Forbidden Hope: A Werewolf Wars Prequel Novella by Bethany Shaw Page A

you, Em.”
    “I’ve made up my mind.” She took another step back. “This is over. I’ll be going to New Mexico. Its best we make a clean break now. Let’s not make this any harder than it has to be.” Inhaling sharply, she spun on her heel and walked away.
    “Em. Emily?” he called after her.
    Don’t look back. Keep walking.
    Her knees wobbled and a lump formed in her throat. She would not cry. Marcus needed to leave her alone or he was dead. She just hoped she had been convincing enough.  Deep down, she knew that there was nothing she could say or do to sway him. There romance had been immediate, the attraction to each other unavoidable and instantaneous. He was the love of her life—her mate-her soul mate, but she had to let him go.
    ***
    M arcus nodded at the waitress as she set a fresh bottle of beer in front of him. They usually came out to the nightclub on the nights Devon didn’t work. It was a great way to unwind and it helped Vincent and Devon stay off Emmett’s radar. In the past year, Vincent’s relationship with his father had deteriorated rapidly the past few years. Marcus wasn’t quite sure the reason for the change, but suspected it had to do with Emmett’s ever-changing attitude. It appeared he would need to avoid the alpha too.
    Marcus eyes drifted through the club, searching for the two brothers. He spotted Vincent on the dance floor with an unnamed blonde, the pair moving in tune with the fast-paced beat. A strobe light rolled overhead, illuminating the dance floor in a rainbow of colors. Devon, who had been standing at the bar talking to a red head, pushed off the edge of the counter and made his way back to the table.
    Marcus tipped his beer bottle back, letting the cool liquid slide down his throat. He set the drink down and slumped down with his head resting in his hands. The chair next to him scraped against the tile floor as Devon plopped down next to him. He wasn’t sure if he wanted Devon’s company or just wanted the time to himself to drown away his sorrows.
    “Everything okay?” Devon asked.
    Marcus looked up and let out a long breath. “Yeah,” he answered, taking another swig.
    “Really? I’ve never seen you knock back more than one of those.” He pointed to the beer in Marcus’ hand. “What’s that, number five?”
    Marcus shrugged, he hadn’t been keeping count.
    “Emmett found out about me and Em. I mean, I guess it wasn’t ever really a secret,” he said, setting the bottle on the small round coaster.
    Devon stiffened. “What happened?”
    “She broke up with me.” Marcus shook his head. “She seemed...off, Dev. Worse, he’s sending her to New Mexico, something about an alliance with the Gulf Packs.”
    “He’s sending her off to mate,” Devon surmised.
    “Yeah. You’re familiar with the packs. Are they good people? Well protected? I can’t stand the thought of someone hurting her, whether it be the Gulf Packs, a lone wolf, or another pack.”
    “I’ve heard some things. Did she agree to this?” Devon asked skeptically.
    “She says she is okay with it. That she wants to go,” Marcus ground out as he recalled her words from earlier this afternoon.
    “You don’t believe her,” Devon stated rather than questioned.
    “Do you?”
    “No.”
    “You know more than anyone what Emmett is capable of. Do you...do you think he threatened her?” Marcus asked. His stomach churned at the thought of someone hurting Emily.
    Devon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “As far as I know, he’s never harmed her before. But up until a few years ago he’d never done anything to Vincent either.” Both men’s gazes drifted to Vincent. Although, he appeared outgoing and friendly, the younger wolf carried a lot of baggage that he covered up with humor.
    “What do we do?” Marcus asked, taking another sip of the amber liquid.
    “We need to talk to Em.”
    “I’ll see what I can do tomorrow,” Marcus volunteered.
    “Be careful, Marcus. Emmett is