Liam’s POV
The thought of a rogue in my house makes me queasy, she-wolf or not. I step lightly down the kitchen stairs and see Grace conversing with a seemingly small human on a stool, facing away from me. I could not tell her exact stature as the clothes were easily five times too big. Her hair cascading down her back. Mom looks up at me suddenly, “Alpha, son. There is someone I would like you to meet”. The girl stops eating, setting the apple slice down and lowers her head in submission.
Keeping her head bowed, she turns toward me. I can’t quite see her face with the light shadows and her immense amount of hair. “What’s your name?” I ask. She lifts her eyes to meet mine. It feels like a bomb exploding in my gut. Kalen rushes forward, “MATE” he screams, loud enough I thought they all heard. My heart racing, I can not stop staring. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen with sharp green, piercing eyes. Feeling my intensity she quickly lowers her head. Does she not recognize me as her mate? What does that mean? I can not stop staring.
“Emma, alpha” she very quietly stammers. Grace recognizes instantly what had happened and smiles modestly with excitement. I truly do not think she felt the same for me. I feel a sense of immense sadness and gut wrenching at the thought. “Where do you come from Emma?”. I’ll just try and play it cool.
“I don’t know sir, I have been rogue for several years”. “Do you know how old you are?”. “18 sir”. My heavenly mate calling me sir was killing me inside. I wanted to reach out and hug her, kiss her, feel her but Zak was right; she is petrified. Trying to sound as nonchalant as possible; “mother, would you kindly show Emma to her new room. The suite next to mine will do. I hope we see you at dinner”.
Emma’s POV
I was anxiously waiting for the verdict; if the alpha would let me stay. Maybe even for a few days to eat, sleep in peace and rest. One of the nicest women, Grace, found me in the kitchen. She was told by the two wolves I was in the kitchen. I stood staring at the huge kitchen with the stone floors, walls and ceiling. It is exquisite.
I could smell some delicious food in the oven but didn’t want to go rummaging. “You must be starving sweetheart”, the dear woman looked at me. “I think I could eat” I meekly squeak out. “Well let’s see”... she slides open the pantry doors and there is food from floor to ceiling and the room extends a good distance. My jaw drops at the food they have. I see Grace smiling and peering at me, I quickly close my jaw. “See anything you like dear?”. I wanted to eat everything in sight but decide on an apple I had seen on the counter. “You have to be hungrier than that? No matter, you can join us for dinner later tonight and eat a good deal then”. She has the kindest smile. Her face couldn’t be older than 50 something though I am not a good judge of age since we’ve been rogues for so long.
I sit there eating my apple slices in awkward silence as Grace stares at me. She pours me a glass of water. Once I taste the delicious clarity of the water I chug it, not realizing she is still watching me. Embarrassed, I set the glass down and peer at my hands. “Honey, you can have as much water as you want”.
She pushes the pitcher across the granite countertop to me and refills my glass, giving me a smile. “Well my dear, how long have you been rogue? And are you alone?”. “Yes I have been alone since my mother.. Since she was taken from me. I’m not sure how long ago that was exactly but it was before I had a wolf”. Grace looks so sad at this news. “And your father?”.
I look down at my stained filthy hands and feel a tear roll down. “Gone” I manage to mutter. “Well that’s okay, you’ve got us now” as she gently strokes my shoulder. “You’ll feel right as rain with some food and a nice hot bubble bath”. “Ahh a bath” Morgan chimes in, wagging her tail. “But what are bubbles Em?”.
Just then I hear footsteps coming from behind us. I know it is the alpha and with bad news. I just know it. He stops a ways back behind me. Terrified to turn around, I just peer down at my apple. “Liam, honey, meet our new guest”. “Honey? Are they mated?” Morgan asks. “I’m pretty sure it’s her son if you were paying attention” I jab back. As he asks my name, I know I must turn and face him but I am beyond terrified.
Keep your head low and don’t look him in the eye. I try to support myself. I could barely hear what he is asking. My heart beat is pounding in my ears. “It’s rude not to meet a wolf’s eyes when you meet for the first time” Morgan urges. I barely hear him ask my name and get the courage to peer up, just barely.
I see his piercing blue eyes and he suddenly looks uncomfortable so I immediately lower my gaze so as to not offend. What on earth was that? Why am I feeling queasy? Morgan is awfully quiet up there. “I hope you didn’t abandon me too Morg”.
She seemed preoccupied for some odd reason. Now is not the best time. I’m brought out of my own thoughts when I hear him say “the suite next to mine will suffice”. My heart stops. What? Why? Why am I not in the basement or outside in some outbuilding? Confusedly, I look back up, briefly forgetting he’s an alpha. We make eye contact once more and my stomach jolts. Was that fear? I have no idea what that feeling was but I bow again, saying thank you.
