Page 42 of Sassy Embrace

She hoped they were over the argument they'd had at Embraced, and that they could move forward, tackling challenges as they arose with level heads.

Leigh’s wolf desperately groaned inside her, wanting it to be true.

TWENTY-ONE

CLAUDE

Aloud banging rattled the front door. The wolf shifters surrounding Claude seemed on edge, ready to pounce on whatever was at the door. Mason moved to the door slowly and with a practiced grace that made no sounds.

Claude felt on edge as well. Something about the air had turned. It wasn’t just the alertness of the wolves around him. Something was very wrong, he could feel it.

“Oh, God, Holly, it’s just you. We thought... Holly?” Mason asked.

Emma gasped, hand over her open mouth, and rushed to the door. “Holly, you look completely shaken. What happened?”

The woman at the door had wide eyes that seemed wild and full of terror. Her face was sickly pale, and her limbs had a slight tremor about them.

“I’m… oh no, your baby! I didn’t know you had your baby already, Emma! I’m so sorry!”

“It’s all right,” Emma said as she put a hand on Holly’s back and guided her inside. Mason closed the door behind her, but not before peeking outside and checking the perimeter first.

Emma helped Holly sit on a barstool, rubbing a comforting hand on her back.

“I swear, I wouldn’t bring this to you if it wasn’t vitally important. I have information the alpha and matriarch of the Central Pack need to know. God, I’m so sorry.” Holly looked at Babs, currently cradled in Leigh’s arms. The newborn had drifted to sleep not long before the knocking, and now with all the commotion surrounding her, she was ready to make a fuss herself.

“Here,” Emma said, placing a glass of ice water down in front of her. “Drink. Please. Tristan, is there any food left?”

Tristan nodded and darted to the buffet table, putting together a quick plate of meat and salad.

“I don’t want to trouble you,” Holly mumbled quietly.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Mason said reassuringly. “Please, eat something. Get your strength back, and we can talk.”

Claude looked at Leigh with a questioning gaze. She met it with wide eyes, her focus on keeping Babs settled and quiet.

Tristan placed the food in front of Holly, who seemingly ate with great reluctance. Every forkful of food shook while making its way to her mouth.

Mason looked back at his party guests, seemingly shocked there was anyone else still here. He went to them as Emma continued comforting Holly, and began speaking discreetly.

“I guess explanations are in order. This is Holly Crane. She’s the widow of our pack’s previous alpha, Lewis Crane.”

Claude glanced at the ex-matriarch and began to understand why everyone in the pack was doting on her.

“There was a time when the Central Pack insisted I marry her since I was the only unmated brother. That and, you know, we were sort of responsible for his death.”

Claude raised an eyebrow but didn’t press any further. He’d only just found himself being welcomed into the pack himself. He didn’t want to overstep and risk alienating them now.

“Things worked out though, and I was allowed to mate with Emma instead. Holly was incredibly understanding, and she’s been a good friend to us ever since,” Mason said.

“That must be hard, losing your mate like that,” Claude said quietly. He thought of Leigh and how much her presence meant to him. The idea of her being ripped away from him now filled him with an uncontrollable bubbling of white-hot rage.

“Well… to be honest, Lewis wasn’t her true mate. He was a real asshole too. Holly’s true mate is still out there. Emma and I both know it. We hope one day she’ll find him.”

“Do you think this is related to that?” Leigh asked.

Mason shook his head. “No idea.”

Babs quieted down finally, resting her tiny head against Leigh’s shoulder and closing her eyes. The sight ripped Claude’s heart into pieces.

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