Emma finally realized that she had been avoiding Patrick for too long. They hadn’t seen each other or had a proper conversation for nearly two weeks, only exchanging brief messages on their phones. Patrick told her she was about to start school and needed to prepare for it, even if she took on a part-time job, she should be careful not to let it distract her from her studies.
At night, when she couldn’t sleep, she would sit up repeatedly, staring at those messages. She wished those messages could turn into the real Patrick, his appearance, his voice. But all she had were cold words.
Emma’s cheek pressed against the phone screen, but it remained cold, unlike a person’s warmth. She was always sleepless, longing for the night when Patrick’s warmth was beside her.
Emma hated Patrick’s ambiguous behavior, but she had to admit that he had spent a lot of time on her. He was like a particularly patient hunter, constantly tempting her into his sweet trap, making her unable to escape, yet never making a move.
This mental state did not improve even when she resumed her part-time job. Patrick’s smile kept echoing in her mind, making her restless and constantly yearning for him, unable to focus on her work.
“No, Emma,” she repeatedly admonished herself. “You don’t want to see him, or talk to him. You have to stop these damn fantasies!”
“What are you muttering to yourself?” Rory asked, and Emma felt the blood rushing to her face. She suspected her muttering was a bit too loud. Damn, had he heard?
But Rory was busy wiping the counter and didn’t even intend to look at Emma.
“Nothing,” she breathed a sigh of relief.
She was wiping the outer shell of the coffee machine when she suddenly felt a shadow in front of her. She looked up, and Rory was looking at her.
“What are you doing tonight?” he asked.
Emma thought for a moment. Her evenings were usually spent in her small room reading, occasionally watching videos.
“There’s a bonfire party by the riverside tonight, I guess you’d like to go,” he said, his face beaming with a smile, seeming very much looking forward to the event. “Do you want to go?”
Emma didn’t know how to respond. She was torn. She missed Patrick, she wanted to go back home, at least to have a chance to meet Patrick. If they could have dinner together, today was Friday, a day worth relaxing, maybe they could sit down for a quiet dinner together, even if Jennifer and Nelson were at the table, it wouldn’t matter. As long as Patrick was there.
“Come on, Emmie,” Rory said with a smile. “It’s been so long, I’m not sure if you really have time to play like someone your age. You need to relax, come on, it’s going to be fun.”
Emma bit her lip, took a deep breath, she wasn’t sure if this was allowed. What if she got caught? Would Jennifer give her trouble again?
“What are you worried about? Nelson or Jennifer? Are you worried they won’t let you out?” Rory asked.
“No, that’s not the problem,” Emma was agitated, she didn’t want to go, she wasn’t interested in fun. But now she was facing a different problem. If Patrick wasn’t there, she wasn’t sure he would definitely join for dinner tonight, then she would have to endure this painful dinner with Nelson and Jennifer. Besides, she didn’t know anyone here except Harry and Nicola. She needed new social interaction.
Rory saw her hesitation and made a decision for her without hesitation, “That’s settled then,” he said, “you can leave now.”
He took the glass and cloth from Emma’s hand, and she frowned.
“I’ll close up and go home to get ready. Wait for me at the restaurant entrance in an hour.” I’m still not sure. Rory sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Come on, Emmie,” he said, pushing me. “Go home and get ready. Let’s have a fun and memorable night.”
“Hurry up. I’ll be here waiting for you, you have to come back on time, otherwise I’ll be stood up, I’ve told them I’m bringing a pretty girl with me,” he said.
Emma rolled her eyes, “Isn’t this your problem? People shouldn’t make promises they can’t keep.”
“Hurry up,” Rory disregarded her complaint, “dress up nicely.”
“Oh my god!” Emma screamed, “I’m not your girlfriend, Rory! Don’t force me to make decisions!”
The bakery wasn’t too far from home, just a ten-minute walk. She slowly made her way back home, thinking that maybe she could take a shower and then leave slowly.
“Where have you been again?”
However, her plan failed, because as soon as she walked in through the door, she heard the most annoying voice in the world. She sighed, restraining the urge to roll her eyes. “I’ve been working,” Emma said as calmly as she could. “I’ve told you many times, I don’t think you need to keep asking. Do you have amnesia?”
Emma could be sharp sometimes, like now, because this person was always trying to provoke her. She didn’t want to appear easy to bully.
Jennifer narrowed her eyes and stepped closer.
Emma coldly stared back at her, but her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She knew why she felt flustered Jennifer wasn’t alone. What accompanied her wasn’t Nelson or Patrick. It was Shirley. Just as beautiful, alluring, even more so, and Emma swore she could even smell a strong scent in the air, not just any ordinary scent. Emma wasn’t a werewolf yet, but she knew what the scent was.
It was the scent female wolves emitted to lure male wolves during mating.
She couldn’t help but feel nauseated by the scent, after all, she wasn’t in heat and wouldn’t be enticed by it.
“Where’s Patrick?” she understood Jennifer’s intent now.
Jennifer looked at her mockingly, with a disdainful expression. “I’m sure someone has already told you what Shirley means to Patrick. It’s almost Patrick’s mating season, he needs Shirley. So, step aside, I have no time for you.”
Emma felt fury inside her, and she screamed in a low voice, “You can’t treat him like this!”
A smug smile spread across Jennifer’s face. She had achieved her goal; she knew this damned little wench liked her son, but she would never give her the chance!
“What right do you have to say that to me?” Jennifer sneered. Her eyes were full of triumph and mockery, as if Emma was nothing more than a lowly creature in her mind. “I am Patrick’s mother, and what are you? You’re just his stepsister. A person who will leave Silver Moon Pack as soon as they come of age.”
Emma had nothing to say, only resentment in her stare.
“Are you going to back out? It seems you might not be able to keep your promise to leave Silver Moon Pack as soon as you come of age,” Jennifer said coldly.