Page 72 of The Finder

Emma didn’t know how to respond. The blond stepped closer. “They’re not,” she said. “I don’t know why Garrett’s after you right now. It’s probably because you’re human. You’re a mystery, something new and shiny. But when he gets tired of you, he’ll come and find himself a wolf, a real woman who can give him what he needs in bed. Wolves aren’t like normal men, honey. They need much more than you,a human,could ever give him.”

Emma’s anger rose up swift inside of her. “Stay away from Garrett; he’s mine,” Emma said.

“Is he though?” the blond asked, now completely in her face. “He hasn’t even marked you as his. He may be entertained by you right now, but just remember...” She backed away slowly from Emma. “You’re not his first,” she whispered. Both girls walked away laughing.

Emma stood still, watching them walk away. She turned away and tried to catch her breath. She looked down and saw her hands were shaking. She thought she was going to be sick. There was no way she could fight now. Had everything Garrett told her been a lie? Had a slept with that… Her mind refused to let her use the word she wanted to. The doors across the gym opened and Emma watched Garrett, Kyle, and Max saunter in. For just a moment, her breath caught in her throat. They were all similarly dressed in black sweat pants, tight black t-shirts, and combat boots. They looked deadly, especially the one leading the pack. Emma turned away. She couldn’t even look at him. She put her hands up to her eyes.

“Excuse me, ma’am, are you okay?” Emma looked up at one of the enforcers who had ridden with her on the way over. She couldn’t remember his name. Joe or John or something. “Should I get the alpha?” he asked.

“Oh, no,” Emma quickly responded. Anything but that. “I’m fine. Thank you.” She looked around her trying to find a path through the people to get to the door. She needed to get out of here. She would have to find Madison and tell her she couldn’t do it. She moved forward, trying to see where Madison had gone. Her eyes searched the bleachers. She was surprised by the number of females she saw. When Garrett said they had a small number, she was thinking much smaller. There were still a good thirty or so women in here, and every one of them looked more fit than Emma. Emma was really reconsidering her decision now. She needed to find Madison and get her name off of the sheet for tonight. She looked towards the tables where Madison said she would sign them in. She saw Garrett and Levi going over the sign-in sheets. She held her breath. Maybe Madison hadn’t put her name in yet. Suddenly, Garrett’s head snapped up. He said something to Liam. Liam grabbed the clipboard and looked at it. Then their heads both turned towards the crowd.

Emma ducked. She knew instinctively they were looking for her. When she felt it was safe to come up, she stood back up and looked towards the table. Angry dark eyes locked with hers.

Chapter 40

“Shoot!” Emma said. She tried to duck, but he was already coming her way. She looked around her, desperately trying to find a place to hide. She tried to push through the crowd of people coming in, but she couldn’t get anywhere. Suddenly a hand enclosed around her elbow. Emma closed her eyes briefly before turning to face the angry wolf in front of her.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Garrett asked in a furious voice.

Emma tugged her elbow out of his grasp. He let it go and crossed his arms. Liam appeared a moment later, standing next to him. He was usually easy-going, but not this time. His arms were crossed and his eyes narrowed just like Garrett’s. Emma was not in the mood for their games. She felt anger brewing deep inside of her for the ways Garrett had lied to her. Liam was guilty by association. Her anger was with both of them. She crossed her arms. “I'm fighting,” she said defiantly.

Garrett and Liam both gave a short laugh.Laughed! Rage surrounded Emma. How dare they judge her and laugh at her. She hadn’t planned on sticking around and fighting, but now she was itching to do just that. Maybe she’d get lucky and get Barbie in the ring. Garrett’s eyes narrowed. “You’re serious,” he said. Emma didn’t respond; she simply raised her eyebrows. “You’re not fighting, Emma. I forbid it,” Garrett said and turned to start walking away.

“Why? Because I’m not a wolf?” Emma challenged. “I’m just a weakhuman?” she taunted him.

Garrett stiffened and turned back to her. His eyes were dark with anger. “You’re not fighting because you’re my mate, and I am not going to stand by and watch you get hurt,” he said.

“Oh right, because I couldn’t possibly hold my own,” Emma said sarcastically.

“Emma,” Liam cautioned, looking between her and Garrett in confusion.

“You’re. Not. Fighting,” Garrett ground out.

“You’re not in charge of me,” Emma said in anger.

“I am the alpha of this pack!” Garrett responded in anger.

“Right. And I'm not a part of that pack, am I?” she challenged him.

Liam turned and looked at her in confusion, but Emma paid him no mind. Her eyes were locked on the angry man in front of her. “Hey, what’s going on here?” Madison asked, coming and standing next to Emma.

Garrett turned his dark gaze on Madison. “You brought her here.”

Madison crossed her arms. “I did.”

“Then you’re responsible for what happens to her,” he said before turning and walking away. Without a word, Liam turned and strode after him.

“What was all that about?” Madison asked staring after the two of them. Emma had no words. The hurt she felt earlier was nothing compared to Garrett turning his back on her.

Madison turned towards Emma and put her hands on her shoulders. Emma met her eyes. “I can’t do this,” she said.

Before Madison could respond, they heard Liam’s voice in the microphone. “Goooood evening, Pack, and welcome to fight night!” he yelled.

The room exploded. There was no way Emma would be able to hear Madison now. Liam yelled a few more things over the music, getting everybody pumped up. She watched Garrett hand him a piece of paper. She watched as Liam looked down at it and then back at Garrett for a moment. Garrett crossed his arms and nodded. “And now, what we’ve all been waiting for. It’s time to fight!” Thunderous applause echoed off the walls. “The first female fight of the evening... Trish the Terminator versus,” he paused for a brief second. “Emma the Extra,” he said. Emma shook her head. He had obviously just made that up.

“Oh no,” Madison said next to her.

Emma turned to her. “What’s wrong?” Madison’s eyes were wide as she looked at Emma. Emma could see the panic in them. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she had already worked out in her mind. Garrett wanted to get rid of her in the first round.

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