Page 68 of The Finder

“Come on, just put It on. I want to see how it looks,” she said. Emma slipped it on. “It’s perfect. Here, put these on.” She handed Emma a pair of big hoop earrings. “Now, run your straightener through your hair really quick and leave it down.”

Emma quickly brushed her hair and did a quick straightening job while Madison helped her do her makeup. When she was done, Madison stepped back. “What do you think? Your hair and makeup and hair give you a soft, sweet look, but your outfit gives it an edge of ‘don’t mess with me.’”

Emma shrugged. “I guess. The real test will be Garrett.”

“Well, lead the way,” Madison said with a grin.

Emma and Madison left the room and headed down to the kitchen. She glanced at the clock, relieved they had done all that in about fifteen minutes. Garrett and Kyle were talking by the front door when they came down the stairs. They both turned towards them. Garrett’s eyes narrowed as he took in her outfit. “That’swhat you thought she should wear?” Garrett asked Madison.

Emma’s spirit fell. “I can go change,” she said quickly.

“Don’t you dare,” Madison said. “You look hot. Doesn’t she, Garrett?”

Garrett scowled at Madison. “Let’s go. We’re going to be late,” he said. Kyle and Madison went out the front door. Emma started to follow, but Garrett grabbed her wrist and turned her back to him. He slipped his arm around her back and pulled her close. Emma looked up at him, breathless from his closeness.

“You look better than hot,” Garrett said in a low voice. “I just don’t want you around my men looking likethat,” he said in a low, sexy voice. “But there’s nothing we can do about it now. Let’s go. Do not leave my side tonight.” With that, he released his hold on her but snagged her hand as they walked out the front door. Enforcers fell into place behind and in front of them.

Chapter38

Emma couldn’t help but be nervous as they climbed into the waiting cars. Garrett opened the front passenger door for Emma and assisted her in. Kyle and Emma got in the back while Garret slid in the driver’s seat. The drive didn’t take long. They stopped at a large building that looked somewhat like a YMCA. Garrett snagged her hand again as they walked towards the front door. He stopped her for just a moment and looked down at her. “Do you want to be introduced as Emersyn or Emma?”

Emma thought about it for a moment. “I think Emma. It’s who I am now. Emersyn feels a part of my past.” Garrett nodded, and they started walking again.

She could hear voices coming from inside. Surrounded by enforcers, they made their way inside. Emma had known a lot of people would be there, but she was still surprised by the number. Garrett led her towards the front of the room. A hush settled over the crowd, and Emma felt every eye on her. Garrett climbed up the three steps to the stage with Emma right behind him.

When they stood up front, Emma fought the urge to throw up. She took several calming breaths, looking for faces she recognized in the crowd. Liam gave her a big smile from the front row, and Madison gave her a thumbs up from the back. “I’m sorry for the late notice for our pack meeting tonight, but due to recent events, I needed to update you and didn’t think it could wait. First off, let me officially introduce you to my mate. Pack, this is Emma. Emma, this is the Northwoods Pack.” A raucous cheer went up as everybody clapped and cheered and whistled. Garrett turned towards her and pulled her closer to him.

