Liam POV
Holy shit, holy shit. “Oh my goddess Liam, did you see our mate? She is BEAUTIFUL!”. “Yes she is Kalen. I cannot believe our mate is a rogue?!”. “But did you see her bruises? Those were gnarly. And the choke mark on her neck”.. “Wait what? Did we see the same woman, Kalen?”. “You seriously didn’t see her face full of bruises? Wow you really were affected. Don’t worry, I am too little guy”. I have never seen Kalen this, well, emotional and sort of girly. He is gushing big time. But bruises? Why can I not remember any bruises. As I walk hurriedly to some unknown destination, I bump into Zak and Leo.
I did not really acknowledge the bump and keep walking. They jog to catch up, “Alpha, everything ok?” Leo asks. I turn to face them both, not sure what to say exactly when I see Zak grinning at me, “I know that look buddy. Have you met your new guest?” He has a shit eating grin.
I look at him with what I was hoping was a look of disdain but apparently not enough because he breaks down laughing, “hot damn, this is a good day indeed”. Leo is so lost. He has never been mated and doesn’t understand what is happening.
“Ummm okay, can I know what is happening or is it a state secret?”. “Oh sorry little brother, Liam here has found his Luna, his mate”. “Holy crap! The rogue? Really? The one covered in bruises and looks like she’s been….”, “been what Leo?” I snap at him. Quickly checking my temper... “Sorry. Not entirely sure where that came from”. I feel this overwhelming urge to protect Emma. I don’t have my dad to talk to about these things and at 25, you’d think I would know.
“Kalen mentioned bruises too. I admit, they completely escaped my notice”. “Well no offense Liam, she looks like she’s been through one hell of a scuffle. She must be made of stern stuff to walk out looking like that”. Zak is one of the best warriors we have. He’s been through a few scuffles himself. They’ve left him with a pretty intense scar down his face and neck. He says it gives him ‘character’. “Chief, you look overwhelmed. I’ll take care of pack business while you just… take a walk or something”. Zak is a good beta. Sometimes it still feels weird that my best friend is my beta.
I start walking down the corridor towards the family suites. When we rebuilt, we fashioned the packhouse much like a stone castle, with corridors connecting business suites which made it convenient for work. “How do you think she got those bruises?” Kalen wonders. “I don’t know but I’m not pleased someone laid their hands on her”. “And you mentioned a strangulation mark? I didn’t see that either. I'll have the pack doctor”... “you mean your mom haha?”. “Yes, you smart ass, my mother. I’ll have her tend to her if she’s not already. Mom, can you check in on those bruises for me and maybe find out a little more as to what she went through?”. Mindlinking always feels invasive to me, like I am interrupting people at inopportune times. “Yes dear. Already on it”.
Grace really is a supreme woman. A former luna but a physician too. She runs the pack hospital. She doesn’t need to work or have an occupation since dad had done so well for himself but she loves doing it. Ok, I need to focus on… well, nothing i guess since Zak gave me the afternoon. “Kalen, let’s stretch our legs”. I could feel him eagerly stretching, ready to burn some energy. For some reason I have so much nervous energy right now which is making me uncomfortable.
Grace’s POV Emma is such a sweet and shy young woman. She told me she was content with an apple and water. I won’t push it, knowing full well that going from famished to well fed takes time. Her bruises are fairly extensive. She was definitely hit hard several times. There is also a red mark around her neck. Despite the wreckage, she really is a beautiful girl. I sense her discomfort by my staring. “Sorry dear, I am a physician and was just examining your wounds. May I ask how they occurred?”. She looks down at her apple and without looking at me, “you can imagine being a rogue she wolf.. Well, it can get.. Well, rough without a pack. No one to protect you, no one to help you. Still though, I feel lucky. I managed to escape, unlike some”.
