JemmaIt took some time for me to get used to everything and to actually realize what was happening around me, honestly. I guess in the very beginning, I was just going with it. I felt so overwhelmed by the amount of information as well as what they were telling me, I wasn’t really thinking straight.Now, a couple of years down the line, I’m standing on our balcony overlooking the pack house, which is really far more than just a house, and all I can do is shake my head in utter disbelief. Sam and I didn’t follow the usual werewolf route.We dated for a year before he finally popped the question. It was a beautiful sunny day and when I woke up, I could not find anyone anywhere. Not even Fiona. I got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, but the table wasn’t even set.I found a smiling Sam waiting outside in the car, and he refused to tell me what was going on. We drove out to the old original pack cabin and made our way into the forest not far from there where the entire pack wait
JemmaEither my fight or flight stopped working, or I’m just that mentally unstable. I should be running after finding out what they are, shouldn’t I?! But I’m not scared. That is the scariest part of it all. I’m not scared. I nod when I realize Sam is still studying me.“Okay, what are we working on today?” I sigh as I look around his office. Fiona and I have taken care of most of the paperwork and there is some order to it now. If I’m going to stay, I need to keep busy, and I’m grateful that Sam has given me something to do.Fiona appears and Sam gives us some leads to follow up on work contracts, but I can see that he still has more to say. He just doesn’t say it. I decide that I want to work in my office and Fiona and I quickly got to work.“I’m worried. I’m not scared. I know I should be. I’m just worried.” I stop working and look at Fiona. She looks up and smiles.“I would be worried if you weren’t. Look, it’s not often that humans are mated to one of us. Because it’s dangerous
Jemma“Jemma?” Fiona’s voice pushes through my foggy mind and when I try to sit up, a sharp pain shoots through my neck. “Did you sleep here all night?” I blink to focus and Fiona’s worried face appears beside me.“I think I did.” I rub my neck as I get up.“I will prepare a warm bath and then, while you relax, I will let Sam know that you aren’t coming down for breakfast this morning. Would you like your usual brought up?” Fiona disappears into the bathroom and I can hear the water run as she moves around.“That would actually be nice, but I have to face Sam at some point, so no. I will take that bath though, but I will go downstairs for breakfast.” I figured out that even though they are what they are, they are still human.I have a multitude of questions and the only way I’m going to get answers is if I face Sam head on. I spend just enough time in the bath to relax my muscles and then rush to get ready. As I walk into the dining room, I can feel the tension.Mark is talking to Sam
JemmaWe walk upstairs, and I refuse to go into his room while he puts something on. When he comes out, he is dressed in a casual pair of trunks and a t-shirt and still walking barefoot. I give him a once over, but my mind just burned that naked image of him into my memory and now that is all I can see.“Let’s get a drink.” He holds out his hand. I look at his hand and, without a word, turn on my heel and waltz right back downstairs. I don’t even wait for him. I can hear him behind me. Hell, I can literally feel him behind me as we walk into the library, and he walks straight to the drinks tray.This time when he offers me one, I take it. I empty the glass almost instantly, letting the warm liquid burn its way down as I feel it calming my nerves just a little. Sam sits down on the couch, but I can’t sit. I pour myself another drink and suddenly understand why he wanted to give me one earlier. I pace back and forth a couple of times in the awkward silence until finally, I turn and glar
JemmaI have to wait to try and figure out as we are shown to a private booth at the restaurant. I have seen it from the outside, but I’ve never been able to afford to eat there. We take some time to decide on what we want to eat, and I am nervous when I look at the prices.But I order nonetheless and when our drinks arrive, I sit back and study Sam for a moment. He is really handsome. If this was all real, then I could imagine falling in love with him. The thought hits home and I sit forward.“Tell me about the wolves in the forest. There! There it is again! That look!” I point at him and then notice that the table nearby has gone silent and are now looking at me. I sigh when I look at Sam, who is smiling.“It’s not funny, Sam.” I grab my wine and take a huge sip, nearly spitting it right back out when it goes down the wrong way.“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He waves his hands through the air in submission. “Okay, the wolves are protected, but they do get us into some difficult positions.
JemmaI tilt my head to one side as I study him carefully, and I can literally see the wheels turn until he finally reaches the conclusion I just did.“It’s just if you want to. If you don’t, that’s fine as well. I can understand if you want to take a holiday after what happened at the hotel. As a matter of fact, we can go away somewhere if that will make you feel more at ease.” It looks like he is actually rambling and I burst out laughing.“No, that’s not necessary. I don’t mind helping. In fact, I would prefer to help. I hate sitting around doing nothing.” I smile. I’m still incredibly unsure of what exactly he expects of me, but I have no other choice but to give it a chance. Whatever IT is …“Where can I start?” I look around, and he looks a little stumped, making me laugh. We go to his office where he pages through a bunch of paperwork. He looks really lost, and I can see that he needs help. I try and make sense of some of what he has, and just as his alarm sounds for lunch, I t
JemmaI choose my outfit and take a bath. This is going to take some getting used to. I don’t really want to, since I’m not sure how long I will be staying. There is just too much to think about, and I nearly trip on the last step of the stairs. Falling right into Sam’s arms, I feel my cheeks turn bright red when he smiles at me.“Good morning, Jemma.” I’m surprised when he doesn’t comment on the fact that I seem to have suddenly turned into a klutz.“Good morning, Sam.” I push out of his arms and pull my shirt back into place before crossing my arms defensively over my chest. “Fiona mentioned that you wanted to show me something today.” I try to distract him, but it’s more for myself.“Yes, I thought you would like to see the extent of our property.” He takes my hand, and we walk out the front door. I’m surprised to find a Jeep parked outside, and his driver opens the front passenger door for me. I’m even more surprised when Sam jumps in behind the wheel and starts the car.We pull o
Jemma“Are you at least having a little bit of fun?” Sam looks worried as we glide across the floor.“Well, yeah. I am now. You are a terrific dancer. I take it your mom taught you.” I raise one brow and he bursts out laughing.“She believed that all men should be able to dance even if they didn’t like it.” He winks. I can feel him relax, and it makes me relax even more as the song ends. We walk off the dance floor and Sam talks to some of his colleagues.I note that some of them look a little strained as soon as they see me and I can’t help but wonder what that is about. I didn’t see any signs that this is what Sam was doing. Fine, there were a lot of outfits in that spare closet, but they were all brand new.Oh, god! He does this to each woman he tries to impress! I sigh and excuse myself from the conversation, slowly making my way to the lawn where there are fewer people. I just need air, before my mind runs away with some ridiculous theory that isn’t true.“Here you are. Are you o
JemmaI pick the sparkly blue halter-neck dress. I’ve never worn anything like it, and I love how it clings to my body as it falls all the way to the floor. I’ve often seen women at the hotel dressed like this. Fiona helps me with my hair and make-up, and I’m ready just in time for this event.“Wow!” Sam exclaims as I walk out of my room. He has been waiting for me and I instantly feel guilty.“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t make you wait for too long.” I start to fidget with the bracelet that Fiona insisted I wear.“No, no. No need to apologize. You are right on time.” His eyes gleam with excitement as he holds out his arm and I slip my hand into the crook of it. As we come down the stairs, I realize the entire foyer is filled with people.Some of the faces look familiar, and I can only guess that the rest of them probably work with Sam. I saw some of them when he showed me around. Sam looks comfortable as he introduces me to people, and we make our way through the crowd.“Good evening,