Convincing Emily [Wolff Pack 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (6 page)

God, I’m so scared. What if everyone there hates me? How long will Thomas stay to protect me? What if Cole and Charlie never really love me, but instead claim me because of fate?
Tears filled her eyes and she tried to control her emotions. She didn’t want to feel weak. Turning to her side, she stared out the window. Night settled over the land like a blanket, making her feel safe. She really loved Alaska. The sky was clear, giving her a perfect view of the bright moon and twinkling stars.

She remembered all those nights many years ago when she would shift with her other clan members and run free through the snow, hunting and chasing after one another. Those were the best times of her life. It was before Adam and Brandon claimed Chloe, before Nathan, Ethan, Lucas, and Ryan claimed Katie. Long ago, before they were adults and had responsibilities. Closing her eyes, she let the memories play out in her mind.

Tears tracked down her cheeks, and Emily wiped them away. She needed to get out for a bit and run. That was the only remedy when she couldn’t sleep. Rolling off her bed, she tiptoed to her bedroom door and strained her hearing. She didn’t want Thomas to stop her. The TV was on and the rest of the house remained silent.

Deciding not to chance running into him, Emily went to the window and shoved it open. The cool air blasted in, making her shiver with anticipation. She quickly took off her clothes and jumped out the window. Once she hit the icy ground, she shifted into her bear form, becoming warm instantly. The outside climate didn’t bother her at all. She trotted toward the tree line and silently became one with the forest.
She spent a great deal of time moving through the trees. She felt itchy, irritated, and knew that she needed to work the extra energy off before going to bed.

It had been a while since she’d gone on her annual trip with Thomas. The two of them would pack their camping gear and head north toward the ocean. They would spend weeks swimming, hunting for seals and sea lions, and living in their bear forms. Those trips always made her feel free.

Lifting her snout up, she inhaled deep and categorized all the different scents. Reindeer. That was exactly what she needed. It wasn’t her favorite meal, but she wouldn’t complain. Following her nose, Emily stalked her prey.

Emily watched through unblinking eyes as a reindeer strolled into the clearing. She sat back and waited for the perfect opportunity to attack. She’d done this before, but it was a lot more fun when her other clan mates were around. She laid her huge body down against the snow-covered ground and tried to blend in, camouflaging herself. The stillness around, fueled her predatory desires. Nothing moved. The night was silent. This might very well be her last hunt in these woods. She pushed that thought away and focused on the moment.

She tensed, preparing herself for the kill. This was what she needed, a challenge, a run, a fight. This moment. This hunt. The battle between her and the future. This deer meant nothing, she just wanted to get out her aggression, fear, and hurt. Her brother, Alpha, and those two wolves that claimed her didn’t understand.

Her eyes narrowed as the reindeer’s head lifted, his nostrils flared, and his body tensed as he smelled the air. She knew that he sensed her, or at least sensed that it was being hunted. The wind changed and it wasn’t in her favor. Staring at her prey, Emily’s muscles quivered and her heart raced with anticipation. Polar bears only could expend short blasts of energy to run. If she didn’t attack and kill, then her prey would get away. She needed to go now. Otherwise, the moment would be lost.

She ran toward the large animal. His strength was no match to hers, but he could move with more agility. She put all her strength into this moment, pushing herself harder and faster. She needed this. She needed to fight, to rip something apart and feel a moment of victory. She was sick and tired of everyone telling her what to do, where to go, and how to live. She just wanted some fucking peace. Digging her big paws into the ground, she felt powerful. Her blood pumped through her system, echoing in her ears, but she wouldn’t stop until she won.

The peak moment finally arrived. It was now or never. Her dagger-like claws grabbed onto a thick hind leg, and her breath caught at the sensation when she punctured through the hide. The noise rang out, drowning the other noises in the forest. It was almost as if someone hit the mute button, silencing everything. The only thing she could hear was her own blood pounding through her head.

