I don't know about you all...but Vincenzo can boss me around any day. (wink wink) Thank you for all the comments, the likes, and the gems! Thank you for reading! -JNS <3
Emmy POV Embarrassed doesn’t begin to cover how I’m feeling. Mortified. Terrified. Confused. Yet, for some reason…excited? I ran up to my room so quickly after he told me to have one more piece of cake. At first, he seemed annoyed that I was downstairs in the kitchen. Then, he appeared to be almost playful. I’m not going to lie; it pissed me off that he called me a mouse. I’m not some dirty vermin, sneaking around. I could tell he had turned our exchange into some kind of game. I just wanted it to be over and go back to bed. He wouldn’t let me leave. He wasn’t using his alpha command on me, so he wasn’t forcing me to stay, but I couldn’t move. My feet were stuck in place. With every demand he made, I found myself wanting to say yes to him. And I’m so embarrassed to admit that I felt excited when I complied. As much as I didn’t want to make him angrier, I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself. He wanted me to eat the entire cake. Why? To prove that
Renz POV Emerald came downstairs, looking flustered. Not unusual for a she-wolf after being alone with Alpha. We don’t discuss his sex life, but I know he gets around. None of the she-wolves seem to complain. They like having the feather in their cap knowing they slept with the broody Alpha Vincenzo. One thing I do know is he never sleeps with the same woman twice. One night and one time. He’s not looking for anything serious. And me? I scare everyone away with one look. Alpha Vincenzo and his sister, Viviana, are the only people who can stand to be around me. That’s fine. I just focus on doing my job and try not to cause trouble. I fucked that up once I insisted that we attack the Running River Pack. Our fighting squad didn’t appreciate being locked in cells for weeks because of me. And now, the Gamma and the lead strategist from Running River are here and I can tell they don’t like me either. Especially this chick, Emerald. She looks repulsed by me.
Emmy POV ‘Get to know him for the person he is, not the person you want him to be.’ Vincenzo’s words replay in my thoughts. I mean Alpha Vincenzo. Alpha. Ugh! I wish I knew a witch who could scrub him out of my mind for when we leave this place. He infuriates me. He thinks he’s so smart, and he clearly gets off on feeling like the guy in charge. I feel so weird around him. He’s unfairly attractive; more attractive than Kai. It’s clearly just his way of embarrassing me. I’m nobody he would waste time with – I’m not worthy of anyone’s time. I’m done thinking about him. That’s it! I’m going to keep my distance and not be alone with him anymore. “And this is the local theatre. We show movies here and there is also a group who puts on plays and stuff every once in a while,” Renz says, snapping me out of my thoughts. I blink my eyes a few times and look up at the building. It looks like an old-time theatre, with bright lights and red drapes be
Vincenzo POV I was informed that Emerald gave her room to Daphne. That makes sense- let the young she-wolf stay close to her brother. I don’t care either way. I still don’t like having guests in my house. And this Daphne girl is annoying; it’s like having two Vivianas around. She and Daphne just giggle and play music…very loudly. I like the quiet. Lucas is fine, but he thinks he’s slick. I have caught him checking out Viv on more than one occasion and I don’t like it. I’m ready to pluck his eyes out. Last night, I went down to the kitchen and was hoping to be surprised by my little mouse. I mean, she isn’t mine, but I enjoyed her being around. She is quiet and smart. Even with the Renz situation, she was willing to be honest with me which I appreciated. I can tell there is more to her than she shows. The quiet ones always have secrets. I’m sure I could open her up if I had one night with her. The thought makes my dick harden slightly and I have to massage it down.
Unknown POV Run, little girl, run. This Alpha Vincenzo certainly has tighter security around his perimeter compared to Alpha Darius. No worries; I can still see all I need to see. And I’m seeing plenty. My, young Emerald, how you’ve grown. How silly of me to overlook you. Not this time. If you’re anything like you were as a child, it won’t be difficult to pull you away. - - - - Emmy POV Alpha Vincenzo is so hard to read. One minute he is calm and quiet. Then he is intense and curious. Then he’s pissed and controlling. I can’t keep up with him. I’m getting a headache trying to figure him out. I know for a fact that Lucas went for a morning run as well, but that didn’t seem to piss off this Alpha. During our meeting, he kept glaring at me. I would normally avoid making eye contact with any Alpha and keep to myself, only speaking when needed. But he has me so frazzled that I glared right back at him. He never said anything. I wonder if this i
Vincenzo POV My wolf wanted to rip Lucas’ throat out. I had half a mind to let him. No woman deserves to be called such words. Emerald…Emmy…No, Emerald, she looked beautiful- stunning. I had never seen a woman with a figure like hers. Is Lucas insane?! I refuse to let those three ladies go to the club without protection, and with this semi, thanks to the little mouse, a little late-night relief is much needed. I’ll make sure Renz keeps an eye on them. I doubt they will allow Lucas near them tonight. Good. He’s been making the g****e eyes at Viv all week. At least, now she sees him for the weasel he is. All six of us are riding in my Range Rover, an awkward silence filling the car. Viviana reaches up from the back seat to turn on the radio; some girl comes on singing about how men aren’t that great. I roll my eyes as Viv and Daphne sing at the top of their lungs. Emerald is quiet in the back seat with Renz, while Lucas continues to sweat bullets next to me.
