When Emma was done taking notes on her students, she sighed. "Okay, I'm done with my lessons. I'm going to leave before all the staring makes a hole in the side of my head.""We're just worried about you," Jasmine said with a frown and a look of hurt on her face.Emma felt sorry right away and let out a sigh. She moved forward and put her arms around Jasmine. It made her feel better when Jasmine gave her a strong hug back."I'm sorry. I know you're sorry, and I'm very grateful for that. I just... I need to take this next step on my own, you know?""I get it, but if you don't mind, could you remember something for me?"She leaned back and got a little pat on the face from Jasmine. "You're not alone, Emma. I know you've been through a lot on your own, but now you have a family with you, not just Clary but also the rest of us, including Lucus."The last piece of information made Emma think that Zia had probably said more than she had said, but the memory gave him a bit of a shock."You d
"Is this all because of that omega? Are you still willing to throw away your life and your duty as an alpha?""As an alpha, it was my job to never leave my omega alone and always protect her, but I failed because I gave in to your temptations all those years ago.""I really should have gotten rid of that omega a long time ago."Lucus blood started to boil when his omega was in danger. "Don't touch her, because if you hurt her in any way, I will kill you.""Are you threatening to hurt your father?""I'm taking care of my family.""Ah, your family. Do you really think you can be a good father?""Why am I not surprised that you already know? Have you been keeping track of me all these years?""Please, I've known you for longer than you have."Lucus stopped in his tracks. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "What do you mean? And how long have you known?""Since your omega ran away, it has brought what could be your downfall with it."As Lucus thought about what his father had just sa
Damon Madden moved back because he knew he couldn't win this fight."You think we've won this battle? You think you've won, but you're wrong.""With all due respect, Damon Madden, you'll only hurt yourself if you say anything else."Emma looked at him steadily and spoke in a serious tone. "Damon Madden, you should stop trying and move on. If you hadn't looked down on people who weren't alphas, you wouldn't be in this situation right now.""You could have been nice to and helped your sons, and you could have left me alone back then. But because you stuck to your opinions, you lost the company you gave up everything else for.""You think that you can tell me what to do?" He screamed and moved forward one step. Lucus barked at Damon Madden to tell him to be careful, but Emma just shook her head."I'm not giving a speech. Think of it as the first thing you would do for your younger son. Don't try to hurt my family again. If anything, if you hurt someone I care about again, I'll show you w
Lucus relaxed in the back seat of Emma's car with his head against the cool window. After making the necessary calls and asking Alex to update the website to say that they would be closed until the end of the week, he printed out some signs and put them on the doors before going outside, where Emma was waiting for him. Even though Emma tried to make him feel better, his father's words kept making him doubtful. Could Emma really be happy with someone who had completely changed her life?"Who is "Lucus?"Lucus stopped when Emma crossed her fingers and put their hands together between their seats. "I'm sorry, but did you say something?""Will Jay and the rest of your workers be okay if they don't have to work for a few days?"Lucus laughed and smiled at Emma to make her feel better. "They will be fine and then some. Everyone will still get paid, and now they have a longer weekend.""That's great. You run things well.""Most of them have worked for me for a long time, so I try to be nice
Lucus smiled as the words made Emma's scent sweeter and her face soften and glow. As he got back up from the bed and pulled Emma's legs off the bed, his gentle smile turned evil."Oh, what are you?" Emma let out a gasp as Lucus wrapped Emma's things in his mouth in one smooth move. Lucus sucked and licked at Emma's things, and then he stuck his finger in her hole. He added another quickly and began moving the two in and out. The room was filled with the sounds of Lucus's long fingers squeaking and Emma putting and taking things out of his mouth. Emma's gasps and moans could also be heard. When Lucus added one more finger and then moved forward to touch Emma's prostate, he jumped off the bed.The pleasure Emma felt from Lucus's mouth and fingers pushed her to the limit. She pulled on Lucus's hair in a panic."Lucus, I'm on my way. Please stop."Lucus stopped playing with Emma's stuff and smiled at her. "You're wrong if you think I'll stop at one. We have to make up for seven years."Be
Emma woke up to soft kisses on her face and hands running through her hair. When she opened her eyes, Lucus was sitting on one arm and looking at her with love in his eyes. Emma saw that Lucus was fully dressed when she got a better look at him. She shook her head in shock."Are you going somewhere?""Yes. I did want to see you wake up, though, before I left.""You're going away? In this big bed that is empty? "By yourself?"Lucus groaned and rolled over. He then wrapped his arms around Emma and kissed her lips. They kissed slowly, nibbling at each other's lips. Emma stuck her tongue in Lucus's mouth, and Lucus leaned back."I will never leave you if I continue to kiss you.""Simple, just don't leave.""True. I think something changed in you last night, and now you're a sneaky siren.""I'm not sure what a siren is... Probably more like the pied piper."Emma got out of bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. "It's just that we don't have much time to spend together. So, what's keepin
