Emma

Morning came with the smell of pancakes and the sound of a little girl's laughter.

I found Sophia in the kitchen, standing on a stool beside Marcus, helping him flip pancakes. Or trying to. Mostly she was getting batter everywhere.

"Higher, Daddy! Make it flip really high!"

Marcus laughed, a sound that transformed his serious face into something young and unguarded. "Any higher and it'll stick to the ceiling."

"That would be funny!"

"That would be a mess."

Sophia noticed me in the doorway and beamed. "You're awake! Daddy made extra pancakes for you."

Marcus's eyes found mine, and something in my chest pulled tight. He looked different in the morning light. Less Alpha, more father. His hair was slightly mussed, and he wore a simple t-shirt that showed the powerful build of his shoulders.

"Hope you're hungry," he said.

I was. Starving, actually. My incomplete wolf might be useless for most things, but she still demanded fuel.

"Can I help?"

Sophia nodded enthusiastically. "You can put the chocolate chips in! Daddy never puts enough."

"That's because someone," Marcus tickled her side, making her squeal, "ate half the bag last time."

I joined them at the stove, and Sophia handed me the chocolate chips with the seriousness of someone sharing treasure. As I sprinkled them into the batter, my hand brushed Marcus's.

That electric heat again. Stronger this time.

Marcus pulled back quickly, focusing very intently on the pancakes.

"Where's Dad and Owen?" I asked, trying to ignore my racing heart.

"They left early to meet with your grandparents," Marcus said. "Your grandfather wants to see you, but your father thought you needed rest first."

"Grandpa Robert knows about the Lycan thing?"

"He should. He's one too."

I nearly dropped the chocolate chips. "What?"

"Fully transformed about forty years ago. That's how your grandmother ended up being one of the few humans who know our secret." Marcus flipped a pancake perfectly. "When you're ready, he can teach you things I can't. He's had decades to master control."

A Lycan grandfather. A Lycan bloodline. A transformation waiting for me in six months.

My whole life was a lie I'd been living in ignorance.

"Hey," Marcus said gently, reading my expression. "One day at a time. You don't have to figure it all out right now."

"But Richard"

"Richard can't touch you here. Silver Ridge territory is protected. And I've already sent word to the Council about his behavior. If he tries anything, he'll lose his Alpha status." Marcus's eyes went hard. "I won't let him near you."

The certainty in his voice settled something in me. Made me feel safe in a way I hadn't since Mom died.

Sophia tugged on my shirt. "Can you eat breakfast with me? Daddy has Alpha stuff to do, and I get lonely."

"Sophia," Marcus warned. "Emma might want to—"

"I'd love to," I interrupted. The little girl's smile was worth it. "I've never had chocolate chip pancakes with a princess before."

"I'm not a princess. I'm going to be a warrior like Daddy!" Sophia flexed her tiny arms. "Strong and brave and protect the whole pack!"

Marcus's expression went soft with pride and pain. "Yes, you will, baby girl. But first, breakfast."

We sat at the table, Sophia chattering about everything and nothing. Her favorite color. Her stuffed animals. The bird's nest in the tree outside her window. Normal, innocent things that made my chest ache.

This was what I'd been running toward. A future where I wasn't constantly looking over my shoulder. Where I could just exist without fear.

Marcus's phone buzzed. He checked it, and his expression darkened.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Richard sent a formal request to the Council. He's claiming you as his intended mate under Alpha's Right. Says your father gave verbal agreement two weeks ago."

Ice flooded my veins. "That's a lie."

"I know. But the Council has to investigate." Marcus's jaw clenched. "They're sending representatives to take statements. If Richard can provide any evidence that your father agreed—"

"He can't. Dad would never—" But doubt crept in. "Would he?"

"No," Marcus said firmly. "I know your father. He'd die before giving you to Richard."

Sophia looked between us, her young face worried. "Is someone trying to take Emma away?"

"No one is taking anyone," Marcus assured her. "Emma is part of our pack now. She's safe."

But the way he said it, like a vow, made me wonder what he was really promising.

A knock at the front door interrupted us. Marcus tensed, going Alpha in an instant. He moved to answer it, and I heard a familiar voice.

"Easy, Drake. I'm not here to fight."

Adrian Stone stepped inside, and my wolf stirred for the first time all morning. Not in fear. In recognition. Owen's friend. The one who'd helped us escape.

He looked exhausted. There was a healing bruise across his jaw and scratches on his arms. When he saw me, relief crossed his face.

"Thank god you made it."

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"My father." Adrian's expression went grim. "He figured out I gave your family the forged documents. Let's just say he wasn't pleased."

Marcus growled low in his throat. "He hurt you."

"He's hurt a lot of people. It's what he does." Adrian looked at me. "That's why I'm here. Emma, you need to know what you're up against. Richard isn't just obsessed with Lycan power. He's unraveling. Since my mother died six years ago, he's become paranoid, violent. He thinks claiming you will somehow bring her back."

"Bring her back? That's not possible."

"No, but he's not exactly rational anymore." Adrian ran a hand through his hair. "He's convinced that if he bonds with a Lycan before the transformation completes, the power will somehow resurrect her. It's insane, but he believes it."

Marcus's hands clenched into fists. "How many wolves know about Emma's bloodline?"

"Too many. Richard's been bragging about it for weeks. Half the Dark Moon Pack thinks claiming her will make them invincible." Adrian's eyes met mine. "You have to complete your transformation before he gets to you. It's the only way to be strong enough to break his claim."

"I thought mate bonds couldn't be forced."

"They can't. Not with consent. But if an Alpha marks you before you're aware enough to refuse, the bond starts forming anyway. It's not complete, but it's there. And breaking it becomes..." He looked at Marcus. "You know. You've done it."

Pain flashed across Marcus's face. "It nearly killed me. And I had weeks to prepare. Emma won't have that luxury if Richard marks her."