Chapter 24
The following week, Emmy spent a few hours reviewing cattle genetics literature, beginning the process of understanding the different breeds, so she didn’t see the email until later in the afternoon.
And then she could only stare at the screen.
Her diploma was ready to be picked up, or they could mail it.
It was real. Official. Done.
And too late to pick up this evening.
She texted Delaney, to let her know she’d need a ride to the university at around ten the following morning.
Fifteen minutes later, Spence came into the suite.
“You’re going into town tomorrow?”
“Yes, my diploma is ready.”
He smiled. “Oh, we should make a day of it. I’ll go with you, and then we can do tourist things, and I have the perfect place for us to eat for dinner.
Not one of Zander’s places, but I had to eat at all the best spots, to tell him about his competition, and this one is great.
It’s a brewery, with all kinds of ales, plus seafood and steak. You’ll love it.”
She shook her head. “Zander needs you. You can’t just—”
“Zander is attending the big gala at Roman’s estate, and I don’t have anything big on my calendar tomorrow. I do the next day, because we have six new flock members arriving, but tomorrow is mostly clear, and it’s no problem for me to make it completely clear.” He smiled. “I’m all yours.”
Emmy knew about the big gala thing. Three nights of Mordnik-style decadence, but possibly even more depraved.
Every daywalker on the premises was a slave and available for ‘use’ at any time.
Even the maids and wait staff, which was why Spence couldn’t go with him.
Zander and Kendra took turns going, so he only got to go every other year, and he was looking forward to it.
“All mine for a whole day?” she smiled. “Yes, that sounds like a fun day.” And since he’d started it by saying he was all hers, she added, “See if the playroom is open this evening. If it is, slot us in for two hours.”
The Registrar’s Office was tucked into the administration building, all institutional-beige walls and fluorescent lighting. A middle-aged woman with kind eyes looked up from her computer as they approached.
“Can I help you?”
“Emerald Drake. I’m here to pick up my diploma.”
“Oh! Congratulations.” The woman pulled out a drawer and withdrew a leather portfolio embossed with the university seal. “Let me just verify your ID.”
Emmy handed over her driver’s license, the woman checked it against her records, then passed the portfolio and her ID across the counter.
“There you go, Ms. Drake. Well done.”
Emmy’s hands shook slightly as she opened the portfolio. Heavy cream paper, elegant calligraphy, official seals and signatures.
“Congratulations,” Spence said softly beside her, and when she looked up, his eyes were sparkling with pride.
Emmy put her ID back in her wallet, closed the portfolio, and tucked it under her arm. “Thank you.”
Delaney usually walked with her, but Spence’s two guards, a wolf and a bear, trailed behind them.
The drive to the trolley tour stop wasn’t far, maybe four or five miles, and Emmy enjoyed it more than she expected to.
It wound through downtown, a cheerful guide pointing out landmarks and sharing historical anecdotes Emmy had never heard despite living here for more than a year.
“That’s the Fourth Avenue Theatre, built in 1947, survived the 1964 earthquake…”
“Over there is the Imaginarium, used to be a science discovery center…”
“And if you look to your left, you’ll see the coastal trail where you can spot beluga whales in the inlet…”
Spence’s hand found hers, fingers lacing together, and Emmy leaned into his warmth. Through the bond, she felt his contentment, his joy at making this day special for her.
And after going so long without the sun over the winter, she had a new appreciation for how good the rays felt on her bare skin.
Thank you, she sent.
Thank you for coming with me, for letting me make this day special, he replied.
After the tour, they wandered downtown on foot. His security followed close enough to intervene if needed, but far enough it wasn’t annoying.
Spence led her into a chocolate shop that smelled like heaven, and they sampled fudge until Emmy’s teeth ached from sweetness. They meandered through galleries displaying local art, with gorgeous paintings of mountains and wildlife, Native Alaskan crafts, and lots of jewelry.
“Look at this,” Emmy said, pointing to a painting of the northern lights over snow-covered peaks. “Mordnik truly was magical.”
“You miss it,” Spence observed.
“I mean, it’s what finally pulled the three of us together. And yeah, I loved the intensity of it, knowing there’d be a feeding frenzy every evening. Or a ball.” She squeezed his hand. “But I’m so happy to be out in the sunshine.”
