The briefing lasted a conflicting two hours, of which Emma spent paying little attention. She had questions upon questions pounding in her head. Things she hoped that Clyde would deny. The briefing came to an end, with everyone returning to the department to continue cracking the case in different units, trying as much as possible to find a motive for the killing.Emma, with her broken spirit, was the last to leave behind Allen and two other officers. Before she got to the door, trying to sneak out and not get the attention of the Chief, he saw her and immediately halted her. “Miss Watson? A word with you,” his unfriendly face geared.Emma looked out to find Liam, who had gathered snacks in his hand while chatting with some of the officers. He looked and sounded so excited to be there with everyone. He had a way of winning would and making everyone feel comfortable with him. That kind of friend you could talk to when you’re feeling sad and drained and who you trust to cheer you up,
Liam was waiting for her outside the Chief's office. He had a concerned look on his face as he approached her. The chatter and laughter had died down, and he excused himself to go to her.“Are you okay?” he asked, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.Emma shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. “No, Liam, I'm not okay. I've been suspended without pay until further notice. I don't know what I'm going to do.”Liam's expression turned serious. “Why?”“For some funny reason, my prints were found all over the recent crime scene. Even though I told them that I was with you yesterday, which is the truth, the Chief still insisted that I go under investigation. “ Toning down her voice, “I’m scared, Liam. What if they find out? What if… I…we,” she shuttered. “I can’t afford to have a stain to my name with everything presently on my plate.”“Hmm.” He rubbed his chin. Emma studied him. There was something about his relaxation that worried her. “Liam, what aren’t you telling me?”“There’s foul
As the cab weaved through the streets, Emma's mind was racing. She couldn't believe that she was about to confront a werewolf, and she wasn't sure what she was going to say when she saw Alpha Clyde. After all, they didn't part ways on a good note.Finally, the cab pulled up to the routes that led back to the Alpha's mansion, and Emma got out, walking through the mini woods towards the front door. She took a deep breath as the gates opened ajar. They had already marked her, so, at the recognition of her face, it was easy for her to get through the guards until she made it to Clyde's wing.After so many moments of gathering courage, she knocked on the door. It didn't open. Most of all, she didn't see Liam anywhere. It was awfully quiet. She tapped on the door again, and it finally opened. A beautiful blonde woman appeared. “Can I help you?” she asked, looking at Emma curiously.At first, Emma didn't recognize her. When she looked closely, she almost slammed her head into the wall. “Em
“Emma?” that chilled-out voice that she would give anything not to hear called out to her.Maybe Alfred was frightened, or call it a reflex action. He gently shoved Emma off him, giving Clyde, who looked so angry, a bow.“Leave me the fuck alone!” she screamed at him, dashing off.“Emma. Wait!” he begged. She paid deaf ears to his words and scurried as gas as her little legs could carry her out of the gate.The cool breeze of the late-night hit her face, reminding her that she had tears around her cheeks. She sobbed uncontrollably, kicking the sidewalk as she continued on her way. She sprinted with all her strength until she found herself out of the mini-woods on the road.Where was she to go? Back to the department? Not at all. Her brain was too cramped to work. To her apartment? What if they came back for her? Back to Clyde and just ignore him and at least have a roof over her head? Her dead parents would wake up before that could happen.With no destination in mind, she hailed an
“Morris?” a female excited voice called out, dashing out toward the door.He tilted his body, smiling, even before facing the source calling out his name. “That would be me,” he mumbled to Emma. Getting down from his car, he bumped into the blonde, who was all over him already. “Hi, Shelley,” he greeted, both exchanging a tight hug and kisses on both cheeks.Emma couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as she watched Morris and Shelley greet each other so warmly. She wished she had this with Clyde. She didn't know them both, but, just wished that she had that genuine happiness Morris and Shelley shared just for seeing each other, could be an experience she had with where her heart was.There was a twinge of possessiveness over Clyde as she remembered him. Something in her guts that made her wish she could have him to herself without sharing. Unfortunately, that wasn't what she discovered. She had witnessed that Clyde couldn't be contained at all.Morris turned back to Emma, taking
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispered when he got back.“Hi,” Emma's hitched breath fanned his ears while she struggled to recollect herself from staring at the mountain of a man in his presence. Morris took her hand and led her back into the party, his eyes never leaving hers. “Let me show you the rest of the house,” he said, a grin spreading across his face.Emma nodded, feeling cared for. It was a beautiful moment because someone was indeed giving her their whole attention. As they walked through the rooms, Morris continued to point out the various features of the house, but Emma barely heard him. All she could think about was how much he was breathtaking. “Can you hear me, Emma? That's my painting room,” he pointed to a large space with various painting supplies and frameworks hung on the walls.“Beautiful,” she mentioned, smiling. Tyler watched closely, noticing that something was on her mind. He smiled sweetly at her, coming up with a better idea.As the night wore on and the par
As they were talking, a tall, handsome man in his fifties approached them with a charming smile on his face. Emma could immediately see the family resemblance. He had the same sharp features and piercing blue eyes as Morris but with a few more wrinkles around his eyes. Was that his father?“Uncle!” Morris let out, excitedly standing from his spot to embrace the smiling man.“Morris, my boy! Happy birthday!” he exclaimed, giving Morris a hug before turning his attention to Emma. “And who is this breathtaking acquaintance of yours? I could stare at her all day and have peace.”Emma couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the older man's good looks and confident demeanor, but he immediately put her at ease with his warm and friendly attitude.“This is my friend, Emma,” Morris introduced.“It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir,” Emma said with a smile.“The pleasure is all mine, my dear,” he replied, taking her hand and kissing it lightly. “And, no need for the title. Just call me Carr
Clyde raked his hand through his hair as he jabbed and pulled aggressively at them. He was fuming, pacing from one end to the other while on the phone with someone. His eyes were glowing, and the furniture in his office seemed to have gotten a taste of his temper.“Clive? What do you think you're doing in my city? I told you that I would shred you into pieces if you ever resurface,” he growled into the receiver.Chuckling, “I think you've lost that power of taming me, Clyde. Don't act like the Alpha with me because you're not my Alpha. As a matter of fact, do you even know where she is? I mean, the one that matters the most to you.”Slamming his fist into his desk, “don't you dare bring her up in our conversation. I swear to you, if a strand of her hair goes missing, I'll unleash hell on you and your helpers, Clive. This is not a threat. It's a promise.”Faking a yawn, “save me your empty threat, brother. You should be more worried about how to keep her if she ever finds out what happ