“Yes. It is.” Emma said. “Thanks very much for dinner. You were right. Rare burgers are delicious.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome. Now, would you please step aside so I can get into my room?” he asked. “After all, we are supposed to be getting married, remember? Shouldn’t we at least try to act like it?”
“Yes. I remember.” Emma said as she stretched an arm across the entrance to the bedroom. “But, I also seem to recall Theodore gave clear instructions about what we could and couldn’t do before the wedding. Correct?”
“Well, yeah.” He replied. “So what?”
“So that means until the moment occurs, you sleep on the couch!” Emma exclaimed.
“Oh no, no way.” Alexander replied. “This is my house and I will sleep anywhere I want.”
“And you can, so long as ‘anywhere’ isn't in that bedroom next to this body!” Emma said as she turned away from him. With a sly grin on her face she headed into the bedroom.
From behind, she felt Alexander’s frustration build. As she walked he said, “Can we have a civilized discussion about this? What about a schedule or something? You know, take turns?”
Without any acknowledgment, she continued onward.
“Hey, where are you going?” he said. “You are acting like a dictator here. Wouldn’t a little more democratic approach be better?”
After several seconds of silence, Alexander called out. “Hello? Emma?”
She reappeared in the doorway moments later. In her arms, she clutched two pillows.
Confused, Alexander said, “What are you doing…”
Emma hurled the pillows towards his face, slammed the bedroom door and from behind it, called out her final verdict.
“The couch!” she exclaimed.
Emma pressed her ear against the bedroom door.
As she listened, Alexander muttered bits and pieces of the prior conversation under his breath. “Can’t do anything before the wedding… Sleep anywhere as long as it’s not next to her body… You sleep on the couch.”
Emma chuckled as he cursed his sofa bed accommodations and struggled his way into a quasi-comfortable position. Now satisfied he’d received the full measure of her treatment, Emma made her way towards the large king-sized bed in the center of the room. She lingered for a few moments to take in the decor.
It was masculine in its tone. That much was unmistakable.
Aside from that, one of the things which stood out the most was the large collection of pictures which filled the room. Emma loved pictures and wherever she went, it was always the first thing that caught her attention. Most of the images were, of course, photos of him with assorted gorgeous women.
Sluts no doubt.
As she scanned the pictures, she shook her head and did her best to filter those out.
After a few moments, one in particular caught her attention. It was on his dresser. In it, Alexander appeared to be a teenager. He bore a striking resemblance to a man in the photo alongside him. Although the memory was vague, Emma recalled she had met the man once. It was Alexander’s father, Colin.
She picked up the frame and held it in her hands. She paused for a moment and her eyes looked towards the bedroom door. Just beyond it, she thought she had heard Alexander cough. Perhaps it was a sneeze.
“Bless you?” she called out.
“Thank you.” Alexander said.
Emma turned her attention back to the photo which she now held in her left hand. With her right, she traced the outline of Alexander’s youthful face. She wondered if he ever smiled like that anymore. The very idea of it filled her with sadness. In many ways, they’d shared similar pain in their short lives but his seemed so much worse in that moment. Emma really had no recollection of her parents but he must have memories, and plenty of them.
Emma considered herself lucky. Ever since she’d lost her parents, she’d never gone without the care of the pack and the ever present strength of Albondiel. It didn't take a genius to know life in the Silver Gulch pack for someone with Alexander’s rank wasn’t easy. She gazed at the image for a few seconds longer and then set the picture frame back down upon the dresser where she’d found it.
Emma made her way to the bed and sat on the edge of it for a moment when a sudden realization hit her.
She was doing it again.
And, unless she wanted to wind up far worse off than when she arrived, she needed to talk herself out of it before it was too late. She had to stay focused on what she was here to do and nothing more.
The truth was Alexander was a cheat and a liar.
It’s who and what he was.
Period.
Sure, he charmed you when he wanted to or when it served his own selfish ends but beyond that, there was no substance to the man. Emma glanced around at the photos in the room as further evidence of his primal tendencies.
Good men don’t behave like Alexander.
She thought about Devon. She wondered if she would have just been better off if she’d told him a harmless white lie about everything. Now that too was a mess. Devon said he would text her but he hadn’t and she figured he probably wouldn’t. She couldn’t blame him for it though.
Way to go Emma.
She collapsed on the bed in a heap and wondered if things could be any weirder.
Probably not.
But after a few seconds, an even more bizarre notion occurred to her.
Was there a chance Alexander’s burger stop was an attempt to get better acquainted? After all, as far as he knew she was there to become his wife. Maybe this was his way to somehow accept it.
Perhaps, deep down, it was something he wanted.
Was that so impossible to believe?
As she pondered the last question, she rolled her body to the left. On the nightstand, a photo of Alexander and a leggy blonde taunted her. The woman was about to deliver a kiss to his cheek.
The picture was all the answer she needed.
Yeah, it’s not possible.
***
The next morning, Alexander and Emma had a scheduled breakfast with Theodore and his grandmother, Millie Malthorn.
