29

Emma

"Give it to me straight, Doc," I took a deep breath. "How long is this going to take? How long do I have to live?"

"Emma," Soran said in a stern tone.

"You're going to be just fine, Emma," The doctor sighed for the thousandth time. "I haven't even started the tests and you're already giving me a headache."

"That's kinda my specialty." I shrugged. "Anyway, how long is this going to take?"

"Few hours, maybe less." He tied the tourniquet to the upper part of my left arm and readied the needle. "It all depends on how long all the tests take and if you're willing to co-operate. And it also depends on how long it'll take for Soran to leave the room."

"And I won't." He said firmly. The doctor only sighed.

"Now, deep breath." I took in a breath as he stuck the needle in my arm. A few seconds later, my blood was in the vial. He wiped at the entrance and turned to his desk. I watched as the wound began to close itself and leave a small scar.

"I'll run this to the lab. When I get back, we have other tests to do." He labeled the sample then left the room.

I turned to face Soran. "You do realize you have to leave the room at some point, right?"

"I won't." He said again. "I'm not leaving the room. I'm staying in here the entire time the test is going on, no matter what."

I simply sighed. "I don't think you'd like it."

"Like what?" He asked.

"You'll see."

"Alright, let's do a few more tests." The doctor returned and pulled out the reflex hammer, knocking it against a few joints. A few I deflected, others I let him hit. "You're doing much better, Emma. Near Wolf perfection. I've dealt with a few half breeds and have had the same conclusive results. Let me shine this light in your eyes,"

I opened my eyes wide as he flashed the light around, watching my pupils. "Good, good. Doing exactly like they should. Follow my finger,"

This is stupid... I thought to myself as I did as he said.

"Now," He clicked the light off and I blinked to clear my eyes and to adjust them to the room. "It's time for Soran to leave the room."

"I'm not leaving," He growled. "You can't make me. I'm staying here the entire time to see how she does. I want to know the second the data comes in to see if she's better."

The doctor sighed through his nose. "I was afraid I might have to resort to this. Alright, Soran. You may stay here, but there are a few precautionary measures we must take. This way." He led Soran over to the far side of the room and opened a small compartment.

"What's this?" He asked as the items clattered on the wall.

"Precautionary measures." Was all the doctor said. "Now face the wall and place your hands above your head."

"What's the point in all this?" Soran questioned as he hesitantly did as he was told.

"Precautionary measures."

"Damn it, I get it, but what for?" The silver shackles clicked over his wrists and I heard the slight grimace.

The doctor removed his rubber gloves and tossed them. "I don't need you ruining this test. Emma knows what it is." The doctor spoke as he went over to the door and locked it.

I got off the bed and rolled my shoulders. "And you have everything I need for after the test."

"Under the middle cupboard there," He pointed to them and I nodded. "Now, close your eyes."

I slowly closed them and listened. Listened and waited.

I quickly spun to my left and felt an arm collide with mine. "Good," He backed away silently.

Listen and wait. "What's going on over there?" I heard the shackles rattle just as I ducked, feeling the air rush over my head. "Somebody tell me what's going on right now!"

The doctor shifted. "God damn it, what's going on?!" I heard Soran tug on the chains. He's making so much noise that I can't tell where the doctor is coming from.

Right! I rolled and landed in a crouch, eyes still shut tight. The sound of weight crashing into the counter sounded and Soran started snarling.

"Don't touch her!" He growled. "You better not hurt her! Fuck, let me out of here! Emma!"

I shifted and rammed head first into the doctor's shoulders, knocking him off balance. My nails scraped against the tile floor. My ears twitched as I tried to block out the angry snarls and the furious rattling of the chains as he tried to turn and free himself.

"You may open your eyes, Emma." I ducked my head a bit, then raised it again to see the doctor before me in Wolf form. This is the part of the test where we see how I can fight. I glanced over to see the wall starting to crack a bit as Soran fought desperately to free himself to help me. His muscles bulged as he strained against the restraints.

I quickly focused back on the doctor and leaped out of the way. He slammed into the cupboards, leaving dents and a few hanging on their hinges. I decided to charge as he shook himself. I bit into his shoulder then pushed off him as he yelped.

"Emma!" Soran roared. "Stop hurting her!" He's... not hurting me. Well, I guess he can't tell with his back to the fight.

