The lost mate

Chapter 144: Anger and confusion

Emily walked into the common room of the pack house, a quiet tension hanging in the air. Whispers and murmurs filled the room as pack members clustered in groups, eyes darting with suspicion and judgement. The Jessica incident had become the talk of the day.

"Chris," she began quietly, "what exactly is ’heat’?"

Chris looked down at her, his expression a mixture of surprise and amusement. He motioned for her to sit down next to him on one of the worn leather couches by the window, the morning sunlight casting a soft glow around them.

"Alright," Chris said, choosing his words carefully, "so, ’heat’ is... complicated. It’s something female wolves go through, usually triggered by their mating instincts. It’s intense, like a wave of overwhelming attraction. Their scent changes, and it... well, it drives nearby male wolves almost crazy."

Emily’s eyes widened as she took in this new information. "So, Jessica was in heat?"

"Yeah, she was," Chris replied, his voice low. "And that’s why things got so out of hand. Wolves in heat can’t really control themselves, and honestly, neither can the wolves around them."

Emily frowned, a hint of empathy stirring within her. "That sounds awful. She must have been terrified, not knowing who she could trust."

Just then, Nicky strode into the room, her expression sharp and almost smug. She plopped down on the armrest besides them, folding her arms. "So, you’re talking about the Jessica scandal, huh?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Emily gave a small nod, looking to Chris.

"Well," Nicky continued, her voice cutting through the hushed atmosphere, "I say she’s getting what she deserves. Jessica’s done her share of scheming in the past, manipulating anyone she could. This is just karma coming back around to bite her."

Emily hesitated, glancing between Nicky and Chris. "But doesn’t everyone deserve a little sympathy?"

Nicky’s mouth twisted into a wry smile. "Sympathy?" she repeated. "She made her choices, and now they’ve caught up to her. She’s always thought she was too good for the rest of us, acting all high and mighty. But look at her now. She’s brought this whole mess onto herself. She got her karma."

Nicky walked away to join the rest of the group.

Emily’s cheeks flushed slightly as she glanced up at Chris.

"So," she ventured, trying to keep her voice casual. "When we’re, you know, fully mated, will I go through that? Will I experience heat, too?"

Chris’s eyes lit up, his expression shifting from calm to one of eager anticipation. He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Yeah," he replied softly, his voice deepening with affection and excitement. "You will. And honestly, I can’t wait to see what that’s like. "

Emily felt her heart skip at the way he looked at her, his gaze steady and filled with unspoken promises. The warmth in his eyes sent a thrill through her, but beneath her excitement was a sense of curiosity mingled with a little bit of nervousness. After everything she’d heard, part of her wanted to understand it more, but another part—the stronger part—felt like maybe she didn’t need to wait to feel that kind of connection with Chris.

"Well," she said, a playful smile spreading across her lips as she moved a little closer. "Who says we have to wait?"

Chris’s brows shot up, surprised at her sudden boldness, but a grin quickly took over his face. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low, but the heat in his gaze mirrored the newfound spark in hers. He squeezed her hand, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles over her skin.

Emily nodded, her eyes meeting his with a certainty that silenced any lingering doubts. She leant forward, pressing her forehead against his, her breath soft as she whispered, "I’m more than sure."

Without another word, Chris wrapped his arms around her, drawing her in.

****************************************

With the first rays of dawn, Alpha Jackson’s arrived. The guards exchanged wary glances as he stormed up the steps to the Alpha’s office. He barely paused to knock before bursting in, eyes blazing with fury and betrayal.

Inside the office, Alpha Richard and Liana were already waiting. They had anticipated this storm and had taken precautions; the office was cleared, and guards posted at the door to ensure privacy. No one else was permitted to be a part of this conversation—especially given what it could lead to.

Without preamble, Jackson’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. "You promised my daughter would be protected," he growled, his gaze flicking between Richard and Liana. "So how could this happen, Richard?"

Liana straightened in her chair, her face expressionless yet her gaze as sharp as ever. She had anticipated Jackson’s accusations, but the anger in his voice was deeper than she’d expected.

"We took every possible measure to ensure her safety," she replied, her voice calm. "But Elara manipukated her."

Richard leant forward, his eyes fixed on Jackson. "You say we failed, Jackson, but I can’t help but feel you may be overlooking some crucial details. Tell me, wasn’t this part of Elara’s plan? Wasn’t she following your instructions ?"

Jackson bristled, his fists clenched at his sides. "Don’t turn this around on me, Richard. My daughter’s well-being is my only concern."

Richard held his ground, his voice unwavering. "And it’s my son’s safety I’m concerned about. So, tell me this: Are you certain Elara wasn’t acting on your instruction?"

Jackson’s eyes darkened, and he took a step closer, his voice low but edged with rage. "How dare you imply I’d use my own daughter as leverage? It was you who betrayed me."

Liana broke in smoothly, her voice steady, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Enough of the blame, Jackson. It’s time we stop speculating." She held his gaze, and her words held a weight that drew both men’s attention. "Let’s hear it from Jessica herself. If she was coerced into anything, she’ll tell us the truth."

Jackson’s face shifted, his anger simmering into something else—perhaps a flicker of unease. "Fine. Summon her. I want answers, and I want them now."

Liana nodded, gesturing to a nearby guard to fetch Jessica. The guard left promptly.