Oliver came back just as he promised the next sun-cycle. Before his arrival, Lunara had come to Emma's chamber five times, asking if he was still going to come. She couldn't wait to play games with them again—or rather, she couldn't wait to see him again.
When he finally arrived, carrying his usual rich wolf scent, Emma noticed Lunara was extremely happy and was all over him. Oliver sat on the floor. Lunara settled in between his legs and leaned against his chest. Emma was not pleased that Oliver allowed it, and she could not pretend otherwise.
Lunara relaxed against his body as he told them stories from his learning den. Emma was not comfortable at all, but she trusted him. Oliver noticed her discomfort with the sitting position and tried to ease Lunara off him several times by pretending to adjust himself, but she always returned to rest against him after each adjustment.
"What is the most hilarious thing you have ever done in your learning den?" he asked, probably to make her laugh.
"She is always mean," Lunara said unexpectedly, and Oliver laughed.
"Tell me yours," Emma said.
"I did a lot of hilarious things when I was in lower grade, but I'm going to tell just one thing I did three moon-cycles ago. I'm terrible at Physical Exercise, and I hate it. My father spoke with the learning den council, and I was allowed to remain in the chamber whenever I chose not to participate. I was alone in the learning den one day, and boredom crept in. I stood up from my seat and kept myself busy."
"Our crystal-hide, shatterproof water flasks were issued by the Learning Den, each one identical in form. All that was required was to carve your name into the cap and the base. Under the hush of the den, I quietly switched the she-wolves' flask caps with those of the he-wolves."
I knew how much the she-wolves disliked the he-wolves' bottles. I sat down and pretended nothing had happened."
"My denmates rushed in after the exercise and went straight to their flasks. The she-wolves were enjoying the he-wolves' water when one of them, who finished first, began to read the names on the base. She checked the flask she drank from and began to throw up. The he-wolves laughed and rolled on the floor."
"The she-wolves almost ended me, but the he-wolves protected me. My closest moonally was extremely grateful because his crush drank from his bottle. The he-wolves kept making funny faces at the she-wolves. After that day, Physical Exercise became compulsory for me."
Emma and Lunara laughed so hard that they did not hear the sound of their father's vehicle. They stood up immediately he stepped into the chamber.
"Emma, what is going on here!" Daniel roared. They stood still and lowered their heads.
"Emma, answer me!! Who is he, and what is he doing in your chamber?" he barked, stepping closer.
"Father, he is our moonmate ," Lunara responded quickly, trying to stop him from advancing further.
"Whose mate is he?" he asked, hands on his waist.
"Mine," Lunara murmured, her gaze lowered.
"Moonpup, you have a mate and you didn't tell me?"
"Y…yes."
"Since when? Huh?"
Lunara remained silent, unable to answer. Daniel turned to face Oliver.
"I know her well; she is lying. Young wolf, who are you, and which of them is your mate?"
Oliver lifted his gaze, his rare golden eyes meeting Emma's bright eyes. She quickly shook her head, knowing she might not survive the consequences if he revealed the truth.
"Are you deaf? I asked who are you and which of the she-wolves is your mate!" he continued. Oliver remained silent.
Daniel began to unfasten his belt as he stepped closer. Emma stood stubbornly, turning her face away.
"What is your mate doing in my den?"
"He…"
"Please, sir, can I speak with you privately?" Oliver interrupted.
Daniel turned and signaled the she-wolves to leave the chamber. Emma trusted Oliver and knew he would not say anything to expose her. They left and walked quietly down the stairs.
"He is funny," Lunara said, sounding completely unbothered.
"Sure…he…is."
"Relax, he won't punish you. I already told him he is my mate. Unless you are afraid he might reveal the truth."
"No."
"Then calm down. I'm going to tell father to enroll me in his learning den."
"He attends one of the most expensive learning dens in this Realm; I'm not sure father can afford it."
"What is the name of his learning den?"
"I don't know."
"I like him," Lunara said after a while.
"What?"
"I said I like him. He is handsome, he smells nice, and he speaks well. He looks intelligent too. I think he will make a good mate."
"Yeah…sure…"
"Emma, relax."
Lunara had never been punished harshly or locked away without food and water, so she did not understand Emma's fear.
After a while, Emma saw Daniel and Oliver walking down the stairs together, chatting as though they had known each other for moons. Daniel had his hand on Oliver's shoulder like he was his own, asking questions while Oliver responded humbly.
"Oliver, you are always welcome in my den. Like I told you, my daughter is well-raised," he said, patting his shoulder before heading upstairs.
"I think you should stop coming," Emma said immediately after he left.
"Why?" Oliver fixed his rare golden eyes on her, clearly displeased. Her face dimmed with sorrow.
"Don't mind her; what time will you be here tomorrow?" Lunara asked, placing her chin on his shoulder. That made Emma even more uncomfortable, her heart tightening painfully.
"I…don't know yet," he replied, still looking at Emma.
"G…goodbye, Oliver," she said, hoping Lunara would follow, but she didn't. Emma turned and walked back into the den.
Regret flooded her as she sat on her bed. She couldn't believe she had just denied him before her father. She should have spoken the truth and faced whatever came. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
She blinked when she noticed his sketch scroll beneath her pillow. Oliver had left part of it visible. She pulled it out and read his words.
"Emma, I'm sorry for putting you in a difficult position. I'm sorry for interrupting you when you wanted to speak the truth. I won't visit again. Meet me at the usual place, and time. I love you to the moon and back."
She quickly folded the scroll and hid it when she heard footsteps approaching. The door opened, and Lunara threw herself onto her bed.
"He doesn't want to come tomorrow because he is afraid of father, but guess what?"
"What?" Emma forced a smile.
"I convinced him, and he said he would come! He is going to tell us more funny stories tomorrow! But… I will host him in my chamber," Lunara squealed happily.
Emma kept smiling faintly, wondering if Oliver would keep his promise—to her or to Lunara.
"This wolf has charms; I'm already charmed!" Lunara exclaimed as she ran out of the chamber.