In the dream, Dalton had Emma pushed up against a wall, completely naked. He would kiss his way down her body until he reached the part that called to him, her sopping core. He knew she would be embarrassed by his actions and her reactions, but he wouldn’t let her stop him. He craved the taste of her special honey like nothing before. The dream never failed to send him to the bathroom for some private time or to his horror, woke him with the evidence of his completion all over his sheets. He was a grown man, but Emma affected him like he was a teenager discovering women for the first time. It was embarrassing, but couldn’t be helped.
To his surprise, the men of his team didn’t hassle him too much considering the unusual number of extra loads of laundry washing his bedding and the tremendous amount of time he was now spending in the bathroom. He was grateful for the reprieve, he knew it wouldn’t last. Cash, the bastard, had made a few comments about going blind. Bas asked to see his palms one day, a joked, “Hey look still no hair.” They all knew what was going on and felt sorry for him, but the jerks couldn’t resist the occasional jab. Dalton had found everything from new bottles of lube to a mechanical pussy on his nightstand. To his credit, he never let it bother him; Dalton would pay them back in kind tenfold when they found their mates. He hoped he wasn’t still in this desperate state then.
Chapter 35
Emma was going nuts. It had been more than a couple of months since she’d given birth to McKenna, and her dreams of Dalton were becoming more and more erotic. She’d had them since the moment she met him and she was starting to go crazy. His big, warm, muscular body turned her one like no other. His eyes drew her in like a moth to a flame, and damn, the tent she often saw in his pants made her mouth water. She possessed a need for him that she’d never experienced for another man. Dalton was special. She would imagine herself licking, sucking, and biting every inch of his body. More than once she caught herself staring at his manhood wishing the cloth which covered him would magically disappear.
Never before had she been so blatant or bold. Ogling a man wasn’t something she’d ever done before. Sure, she’d seen attractive men, shoot the men on his team were nothing but gorgeous, but Emma only had eyes for Dalton.
One day, she caught him working out in the yard with Cash, he had his shirt off. Emma could feel her panties getting wet and felt as though she would combust on the spot. Dalton was so gorgeous, down to the smallest of details. Damn, even the veins which rippled in his arms turned her on. She craved to lick every part of his chiseled chest, she even daydreamed about sucking on his nipples. Wiping the drool from her mouth, Emma knew she needed to get a grip; when had she ever thought of sucking on a guy’s nipples? She didn’t even know if guys liked that sort of thing. She’d started taking cold showers because her attraction to Dalton was so fierce. She was sorely disappointed in the old wives’ tale remedy, it only forced her to take things further to relieve the unrelenting ache in her body.
The weeks went by in a blur of healing, both mentally and physically, and arousal Emma didn’t know what to do with. Ava, her psychologist, Mia, Ryleigh, and Emma been doing video chats. They seemed to help the most, but were the most difficult as well. They forced Emma to face things not only from her captivity, but also her childhood. Helped her to deal with her postpartum PTSD captivity and violation, but also Emma’s underlining abandonment and trust issues. Ava made sure Emma knew there was no miracle cure that all the stuff she was dealing with took time and that was okay.
In one of their chats, Emma told her about the feelings she had for Dalton. Ava let her know they were okay and if at some point if she wanted, Dalton could join in on their talks. Emma didn’t know if she was ready for that quite yet, but maybe in the future. She hoped Dalton would be, too. In their last session, Ava promised as soon as her case broke, she would come up and visit her and McKenna; Emma was excited, she genuinely liked the doctor.
The big men of Alpha Team no longer scared the crap out of Emma, they each had qualities she admired. The entire Alpha Team took to McKenna like she was the missing piece in their lives, and Emma loved watching them interact with her daughter. These huge, menacing men would stand in the kitchen or anywhere else talking baby talk, getting spit up on, and changing diapers like pros. Those sights alone changed a person's perspective really damn quick.
