by Bethany Shaw
Emily shook her head. Tears shone in her beautiful emerald eyes, and her bottom lip trembled as she suppressed a sob. “You don’t know my father.” She gave him one last fleeting look before bolting out of the kitchen.
***
Marcus’ fingers flew across his keyboard, pulling up the stocks for the day. He might not be as aggressive as the other wolves here, but he’d impressed Emmett McKinley with his knowledge. The alpha had given him three months to dazzle him, and he wanted to do just that.
Maybe if he were in the alpha’s good graces, it would help his chances of potentially pursuing a relationship with Emily. The feelings weren’t one-sided. He had smelled her arousal numerous times, caught her looking at him on more than a few occasions. She was the alpha’s daughter, and he understood that she might not get to choose who she would mate with, but he wasn’t ready to give up hope yet.
“Hey,” Devon said as he bolted into the room. “I need your help.”
Marcus set his laptop down and stood up. “What’s wrong?”
“There are outsiders on our land and Em is out on her run. We need to find her,” Devon rushed.
Marcus gulped, fear lacing its way around his heart.
“She usually runs the perimeter of the property. There aren’t a lot of men here because of Emmett’s trip. We will have to move quickly to find her. Daniel has men setting up a perimeter around our property to make sure no one leaves our land with her,” Devon explained as they hurried downstairs. “But we need to find her. If they pick up her scent there is no telling what they might do.”
“We’ll find her,” Marcus replied, gritting his teeth.
Devon threw the front door open and they ran outside.
“Vincent is already checking the clearing she lounges in. You take the South side and make a loop, I’ll take the North and we’ll meet up in the middle,” Devon asserted.
Marcus nodded, setting off at a grueling pace into the trees. A flock of birds flew up from the thicket, startled by his frantic run. He shielded his face from them as he bolted through the swarm.
The tree branches whipped at his skin. His feet crunched against the dead leaves that blanketed the forest floor. Sweat beaded on his brow and his legs felt rubbery from running too hard for too long. It didn’t matter how sore he was or would be he had to find her.
A loud scream rang out through the forest. The noise ricocheted off the trees and Marcus slowed, trying to figure out what direction it had come from. He closed his eyes and focused on his surroundings.
He could hear the branches swaying slightly in the breeze. An animal scurried across the ground on his right. And then he heard the soft moan of pain that could only be made by a human.
Marcus’ eyes flew open and he sprinted toward the noise. He heard a male voice shout something, followed by a series of snarls. Two men raced off into the woods with three wolves hot on their trail. He turned back to the spot from whence they’d come. Emily is over there. He darted in that direction, following their path. Pale, creamy skin met his gaze. He rushed toward the shaking woman lying on the forest floor. Emily was naked, covered in dirt, and her long chestnut hair covering her face. Her right arm was in mid-transition. The shoulder was set back at an odd angle and he assumed it was dislocated. Reddish-brown fur sprouted out of her almost human-looking arm. The claws and long nails of her paw were balled up unnaturally like a fist.
“Emily?” he called, sliding to a stop next to her on his knees.
But she didn’t respond. Her emerald eyes were open, staring at something in the distance. Her breathing came in shallow pants. Gently, he touched her shoulder and rolled her onto her back.
“Emily?” he yelled, panicked. She had to be okay, but the longer she lay unresponsive the more terrified he became.
Blood covered her shoulder—a few rivulets had rolled down toward her breasts. He searched her skin for signs of injury but couldn’t find any. Marcus inhaled; the blood was hers.
“I’m cold,” she whispered.
He rocked back on his heels and lifted his sweater over his head, laying it gently over her naked body.
“It’s okay. I’m going to get you back to the house. Where are you hurt?” The last thing he wanted was to hurt her worse.
She blinked up at him, focusing on his face. “Shoulder. I had already started to shift,” she said, her teeth chattering. “I couldn’t stop the transition after they began to attack. They jabbed something into my shoulder. My whole arm...it’s frozen. I can’t move it,” she slurred. Her eyes closed and opened slowly, unseeing.
