Emma lifted her head from Brandon's chest, her bright eyes searching his face with restless curiosity. "Five reasons?" she asked softly. Brandon brushed several loose strands of hair away from Emma's face before guiding her head gently back to rest against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath her ear like the calm rhythm of a powerful wolf.
"Yes," Brandon murmured, his deep voice low and heavy with memories that stirred like distant howls beneath a silver moon.
"Alright… number one," Emma whispered, her fingers lightly gripping the fabric of his singlet.
"I made you a promise that night in the Springfield Territory," Brandon said quietly. "When I heard you were engaged to Mr Francisco's son Evan, I believed I had failed the vow I once made beneath the silent moonlight. When I saw myself fulfilling that promise in such an ordinary way… My wolf's heart couldn't bear it. The emotions overwhelmed me."