After a few minutes, she was finally able to get her breathing under control. Taking a deep breath, a familiar smell penetrated the air. Strong and powerful, it threw her off balance. She turned, almost stumbling back, letting the reindeer free. It ran, but Emily stilled. She lifted her nose and tested the air once more, watching the night carefully, the fur on the back of her neck bristling. She knew what was coming, and she wished she was wrong.

Strutting with way too much confidence, two wolves approached her without caution. Dark brown fur, muscles rippling, the twin wolves came toward her, moving together as one. Emily stood in awe, staring as the magnificent creatures approached her. They smelled the same, a deadly combination that affected her bear more than the woman. Actually, that was a lie, she admitted a moment later. The woman craved them, too, and that just pissed her off.

She held herself immobile when every fiber of her being screamed at her to go to them, to rub against them, to let them claim her. It was an overwhelming desire to roll over and offer them her submission, which was an absolutely ridiculous picture in her mind. In the next moment, she wanted to shift and allow these two powerful beasts to mount her. That thought teased her mind and pushed her desires higher.
Fuck! These wolves are affecting me.

The sweet smell of her own arousal filled her nose, causing her heart to trip in fear. Because she knew that they had detected it as well, knew without a shadow of a doubt that those damn wolves wouldn’t let her get away. She stepped back, keeping both of them in her sights. Their muscles twitched, eyes narrowing, gleaming with carnal intent. They came closer and Emily felt the breath slam from her chest. Her heart raced as her body quivered with the sensations that flooded through her.

Deep, low, masculine twin growls rumbled from their powerful chests, resonating with dominance, demanding her submission. Emily trembled at the sound, sexual heat flaring in the pit of her stomach at the demand. Mouths opened, white teeth gleaming, red tongues hanging out of their mouths. It looked as if they were grinning at her. The confidence and arrogance irritated her.
Who the hell do they think they are?
The question was answered in the next second.
Mates.

Instinctively, she backed away. She didn’t have many options at this moment. She could either fight, run like hell, or shift and submit to her two mates. She chose to run like hell. She wasn’t ready to be a mate, not tonight at least, and she really didn’t want to fight against two powerful sentries. They would chase her. She knew that, and she admitted that she wanted them to.

As she turned to flee, she glimpsed powerful muscles bunch, ripple. Howls rent the air, sounding both challenging and forceful. Unease rippled down Emily’s back at the meaning of the sound. It was a warning announcing that she would be claimed. Luckily, she knew these woods like the back of her hand, which was her only advantage at this moment.

* * * *

Cole knew his beautiful mate was going to bolt. For a second, he actually thought she might shift and let them claim her. “Hoped” was more accurate. After she left her Alpha’s home, he and Charlie sat in the guest room, talking. There were no answers in sight. Feeling agitated and stressed out, they decided to take a run.

Emily’s scent hung in the air, and without conscious thought, they ended up at her house. He stood next to his brother in their wolf form and hoped to get a sneak peak of his mate. They were just about to head back when a window was pushed open. In the next moment, their very naked mate appeared before shifting into a beautiful, little polar bear and heading into the woods.

They followed her at a safe distance, watching. With their training, it was easy to go unnoticed until they wanted her to see and sense them.

He watched her retreat, stilling his natural impatience. His need for his mate was strong. He’d been without her for too long, but that was going to change. This female intrigued him, but more than that, her scent called to him, demanding action. He looked over at Charlie and gave a slight nod. They would act as one.

They gave her a head start, letting her believe that she was escaping them. They started to follow at a careful distance. Her independence was a turn-on. Most of the females in their pack wouldn’t have gone out on a run alone and they wouldn’t have hunted down a deer. She was fierce. Was that her personality or was it all the bear? He would need more time to get to know his mate.

