Page 84 of The Finder

Max didn’t move from her side while they waited. A moment later, the double doors opened and Garrett strode through the doors looking incredibly fine in his tux. Emma couldn’t focus on that though. She was having a hard time breathing.

Garrett is immediately in front of her, blocking her from view of the guests. Max moved away from them to give them privacy. Garrett’s eyes stayed locked on hers. “Emma?” he said questioningly.

“I can’t do this,” she whispered, looking down at her dress.

“Is it the dress?” Garrett asked in a low voice. She nodded, miserable. Garrett eased out of his jacket and put it gently around her. Emma grabbed it like a lifeline and pulled it tightly around her. Garrett put his arm around her and led her back into the corner of the room. He stood with his back to the room to give her privacy.

“Emma?” she heard Madison’s confused voice behind Garrett. Garrett moved out of the way then.

“Help her find another dress,” he commanded. Madison nodded at once.

“What about everybody waiting?” Emma asked.

“They’ll wait some more,” Garrett said, his alpha coming through. He turned and strode back through the doors to where the crowd was.

Madison turned to her and looked at her. “I’m so sorry, Emma.”

“Can we just get out of here?” she asked, miserable. Madison nodded. Emma tightened Garrett’s jacket around her and started walking. Madison walked right next to her. She didn’t have to look to know that Max followed right behind them.

It was a silent ride back to Garrett’s house. Madison and Emma went straight to Emma’s room where Emma kicked off the heels and took off the ridiculous dress. She quickly pulled on leggings and a sweatshirt. Turning to Madison in a panic, she said, “What am I going to do?”

Madison didn’t even answer. She was digging around in Emma’s closet. She finally came back out with a dress that was still in a garment bag. She laid the bag down on the bed and unzipped it. Then she pulled out the dress.

Emma stared at it. “Try it on,” Madison said.

Emma didn’t waste a moment. She slipped into it and Madison zipped it up in the back. Emma stepped in front of the mirror. It was a black fitted dress with a wide neckline and long sleeves that were shaped. It had a scalloped hem that landed right above her knees. The dress had an overlay of sheer scalloped lace that made it so elegant. “It’s beautiful,” Emma said. “I don’t understand. Where did it come from?”

“Garrett bought it. He said he found it one day when he was at a shop doing business. He said it looked like it was made for you. So, he bought it and told me to hang it up in your closet for a special occasion. I think this is a special occasion, don’t you?”

Tears sprang to Emma’s eyes. “Yeah.”

“Don’t cry,” Madison ordered. “We don’t have time to replace your makeup. Now just let me grab one last thing.” Madison dug in the bottom of the garment bag and pulled out a jewelry box. She opened it and showed it to Emma. Inside were beautiful black diamond earrings. “To match your ring,” Madison said.

Emma just shook her head. “He’s too good to me,” she said almost to herself.

Madison grinned. “Well, it’s about time you had somebody in your life that was. Now let’s find your black heels and get you to your mating ceremony.”

When they made it back to the ceremony, Garrett was waiting for them. He came right towards Emma. Emma took off his jacket and handed it back to him. He glanced down at her and smiled. Then he met her eyes. “Is this better?” he asked.

Emma nodded. “It’s so beautiful, Garrett. Thank you.” He bent and kissed her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered when he pulled back. “I know I kept everybody waiting. I just—”

Garrett cut her off. “Don’t ever apologize for hiding your body from other men’s eyes,” he said, his eyes glowing. He moved closer. “Your body is for me and my eyes alone,” he said fiercely. He kissed her one more time then took her arm and led her towards the double doors.

The doors opened before they could get to them, and Liam slipped through. He grinned at both of them. “I just wanted to congratulate you both before the ceremony starts because we all know that afterwards I won’t be able to get near you.” He reached out and hugged Garrett. “I’m so happy for you, man.” Garrett clapped him on the back. Emma smiled at them both. Then Liam turned towards Emma. “You look beautiful, Emma,” he said. He bent and gave her a quick hug. He picked up her hand and started to say something, but Emma was lost to the bright light in front of her that quickly faded away. She saw a sign. It was just a simple brown sign that readHilltown High Schoolwith a tiger mascot painted beneath it.

Emma was snapped from her vision. She heard a growl coming from her mate and an apology from Liam. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about it. I was just going to give her some advice for marrying you,” he said defensively. Garrett growled again and turned to Emma, blocking out Liam.

“Are you okay?” he asked. Emma grinned at him. His eyes narrowed. “You saw something, didn’t you?” Emma nodded again, not saying anything. She wanted to torture Liam just a little bit.

“What? What did you see? Tell me, Emma. What was it? What’s she look like? Where is she? Move, you big ox,” Liam said, trying to shove Garrett away from Emma so he could see her. Emma burst out laughing. Garrett smirked and moved aside. Liam scowled at both of them. “That’s not funny.”

“Oh, but it really is,” Emma said. “Fine. I saw a sign. It’s not a lot to go on. You’ll have to figure out—”

“Just tell me,” Liam butted in.

“Hilltown High School. There was a tiger mascot beneath it,” Emma said.

“Hilltown High School,” Liam repeated. Then he turned to Garrett.

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