Page 48 of The Finder

She was losing her mind!A wolf! Garrett turned into a wolf! This can’t be happening. This isn’t real.Yet, even as she sat, four wolves were fighting. She watched the biggest wolf tear into the other three. She was so engrossed in the fight, she failed to see the other wolf sneaking up on her. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned and saw a wolf prowling towards her with its teeth bared. She tried to scream, but nothing came out. She couldn’t move; fear paralyzed her. As if in slow motion, she watched the wolf bend low then launch at her. She put her hand up. The wolf landed on top of her, slamming her into the ground. Not a second later, the wolf was gone. The massive black wolf tackled it into the ground, fighting and snapping its teeth at it. Emma put her hands over her ears to block out the awful fight sounds, but she couldn’t drag her eyes away from the fight.

Emma watched in horror as two more wolves came running from the trees. One launched itself on the black wolf’s back, taking a chunk out of it, while the other one bit his leg. He fought them off, but three more wolves soon joined in. The black wolf was immensely powerful, but how many could he fight off at once? Emma watched as two more wolves came from the trees with their heads low and prowled towards her. She tried not to scream. She didn’t want to distract the black wolf and end up getting him hurt. She reached around her and found Garrett’s shoes. She threw them as hard as she could at the wolves. One missed, and the other just angered the wolf. She crawled backwards as they advanced on her, growling, fangs bared. Emma’s heart plummeted as terror took hold of her. The wolf leaped at her before she could do anything. Before he landed, the wolf was thrown from her. Suddenly, more wolves burst into the area. They immediately attacked the wolves that had attacked her and Garrett.

Then Liam was in front of her. He reached down and picked her up. Emma whimpered. “It’s okay. I've got you. You’re safe now,” he said. He walked quickly away from the fight. Emma closed her eyes, unable to process what had just happened. A low growling sound stopped them. Liam swore under his breath, then slowly turned around. The huge black wolf was advancing on them slowly with teeth bared. Emma felt the fear flood her system again. What was going on? “It’s okay, Emma. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Liam said in a low voice. The wolf growled louder. Liam shook his head. “Emma, Garrett’s wolf doesn’t want anyone close to you right now. I’m going to put you down.”

“What? No!” Emma shrieked at him, trying to hang on tighter. The wolf growled impossibly louder and stalked closer.

“I’m sorry, Emma,” Liam said. A moment later, Emma was on her feet; and Liam was a good ten feet from her.

“Liam,” she shrieked. The wolf growled and moved closer. Emma froze and looked at the wolf approaching her. She couldn’t even breathe. She felt the incredible power coming from this beast. The wolf stalked closer then stopped in front of her. It was then that Emma’s legs gave out. Her body had just decided she was done. She dropped like dead weight. Somebody caught her before she hit the ground. She wasn’t even sure who.

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Emma opened her eyes. She looked at the ceiling, orienting herself for a moment. Everything came flooding back, and panic slammed into her. She threw the covers off and slid out of bed. She needed to get out of here. She didn’t know where; she just knew she had to go. She glanced at the clock. It was just after one in the morning. Everybody should be in bed. Throwing her bag over her shoulder, she opened the door to her room quietly. She walked over to the stairs and stopped. Seven pairs of eyes looked up at her from where they were sitting around the table, and she froze a moment before continuing down the stairs.

Garrett pushed back from the table and stood. He came over and stood in front of her at the bottom of the stairs. Emma stared at him. He had scratch marks on his arms and one on his face. His face it was bruised. All in all, it wasn’t as bad as Emma thought he would look from what she had seen going on in that wolf fight.

“Emma,” he started in a low tone. Emma shook her head, stopping him.

“Please let me pass,” she said quietly.

“Not if you’re trying to leave,” Garrett said sternly. “Please just let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” Emma said unemotionally.

“Will you please look at me?” he asked in a low voice.

“I can’t. You’re a... you’re a...” Emma couldn’t finish the words.

“A wolf,” he said.

Emma sucked in a breath. She couldn’t meet his eyes, so she looked at the table where everyone was sitting, trying to pretend they weren’t listening. Something clicked inside her head. “You all are, aren’t you?“ she asked. Heads bobbed. Emma zeroed in on Madison. “Are you?” she whispered, almost unable to form the words. Madison nodded. Emma shook her head. “You lied to me, all of you,” she said, feeling betrayed.

“I wanted to tell you,” Madison said sadly.

“I wouldn’t let her,” Garrett said. “She was following my orders.”

“Why?” Emma asked, finally looking at Garrett. “Why didn’t you all tell me?”

“Because of this right here. I wanted to give you time to accept us. I knew your story of how you had been attacked by wolves,” he said, his jaw tightening in anger. “I couldn’t risk you finding out too soon and running away.”

“I wouldn't have run away,” Emma said. Garrett raised an eyebrow and nodded pointedly at her bag. Emma huffed. “Okay. I probably would have,” she admitted. She looked over at the table, then back to Garrett. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

Garrett reached a hand up and palmed her cheek. “Don’t run,” he said. “We can work through everything; just promise me you won’t run.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think... I can’t...” she finally stopped and looked up at Garrett. “I’m scared,” she whispered.

Garrett swept her into his arms and held her tightly against him. “I know. I’m so sorry. That’s the last feeling in the world I ever wanted you to feel. Please just give me a chance to explain,” he said.

He sounded so desperate, Emma finally nodded. “Okay,” she whispered. His arms tightened around her.

“Thank you,” his low voice rumbled.

“Thank you for protecting me tonight.” Emma whispered, emotion evident in her voice.

“I will always protect you, Emersyn,” he said in a low voice.

Emma pulled back, so she could see his face. “Why?” she asked, genuinely curious.

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