Emma's heart raced. Her hand unclenched from Dex's shirt one finger at a time. His lips on her felt as right as breathing. She shook herself. Would Lucien notice her swollen lips? She'd wanted to explore what had happened between her and Dex, but Brutus wasn't leaving until she entered the banquet hall. Darn."This isn't done," she said to Dex.He didn't move. Brutus stepped aside to let her in. "You should leave him alone. Especially with your Alpha so close at hand and looking for you.""Stay out of this Brutus.""I was there to pick up the pieces last time Emma."She studied him but had no response. She'd broken Dex's heart and she had no right to expect a second chance, but darn it, she wanted one. When she entered the room, Lucien stood at the bar and a few couples surrounded him. What was he up to and why did it involve her?She trudged over to where he stood. He looked up a rare smile on his face. "Here's my bride."What? He held out his arm and motioned her over to him. Knowin
Dex couldn't stay and watch the spectacle any longer. Emma had kissed him and now she was extolling the virtues of arranged marriages? He couldn't stand it, so he stormed out of the banquet hall. He left behind the lies that Emma had chosen to be a part of and the crowd that was eating them with a spoon. Once again, he'd been a fool. The outside air didn't cool his anger. He needed a long walk. What he should do is shift and let his wolf run it off. He couldn't imagine that Emma wanted to stay with Lucien with the way he treated her, but he couldn't say what was in her heart. When they should have been talking, they were kissing. He jammed a hand into his hair and let out a groan. Emma was messing with his head and he was letting her. "What was I thinking?"He'd been thinking that Emma had felt right in his arms. That Emma was his. He'd been mistaken. He put a hand to his lips remembering her taste. She'd been soft and warm and just the way a she-wolf should be. Looking up, he real
The next morning Lucien was up before Emma. She was happy to have a moment to herself.; there were plans to be made. A knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts. When she opened the door Dex stood there a smile on his face. "Come here.""Is Lucien gone?""He left fifteen minutes ago," Dex said. "Then come in.Dex shook his head. "No. He'll smell me in your room. Come to mine.""I'm in my pajamas.""Five minutes Emma. Just five minutes, then you can go on with your day."She looked around, but since there was no one else staying in the house and Lucien was long gone, she nodded. "Okay, Dex."She followed him to his room. It was just like hers with a table and a bed, but the view was better; Dex's room looked out onto the woods.Dex stood by the door while Emma looked around his room. Clothing was strewn on a chair. "I see you're still as neat as you once were."He chuckled. "My house is better, but not by much." He rubbed a hand over his face. "If we have limited time togethe
Dex wanted out of this meeting. This was the same conversation they'd had the last few days. The Council had ceased to be productive. It always ended the same way; Dex wanting peace and Lucien wanting war. That wolf currently ranted on the floor about tradition and honor in battle. Dex did his best not to roll his eyes. He pulled out his phone. Where was Emma? "What you up to?""I'm sitting on the beach, waiting for some friends.""Nice. I wish I was there," he typed."So do I."He smiled at that. Brutus nudged him. "You paying attention?""I could recite this speech in my sleep. He's made it every day," Dex said.Brutus grunted. "I like a fight as much as the next wolf, but really? There's only honor in conflict?""I might step out of this meeting," Dex said.Sitting on the beach with Emma sounded so much better. He didn't feel he was shirking any duties not listening to Lucien rage on once again. The Alphas were in the same spot they were two days ago. Nothing had changed. No one's
Today was the first day Lunas were allowed in the Council. "Some of the Alphas wanted their Lunas involved," Lucien said, sounding as if he didn't understand why. "I have no choice, but to bring you."She bit back a retort at his lack of eagerness for her presence in the meeting. She might get some insight into Lucien and how to handle leaving him. What she would get to see was Dex in action. She could only imagine the ongoing conflict between Lucien and her former lover. She'd heard enough stories, but to see it in person would bring it all into reality for her. "I'm sure it'll be fine.""Just keep your mouth shut. You get this meeting and one this afternoon. Tomorrow there's a breakfast and then the Council is done.""We go home?""Yes." He eyed her. "I would have thought you liked the freedom here."She just nodded. After they were home, she had to leave him. She couldn't put it off any longer and as much as she would like to just go home with Dex, that wasn't the way to handle t
Lucien finished his lunch, but he wasn't finished grousing about Dex. Emma had to listen to him the whole time, while keeping her mouth shut. She didn't want to argue with Lucien, but she also didn't want to hear anything against her lover. Dex had good ideas and maybe it was time for wolves to go in a different direction. If Emma had a brother, she wouldn't want him to die in a useless war. "How does someone think that way?" Lucien asked, lingering over a cup of coffee. "I just don't get it. Is it because he wasn't raised by his parents? They didn't get to instill the basics of being a wolf?"Lucien shook his head and Emma remained quiet. Now was not the time to share her feelings with him. He might bar her from attending the last meeting after lunch. She wanted to be there more than anything to see who was on Dex's side and who was on Lucien's. "And this afternoon, the Lunas get to speak."Emma perked up at the idea. This could be the beginning of her breaking away from Lucien.
Lucien was in bed and asleep, to Emma's surprise when she returned to their room. He was snoring louder than usual. She'd expected him to be out drinking. He'd been defeated in his quest to get the packs to return to the old ways. Emma had walked along the beach thinking before she came back to the room. When she entered the bathroom, her phone dinged. "Meet me at the cove, please."Dex."I'll be there."She slipped out of the bathroom, but Lucien was still snoring. She closed the door to the room with a slight snick then listened. Lucien was still asleep as far as she could tell. He wasn't one to wake in the night. Even so, she vowed not to be gone for too long.Dex was at their spot. The moon shone on the water as the waves lapped at the sand. Emma shifted back to human form and stood before Dex. "Hey.""Hey. That was pretty ballsy back there, not agreeing with Lucien."Emma cocked her head. "Was it the right decision? I don't know, but I can't go back and change it. What would you
Lucien packed his suitcase in silence as Emma tiptoed around him. She just had to get back to their house to put her plan in action. She doubted that Lucien would leave without her because of how that would look, but she couldn't bank on that. The last kiss with Dex was still on her mind. It was the last for a little bit and then she'd be his. That's what she wanted. That's where she should have been all along. "I need to speak to a few people before we leave," Lucien growled. He hoisted his suitcase off of the bed and left Emma to fend for herself. He left the door open as she struggled to close her suitcase. With it finally closed, she took a breath. Glancing into the hallway, she noticed Dex. He stood outside his room, his bags in his hands. He winked at her, then walked down the steps. She'd have to carry her own bags, but it was a good start towards her independence. When Emma arrived at Lucien's truck he wasn't there. It was a nice day and she used the time to enjoy it. He'd