Emma

A week at the castle and things have been going fine. 

There is just an annoyed Eric in one wing of the castle who is to be avoided at all costs. Direct orders from Alec! I think Alec hit his breaking point when I shoved Eric down the stairs. To be fair, I knew that it wouldn't kill him. Then there was the time where I tried to shoot him when he tried to know who Glinda was. I wasn't about to let that happen. . .

Well, Alec ordered Eric and I to be permanently separated. Besides that, Alec and I have been making progress. Turns out the time where he lost his shit about the Smith Organization was because he thought I kidnapped his brother. Other than that, he has reasons for hating the Smith Organization that come from thinking they did things.

Speak of the devil, Alec is here, "Emma?"

I turn to face him, "Yes, Alec?"

He walked over to me, "Your family has called."

I'm shocked, "Really? What did they say?"

Alec wrapped his arms around me, "They were annoyed that you haven't called them. Apparently, your mother and you did not leave on good terms."

I wince thinking back, "You could say that."

Yeah, last time I saw Mom, I had just escaped from Alec's castle and I was running. The time before that, I yelled at her with an Alpha Queen order and basically threatened her. She probably was also annoyed about the fact I didn't tell her when I tried to sacrifice myself when Alec attacked. My people probably told her everything.

Alec looked at me, "What happened?"

I bite my bottom lip, "I think my current issue is the fact that I didn't tell her about your attack on my base. Or the fact I nearly died several times. What did they want?"

He chuckled, "I invited them to the castle for dinner."

I turned to him, "WHAT?!"

Alec looked confused, "I thought you would want to see them."

I shake my head, "I would love to see them. Just once Mom cooled down a bit, so like in a month."

He laughed, "You're scared of your mother!"

I back away, "If you met her, you would be too!"

Alec took a step towards me for every step I took backwards, "I wasn't scared of my mother."

I raised my eyebrow, "Really?"

He shrugged, "Maybe a little."

I waltzed back over to him, "When are they coming?"

Alec smiled, "Tonight."

I looked at him shocked, "You're kidding. . ."

He shakes his head, "Dead serious."

I let a nervous chuckle, "Shit, Fuck, Shitty McShit, Shit."

Alec wrapped his arms around me again, "What's wrong?"

I looked up at him, "I am about to get yelled at so much."

He laughed, "I have something that may take your mind off things."

I turn around, "What?"

Alec smirks, "It's a surprise. Close your eyes, I'll lead you."

I do as he said, "If you make me fall, I'll make you regret it."

"Don't worry," he reassures.

Alec led me through several doors and rooms to stop in front of one I hadn't been in yet. I've been quite busy the last week. Whenever Alec was free, I would spend time with him and the rest with Glinda or Leo. With the fact, Alec is making an effort to be with me every second possible showing me the gardens, the rooms, the music room. . .

Alec said, "We're here."

I ask, "Can I open my eyes yet?"

He replies, "Sure."

I do and I am shocked at what I see. It's a library, but it is humongous, one fit for a castle. There is just so many and the sheer size of it is overwhelming. I love reading, but I barely have had time for it ever since I took over the Smith Organization. This is the best thing ever! I am shocked that I haven't come across this room before and I love it.

Alec turns towards me, "Do you like it?"

I laugh, "Do I like it? I LOVE it!"

He looks happy, "You do? Good."

I smile and give him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you."

I walk off to the shelves and start going through the books. I love them all and I even recognize some of the titles. It is bliss for me, absolute bliss. Alec looks content at the fact of making me happy for once. He too is looking at the books. One of the things I have discovered in my stay here is that the Alpha King of North and South America is a book nerd, not that I have a problem with that or anything.

I don't notice the time passing until a knock at the door came. Alec called out, "Yes?"

A voice was heard, "Alpha King, you asked us to warn you when your guests were about to arrive. It is that time."

Alec stood up and apparently the voice dismissed himself, "It's time to go, my love."

I whine, "Do I have to?"

Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but I won't love the scolding I am about to receive. From everyone, it is nice to know they care that I tried to sacrifice my life to save my people. I'll admit, it wasn't my smartest move, but it worked out. Worse case scenario, I'll try to get Alec to save me. 

My mate chuckled, "Yes, you do. You can come back tomorrow if you wish."

I take his offered hand to pull myself up, "Are Leo and Glinda coming for dinner?"

He shakes his head, "Leo is taking Glinda out for a date."

I smile, "That's adorable!"

Alec and I walk out of the library. Silence with him felt comfortable. We didn't have to fill it with words. It didn't have to be awkward. Internally, I debated whether or not I had to change. I was wearing jeans and a cute shirt. It was just my family, so I vote nope. 

Alec's voice dragged me out of my mind, "Penny for your thoughts."

I smirk, "They're worth more than a penny."

He gets a mischievous glint in his eye and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips, "A kiss for your thoughts."

I giggle a little, "Really?"

It was his turn to smirk now, "Yup. What are you thinking?"

I shrug, "About how much I am going to get yelled at when my family gets here and if I should change."

Alec wraps his arms around my waist, "I think you look perfect."

"EMMA!" Our little moment is interrupted by my Mom's yell.

I wince, "Shit, she's here."

He chuckles, "Good luck."

I shove him playfully, "You're supposed to defend me."

"EMMY!" And that were the voices of my nieces.

