Aidan left without kissing her, which Emma thought was very wise. He didn’t need to go back downstairs with extra hair curling out of the front of his shirt. These people—or rather, these werewolves—were his family. They knew better than anyone that he had a genetic predisposition to shift when aroused.

Poor werewolf. Guys had it tough, anyway, having to worry about whether a telltale bulge in their jeans would announce their intentions. In addition to that, Aidan had to worry about growing hair and fangs.

Closing the door to the room that had been assigned to her, Emma took a look around. Now this was what she called a bedroom. A large and ornate four-poster with a canopy was to be expected in a mansion, she supposed. The deep blue velvet hangings tied back with gold cords that could be released to create a cocoon of luxury must be standard mansion décor.

But the bed was only the beginning. It took up about a third of the space, which left room for a cozy seating area in front of a blazing fire. Bookshelves on either side of the fireplace contained both leather-bound classics and current bestsellers in hardback. Many of her favorites were there, along with some she’d been meaning to read.

The blaze in the marble fireplace was real, and a small supply of wood in a copper tub on the hearth invited her to enjoy the fire through the night. Two wingback chairs upholstered in a blue and white print flanked a small walnut coffee table. The table held a tray containing an insulated carafe filled with—if her nose didn’t deceive her—fresh coffee.

A small pitcher of cream sat next to the carafe, along with a plate of six chocolate truffles on a white paper doily. Emma bit into one and discovered it was her favorite flavor, espresso. Aidan had indeed been paying attention during those three months of surveillance.

Taking another small bite of the truffle, she wandered over to the door leading into the bathroom and sighed with pleasure. A claw-foot tub was another item on her wish list for the future, and this one looked deep enough to sink up to her chin in bubbles. A dark wood and marble vanity surrounded a sink hand-painted with forget-me-nots.

All the amenities she could ever want were clustered in a basket on the vanity, including bubble bath. A thick white robe hung on a hook next to the tub. If she couldn’t have Aidan tonight, she could relax in a warm bath and sit in front of the fire with a book, a cup of hot coffee, and the rest of the truffles.

She might as well unpack and get comfy. Back in the room she opened a closet and found her orange suitcase and her laptop case on a shelf. Her clothes had been neatly hung in a row, with the exception of what she’d already worn. No doubt those items were in the mansion’s laundry being washed and pressed.

Because her makeup bag was nowhere in sight, she returned to the bathroom and opened a drawer in the vanity. Sure enough, there it was, along with a hair dryer. She’d bet the mansion had its own generator and water supply so that the place could be totally self-sufficient.

She was literally out in the middle of nowhere. No one, not her mother, her girlfriends, or her publisher, knew where she was, or would even be worried about her. They thought she’d been spirited away to a tropical island by one of NYC’s most eligible bachelors.

Her isolation wasn’t causing her to freak out, exactly, but she was impressed by how thoroughly the Wallaces were able to close themselves off from the rest of the world, except…for the Internet.

Racing back to the closet, she flung open the door and grabbed her laptop case where it sat on the shelf next to her suitcase. It felt too light. Heart pounding, she unzipped it, knowing that she’d find it empty. They’d taken her laptop.

She checked the pocket where she kept her backup jump drive, and that was gone, too.

Not cool. They’d stolen her book ideas. They’d swiped her research notes, and emails that she needed to answer, and…damn it! Taking her laptop and jump drive was like ripping out her heart, and she wasn’t putting up with that for even one second, let alone a whole night.

She’d been a good sport up until now, but they were going to give her back that laptop, and they were going to do it tout suite or heads would roll. She didn’t care if Aidan’s mother had implied that Emma should go to her room like a good little girl and stay there until morning. She wasn’t going to rest until she had her laptop back.

As she walked into the hallway, she listened for the sound of voices and heard nothing. But the house was huge, so not hearing voices didn’t mean the place was empty. She’d start with Aidan’s bedroom.

Marching to the end of the hall, she took her best guess and opened the door to her right, which would be the other balcony room. The minute she stepped inside, she knew it belonged to Aidan. She was no werewolf when it came to scent, but she’d grown fond of his and she picked it up immediately.

