The Lion and his Emancipated Mate

Unraveling the Mystery Pt. 4

Emmaline spoke, “I’m sorry, Lucas. I didn’t know it was your guys following me.” I told her, “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. How did you know they were following you?” She shrugged, “I just felt I was being followed.” Dylan linked me, “Fairy senses... Interesting.” I gave him an exasperated look.

I asked Emmaline, “Do you know what you are?” She frowned and looked away. Eventually she admitted, “Yes.” I looked at her in the mirror. I asked, “Will you tell me?” She looked right back and responded, “Would you have told me you were a werewolf?” I pulled into my driveway.

I turned to face her. I let her see the truth in my eyes when I said, “Yes, I had planned to tell you eventually.” She nodded. She requested, “Can you give me time? I’ll tell you, just not now. I’ve kept everything about me a secret for almost four years. I have this strange desire to tell you everything, but I’m scared.”

Both Dylan and my jaw dropped at her admission. I yelled, “You were emancipated at thirteen years old?!” She winced, nodding. I growled and got out of the car and slammed the door shut. The Red Run group was staring at me in shock. I didn’t need to explain though. They’d heard our conversation.

Dylan came around to my side of the car. I told him “When we find her parents… I need Prince Bjourn.” Dylan nodded, “Alright. Are you going to ask Alpha no fun yourself? Or do you want me to? After the day I had, please let me ask him.” I sighed, “I'll ask Eric.” Dylan sighed, “Naturally.”

I opened the door and pulled Emmaline out. I kissed the top of her head, “Please stop crying, baby girl.” She frowned, “I keep making you mad.” I pulled her back and looked into her eyes, “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad about your situation. Your parents should be protecting you. You shouldn’t have been alone all this time.”

Peter was bouncing up and down. He asked, “Does anyone smell daisies? I smell daisies.” Emmaline smiled, “That's what Chelsea smells like, but I can’t smell her from here.” Peter took off running into my house. We all heard his growl, “MATE!” from outside. Alpha Kyle, Beta McAlister, and Drake all looked at Emmaline. She shuffled and scuffed her shoe on the pavement.

Dylan asked, “Emmaline, how do you feel about Lucas? Setting aside the growling and general moodiness lately.” She turned bright red. She stammered, “Umm... well... I... how is that any of your business?” Dylan laughed, “Soon you will learn, everything is my business.”

We went inside. Dylan continued his questions, “Have you met anyone you think would be great with me, little Luna?” Emmaline frowned, “Not yet, no.” He sighed, “Of course not. Keep an eye out, would you?” She nodded.

We found Gemma and my Gamma Alex in my office. Both were excited. Alex told me, “Peter took Chelsea to a guest room, Lucas. There was no stopping him once he had her in his arms.” I smiled, “It’s fine. Thankfully for us, all the rooms are soundproofed. So, the future Luna of Red Run was in my pack.” Emmaline asked, “What does that mean? Luna... people have called me that.” Dylan linked, “I think she knows what it means. That’s what Dylan thinks.”

Gemma asked, “She knows?” I admitted, “She knew the whole time.” Alpha Kyle added, “She’s also killed five rogues in my territory.” Gemma gasped. Emmaline ducked behind me. Drake laughed, “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Emmaline. We kill them too.”

Emmaline looked at Drake startled. She quickly asked him, “Like all of them? Not all of them bothered me.” Drake quickly asked, “You saw more than five of them? You only killed five... How many did you see?” Emmaline looked at the floor.

I rubbed her back encouragingly. She admitted, “There’s one… I think he’s just a kid. Please don’t hurt him. I used to give him half of my burger sometimes. He’s nice. I think he’s just lonely like me.” Alpha Kyle growled, “OH for f***s sake. I have a rogue LIVING in my territory?”

Emmaline looked pleadingly at me, “Please, Lucas. He seems really young.” I sighed, “Werewolves shift once they turn sixteen.” She frowned, “I’m pretty sure he’s around ten years old. I don’t see him all the time, but he should be at the pond today. Please Alpha Kyle, just… Can he be given a chance to explain? Or something?”