Liam POV Holy shit, holy shit. “Oh my goddess Liam, did you see our mate? She is BEAUTIFUL!”. “Yes she is Kalen. I cannot believe our mate is a rogue?!”. “But did you see her bruises? Those were gnarly. And the choke mark on her neck”.. “Wait what? Did we see the same woman, Kalen?”. “You seriously didn’t see her face full of bruises? Wow you really were affected. Don’t worry, I am too little guy”. I have never seen Kalen this, well, emotional and sort of girly. He is gushing big time. But bruises? Why can I not remember any bruises. As I walk hurriedly to some unknown destination, I bump into Zak and Leo. I did not really acknowledge the bump and keep walking. They jog to catch up, “Alpha, everything ok?” Leo asks. I turn to
Grace’s POV Emma is such a sweet and shy young woman. She told me she was content with an apple and water. I won’t push it, knowing full well that going from famished to well fed takes time. Her bruises are fairly extensive. She was definitely hit hard several times. There is also a red mark around her neck. Despite the wreckage, she really is a beautiful girl. I sense her discomfort by my staring. “Sorry dear, I am a physician and was just examining your wounds. May I ask how they occurred?”. She looks down at her apple and without looking at me, “you can imagine being a rogue she wolf.. Well, it can get.. Well, rough without a pack. No one to protect you, no one to help you. Still though, I feel lucky. I managed to escape, unlike some”.
Emma’s POV The screech stops at my door and I hear a knock followed by the sound of whispers. Without waiting for permission, the door swings open followed by a young and bubbly face. As soon as she spots me, she screeches again and runs over to me, throwing her arms around me. I awkwardly return the hug, sort of. “Ruth, what on earth are you doing? You’re going to frighten Emma to death”, Grace chasing behind her. “I finally have a sister” she exclaims and hugs me again. Ruth is beautiful. A tall, thin version of her brother. She is very young. Her face is so full of happiness and exuberance. “A sister?”, I ask Mor. “What does she mean, a sister?”. “I don’t know Emma but she seems friendly”. Morgan is usually s
Liam’s POV Tapping my fingers on the oak table, listening to my friends talk about the deer they hunted earlier. “What is taking the girls so long?” I ask Kalen, my wolf. “Girl things I think” he says with a grin, whatever that means. Just then I hear a shrill “brother” from behind me. Leo’s eyes light up. Zak and a few other members all hide their faces that seem to say “oh god, hide us”. My sister Ruth is a bit… much. She has been away since she was 15, now 18. Leo has always had a crush on her. Neither of them were old enough to have mates when she left. Oh goddess, what if they mate? I can’t think about that. “Where is she?” Kalen asks impatiently. “I want to see our mate”. “I know buddy, m
Liam’s POV “Ruth, you’re here for a few hours and manage to fuck things up”. “What the hell Liam, I didn’t ask anything wrong”. I just look at her with so much anger. “Mom, please explain it to her, I don’t have the patience”. I stand up, motioning for all others to remain and eat. I gently open and close the balcony door. She’s not out here, where’d she go? “Oh shit Liam, she ran”. Just then I hear movement on the grass below. Peeking over, I see her with her hands covering her face. Trying not to startle her, I clear my throat. She turns and her jade green eyes pierce through me but she quickly looks down. “Alpha… I am so sorry”. I gently walk towards her but not too close.. “It’s
Emma’s POV “Here, I had this brought to your room. It’s hot chocolate with whipped cream, my favorite”. I sniff the mug, it smells delicious. “Here is a set of silk pajamas. This week, I shall like to take you to town to buy you a wardrobe”. My eyes snap up to her. I could not possibly go into a town and with what currency? I have nothing. She easily senses my uneasiness and gently cups my shoulders, “honey, please let me do this for you. You are one of us now. And do not worry about the particulars, they do not matter any”. She hugs me gently and closes the door behind her. Remembering the cocoa, I take a sip “oh my goddess Mor, are you tasting this?”. I end up drinking it too fast, wishing I had more. Just then, I feel sleep com
Emma’s POV Clock says 1:30 am on the nightstand. No one should be up. I gently open the bedroom door, trying to breathe as quietly as humanly possible. “I think I remember where it is, come on Mor”. We sneak down the hall, glancing at the alpha’s door- praying it doesn’t open. Making my way to the stairs, thank heavens they’re stone and less likely to creak. Slinking down the stairs, through the great room and dining room and through the kitchen door, I freeze in my tracks. Alpha is sitting at the kitchen top. Liam’s POV I hear steps and quickly spin around to see Emma with a terrified look on her face. I instantly notice she is only wearing a silk pajama top that is long enough to cover her b
My eyes blink open. What time is it? Turning to look at the clock, it’s 9AM! “Mor, how could you let us sleep for 7 hours?!”. She sleepily opens her eyes “eh, it felt good”. She stands up and stretches as I do the same. I hear a gentle knock on the door. It’s Grace. “Good morning sunshine! Ready to do some shopping?”. Oh, that’s right. I forgot we were going to town today. Liam’s POV “Mother, why didn’t you tell me you were taking her into town?”. “Because Liam, we’re going shopping and last time I checked, that’s not really your thing”. “No, but she is ‘my thing’ and you can’t just leave the territory with her”. “First off, son, she’s not a thin