Cash was hilarious with her. He would put her in the baby sling while he was cooking. The whole time he was explaining what he was doing in a Julia Childs voice, it was freaking adorable. Emma never would’ve thought a man who looked like Cash was such a softy. He might be tatted and pierced from here to eternity, but the man had a heart of gold. Sebastian would sing her to sleep every night after her bath. At first Emma thought it embarrassed him when everyone heard him over the monitors they all carried, but after a while he told her that he didn’t honestly care what the guys thought. He liked his time with Kenna as they had all started calling her.
Ryleigh helped out when she wasn’t working, even making excuses to cuddle for a while with Kenna. Everyone, especially Jacks, was thankful for that, the woman worked tirelessly. Not that all the team didn’t, but Ryleigh was pushing herself to the breaking point. Emma even started faking being tired so Ryleigh would sit with Kenna so Ryleigh could get some rest. Jacks caught on, even thanked her for it privately. Emma was happy to be of some help.
Jacks surprised Emma most, he wanted Kenna with him at all times. The others had to bargain with him to get their turn; only Dalton and Emma got the baby without question. Jacks had also come to her to explain the conversation she overheard. He explained that his first responsibility was to his wife and child, followed by his Team. He told her he considered her and McKenna a part of that team now, but in the beginning, he’d needed to be cautious. Emma understood, her daughter and Dalton were just as important to her. She didn’t think she could live with anything or anyone who would put them in harm’s way.
She also got the shock of her life when the guys took her outside and introduced her to their bears for the first time during one of Kenna’s naps. Dalton was against it at first, and Emma couldn’t figure out why. It took Cash and Jacks promising him they would stay close for him to agree. Emma wanted to plead with him, but kept her mouth shut. She needed to know everything about Shifters if she was going to raise her daughter right. She wanted to count on these people, but old insecurities still made their way into her mind. Didn’t they say knowledge was power? Emma planned on knowing everything about Shifters, just in case.
When the shift happened, Emma was drawn to Dalton. He wasn’t the biggest or the smallest, but she was confident she would be able to pick his bear out anywhere, anytime. It was all in the eyes. He was amazing; the deep, dark fur, huge paws and big teeth were kind of off-putting, but it was her Dalton and she loved him. Damn that was the first time she realized her feeling for him were more than superficial; she loved him.
Emma spent the next hour petting and scratching all the guys; they seemed more like puppies vying for attention than the big bad bear shifters they were. Ryleigh joined her out in the backyard and they both laughed as each one came up to get their ears scratched over and over. The fun only ended when Kenna’s cry came from the baby monitor attached to her side.
“See I told you they were all just big Teddy Bears,” Ryleigh laughed, causing Jacks to shift back to human form.
“I’ll show you how much of a Teddy Bear I am.” Jacks teased, grabbing his wife to tickle her
Emma loved the playful interaction between the two. They clearly loved each other; Emma wanted that for herself, hopefully, with Dalton. Emma was thankful that unlike the Erotic Romances she’d read, the guys were able to shift back into their human bodies with their clothes still on their bodies. She wasn’t quite ready to see all the Alpha Teams dangly bits. Well, maybe Dalton’s, but not the others.
The guys explained to her it was all part of the magic. If they were too stressed, or the shift was too quick, then generally they shifted back sans clothes, but
when they were in complete control, everything shifted back with them. The whole thing fascinated Emma.
She had so many questions. Does it hurt? Can you communicate with the animal while in human form and vice versa? But she was holding back one of the most important ones. When did they think Kenna would shift? She wanted to know, but didn’t. She wanted her little girl to just be for a while. She accepted what was to come, but wanted her new normal for a little while longer.
