“Emily, your father is Orfeo.” As soon as those words were spoken, Emily’s past, present, and future had changed. Zach stood up and glanced from Emily to her aunt. His face was pale, and his hands were trembling. He didn’t say a word to either of them as he walked out the front door, got into his car, and disappeared into the night.“Who’s Orfeo?” Emily asked her aunt. “And what does he have to do with Zach?”“Em, it’s a long story, and I’m not sure you’re going to believe any of what I tell you, but everything I tell you here tonight is the truth.” *Emily shook her head and waited to hear what was so bad about this guy, who was supposedly her absent father of eighteen years, and what would make Zach walk away without any type of goodbye. “Your father.” Aunt Maureen stopped once again and took another deep

Jacob rolled over and lay on his side next to Madison. He took the blanket and covered her up. “What’s wrong?” He could tell, as well as his wolf, something was bothering her.“Nothing. Why?” Madison pulled the blanket up higher on her chest. It seemed somehow Jacob knew she hated being exposed, all naked like she was some sort of buffet. Every time they had one of their moments, he would always cover her up and then snuggle in beside her. Of course, he never worried about being exposed, but then again, why would he. His body was perfectly sculpted into one fine male specimen.Jacob kissed the tip of Madison’s nose and brushed back the strand of hair that fell into her eyes. “Because I can sense when something is bothering you. My wolf can tell when his mate is upset.” He kissed the side of her neck and worked his way down her throat. “And we would do anything,” he nipped at her neck, “to make sure she f

“I was just leaving.” Madison sidestepped past Adam and Danny and walked out the open front door. “And, Jacob, tell Mr. Michaels that I did what he requested, but next time find your own tutor for math so I don’t have to be bothered by you.” She walked down the sidewalk a little, then turned around once more to the three guys, who were watching her leave. “And, Adam, maybe see if you can get your baby brother a sippy cup since he obviously can’t handle a real glass of soda. He spilled it all over himself.” She motioned toward Jacob being in his boxers. “Later.” She walked over to her car and got in to leave.“You needed help in math, and Madison helped you.” Danny was shocked to find those two together, and neither one of them was dead.“Mr. Michaels asked her before the break if she would help out for extra credit and referral for college." Jacob kept up the story that Madison was a

Zach heard the sound of a car pulling up the driveway. His guess was Adam or one of Jacob’s friends was coming over. He didn’t bother to get up from his bed. He wasn’t in the mood to socialize with anyone right now. “Jacob,” he screamed out, knowing full well his brother had to have heard the chime but was too lazy to get up to answer the freaking door. The sound of the doorbell ringing for the third time was enough to annoy him even further. Zach stomped out of his room on the fifth ring, slammed the door, and pounded down the stairs. He swung open the front door without checking to see who it was.“Hey.” Emily gave a little wave with her hand. She was scared to be here, but at the same time, she felt delighted to finally get to see the one who had occupied her every thought for the past two weeks.Zach felt something that he’d missed the entire time he’d been gone. His wolf was stirring about.

Emily wasn’t sure why Zach had led her up here, but he made it more than evident when he picked back up where they’d left off in the living room. His touch was more forceful as he backed her up to his bed along the far wall. Emily fell flat on her back as her knees buckled against the edge of the bed. She pulled Zach down with her as she lay flat, and he collapsed on top of her. Instantly her hands were under his shirt, and she began to outline each muscle she felt along his back. Emily moaned as Zach’s fingers began to tease her nipples through her shirt. Her back arched upward as she let out a deep sigh.Zach knew what was probably going to happen was occurring for a reason he’d thought of as the only solution for their dilemma. As much as he wanted to wait and have this be a special time between them and not break an elder law, the only way the others in the pack wouldn’t harm her was if she was bonded as his mate.Clothing was shed, an