The Lion and his Emancipated Mate

Unraveling the Mystery Pt. 1

Lucas studied Emmaline as she raked her eyes over his body. I smirked. Dominic was yelling in my head, “MATE! MARK MATE!” I sighed, “We can’t mark her in the middle of a classroom, Dominic.” Dominic agreed, “Right, take mate home and mark her!” I wanted to groan when I realized she thought I growled because she had my coffee. I didn’t even care that I didn’t know what she was. She could even be human, but I wasn’t positive. There was something that felt familiar about what she was. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I was just glad I’d found her.

Dominic growled, “Go get mate! You let her walk away. I want mate!” I sighed, “Stop being a child. We know who our mate is now. We can’t treat her like a werewolf. We can’t scare her away.” Dominic sighed, “Fine. I want mate though.” I answered him, “So do I.” I noticed Drake McAlister; the future Beta of Red Run was seated next to her. He had just found his mate, who was a member of my pack.

I was drowning in Emmaline’s gaze. How did anyone get anything done once they’d met their mate? Dylan linked me, “Dude, you need to start presenting again. The rest of the class may understand, but Emmaline won’t. Don’t you worry. I’m entertaining the whole pack regaling the tale through the pack link.” I was so not going to check the pack link then.

Emmaline realized people were staring at her. I linked my pack members in the class, “Stop looking at your future Luna. You’re making her uncomfortable.” They immediately turned away from her, and I continued my speech about the youth center. My eyes never left hers though. I couldn’t help but smile at her attempts to look at her paper and not into my eyes. She blushed numerous times. I was already thinking of other ways to keep making her blush. I wanted her so badly.

I was fighting my instincts to take her, mate, and mark her. I was trying to stop myself from picturing her writhing underneath me. I loved the way her nose crinkled when she smiled timidly up at me. The innocence in her eyes was drawing me to her. I couldn’t remember a single word I’d said when the bell rang. Everything stopped when Emmaline stood up. No… She couldn’t leave, not yet. Dominic linked, “That is what happens when the bell rings. Students leave. Stop her or I will.”

I asked her to stay back to talk. I could hear all the students outside in the hall trying to get a look at us. They all wanted a peak at their long-awaited future Luna. When Dylan spoke to her first I almost hit my best friend. Her eyes didn’t leave mine until he said his last name. She asked if he was Travis’ brother and I smiled.

That was perfect. Travis could watch out for her while she was here. I could trust Travis. I couldn’t stop my growl when their hands almost touched. Dylan linked me, “I was just going to shake her hand, Lucas. You have got to find some chill. I’ll work on expediting you some pills. Don’t worry. I’m all over this.” I replied, “I know what you were doing. It wasn’t an intentional growl. It just came out.” Dylan replied, “Danger! Danger! You’ll turn into Alpha no fun Eric Conners and that’s unacceptable!” I rolled my eyes.

I was surprised Emmaline felt our connection. I linked Dylan, “I thought human mates couldn’t feel the tingles in the bond until they were marked. I thought they only felt comfort in their mate’s presence.” Dylan answered, “They can’t. She’s not human, Lucas. I knew that when she walked in the door. You’re slipping. That’s what I’m here though for. What she is… now that’s the question. She almost feels like a fairy… maybe she is a fairy.” Maybe.

She took her hand slowly from mine. It took all of my effort not to snatch it back into my grasp. I linked Dylan, “We need to speak to Alpha Kyle from Red Run. He didn’t mention anyone on our list being another type of supernatural.” Dylan looked at Emmaline then pointed out, “She might not know she’s a supernatural. Also, Alpha Kyle probably hasn’t met this girl.” I wanted to groan in frustration. If she knew what she was, then she would have no problem with me claiming her. If she didn’t, that could present problems.

Emmaline apologized for my coffee being late. Like I gave a s**t. I just wanted to keep her talking. Eventually, she had to go. Dominic was growling at me not to let her leave. I closed our link; he was being very unhelpful. I needed to know everything about her. I would make everything better for her. My breath caught as she left. I heard all the werewolves in the hall clamoring that I had found my mate. I heard Emmaline take a deep breath, then she headed off to her next class hurriedly.

Mr. Blaze’s second period filed in. Ruth brought up the rear and held her hand out to Dylan. She smugly told him, “Pay up.” My eyes narrowed. I asked, “You knew she was my mate?” Ruth smiled, “I suspected. Our beta told me I was bat crap crazy.” I rolled my eyes at Dylan and surveyed the class. They were all pack members. That worked in my favor. I announced, “You all know what just happened and you all know about the youth center. Talk amongst yourselves.”

