Hey Rebels, I am so PROUD of Andrew's character growth and that his finally comfortable living in his truth! I cannot wait to hear your opinions on this dynamic duo. Don't forget to join Emma's Little Rebels on the blue social media platform ending in "book" Thank you for the comments, likes, gems, and reviews! It's because of you amazing humans that Nora's story has been in the top 10 of New Books since her release! XOXO Emma Taylor
ANDREW POVI swear my heart is going to explode from anxiety as I look around the room of silent adults. My words sitting in the air between us for what seems like an eternity as they register my confession. Theo’s hand hasn’t left mine, sending me a subtle squeeze of support and encouragement.On the verge of running from the room and their disappointment. The only thing stopping me is the smiles beginning to creep over their lips. Moving my eyes to my mom, she has tears in her eyes, as she rushes from her chair into our arms. Grabbing us both in a giant hug, her simple tears turning to sobs of happiness I can barely understand.Glancing at my father, he sends me a wink, turning to Simon. “I think it’s time to celebrate with some champagne.”“Wait…” I stumble, confused by their reactions. They’re taking the news better than I did. “Did you guys know?” I ask, my mother’s arms still wrapped around me.My question has laughter filling the room as my mom unwinds her arms from us. “We love
XANDER POVPRESENT TIME- NORA’S BEDROOMAs I scroll through the dozens of messages in Nora’s phone, the higher my blood boils, it’s going to melt me from the inside. I am doing my best to hold on to my sanity, to not slip into the darkest parts of myself. Those areas I keep in the shadows, the parts I reserve for my work, not for her.The demon waiting inside, pacing in his cage, urging to have the reigns. But he comprises all the things I hate about myself. Those characteristics that remind me so much of my father, the side I had to create to survive in his house. I have always found a healthy way to exercise him, so that the urges don’t happen in situations like this. Around her. Never around Nora.“Xander?” her soft voice breaks through the growls of my inner demons, tingles sparking across my chest as she buries her face in my chest. The cage lowering as breath returns to my lungs. Her touch calming the inner turmoil raging within. “Are you okay?”Inhaling deeply, I let her lavende
NORA POV“Are you high?” I exclaim, shoving the shirt over my head, “that’s the only thing that can explain why you think this is a good idea!” I whisper, yell as I shove my legs into the underwear he handed me.“I don’t do that,” he says with a shrug, continuing to rummage through my drawers. Annoyed by his continued need to lie to me, I grab behind me for the fuzzy purple pillow and launch it at the back of his head.“Hey!” He says, turning to face me, and I storm up to him, a fire inside me I haven’t felt in a long time. Stomping towards him, I shove my finger into his chest, craning my neck to look up at his towering figure.“Stop lying to me, Xander!” I say, my voice firm, my stare hard, my face all business. “I thought we established I want YOU! All of you, the good, the bad, and the in between. But I swear to the Goddess if you keep lying to me, this is over!”My definitive statements have a growl escaping his lips, but I am having none of it. “I put everything out there, and I
NORA POV -Sparks surrounds me as Xander wraps his arms around me, trying to calm the blood racing through my veins. His warm breath against my ear and cheek, his deep voice coming out in a husky whisper. “It’ll be okay, Nora. I promise, give them a chance.”Turning my face so our noses touch, I inhale his scent, running my nose along his. My lips are about to graze his when the door swing opens suddenly. The sudden movement startles me so badly I jump away from Xander like he’s a bomb.Standing in the doorway is Damon, in basketball shorts, and a towel wrapped around his neck, water dripping from his hair. “Xander and Nora, what’re you guys doing here?” He asks, a knowing little smirk on his face as he looks at us.“We need to talk,” Xander says, his voice gruff and serious, a look passing between the men."Of course,” he nods, “but be quiet. The others are still sleeping. Movie night went late last night."“Fletcher here?” Xanders asks, in a whisper, as we step over the threshold.“W
NORA POVI swear they can see inside my soul as they sit with their black eyes next to each other. I wonder if they realize the effect they have on other wolves, the angst their presences create. Do the others not feel the intensity of their stares?“Nora?” Elle asks, tilting her head slightly, and I try my hardest not to flinch. I do not want them to see my fear, but it’s probably too late. I have a feeling nothing gets past these two. “Are you alright?”Without thinking, I tuck myself behind Xander, as my treachery comes stumbling from my mouth. “My brother sent me to spy on you. That is why I am here.” The words fly out in such rapid succession it was barely coherent.“I’m sorry?” Damon says, with a light chuckle. Peeking out from behind Xander, I meet the Alpha’s eyes. Closing mine to find the strength to repeat my sins. Plus, I don’t really want to see him storm towards me in anger.“Marcus sent me here to spy on you,” I say, clearly and loudly this time. Maybe a little too loud?
XANDER POVNora snuggles into my chest, finally asleep after a long day of plotting, and I know it’s exhausted her. I know she was feeling overwhelmed listening to the three of us talk. Eventually, the Gammas got involved and I could see it on her face, the terror. Charity and Matt might have lighthearted personalities, but Jesus Christ, the things that they suggested, made me flinch.It was at that point that she had been done with the whole thing. Unfortunately, we had to plan for all contingencies, mistakes, unknown outcomes. The reappearance of old enemies, because we all have a few.New enemies that want to have their turn at the chessboard could find our absence as the perfect advantage. We were taking a big risk meeting in a city. Too many eyes, too many variants to cover. Even with Damon, Elle, Matt, Charity, and Fletcher involved, there are too many variables to consider and prepare for.Nora sighs, wrapping her leg around me, her arms pulling me tighter, and I have to be than
ANDREW POV Theo’s arm is wrapped around my waist, his chest against my back as he holds me to him. I was stupid to deny what we have, and I can’t get that time back, but I need to make sure we don’t lose more. This is where I am supposed to be, and thinking differently is my biggest regret. I don’t care what the fates say in a week, on his birthday; I choose him. But he isn’t the only person I hurt in my spiral. His pain was the worst by far, but there were others. ‘Nora,’ Demitri mumbles from the back of my mind. ‘I told you she was nothing but a friend to him, but you wanted to be an irrational asshat.’ ‘Like you enjoyed watching him dote on her,’ I say with an eye roll. ‘Don’t bother lying about it, either.’ ‘Fine, we both owe her an apology,’ he counters. ‘The sooner we accomplish that, the better.’ As if Theo can see inside my head, his hold tightens, pulling us closer. His sleepy morning voice whispering in my ear, “It’s our day off. Why are you up?” “Don’t worry your prett
NORA POV The brisk morning air whips around, with the screams of children and teens play soccer in the field. Andrew continues rocking, sipping his tea, neither of us saying more, finding a comfortable silence in each other’s company. I wouldn’t say we are friends now, but I like him a little more than I did yesterday. I guess it’s a start. “How are you liking Silver Run?” He asks, trying to make small talk. Meeting his gaze, my eyes narrowing as I assess the man sitting across from me. “It’s different from what I thought it’d be,” I answer honestly. “We heard a lot of rumors when Tiberius was “Alpha”. But Elle…I can tell that her pack is happy.” “They are, aren’t they?” Andrew asks, pride in his voice. He obviously holds a lot of respect for the couple. “I have one question….” I trail off, wondering the best way to word it with offending the young wolves playing nearby. “It’s quite unusual for an Alpha to allow rogues to live within their territory…How…?” “Elle has an excellent