Free Emily's Story by D'Elen McClain Page B

message to his pack telling them to clear the area. This time he told them to make sure Kinsee was away too. The pack had three children of various ages but Kinsee was the only one able to get more than a few feet from her parents. He didn’t want any accidents. If Emily killed a cub, her life would be forfeit and he would carry out the sentence. He would die with her if it came to that.
    Taking the comb off the dresser, he walked toward the bathroom to fix his hair.
    “Can I do it?” Her shy voice held hope and longing.
    Smiling, he changed direction and went toward the couch. They reversed the sitting arrangement from the evening before. He felt the comb run through his short brown hair. He usually only swiped a comb through it once or twice but he let her familiarize herself with his body and scent. He felt the comb pass across his head several times and then her small hands traveled along his shoulders, gently rubbing like his hands did the night before. Reaching up he took her fingers within his, stopping her movements. Tilting his head, he gazed into her eyes. “That feels wonderful but if you let me braid your hair, I’ll take you outside to feel the sunshine.”
    He stood and went to the bathroom and then the bedroom. He couldn’t find any hair ties so he broke off a piece of thread from a spindle. He went back to the couch where Emily waited. Combing through her hair quickly, he then plaited it into a single braid down her back. Her fingers went to the woven hair feeling its texture. He wasn’t very accomplished with female grooming but she looked adorable.
    Standing, he clasped her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. His authoritative voice compelled, “You will not change form. You must learn to control it and going outside will temp your wolf to run. We are staying near the cabin. Do you understand?”
    Irritation changed her scent slightly. Her jaw went rigid. Glowing blue eyes challenged him for a split second and then looked down. Not understanding the shifts in her mood, anxiety flooded her. One minute she wanted him touching her and the next she wanted his blood to flow. She spent years lowering her eyes to her mother but that was becoming harder to do with him. She wanted his eyes to lower and felt a strong need to make him do it. Remembering what happened in the bathroom, she knew she wasn’t strong enough but that only increased her apprehension.
    He fought not to grin. His she-wolf had sharp claws and he knew in the coming years they would have many fights for dominance. She wasn’t even near the peak of her strength. Pulling her close, he gave her stiff body a brief hug then released her. Taking the key from his pocket, he unlocked the door. He intertwined their fingers and used his stronger grip to subdue any urge she had to flee. They stepped outside.
    Her heartbeat accelerated rapidly. She tentatively followed. He knew it was partially instinct that she tried not to show fear to a stronger wolf. He also admired her bravery. Inhaling deeply, the clean air leeched into his wolf and he knew it was doing similar things to hers. His fingers tightened to remind her of his words about controlling her wolf and not changing. He noticed too that her alpha scent was growing stronger. Challenging was in her blood. It would take her months to fully control her beast. His sexy grin turned in her direction. Thoughts of dominating his alpha she-wolf spiked his desire again.
    He squelched his thoughts and sat down on the edge of the porch drawing her down to his side. One of his hands remained entwined with hers and the other went to her thigh and gently rubbed in a soothing motion. Her unease dissipated. When her wolf completely calmed, he released her hand and jumped to the ground not bothering to make use of the steps. “Come and get your feet dirty,” Raising his arms he beckoned.
    With no hesitation, she jumped.
    Unhurriedly, he lowered her to the ground. His eyes, etched with desire, held hers and his