A heavy weight suddenly crashed into me and I went rolling. I lost my breath as I hit the bed and moved it, the bolts coming loose. I stood and ignored the pain as I leaped onto the doctor's back and latched my teeth into his scruff.

Almost instantly, he froze. His head twitched a bit and I let go. I got off him and went to where he said the clothes were being kept. I set some out for the doctor an grabbed some shorts and a shirt for me.

I shifted and put them on. "Well, I'd say that went well."

"Emma, go calm Soran before-"

"Yeah, yeah." I cut him off and walked over to a screaming and snarling Soran. He's completely lost it. All he's doing is cutting off circulation in his hands and making his veins protrude with all his struggling. Sweat rolled off him in waves as his wrists became raw and irritated from the silver. They even started to bleed in a few places.

I slowly shook my head and placed my hand on the bare skin of his arm. The sparks of the Connection instantly flared between us. His wordless screams silenced and he took in heavy breaths. His whole body relaxed and he slumped against the wall.

After a few more minutes, he finally spoke in a calm voice. "Did he hurt you?"

I looked around the room. "I think we hurt the room more than either of us got injured."

"I'm being fucking serious, Emma." He snapped. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head and slowly ran my hand over his arm in a reassuring manner. "No, I'm not hurt."

"Good." He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. A bead of sweat rolled down from the corner of his eye. "Can you let me out, please?"

I nodded and turned my head. "Key," The doctor tossed the keys to me and I set to work unshackling Soran from the wall. When his hands were free, he instantly wrapped them around me.

"Never do that again." He shook slightly.

"Can't make any promises."

"Emma," He warned.

"It's the truth." I pulled back a bit so our gazes met. His eyes drooped a bit, sadness and worry shining heavily in them. "I don't know when I'll get into another fight. And when that happens, it won't be a test. It'll be the real thing."

"Just..." He swallowed hard. "Just promise to be careful, okay?"

I rolled my eyes. "I promise. Now, can you please let me go?" Reluctantly, his arms slid off of me and I went over to sit in a chair, since the bed was out of commission.

"So, what's the verdict?" I asked as Soran placed a hand on my shoulder.

"If everything comes up clean in the blood test, then you can go home whenever you want." He said as he wrote some things down on a clipboard.

I smiled. "Awesome. I can't wait to see everyone. I hope they missed me."

"I'm sure they did," Soran squeezed my shoulder lightly. "Who wouldn't miss you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Will you let me know when the test comes back?"

"Sure thing," The doctor turned and left the room.

"Now that we're done here, I'm going to pack and get ready for my day with Alazara." I stood from the chair and headed for my room. I could feel Soran walking behind me. He was real close; his breath was softly brushing against my neck, leaving goose bumps in its wake. I held back a shiver and opened the door to my room.

Soran stopped at the entrance to my room and watched as I packed up all my things. I made sure to check every inch of that room so I wouldn't leave anything behind. Once I was satisfied that I had everything, I closed up my bags and flopped onto my bed.

"Do you really have to go?"

I nodded and turned over to face Soran. "I do. My pack needs me. I can't leave them hanging without me. I've been gone for so long, Soran. I need to be with them."

"I know," He shut his eyes and bowed his head a bit. "But we need you here, too. The pack needs its Luna. There's no one else I want to have that title. You're the one I want to be my Luna."

"I understand this." I sat up and folded my hands in my lap. "I know the pack needs its Luna, but a pack also needs every member to be present. That's why I'm going back. I have to be there for them."

Soran slowly walked into my room and sat beside me. "You're pretty much a member of this pack now, Emma. Everyone accepts you. They love you. They want you to be their Luna. They want someone like you and I to lead them. They know we'd make the perfect team."

I only stared him in his eyes for a few seconds before looking away. Fingers gently cupped my cheek and turned my head back up. My breathing slowed at the touch as I stared up into Soran's eyes. His begging, pleading, wet eyes.

"Please, Emma." He swallowed. "Don't leave."

"Soran, I-" I didn't get to finish my sentence. His lips brushed against mine. When he met no resistance, he proceeded further. Automatically, my lips moved with his. I wanted to stop, but the sparks and the Connection were too strong. They pulled me closer to Soran, not letting me leave or pull away.