As Emma and Alexander drove across town, they made small talk. She was unsure about how she should behave towards him. Theodore hadn’t given her any explicit guidelines about what she could or couldn’t say aside from the obvious.
And even though she knew the marriage was a farce, Alexander didn’t. As each hour ticked by, it seemed as if he tried harder and harder to be well, nice to her.
In the midst of her confusion, she looked out the window while they drove. Silver Gulch was further north than Troubled Fork, beyond the Jefferson Draw Canyon. The area had a rainy, cool climate and one Emma hadn’t often experienced. A fine mist was in the air all the time. It wasn’t quite rain but more akin to persistent spit which annoyed the crap out of her, like this whole thing did.
After about twenty minutes or so, they arrived at the Twisted Creek Cafe. Alexander parked the car and they hurried inside the restaurant. As they entered, he spotted his family at a table across the room. Emma noticed a silver haired lady waved in their direction. Alexander raised his hand and they began to walk towards the table.
“That’s my grandmother Millie. She will be thrilled to meet you.”
“Why?” Emma asked.
“Let’s just say she’s had her doubts I would ever settle down with anyone.”
“Oh.”
As they approached the table, Emma saw Theodore, Millie and a woman she recognized the instant she looked at her. It was the blonde from the picture on Alexander’s nightstand.
What the hell is she doing here?
“Emma…” Alexander said. “I’d like to introduce you to my grandmother, Millie and my younger sister, Trina.”
Sister?
Emma walked towards Millie first and as she approached, the old lady started to stand.
“Oh please…” Emma said. “No, don’t get it up for me.”
“Bah!” Mi
llie replied with a wave of her hand. “Nonsense. I may be old but I’m not dead yet. Besides, it’s not every day I get to meet my grandson’s fiancé. Now come give us a hug!”
Emma smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.” she said as they embraced.
After they finished, she turned to see that Alexander’s sister stood in front of her. Trina was a statuesque bombshell. No doubt every male wolf tongue wagged over her for miles in every direction.
“Emma, it’s so lovely to meet you.” She said.
They embraced and as they did Emma said, “And you as well. I didn’t realize Alexander even had a sister.”
“Oh? Well, that is very interesting. Very interesting indeed.” she said as she cast a stern glance in her brother’s direction.
Alexander shrugged while Trina began to reprimand him. Emma rounded the table and greeted Theodore.
“Good morning, Emma. I trust you are well rested?” Theodore said.
“Yes, quite. Thank you.”
As Emma and Theodore greeted, Alexander raised his right hand in Trina’s direction. “Hey, I just wanted to surprise her. Nothing more. You know how much I love my baby sister.”
“Uh huh.” Trina replied. “Well in any case Emma, it’s a pleasure to meet the woman who will at last turn my brother into a proper wolf!”
Emma smiled and took a seat between her and Millie.
As she sat, Millie leaned in towards Emma and said, “It’s been ages since we have had an arrangement like this in Silver Gulch. I’d say it’s been the better part of thirty years or so. Doesn’t that sound about right, Theodore?”
“Yes, mother. That seems like it.”
“Oh now I remember. It was Malcolm and Hellen Louvel. They are such a lovely couple.”
Emma nodded and smiled. “How did it work out?”
“Perfect! Oh yes, still together all these years later.” she said. “Goodness and their children, oh how I miss them. I wished they’d stayed here in Silver Gulch to start their family but, I suppose that’s the way life is sometimes.”
“That’s true.” Emma replied.
“Yes indeed, but it won’t be the case with you and my Alexander. Will it my dear?” Millie asked.
“I’m sorry? What do you mean?”
“I mean, your children. My grand babies.” She said as she clapped her hands together. “I cannot even begin to tell you how happy it makes me!”
Emma’s eyes widened as Millie spoke.
“Now if we could just find Trina a man…” Millie said.
“Grandmother!” Trina exclaimed.
Millie wagged her finger in her granddaughter’s direction. “Now Trina, I love you more than anything in this world but the men you pick, oh merciful heavens! It keeps me awake at night just thinking about it.”
Millie leaned over to Emma and patted her on the hand. “And you know how bad it is for a woman of my age to have trouble going to sleep.”
Trina scoffed. “Oh come now. You will outlive all of us and you know it.”
Millie leaned back in her chair. “Well I will tell you this much. I am not going anywhere until I get my grand babies! Do both of you girls understand me?”
Emma wasn’t quite sure how to respond.
“Just say ‘yes’ Emma.” Trina said with a wink. “It’s the only way she’ll drop it.”
Emma smiled. She turned to respond to Millie but as she did, she caught Alexander’s gaze. He raised his eyebrows and waited for her answer.
Caught off guard she stammered, “I… I’m sure when the time is right, everyone will get what they want.”
Millie smiled and patted Emma on the hand again. “There, you see Trina? Now is that too much to ask for an old lady’s dying wish?”
“Oh grandmother, please. You are not dying.” Trina groaned. “Can we just get off this topic?”
“Excellent suggestion.” Theodore said.
The group spent the next hour getting to know each other better. As breakfast wound down, Theodore said, “Emma, I imagine you are looking forward to your first day in the office.”
“Yes.” she replied.
