinning him with a death stare.
"To my room, do you mind, or do you have to follow me there too." I growled, my ego hurt by this man that wasn't even a member of my own pack.
He visibly stiffened at my childish and snide tone. Oh goody at least I knew how to irritate him, that could get fun.
"I am going with your father to get your brother. But please stay here, where it's safe." He said this rather calmly and I raised and eyebrow at him in challenge.
"Where else am I going to go?" I smirked evilly at him, I could tell by his stiff posture and the set jaw that he was not amused with me.
"Just don't do anything stupid, Emmerson." He said with a huff of irritation.
I ignored him spinning on my heel and headed up the stairs to my room, slamming the door behind me. If I was being honest with myself I was starting to enjoy challenging him. I watched as the search party started to leave and Marcus looked up at me for a split second before shifting into a massive black wolf easily twice the size of every wolf there. I gasped, I'd never seen a wolf that size before, and he was fast too.
As soon as they had all left I quietly made my way out side shifting into a small bluish grey wolf, and started running as fast as I could in a different direction. No one knew the old cabin area like me and I knew a faster way to get there.
In no time I was there, before the rest of them and I had found Sam, a small brown wolf. He was caught in a leg trap, luckily it was only rope so his leg would heal faster. He whimpered when he saw me and I hurried over to him and started chewing on the rope pulling it off of him. Suddenly a twig snapped not far behind us in the trees and heavy breathing let me know it was human. I turned around keeping Sam behind me.
Two men stepped out of the trees, guns in hand; they were the poachers that set the trap. They smelled as if they hadn't showered in weeks. I growled loud and clear snapping my teeth. I forced Sam to back up towards the tree line making him howl in pain because of his hurt leg. That is what I wanted, for the search party to know where we were. Now understanding what I wanted Sam howled even louder this time.
The men started in closer one of them pointing the gun towards Sam; I growled jumping at him knocking him to the ground. I tore into his arm that held the gun and growled. He screamed and I heard a loud dangerous growl right before a gun went off. I jumped looking to the other poacher, but he was dead, his throat ripped out and a huge black wolf stood over him. The man I had attacked was out cold from blood loss and would possibly be dead soon.
The black wolf stocked towards me growling loudly and snapping, I whimpered, but held my ground until he was standing inches away from me. He growled low angrily, forcing me down to the ground and stepping over me making me bare my neck in submission.
You disobeyed your father and more importantly you disobeyed me, Emmerson. You could have been killed, if I hadn't seen you leave the house and followed you, you would have been dead! How could you be so stupid, this was so reckless? Do not ever do something like that again! Do you understand me?
His voice in my mind grew more and more into a growl. I could feel his carefully concealed rage begin to break through. I knew that I had done something reckless but if I hadn't my brother would have died.
I don't regret it. If I hadn't disobeyed, Samuel would have been dead.
I thought the words at him angrily. He growled in irritation. Before stepping away from me and shifting back into human for. My eyes widened as all of his clothes materialize as he did. No wolf could do that.
He turned to me and stared at me expectantly. I shook my head, getting up and shaking my fur out. I half expected him to demand I shift as well but he didn't. Not two minutes later I could hear my father and the others close by and I went to leave knowing my father would be pissed as well.
Stay.
I glared at Marcus and sneezed in irritation before plopping down on the ground angrily. I laid my head on my paws and watched as the elders and my father and his beta walked out of the trees. My father's eyes immediately found me and I could see the anger in them. I disobeyed his order and he was pissed. He walked towards us swiftly, looking to Marcus.
"The boy is fine, John. She managed to kill the one poacher and I got here in time to kill the second one before any more harm could be done."
My father nodded and after inspecting Sam, he turned back to me. Fuck I knew that look, he never gave it to me before but the other wolves in the pack had experienced it when they were in serious trouble. I cringed knowing I wasn't going to get out of this without a lecture a mile wide and I'd probably lose some privileges.
"Go home, I will deal with you later." His voice was a growl as he gave the command and I waited, expecting the force of it to hit me but it never did. The Alpha command slipped right off of me as if he never gave it. I lifted my head tilting it in confusion before turning to look at Marcus.
Do as he says.
Marcus's eyes darkened daring me to challenge him. I let out a wolfish grunt and turned to leave. I couldn't help the slight thrill that came from seeing how very dominant and strong Marcus was. I couldn't help but be attracted to him and somehow I knew that was the mate bond at work.
I huffed shaking my head and made a beeline for home. I ran straight inside not bothering to shift outside I went to my room. I heard my mother cursing at me from the kitchen as I shifted back to human form and shut my bedroom door.
