Page 77 of The Finder

“The blond who has perfect boobs and a body to die for. She looks like a walking Barbie. She has a minion sidekick who has dark hair and olive-colored skin,” Emma said, angry again.

Garrett put a finger under her chin and turned it towards him. Emma winced at the sight of his beat-up face. “I only know of one woman with perfect boobs and a body to die for, but her hair is red.” He shrugged. “I'm more of a redhead guy.”

Emma felt her face heat up. “Don’t sidestep the question.”

“You mean Chloe and Stacey?” Garrett asked in genuine confusion.

“I don’t know what their names are,” Emma said angrily. “I just want to know if you slept with her or them or either one of them?” she asked.

“Emma,” Garrett said slowly. “I haven’t slept with either of them. Why would you think that? I told you that the mate bond is special, that we don’t mess around. We wait for our true mates.”

“You can’t expect me to believe that all of the male wolves in your pack wait until their mate,” Emma said, scoffing.

Garrett nodded. “You’re right. They don’t all, but they regret it immensely when they finally meet their mate. Where is all this coming from? From Chloe and Stacey?”

Emma decided to just lay it all out there. “Last night, while I was waiting for Madison to sign me up, Stacey and Chloe cornered me. Chloe told me that I wasn’t your first and that she would be around after you got tired of me to take care of you. She said that you need a wolf in bed, because a human could never satisfy you or give you wolf babies.”

Garrett growled low in his chest at her words, and his eyes flashed dangerously. “Chloe will be dealt with,” he said in a low, angry voice. “Emma, look at me,” he commanded. Emma met his eyes. “I have never slept with Chloe, nor am I intending to ever do so. You are the only one I want in my bed now and forever. I know you’re human, and that’s okay. We’re going to be fine.” He shook his head in anger. “I’m sorry she said those things to you.” He was quiet for a moment, then a slow smile started to play across his lips. Emma noticed distractedly that it was already beginning to heal.

“What?” she asked, still frowning. “What’s that smile for?”

“So last night, when you were so angry that you won all your matches and even took on an alpha, it’s because you were jealous?” he asked with a smirk.

“I was not jealous,” Emma said indignantly.

“You sure? Because it sure seems like it. You were so angry,” he began.

“Of course I was angry,” Emma finally let out. “Chloe said you slept with her and that you would return to her last night after you knocked me out. You’re not hers. You’re mine!” Emma almost yelled.

“Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to say that?” he said huskily.

Garrett’s lips descended on hers before she even realized what was happening. He slipped his tongue inside and groaned when he tasted her. Emma shifted closer. Without breaking the kiss, he picked her up and resituated her so she was straddling him. He wove his fingers through her hair and pulled her head back, angling her so he could kiss her better.

“I came to check on the alpha, but it appears he’s quite recovered.” The voice was like cold water, dousing Emma. She jerked back from Garrett. He didn’t release her so she couldn’t move too far away from him, though.

He smiled at Emma for a moment, then turned his head towards Paul. “I told you I was fine.”

“Just let him check you out,” Emma said softly to Garrett.

“I’d rather have you check me out,” he said in a low voice.

Emma smacked him lightly before scrambling off his lap and standing up. “He’s all yours,” she said to Paul.

Garrett stood up smoothly and Paul had him move to a chair so he could check him out. Emma slipped upstairs so she wouldn’t be a distraction. Max came into the kitchen while she was getting a bowl of soup. “Do you want some soup?” she asked him. He nodded. “Which kind?” she asked.

“The burger one,” he said. Emma dished him up a large bowl and handed him a few pieces of bread. “Thank you,” he said in his quiet, low voice. When he didn’t walk away, Emma looked up at him. “You did good in the ring last night,” he said. Emma’s eyes widened in surprise. That was the most he had said to her, like, ever. “You won the pack’s respect by standing up to our alpha last night. They know that you are strong enough to stand at his side. I may have misjudged you. I’m sorry.” He paused. Emma couldn't think of a single thing to say; he had so shocked her. But he wasn’t done shocking her. “My sole focus is to keep the alpha safe. As his mate, that protection now extends to you.”

Emma stared at this huge man in front of her that was so tough. “Thank you, Max. That really means a lot.” He nodded. Just before he was began to walk away, Emma put her hand on his arm. “You’re going to make some woman incredibly happy.” She saw his eyes darken. That was the closest thing she had ever seen to emotion on his face. He didn’t move away from her.

“Have you seen anything else about her?” he asked, his voice gruff.

“Give me your hand,” she said softly. He looked like he was going to refuse. She saw him glance around the room. “He’s not here. He’s in the basement with Paul. This is your chance,” she said quietly.

He put his soup down. “Do it quickly,” he said gruffly. From anybody else, she would have taken insult at his command. Not from Max. That’s just the way he was. She reached out and tentatively took his hand. Immediately, the bright sensation came. Emma knew enough to just stay still and wait. Soon, the light faded. She stared, trying to see what she could make out. She saw the same backpack she had seen before. It was sitting next to something Emma recognized quite well. She turned her head slightly, trying to see more; but she couldn’t. She could only see what was right before her in the vision. Right before she was about to give up and let go of Max’s hand, she saw a flash of long dark hair. A moment later, a person attached to the hair stepped into her view. The girl turned and Emma caught a brief glimpse of her face. The next thing she knew, the girl whirled around. She threw a hard fast punch straight towards Emma’s face. Emma squeaked and jumped back, dropping her connection with Max.

Max and the present came back immediately in front of her. Emma stared straight ahead for a just a moment. “What’d you see?” Max grunted impatiently.

Emma looked up at him and grinned. “She’s beautiful, Max. She’s got real pale skin and long dark hair. She’s perfect for you.”

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