Emmy POV Viviana pulled me and Daphne to the bar. “Okay, ladies! Tonight, we forget about stupid men, and we have fun!” Viviana waves the bartender over as she flips her hair over her shoulder. “Yes. I need a drink. My hand is still stinging. I can’t believe I slapped Renz. But, good! He deserves much worse after what he did to Lyle,” Daphne pouts as Viviana slides her a shot. “Daph…He didn’t know. Renz doesn’t make a good first impression…maybe not even a good second, or third impression. But he is a nice guy,” I say softly, holding my shot. “Renzy? He’s the sweetest! I understand why you gave him a good swat, but he is such a nice guy. Now that brother of yours…he’s a stronzo! Asshole!” Viviana huffs. Daphne appears to be taking in what we had to say about Renz. Viviana snaps Daphne out of her thoughts as she picks her shot up. “But no more talking about those guys. Tonight is for fun! Cheers to us ladies!” she shouts as she throws back her shot. “Girls rule
Emmy POV He is right behind me; mere inches from touching my back with his broad chest. I feel his breath beneath my ear. A wave of fear and excitement shocks me to my core, and I clench my thighs together. His words are all I can focus on. “Seems like I found the little mouse creeping around again…” His voice feels like a heavy blanket on a winter night. I want to be wrapped up in him. My eyes are shut tight and I’m biting my bottom lip, still unable to speak. “Cat got your tongue, little mouse?” he huffs, a slight laugh in his voice. He presses his chest against me and my entire body seizes up and presses back into him. “Mmm. I guess you’re exactly where you want to be.” He runs his hands slowly up my arms to my shoulders. He brushes my hair away from my neck and leans into the space beneath my ear. “Answer me, Emerald. Is this where you want to be?” His teeth graze my ear and I let out a breath. “I think so…” I barely whisper. “This is not
Vincenzo POV 6 Weeks Later “I can’t do this…I can’t believe this is happening,” Darius says, pacing up and down the hallway of the Running River Medical Clinic. His eyes are bloodshot from not sleeping all night, his hair is sticking out in different directions, and his clothes are a wrinkled mess. Granted, he’s in sweatpants and a t-shirt, but still, he’s looked better. “Relax, Dare. Everything is going to be fine,” Tobias says calmly but his words fall on deaf ears as Darius continues to pace. “It’s happening…it’s happening…” he continues murmuring to himself. Tobias and I share a glance and snort, laughing at our friend. Darius is not an emotional guy, so I’m definitely getting a kick seeing him like this. Tobias isn’t doing such a good job masking his amusement. In fact, he’s taking a video of Darius having a panic attack. I try to swat his arm down, but he pulls out of my reach. I’m not trying very hard to stop him, and instead I’m enjoyi
Emmy POV After the show wrapped up, our group convened in front of the theatre, waiting for Renz, Daphne, and Viv to come out. Viv pushes open the front doors and holds them for the leading couple. Renz has his arm around Daphne’s waist, and she has her arm wrapped around his, both looking so happy. They are no longer in their costumes, and are now both dressed comfortably in jeans and t-shirts. We all break out in another round of cheers and applause. Daphne seems more comfortable with the extra attention than Renz whose face is redder than a tomato. “Okay, okay. I think that’s enough. Please.” Renz motions for us all to calm down. I’ve never seen him like this. He usually keeps a stoic affect. “You’re not gonna hear the end of this, Renz! You were incredible. You both were,” Lucas says as he approaches the pair. He gives Daphne a big hug and then gives Renz a one-arm hug, clapping him on the back. I can see how close they have become over the last few weeks. It
Vincenzo POV Our group could have easily walked to the theatre, but with everyone dressed so nicely, and Daya being very pregnant, Viv insisted we take a limo. She wanted us to arrive in style. I smile, looking around at our group settling into the long row of leather seats. We have all come so far. I know we still have a way to go, but this is a strong beginning to something great. We make it to the theatre in about five minutes. There is already a small crowd of pack members lined up to go inside. I open the door of the limo and I’m blinded by bright flashing lights. I fall backward into Emerald, making her fall back into Pearl, and a tiny domino effect takes place within the limo. “Oi! What’s the hold-up, Vinny?” Archie shouts from across the car. Somehow, he’s nestled next to Amy. How did that happen? I don’t like that. “What’s the matter, Vincenzo?” Emerald asks, pulling me out of protective, big brother thoughts. “I was blinded b
Emmy POV “I swear, Emmy, it’s not fair that you get the great boobs and ass in this family. So unfair,” Amy pouts as she twirls in front of a full-length mirror. She’s wearing a fuchsia, knee-length, cape dress. It looks amazing against her tan skin. I roll my eyes at her comment, choosing to ignore it. “Just get knocked up. Your boobs and butt will grow in no time,” Daya quips, as she crosses the room behind Amy, flicking our younger sister’s sleek ponytail. Amy attempts to shoot Daya a glare but she can’t hold a serious face to save her life. “How are you feeling Daya? I can’t believe you’re due next month. We’re all going to be aunties!” Pearl shrieks excitedly. She looks effortlessly impeccable in a long, sleeveless, blush-colored dress with beaded embellishments. The length of her dress makes her seem even taller. I always find it amusing that our youngest sister is the tallest of all five of us. “Ugh. I’m ready to get back to training. I get tired j