A light was on beside the large bed, also a four-poster and canopy arrangement similar to hers. The room was appointed much like hers, too, although manly greens and browns predominated. Aidan had a balcony, too, and a fireplace with two wingbacks and a coffee table arranged in front of it. Logs were laid for a fire, but it wasn’t lit and the room felt vacant.

Even so, she called his name. No one answered. Then she noticed something she’d missed in her first scan of her surroundings. The white dress shirt and dark slacks he’d had on when he’d left her in her room were draped across the end of the bed.

But there was no light on in the bathroom and no sound of splashing water. Then, from somewhere outside, she heard the howl of a wolf. Running to the French doors leading to the balcony, she found them unlocked. With the best security system money could buy, the Wallaces didn’t need locks.

She opened the doors and stepped out, gasping as a cold wind sliced through her. Below her on the cobblestone driveway three wolves paced restlessly by the front door. She forgot the cold as she stood watching them, totally mesmerized.

Only a short while ago she’d sat at an elegantly appointed table and held a conversation about world events with these three. And now…they were wolves. Despite never seeing any of them in this form, Emma instantly identified each one.

Howard had to be the large white wolf who kept watching the front door, while Fiona, smaller and sporting a gleaming black coat, stayed close by. Roarke’s blonde fur made him look ghostly white in the lamp’s glow as he romped around in playful abandon, as if enjoying the fresh night air. The white wolf howled again, impatiently.

Then Aidan joined them, his dark brown coat tipped with silver looking as magnificent as she remembered. He hadn’t come through the front door, so she had to assume there was another way in and out. Instead of a doggie door, they must have a wolfie door.

One of these wolves knew where her laptop was, but she couldn’t exactly call out and ask them. Making her presence known at all might cause all sorts of bad things to happen, including imminent death, which she would very much like to avoid. Aidan wouldn’t kill her, but she wasn’t so sure about the other three.

As if some signal had passed through the group, they loped off into the dark woods with the white wolf in the lead. Aidan was easily as big as his father, and Emma found some comfort in that. Howard had seniority, though, and in a wolf pack that counted for quite a bit. She’d researched it.

When they were out of sight, she retreated into Aidan’s bedroom and closed the French doors. Man, it was cold out there. How could they stand it? But she supposed as wolves they had those gorgeous fur coats on.

If they’d gone for a run in the woods, that gave her a chance to search for her laptop. Moving quickly, she left Aidan’s bedroom and headed for the stairs. During dinner she’d learned the mansion had ten bedrooms in addition to the obligatory billiard room, library, and conservatory, which she had to assume contained a bunch of exotic plants. She felt like Miss Scarlett in a game of Clue.

But if she were the person who’d confiscated her laptop, she wouldn’t leave it under a potted orchid or shoved between books on a library shelf. She’d put it in Howard Wallace’s office, so she decided to look for that room first. It didn’t take her long to find it on the ground floor.

The room smelled of leather, imported cigars, and brandy. But if it contained her laptop, she wasn’t going to get it without a hacksaw or a blowtorch. Howard’s heavy wooden desk was locked, as was the wall safe she found behind a painting that looked like a Van Gogh original.

Finally she realized that she was on a needle-in-a-haystack mission and her best strategy would involve returning to Aidan’s room and waiting for him to come back from his family togetherness run. She climbed the stairs and made a quick trip to her room for a book to read before walking back down the hall.

Without a fire going, his room was decidedly colder than hers, so she slipped off her shoes and climbed onto his bed. Propping several pillows behind her back, she pulled the fluffy comforter over her knees. He might not be happy to find her here in his bed. Then again, he might be delighted.

If he turned out to be happy to see her, she’d need to remind him that the security cameras had surely recorded her every move. She didn’t much care if they had and if everyone knew she’d prowled through the mansion after they were gone. She wanted her laptop, and she would by God get it before the night was over. If Aidan wanted sex, he could jolly well produce her laptop first.

* * *

Aidan stood in the moonlit clearing, hackles raised, as he faced all three members of his family. His father’s low growl had intimidated him in the past, but he would not let it intimidate him now.

They’d run for nearly an hour, stretching their legs, glorying in their strong animal bodies. But Aidan had known the run would end here, at the clearing where every important decision had been made since he could remember. He’d known that this would be where his resolve to protect Emma would be tested.

