Emma POV
I felt a little bit better after I managed to convince Logan to give the books to Anna.
I didn’t like feeling powerless. I didn’t like the feeling of helplessness.
But that was exactly how I felt after Alpha Nathan left the room.
Helpless.
I had to remind myself that I wasn’t helpless. I was a Luna of the strongest pack. I was a woman who survived hell to be with the love of her life.
I wasn’t going to give all of that up.
It took a while to push the pain away, but once I did, I could start thinking clearly.
Andrew was right. There had to be a way other than my Goddess-given mate marking me. The curse was created by magic, and maybe another spell could undo it.
I had magic, didn’t I? It was new to me, and I didn’t really know how to use it, but I had it. I had Anna here. She could help me learn how to use my magic. I knew she said that I wouldn’t have my powers until my Goddess-given mate marks me, but I had to have some magic in me already. I could project it onto Logan. I did it once. It took everything I had, but I did it.
I could do it again.
But I would have to talk to Anna about teaching me some other day. I had to go back to my office.
I sat up straighter and ran my fingers through Logan’s hair.
“I need to go back to my office.” I said. “The materials for the kindergarten are finally on their way.”
It turned out that the rogues were responsible for the delay. I wondered if Alpha Nathan had something to do with that as well.
“You should stay here.” Andrew said. “I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’m not going to be alone.” I said. “Amy is already waiting for me there.”
I had mind-linked her before, asking her to come to my office. I didn’t want to be alone, and I didn’t want to bother Logan and Andrew. They had work to do. Our lives couldn’t stop just because Alpha Nathan was here. Our pack members still deserved leaders who did their jobs.
“Don’t worry, Andrew.” Logan said. “I have eyes on him. He won’t be able to come near her. Our warriors have strict instructions to keep their eyes on him and follow him if he leaves the room. I told them to stop him if he tries to go near Emma and mind-link you or me immediately. He won’t be able to come near her.”
Andrew took a deep breath and looked at me.
“I will be okay.” I said, giving him a small smile. “I will mind-link you if I need you.”
“Okay.” Andrew nodded.
I turned toward my mate, placed a soft kiss on his lips, and stood up. My brother pulled me into a hug.
“We will be in here, okay, love?” my brother said softly.
I nodded, gave him a small smile, and walked out of Logan’s office.
I love you, baby. My mate mind-linked me as I closed his office door.
I love you too. I said, walking toward my office.
I took a deep breath. My body was in pain. My heart kept clenching painfully. I could still smell his scent all around me. I still felt the need to go to him.
I didn’t even check on Eliza yet. I knew that she talked to his wolf. I didn’t have the courage to hear what she had to say.
If there was a chance that she wanted Nathan and his wolf…
I pushed the thought away and opened my office door.
Amy was waiting for me inside.
But she wasn’t alone.
A very pissed-off Jake was in there. He was pacing around, biting his lower lip nervously.
His eyes snapped to me as soon as I walked into my office.
“Is it true?!” he shouted as he started to approach me. “You have another mate?!”
Jake grabbed my shoulders and bent down to look at my face.
“Yes.” I said, trying to get out of his grip.
I glanced at Amy and narrowed my eyes at her.
Why did you tell him? I mind-linked her. You knew how he would react.
I am sorry. Amy sighed. He is my cousin. He is your best friend. I couldn’t keep it from him.
“Is he going to take you away?” Jake asked, making me look back at him.
“No, Jake.” I said. “I am not leaving Logan.”
Jake narrowed his eyes, and his grip on my shoulders tightened.
“Why the fuck is he here then?” Jake growled.
I sighed and bit my lower lip.
“He wants me to be his mate, but I am not going to accept him.” I said, trying to remove Jake’s hands.
His grip was starting to hurt.
“How the fuck is it possible for you to have two mates?” Jake asked angrily.
I was really getting uncomfortable with him holding me like that.
“You are hurting me, Jake.” I said, making him flinch and let me go.
He pulled me into a tight hug immediately.
“I am sorry, beautiful.” he mumbled. “I am shocked and angry.”
“It’s okay, Jake.” I said, hugging him back.
I wanted to let go of him, but he pulled me even closer to him.
“He can’t take you away.” Jake mumbled, burying his nose in my hair.
He took a deep breath and rubbed my back.
“He won’t, Jake.” Amy said softly.
I tried to let go of him, and this time he finally let me. I gave him a small smile as I walked away from him. I approached my desk and sat down on my chair.
“How did it go?” Amy asked worriedly.
I took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“Weird.” I mumbled. “It’s weird feeling the bond with someone who isn’t Logan.”
“Do you want him?” Jake asked, clenching his fists.
I furrowed my eyebrows and looked down at my lap.
“No.” I said. “It’s more like a need. I need to fell him next to me. I need to touch him. I need him. But I don’t want him. I don’t even want to need him.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“Fuck.” Jake mumbled angrily.
I looked up at my friends. Amy was looking at me with sadness and worry written all over her face. Jake was pacing around with an angry expression on his face.
“Is Logan okay?” Amy asked quietly.
I knew that he was trying to be strong for me, but I could also feel his pain and sadness. He couldn’t fool me.
“He will be.” I said with determination in my voice. “I won’t let anyone hurt him.”
I would deal with this. I would find a way to stay with Logan.
I wasn’t going to let anyone take me from him.
Not again.
