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

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 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

Dex jammed his hands into Emma's hair and his gaze pierced her soul. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "I got your text. If you thought I was going to let you be out here on your own, you have another thing coming," he said.His eyes were full of love and passion and it all enveloped her like a snuggly robe. "This isn't your territory."He kissed her, then grabbed her hand. "I have special permission to bring you through this territory, but we don't have much time."He snagged her suitcases then led her into the woods. "You managed to sort that out since I sent you a text?"He stopped and looked down at her. "Let's just say I've had some plans in place. ""You knew that Lucien would kick me out.""I didn't know. I assumed, Emma. There's nothing nefarious behind me being here."She nodded. Dex was the wolf to trust. "Lead on."He began to move then stopped. "I'm glad to see you, Emma. I can't wani to bring you home."Home. That word sounded so good coming from his mouth. Would his

Dex looked up to see Leyton shift into human form. Without Emma. He and Brutus were in a deep discussion about pack business in the Wolf Woods Meeting Hall. Emma had been on Dex's s mind since he left her this morning. "Leyton?" Dex asked.She entered the room out of breath. "They. Took. Her.""Emma?"What would he do if something happened to Emma? "Yes. These wolves came out of the woods. I didn't recognize them.""Did they shift at all?" Dex asked. Lucien's wolves had a distinct marking on them. He didn't know if it was a tattoo done when they were in human form or a brand. It translated into their wolf form so Dex suspected it was something permanent on their human skin. "Yes," she said, her eyes wild. Dex put a hand on her. "Leyton. It isn't your fault."She looked at Brutus, who hadn't said anything, then back to Dex. "But I couldn't stop them.""Your job wasn't to guard Emma, but to show her around, Leyton. You couldn't have done anything."She caught her breath then nodded.