"You two did it, right?""Zia! Clary will listen." Emma hissed when she hit her on the hip. Zia just smiled and raised her eyebrows in a flirty way."It's still true, though, isn't it?"Emma huffed and turned around to put the chopped kimchi into the pot with the sizzling pork belly. She was making a quick kimchi stew for dinner. She was in a hurry so that Zia could join them before the last train back to the city."Come on, Emma," Zia begged, trying to get her to say something."All right, we did sleep together. "Are you happy?""Yes. "It's about time."Zia tried to hit Zia with the rice scooper she was holding by waving it in her direction. As she dodged and moved to the other end of the kitchen, she laughed."Look, we took the time we needed to be ready, and that was yesterday.""I'm making fun of you, Emma. I'm glad you two finally had enough time to spend together.""Many thanks, Zia. "So am I."Emma's face still showed a soft smile, and Zia did the same. She was really happy to
As they plan, they transfer Clary to a new school in the next few months. Clary is happy to have both her parents with her. Jasmine and Luke surprised Emma when they told her that they were going to open one dance studio in the city and that Luke was going to work with Allen.Emma is so happy to have her family and friends with her; they had a pretty good party last night and had a lot of fun.So, of course, it's really just Emma's luck that she manages to get sick in the weeks leading up to December.When Emma wakes up—with a throat dry enough to rival the Sahara Desert and full of enough razors to stock a barber shop for a year, not to mention the entire marching band ensemble in her head banging against her skull—she honestly believes she's either dead or has been cursed by some low-life scum.She rolls over, seeking the comfort of Lucus smooth chest, but the movement takes an hour, and her limbs feel heavy and sluggish."Emma?" Lucus says, and Emma simply groans in response."Emma
The air was filled with the subtle scent of lemons and candle wax.Gold tapestry runners featuring Batik motifs graced the tables by the entranceway to the hall, and crystal vases filled with white roses spilling out sat atop them, while bouquets of white roses wrapped in blue silk ribbons decorated the ends of the old wooden pews. The early morning sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall and reflected pretty images onto the floor of the hall. Dozens of candles in every size were placed on the altar, ready to be lit when the ceremony started; they would lend a soft and warm glow to the happy couple as they stood before friends and family professing their love for one another.Zia studied the decorations with a critical eye—everything had to be perfect. She had pale yellow roses braided into her long dark hair and her dress, a long column of silver—not quite white and not quite grey—that shimmered under the lights with every moment. Satisfied that everything was
A small family could be heard all the way down the street from their apartment. A toddler was throwing a fit by the sounds of her crying and screams, and two people could be heard arguing."You! Get out of my home now!!"Emma hissed at her father, who was standing a few feet from his daughter and granddaughter, sporting a scowl.Emma was doing everything she could not to gently set her daughter down in her playpen and lunge for her father's throat. Nadia is now four years old; she's grown to be a beautiful toddler. She was clinging to her mother like her life depended on it and was crying hysterically. Emma was rocking back and forth in his arms and glaring at Robert in hatred."That thing is an abomination. She shouldn't even exist!" David spat, glaring at the toddler in disgust.The toddler whimpered at the insult and clung even tighter to her mother. Emma was enraged and could barely control herself. The only thing keeping her from screaming at her father was the little girl in her
Emma complied, taking the last few steps towards Lucus. The Alpha pulled her into his arms, stroking her back lovingly. Emma wrapped her arms around Lucus as well, not able to prevent the smile she was holding back from spreading across her face. Lucus suddenly felt tense. Emma looked up at him and noticed a sour expression written across his features."What's wrong, Lucus?" She whispered."Nothing."Emma glared, not taking too kindly to being lied to. Lucus sighed in defeat and met her gaze. His eyes held so much sorrow and fear. "I'm not a good father," he whispered sadly.Emma gasped out in shock. How could Lucus think like that? It's not like someone can go from never being around children to being an expert on them in only a few weeks! Lucus was being too hard on himself, setting his expectations too high. Emma would do everything she could not to let Alpha beat himself up over not being experienced with kids."Lucus, you love both Clary and Nadia to pieces! How could you say tha
