Chapter Two

*Emma*

London, England.

The loud music playing in the air matches the neon lights which shines brightly against the darkness of almost midnight. It's an open event being held as a big celebration after a job well done throughout the modelling industry. In the middle of the dance floor, there is an alluring sight of the top models and I belong to them. I stood there in three inch silver high heels, low waist leather pants which showcased my shapely long legs that seems to go for miles. I paired my pants with a thin strap glittery top that glows every time I move against the lights, it did nothing to hide my curves and firm tummy whenever I raise my hands and sway my body into the tune of the beat.

My dark wavy soft hair bounces in every move I make on the dance floor. "Ems, I think your bodyguards are here!"

I turned to look at the beautiful face of one of my girlfriends who dances with me in the middle of the dance floor.

"What?"

I could barely hear her words or understands what my friend Sydney is trying to say. Sydney is working with me as one of the top models in a well-known brand across the UK and all over the world. But unlike her, I am more famous and my family is well established that I only consider working to escape the real world where I am supposed to be. We are not the typical models in this industry, we are different.

"I said, your hounds are here!"

Sydney grinned showing pearly white teeth and dances with her thin red mini dress showing half of her breast and bare legs that every girl would envy. After finally getting what she meant, I  look around and saw my two body guards making their way against the crowd. I stop dancing and roll my eyeballs upward then headed towards them, not even giving an explanation on the disappointed look of the man who dances in front of me.

"Hello boys! What seems to be the problem?"

I acted like nothing happened and look at both their grumpy faces, they are not angry or mean to me its just how they look most of the time specially when they are under stressed working for my brothers. It was my families idea to get me personal bodyguards despite the fact that I can protect myself more than anyone else in this part of the world. Or that is what I believe I'm capable of.

"Mr. Dylan instructed us to take you back to the apartment right now."

The urgency in his voice made me groan and look at him deeply while his companion is looking out for the crowd in order to give us some space.

"Oh, and why is my brother being demanding when he is not even here in the UK?"

The bodyguard look me in the eyes and cleared his throat before talking.

"He is there waiting for you in about thirty minutes now."

My eyes widened in disbelief, my brother is here in London? Did he fly out here just to talk to me? What he just said is not clear to me at first but I knew he was telling the truth. It seemed odd, I am sure that there is a big reason why Dylan is here in London.

"Really now, my brother flew all the way from the Langston lands just to come see me? Well this is a pleasant surprise."

I grinned flashing gorgeous teeth then finally move my feet forward which earned a sighed of relief from both of them. They followed me to the wide parking area where a Mercedes is waiting for my arrival. One of them promptly open the passenger's seat for me while they both sat in the front. The road back to my apartment takes almost half an hour without traffic and at this time of the night it is already quiet. While on the way I could not help but wonder why my brother is here.

He is probably annoyed and bored waiting out there in one of the luxurious apartments overlooking the seaside. The exclusive place is only for the rich and famous but my brother couldn't care less about the people in the high society. I let out a heavy sigh when my thoughts are back to my parents who choose to live with the wolves in the Royal pack.

Although we are making more money through imports and export of textiles outside the pack, my father remains close to the Alpha King. He said we will not survive without his protection. My wish to work as a ramp model outside the pack is being debated by my family members for almost a year before I rebelled and ran away, it was not long before they found me when I became famous and they could be my face everywhere.

"Yes boss, we are now a few minutes away."

The bodyguard who's not driving is talking to my brother in the mind link. He could have talked to me but I am keeping my wolf side a secret in this part of the world so I am unreachable to him.

"We are here Miss Bates."

We halted at the private gates of the exclusive apartment for a few seconds to confirm my identity in the security check before proceeding inside. Then the car made a round towards the private parking space intended for me. I walk out of the car and walk slowly toward the nearest elevator, I can already feel my brother's presence in the surroundings.

The three of us boarded the elevator going up to my apartment. I close my eyes for a while counting the seconds it takes to reach my place on the fifth floor.

"Are you alright Miss Bates?"

One of them sincerely asks which made me exhale slowly.

"I am, thank you for asking but don't worry about me."

I smiled a little. Then the elevator stops and the doors open. The soft carpeted flooring of the floors outside my apartment is always neat and tidy as I let my heels walk on top of them voiding the noise. One of the guards opens the main door and I walk in first.

"Emma! Finally, you're here! I thought I would grow roots from sitting on your sofa."

His familiar voice and his build as a wolf warrior reminded me of home. My brother is tall and well built with his body he would pass as the male model of some luxurious brands here in the UK but I know more than to ask him to work out here.

I opened my arms towards him as he stood up from the sofa and took long strides toward me.

"Dylan! Good to see you after such a long time. How's the trip coming here?"

His eyes lit with amusement when he took my elbow and gently guided me toward the seat.

"It was well and the good. Nothing to worry about, but I came to tell you an urgent request."

My heart begin to pound heavily as we both sat down on the couch and he started telling me the new things in the Langston Palace. But most especially that one urgent request coming from my father or it is not really a request.

"Father needed you to come home and take part in the family's businesses Emma. You know that we are launching the Bates steel after the textile industry. Brad's hands are full, while I am leading the warriors I cannot do both. Being a part of the Royal pack means one of us needs to be of service for the safety of all the wolves and protect the heirs to the throne."

I groaned while leaning my back against the soft couch.

"Why can't you leave the warriors? Is the Alpha King short of wolves protecting his kingdom? This is not fair if we are living here, then we don't have to be responsible for such duties!"

"Don't say that Ems! You do not understand how the pack works, how could you say such a thing? We are not humans, remember that! We belong to the pack in order to survive, the Alpha King has the biggest role of all and without him, I could not even imagine what would happen to our race! Now stop this nonsense talk and pack your bags this is not really a request anymore."

My flawless forehead wrinkled as I gritted my teeth.

"And what if I refuse to go with you?"

My brother's shoulders drop as if he is being defeated in a fight.

"You can't deny my our father Ems, he is ill and only the Moon Goddess knows for how long we can keep him."

I stiffined and look at him, no words have come out of my mouth after what he said.