It stunned Emily when James’ lips came down in an insistent, no demanding kiss. Ever since he’d found Rebecca, she’d shied away from any thought of James like this. Gods, she could feel the heat of his body as he pulled her against him. He’d caught her arms between them and now his hands roamed her back for the first time. Feeling her body for the first time. With surprise on his side, she clung there, feeling him, and the inexplicable response to his kiss, his body, even his demands.             Time felt like it stood still, and Emily’s mind struggled to make sense of this new turn of events. Finally, she broke the kiss and hid her face in his chest. Breathlessly, Emily demanded. “What was that? That was wrong on so many levels. No, this can’t be happening and it can’t happen again.”

             Janine couldn’t figure out what her son was thinking, let alone where he’d gone. The boy infuriated her for some days. Though she was more concerned about Emily. They found the girl’s phone at the lake house amid a mess. She prayed they were together, wherever they were. Janine was thankful that they found no blood at the scene.             Alpha Haden, thank heavens, was a man who kept a finger on the pulse of his pack. That meant every morning he checked in with his Beta for news, and to deal with their private business.             This meant Janine needed to do something while she waited for him. So when he finished with his things, he found her pacing and demanding that they continue their search. Embarrassed that he overheard most of the situation from o

             “What do you mean, everything’s settled? James, you’re screwing with my life here. You’re abusing your power as an alpha. This could start a war, for fuck’s sake. When will you ever listen to me? I won’t be able to fix this disaster this time because I’m involved in the mess.” Emily searched around for her clothes. She couldn’t believe now what they’d just done, and it paled considering his words. Emily couldn’t get her mind wrapped around it all. Usually, she could work out what his intentions were, but not this time. She’d been completely and utterly sideswiped.             “We need to talk.” That was all James had to say before he pulled her back to him and away from their clothing on the floor.         &nb

             Evan sat at his desk having a private mental meltdown. Without Emily to ask, he struggled to find everything within the encyclopaedia of notes she’d given him. The bloody thing was even cross-referenced. Still no word from the search groups. He’d found nothing in all those notes about where Alpha James would disappear to. They’d checked the local motels and several of the hunting cabins, but nothing. “Luna, Alpha Haden, can I help you with something?” He prayed they needed him for anything else but searching for Alpha James. Just so he could get away from the feelings of failure and incompetence.             “Have you heard anything from the search parties?” Janine asked in a gentle voice. Evan thanked his lucky stars she wasn’t in that angry state anymore. It was rare to see her in a full-blown a

Damon couldn’t get through to Emily and it worried him to no end. Now he tried to get in contact with the alpha of her pack and still no response. This was his last attempt to contact him before he did something drastic. Dialling the last number, he possessed for that pack. He contacted the private offices of the pack. It rang and for once didn’t go to voice mail.             “Hello? Janine DeMarre speaking.” Janine hoped it would be James, but it dashed her hope when a western accent came through the phone line.             “Good afternoon, Ms DeMarre. My name is Damon Forsyth. I’m the Beta of the Orian’s Forest Pack. I’m looking for Beta Emily LaMont or Alpha James DeMarre. Are either available?”             “Good afterno