They all started excitedly chatting. I told Dylan, “I’m going to the front office to get her file.” Ruth waved a file in my face. She gloated, “But you have a lovely assistant who already asked them to pull it based on a hunch. Then she picked it up after finishing her call when the pack mind link went insane with the news of our future Luna.” I smiled, “You are one in a million, Ruth.” She smiled, “I know. I don’t know that you’re going to like what you see here though.” I frowned and opened the file.

I growled, “You mean lack thereof? What the f**k is this s**t?” Emmaline had transcripts, no address on file, and a note that she was emancipated. Her parents weren’t listed. She had no emergency contacts, stellar grades, and…. holy s**t. I whispered, “She’s sixteen? She’s in senior level classes.”

Dylan laughed, “She’s legal. Don’t you worry.” I frowned, “I know that, but if she thinks she’s human she might have a problem with it.” Dylan laughed, “I call malarky. She was two steps from humping you in a classroom, I think you can work with her human hangups, should they exist, but Dylan is getting a picture of harmony for you. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

Ruth glanced at us. Mr. Blaze spoke, “You don’t think she’s human, beta Dylan?” I shook my head, “We don’t. She feels our connection. She gasped when our hands touched.” That sent the classroom into another tizzy. Ruth said, “Well, we will figure that out. I pulled a background check to see if I could get any more details, but it’s sparse.” I sighed, “Does it tell you who her parents are? Why she’s emancipated? Or why it was granted?” She shook her head, “No someone buried it, Alpha. They buried it very well.”

I frowned, “Dylan, I want her guarded from a distance. She seems to know Drake McAlister. Call Red Run and have him look out for her. She knows Travis too, so tell him he’s guarding her. I also want five of our warriors guarding her at all times, I don’t like this. This sounds like she’s in danger or running from something.” The thought was sending Dominic almost into a tailspin. Dylan muttered, “You insult me by thinking I didn’t already start that process. I am under appreciated. That’s what Dylan is.”

We decided Ruth would give the rest of Mr. Blaze’s classes the youth center speech. Dylan and I went to an unoccupied office to conduct business. I called Alpha Kyle. He immediately answered, “Alpha Lyons, my Beta’s son linked him that you’d found your mate. He said it’s one of the human transfers from our school.”

I told him, “Alpha Kyle, Drake is half right. I found my mate, and you answered my question as to whether or not you knew she isn’t human.” Alpha Kyle asked, “She’s not human?” I admitted, “She feels our connection.” Alpha Kyle sighed, “So she can’t be human. Any ideas? You could call Alpha Eric’s mate. She would know if the girl is a partial fairy or not.” I sighed, “I have someone in my pack who can tell for certain. She’s known quite a few fairies. If she’s not certain I’ll call Haley.”

Dylan groaned in our link, “You’re not seriously suggesting Christy meet Emmaline. That’s the worst idea you’ve ever had. Ever, and I was around when you wore bellbottoms Lucas.” I replied, “It’s the fastest way to rule out if she’s a fairy.” Dylan rolled his eyes. He answered, “Because what could possibly go wrong? Except everything. A quick call and a pop would confirm it too. A pop is so fast. Faster than Christy, just POP she’s here. There a bonus of Eric losing his marbles she popped away from him. Everyone goes home a winner.” I told him, “If Christy isn’t certain we will call Haley, and you can win then.”

Alpha Kyle asked, “Could the girl not know what she is?” I sighed, “I think that’s a possibility, I know she’s running or hiding from someone. I was hoping you could ask Beta McAlister to have Drake keep an eye on her. They seem to know each other.” Alpha Kyle laughed, “And he just found his mate so his presence near her doesn’t bother you. Did you know your mate introduced them?” I asked, “Did she? I hadn’t heard that.” Dylan chimed in, “I did. I knew that.” I rolled my eyes at him.

Alpha Kyle answered, “Yes, Emmaline walked right up and tapped him on the shoulder as his wolf was going crazy. Then asked if he’d met Sam. The rest, as they say, is history. My son, Peter, hopes she can do the same for him when he’s in school next week. I’ll tell Drake to watch out for Emmaline. I believe he was doing that already though. I’ll see if I can find any other details about her.” We hung up.

Dylan brought me up to speed, “I linked Travis. He has a few classes with her. She’s become friends with Chelsea, Valerie, and Sam. Other than a human named Grayson from her old school she sticks with Drake and the Red Run pack. You’re making a face. You’re going to growl. Don’t do it. Don’t channel Alpha no fun Eric Conners. We must save you from yourself!” I growled, “I don’t want the human near her.” Dylan sighed, “You growled. I already told Travis you’d say that. I get no credit around here and I’m underappreciated. It’s so hard to be me.”

We worked until lunch. Dominic wouldn’t let me continue until I saw her again. I couldn’t disagree with him. I wanted to see her. I stood, “I’ll be back. I’m going to find her.” Dylan laughed, “Oh I am coming with you. I’ve never seen you like this, it’s highly entertaining.”

