Read Online Forbidden Hope: A Werewolf Wars Prequel Novella by Bethany Shaw - Free Book Online Page B

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    “Please allow me to introduce my darling wife, Claire, and our eldest son, Daniel, and of course our lovely daughter, Emily,” Emmett said smoothly.
    “It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Fernando said, his eyes bounding to each person as Emmett introduced them. When his gaze stopped on Emily, her breath caught in her throat. “I must say, the pictures your father sent of you do not do you justice. I can see you must get your looks from your mother.” At this he snapped his scrutinizing gaze to Claire.
    Emily shuddered as goose flesh rose up on her arms. The voices around her became muted and her head swam. Blackness tugged at her consciousness and she blinked her eyes rapidly in an attempt to focus. She snapped out of her haze when Daniel tugged on her arm.
    “Come on,” he hissed. “Dad’s office.”
    Emily nodded, heat creeping across her face as all eyes fell on her again.
    Their footsteps thudded against the hardwood and Emily inhaled a deep breath, trying to control her breathing. Her hands shook, and Daniel placed a firm hand on her back in an effort to support her.
    “Calm down, Em. It’s going to be okay,” he whispered.
    Emily shot him a glare as she ground her teeth. She closed her eyes and forced her body to relax. He was right, the other wolves could smell her fear, and that was not the image of herself she wanted to project.
    Her father held the door open for them as they entered his office. Fernando and Luis took the two chairs positioned in front of Emmett’s desk while Emily sat on the couch between her brother and mother.
    “I do appreciate you meeting with me so quickly,” Fernando began. “We have been having trouble with another pack in the Louisiana Bayous for some time, and I must make my way up there to oversee proceedings. It should only take me a week or two, and then I will be back here to collect Emily and deliver my granddaughter, Natalia.”
    “Is there anything we can do to help?” Emmett questioned, taking a seat in his chair.
    Fernando smiled. “I have the men and the resources; this pack is just being a particularly large thorn in my side. I was hoping that you wouldn’t mind setting up a training camp here for younger wolves. I have heard great things about the training you give to your pack.”
    “Of course, I would love to help train your men,” Emmett nodded.
    “We will be allowed to visit her in New Mexico, won’t we?” Claire spoke up.
    “I would never keep a family away from their daughter. You may visit anytime you wish,” Fernando assured.
    “And which of your grandsons will my Emily be mating with?” Claire asked, squeezing Emily’s hand.
    Emily flinched. She doesn’t know!
    Fernando folded his hands and placed them in his lap before staring directly at Claire. “As you know, our species is in a dire situation. Only a decade ago, one girl was born out of every five pregnancies. Now, one girl is born with every ten pregnancies. Not to mention, it seems to be taking a long time for women to conceive. I don’t have the exact numbers, but I believe it takes anywhere between eighteen months and two years to conceive.”
    “I’m well aware of the statistics. My son, Devon, has looked into them. What does this have to do with Emily?” Claire asked.
    “She won’t be with just one of my grandsons she will be with several of them until she conceives,” Fernando replied.
    Emily winced as her mother’s grip tightened painfully around her wrist. Claire opened her mouth to speak up, but Emmett spoke first.
    “Times are different now, my love. I have seen projections for the outlook of our species. At this rate, werewolves will be extinct within the next century—possibly sooner.”
    “I understand that,” Claire started. “But it has always been my thought that a man and woman in love would conceive faster and raise healthier, happier children.”
    “I understand your reservations completely,” Fernando said quietly. “If it helps, two of