Emma POV
My head was killing me.
I barely managed to get a few hours of sleep last night.
So when I heard a loud commotion in front of my office, all I wanted to do was let Eliza take care of it.
But my mate’s scent filled my lungs, and I stiffened.
What was he doing here?
Where was Logan? Where was Andrew?
I could hear one of our warriors fighting with him and telling him that he couldn’t come inside my office without my mate or my brother present.
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” Alpha Nathan screamed. “That is my mate inside!”
My heart clenched. My hands started shaking.
Logan? I mind-linked my mate.
We are on our way. He answered immediately. Andrew and I had to go to the cellar. Ryan tried to stop him, but he couldn’t do much.
Of course he couldn’t. Nathan was an Alpha. Ryan couldn’t go against him. He could only keep an eye on him.
I needed to deal with this.
I took a deep breath, stood up, and walked toward the door. I opened it and looked outside.
Alpha Nathan looked at me immediately. My body shivered. The need to touch him grew.
“Emma.” he said as a huge smile spread across his face.
“Is everything okay, Alpha Nathan?” I asked, trying to calm myself down.
“Your warrior won’t let me inside.” Alpha Nathan said as he looked at Ryan with a frown. “I told him that you are my mate, but he didn’t want to listen to me.”
I wasn’t his mate. I didn’t want to be.
I looked at Ryan and gave him a small smile.
“It’s okay, Ryan.” I said. “Alpha Logan will be here in a few minutes.”
Ryan looked at Alpha Nathan and stepped aside.
“Thank you, Emma.” Alpha Nathan said as he approached me.
His scent overwhelmed my senses. This was the closest we’ve ever been.
I needed to step away from him.
I turned around and hurried back toward my desk. I sat down in my chair and took a deep breath.
I heard the door to my office close, and I looked up at Alpha Nathan.
His eyes were closed, and he was taking deep breaths.
“Your scent is soothing.” he mumbled as he opened his eyes and looked at me.
“How can I help you, Alpha Nathan?” I asked, trying to stop my body from shaking.
He approached my desk, placed his hands on it, and bent down. He was so close. I could see the color of his eyes so clearly. They were dark brown. I felt like I was watching a pool of chocolate. He was so close. If I had just reached out, I could have touched his cheek.
My hands started shaking. I needed to touch him.
He clenched his jaw and gulped.
“Fuck, Emma.” he mumbled.
I leaned further into my chair, trying to get away from him a little.
I didn’t want this.
I really didn’t want this.
But…
The door to my office burst open, and a very angry Logan rushed inside.
Oh, thank Goddess.
“Step away from her, Alpha Nathan.” Logan said, his voice trembling.
Alpha Nathan kept his eyes on mine. He didn’t even flinch.
“I just want to talk to her, Alpha Logan.” Alpha Nathan said. “She is my mate. I have every right to be here.”
Logan growled, walked over to me, and pulled my chair back.
“Can we talk, Emma?” Alpha Nathan asked me softly.
I took a deep breath, and relief washed over me. Logan’s scent overpowered Nathan’s. It consumed my body, and I could think clearly again.
“What would you like to talk about, Alpha Nathan?” I asked.
Logan ran his fingers through my hair, making Alpha Nathan growl.
“If you have a problem with me touching my mate and my wife, please feel free to step outside.” Logan said.
Alpha Nathan finally looked away from me. I felt my body relax a little.
“Are you enjoying my pain, Alpha Logan?” Alpha Nathan asked. “I can’t wait for the day when our roles will be reversed and I will be the one touching her while you watch.”
My heart hurt so much that I almost whined.
No.
It would never happen. It could never happen.
Logan growled loudly. He tried to step closer to Alpha Nathan, but I stopped him.
“Alpha Nathan, please don’t.” I said, trying to stay calm.
He looked at me, and his eyes softened.
“I am sorry, Emma.” he said gently. “It is so painful for me to watch him touch you. How would you feel if there was another she-wolf with her hands all over me?”
My body tensed up. An uneasy feeling washed over me.
But my main thought was that I would be relieved.
If he had another woman in his life who he wanted to take as his mate, I would be relieved. We wouldn’t have to go through all of this.
“Sit down, please.” I said, motioning to a chair behind him. “I have work to do. I don’t have much time.”
Alpha Nathan listened to me and sat down on the chair. He looked up at Logan and frowned.
Logan placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently.
You are doing great, baby. He mind-linked me. I am proud of you.
Thank you for coming. I mind-linked him back. It is easier with you here.
Of course, Emma. Logan said. I would never leave you alone with him.
“Alpha Nathan.” I called him again, making him look from Logan to me. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
His eyes fell on Logan’s hand on my shoulder. I saw his jaw clench. He looked back up at me and smiled.
“I heard something that concerned me, and I wanted to talk about it with you.” Alpha Nathan said.
“Okay.” I nodded.
Logan’s grip on my shoulder tightened.
“I heard that you had some issues with rogues in the past.” Alpha Nathan said, making me tense up. “What issues did you have with them?”
He didn’t know? He didn’t know about Samuel?
Logan tensed up.
“Please, Emma.” Alpha Nathan spoke after a few moments of silence. “I need to know if they hurt you. I need to know what they did to you.”
I took a deep breath and looked up at Logan.
“It’s your decision, baby.” Logan said softly.
But it may not be a bad thing to tell him. Logan finished through the mind-link. I would really like for him to know how much he fucked up by siding with the people who almost killed you.
I gave him a small nod and looked back at Alpha Nathan.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
I hated talking about it. It always made me feel like I was back in their arms. It always made me feel like I wasn’t with Logan.
I hated it. Just thinking about being away from my mate was making my whole body hurt.
