Rightfully Hers

Chapter 5

Emma didn’t mean to be clumsy but when you have a vicious animal eyeing you up, you don’t pay attention to everything. So that’s how she ended you on the ground. She had tripped banging her head against a rock. It took everything she had to stay conscious. Even as her world spun she could see them getting closer. Really, what was the use in running when these animals were trained and conditioned for this land? She laid back and closed her eyes waiting for the teeth to sink in. What did it sound like to hear flesh rip? She was about to find out. She lay there listening but the next sound she heard wasn’t one she expected at all. She heard a yelp. She snapped her head up and cringed a little against the pain that radiated there. But what she saw took her breath away. Two very huge wolves stood between her and the small pack of wolves. The smaller wolves seemed to go crazy at the sight of them but none would advance their way. They seem to be bowing down to them and soon they were backing out of the clearing. She tried to fight and stay conscious but she was losing badly. The last thought she had was that now she was left with the really huge wolves.

Walter’s POV

Sara and Walter Decker were having a hard time keeping up. As Walter watch his wife and daughter tend to his other daughter he couldn’t grasp the reality that she could have died out there. He always worried about Emma seeing that she was different and all. This only added to the worry he felt. He walked out of the room pulling the door closed and making his way back down stairs. He walked into the living room and could see Alex pacing the floor and Adam starring aimlessly out the window.

“You boys okay?” They both looked up as if expecting to see someone else there.

“Yes sir.” They both said in unison.

“Thank you both for helping Emma. I don’t know what I would have done if those dogs had gotten to her.” there was something else bothering him as well.

“How did you know she needed help? I mean surely Victoria had told you that Emma isn’t like us.”

They both looked at each other before Alex began. “Well sir, it all comes down to…..”

“Cody’s persistent whining.” Adam stated. “The poor dog was so on edge and watching the back yard when we came down, we kind of picked up on his vibe.”

Walter nodded. “Well he seems fine now.” They looked over to see Cody watching them and turning his head as if he was trying to figure them all out.

Adam spoke up again. “So Mr. Decker, have you all figured out why we’re having a wolf problem?”

“Your uncle seems to think it’s because of the rogues. They are dominating certain territories and driving out the wolves that attacked Emma. It explains while they coming so close to the town. ”

Alex cursed. “So this is a problem around here? Geez why do you let Emma go out in the first place. She can’t defend herself.” Walter assumed that Victoria had told him about Emma’s rare condition.

“What should I have told her?”

“I don’t know but you knew there was danger in those woods. She’s not like us for crying out loud and she wouldn’t stand a chance against a wild dog much less the likes of us.”

Walter was looking at Alex with something of amusement and awe.

“I’m sure that Mr. Decker didn’t intentionally do this. Emma is highly independent.” Adam shrugged at Alex after saying this. Alex nodded. “I’m sorry sir. I guess my wolf was taking over.” He frowned.

“It’s alright Alex. I assume it’s also your Alpha status as well. You’re a born leader and your instincts are to advise, and make amends in situations such as these.”

They heard footsteps coming down the stairs and Walter saw his wife Sara appear.

“Emma is just fine. She’s having a moment with Victoria so would any of you boys like something to eat?”

They all just followed the petite woman into the kitchen.

Victoria POV

“How are you feeling Em?”

Emma shrugged. “I’m fine which is why I don’t understand mom’s orders to keep me bed bound for a day.”

“Yea but she’s going to treat you just like her little baby.”

“Aw, shut up Victoria.” Victoria shook her head.

“I’m glad your okay Em. I thought I wasn’t going to get to tell you my real reason for coming back.”

“Your real reason, what are you talking about?”

Victoria knew how to get what she wanted and she also knew the way to pull on Emma’s heart strings. She burst into a tearful moment complete with tiny little sobs and all.

“Victoria what’s wrong?” She could feel Emma pulling her into a tight hug.

“I…I can’t get pregnant. We’ve been trying and nothing. The doctors told me I can’t have kids. I’m broken Em.”

“No Victoria sweetie, you’re not. Is that what you wanted to tell me? Is Alex giving you a hard time about it?”

“No, he’s been so sweet about it all but I can see just beneath his calmness that he’s hurt by all of this. I want a baby Em.”

“There are ways, you can adopt…”

“No. I want the baby to have our blood in them.”

Emma pulled back and Victoria could see the gears working in her sister’s head.”

“This really means a lot to you huh?”

“It does.”

“So what have you guys talked about other than adoption?”

“We wanted to find a surrogate mother. We would have to since I can’t….” Victoria cried harder.

“Okay, calm down. Do you need help picking out a carrier?”

“No, that’s kind of why we came here. We want you to do it.”

The room became eerily quiet.”

“You want me to carry your baby?”

“Please Em. I really want to be a mother, unless you think I can’t….You should have seen Alex’s face when I announced my latest pregnancy failure. He cried Em” Emma felt a pain in her heart at that thought.

“No, no Victoria. You’ll be a great mom. This is all just so shocking I guess. I feel so bad for you guys.” She sighed. “Okay, I’ll do it, but what will you tell mom and dad?”

“We don’t have to. I mean, no one but you know about this. You can just come stay with us until after the baby is born.”

“I guess I could take a leave from work.” She felt a bit sad at leaving her kids but she wasn’t selfish. Andrea was just as good with them and they loved her too.

“So is it settled? Will you come back with us?”

“Okay Victoria.” Her sister pulled her into a tight hug.

Victoria smiled to herself. Maybe Emma wasn’t an embarrassment after all. She knew that her poor sister would be alarmed when the baby starts growing in her. She’ll tell her the gist of it all then. She pulled away looking happy. She wished she could tell Emma sooner.

Emma watched her sister leave the room. Somewhere in the back of Emma’s mind a little voice was reminding her that she was truly doing this for Alex’s happiness.