“That’s wonderful to hear. It’s so important for a young woman to have a career before she settles down in life.” Millie said. “You know, get out there and see what the world has to offer. What is your area of expertise, Emma?”
“Accounting.” she replied.
“Oh, well then I suppose she’ll be working under Mrs. Williamson. Won’t she Theodore?” Millie asked.
Theodore cleared his throat. “Yes, well, she will be reporting to me in the beginning. After some time, I am sure reporting to Mrs. Williamson will make the most sense. For now, however, I will be getting her up to speed myself.”
“You?” Alexander asked. “Why?”
“For reasons which do not concern you. At least, not at this time.”
“What does that mean?” Alexander said.
“Nothing. Is everyone about finished? We do need to get into the office after all.”
Alexander stood. “I’ll drive her in uncle.”
“No, Emma will ride with me. I have some details I need to discuss with her.” Theodore said. “There is a lot of information to cover and precious little time to do it.”
“What? Why? I can take her.” Alexander replied. “After all, what’s the difference, we’re all going to the same place aren’t we?”
“Alex, I said no.” Theodore replied with a forceful tone.
“It’s Alexander uncle, Alexander.”
“Oh hush up, the both of you!” Millie interjected. “Malthorn men. Full of piss and vinegar. All of them. Every last one.”
“Mother…” Theodore said.
“It’s true Theodore. And that goes double for you Alexander.” She said. “The two of you need to work this whole thing out for the good of the pack. I want things set straight before I’m gone for good.”
She looked at both of them. “Do I make myself clear?”
The men nodded.
“Good.” she said. She then turned her head first towards Trina and next to Emma. She smiled and said, “Well, it looks like we’ve got a wedding to plan, doesn’t it?”
Wordless, Emma smiled, nodded and swallowed, hard.
***
Several hours later, Emma sat in her office and awaited Theodore’s arrival. At last, he appeared in her doorway with a large stack of papers tucked beneath his right arm.
“Hello Emma, I trust all is well so far.” Theodore said.
Emma smiled. “Yes, everything is fine.” She said. “I’ve been here for a few hours so I don’t think it’s possible I screwed up anything yet.”
“Excellent. Wonderful news.” he replied.
Emma’s attempts at humor were a lost cause when it came to Theodore. But it was not a complete surprise at this point. She hadn’t seen him so much as smile since she’d met him. It seemed odd but perhaps that’s the way he was. There was nothing wrong with it per se. But it was so different from the manner in which Albondiel conducted himself it stood out to her.
As he entered, he turned and closed the door behind him. Afterwards, Theodore took a seat in an armchair positioned in front of her desk.
He placed the stack of papers in his lap and said, “Emma, as I mentioned when we first met in Troubled Fork, your visit here is to be much more than a ceremonial one.”
She nodded.
“And this, right here, is the key to all of it.” Theodore said as patted the stack of papers on his lap. “In fact, I…”
He paused for a moment and craned his neck around towards the door. It was almost as if he thought someone would overhear their conversation.
Emma wasn’t sure what to make of it and remained still.
After another second or so, he turned his head back towards her.
“Look Emma, I don’t know any other way to say this so I’ll come right out with it.” Theodore said. “To be frank, I’m not sure I can trust anyone at the moment, other than you, of course.
I don’t mean to worry you or anything of the sort. It’s…”
Emma raised her eyebrows.
“Well, let’s say I am very close to having what I need in place.”
“You mean with Alexander?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh, okay. Well, what do you need from me?”
Theodore cleared his throat and placed the stack of papers on her desk.
“Emma, these are warehouse inventory records which go back for the past two years. I need you to reconcile them for me.”
It sounded like a simple enough task.
“Okay.” She replied. “Who do I speak to if I have questions?”
“Come and see me.” He said. “None of the rest of the staff is aware this investigation is taking place and that’s the way I want to keep it for the time being.”
Theodore leaned toward her and said, “Many things hang in the balance at the moment. One slip up and everything could… Well, I am sure you get the idea.”
Emma nodded. “Yes, of course. I will begin right away.”
“Thank you Emma, thank you so very much.”
“That’s what I’m here for, right?” she said.
“Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Theodore replied. “Well, I have to get going. Do you have any questions for me right now?”
Emma looked down at the thick stack of papers on her desk.
“No.” She replied. “Not at the moment. I’ll need a few days do get my arms around all of this. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yes, of course.” He said. Theodore stood and began to walk away. As he neared the door, he turned back in her direction.
“Emma, I forgot to ask. How has my nephew been treating you so far?”
Well, he had more or less said he didn’t want anything to do with her. He’d tricked her into eating a raw hamburger and followed that up by arguing with her about who was sleeping where. All in all, it wasn’t bad for the first day of life with her purported husband-to-be. Emma folded her hands on the pile of paper in front of her, looked at Theodore and smiled.
“Fine.” She replied. “Nothing to complain about at the moment.”
“Excellent.” He said. “Of course, it goes without saying if he does anything which upsets you or…”
“I know.” she replied. “Let you know, right?”
Alpha's Arrangement (Troubled Fork Shifters (Book 2)) Page 4
