Out of the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

ceiling. Add in the huge center island with a large industrial grade
gas range top, it was any chef’s dream.
    Emily smiled and looked around the room as she worked the
noodles in her hands. “It really is remarkable. Even the one at home wasn’t
this fancy. It is a shame not to use it.”
    “You like to cook?” Lark observed. It was obvious she knew
how to, but did she enjoy it? Her passion had always been cooking. It’d be nice
to share it with someone else.
    Emily glanced up at her, surprised by her question. “I never
really thought about it. I know it was engrained into me, but I’ve always
enjoyed it. Things are very different here than they were at home.”
    “How so?” She asked curiously. Different how? Were they
talking about werewolves, general perspectives, or both?
    “Well, uh, my father sees things a lot differently than Rick
does. I’m thankful for his hospitality. It’s been a nice reprieve for me. My
dad didn’t exactly approve of Marcus and I, among other things.”
    “Marcus seems like a good guy,” Lark shrugged. Marcus hadn’t
given off any bad vibes. Granted he hadn’t said much in the few minutes he’d
been in the bakery. He seemed nice and loving toward Emily, isn’t that what
parents wanted?
    Emily’s eyes beamed with unshed tears. “He is, my dad knows
that too, he has other plans for me though, which is why we left. I probably
shouldn’t be telling you all this.” Emily frowned and returned to the noodles.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” Lark flushed, biting her lip.
It hadn’t been her intention to be nosy, but admittedly, she was intrigued by
what Emily had said.
    “It’s okay, I offered it. I’m not used to having another
female my age to talk to. It’s kind of nice.” Emily stopped working the
noodles, and turned to Lark to give her a smile.
    “Me neither, I spend so much time at the bakery alone, which
I love, but my social life is kind of nonexistent.”
    “Those orange muffins are amazing,” Emily gushed.
    “Thanks, it was my grandma’s recipe. She was the one who
taught me how to bake.”
    “My mom taught me how to cook. She’s always in the kitchen
making something, she’s the one thing I miss about home,” Emily said, a forlorn
look on her face.
    “I’m sure she’ll visit or you can go visit her.”
    Emily shifted uncomfortably. “No, she won’t. Things aren’t
so great. We left without my father’s blessing. I’m glad we did, but…” she
trailed off.
    “We don’t have to talk about it.” Even though Lark was
really interested, she didn’t want to make Emily uncomfortable. It was
refreshing to talk to someone close to her age. Most her high school friends
had gone off to college, or given up on her when she stopped going out every
weekend.
    Emily was quiet for a long moment, seemingly having an
internal battle. It was clear she wanted to talk, but didn’t know if she should
or not. Lark waited with bated breath. Would she continue without being
prodded?
    “You know what we are?” Emily hesitantly broke the silence.
    Lark nodded and noticed Emily visibly relax at that
revelation. A sigh escaped Emily’s lips as she leaned against the counter, chin
resting on her hand.
    “Each pack operates differently, but we are all innately the
same when it comes to structure. There is always an alpha male and his mate or
wife is the alpha female, but the male is the more dominant of the two. My
father, Emmett is the alpha. What the alpha says is law,” Emily stated,
returning to her dinner preparations. “Since we left without his permission, we
broke the law.”
    Lark leaned forward on the counter intrigued. She’d always
been fascinated by them, but too timid to ask questions.
    “Recently, my father has been doing things that go against
our morals, which is why the four of us left. Over the last few years, he has
broken ties with packs we have always been friendly with. Not to mention,
Marcus and I have loved each other for as long as I