“Emily!” Vincent called as he raced toward them with Daniel on his heels.
Devon burst through the brush, darting forward and coming to a stop as he crouched down next to Emily.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pushing hair from her face.
Emily blinked, her eyes rolling back in her head. Devon clutched her chin lightly. “Stay with me, Em.”
“I’m so cold,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering closed as her head lulled to the side.
“They did something to her arm. I don’t see an injury, though. She told me she can’t move her shoulder or arm,” Marcus said his voice shaking with fear. He picked up her uninjured hand and held it firmly against his chest. She was going to pull through this.
Devon brushed aside some leaves and dirt and held up a syringe. The needle was covered in blood. “They gave her a sedative,” he growled “She was probably fighting them and they jammed it in in a hurry. Her shoulders dislocated too.”
Daniel stood up his hands balled into tight fists. “Dev, you and Marcus get her back to the house. Vincent, you and me are going to get these wolves,” he instructed.
***
Emily tried to focus her vision as the world bobbed back and forth. Anxiety filled her as she tried to recall what had happened. Her memory was fuzzy, but Devon and Marcus were with her. She let out a relieved breath, staring up at the sky. The yellow, orange, and red leaves jumped above her head, and it took her a minute to realize she was moving—well, she was being carried. Her shoulder was on fire. The jostling tore at her muscles with each bump, causing her vision to blur. She tried to move, but her body was weighted and sluggish. Why can’t I move, she thought horrified.
A door squeaked and blessed warmth hit her as she stared up at a white ceiling.
“Infirmary’s upstairs, third door on the left,” Devon said, clutching her closer to him.
She rolled her head to the side to see Marcus racing ahead of them. His scent enveloped her and she breathed it in. It was comforting. She closed her eyes.
“Em, stay with me,” Devon called.
She opened her eyes to see his hazel gaze staring down at her. Emily grunted as her bare back met cold metal. She stiffened, groaning as her brother walked away.
“How do you feel? Does anything hurt?” Devon asked, peering down at her.
“Shoulder,” she croaked.
Devon’s calloused fingers probed at her, she growled in pain and anger. Hadn’t she just said it hurt? Her shoulder throbbed as if someone were jabbing her repeatedly with a knife. A scream bubbled up her throat when Devon’s fingers brushed over her clavicle. A sharp pain tore through her shoulder, leaving her breathless.
“Marcus, I need you to hold her down. Talk to her. Do whatever you have to, but don’t let her move. Em, your shoulder is dislocated. I’m going to set it, but it’s going to hurt.”
“Please just do it,” she whimpered.
“Are you able to shift your paw?” Devon asked. “I don’t want any ligaments or muscles to get damaged.”
Emily flexed her paw and winced at the pain shooting through her shoulder. Her arm hadn’t shifted back, she realized. That’s why it hurts so badly.
“I know it hurts, but can you try?” Devon asked.
Emily gritted her teeth as a stray tear rolled down the side of her face. She focused on her fingers and imagined her paw lengthening. A sob tore free from her throat as a spasm rac
ed through her muscles. Everything went white and then black.
***
“Hold her tighter, she’s coming to,” Devon’s voice floated above her.
A weight pressed down on top of her and warm breath danced over her lips. Something cool pressed against her skin. The flesh was being pressed on, but there was no pain. Her eyes blinked open.
“It’s okay,” Marcus said, holding her gaze. “He’s got your shoulder set now.”
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“You feeling anything?” Devon questioned.
“Not really,” she groaned.
“Talk to her. Keep her distracted,” Devon instructed. “I’m trying to get her arm to shift back to normal. When it does, it’s going to hurt.”
“How was your run?” Marcus asked.
“Good until the end,” she giggled, not entirely sure why she was laughing.