Alpha Kyle sighed, “I’ll have someone pick him up. We will talk to him and decide what to do from there. Could you please tell me how many you’ve seen in that area?” She frowned, “I’ve seen at least thirty. I didn’t really keep track of them through.” Drake frowned. Beta McAlister yelled, “Thirty?! AT LEAST?! f**k it all to hell and back! We have a major breach.” He and Alpha Kyle began to link each other.

I asked Emmaline, “Did you find out about werewolves because when you killed the first rogue he shifted back to human form?” She shook her head, “No, I’ve known about werewolves since I was eight years old. That would be one very interesting way to find out werewolves were real though.” Everyone frowned. Eight? I asked her, “Did you come from a pack?”

She shook her head and changed the subject, asking, “Can I go to school today?” I shook my head, “No, baby girl. I want to get you settled here.” She looked at me in shock. She asked, “Settled? Here? I can’t stay here; I need to get my stuff.” I growled, “Your stuff is here. My warriors brought it with us. I can’t have you out there in the woods.”

She frowned and thought about it. She determinedly told me, “Well, I can you pay you then.” No way in hell. I shook my head, “We don’t charge people to stay here. If you insist you, could teach our pups to swim on Saturday mornings. We have people pitch in how they can. That's how packs work.”

She asked, “No one pays? Because I can. I have the money.” I shook my head, “No one who lives here pays to live here. They pitch in to do things around here. Like Gemma cooks, and Alex is my Gamma. No one pays to live here.” She considered what I was saying, then nodded, “Alright, I’ll teach your kids how to swim.” I laughed, “I don’t have kids, and we call them pups.” She frowned and blurted out, “Do you have a girlfriend?” She gasped, surprised at her own question, and clasped her hand over her mouth.

She whispered, “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I asked that.” Drake, Alpha Kyle, and Beta McAlister laughed. I answered her, “I don’t have a girlfriend. Do you have a boyfriend hidden in the woods somewhere?” Dominic growled in my head. Emmaline snorted, “No.”

Drake offered, “But you have a brother somewhere.” She nodded and her eyes filled with tears. I asked, “Do you just have the one brother?” She shook her head, “No, I have two brothers and a sister. My sister’s and brother’s birthday are next month.” I frowned, “We can call them if you want.” She shook her head, “No... I have a bus ticket out of the state so I can mail them their cards and a present.” I growled, “Hell no.”

She was confused. She asked, “What do mean no? I do it every year. Well twice a year.” I growled, “I will have someone mail them for you. Or I will take you. You aren’t getting on a bus that goes out of the state.” She frowned, “I’ve done it for almost four years, nothing has happened.”

Drake asked, “Why do you have to leave the state?” Dylan linked me, “Look at him. Beta blood with the good questions. We have learned so much. Her siblings are twins. That’s something. We can work with that.” He was right. Emmaline answered Drake, “I just have to be careful. I want them to know I still care, and I think about them.” We all frowned. What did that even mean?

Gemma cut into the conversation, “Lucas, I think Emmaline should be shown her room so she can get some sleep. She looks dead on her feet.” I looked at Emmaline and quickly nodded. Alpha Kyle spoke, “I need to speak with you, Alpha Lucas.” I nodded, “Gemma, please show Emmaline to the rooms upstairs.” They were meant for the Luna. Gemma smiled, “Come on dear, let’s go.” Emmaline left after a quick look at me. I finally relaxed because she was safe.

Alpha Kyle spoke as soon as the door closed, “This is a clusterfuck. My pack found the boy. He’s not a werewolf, he’s a shifter. That’s why he can already take the form of a wolf. He thought he would fit in better. He felt safe around your mate because she killed the rogue he was running from. How the f**k did rogues start to run rampant in my goddamn territory?”

Beta McAlister reported, “Our warriors found three bodies in the lake mostly decomposed. They are burning the rest of the remains. By my count, we are missing a body. I have had the wolves who were supposed to run that area taken into custody to the dungeons.”