I don’t give a damn what you promised her. His father’s words came through loud and clear in the telepathic manner of Weres. She’s a danger to the pack, and our duty is clear. We must keep her on the estate.

For how long?

I’ll decide that.

Aidan’s answering growl was as strong as his father’s. You’d imprison her?

She’ll be given the best of care.

Then you might as well kill her now, because you will have taken away everything that she values—her bond with her mother, her writing career, her independence. She won’t give a damn about the luxurious surroundings if she doesn’t have those things. Are you prepared to take her life? Aidan knew he wouldn’t let that happen, but he had to throw out the challenge to make a point.

Howard glared at his son. I won’t have her blood on my hands and you know it.

Then you’ll have mine. I’ll leave with her, and if you want to stop us, you’ll have to kill me.

Fiona stepped forward. Will you two cut it out? There’s no need for the histrionics. We—

Howard snarled a warning. This pup is challenging me. I won’t have it! He lunged forward and closed his powerful jaws over Aidan’s neck.

Aidan threw him off, but felt the skin tear. He circled his father, looking for an opening, ready to do what he had to for Emma.

Stop it! Fiona threw herself between them, snapping and growling until both wolves backed away.

Fiona stood between them, panting. I won’t have this!

A rumbling growl rose from deep in Howard’s throat as he glared at Aidan. Your mother has always coddled you boys. I’ve never approved.

Then tell her to step aside and we’ll settle this.

Howard turned to his mate. You heard your son. This is between Aidan and me.

Roarke circled the group until he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Aidan. And me. I stand with my brother. He’s made a promise. Let him keep it. Emma won’t betray us.

Aidan’s heart swelled with gratitude. Although he didn’t look at his brother, he hoped Roarke knew how much the support meant to him.

His father snarled defiantly. And if she does betray us?

Aidan met his father’s steely gaze. You will turn me over to the pack and they will seek their revenge according to pack law.

You would lay down your life for this human female?

Yes.

Fiona moved forward again. Then bind her, Aidan.

Howard whirled toward her. No! Aidan is the eldest son. He can’t mate with a human!

Fiona stood calmly facing her life’s partner. I don’t like it any more than you, but it’s obvious he’s made his choice. And if she’s going to hold our fate in her hands, she needs to be one of us.

But their offspring might not be Were!

We have to take that chance. Fiona turned her attention back to Aidan. Bind her.

No. She wouldn’t want that.

His mother gazed up at the night sky. Males are all alike. They think they know everything. She looked at him. Ask her.

And if she says no?

His mother’s gaze softened. She won’t.

But if she does?

His father snorted. Then I’ll be saved the humiliation of having my eldest son mated to a human. His gaze swung to Roarke. I’m counting on you to give me Were grandchildren now that Aidan’s lost his mind.

Not anytime soon, I hope. Roarke broke ranks and wandered off to sniff something in the bushes. I’m extremely busy sowing my wild oats.

Don’t be sowing them in the wrong field. Howard glanced around the clearing. Are we done here? I’m ready for a warm fire and a warm bed.

Aidan faced his father one more time. Just so we’re clear. Whether I bind Emma or not, she’ll be free to see her mother, continue with her writing career, and—

Yes, yes. But I’ll want to approve all her manuscripts. I can begin on that first thing. Her laptop and jump drive have been confiscated.

Aidan’s blood ran cold. Confiscated?

Roarke brought me her laptop and her jump drive from her room.

Aidan turned to where his brother browsed through the weeds. Roarke?

They’re in the safe in Dad’s office. I figured we needed to know what she—

Shit. Aidan took off at a run. Maybe she’d been too tired to check her computer case. Maybe she’d enjoyed a bubble bath and some coffee and chocolates before climbing into her big bed.

That was wishful thinking. If he had to guess, he’d say that she was, at this very moment, ransacking every room in search of the most important piece of equipment in her creative life. No telling what sort of panic she’d go into because she’d been separated from that laptop.

Roarke and his father had no clue what they’d done, but Aidan had studied Emma’s habits for three solid months. She wouldn’t take the theft of her laptop lying down.