“I got stuck in a bear trap once. Nearly broke my ankle,” he stated.
“Sounds painful.”
“It was.”
“Stupid humans and their hunting. I hate traps and guns. You have to watch out for them this time of year,” she babbled.
“I was thinking we could rent some more movies. I’ll get whatever you want, even if it’s a chick flick. What do you want to see?” Marcus asked.
Emily stared up into his eyes, sighing contently. His hand lifted from her shoulder and smoothed her hair back from her face.
“I don’t know. What’s out?” she inquired. She hadn’t been to the movie rental store for a few years—let alone a movie theater.
“Anything will do. She likes those girly movies,” Devon spoke up.
“Well, I am a girl,” she snorted.
“I’ll try to find something you’ll enjoy,” Marcus offered.
Emily opened her mouth to respond when pain exploded through her shoulder and down her arm as her bones began to snap and reposition. She gasped, struggling to sit up. Marcus’ warm hands pushed her down, pinning her to the table. His face hovered over hers; his eyes and lips were so close to her own. She stared into his blue-grey eyes finding peace in them. He has really pretty eyes, she thought to herself. He was speaking, but the words were lost to her. His gaze offered her solace, and she was content to get lost in his irises.
***
Marcus forced his eyes to focus on the bright white computer screen. Despite his best efforts, his gaze kept drifting to the brunette laying unconscious on the bed. She’d stared up into his eyes for an eternity before her orbs had glazed over and shut.
Half a day had passed since then. The men who attacked her had been caught and interrogated. It made his stomach turn to think about them. They had come to abduct her so their pack would have a female. Emmett was being even more extra protective over his daughter now—not that he could blame the man. Still, he hoped the alpha would loosen up a little once things calmed down. He wanted Emily to have some freedom. She didn’t even know what movies were out for crying out loud.
Thankfully, Vincent had brought a movie into her room, explaining that it was Em’s favorite, and that she would want to watch it when she woke up.
The bed creaked as Emily rolled over. Her hand flopped down, hanging off the edge of the mattress. She sighed deeply as her eyes blinked open.
Marcus set his laptop down and reached over, taking her hand gingerly in his. As soon as Devon had set her forearm it had completed the transition correctly, which had helped speed up the healing process.
“Hey,” she said groggily.
“Hi,” he smiled, squeezing her hand. “How do you feel?”
She rolled over, keeping her digits entwined with his. “Good.”
Marcus remained quiet, watching as she stared up at the ceiling.
“You didn’t have to sit with me,” she whispered.
“You didn’t have to sit with me either,” he countered.
Emily turned to him.
Marcus drew in a deep breath and leaned forward. “I wanted to be here, Em. At the risk of being turned down again or speaking out of line, there is something between us. My wolf is drawn to you. I need to be near you. I can’t explain it—I wish I could. After what happened earlier, I won’t deny our connection anymore.”
Emily licked her lips. “My father would never approve.”
“Do you have a mate?” Marcus asked.
“No, but-”
“I’m new to the pack. I can prove myself. I’ll show the alpha I’m worthy of you.”
Emily clung to his hand as she met his gaze. Marcus leaned forward, touching her cheek. “I’ve never felt this way before. I can’t ignore it.”
“Me neither. I could have died today—or been abducted. If something happened, I would have regretted not knowing what this was between us,” she breathed. “I tried to avoid you, but it was so hard. I don’t want to fight it anymore—I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.”
Her hand reached up, and threaded through his hair, pulling him to her.
Marcus pressed his lips against hers, lightly at first. But when her tongue darted out to taste his, he pulled her closer. Her breath caught as he swirled his tongue with hers. This was right—he would do whatever he needed to do to make sure Emily was his for as long as she wanted to be.
Chapter Three
Three Years Later
Emily leapt over a log, landing on the moist ground on all four paws. She smiled inwardly as she heard Marcus’ footfalls pounding on the ground behind her. The leaves in front of her rustled, and a flock of birds flew over her head seconds before Marcus emerged from the brush.
