Page 53 of Alpha's Choice
I sat down on the couch. The same couch where Emma and I had cuddled. “She saw what happened to Jenny and worried the same thing would happen to me.”
“This is about Jenny?”
“That and I lost control while she was in the hospital.” I burrowed my head in my hands. “I don’t know what to do.”
Megan perched on the couch next to me. “I’m so sorry, Tobias. But maybe this is a good thing. She is human, after all. How could she be Luna?”
A growl slipped out before I could stop it. “She’s my mate.”
“You can take a chosen mate after the full moon,” Megan pointed out. “One who knows what to expect and do.”
“I don’t want a chosen mate. I want Emma.”
“I’m just saying it’s an option.” Megan held up her hands. “The pack needs a Luna, after all.”
Providing a Luna for the pack was a big part of an Alpha’s job, and it was something I’d been unable to fulfill to this point. The pack had been patient, but after Emma’s rejection, they would be justified in putting pressure on me. My wolf and I couldn’t stomach the idea of taking anyone but Emma for a mate, but we wouldn’t have a choice for long.
CHAPTER27
Emma
This time, when I entered the library, I was familiar with the layout. First, I stopped in the section that contained books on mythical creatures. Then I headed straight to the back where the oldest books were.
I spread out at a table and began skimming through the newer books, flagging anything that mentioned vampires. None of the references were useful. The descriptions were all of Hollywood-style vampires.
Then I found one passage that mentioned unidentified creatures. It referred to an older book, and I jotted down the title and author. Hopefully, the library here had it.
A stack of books dropped onto the table in front of me with a thud. I looked up and saw Megan, her lips a tight line of disapproval. “What are you researching this time?”
“I’m trying to find references to the creature that attacked Mark and me.”
“Why? You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
I didn’t have the emotional energy to hide my annoyance from her. “It doesn’t mean I don’t care about those still here.”
“Right. That’s why you broke Tobias’s heart. You care so much.” Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.
“That’s none of your business.” I slammed my book shut. “Besides, aren’t you happy now? Your friend Lisa gets another shot at him.”
“At least she wants what’s best for the pack.” Megan tossed her hair over her shoulder. “She’s visiting Jenny right now. Just like a Luna should.”
“A Luna should visit because they care, not for appearance’s sake.” I stood and moved towards the shelves to look for the book I wanted. “I’ve seen Lisa’s idea of visiting. Trust me, she doesn’t care about Jenny.”
“And you do?”
“You may not believe me, but if there was any way I could help her, I would. Her wolf was the first one I connected with, other than Tobias’s.”
Megan rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Lisa said you only visited Jenny because you had to.”
I turned to stare at Megan, abandoning my hunt for the book. “What would Lisa know about that?”
“She told me how you were bragging to Kylie about convincing Jenny and Tobias that you cared. That you only kept visiting because it made you look like a Luna.”
“That’s a lie.” I was blunt in my response. “Jenny’s the first pack member I connected with in a Luna role.”
I sank down into a chair. “My biggest regret is failing her. I was so sure I could save her, but now I’m not even allowed to visit.”
I tried to blink back my tears but failed as I looked over at Megan. “Guess I wasn’t Luna material after all.”
