Chapter 7 - THE ALPHA WHO WOULDN'T CLAIM HER
Emma expected Nathaniel to announce the bond.
He didn't.
Instead, he asked what she wanted.
She stared.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want to explore it?”
Emma looked down.
“I don't know.”
He nodded.
“Then we wait.”
She looked up.
“You'd wait?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“As long as you need.”
Emma felt tears rise.
For eleven months, she'd waited for Daniel to choose her.
Now a man far more powerful was offering her the freedom to choose herself.
It was almost unbearable.
They began spending time together.
Coffee.
Walks.
Long conversations.
Nathaniel told her about Pinehaven.
The forests.
The coast.
The wolves who worked in his companies.
Emma told him about Blackridge.
Her mother.
Her childhood.
The way she'd learned to keep her head down.
One evening, they sat beside a lake.
Emma looked at him.
“Why did you never choose a mate?”
Nathaniel was quiet.
Then he said, “Because I watched what happened when powerful families treated bonds like contracts.”
Emma nodded.
“And?”
“And I promised myself I'd never do that to anyone.”
She looked at him.
“Even if it meant being alone?”
Nathaniel smiled sadly.
“Yes.”
Emma reached for his hand.
He looked down.
Then back at her.
She smiled.
“I think I'd like to keep exploring.”
His expression softened.
“Good.”
But their growing closeness did not go unnoticed.
Daniel began calling again.
Madeline started spreading rumors.
And Grant Holloway requested a private meeting with Nathaniel.
Nathaniel refused.
Instead, he asked that any council concerns be raised formally.
Grant's response was immediate.
A letter arrived at Emma's apartment.
It stated that her employment contract would not be renewed.
Her housing lease would also be reviewed.
Emma stared at the paper.
Then laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
She called Nathaniel.
He listened.
May you like
Then said:
“Emma, I think it's time we stopped treating this as a private disagreement.”
