d grown up here, her home, where she had also fallen in love and gone through her darkest hea
er in front of the whole community had been five years ago. Emma had really loved him and had bee
plets, resilience had softened her spirit after she had been misled. She had moved out of Silverwoo
usiness, which had taken her to several towns and places. To raise her children apa
her to be there, she had avoided Silverwood for years. She had intended to limit
pastries from the local bakery, and the few stores along the street looked busier than usual. Delighted b
s and commanding attention, he looked just like she recalled. Something far aw
ot in this way, and not so soon, had she expected to see Lu
ame as she turned t
cas carried on. His voice was deeper now, filled with ast
im carefully. She said
et her eyes. Emma, co
She said, "I'm just here for work," her v
hat. Still, is it possible to talk? E
the want to leave, she paused. Did she
in a voice laced with resigna
ivate spot where curious spectators couldn't see
to you." I was young, dumb, and influenced by my father. Even so, tha
voice quivering with emotion, she added, "You chose to believe him over me.
her hand. At his touch,
e regretted it. Emma, if you will allow me to a
ere was a piece of her that wanted to believe in
dly audible above a whisper. Lucas, I can n
rstand, he said, very quietly. Just know, nevertheless
curious despite
or a time. "I became alpha and only recently learned
ldren's real identities a secret, even from Lucas. Ta
tell you," she murmured at last. Luke, I was
Emma," he said. "Hurting you was never my intention. Please all
zed the love and vulnerability in his eyes. A chunk of her wanted to t
ld she gamble her heart and the hearts of h
e, struggling with her feelings. Heartbreak and treachery had befa
the moon shone its silvery light over them. She prioritized her role as a moth
ooked up at Lucas. She said, "Okay," i
filled the air. This, for Emma Matthews and Lucas Blackwood, was only the star