We walked into the lunchroom just in time to see Emmaline animatedly talking to Sam. She did not realize everyone else was listening to her with amusement. Dylan snorted, “Please let me tell Alpha no fun you’re a god and he’s not.” I stood taller with a smile on my face. She dashed out of the lunchroom. I walked out after her. The humans didn’t understand the catcalls coming my way. I sent them all a settle down gesture and they quickly complied.

I watched Emmaline sit under a tree in the shade and close her eyes. I walked over to her. I knew she could smell me when her heart rate increased. My little mate was absolutely not the human I thought she was when I first heard her name. I scanned her form again and tried to will my hard on away. I didn’t want to scare her. I didn’t know if she knew anything about the supernatural world. We started talking. My mate was sassy and I liked it. She didn’t know that I would do anything for her yet, but she would. I was upset she’d been on her own so long. The sadness in her voice was making me want to rip people apart.

I wasn’t getting any . That would annoy Dylan to no end. We couldn’t find the reason for her emancipation; nor the age she’d been emancipated. My beautiful mate should never be on her own. I could tell when I asked her that she almost told me. That was interesting. Maybe if I could keep her gaze, she’d answer my questions. I filed that tidbit away for now.

I mentally promised her that she would never be alone again. She was mine. I wanted to go throttle her parents, probably kill them. For someone her age to have been alone for at minimum one year, was reprehensible. Alpha Kyle hadn’t found her parents in his territory; she had no address on file at their school either. She was fifteen when she transferred into their school. Who the f**k left a fifteen-year-old on their own like that?

Emancipations weren’t even easy to get a judge to grant. What the hell had happened to my mate? Anger filled me as I tried to get her to open up to me. Someone had scared her, and I found that unacceptable. I could see in her eyes she believed me. Then I saw a wall come up after a brief moment of panic in her eyes that I didn’t understand. I was beginning to worry she was running from some type of abusive situation.

The bell interrupted us. I officially hated that sound. It kept taking her away from me. I couldn’t stop myself from hugging her. I was fighting Dominic for control. I barely managed to maintain my control until she left to go back to her classes. It was hard knowing we both wanted each other. It was natural since we were mates. Thank god I’d been working on being in control of myself since I was younger, or I’d have just taken her straight back to my home.

I was going to uncover everything there was to know about Emmaline Richards. I was going to find out who had scared her. They would fear my name before they died. Dylan came out and joined me. He teased, “I thought you guys were going to do the deed right here on the grass. Do you really still think she has a problem with your age gap? Me thinks not.” I growled at him asking, “Have you always been this annoying?” Dylan laughed, “I’m not annoying. I’m the spice in your life that makes the world go round. It’s not my fault you’re c**k blocking yourself. I bet Dominic is going crazy right along with you. All I’m saying is a simple call and pop and we’d have some answers.”

I sighed, “Christy will be able to tell. Chelsea linked me that she and Emmaline are meeting in the pack house tomorrow. I have our warriors watching her tonight. Once they report where she lives, I’ll come guard her myself.” Dylan snorted, “You say guard, but I’m catching those undertones. You want a make out session. I hear you loud and clear.” I smiled, “Whichever happens, happens my friend.”

We went back in and got to work for the rest of the day. The need to see her again was growing. Dominic was restless in my mind. I groaned, “s**t! We might have to move our office to the school temporarily. I need to see her again.” Dylan laughed, “You’ve got it bad. You and the high schooler. It’s adorable. I’ve been regaling the pack with poetry about it all day.” I rolled my eyes, “Of course you have. Eric is going to give me such s**t for this. I should’ve known it would be this way. Eric hasn’t ever been any type of way about anyone he’s fucked.”

Dylan interrupted, “Except you.” I snorted, “I mean women he’s f****d. Then he met Haley and he’s all over her like white on rice. You should’ve seen him when Damon had her. He was a man possessed. God, now I feel pain thinking of Emmaline in that situation. I need to send Eric a cheese basket or something with some whiskey.”

Dylan laughed, “I have so many things to say. One, I did not want to see him when the vampires took his pocket sized fairy. I told you at his wedding, he would go full on psycho killer and he did. Two, I would deliver said basket for you with a bow on my own head for a chance to see the fairy princess. Whom I could see if you weren’t being stubborn. You’re ruining all my fun to mess with Alpha no fun.” I growled at him.

Dan Foster linked me, “The Luna is joining us for swim practice. I assume you would like to see her swim; she’s really good.” I smiled and stood, “Emmaline is swimming.” Dylan stood, “Then onward to the pool we go.” I rolled my eyes at him but shot out of the room. He caught up to me, “You’re like a little kid in a candy store man. Now, I can’t wait to meet my mate.” Dylan hadn’t really looked for his. He had to take care of Travis when their parents refused to come home, extending what seemed to be their never ending trip at this point.

