had two more families earmarked for this location once I had the apartments complete. Both families had young cubs close to Liam and Aden’s ages. The responsibility of running the place didn’t intimidate me as it once had. It was home, and I was surrounded by family.
Saturday morning, Michelle’s alarm went off, and she woke with a stretch and a smile. I was already awake, waiting for my morning kiss. As I leaned down, confusion clouded her features and she pulled back.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I haven’t had a stock market premonition since before the trip.”
That didn’t sound like a bad thing. She had feared her ability because of the control it gave other people over her. Yet, she was frowning.
“Does that bother you?”
She shrugged slightly. “I’m glad they’re gone, but I can’t help but wonder why.”
“Like you said, when you met me, things changed. Maybe this is just part of that change.”
“Maybe.”
I trailed my fingers down her arm as I watched her nibble her lower lip. She had more on her mind.
“So, I was thinking...”
Leaning over, I gently kissed her neck. “About something good, I hope.”
“Depends. I was thinking about all this sneaking we’re doing. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want the boys to catch us and start asking questions.”
I pulled back to look at her. She wasn’t suggesting I move into one of the other apartments, was she?
She slid her hands under my shirt and started exploring my stomach, distracting me from my concern.
“I was wondering if we could set a date.”
The way she was touching me and looking at me could only mean one thing...
“Now’s good,” I said, trying to keep the growl from my voice.
She rolled her eyes and grinned. “Not for that.”
I wanted to groan. “You have me confused. Again.”
“That’s because you’re focused on the physical side of our relationship.”
“Is there something else?” I teased.
“How about a wedding?”
She was talking about Mating. She just didn’t know it. I wrapped my arms around her and laughed.
“Is that what we’re waiting for? A human ceremony? How soon can we get married?” I kissed her hard to let her know I was ready today.
“You’re still thinking about Mating,” she said when I finally pulled away.
“No. I’m thinking about forever with you.”
She smiled at me. “I was thinking later this fall. I’d like to ask your mom to help.”
“She’d love that.”
I wrapped my fingers around hers and held her close.
“So when are you going to tell my brothers?” she asked.
“Me?” She nodded. “I’ll tell them as soon as they wake up if you’re okay with that.”
I could feel her nervousness.
“There’s nothing to worry about. They already approved me.”
She giggled. “Only if I wasn’t going to marry Jim.”
Epilogue
“Winifred, this is a waste of time, and you know it,” Jim said, leaning against one of the front porch columns.
The boys were playing on the swing set with Paul, Henry, and Grey. Michelle and I were on the porch steps. While she was watching her brothers, I was openly watching Jim try to get out of going home.
“For the benefit of all our kind, you need to attend,” Winifred said calmly.
“Everyone knows Gabby already picked the guy. I don’t understand why you put a call out.”
Winifred gave a long-suffering sigh. “She did not Claim him within the allotted six months. To keep the peace, we must Introduce her to other options.”
“If she was one of us—no offense, Michelle—”
“None taken,” she said without turning.
“—the rule would make sense. She’s not one of us. Look at the whole Claiming process. Even that’s different. These special humans have to bite us instead of us biting them.”
“Thank God,” Michelle murmured. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“If you’re so sure she’s not going to pick anyone but Clay,” Winifred said, “why are you so opposed to going?”
Jim scowled. “You know why.”
I grinned. We all knew why. Mom had used the gathering as an excuse to invite a few families with unMated females to stay at the Compound so she could Introduce them to Jim. She hadn’t stopped trying to set him up since Michelle and I called to say we were getting married...the human way.
“Just go,” I said to Jim. “You can take my bike and enjoy a long ride.”
He perked up a little. “Seriously?”
I nodded. “Just...don’t let anything happen to it.”
Thanks for reading Emmitt’s Treasure. The Companion series continues with Luke’s Dream. Keep reading for an excerpt and find out what happens to poor Emmitt’s bike!