Lucus made quick work of her shirt as well before Allen returned with a white hospital gown. Lucus lifted Emma up slightly so she could slip it on her. They had just laid Emma back down when a door burst open and the doctor walked in. She was wearing her pale pink hospital gown and white flats.She came strutting through like she owned the place. She shoved Lucus and Emma aside, making her way over to Emma. She was currently panting and sweating as if she had just run a marathon. She grabbed one of the towels from the nightstand and dabbed it with some of the cool water in the bucket. She wiped the sweat rolling down her face before she began setting up everything she would need for the delivery.The group sat there for the next hour and a half. It was silent. Allen was in the other room talking to Alex, who had arrived ten minutes beforehand. Emma had requested that they leave the room. She didn't feel comfortable with anyone witnessing her give birth to the baby other than Lucus. Sh
A tap on Lucus window startled him out of his thoughts. He saw a woman in her forties with messy brunette hair standing in front of his window with a takeout bag. He rolled the window down, and she shoved the food at him. He rolled his eyes as she walked away. He looked down into the bag and noticed something strange.There was only lava cake.He snatched the bag and stormed out of the vehicle and into the restaurant. He slammed the bag on the counter in front of a startled-looking employee. She had her purple hair tied into a bun, and her green eyes were wide. He felt no remorse."I have been to two different Burger King's! I've had soda spill on my shirt, and then an old woman slapped me in the face! I got pulled over by a cop who vandalized my car and gave me a seven-hundred-dollar ticket simply because I'm married to Omega! Now your ignorant people make me pull off to the side to wait for onion rings that I've never received! I demand three large orders of onion rings, another sli
5 Years Later:"Lucus!"Omega sighed, placing her rainbow-striped bookmark in her fantasy drama novel. She strode out of her office and into the living room.His Alpha was sprawled out on the sofa, his chin in his palm, as he watched an episode of Modern Family. Emma was wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Despite the baggie hoodie and fluffy red blanket covering her torso, her nine-month pregnant belly was obvious.They'd wanted to be married for a little while before they had another child. So, after two years of traveling the world and going on many fun adventures, they settled down back in their apartment with Clary. They then proceeded to make mad, passionate love all night long. It was more overwhelming than any other time. Of course, it only took one round to impregnate Emma, but once they got started, they couldn't get enough of each other."Yes love?" Lucus asked.He couldn't help but eye the dozens of candy wrappers strewn about the floor. The
The whole idea had been Allen's.When she'd suggested the idea to Emma—to celebrate Clary's birthday in a cute and fun way that the little one could enjoy—she hadn't come up with anything wrong with it.Neither of them had taken in Alex as a factor, though. Which, between the three of them, they really should have?"I don't think that outfit is appropriate for children."Lucus raised his eyebrows in confusion. He gestured to Clary, who was clad in dark blue denim jeans and a deep green knit sweater, before turning to Emma with an expression that suggested he really thought Emma had lost her mind this time."I meant yours," Emma explained, pointing to Lucus bright yellow skin-tight jeans and glaringly obvious rainbow singlet, which he'd paired with a deep red jacket and black shoes."We're going to a zoo, Lucus, not a nightclub."Lucus pouted, and Emma sighed."Just dress it down a little for me today." She asked. "Please? I'll let you choose my outfit another time if you do this for m
"Where are you getting it?" Zia asked Emma, taking a cotton ball and dipping it in antiseptic."On my wrist," she says, holding out her right arm. Zia nods, wiping the skin of her wrist beneath her palm.She puts the cotton ball down and then purses her lips."Could you... I might need you to swap chairs with Lucus; I don't want to do this upside down."Emma nods. "Of course."She and Lucus switch, darting past each other. Lucus raises his eyebrows, hoping to get something out of either of them, but neither Zia nor Emma say a word."This is borderline torture." He complains, flopping into his seat. Zia smiles sympathetically, as if to say "This wasn't my decision".Emma just looks a little nervous."So, I'm going to outline the drawing in marker first, so you can be certain of its placement, and then if you're happy, I'll start." Zia explains.Emma nods, her eyes darting over to Lucus before returning to Zia. She smiles encouragingly, picking up a black, fine-tip, skin-safe marker and
"You want to get a tattoo?"Out of all the things Lucus ever thought he'd hear Emma say, getting a tattoo was not even a registered possibility."Yes." Emma nods, and Lucus knows Emma enough to accept that she's being completely serious."But you already have my mating mark on your body." Lucus states. He folds his hands behind his head, leaning backwards against the headboard. He had a feeling this conversation would be one he'd need to be relaxed for."Well, yes, but that's not the same." Emma replies. He sighs as Lucus raises his eyebrows."Mark's fade; some are permanent, but not all of them, and they're different. Mating marks speak of my mating. Tattoos are something that both of us can have, and it's more special and ... forever."Lucus leans over and kisses Emma's bare shoulder."You genuinely want this?" He asks to be certain. There's a warmth flooding him just from hearing that Emma wants to get something permanent that they can both share. Something different that no other