They browsed gift shops, laughed at ridiculous tourist t-shirts ( Alaska Survival Tip: Always hike with people you can outrun ), and stopped for coffee at a local roastery where they could watch the boats coming in with their catches.
And then they went to the Glacier Brewhouse, and Emmy was relieved it was upscale but casual — exposed wooden beams, a massive stone fireplace, and an impressive bar.
They were seated at a corner booth, and Spence ordered a flight of local ales for them to sample.
“The seafood here is incredible,” he said, perusing the menu. “But so are the steaks.”
“Let’s get both and share.” Emmy grinned. “I want to try everything.”
They ordered three seafood plates and as many steak plates, plus sides that kept coming — garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, fresh sourdough bread. The ales ranged from light and crisp to dark and malty, and Emmy proclaimed she liked their amber best.
“This is perfect,” she said, picking crab meat out of a leg. “Today has been perfect.”
“It has. I’m so glad it worked out.” He grinned. “Besides, after the scene last night, how could I not want to make you as happy as possible today?”
She’d forced seven orgasms from him in five hours. The first two hours in the playroom, the last three in their bedroom. He’d been begging not to have more for the last three, and yet, he’d enjoyed the pain of them.
She grinned back. “I love you more than I know how to say.”
“Same, Ma’am.”
Three days later, Emmy and Spence rode in the SUV with his security to the airport. The sun wouldn’t set for another hour, so Zander was still trapped underground, but he was already at the restaurant, so he’d only have to walk upstairs once the sun went below the horizon.
Her parents emerged from the private terminal looking travel-worn but happy. Her mom’s blonde hair was loose, and she wore cream pants with a cream blouse. Her dad was in black cargo pants with a charcoal tee.
And that was her parents — opposites who were somehow perfect for each other.
“Emmy!” Sophia pulled her into a hug first, squeezing tight. “Look at you. A master’s degree. I’m so proud.”
Aaron’s hug was just as fierce. “My brilliant daughter. Congratulations.”
Emmy blinked back tears. “Thanks for coming.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Aaron turned to Spence, offering his hand. “Good to see you again.”
They loaded into the three-row SUV — Aaron and Sophia in the middle, Emmy and Spence in the back.
The restaurant was one of Zander’s, which meant it was luxurious, and both the service and food were exceptional. They were led to a large table in a back corner, a server brought water and menus, then disappeared discreetly.
“This is beautiful,” Sophia said, looking around. “Zander’s places nearly always are, unless he’s specifically aiming for the college crowd near campus. Food’s always good though, no matter what.”
“It is,” Spence said with a smile. “He hires the best consultants to put the menu together, and then employs people who actually know how to run a kitchen.”
Conversation flowed easily, and her dad wanted to know more about what GeneSynth’s offer entailed, so Emmy explained the cattle project and condor conservation work.
The sun slipped below the horizon, and Zander took his place at the table with a smile, seated beside her father.
“Aaron, Sophia, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you for hosting us,” Aaron replied. “I’m looking forward to seeing the house.”
They went back to the conversation about GeneSynth, with Emmy telling them about why she was excited about working with the condors, and she heard the sounds around them dim.
She quickly realized Zander had done his mute thing, so the others in the restaurant wouldn’t hear her, and she explained that, since she eventually would be studying swans and dragons, everything she learned about birds would help her work toward that.
Her dad looked at Zander. “Have you looked over the offer?”
“Emmy had an attorney I recommended go over it with her. She asked for a few small changes, which they agreed to.” Zander’s gaze was steady. “Emmy will be well-compensated and properly challenged. And she’ll be here, in Anchorage, with us.”
“That matters to us, too,” Sophia said softly. “We’re glad she’s found stability. Happiness.”
“And the magical side of the work?” Aaron pressed. “The shifter genetics research?”
“Is years away,” Emmy interjected. “First, I’m doing the cattle project and condor conservation.
Both will teach me what I need to know before I’m ready to tackle dual-shifter genetics.
And yes, eventually they want me to work on species selection for shifter embryos, but the ethics of that are solid.
Parents should have reproductive choices. ”
Aaron nodded slowly. “Agreed. You remember Briana? Married to Patrick now, Alpha of the Ringgold pack? Dad’s a wolf, mom was human, and they assumed she’d be a wolf, but she never changed .
Had a few people bite her, still didn’t change .
Finally asked someone who was bitten to bite her, and that finally worked. ”