Emma’s POV The screech stops at my door and I hear a knock followed by the sound of whispers. Without waiting for permission, the door swings open followed by a young and bubbly face. As soon as she spots me, she screeches again and runs over to me, throwing her arms around me. I awkwardly return the hug, sort of. “Ruth, what on earth are you doing? You’re going to frighten Emma to death”, Grace chasing behind her. “I finally have a sister” she exclaims and hugs me again. Ruth is beautiful. A tall, thin version of her brother. She is very young. Her face is so full of happiness and exuberance. “A sister?”, I ask Mor. “What does she mean, a sister?”. “I don’t know Emma but she seems friendly”. Morgan is usually s
Liam’s POV Tapping my fingers on the oak table, listening to my friends talk about the deer they hunted earlier. “What is taking the girls so long?” I ask Kalen, my wolf. “Girl things I think” he says with a grin, whatever that means. Just then I hear a shrill “brother” from behind me. Leo’s eyes light up. Zak and a few other members all hide their faces that seem to say “oh god, hide us”. My sister Ruth is a bit… much. She has been away since she was 15, now 18. Leo has always had a crush on her. Neither of them were old enough to have mates when she left. Oh goddess, what if they mate? I can’t think about that. “Where is she?” Kalen asks impatiently. “I want to see our mate”. “I know buddy, m
Liam’s POV “Ruth, you’re here for a few hours and manage to fuck things up”. “What the hell Liam, I didn’t ask anything wrong”. I just look at her with so much anger. “Mom, please explain it to her, I don’t have the patience”. I stand up, motioning for all others to remain and eat. I gently open and close the balcony door. She’s not out here, where’d she go? “Oh shit Liam, she ran”. Just then I hear movement on the grass below. Peeking over, I see her with her hands covering her face. Trying not to startle her, I clear my throat. She turns and her jade green eyes pierce through me but she quickly looks down. “Alpha… I am so sorry”. I gently walk towards her but not too close.. “It’s
Emma’s POV “Here, I had this brought to your room. It’s hot chocolate with whipped cream, my favorite”. I sniff the mug, it smells delicious. “Here is a set of silk pajamas. This week, I shall like to take you to town to buy you a wardrobe”. My eyes snap up to her. I could not possibly go into a town and with what currency? I have nothing. She easily senses my uneasiness and gently cups my shoulders, “honey, please let me do this for you. You are one of us now. And do not worry about the particulars, they do not matter any”. She hugs me gently and closes the door behind her. Remembering the cocoa, I take a sip “oh my goddess Mor, are you tasting this?”. I end up drinking it too fast, wishing I had more. Just then, I feel sleep com
Emma’s POV Clock says 1:30 am on the nightstand. No one should be up. I gently open the bedroom door, trying to breathe as quietly as humanly possible. “I think I remember where it is, come on Mor”. We sneak down the hall, glancing at the alpha’s door- praying it doesn’t open. Making my way to the stairs, thank heavens they’re stone and less likely to creak. Slinking down the stairs, through the great room and dining room and through the kitchen door, I freeze in my tracks. Alpha is sitting at the kitchen top. Liam’s POV I hear steps and quickly spin around to see Emma with a terrified look on her face. I instantly notice she is only wearing a silk pajama top that is long enough to cover her b
My eyes blink open. What time is it? Turning to look at the clock, it’s 9AM! “Mor, how could you let us sleep for 7 hours?!”. She sleepily opens her eyes “eh, it felt good”. She stands up and stretches as I do the same. I hear a gentle knock on the door. It’s Grace. “Good morning sunshine! Ready to do some shopping?”. Oh, that’s right. I forgot we were going to town today. Liam’s POV “Mother, why didn’t you tell me you were taking her into town?”. “Because Liam, we’re going shopping and last time I checked, that’s not really your thing”. “No, but she is ‘my thing’ and you can’t just leave the territory with her”. “First off, son, she’s not a thin
With that, there is parade after parade of never ending clothes. Some I liked, some I definitely did not. I have no sense of style though. After all, I can’t remember a full set of clothing I had owned on my own. My stomach begins to rumble. “Come dear, let’s get some lunch”. “Grace, where has Zak been this whole time?”. “Oh, he’s here and there”. She scoops up my elbow and we head for a cafe in the store. This place is FANCY. We’re served tea and salad, an odd combination. But they were both delicious. Grace treated me to a chocolate chip cookie and oh the stars. It melted in my mouth. “Mor, I think our favorite food is chocolate”. Interrupting my thoughts, “Emma, when you are around Liam, does he smell any parti