Alec and I make it down the stairs to be mobbed by my family. There was my mother, Ava and our fathers, Asher and Ryder. There were their kids and technically my siblings: Ashely, Laura (the twins) and Connor. Then, I spotted my brothers/twins, Ethan and Jackson with their mate Auriel. There little kids came barreling out of nowhere: Liam and Lucas. I gaped at them as I realized that each of my siblings carried a child. Auriel had given birth to her triplets: Alexander, Noah, and Mia.

I walked over to them first to saw Hi to my new nephews and niece, "Hey babies! I'm your auntie! Auriel, they're adorable!"

She smiled, "They were awful to give birth too though. 39 hours in labor!"

Jackson cooed at his new kids, "You gave your mommy a hard time, didn't you?"

I mock him slightly, "Yes, yes they did."

I make the turn, giving everyone hugs before returning to my mate's side. Mom asks, "You are going to introduce us, aren't you?"

I give them a smile, "This is Alec, my mate. You already know my mother, Ava."

My mom came forward and gave him a hug, "I can't believe my baby found her mate!"

I sigh, "You also know my fathers, Asher and Ryder."

They give him a curt nod, "You hurt her, you're dead."

Alec wraps his arms around me, "Wouldn't dream of it."

I gesture to my siblings, "These little minions are my siblings. The twins are Ashely and Laura. The little boy is Connor."

Alec bent down to their level, "It's nice to meet you."

Ashely replied, "You too. But you can't-"

Laura continued her sentence, "-hurt our sister or we will hurt you."

"You will be nice-" Ashely went.

Laura finished, "-and treat her like a queen."

Alec nods, "That's the only way Emma should be treated."

I point to the other two, "You also already know Jackson, Ethan and Auriel."

They do their weird men head nod in acknowledgement given the fact two of them have babies in their arms. Jackson threatens, "Hurt my family and I know where to hide your body."

I shake my head in despair, "And there are their kids. The twins and heirs of the pack, who are Liam and Lucas. Then there are the newly born, Noah, Alexander and Mia."

Mom comes up again and gushes, "How did you two meet?"

We both wince and I shake my head, "Doesn't matter, what does matter is that we're together now."

She narrows her eyes at me, "How long have you known that he was your mate?"

I cringe as I recall, "About seven or eight weeks."

Alec replies, "Around 55 days."

Mom turns towards me, "Why did you not tell me you found your mate?"

I let out a nervous chuckle, "Ha, ha, about that. . . We had issues in the beginning, but now it's fine."

She glared at me, "You always have to accept your mate!"

Alec smiles, "It took one of nearly dying, but we're now working on our problems."

Right now is a good moment. There had been some bad ones this past week. I think my biggest issue was I had to sleep in his room. But I got over that when I realized that I couldn't not sleep in his room. The mate bond forced us close together. A pillow wall doesn't keep your mate on his side of the bed either. But Alec and I just cuddle, no dirty business.

Mom screeches, "WHAT?!"

I mouth at my family, "She didn't know."

Ryder shakes his head and mouths back, "We only said you were in a fight and now found your mate."

Shit, I had known when she hadn't yelled at me immediately something was up. Now, her brain is connecting all the dots and Mom will figure it out. She was really smart, after all she had been the leader of the Smith Organization for like 15 years.

Mom raises her voice, "YOU WERE SACRIFICING YOURSELF IN A FIGHT! NO WARNING, NO LAST CALL! YOU COULD HAVE WARNED US AT LEAST A LITTLE! I KNOW YOU LOVE YOUR PEOPLE, BUT SERIOUSLY DYING! YOU COULD HAVE CALLED FOR REINFORCEMENTS. IF YOU HADN'T FOUND YOUR MATE, YOU WOULD HAVE DIED! YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO DIE BEFORE ME! NOT MY BABY, DEATH COULD FUCK OFF! I WOULD HAVE FELT YOUR DEATH! AND WHEN I SAW YOU AFTER YOU ESCAPED THE CASTLE, YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME YOU HAD YOUR MATE AND WERE RUNNING! NO MORE LIES!"

With our sensitive hearing, Mom was literally killing us with her voice. I noticed everyone had their hands over their ears. The younger ones mostly because of Mom's cussing. She picked up that habit while we were rogues for 17 years and never lost it. 

Asher came forward, "Shh, Ava. Our pup is fine, she's safe."

Mom still glowered at me, "How many times did you run from him?"

I think back and count on my fingers, "One, that was after the recon mission and I stole his plans. Two, after I was undercover at his castle and freed his prisoners. Three, after my wolf took control when I was attacked and ran to his castle. You guys helped me out on that one. Four, when Alec forced my brothers to give me up and my people attacked to free me. I guess five when I tried to make you kill me."

Everyone but Mom was trying to restrain their laughter. Ethan commented, "You were determined to get away."

I shrug, "At the time, it seemed like the best idea."

Mom glared at me, "You shouldn't have!"

I cross my arms, "You ran from our fathers TWICE!"

She sighed, "The first time I thought they rejected me and the second time I thought they were cheating on me. I had reasons."

I shoot back, "The first time I knew that Alec slept with enough women that one of his people thought I was another. And he nearly mated another she-wolf."

Mom looks not impressed, "But the other times?"

I look at Alec, begging him to save me, and he sighed, "Let's go eat."

Saved by the bell, it's time for dinner.

***

Word Count: 2190