All Chapters of Finding Her Lost Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

After lunch with Lucien, Emma met up with Kendra again. "Some of the other women heard about your homeschooling advice and want to ask you questions," Kendra said when they met at a picnic grove in the woods"Okay. I'd be happy to answer them," Emma said.She hadn't told Lucien about her morning. She didn't want to lose the positive buzz she had from contributing something to this council. Lucien would find a way to downplay her accomplishments. Or he'd be embarrassed that she was the center of attention. Either way, she didn't talk about it and was vague about what she'd done that morning. He'd returned to some breakout session for Alphas. Her afternoon was free. A few women straggled in and sat across from Emma at the picnic bench. She smiled at everyone and Kendra introduced them all. "I'm not a Luna, but I'm here representing Wolf Woods."Emma's ears perked up at the name of Dex's pack. "Welcome.""Our Alpha doesn't have a Luna yet, but I'm the Beta's mate so we figured I'd get

Emma decided she might as well make the best of this. She needed to keep her mind off of the fact that she was in a closet; she didn't like enclosed spaces. "How is the Council going?" she asked. "So far so good. We've been accepted as a new pack more easily than I expected.""That's good. What you're doing is a good thing, Dex. Everyone needs a pack.""It'll cut down on crime. We won't have lone wolves wandering around looking for food or shelter. The rest of the packs won't have to worry about them," he said. "It all makes sense. I wonder why no one has done it before," she said.As far back as she could remember there had been lone wolves and outcasts. Parents died or rejected their children. It was sad, but it happened. Until Dex created his pack, there had been no recourse for those in that situation. They had to fend for themselves. No pack had ever trusted them enough to let them in. An orphan could marry into a pack, but there was always suspicion. "I don't know either. I'

Emma chose not to argue with Lucien. It was one day. She could clench her jaw and get through it. She followed him to the main hotel. In the lobby, she found her parents. "Emma," her mother, Barbara, said and hugged her. Lucien shook her father's hand. "Jeff.""Lucien, my boy. You are looking good," Jeff said, slapping him on the back. "You as well."Lucien only turned on this charm for Emma's parents. It chafed her, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. It's most likely why they liked Lucien so much. They never realized he was cold and distant. "Shall we get some breakfast?" Jeff asked. "It smells good," Barbara said."My parents are in there already if you'd like to join us," Lucien said. "We wouldn't want to intrude on family time," Barbara said. "Nonsense. I'm sure they'll be glad to see you," Lucien said.He put his hand on Emma's lower back and directed her into the dining room where a spread of food was laid out. Silverware clinked and the smell of coffee hit

Tonight was the night. Emma was going to wear the green dress. This was a test and maybe that wasn't fair, but she needed to know for sure before she upended her life. She needed to know if Lucien felt anything for her. Even if it was only physical attraction, it would tell her a lot. About him especially, but it would also make her path clear. She got ready in the bathroom while Lucien flipped through channels on the television. He was already in his tuxedo for the extravagant feast that evening. She just had to tie his bowtie for him. After she made herself look good. Not just good, sexy, and amazing. She'd washed her hair, dried it, and then put it into an updo. The style had looked easier on the video, but when she was done, Emma smiled at the results. Her eyes sparkled in the mirror. Time for the dress. It was green and floor-length and off one shoulder revealing creamy skin. Her earrings dangled almost to her shoulders and her kitten heels gave her another inch or so of hei

Dex couldn't stay and watch the spectacle any longer. Emma had kissed him and now she was extolling the virtues of arranged marriages? He couldn't stand it, so he stormed out of the banquet hall. He left behind the lies that Emma had chosen to be a part of and the crowd that was eating them with a spoon. Once again, he'd been a fool. The outside air didn't cool his anger. He needed a long walk. What he should do is shift and let his wolf run it off. He couldn't imagine that Emma wanted to stay with Lucien with the way he treated her, but he couldn't say what was in her heart. When they should have been talking, they were kissing. He jammed a hand into his hair and let out a groan. Emma was messing with his head and he was letting her. "What was I thinking?"He'd been thinking that Emma had felt right in his arms. That Emma was his. He'd been mistaken. He put a hand to his lips remembering her taste. She'd been soft and warm and just the way a she-wolf should be. Looking up, he real