Chapter 12 Meeting Day 1
Emily's POV
As the meeting dragged on, I couldn't shake the feeling of Lucas's intense gaze boring into me.
Seriously, what was his deal? He already had a chosen mate, yet he acted like he could control me.
Well, he was about to find out that I wouldn't be pushed around.
I would show him exactly who I was. After all, I was a single she-wolf; I could talk to whoever I wanted.
Lost in my thoughts, I felt a gentle squeeze on my hand. I glanced over to see Noah, looking at me with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" he whispered, his eyes searching mine.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, though my mind was elsewhere, fixated on Lucas's unyielding stare.
When the meeting finally came to an end, I stood up from my chair and headed for the door, eager to escape. Just as I reached the hallway, Ashley stepped in front of me, her face showed anger. "Listen, Emily," she said, voice low and threatening, "Lucas is mine. Stay away from him."
I blinked, caught off guard by her arrogance. "Did you forget you're the one who stole him from his mate?" I shot back, my heart racing in bewilderment and anger.
For a moment, she was silent, her eyes narrowing as she processed my words. Then she unleashed a flurry of insults, each one more hurtful than the last, before spinning on her heels and stomping off.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words settle in. I needed to clear my head. "I should go for a run," I thought. Aria, my wolf, echoed the sentiment; she was just as restless as I was.
"Finally, you're realizing I could use some fresh air too," Aria joked, and I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at her cheekiness.
I dashed to the backyard and slipped behind a tree, pulling off my clothes as I prepared to shift.
Almost instantly, my wolf emerged, and with a powerful leap, I took off into the woods, feeling the wind whip against my fur.
I ran freely, partially staying close to the castle, not wanting to get lost in these unfamiliar woods.
After an uneventful run, I shifted back, quickly dressing before making my way downstairs for dinner. I opted for some comfy lounge pants and a fitted top, slipping my hair into a high ponytail and skipping the makeup altogether. I felt light and relaxed as I made my way to the dining area.
"Hey, Emily!" Liam greeted me, grabbing food from the buffet. "It's been a while! You've kind of been off the radar since we got here. I hope you're enjoying yourself."
I smiled back at him, grateful for his easy demeanour. "Sorry, Liam, I've just been...adjusting. But I promise I'm having fun! Ooh, I see my friend over there. Catch up later?" I waved and turned, hoping to find a quieter spot.
Later in my room, I settled in with a book, hoping to distract myself and relax. But then, without warning, a tightness gripped my chest. My heart raced as I recognized the familiar feeling creeping up on me. I needed to get away. Frantically, I rushed to Noah's door, praying he was nearby.
Before I could even bring my knuckles to the wood, his door swung open, and he pulled me into a warm, reassuring embrace. It was comforting, like he had some kind of magic that calmed my racing thoughts. We sat together in silence for what felt like forever, the panic slowly fading away.
"Emily," he finally said, breaking the quiet, "I have a proposition for you. What if you stayed here for the rest of the trip? It could help you clear your mind and keep you focused."
I looked up, meeting his hopeful gaze. There was something about the idea that sparked a flicker of excitement in my chest. Maybe staying here could be just what I needed, a way to escape the chaos and confusion. I took a deep breath, a smile creeping onto my face. "I'd really like that."