Emma is joining the pack!

EMMA

He pulled me up onto his chest, and we looked into each other's eyes for a long moment.

"Do you know how much power you have over me?" Elijah asked, his voice low, and I chuckled softly.

"Trust me, I know. And that’s exactly why I can convince you to do things you don’t want to do," I replied, placing a gentle kiss on his chest.

“Elijah, I’ve been thinking... does Violet give you more satisfaction than I do?” I asked hesitantly, unsure of his response. He made a confused face at me.

“When you left, I only slept with her once. It was just to get her pregnant. But since you’ve come back, I haven’t had the desire to touch her. There’s a big difference between sex and making love,” he said, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The pang of jealousy inside me melted away.

"I have no interest in her. I want only you. And this is the last time I’m answering to your insecurities. After this, I won’t entertain any more of your questions. Don’t ever doubt me again," he said, pinching my nose playfully.

"Why can't I bear your babies?" I asked, my voice soft. He smiled gently.

"Trust me, I want you to be the one to carry my children. But there’s a curse on my family. Only my mate can bear my babies," he explained. I shifted to the other side of the bed, feeling sore in places I wasn’t used to, and pulled the duvet over myself. He wrapped his arm around me.

"I wish I could be the one to bear your babies," I whispered, a strange sense of longing filling my heart. Imagining a future with him and our children felt like a dream I couldn’t reach in this lifetime.

"My child will call you ‘Mom,’ not Violet," he said, surprising me. I turned to him, wide-eyed, unsure of what he meant.

"Excuse me, Violet is the mother, not I," I said, confusion evident in my voice.

"It doesn’t matter who gives birth. You will be the mother of my child. After nine months, I’ll reject the mate bond, and you and I will stay together," he said seriously, and I never imagined he would say something like that.

“Elijah, don’t be mad. I can’t just take Violet’s baby from her. You’re not going to reject her. I admit that I’m jealous of Violet because she has you and everything else, but I won’t destroy her life. I’m happy just being your love, and I don’t want anything else. I never wanted more than you. So just stop this madness,” I said, cupping his cheek.

“But I want to give you my world,” he said, his voice full of emotion, and I smiled softly.

"I already have my world, and that world is you. I’m willing to share you, and call me stupid, but I love you enough to trust you. Please don’t reject Violet. Our relationship will stay as our secret, for life," I said, leaning in to peck him on the lips.

I had made up my mind. I was willing to spend an eternity of love with Elijah, and I would do anything to make that happen. I sent him to his room, even though he was determined not to leave me. But I had my ways of making him agree. As I lay down to sleep, I knew with certainty that Elijah was mine, and no one could take him away from me.

I fell asleep with that assurance, feeling safe in his love.

NEXT MORNING

I wake up to the delicious aroma of coffee. I open my eyes and spot the cup of coffee on the side table, accompanied by a note and a rose. Someone’s feeling a little romantic today. I’m impressed. I reach for the note and open it.

"To the love of my life, get ready, sunshine, and come downstairs for breakfast. I want to see you in that red-hot dress, so please wear it for me."

I smiled as I read the note. How could this deadly-looking man be so romantic? Sometimes I wonder if Elijah has a personality disorder. I’ll never fully understand him, but despite it all, I love him, and my feelings for him are complicated, to say the least.

With a smile, I get up, take a bath, and notice the hickey Elijah left on my neck. He always does this, so whenever I look in the mirror, I’m reminded of how much we made love the night before. His love and these little habits are something only he can truly explain.

After a relaxing bath, I slip into the red dress he requested—sleeveless, with a Peter Pan collar and a bow at the top. It falls just above my knees. I pull my hair into a high ponytail and apply a touch of lip gloss. I look good—feeling like myself again. After four months, I’ve finally regained my shape.

I leave my room and descend the stairs, where I see Violet, Mason, John, and the rest of the pack members gathered at the table. I never interact with anyone much, as I tend to spend most of my time in my room, keeping to myself.

As I make my way to the table, I catch everyone’s attention—thanks to the clicking sound of my heels. Some of them have shocked expressions on their faces, probably because it’s the first time they’ve seen me.

I bow before Alpha Elijah, and he gestures for me to sit with my sister, Violet, who radiates the glow of pregnancy.

"So, this is Emma, Violet’s sister. Most of you don’t know her because she usually stays in another part of the chambers. But there’s news—she’s joining the pack house now," Elijah announces, and I glance at him, wide-eyed.

What the hell is he talking about? And why wasn’t I aware of this?