Page 71 of The Finder

Madison shrugged. “Well, that’s what I wear.”

“Do the other females wear that?” Emma asked.

Madison took a deep breath. “Emma, we are going to fight night so we can prove you are a fighter. This, whatever it is, is not helping to put you in the right headspace. I don’t care what you wear. But you need to pull yourself together and get ready to fight.”

Emma nodded, taking a deep breath. “You’re right. Sorry.”

“Now, do you have any other t-shirts that would work?” Madison asked.

“No,” Emma said sheepishly. “That’s why I’ve been panicking. We didn’t really buy short-sleeved t-shirts that would work.”

Madison huffed in exasperation. “Then wear the stinkin’ bra and let’s go.”

Emma grabbed her clothes and hightailed it into the bathroom. She pulled on her pants and put on her purple and black sports bra. It was her most modest one with a high-cut front. The back had several cross straps and her pants had a matching purple band at the top. She put on her socks and sneakers and pulled her hair into a high ponytail. She thought for a second about adding some light makeup; then talked herself out of it. Makeup was not the way to go prove yourself as a fighter.

She looked in the mirror at herself, trying to conjure feelings of confidence and project intimidation. A knock sounded at the door. “What are you doing in there? Let’s go!”

“I’m coming,” Emma said. She quickly grabbed her sweatshirt and phone and followed Madison out the door. Kyle was waiting in the living room.

“We’re going to be late,” he said.

“I know. It’s Emma’s fault,” Madison said in frustration.

“Sorry,” Emma said. They hustled out to the car. Kyle and Madison sat up front. Emma slid into the back and moved to the middle when two other enforcers joined them. They introduced themselves as Noah and James. Emma nodded her head at each of them but didn’t shake their hands. All too soon, they pulled up in front of the huge gym. Emma climbed out and followed Madison and Kyle inside.

Inside, the place was hopping. The music was thumping, and there were people everywhere. Emma had no idea if Garrett was there or not. Madison said he wouldn’t miss it, though. “I’ll go sign you in,” Madison said. Emma nodded and waved her on. Kyle went with Madison, and Emma was left to herself for a few minutes. She let herself take everything in. The bleachers were filled with people. You could tell which wolves were here to watch and have fun and which ones were here to fight. The ones here to have fun had drinks and snacks.

Before Emma could take anything else in, somebody ran into her, almost knocking her over. “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn’t see you standing there.” Emma turned around to see two girls probably a few years older than her standing in front of her. They, of course, had wolf genes and just like everybody else, were absolutely beautiful. One girl had dark hair and olive-colored skin with beautiful thick lashes and flawless skin. The other was a perfect Barbie model with long blonde hair, a figure to die for, and bright blue eyes that were currently shooting glares at Emma.

“Uh, hi, I’m Emma,” Emma said, putting out her hand.

The blond sniffed. “Yeah, we know. You’re the onlyhumanaround for miles. We could smell you before we got in the front door. We just wanted to have a chance to have a little chat with you.”

The olive-complexion girl smirked. “Yeah, a chat.”

Emma crossed her arms. “Fine. Chat away.” She had already decided she didn’t like these two.

They both stepped closer to her. “I don’t know what kind of spell you weaved over Garrett, but I’m here to tell you—it won’t work,” the blond said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emma said.

“Sure you don’t,” the black-haired girl said.

“Do you really think that Garrett, the most powerful alpha in the country, is going to mate a human?” the blonde asked, incredulously. “Alphas don’t mate humans. They need a strong wolf to mate with to sire their pups.”

Emma stuck her chin up. “I’m his mate,” she said.

They both laughed. “Sure you are,” the blond smirked.

“Has he slept with you yet?” the black-haired girl asked.

“That’s private,” Emma responded.

“That would be a no,” the black-haired girl said.

“He said wolves don’t mess around; they wait for their mates.” Both girls started laughing hysterically at that.

“Oh, honey, how naïve can you be?” the blond asked. “Take a look around. You think all these healthy, strong, sexy men are just waiting for their mates?”

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