“When we shift, it isn’t like in the movies, bones popping and reforming,” Dalton explained. “It’s like a burst of pure energy which causes the mutation. It happens so fast that if you blink, you wouldn’t see it. Believe me, we have tried, but our human self becomes somewhat blurred by the action. You go from feeling like a man to feeling like an animal. Smells are enhanced, your vision is sharper, but most of all, you lose that human emotion. Instinct drives you. That doesn’t mean that we’re separate though; the human part is always in control it’s only pushed back to let the animal free.” He also explained that there were exceptions to every rule. If a Shifter was to emotionally charged, say his family was in danger, the beast could force a change, pushing the human part back, making them go full rogue. These changes were the worst, the animal was more in charge and only completion of the task or intervention from an Alpha could push the animal back. Dalton was thankful It had never happened to him.
Chapter 36
Emma got to know Dalton better in that time as well. The two of them spent every spare second, they had together, watching movies, taking care of Kenna, or talking. She loved it, but she was so frustrated; besides the small kisses he offered her, he never tried for anything more, and Emma was ready for so much more. She was thankful that she’d started to do the laundry around the lodge because no one needed to know how many pairs of panties she went through a week. She wanted Dalton like she’d never wanted another man before, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask, her insecurities still plagued her.
During one of their conversations, she learned that he was the team's hand-to-hand combat expert and watched him warm up before his sessions with the men of Alpha Team. Emma wasn’t sure what he was doing exactly, but it looked like some kind of martial arts. All she knew was that it looked like a beautiful dance. Of course, she didn’t tell anyone else that. Dalton moved with a grace no man his size should’ve been able to pull off. He had explained to her that the movements centered his mind and body. He wanted her to join him in his training when she was back to full strength, and Emma was all for that. She needed to be able to defend herself and her child. She also found the moves sexy, her mind wandered thinking of them moving together in the same fashion only without clothes.
The base, or lodge as she liked to think of it, was even more beautiful than Emma had first thought. It was surrounded by forest on three sides, but the back was all lake front. After her sessions with Ava, she would go out to the beach and process all the feelings the sessions brought up within her. Somehow with the sun beating down on her it made the process easier. She could watch the water for hours, it was peaceful. Sometimes, if the session brought up particularly bad feelings, Dalton would come down to the beach and sit with her; these were the times that Emma cherished most. He would sit down behind her then pull her back to rest on his chest. He wouldn’t say anything only hold her. Those were precious moments and ones she hoped would continue for a very long time. Dalton had a way of knowing when she needed him without even being told. When Emma was ready to face the world again, he would take her hand and walk back with her to the lodge.
Dalton was touching her more intimately; a kiss on the lips instead of on the forehead or he would brush his finger down her cheek, looking into her eyes like she was the most beautiful women in the world. Emma could feel them getting closer, she hoped that this man wanted her as a woman not because he felt an obligation or pity for what she’d been through. Yeah, those doubts still plagued her. Emma didn’t think he did, but she needed to be sure for both her sake and McKenna’s. If Dalton only wanted to be a good friend to her and an honorary Uncle to McKenna, she would accept that, even if it would break her heart. She knew she was already more than halfway in love with him and hoped he felt a fraction of what she was starting to feel for him.
Between healing and sessions with Ava, Emma was starting to get into a routine at the lodge and taking care of an infant. Motherhood was no joke although Kenna was the perfect baby. She became Ryleigh’s personal assistant doing whatever she could to help her with her work. Kenna was constantly at her side or with one of the guys. They had set up playpens all over in case she or their little angel got tired. She had started cleaning the lodge and making meals when Cash wasn’t able to. The guys were neat, but definitely bachelors. The chores and helping Ryleigh made her feel like she was contributing in some small way. They all said that she didn’t have to do anything other than heal and bond with her daughter, but Emma wanted to do more. She was starting to think of these people as family. Since she’d never had one before, Emma cherished any chance she could make their lives a little easier.
These people spent their lives trying to help and protect people who couldn’t do it for themselves. If doing the laundry, keeping the lodge clean, and cooking the occasional meal gave them even a little comfort, Emma was happy to do it. But with all the good came some bad. Emma’s situation hadn’t truly changed. She was recovering and feeling better, but she was still in danger. None of them knew the extent of what had happened back at the facility where she’d been held for so long. No one had been reported as being murdered or even found injured in the Ohio building she escaped from.
