Lost and Found (A Werewolf Wars Novel Book 4) (30 page)

She leaned back in her chair and smiled. If she didn’t change the direction of this conversation, then he might decide this wasn’t the right pack for him. The thought of him leaving was too much to bear. Why? She didn’t know.

“So, are you in school?” she asked quietly.

“I’ve been working toward my business degree.”

“Oh? I just finished my first semester of college courses. I’m not sure what I want to do...”
or if I’ll ever be allowed to leave the homestead to do it.
“...but at least I’m getting the basic classes out of the way.”

Marcus stood up from the bed and stretched. Emily blinked up at him, watching as he strode toward the door.

“I’ve been cooped up in here all day. Do you mind going for a walk?”

“I’d love to.” Emily jumped up, her pulse quickening as she inhaled his mossy scent. Her stomach clenched tightly and heat rushed through her core.
Why am I having such a reaction to him?
She hurried past him, hoping he wouldn’t notice the shift in her mood. “I’ll take you for a walk outside.”

They descended the stairs in silence. Emily took the time to try to regain control of her raging hormones. She’d been around male wolves—some of whom were very attractive—but had never had this kind of a response before.

“This property is huge—at least, from the little I saw of it.”

“It is,” she agreed. “We like our space here. We have just over fifty acres. The edge of our property is marked off so you know where not to go. We haven’t had a problem with hunters for a few years, but it’s best to be careful, especially with hunting season in full swing.”

“I’d like to stretch my legs and explore. Maybe later we could go for a run around the property.”

Emily grinned as they walked out onto the front porch. “I’d like that.”

***

I
t had been two days since Marcus had woken up and started feeling like himself again. Things were different here—not bad, just different from what he was accustomed to. He had more time and space to himself, and he enjoyed being able to kick back and relax. Like today, he’d just finished his run and still had over an hour until he had to report for his watch duties. His only wish was that his brothers could be here with him. They had always spent their free time together. He sighed, willing the sadness and angsts of their death away.

He laid down in the grass, staring up at the puffy white clouds. His body was relaxed, the tension in his muscles gone after a good hard run in wolf form. The land here was much larger than what he was used to. It was nice to be able to really stretch his legs.

He inhaled sharply, breathing in the earthy grass scent. The smell of lilacs was on the air too.
Emily!
He sat up and looked around. The smell was too strong for her not to be near. A speck of light blue stood out in the bushes a sharp contrast to the yellow and red leaves of the fall foliage. Marcus watched as the beautiful she-wolf pulled her hair loose from its ponytail and fluffed the long strands out.

She was truly exquisite. Her hand went to her blue jacket as she shrugged the garment off. She wore a light green tee underneath that hugged her curves perfectly. Emily shuffled—probably kicking off her shoes. Marcus held his breath. She was going to shift right in front of him, and he knew that he should warn her of his presence. It wouldn’t be right to sit and watch without her knowledge.

“Hi,” he called.

Emily’s head snapped in his direction. She smiled, bending down to collect her belongings, and headed towards him.

“I didn’t realize you were out here.”

“Went out for a run,” he explained. “I wish I would have known you were almost done helping your mom. I would have asked you to join me.”

Emily plopped down next to him. “I’m usually done earlier, but we ran out of flour and I had to wait until my mom got back from the store to finish preparations.”

“What is for dinner?”

“Chicken and dumplings. One of my favorites.”

Marcus leaned back on his elbows, looking back up at the sky. He’d only known her a few days but couldn’t deny that he craved her company. There was something about her. When he was with her he felt at ease—like he was home.

“Vincent invited me out to the city tonight. Would you like to join us?” Marcus asked, holding his breath.

“No,” she sighed.

Marcus’ shoulders slouched and he blinked up at the bright sun, not wanting to look at her. He’d thought they had a connection. Maybe he was wrong.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” she whispered, touching his hand. “It’s just, my dad, he’s very protective of me. I’m the only female wolf in the pack and he doesn’t let me leave the property. He’s too afraid something will happen to me.”

“You’re not allowed to leave?” Marcus questioned, turning to her. He frowned as anger surged through him. He understood they lived in a dangerous world, but it wasn’t right to hold her prisoner here either. Hopefully, he’d misunderstood what she meant.

“I got to do odds and ends when I was younger, but after my heat cycle started, my dad forbade me from leaving the grounds. There is too much unrest amongst the packs in our area.”

Marcus opened his mouth to protest, but stopped. He’d just lost his pack because of the tension amongst their kind. “You can’t even leave if Vincent and Devon are going to be there?” Surely if she had protection, the alpha would allow her some freedom.

Emily shook her head sadly. “I would love to get out—believe—me but I know he’ll never let me. I’ve asked, screamed, and shouted until I’m blue in the face and his answer never waivers.”

Marcus placed his hand over top of hers in an effort to comfort her. Arousal rolled through him at the innocent gesture, causing his cock to throb against his jeans. He gritted his teeth and inhaled a deep breath; he was not some horny teenager. “Maybe we could find something here to do then. A movie or a run? Something fun—just the two of us.” Hell, he’d even offer to rake leaves if it meant spending time together.

“What? Like a date?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Yeah.”

Emily pulled away from him and stood up. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”

“Why?” he asked, standing up next to her. The fear laced stench of soured milk mingled in the air accompanied by her natural lilac scent.
Is she afraid of me? But why would she be aroused if she was scared?

Emily opened and shut her mouth. “It just wouldn’t. I need to get going. My mom is expecting me back in a bit anyway.” She turned on her heel and sprinted into the brush.

“Emily!” Marcus called, taking a step toward her fleeting form, but she was already gone.
What the hell just happened?
He looked down at his feet’ her jacket and shoes still set in a tidy pile next to him. Scooping them up, he set off to find her.

***

E
mily breathed heavily as she dressed. Her run had been grueling and, instead of providing relief, it had only made her tension worse. Her body ached and muscles clenched painfully as she moved.

Marcus wanted to date her. She’d hoped the attraction had been one-sided. It would have been easier. As a girl amongst a sea of men, she’d had more than her fair share of crushes, but this was different. Whatever
this
feeling was, it was more than a crush. She physically yearned to be near him—to touch him.

Stop! Your feelings don’t matter. You’re the alpha’s daughter and you have certain obligations.

“Emily,” Marcus called.

Emily twirled around as he came jogging up to her. She ran a hand through hair and willed her body not to betray her true feelings.

“You left these behind,” he stated as he handed her coat and shoes to her.

“Oh. Thanks.”

“I’m sorry if I made things awkward. I thought...” he paused clearing his throat. “I just feel this pull towards you and I don’t know how to explain it. I thought you felt the same way too, but that was my mistake.”

He feels it too?
Her heart swelled, but the chill of anticipation that shot down her spine almost immediately ruined it.
No. No. This is bad. Dad will never let you mate with anyone but an alpha. Get it together and stop this before it consumes you.

Emily swallowed, nodding.

“I just want to get to know you,” Marcus explained.

“I think we should just be friends,” she blurted.

Marcus blinked. “Yeah, sure, okay.”

“Okay,” she said, forcing a smile. “Thanks for bringing these back to me.” She slid her jacket on and tried to ignore the way Marcus’ smile wavered. “I have to get back to help my mom, but we’ll talk again later.” She shoved her feet into her shoes, waved goodbye, and took off back to the house.
Friends—it’s for the best.

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B
ethany Shaw lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Writing has always been her passion and she loves sharing her stories with readers. When she isn't writing, she is spending time with her family enjoying bike rides, bowling, and board games.