We made it to the pool in record time. The principal came to join us. We sat in the back so she couldn’t see us. The principal commented “So, she is the future Luna. Why are we all the way back here?” I admitted, “Because she could smell me if I got closer.” The principal did a double take. He mused, “Humans can’t smell that well. She’s not human then, I take it.” Dylan and I shook our heads. I continued, unable to stop myself, “Apparently not. She feels our connection, but she doesn’t seem to know we are mates.” The principal smiled, “Interesting.” Not the word I’d use. Awful, horrible, annoying all seemed liked better adjectives to describe the situation.

We watched as Dan put her with three of our warriors in training. Dylan snorted, “She can’t be good enough to beat them, they’re state champions. How rude of him to have our Luna fail. I’ll make him run more laps, Lucas. Don’t you worry.” I smiled broadly when she taunted the guys she was racing.

Dylan squealed, “Ohhh she’s throwing down the gauntlet. Whether she can or can’t beat them, she’s sassy. I like it.” I growled at him. He rolled his eyes “Stop channeling Alpha no fun with the growling. You know I like women with sass. I respect the future Luna. I’m your best friend. NO ONE SAY IT’S ALPHA NO FUN EITHER. It’s me. I’m your best friend. He can’t have everything.” The principal chuckled. Dominic huffed in my head, “Fang is really excited and having fun.” Fang was Dylan’s wolf.

I focused on Emmaline. She was in a skin-tight swimsuit that her boobs were trying to come out of. I frowned. They weren’t overly large. Honestly, they were the perfect size. It was clear her swimsuit was old. It didn’t fit her properly. Why didn’t she have a new swimsuit?

I watched her in warm up. I proudly stated, “She’s watching their techniques and how they swim.” Dylan said, “It’s smart, but unless the future Luna is a fish; they are going to win.” I smiled at him, “She is my mate for a reason. I bet she can take them.”

She taunted them some more before they dove into the pool. I couldn’t look away from her. She was so graceful and fast. She was already a lap ahead of the guys. Dylan’s jaw dropped. He snorted, “Nope, she is not human. Not even kind of human. What the hell is she? Is she a partial mermaid? That would be so exciting. I’d get to be all we see you over there with your fairy/Hackura princess Alpha no fun and we raise you… Princess Ariel the Disney mermaid.”

We might actually have to look into that as a possibility. She smoked the guys. When she finished, she pulled herself up out of the pool. It went into slow motion in my mind as the water dripped off her breasts. She pulled her hair free of her cap, shaking it out from side to side.

Dylan linked me, “Lovely hard on you’re sporting there, Lucas. You should clap; she did inhumanly well.” I glared at him and started to clap for her. She turned towards us. Her eyes narrowed on me, and she blushed. The things I could do to make her blush. Our pack members got out of the pool and stared at her in astonishment. She managed to get a jab off at them, then left for work.

I frowned. She worked too hard. I need to change that. She needed to have more fun. I was confused by her exchange with Dan.

How was she not on the team? She was the best swimmer out there. I gritted my teeth hearing her answer. I linked the warriors here to watch her, “Follow her discreetly.” They replied simultaneously, “Yes, Alpha.”

Dylan and I went back to find Ruth. She was still in Mr. Blaze’s classroom. She looked up and smiled when she saw us. She asked, “Are we going to the diner for dinner?” I nodded distractedly. Dylan asked, “What is going on? You’ve been thinking so hard my head hurts. That’s usually my arena. This day is just topsy turvey. Is it opposite day? How dare no one tell me! I was woefully unprepared.”

I sighed, “She’s hiding from someone. I thought she was on the team, but she only wants to practice with them. With her times she’d be the talk of newspapers, colleges, maybe even some local news stations. You don’t just become that talented without having any training. She’s hiding from someone. She’s choosing not to compete because they could easily find her if she did.” Dylan frowned, “You’re right. That’s the only reason to hide a talent like hers.” I growled, “I’ll kill whoever it is.” Dylan nodded, “Of course you will. You’ve channeled Alpha no fun. I’ve lost you temporarily, but I’ll get you back. He shall not defeat me.” I snorted as we walked into the diner.

Al came outside to greet us. He immediately apologized to me, “I’m sorry about Liz this morning, Alpha Lucas. We are protective of Emmaline around here. My mate hadn’t met you yet, she didn’t know you were the Alpha. She meant no disrespect.” I shrugged, “None taken. I appreciate her being protective of my mate.” Al smiled, “I had heard that rumor over the pack link. Even a few poems. Emmaline deserves a good man like you, Alpha. She’s had things too hard since I’ve known her.”