Eventually, I was able to pull away for air. Once I caught my breath I said one word. "Out." Thankfully, Soran listened, shutting the door behind him.

I quickly grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. When I pulled the pillow back, tears covered it.

What's wrong with me?

Why do I want to stay forever?

Why do I have these feelings for him?

Why can't they just go away?!

Why are we mates?

...why can't I bring my heart to reject him?

~~~~

"Thanks for taking me to the airport, Lexton." I said as he walked me to the terminal. I rolled two of my bags behind me as he carried the third one that was full of everything I bought when I was out with Alazara the day before.

"It's my duty to see you get here safe." He explained. "We'll drop these off then I'll get you to your gate. I'll wait with you until it's time for you to board." I just nodded.

Once we had my bags checked in and ready, we went and sat by the gate I would have to walk through to take my flight home. I'm not taking the private jet this time. My family and I already agreed that they'd be waiting for me to land back home at the regular terminals.

An hour of awkward silence passed before it was announced over the intercom that my flight was ready.

"Well," Lexton said as we stood. "This is where we part."

I nodded. "So long, Lex." We shook hands and I went to board the plane. I felt Lexton's eyes on me the entire time I walked. I was one of the first people on the plane. I took a seat near the front and settled in. I pulled out my ipod and turned my music on.

As my tunes blasted in my ears, I stared out the window, watching the men below load the plane with the luggage.

My mind began to wander as I waited for the plane to take off.

~~~~

"I literally made my  decision two seconds before I took the stage." The tension died down a  bit with soft laughter. "And so, I stand before you all with this choice  I have made."

I cast my gaze out once last time. "I have chosen to..." I looked over my shoulder to see Soran nod to me.

I took another breath to calm myself. "I've decided that I will give being your Luna a try." The room erupted with cheers of joy. I tried to silence the crowd by waving my hands. Nothing.

"Guys!" My shout echoed through the room. It grew extremely quiet. "I'm not staying, though. I have to go home. I'm sure you guys can wait a few more years for me, right? I have school to finish. I can't just drop out in the middle of the year. I want to graduate before I move in. Yes, I will be your Luna when I return. But I want to finish what I started back home."

"Emma,"

I hushed Soran. "I talked this over in great lengths with my father before this meeting. He was completely against me staying, mainly because I'm his baby girl. His only daughter. After two hours of talking with him, he realized that I am important here, but that I need to finish school. You all understand, right?"

Soran stood beside me. "We understand, Emma. School is important, especially since you were gone for so long. So, it's settled. After you graduate, the plans will be set in motion to get you moved in with us. With the pack."

I nodded and faced the crowd again. "Thank you for understanding."

~~~~

A hand shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes and pulled out an ear bud. "Miss, the plane has landed." I nodded slowly and stretched, my joints popping. I waited until it was my turn before I got off the plane. I wonder who's waiting for me.

Holy hell... I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the whole pack waiting for me. Just as I finished making a sweep over the crowd of people, Orien crashed into my legs and held me tight.

"I missed you, sis."

I smiled and knelt down. "I missed you, too, bro. Did you take care of the pack while I was away?"

He stepped back a bit and shook his head. "Dad took over again after you left. He doesn't have the official title like before, but he still has the power of one. I'm not old enough, since I haven't shifted yet."

I ruffled his hair. "You will. I promise."

"When?" He asked and bit his lip.

"I shifted at about fourteen." I said as I stood. "I was a bit early. You should shift somewhere between your fourteenth and fifteenth birthday." We joined back up with the pack and made small talk as we headed back to the cars to head back home.

Home. I can finally stay home and not have to worry about anything happening again. I can finally relax and kick back my feet and-

"What do you mean you picked up all the homework and notes I missed?!" I shouted at mom after we got back to our home.

"I didn't want you falling behind," She explained. "I didn't want what happened to me to happen to you."

"Mom..." I groaned and flopped onto the couch. "I really was looking forward to relaxing for a few days before going back..."

"Nope." She dropped the stack of paper before me on the coffee table. "Get to work. You will have about four days to get as much of this done as you can. Your dad and I will be here to help you if you need it." With that, she kissed the top of my head and sauntered into the kitchen.

I looked back to the papers, the stack organized by subject. I pouted and sent a picture of it to Gaven and Kester.

FML

They just responded with laughter.