“It’s nothing personal Emma. This is how our culture works. Every pack needs an Alpha and a Luna. The pack works together so everyone is provided for and protected. They are looking out for the best interest of the pack.” Quincy series on with his point of view, but Emma was so taken aback that she didn’t hear the rest of it. Anger filled her, and she felt her face and neck heat up. “I can’t believe you just said that to me. After months of working alongs side of me, you’re agreeing with them? As if I cannot manage or protect the pack simply because I am female?” She didn’t even realize that her power was filling the room. Quincy flinched slightly as it hit him, drawing his full attention to how upset she truly was. He fully submitted to her without hesitation, baring his neck to her. Emma ignored the gesture and made no effort to control her aura. “There are times when society needs to change. Broken Paw Pack has been fine under my leadership. It is insane to think that I cannot ma
Internally Emma was berating herself for speaking too soon. Now she had to spar with the one man she wanted to avoid most. She approached the mat without hesitation, her years of training providing her with a calm exterior. Quincy gave her a grin, “Good morning Luna.” Emma gave him a cool smile, “Good morning Beta.” She stepped onto the mat and they paired off. He attempted to use his larger size the pin her to the mat, but within minutes she had him. The pack members cheered the match on and were happily chatting about her win into lunchtime. Emma returned to the pack house and Veronica joined her in the office. “Good morning Luna, here are today’s files. Your meetings have been rescheduled and I scheduled time for you and Hera to meet about the security changes.” Emma nodded, “Thank you. Please let Beta Quincy know that I’m ready to meet with him this morning.” Veronica left the office and returned a few minutes later with Quincy following behind her. He carried s legal pad and a c
Days passed quickly and soon it had been weeks since Emma and Quincy had spoken other than brief conversations about the pack. Although it made Emma sad to lose her closest friend in the pack, she didn’t regret her choice. She didn’t need a chosen mate and she didn’t want one that couldn’t understand her point of view or understand why it was time for traditions to change. She was exhausted from working long hours and trying to spend as much time as possible with Caleb and visiting Daryl, but now no one could say she wasn’t capable of taking care of the pack. Veronica was working on the details of the Luna Conference and Emma was excited to see how it would turn out. This event would be a three day conference for Luna’s only. The last day would also host a family event and end with a celebration for both the Luna’s and their mates. There would be many topics discussed and she hoped the conference would become an annual event. Emma was so lost in thought as she walked one of the narr
Daryl stood hidden by the darkness and the tree in front of him. His gaze was on the abandoned building across the street. A pup had been kidnapped from his pack, and tonight he and his top three warriors were going to bring the baby home, no matter what it took. They each had a side covered. “Any movement,” he mind linked his Beta. “None on my side,” Quincy replied. “Anything on your end,” he linked his head warrior. “Nothing,” responded Leo. “How’s your side Ivan,” he asked. “Quiet,” was the answer. He had the front of the building and intended to be the only one entering. If something went wrong, he didn’t want everyone inside. He made a mental note of every detail. The red bricks faded with age, and several windows were broken. Most of them had been boarded up but one on the far East side was wide open. Tattered fabric hung inside and swayed with the breeze. It had been quiet for the last 10 minutes or so and that worried him. “Okay, I’m going in. Ivan, since there are no exits o
Emma clung to Quincy, unable to look at her mate's damaged body. "Is he going to make it," she whispered against his dirty tee shirt. "I don't know Luna, but I believe that with you by his side, he has more of a chance. I know it's hard to see him this way, but even if he isn't conscious his wolf will feel you. It will help him heal faster." Quincy nudged her elbow for her to turn around. She wiped at her eyes with one hand and took a shuddered breath. Letting go of his shirt with her other hand, she turned and looked at her mate. Just this morning he had been strong and handsome. His brown hair was now a dirty mess and there were bald spots where his hair had been burned off. His beautiful green eyes were closed and swollen shut already. His face was dirty, and he had a burn mark on the right side of his face. Her eyes trailed farther down his body, assessing the damage. His arms usually held her with so much care and were now laying limply by his side. She watched his chest, searchi
Quincy stood guard at the door, waiting for a nurse to pass by. As he waited, he thought about the request the Luna had made of him and wondered if she would be able to do it. She was so young, small, and almost fragile. Would she be able to kill the men that did this? He would give her the opportunity to get justice for her mate. If she couldn't do it, then he would. He knew that until the Alpha was better, it would be his job to assist her in running the pack. He hated the idea of being gone with this search party, but he also hated the idea of not being involved in finding the ones responsible. It felt like a catch-22 situation. He couldn't be in both places at once, but he would have to manage to help her from a distance. He linked Paul as he waited and told him what had happened before he arrived. "I'm sorry that I snapped at you. I was just too worried to discuss it," he told his packmate. "No worries man. I'm glad we got him here as quickly as we did. What's the plan to findin
Emma sat in the lobby with a cup of cold coffee in her hand. It had been several hours since they took her mate back for surgery. She hated not knowing what was going on and she was exhausted. She tried to stifle a yawn. Her eyes drooped and she fought to keep them open. Losing the ability to fight sleep much longer, she tucked her feet under her and leaned her head against the wall. She set the coffee on the table next to her and let her eyes drift closed. She didn't know how long she had been sleeping but she suddenly wakened to the sound of someone calling her name. She cracked her eyes open and tried to rub the sleep from them. Quincy was there, holding a blanket and pillow. “Here, let me show you how to lay that chair out into a cot. While I do that I can fill you in on my conversation with Alpha Liu.” Emma nodded and stood up for him to pull the chair away from the wall. He quickly maneuvered the chair into a cot and waited for her to sit so he could cover her with the blanket.
After greeting their guests at the border, Emma and Quincy escorted them to the pack house. They spoke quietly in her private office that had wards placed on it by the pack witch. “Thank you for coming. Please send Alpha Liu my deepest gratitude. After we meet today, I will be available to speak to you at any time. However, I will be staying here with my mate. Quincy will be going with you. As soon as you have the people responsible I am to be notified. Their deaths will be at my hand.” Emma’s eyes flashed the bright yellow of her wolf as she spoke. After her speech, Emma left Quincy in charge of the meeting and went to her room. Once the meeting was over Quincy asked to speak to her. Emma found him in the office as an Omega led the men to their rooms for the night. “Yes, Quincy? Was there something you needed to discuss with me?” The Beta nodded his head, “yes Luna, forgive me for what I’m about to say, but I believe it is in everyone’s best interest or I would not be saying it.” Em