Emma stared at him with big eyes and panicked when he wrapped his arms around her.What is he doing?Before she knew what was happening, Garrett’s lips were on hers. This wasn’t like any other kiss so far, though. This was deep and passionate. He was staking his claim in front of his pack. The place erupted, but Emma was lost in the moment. When he pulled back, he stared down at her for a moment; Emma was sure her face showed shock. He kissed her one more time on the lips, then turned back to the crowd. “In case there was any doubt, Emma is mine,” he said in a low voice, staking his claim on her. “Don’t test me on that,” he warned. “Now, I have something to tell you that doesn’t leave this room. It does not get out to any other pack. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” they called out, and heads nodded all around. Garrett took a deep breath and pulled her into his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Emma is a finder. For those who don’t know what that is, it means that she can see who your mate is from touch.” Sounds erupted around the room. Garrett gave them a minute before calming everyone down. “I don’t think I have to tell you how important it is that we keep this secret until we know how to deal with other packs. You can understand how valuable Emma is to this pack, not just because she is your alpha’s mate, but because of who she is. I’ve already told our enforcers this, but I’m telling you now. Emma is to be protected at all costs. Guard her life as you do mine. She is invaluable for the survival of this pack and of our species and will be protected as such. Understood?” Shouts of agreement thundered through the room. “Another thing we need to discuss is the betrayal of one of our own.” Emma looked around the room. She could see confusion on most people’s faces. “Levi Brander betrayed us. He helped kidnap Emma and was going to start selling her to other packs to help their wolves find mates.” Angry protests and growls filled the room. Garrett raised his hands to silence them. “They are no longer a threat.” Cheers went around the room. It didn’t seem that anybody was sad at the loss of Levi. They were more filled with disgust at his betrayal. Emma hoped they never turned on her like that. “I’ve already had the alpha of the Chicago pack and the alpha from the St. Louis pack come to try to challenge me for Emma.” Fierce growls filled the room once again. “I killed both of them,” Garrett shouted over the noise. Once again, cheers and whistles and hoots and hollers filled the room. “And I will continue to do so to any other wolf that comes and tries to lay claim tomy mate, soon to be our pack mother, and our finder.” The pack was on its feet now, stomping and carrying on. Emma felt overwhelmed by their support. It was obvious how much they loved and respected Garrett, and she in turn was on the receiving end of all that.

Once it quieted a little, Garrett continued. “We will figure out a system of getting through the pack. I know each of you is anxious to find your mate. We don’t know a lot about how this works yet. It’s not as simple as just making the connection with the finder. She only sees glimpses of the mate, sometimes nothing concrete to go on. So, it’s going to take some time. We ask that you be patient with us, with her. As your alpha, outside of Emma, nothing is as important to me as the survival of this pack. We will figure this out; but you’re going to have to exercise patience. With that said,” his voice changed, going deeper and lower, and more authoritative, “If anyone threatens Emma or tries to get her help before it is your turn, or does anything to her without my approval, the consequences will be your death. I will not tolerate it. There has to be order or this won’t ever work. She is new to our pack and new to our way of life. You will respect her and protect her. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Alpha,” they responded.

“When’s the mating ceremony?” someone shouted out.

Emma stiffened next to Garrett. He ran his hand up and down her arm in a soothing manner. “We’ll let you know,” he said easily. “Now, it’s late. If there are any concerns, stick around after the meeting and come talk to Liam or myself. Otherwise, you are dismissed. Enforcers, stick around and wait for your assignments,” he ordered. He dropped his hold on her shoulder and reached out his hand for hers. Then he led her to the back door. She noticed everyone stayed in their seats until they were at the back door. She understood the purpose for this a moment later as people began filing out. They all congratulated her and Garrett as they walked past. Emma’s cheeks hurt from smiling by the time everyone had gone out of the building. Soon, it was just the enforcers left. Max came into the building then. “Enforcers,” he called out. The enforcers all moved towards the front to meet with Max. He started giving orders.

Garrett led her outside towards the car. Kyle and Madison followed. They kept the same seating arrangements as before. When they were settled, Madison reached her hand up and patted Emma’s shoulder. “You did great up there.”

Emma laughed. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t pass out or throw up, so that’s a win,” Madison said enthusiastically. Emma laughed again. She saw Garrett give a small smile. They waited a few more minutes until Max came out with the enforcers. Once they were loaded up, they began the drive back to Garrett’s house. When they got there and climbed out of the vehicles, Max was already barking out orders to enforcers. Emma followed the others inside.

“I’m going to go get changed,” Emma said.

“I’ll go with you,” Madison said. She put her arm through Emma’s as they walked to her room. “I wasn’t kidding. You did good up there tonight hanging on to your composure, especially when Garrett kissed you like that,” she said with a huge grin.

Emma felt herself blush as she remembered his kiss in front of all those people. “Yeah, well, I wasn’t feeling composed,” she said as they walked into her room. Emma grabbed her clothes and changed quickly in the bathroom. When she came back out, Madison was sitting on her bed.

“Tomorrow morning at six for training?” she asked.

“Definitely,” Emma responded.

“Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?” Madison asked in concern.

Emma nodded. “I’ll be fine. You get back to Kyle.” They gave each other a quick hug and said good night.

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