Unwilling to let him win their impromptu race, she darted ahead, maintaining her lead as she zigzagged through the trees. The clearing where they’d left their clothes was just up ahead. She sprinted down the winding path and soared through the brush, coming to a halt next to a large oak tree.
Marcus caught up a few moments later, his breath coming in quick, uneven pants. She chuffed, attempting to make a chuckling sound. It was no secret that she was the fastest wolf on the property; at least she had one thing going for her. She couldn’t fight to save her life but she could run for it.
Emily flexed her long, brownish-red legs forward, not wanting to think about the depressing state of her life when she was with the one person who made her smile. She shook out her back end and closed her eyes, willing her shift to begin.
A grunt escaped her as her bones began to snap. Her torso elongated and her muscles pulled tightly, sending a sharp pleasure-pain ricocheting through her body. Within seconds, she was crouched in the dirt on her hands and knees. She stood to her feet, and sauntered over to her clothes, knowing that Marcus’ eyes were on her.
She turned back to him as she slowly slid her panties up her long, lean legs. He barked and stretched, triggering his own shift. Emily slipped her lacy black bra, tank top, and jean shorts on while watching his grey-white fur retreat and his olive-toned skin form. He stood up and went to his pile of clothes, slipping on his jeans. Emily bit her lip as Marcus dressed. His bicep muscles were solid and his body, lean.
“I think you’re getting faster,” Marcus commented, buttoning his pants.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Emily shrugged. “Spring quarter is over, I have nothing better to do with my time but run and read.”
“And spend time with me,” Marcus grinned.
“I would love to spend all my time with you,” Emily sighed.
Marcus walked toward her, cupping her chin with his hands. She reached up and placed her hands on his warm, toned chest, relishing in the feel of his skin against hers. “Just say the word and I’ll talk to your dad.”
“I want you to. I want to marry you, Marcus.”
“But?”
“You know he won’t approve.”
“It’s only a matter of time until he finds you a mate, Em. What then?” Marcus rubbed his thumb across her cheek and she leaned into his touch, placing her lips gently against his.
/> “Let me talk to him,” she mumbled against his mouth.
Marcus’ tongue darted out, tracing her lips. “Isn’t that supposed to be my job? I’ll be in his office going over the stocks with him this afternoon.”
Emily pulled back, staring into Marcus’ blue-grey eyes. “I’m his only daughter, Marcus. The man I choose for a mate helps to determine the future of our pack. You know there is lots of unrest amongst our neighbors.”
“You know I know that. I lost my entire pack, Em.” Marcus looked away, his jaw set. “Maddie and Amelia are here now too. You’re not the only female in the pack. And Amelia is an alpha female.”
“My dad will use every opportunity he has to advance this pack. I’m sure he is already contemplating all of our futures.”
Marcus gritted his teeth and growled low in his throat.
Emily closed her eyes. “All I’m saying is we need to approach him at the right time. We need to think this through. You’re my mate. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” She reached up and pushed her hands through his thick, dark hair. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He smiled and placed a kiss to her forehead before resting his head against hers.
“Will I see you later tonight?” she questioned, biting her lip.
“Probably not. I’m going out with Dev and Vincent after dinner.”
Emily huffed and pulled away, bending down she tossed his shirt at him. She knew he was faithful to her while out with her brothers—if he did they would tell her—but she resented the freedom they got.
“Hey, I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” he said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I have the whole afternoon free.”
Emily shivered as heat flooded her, anticipation rolling in her belly. She bit her lip and met his gaze.
Marcus inhaled, leaning in to kiss her lips again, and mumbled, “I wasn’t thinking that, but...” he deepened their kiss his, tongue gliding against hers. Emily ran her hands up and down his smooth, taut back.
“I wish we had more time today,” she whispered, pulling back.
“If I were meeting anyone else...” he trailed off.