Emerald and the Alpha #Wattys2016

Twenty-Six

Emerald was in a daze the following day, her mimd always seemed to wonder back to Dash and to what he'd done, and made her feel. Just the thought had her blushing. She walked aimlessly around the yard, when a her attention turned to the little girl she had helped. Right then, the little girl had turned to her and smiled.

"Luna!" the girl shouted, hugging Emeralds leg. "I want to see again please?"

Emerald frowned, unsure of what the girl meant. "What do you want to see?"

"Your gifts.. Can you show me?"

Emerald wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but she figured it was more practice. She crouched, eye level with the girl and held her hands out. Thinking, and concentrating as she swirled wind gently around the girl. Emerald smiled as the little girl, giggled and clapped. After a moment longer, Emerald let the wind die down. "How was that?" She asked, nervously.

"That's amazing! You have the same ability as the Alpha!! Is that why your his mate?" She asked bluntly, a sweet and innocent smile on her face.

Emerald shrugged, unable to know what had decided she was Dash's mate. "Maybe? I'm not sure how that works."

The little girl nods, seeming to be satisfied with the answer or the lack of one. She ran off to play with her friends, and Emeralds mood seemed to spiral as she took in more and more of the happy faces of this pack. Would she be the cause of its fall? She really hoped not, she cared for these people and if anything happened to them like her own pack, she wouldn't survive. And, Dash if something happened to him... She let the thought trail off, unable to think about it any longer.

"There you are." A voice, Emerald recognized as Lucas said from behind her. She turned, trying to hide her sudden tension. Lucas stopped a few feet from her, and she looked at him apologetically as he picked up on her tension. "I am sorry if I frightened you, but don't be sorry." Emerald opened her mouth, but he cut her off, "I did wrong, I hurt you. I don't expect it to happen over night, but I'll wait for as long as it takes for you to trust me."

Emerald knew he was right, but felt guilty. It had been a month and Lucas has been nothing but sweet and helpful. "I'm still sorry... " Emerald bit her lip, "were you looking for me?"

Lucas nodded, a slow smile making it's way across his face. "Yes, well actually Dash is.. He would like for me to take you to him, if that's alright with you?"

Emerald swallowed her fear and nodded. "Of course. Lead the way." Emerald followed Lucas towards the woods, she would admit she was paranoid. Here Lucas was leading her away from everyone else to the woods, alone. But, instead of running the other way like she wanted she followed him quietly. She didn't pay attention to how long they'd been walking, or where they were exactly. She'd been too busy trying to remind herself that Lucas has been sweet and helpful to her. She bumped into Lucas's back and blinked. She looked around, but didn't see Dash or anything else for that matter. She seen nothing but tree's, bushes, and grass. Emerald looked up at Lucas, frowning. "He's on the other side. I was instructed to leave you here, and to tell you to walk through those tree's. Have a good night Luna." Without further explanation, Lucas turned and left her there.

Emerald turned to look at the tree's she was supposed to go between and slowly made her way towards them. She was nervous, and the closer she got, the more nervous she became. When she cleared the tree's she blinked in surprise, her mouth opening in surprise. It was beautiful. A large blanket had been laid out, and there was food, drinks and was that cake? Emerald's stomach growled at the sight, but she realized something was missing. "Dash?" She called, looking around.

Emerald yelped, and was about to scream when an arm wrapped around her waist. But, her nose instantly filled with Dash's musky scent, and she relaxed against him. "Sorry Em, I didn't mean to scare you."

Dash released his little mate, watching her calm down. He was nervous, would she like what he'd done? He'd never been the romantic type, so this was all new. His mother assured him, that Emerald would love this. "Are you okay?"

Emerald nodded, catching her breath. She looked up at Dash, and frowned. He looked- unsure? Remembering what she'd seen, she turned back to the blanket and food, then back to Dash. "Did you do this?" Emerald couldn't help but smile when he nodded. "Why?"

Dash scratched the back of his head, "I wanted a night just to us. Something special. I wanted to show you I can be romantic. We've been so busy that we haven't had a good time to just sit down the two of us." He was cut off from saying anything more by Emerald's laughter.

When Emerald had controlled her laughter, she finally looked up to Dash, smiling. "Thank you, it's very beautiful. I didn't expect this honestly. I- I um.." She was unsure how to say it, "I thought that Lucas was leading me to my death..." She mumbled, now feeling really stupid.

Dash blinked a few time's before he laughed. "Did you? Well he didn't." He paused, looking at the blanket. "Would you like to sit and eat?"

Emerald nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!" She took the hand that Dash offered, and let him lead her to the blanket. She tried to sit, but Dash pulled her last minute and she found herself placed in his lap. Blushing brightly, she squirmed to move but Dash held her in place. "Stay. Please." Emerald simply nodded, and took the drink that Dash offered her, nearly choking when she felt Dash's nose skim her new mark. Her body instantly relaxed against his, and she sighed.

The rest of the night Dash had showered Emerald in affection, making sure she was comfortable at all times, and of course making sure that his little mate's stomach was completely filled. Before they realized it, it was nearly morning. Dash could hear the bird's begin to chirp, and could feel the heat of the sun rising. He looked down at his mate, who had sat on his lap all night, and realized that she'd fallen asleep and clutched at his shirt for comfort. He couldn't help, but smile. She was beautiful, and more and more he was watching her come out of her shell. The one that he'd help put her in to begin with. His chest ached with guilt, but for now he pushed it aside and stood up with his mate in his arms.

He walked back to the pack house, pausing when he seen Lucas sitting on the couch. Lucas sensed them, and stood. He looked at Emerald than to Dash, smiling. "I take it everything went well?"

Dash nodded, happily. "I believe it did. Get some rest." Dash said, before disappearing up the stairs. He walked to Emeralds room, and opened her door. Walking to her bed, he set his mate down and covered her. He watched as she snuggled into her covers and couldn't help but smile once again. She was so innocent, so adorable. Dash leaned down and kissed her temple and turned to leave when he felt something tug his shirt. Looking over his shoulder, he seen Emeralds green eyes staring up at him. "Stay." She whispered, Dash didn't need to be told twice. He took his shirt off, throwing it to the floor and moved around the bed to take the empty side. The moment he laid down, he stiffened when his little mate turned and snuggled into his side, her arm draped over his chest. Looking down, he noticed her face was slightly red, but instead of saying anything he just held her close. "Night little mate." He whispered into her hair.

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Oh thank God! It didn't erase... It didn't show it all the first time... Scared me..