Vincenzo POV 1 Month Later “I’m telling you, Viv, you’re going to want a bonus room upstairs. It could make a great office, or future playroom down the road,” I tell my sister for the hundredth time as I show her the blueprints for her and Lucas’ future home. “It just seems like too much house for the two of us. You know I hate cleaning,” Viv says, waving her hand over my blueprints. This is the tenth revision I’ve made since she told me she and Lucas would be living in our pack. I’m more than happy to design my younger sister’s future home, but she is proving to be the most difficult client I’ve ever had. I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a big breath. “I promise, Viv, it’s not that much house. And when you and Lucas have kids, you’ll thank me for creating a space where they can play and not bother you,” I nudge her. I’m not changing these plans again. Darius has already sent out members of his pack to start the construction. This meeting was int
Emmy POV I had avoided talking about my time with Bram. It makes me physically sick to think about it, to relive those memories. I truly believed that Vincenzo would look at me differently if he learned about what happened. No, Bram was never able to complete a bond by mating me or having me mark him, but he did enough. I shared a bed with him for an entire month. He touched me. Kissed me. Confused me. If Vincenzo hadn’t gotten to me…I’d like to believe I would have fought off Bram. But I’m not so sure. My wolf wanted Bram until she could sense Vincenzo. Only then was she able to lend me whatever strength she had left to overcome the debilitating delirium of my heat. Seeing Vincenzo being nothing but understanding shouldn’t surprise me. I didn’t even want to talk to my sisters about Bram. I just wanted to bury it in my mind and try to never think about it again. Then I saw red- literally. Viviana came up to mine and Vincenzo’s bedroom while I was unpacking. We were joking
Vincenzo POV Viv and Emerald were over the moon to hear the news about Lucas becoming my Gamma. I never considered having a Gamma until now. I felt like I managed the pack well enough with just me and Renz. Seeing how well Renz and Lucas work together, can be good for our leadership. Darius was the one to put the idea in my head. We spoke on the phone the day after Nathan’s funeral. I mentioned how torn Viv seemed about leaving our pack to be with Lucas. Darius reassured me that he and Tobias could handle things just fine and that he had another guy in mind to be his new Gamma- Logan Emberton, the brother of the young wolf that Renz accidentally killed a few months ago. Now, it’s just Emerald and me, alone again. While my lower body is spurring to life, seeking another vigorous round of sex with my mate, my brain is reminding me about that large trash bag full of red clothes and those urges quickly subside. “You’re quiet, my love,” Emerald says as she wraps her a
Vincenzo POV The sounds of birds chirping pull me out of the sweetest dream. I blink my eyes open, and the bright rays of the morning sun warm my face. I look down and see her. My mate. She is still sleeping, her head on my chest, her thick, hazelnut hair is strewn all over, tangling with dark brown locks, and her naked body is curled into mine. The biggest smile stretches across my face; it wasn’t a dream. She’s really here. She moved in the last of her things last night, but she never got the chance to unpack. Fuck, we never even got a chance to eat the dinner I made. I chuckle to myself as I replay last night’s activities. My mate may come off as a quiet, little mouse, but she is a feisty sex kitten. I feel my dick getting hard again just thinking about her underneath me, her legs over my shoulders and her pussy wrapped around my dick. “You keep thinking those thoughts and we won’t be eating breakfast.” I look down to see my beautiful mate’s
Vincenzo POV “And where am I supposed to go while you and Emmy have your romantic dinner here?!” Viviana complains in my ear. I almost forgot how grating and annoying her voice can be when she’s upset. I’ve missed her so much- I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to her. I continue chopping the vegetables, the fresh fragrance of garlic, bell peppers, and onions filling the kitchen. “I don’t know, Viv. You could always move to Running River with Lucas…your mate. Or is that mark on your neck just for show?” I tease her as I casually point my cutting knife in her direction. Her cheeks redden with blush, and she sweeps her hand over her mark- a red heart, with two wolf pawprints etched into the heart, with a full moon and a sun on either side. It’s beautiful. “We are still trying to figure it all out. Lucas is the Gamma at Running River Pack, but I have so many projects and responsibilities that I oversee here,” she grumbles as she twirls her hair. I fin