The guys were able to determine the tech’s name was Dennis Hamilton from the registration of the car Emma had stolen. The man didn’t have any medical training, which didn’t surprise Emma. he’d been creepy; his touches were far from clinical or proper. They had discovered he had a criminal record, which again wasn’t a big surprise. From the looks on the guy’s faces when they told her, she came to the conclusion that it was more than likely involved violence against women or worse. She didn’t want to ask. His car didn’t have GPS, but by using the route Emma had taken to get to the Diner, the team was able to determine she’d been held just outside of Toledo, Ohio. Emma had remembered the exit she gotten on to head north by using landmarks. Additionally, the guys used the tech’s address from his car registration. They were confident they had a lock on the location Emma had been kept at.
The news was both good and bad. Using satellites, the guys were able to determine there wasn’t any activity going on at the facility. However, they needed to get an up close and personal view. They needed to see if any documentation was left at the facility that would help determine everything that had happened to Emma and Kenna. The thought of seeing that place, or more specifically the tech, Dennis Hamilton, turned Emma’s stomach. She would do anything to get some answers, justice, and put that time of her life behind her, but she also didn’t want to put anyone in danger.
Dalton didn’t want to leave Emma or Kenna, but he knew he needed to bring her some kind of peace, closure. She’d been doing so well, but still experienced the anxiety and nightmares. No one can fight a ghost or what-ifs. If they found answers, it would help her heal. If that meant a couple days away from her, he would have to deal with it.
The man in her nightmares needed to be gone. If he turned out to be still breathing, then Dalton would do his best to make sure that was put to an end with the Shifter form of justice, not the human way. He just wasn’t going to tell the guys or Emma that until the deed was done.
Cash would lead the group to Ohio with Dalton, Ethan, and Bas. Their objective was to first survey the building for any signs of life or movement from the tech, Pandora, or Davis Defense. Then they would breach the perimeter, entering the facility to obtain any documents or hard drives. Once that was complete, they were going to case Hamilton’s residence, looking for the same.
Surprisingly, Emma felt rel
ieved that Jacks was staying behind with them. These men made her feel safe. If she couldn’t have Dalton there, she would accept protection from any of them. They were all strong, loyal, and courageous. She would worry about the team going out, but as Ryleigh explained, it often happened, even though Jacks had stated they wouldn’t be going out on missions for NAC for a while. Eventually, Emma was sure they would return to normal operation once they determined that she, Ryleigh, and Kenna were safe. NAC or the true name Not Another Child was more than a job to them, it was a mantra they lived by.
Emma was surprise at how much she’d changed. In the beginning, she couldn’t even fathom Jacks being anything but menacing. Now she valued his friendship and accepted his protection. Jacks, like all the Alpha team, had proved himself. Emma hoped she’d done.
Chapter 37
The day before they were supposed to leave, everyone was stressed out and tensions were running sky high. The Shifter vibes coming off the guys were stifling. Dalton didn’t want to leave Emma and McKenna to go on the mission. Jacks was worried about everyone, making the guys repeat their roles over and over again until they could’ve repeated their orders in their sleep. Emma decided that everyone needed a little downtime. After making sure Kenna was safely in her bed and the baby monitor attached to her hip, Emma started planning. Since it was early October, she decided hot chocolate and some gooey treats were just what the doctor ordered. Fixing up the large patio for her impromptu campfire, complete with snacks and music, she called everyone on the intercom. Once everyone came to the kitchen, Emma told them her plan.
“Listen, I know everyone has been working their butts off, and you’re all stressed out about tomorrow. When they all looked at her dumbfounded,” Emma continued. “So how do you guys feel about a little party? I lit the fire pit and have drinks and snacks,” she said, trying to entice the wary group. “We can all decompress and have fun for a couple of hours before we have to face reality in the morning. Are you game?”
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 51