Drake growled, “They could’ve gotten her killed! We are supposed to protect our pack and territory from threats. What the HELL were they doing?” Alpha Kyle told him, “We will find out. We need to know how she killed the last rogue unaccounted for. Something tells me it has to do with what she is. The shifter boy said the one bothering him was the one she killed with a fork. He said she’s impressive, and she knows self-defense.” I snarked, “Maybe her brother taught her. I didn’t find a brother or any family in her background check. She has to have changed her name.”

Drake mused, “To bury that though, she’s gotta have some kind of magic. I agree with Peter. It sounds more and more like she’s a fairy.” I nodded, “Yes, it does but we’ve ruled that out. An angel could do all of this too.” Alpha Kyle laughed, “Maybe a part Angel, demon mix.” He snorted, then straightened, “I was joking, but I’d run if I was her too. Both groups would want her dead.” I growled, “I don’t know what she is, but I will find out. We will keep her safe. Fortunately, she is capable of helping us with that.”

Christy burst into my office yelling, “Lucas! How can you put her in the Luna rooms? I told you she’s too immature!” I growled, “GET OUT! Don’t you EVER come into my office and tell me what to do with MY MATE or MY PACK!” She bared her neck in submission. She looked around and saw Red Run’s pack members. She sheepishly said, “I’m sorry, Alpha.” She ran from the room. Dylan sighed and linked me, “I’m getting a headache from the problems she’s going to cause.”

We spent several hours working to tighten up everyone’s borders. We obviously had holes if rogues and shifters were running all over the place. Peter returned marked and mated with Chelsea. She was beaming. She asked me “Where’s Emmaline? I wanted to thank her. Peter told me she just felt like we needed to meet.” I told her, “She’s in the Luna’s quarters.” Chelsea nodded, kissed Peter, and ran off. He watched her go with a smile.

He was quickly brought up to speed by Drake, who trailed off and scented the air. He announced, “Sam’s here.” He left to go see her. When he came back, he looked a little sad. Peter gave him a questioning look. Drake shrugged, “She’s going to see Emmaline. She brought all our homework home with her.” I sighed, looking at the time, “I didn’t realize it was that late.”

Alpha Kyle stood to leave. He told me, “Make sure Emmaline knows we aren’t upset with her, and we have the boy. There’s a family in our pack that’s taken to him. His parents died that’s why he was out there alone. My pack is taking him in.” I smiled, “I’m sure that will make her happy.” They left to go back to their pack.

Dylan said, “This is such a fun mystery! How did a fifteen-year-old manage to kill five rogues? That’s just impressive no matter who you are. Then there’s the missing body. I have so much to discover.” A knock sounded on the door. I called, “Come in.” Dylan groaned, “Why?” We could smell who it was.

Christy entered the office. She whispered, “I’m sorry about earlier.” I growled, “You either accept my mate or you can leave, Christy. Don't ever question me again, especially in front of another pack.” She sighed, “I didn’t look around the room, Lucas. I just… she doesn’t even know about us.” I told her, “It’s none of your business, but she does know about us. She has known the whole time.” She gasped, “A human knowing about us before you told her? Lucas, you must call the council, they need to question her! This is dangerous.”

I was across the room with my hands around her throat. I told her, “She’s not human, and the council wouldn’t give a s**t. She killed five rogues last year by herself. She’s my mate Christy. Do NOT threaten her in my presence.” Christy gulped. I released her.

She rubbed her neck and hissed at me, “It’s like she has a magical hold on you. I’m worried. You aren’t thinking clearly.” I growled, “SHE IS MY MATE! That’s her goddamn hold. Stay away from her.” She snorted, “Someone is going to have to teach her about being a Luna. I was prepared to be yours for years.”

I growled, “Something I never asked you to do. You knew you weren’t going to be my Luna, and you have a problem with her. Stay. Away. From. Her. This is your last and only warning.” She looked hurt but walked away. Dylan sang when she closed the door, “She’s going to be a problem.” I sighed, “It does seem that way. I’m going to see Emmaline.”

I went upstairs and found Emmaline, Chelsea, Sam, and Valerie sitting on her bed. I smiled at Emmaline’s beaming face. I watched them for a moment before she saw me. They all turned and greeted me, “Alpha Lucas.” I nodded, “Congratulations future Luna Chelsea and Beta Sam.” Chelsea smiled, “Thanks. We were just leaving.” They left the room quickly.

