around his neck. He tightened his arms, holding her tighter. The whole world
seemed to hold its breath as their souls melded with that last link in the bond.
They loved. Neither one would ever be alone again. Emma would have a family
now, and she would give Kian her all for as long as she had. Brushing her hair
back from her face Kian had tears in his eyes this time when he said "mine."
Nodding her head Emma told Kian, "nobody but you."
Chapter 10
The world felt brighter to Emma, air tasted a little crisper. It might be cliche
but that really was the way being newly in love felt. Emma could actually see the
glow coming off her skin, it was as if she was a whole new person molded out of
the best components of the old Emma, with none of the darkness. Walking into
her rental house Emma took a long look around, and seeing the space with new
eyes, she decided right then she needed to add some pizazz to the place. She
had been operating on auto pilot for far too long. The house was functional, and
clean, but there was nothing welcoming here. Meant to be the completely neutral
to appeal to everyone, and she had been fine with leaving it that way, before.
Now deep in her soul she needed to add some of herself in, make it feel as if she
was staying someplace for once, instead of always having one foot out out the
door leaving. There was nothing here to tell story of who she was. Leaving a text
for Kian that she had some errands to run, but that they were still on for dinner at
Dusty's later she ran back out to her car.
Wondering to herself why she hadn't made the trip sooner Emma walked
into the store snagging a cart. Since this was a big box store nothing here would
be one of a kind unique finds, but she could easily add some color and vivacity to
her home. Besides, while she was here she could pick up some more of her
apple scented shampoo and conditioner. Kian was crazy about them, and Emmanever wanted to run out. Wandering the aisles with her goal in mind she had her
cart filled in no time at all. A bunch of pale gray faux suede pillows to pile on the
couch, a soft mint green blanket with fringe, all different frames she planned on
putting pictures of her with the people she loved in. There was this cute litte
bamboo plant in a fat blue pot she had to have, a trio of sqaut vanilla scented
candles to set on a decorative cracked glass plate. Emma also grabbed a half
dozen DVD's since she planned on having more girls nights with Kayla, maybe at
her place next time.
Feeling absolutely delighted with all her new purchases Emma was
loading them into the back of her little black hatchback when her phone rang.
Thinking it must be Kian she answered without ever looking at the screen. "Hey
babe!" Emma said with a smile.
"Emma Lowe?" A stranger asked. He sounded much older than her.
Pulling the phone away to see the number was not one she recognized, but
wondering if it was maybe a coworker, or member of the Big Woods pack
reaching out to her Emma answered "yeah, thats me."
"Your father was murdered. He took something from the wrong person, and didn't
hide himself well enough. Now you're in danger too. You need to leave Michigan,
never look back if ya know whats good for you."
"Who is this? How do you know I am in Michigan?"
"Just someone that doesn't want the same thing happening to you that happenedto your old man."
"My father left me, he ran off."
"Patrick Lowe never would have left you girl. You and Beth meant everything to
him."
"Who are you? How did you know my father?"
"He may have been rogue, but that doesn't mean he didn't have friends around.
Now, like I said, you're in danger, you gotta move on."
"Why me? What have I done to anyone? I can't just leave, I'm mated. His pack is
here. He will protect me if you tell me who wants me gone? If you know who
killed my father, please, just tell me." Emma finally sat down in her car with tears
filling her eyes.
"There is so much you don't know Emma. Just watch your back. I can't help you"
a deep breath full of regret, "anymore than I could help Patrick."
Emma asked "then tell me" as the line went dead.
The wave of happiness she had been riding high on crashed. Terrified and
so confused Emma locked her car door as she raced out of the parking lot. The
forest hugging the road had looked so beautiful, almost magically welcoming on
the drive up, she had imagined running as a wolf through the trees, the crisp
snow covered ground crunching underneath the pads of her paws. Reminded yet
again that she didn't have a wolf, the forest seemed dark and menacing now.
Now that Emma could feel Kian's wolf through their bond she had been imaginingherself as a wolf often lately. At least her eyes were still better in the dark than a
human's, and she scanned the dark trees constantly for a threat. Breathing a
giant sigh of relief at the sight of Kian's truck still at work Emma parked nexted to
him, tossed the car into park and ran into his office on shaking legs. Kian was
sitting at his uncle's desk working on the computer. Feeling her inner turmoil as
soon as she walked in he was up and wrapping her in his strong arms. Emma let
his strength surround her, a feeling of safety blanketing the fear.
"What happened Emma? Are you ok?" Eyes sparking silver blue Kian growled
out. Starting at the beginning Emma explained everything, telling her mate about
what the mystery caller had said about her family, and how she was in danger.
Reaching into the pocket of his dark jeans Kian pulled his phone out. One arm
still holding Emma to him he looked through his contacts and put the phone up to
his ear.
"Hey Deck man, I'm still at work for awhile, can I call you back later?" His good
friend Lex asked.
"Lex,
