Chapter 13: Great Exploits

Emma saw Leyton one more time before she went to the cottage.
“Emma.”
Emma turned to see the young woman hurrying up to her.
“Hey, Leyton. How was your day?”
“It was amazing. I’ve learned so much. Even though I’m not doing the duties of a Luna, I know how I can help the pack better.”
“Good.”
“And I’m thankful we have such a great Alpha. Dex is doing an amazing job,” she said.
Emma burst with pride as though Dex was her Alpha. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Leyton motioned to walk and Emma fell into step beside her. They walked towards the cottages.
“Seriously. Some of these women have weak Alphas. I’m not going to name names, but I hadn’t realized just how good Dex is being. We are such a motley crew of wolves. He had a big job.”
“Alphas are made to be Alphas.”
Still, Emma was glad that Dex was a good one. Every pack needed a strong leader to keep the other wolves in line. Emma didn’t know what kind of Alpha Lucien was. She had never seen him in action. She’d heard some things, but rumors weren’t always true.
Leyton stopped. “Hey. A bunch of us are going to shift and run the woods tonight. No hunting, just a chance to let out our wolves. You should come with us.”
Emma knew the answer that Lucien would give her. “I’m not sure I can. Text me with the information in case I can.”
She couldn’t commit and then let them down. Letting out her wolf would be wonderful with no fear of impinging on anyone else’s territory. As strong as Lunas could be, Emma hadn’t heard of any scuffles between them.
“Oh, please come out. Kendra said she’d come.”
Emma didn’t want to explain her situation, since she didn’t want the information getting back to Dex even if his opinion of Lucien was low. “I’ll try.”
“Good. Did you hear about the fight today?”
“Fight?”
“Well, argument.”
“No.”
Somehow she knew Lucien was involved, with his temper.
“Apparently Dex and an Alpha named Lucien argued over some point Dex brought up. Dex wants to concentrate on making treaties but Lucien wants to conquer more territory.”
That sounded like Lucien. “What happened?”
“They didn’t fight, but I understand it was tense for a moment.”
Lucien was going to be in a crappy mood tonight. She couldn’t possibly ask him to go out running tonight. “Interesting.”
Leyton stopped. “This is my cottage. Hopefully, I’ll see you tonight.”
“Sure.”
She waved as Leyton walked onto the porch. Emma continued to her cottage, bracing herself for Lucien’s temper. Even though she had nothing to do with it, she was going to pay for that fight.
Emma entered the cottage. Dex wasn’t here. At least he wouldn’t hear the yelling that might ensue.
Lucien was here. She stepped into their room. He was sitting on the bed watching television and she tried to gauge his mood.
He glanced at her. “Good day?”
Not what she expected. “Yes.”
“Seems you’ve been making waves as a Luna.”
His tone was neutral. Was he mad? “I helped out a few people.”
He grunted, then went back to his television show. Good. At least he wasn’t angry. Emma brushed her teeth, changed into pajamas, and crawled into bed.
She put her phone on silent in case she did get a text from Leyton or Kendra. Lucien turned off the television then turned off the light and rolled away from her. He was soon snoring and she marveled that he could sleep so easily.
Her brain was still spinning from the day. Her phone buzzed. She tucked it under the covers so the light wouldn’t disturb Lucien, though it would take a rampaging group of pack warriors to wake him. Kendra had sent her text.
“We’re meeting at the beach in twenty minutes to run in the woods or play in the surf.”
Emma debated what she should do. She wanted to go out and have fun with her newfound friends, but Lucien would be angry with her if he found her missing. Even if she didn’t do this he’d find another reason to be angry with her, so she might as well go.
Her decision made, she slipped out of bed. Lucien didn’t stir. His snoring continued unabated.
She was out the front door of the cottage minutes later and on her way to the beach. She passed through the lobby of the main resort on her way because she couldn’t remember where the shortcut as located.
“Emma?”
Her heart stopped as she turned. “Dex.”
She looked around, but no one was there to see them. Not only was she sneaking out, but if it got back to Lucien she’d seen Dex, the wolf he’d fought with that very day, things would go badly for her. He might even send her home.
“You’re up late.”
“I snuck out.”
She didn’t know why she’d shared that. He cocked his head at her. “Oh?”
“Can you keep my secret? I’m just meeting friends.”
“Sure.” He looked around. “Someone’s coming.”
He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her through a doorway. He closed the door with a soft click. She sniffed. The smell of ammonia almost gagged her.
“It was the best I could do.”
“It’s fine.”
A crowd walked by, then a few stragglers. Partiers. They were loud.
With their heightened senses, Dex and Emma could see each other. “I talked to Leyton earlier.”
“We met today,” Emma said.
“She told me. She also told me what you did for her. She appreciated the introduction to your friends.”
Dex’s happiness meant the world to her. “I was happy to help.”
“You didn’t have to, but you did. She isn’t a Luna, but she is the closest thing I have to one.”
“She and Brutus?”
“Mates.”
Emma was tempted to open the door to the closet, but she heard more footsteps. Darn it.
“How long have they been together?” she asked.
“A year. I’ve been bugging him to marry her, make it official, but Brutus is having trouble adjusting to not being a bachelor anymore. He loves Leyton, but it is still a change for him.”
“I can imagine. He was a player.”
Dex laughed. “Yes. You and I met a different she-wolf every week or so. I lost track of their names after a while.”
“Right? Wasn’t it Stacey one week and the next week it was Tracey and I called Tracey by the wrong name?”
“Right. I remember that.”
This was a lovely trip through their shared memories, but Emma needed to meet with her friends. Her phone vibrated. Kendra again.
“We’re waiting. Can you make it?”
“I’m stuck. I’ll catch up.”
“We going for a run then to jump in the surf,” Kendra said.
“Ok. Thanks.”
If only Emma hadn’t come through the lobby. If she’d found the path, she would be out running with the other wolves. Then again, she was stuck in a closet with Dex. That couldn’t be bad either.
“Problem?” he asked.
“I was supposed to meet up with Leyton and another friend. They’re waiting, but I keep hearing footsteps.”
“Who knew the lobby was this busy at this time of night,” Dex said. He peeked out then closed the door again. “I see a crowd in the lobby. I don’t know what they are doing.”
“That’s the murmuring we’re hearing?”
“Yeah. If I come out of this closet there will be questions,” Dex said.
“No way to do that gracefully. I guess we’re stuck here until they move on.”
“It’s okay, Emma. I won’t give you away.”
“I know, Dex. I trust you.”
He squeezed Emma’s arm and infused her with warmth. She put her hand where his had been and just took it in. It had been a mistake to leave Dex.
“I’m glad you trust me, Emma.”
“I heard you fought with Lucien.”
“I don’t think the council was the place to bring up my new ideas, but I had to try. He’s got a hair-trigger.”
“Yes, but he’s more bark than bite.”
At least he’d never been physical with her. Maybe in his role as Alpha, he was fiercer.
“He’s never hit you?”
“No, Dex. Never. I promise.”
Some more loud voices passed by the closet.
“We might be in here, all night,” Emma said.
“I’ll make sure you get out of here, Emma.”
She had no doubt that he would, but she’d enjoy the time until then.