Emily’s POV
I could feel Alex’s emotions spiraling out of control and spilling over the bond.
He wasn’t well, and as much as I wanted to go to him and comfort him, I knew that leaving him alone would be the best.
“He will come to you,” Willow said. “Alpha Colt is with him.”
“Alpha Colt?” I asked, feeling a bit relieved.
“Yeah,” she said. “He saw what Alex did in the hallway and followed him. They are having a chat in the cottage.”
My gaze snapped in the direction of the cottage. I had been there only once, yet I knew how to get there.
It surprised me to know that Alex still used the cottage as a hideout when he was upset and angry. I did the same thing, spending hours sitting by the river and staring at the water. It was my safe haven.
I sighed, my mood dark and melancholy.
I was unable to continue working in the office. I went to expect the damage when the hallway quieted down, and it devastated me.
Not knowing how serious the situation was, I just took off and ended up where I used to hide-here, by the river.
“What are they discussing?” I asked curiously.
Although it would have been easy for me to just listen to Alex’s thoughts by tapping into our bond, I did not want to invade his privacy.
I needed time and space, just like Alex did.
“Ghost says that Alex is trying to make sense of why his temper is spiraling out of control all the time,” Willow answered, but I could not shake the feeling that there was more than that.
“What are you withholding from me?” I asked. “Everyone knows that all great Alphas have a temper. Alex will be no different. ”
“That is true, but he should not be able to get furious with you,” she retorted. “It sounds like Alpha Colt might have a theory.”
“That’s interesting,” I said, picking up a stone and throwing it into the water. “Did Ghost share Alpha Colt’s theory with you?”
Willow gave an indifferent shake of her head.
“Ghost did not go into detail about the issue!” She stated. “He will probably let me know later. He appeared to be preoccupied with something.”
“E-m-i-l-y!” From the edge of the forest came a call. “W-h-e-r-e are you hiding?”
“That sounds like your mom calling,” Willow exclaimed as she stood up quickly.
“I wonder what she wants?” I said, keeping quiet. I did not want my secret spot to be revealed if she saw me sitting there.
“E-m-i-l-y!”
“You should respond,” Willow advised. “Her desire to find you seems a little desperate.”
I rolled my eyes at her, sighing.
“Do I really have to?” I sulked like a teenage girl.
I did not feel like having company; I wanted to sulk on my own and maybe cry in peace.
“I believe you do,” Willow remarked, turning her focus to the sound of approaching footsteps. “Something might have happened to Alex. Ghost is not replying to me!”
“E-m-i-l-y, are you here?” The voice of my mother sounded closer. “Alpha Alexander is worried about you, he sent me to look for you!”
My gaze snapped toward the sound of my mother’s voice.
Alex was worried.
Did he cool off?
“Emily answered me! Please, baby girl!” My mother seemed to get worried as well. “Everything will be all right, I promise! Alpha Alex isn’t angry at you anymore; he wants to explain something to you.”
“Your mother is aware that you are here,” Willow said.
“But when we left the pack house, I thought you had hidden my scent.” I growled in resentment.
“Yes,” Willow replied. “But she’s your mother! She might have six senses!”
I chuckled. That was not an explanation.
My mother gradually surfaced toward the river after slicing through the dense undergrowth near the forest’s edge. Her eyes darted from side to side, trying to find me.
When her eyes swept over me, she grinned, and I sighed in irritation. My hiding place was revealed. She found me!
“Ah, there you are!” She said, sounding pleased with herself. She quickly got closer.
As soon as she got to me, she pulled me into her chest and sat down beside me.
Was she able to tell I was upset?
My body began to tremble, and I started crying. I could no longer hold anything in, everything became too much for me.
Was I having a breakdown?
My mother lovingly stroked my back and said, “There, there. Everything will work out fine. I promise.”
It caused me to cry even harder!
She had no way of knowing that things would work out better!
For a brief moment, my mother held me, allowing me to settle down.
When my sobbing stopped, she let go of me and wiped the tears from my eyes.
She smiled at me, clearly knowing.
“Do you feel better?” She asked, searching my gaze.
I simply nodded without speaking.
“Come on,” she said. “We have to get ready for the festival tonight; it is getting late. Your father and I are going to thank the goddess for bringing you back to the pack.”
My mother stood up and began to walk back.
Was that something she wanted me to say?
Yet my mother looked very pleased about their decision, and that made me feel a bit guilty.
“Mom,” I said, and I hesitated.
“Yes, sweetheart?” She said, turning to face me.
Should I be honest with her and tell her I am not staying?
“Don’t!” Willow said. “You will shatter her heart.”
My mom approached with a step. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” I replied. “I wanted to know how you managed to locate me.”
“I made a call to Mila,” she declared. “She revealed to me your hiding place.”
That explained it.
I nodded in understanding. I should have realized that she had asked Alex for Mila’s phone number.
“Is Alex still upset with me?” I asked, wondering why he had not come to look for me.
“Em,” she said, taking my hand. “I do not think so. I know he is worried sick. He has spent hours looking for you.”
Hours?
“What time is it?” I asked.
“At least 6 p. m.,” my mother said.
Did I lose track of time?
“Let us get you ready for tonight’s festivities,” she urged. “Come on.”
I nodded and followed my mother back, falling into an easy and light conversation about her and my father’s adventures for the last five years. Yet I could hear the sadness in my mother’s voice; she wanted me to be part of those adventures.
“I was wondering why you didn’t come to the coffee shop this morning,” she said, sounding a bit disappointed when we reached Alex’s floor.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Alex and I got held up at the hotel this morning.”
“Mm,” she said. “I made your favorite.”
“Pancakes?”
“Yeah, with all the trimmings!” she said.
That caught me by surprise. Why would she do that?
“Because she loves you,” Willow chirped.
“Ah, Mom,” I whispered, feeling a knot form in my throat. “I am really sorry.”
“It’s all right, sweetheart,” she said, with a small smile. “We can do it next time. There is still a lot of time to have breakfast together.”
“Thank you,” I said, coming to a stop at Alex’s front door. “This is me. I’ll see you later?”
“I will not miss it for the world,” my mother said, pulling me into a hug. “I can’t wait! I have missed you so much!”
My mother let go of me, pivoted quickly, and made her way back down the hallway. She came to a halt and waved before vanishing down the steps.
My heart started to race as soon as I set my fingers on the doorknob.
Was Alex home?
****