He paused at the edge of the woods, allowing the darkness to shield him as he watched her. Her body transformed right before his eyes. The white fur turned into long, streaming blonde hair that flowed down her back, stopping right above her delicious ass. Perfectly white, creamy skin glowed in the moonlight. She was completely breathtaking with large breasts, a firm tummy, narrow hips, and slender, long legs. He would make a feast out of her. His mouth watered as he thought about all the things he wanted to do to her delicious body.

She paused beside the house, appearing to be comfortable in her nudity, and looked over her shoulder. Could she sense them? Did she know that they were watching her even now? Was she hoping to give them an eyeful? Cole could feel his heart slamming into his chest as she bent…
God, that’s a view to die for
…and pulled herself up into her bedroom window.

Looking over at his brother, he saw his tongue hanging out of his mouth, panting. That woman, that goddess, belonged to them. Tomorrow was a new day. She would be coming home with them. She would be in their territory and he couldn’t wait. Anticipation zipped through his system, and Cole lifted his head up and howled.

Emily woke up just as the sun was peeking up above the horizon. She lay in bed enjoying the silence. She didn’t want to get up. She didn’t want to drive hours to see her new
home
. Scratch that, it wasn’t her home, it was their home. She felt numb inside and hated more than anything that her life was changing. No more of the routines she was used to, going into Mack’s to work, or meeting Chloe, Katie, or Emma for girl’s night. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Reluctantly, Emily climbed out of bed. She went to the window and looked out, watching as the sun’s rays poured through the trees, making the snow glisten like small, twinkling lights. It was a beautiful sight and always reminded her of Christmas for some reason. That was her favorite time of year. Exhaling loudly, she closed the blinds, cutting off the memories she had here. In this moment, she wasn’t excited about the past. She was mourning her home and her life as she knew it.

Emily quickly got dressed, shoving her legs into the pair of jeans she wore the day before and grabbing her T-shirt from the floor. Yes, this was her little way to rebel. She wouldn’t be taking a shower, doing her make-up, or wearing perfume. This was the only thing she controlled at this moment. It may have seemed silly, but she just needed a small bit of power. She didn’t care if Cole and Charlie accepted her or not. In fact, her life might be a tad easier if they didn’t.

Who knows what they thought of her after last night. She hadn’t expected to come face to face with them in the woods. Two gorgeous wolves, and she had run. Shaking her head in disgust, Emily rubbed her eyes, still feeling quite tired. She didn’t get much sleep. She had tossed and turned thinking of Cole and Charlie. Why did they have to be so good looking? Why did the smell of them set her body on fire?

A knock at the door drew her attention, and Emily jerked her head up. “Yeah?”

Thomas poked his head in. “Are you packed?”

“Yeah.” She tilted her head and motioned to the floor where her bag sat.

Stepping into her room, he grabbed the handle on her suitcase before once again leaving her in peace. She stood there staring at the place he’d once been. Why wasn’t he being the understanding protector that he usually was? Why was he throwing her to the wolves? She shrieked and stomped her foot.
Literally…he’s tossing my ass to the wolves.

Stomping out of her room, she headed toward the front door. From the big picture window, she could see Thomas loading their bags into his truck. That was a good sign. Maybe she wouldn’t be stuck driving with Cole and Charlie after all. That bit of information perked her up a bit. She couldn’t imagine being stuck in a vehicle with them. The smell alone, their delicious mate scent, would kill her.

* * * *

Charlie was a man who normally kept to himself, or at least he tried to. He preferred to stay in the background. He had the “I don’t care” look down to a T. His twin on the other hand was the talker. He was smooth. Charlie didn’t have any issue with letting him take the lead. For most of their lives it had been that way. Today, he was wound tight.

Cole drove toward their mate’s home, and although he did his best to appear relaxed, he was anything but. Charlie stared out the passenger-side window thinking about Emily’s beautiful, lithe body. When they had been surrounded by bears in the woods, she had shifted, but he was paying close attention to their surroundings, preparing for a fight. Last night was a different story. She shifted and her thick white coat disappeared, showing him the expanse of creamy, white skin. Skin he wanted to lick, bite, and kiss.