I smiled at Emmaline. I asked her, “Are you ok?” She nodded, “Yes, Are you?” I sighed, “I’m angry at whoever led you to this. I’m angry you were left alone. I’m going to make everyone who had part in it pay, baby girl.” She frowned then asked, “Why? Why do you care? Why do I care that you care? Why can I smell you strongly? Why do I want you so badly? Why did I have a panic attack at the thought of having to leave here if the youth center took down my name? Why does the thought of leaving you behind tear me apart? Why do I see you in my dreams? Why does hearing your name, even before I met you, give my heart a thrill? And why when I met you did, I hear something in my head say Mine?”

I growled and tackled her on the bed. I put my forehead on hers. I whispered, “You can’t leave me, Emmaline. You are MINE!” She frowned, “You said that in my dream.” I asked, “Why can you tell that Sam and Drake, along with Peter and Chelsea are mates, but you can’t tell that you’re mine?” She gasped, “What? You are? But… but you said mine when you saw me because I had your coffee. They said mate when they met them. You didn’t say mate! I mean… I was hoping… but… look at you.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I kissed her. Her lips were like heaven. With great effort I ended the kiss to look into her eyes. The lust in them was making me rethink stopping our kiss. I admitted, “At the time, I thought you were human. Werewolves can say either mate or mine when they find their mate. I’m sorry that confused you, but you are my mate.” She smiled, asking “Really?” I nodded.

She admitted, “I thought I’d made your wolf mad when we first met. Your eyes kept turning between blue and black.” Dominic growled, “I want to talk to mate!” I sighed, “Not yet, Dominic.” He growled, “Fine, tell her I wasn’t mad then!”

I assured her, “Dominic wanted to come out to mark and mate you.” She blushed admitting, “I’ve never done any of this stuff before.” I smiled asking, “What stuff?” She got even more flustered, “s****l stuff. I was asked to a dance last year by the guy who transferred with my group. He kissed me, but that’s all I’ve done.” I growled and kissed her hard.

I asked, “Did he kiss you like that? What’s his name?” She answered, “Nnnoo not like that. His name is Grayson. He’s nice.” Well, Grayson would never get near her again. I told her, “We can take this at your pace. I will never make you uncomfortable.” She smiled, “You could keep kissing me.” I smiled and went back in for a kiss.

We made out like horny teenagers. I slid my tongue into her mouth. Her moans were killing me. My hands were literally twitching to go under the hem of her pants. I slid my hand up instead, running my hand over her bra through her t-shirt.

I asked, “Is this ok?” She gasped, “God, yes.” I smiled, “I am going to make you feel things you’ve never felt before, baby girl.” She whimpered and bit my lip lightly. I growled and cupped her ass with my other hand. Her hands started to explore my body. I kissed down her neck paying special attention to where her mark would be soon. She gasped, “Lucas, please.” I smiled against her neck. I asked, “Please what?”

A knock at her door stopped her reply. I growled, “What?” Dylan came in, “You’ve got a phone call, sorry to be the Beta Cockblocker.” I growled and got up and looked at Emmaline. Her lips were a little swollen. I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply.

I promised, “I’ll be back.” She smiled, “Ok, mate of mine.” I growled. Dylan spoke, “Yeah… that’s not going to make him leave, and I actually need him.” She laughed shrugging at Dylan, “I can’t help it.” Dylan sighed, “Mischievous little thing, aren’t you?” She giggled, “It’s more fun than being boring, Dylan.” I raised an eyebrow. Dylan laughed, “Right you are. I, myself, like fun things.”

I kissed Emmaline one last time whispering, “It’s really hard to leave you.” She whispered back, “Hey, I’m not the one making you leave. I want you to stay.” Dylan sighed, “Oh COME on! He can come back later. This is such role reversal. I am the fun one! I do not like being serious. Make it stop, Lucas. It’s madness I tell you.”

I ignored him and told Emmaline, “We are having a barbeque down by the lake tomorrow. I want you there.” She told me, “I’ll talk to Al about it at my shift tomorrow morning.” I nodded and backed away slowly. It took everything in me to walk away from her.