Emily’s hand squeezed mine under the table. Before I had the chance to interject, she answered Fri candy
“I don’t think that’s the proper way to behave around the dinner
Eric scowled. “It was just a folor: ”
“Regardless, I was in poor taste.” Emily took a bite of her food “like this amazing food Good choice, toge
“Thank you,” I said, still biting back the urge to punch my half–brother.
Even so, Emily took very good care of it. She didn’t defend herself actly, but she instead threw it back in also vying for the spot of Alpha, any flaw in his conduct would be a grave offense.
“So, Emily,” started Veronica, “tell us about yourself.”
“I don’t have much to tell. I was raised in Blackwood pack mostly by my Alpha mother-
Veronica interrupted her. “Ah, yes. I heard about your mother. Didn’t she fail as an Alpha and steal a bunch of funds from the pack?”
“That’s an unfortunate rumor,” I said. I was calm on the outsile, but inside I was raging. Thad no doubt
were here for. They wanted to size Emily up and make sure she was good enough, which they probably had already made up their minds that she wasn’t
“Yes, and hopefully one that we will be able to clear up soon,” Emily added.
your lawsuit isn’t wasting pack funds to cover up past mistakes,” Eric said
“I hope yo
“I would never be so frivolous,” I said, my voice cold as ice.
We continued with dinner, and even though they initially protested the meal, they wolfed down their plates
They stayed long enough to belittle Emily with looks and side comments, then left with vague promises to bring in a g time.
“I’m sorry that was so awful,” I said to Emily once they were gone.
“You don’t have to apologize for them,” Emily.
“For what it’s worth, I think you handled yourself very well,” I said. Her face flushed and she flashed me a shy sele
After that, she went to read a book in the living room while I went to my office. There, I found an important email I had been waiting for.
My dearest Logan,
I’m attaching some information you may find interesting. It should be everything you need, bank statements, wire transfers. and email correspondence. I hope this will show you my sister’s greed knows no ends. Let me know when we can see each other next. III be sure to bring you an extra special treat
Love,
Chloe
Chloe had finally provided me with the evidence she could dig up, but my gut twisted in warning. Before I did anything with it, I needed to make sure it was really. I immediately forwarded it to the private investigator and to Emily’s lawyer.
I chose not to say anything to Emily until the information had been vetted and verified.
That evening, I found Emily on the couch, sound asleep, her head resting against a throw pillow, a book open stomach. Her face was soft in sleep, all the tension from earlier gone.
across her
Chapter 47
+25 BONUS
I should have left her be. I should have gone upstairs and pretended like nothing had changed.
Instead, I grabbed a blanket and draped it over her
My hand lingered.
She stirred.
“Logan?”
Ifroze. “Yeah, just covering you up.
She shifted slightly, her eyes still half–lidded from sleep “Don’t ”
They were two words that split me wide open. She didn’t say it like) plea. It was more like an invitation
I sat down on the edge of the couch “Emily…”
She blinked up at me. “You don’t always have to pull away.”
My breath caught. She was right, of course. Every time we got close, I retreated like a man walking backward off a cliff.
“I don’t want to make things harder,” I murmured. “There’s already so much at stake.
She smiled softly, a flicker of sadness in it. “It’s alright. You’ll always have me.
Her eyes searched mine. Her lips parted..
I wanted to. I wanted to close the gap, taste her name on my tongue. Let myself want what I shouldn’t.
But I didn’t. If I gave in now, there would be no going back. And right now, she needed protection more than passion
So I rose.
“Get some sleep,” I whispered, forcing the words past the ache in my throat.
She didn’t stop me. Her silence followed me like a shadow all the way up
the
⚫ stairs
The pack depended on me, on my decisions, and on my ability to stay focused and keep the chaos at bay. They didn’t need me distracted by my own desires, not those desires were probably only caused by proximity.
With Emily, the lines were starting to blur. The fire between us–unspoken, yet undeniable was slowly spreading, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep it contained.
Still, I knew I had made another mistake I wouldn’t be able to take back.
