Emma POV
I was sitting in my room waiting for Amy to come over and help me get ready for dinner tonight.
My ribs felt so much better. I still needed to be careful when I moved, but it didn’t hurt nearly as much as the first day.
Thankfully, I haven’t had any more encounters with Sienna since the day she broke my ribs all over again. She hadn’t been coming to the house since then, and I had never felt more at peace. Somehow, I knew it wouldn’t last long though.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by the knock on the front door. I looked at my watch and saw it was only 2 pm. Amy was coming over at 4 pm. Who could that be?
I walked downstairs and opened the door. Jake was standing there smiling at me.
“Jake.” I said with a big grin on my face. “Come in. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, beautiful.” he said and walked by me to enter our living room.
He sat down on the couch and looked up at me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked and closed the front door.
He motioned for me to take a seat on the couch. I walked over and sat beside him.
“Emma, I need to talk to you about something very important.” he said seriously.
I sat up straighter and nodded.
“I want to take you as my chosen mate.” he said and took my hands in his.
I couldn’t say that I was surprised. We have talked about this before. But as soon as he said those words, I felt nervous and sad. Eliza was whining inside of me, telling me that he wasn’t our mate, and that we didn’t belong to him. She wasn’t wrong, but our true mate didn’t want us. And not that long ago, I wanted Jake to be my mate. I liked him. But I couldn’t shake this feeling that I didn’t belong to him. Maybe it was too early. Maybe I needed more time.
“Jake.” I spoke softly. “You know I like you, right? I wanted you to be my mate, and I was devastated when we discovered we weren’t mates. I do want you as my chosen mate, but it is too soon for me. I need more time, Jake.”
“Why, Emma?” he asked with sadness in his voice. “I’ve talked to your brother about this. He said to wait and see if you would find your true mate. You did, and he has done the stupidest thing ever and rejected you. What is stopping you now, beautiful?”
I sighed and looked down at my hands in his. “I am not sure, Jake. I just know now is not the right time. I like you and I want to do this right. I don’t want to hurt you. And I would be hurting you if I wasn’t 100 percent committed to you. And right now, I know I won’t be.”
“I understand.” he said quietly. “I love you, Emma. Take as much time as you need. I will be here, waiting.”
I looked up at him and smiled. I hugged him and he pulled my body to his.
“Thank you, Jake.” I whispered in his shoulder.
He let go of me and stood up. “I better go. Amy tells me you are going to that formal dinner for Alpha Drake tonight.”
I nodded. “Yes. As Beta’s sister, it is expected of me to attend. Amy is coming over to help me get ready.”
“Goddess, Emma.” he said, stunned. “I was so nervous about talking to you about being my chosen mate that I completely forgot about your ribs. How are you?”
He asked as he pulled me up and touched my left side gently.
I chuckled. “It’s okay, Jake. I am fine. I’m still a little bit sore, but nothing like that first day.”
“I was so mad at you.” he frowned. “I don’t like to see you hurt, and it angers me that you put yourself at risk.”
“I know. I could tell by the stern look you were giving me the whole time.” I said and laughed.
“Don’t do that ever again.” he said softly, and pulled me to him.
“I won’t. I promise.” I said.
He kissed my forehead and let me go.
“I will see you tomorrow, beautiful.” he said and let me go.
He walked to the front door and gave me a big smile before he walked out.
I ran upstairs to shower before Amy came over.
I didn’t bother choosing my clothes because I knew that Amy wanted to do that for me. She loved it when I let her dress me up, and I found it amusing. She got all girly and excited and I loved it.
I was sitting on my bed, going through my phone, when I heard Andrew walk inside the house.
He came over to my bedroom and opened the door.
“Hey, little one.” he smiled. “When is Amy coming over?”
“Soon.” I said and smiled back. “When should I get there?”
“Around 6 pm.” he said. “I am going to get dressed and head back. I need to be there early.”
“Okay.” I said, just as the doorbell rang.
“I will let Amy inside.” Andrew said and left my room.
A few moments later, a very excited Amy came into my room.
“Emmy!” she yelled and ran over to hug me. “I am so excited. Let’s get started.”
I laughed and let her do her magic.
After about half an hour, I heard Andrew yell goodbye and he left the house.
Amy and I chatted the whole time, and I ended up telling her about what happened with Sienna.
“Oh, Goddess, Emma!” she yelled and stopped applying my eyeliner. “You should tell somebody. I am afraid of what she will do to you!”
“No, Amy.” I shook my head. “I tried. Andrew just doesn’t want to believe me. I just hope Logan will mark her soon so she will stop feeling threatened by me.”
“I don’t know, Emma.” she said. “She is one crazy bitch.”
I laughed. “You are not wrong. But don’t worry. I will tell you or Jake if I can’t handle her.”
She eyed me with concern, but she nodded and went back to applying my makeup.
Half an hour later, I was done. Amy hugged me and kissed my cheek. She told me repeatedly how hot and beautiful I looked before she had to go home.
I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.
She had chosen a strapless black dress with a heart-shaped neckline. It fell just above my knee. It was really tight, and it felt like second skin. I was wearing black heels and a small black purse. She curled my hair in soft waves that fell down to the middle of my back. My makeup was minimal. Thin eyeliner, mascara, and a soft rose lipstick completed the look. She put a small amount of perfume on my neck and wrists.
I looked amazing. I had never felt more beautiful than I did right then.
I put my coat on, took a deep breath and headed toward the pack house.