I headed straight for my bathroom turning the shower on as hot as it would go. I could still feel Marcus through the bond and I wondered briefly if he could see through the bond or if it was just what I wanted him to see and hear. Stripping out of my clothes I stepped into the shower scrubbing the blood from the poacher off as I listened to my father talk to Marcus through the mate bond. That's how I found out, the reason he had come here for. My father was planning on using me as a bargaining chip to create a treaty with Marcus. I was being sold like property.
I am not property that you two assholes can trade shit for!
I yelled the thought to Marcus angrily. I was thinking of every cuss word I could think of to call him when I heard them come in the house downstairs. I turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around myself. Marcus still hadn't answered me and I realized he just didn't know what to say. He hadn't realized that I had been listening in on him and my father's conversation.
If you don't want to say something, I'll do it for you. You can go to fucking hell. I sure as hell am not a piece of damn property. I refuse to be mated to such a narcissistic, bossy jackass.
Fury fueled my words before I could think about them and when I heard a loud angry growl from downstairs I thought to myself that I had pushed him too far. I heard my mother ask what was going on before I heard Marcus head up the stairs towards my room.
I squealed as my bedroom door almost flew off its hinges and a very angry Alpha stepped inside my room. I hurriedly went to shut my bathroom door but he stopped it with his foot before I could shut it all the way. I backed away from the door as he shoved it open.
"Do not move." Marcus growled angrily at me and I froze at his command. He stalked forward and pulled me to him.
Instinctively I bared my neck in submission hoping to escape punishment. That was a huge mistake I realized as low growl rumbled out of his chest before his teeth sunk into my neck and searing pain shot through my body. I screamed and tried to shove him away but he held me tight against him. What felt like a couple minutes later Marcus lifted his head from my neck but didn't let me go. He had just marked me.
"Why... what..." I started to cry as I my hand flew up to the place he bit me and I winced in pain. "Get out. GET OUT!" I screamed at him angrily. I shoved at his chest in vain it was like trying to move a brick wall.
He backed away from me and I could see the regret flash in his eyes for a split second before it was gone, replaced by an emotionless stare. I just sunk to the ground wrapped my arms around myself as I sobbed. He left me there to cry and I heard my mother's voice softly in the doorway.
"Oh, Emmy." She gasped hurrying over to me.
She kneeled beside me, pulling me into her arms as I cried. We sat that way for a while until I stopped crying. My mom brushed my wet hair out of my face and pulled me up to sit on the counter so she could wash the blood off of my neck.
"Come on dear let's get you dressed, lunch is almost ready." She said leading me into my room.
"I'm not hungry." I said my voice was scratchy from all the crying.
"You will be honey. Let me at least bring food up here for you." I nodded inwardly frowning at her lack of concern over what just happened.
I was shaking still, my neck was burning fiercely as I held a towel to it. After my mother left the room I walked to my closet and slid a white tank top on not bother to put a bra on. I had no intention of leaving the room. I slid into a pair of my white silk underwear and a pair of dark grey yoga pants before walking back to the bathroom to check my neck where Marcus had bitten me.
Pulling my hair back I winced at the sight of it. My neck was bruised black and blue and you could clearly see the bite mark. I sighed and pulled my wet tangle hair back down to cover it. Walking into the bedroom I heard Marcus yelling angrily into what i assumed was his phone since I couldn't hear who he was talking to. When my name came up in his conversation I hurried over to the window to see if I could catch what he was saying but when I got there and pulled the curtain back he had just put his phone back in his pocket.
He was standing on the edge of the gravel road that led to our town, his stance tight and agitated. My wolf instantly appreciated his good looks and if I didn't currently hate him I would have agreed with her. His black dress pants and white dress shirt fit him perfectly showing how fit and muscular he was.
As if noticing I was watching him he suddenly turned to look at me. Panicking I stepped away from the window letting it drop. My heart raced, I was so beyond irritated with him. I wanted to hate him, but I was drawn to him by a force that was starting to prove stronger than my better judgement. I barated myself, for hell sakes the man just tore a chunk from your neck, get a grip.
A knock on my door startled me from my thoughts and I turned to see my mother come in holding a steaming plate of food. I sniffed the air instinctively and frowned. Pork. Out of all the meats my mother could have chosen she chose pork. I didn't hate pork but given the option I would have rather had anything else, preferably a rare steak. My wolf was just as uninterested in the pork as I was but nonetheless I took the plate from my mother and said thank you before she left.
Sitting down on my bed I placed the plate down and picked at it trying to eat the sliced cheesy potatoes on the side. Before I could take a bite another knock sounded on my door and I looked up to see Marcus open it and walk in.