Emma's birth-moon fell on a Moon-day. On the previous Sun-cycle, Oliver and Emma had sealed a quiet vow—to share a birth-moon feast beneath the open sky at the pack's gathering grounds, if her father did not take her away.
That passing cycle became the longest Oliver had ever endured. Each sun and moon dragged like wounded prey across time. He counted every moment, every heartbeat, every shift of light and shadow.
The night before her birth-moon stretched endlessly, like a cursed twilight that refused to yield. Oliver remained awake through it all, his mind restless, his wolf unsettled beneath his skin.
At last, the endless darkness softened into dawn.
He cleansed himself swiftly in the wash chamber and consumed his morning meal without care for taste. As always, he slipped out of his Alpha's den in secrecy.
Richard—his guardian—had prepared everything Oliver had requested within his travel satchel, though his disapproval lingered heavily in the air. The older he-wolf was far from pleased that Oliver would depart at such an early hour.
A burning desire lived within Oliver—to open his world to Emma, to show her the vastness of what she had never been allowed to see.
It was for this reason he had chosen a rare and costly birth-moon offering, one worthy of a destined mate.
He knew she would glow with joy.
And he longed—achingly—to be the cause of that smile.
But the warmth in his chest turned to frost the moment he arrived at the pack's open grounds.
Brooklyn stood there… leaning against a tree, her shoulders trembling, her eyes swollen with grief.
No words were needed.
Oliver knew.
Emma had been taken to the forbidden territory she had always feared.
"Brooklyn," Oliver called calmly.
The young she-wolf lifted her head, her eyes bloodshot as they locked onto him.
His face remained unreadable—cold, controlled, Alpha-like.
"How long has she been gone?" he asked.
"Six sunrises," she answered.
"What?"
"She left at dawn on Sun-cycle… without bidding farewell to me or her little she-wolf. We have been bound as moonallies since they entered this pack," Brooklyn muttered, her voice breaking as she inhaled sharply.
Oliver's gaze dropped briefly to his timepiece—just past the eighth hour of the morning.
"Her mother heard of the territory she was to be taken to. She came and took her away. I know you played a part in it," Brooklyn continued bitterly, "but what I do not understand is why you told me to watch over her… and hid your plans from me."
"Calm yourself, Brooklyn," Oliver said quietly. "Tell me… who took her?"
"Her blood -mother."
"Whose mother?"
Brooklyn glared at him, hurt flashing through her expression before she turned away.
"Lunara came to my den and told me everything," she said after a pause. "I did not know Emma was inside the den-car I saw leaving that moonrise."
"Who told you the she-wolf who took her was her blood- mother?"
"Her father,Alpha Daniel."
"And you believed him?"
"She stood there when he said it… and she said nothing!"
"Perhaps she was forbidden to speak," Oliver replied.
"When I followed her from the gathering grounds, I remained with her in her chamber for over an hour. She said nothing about her blood -mother visiting!"
"We both know how deeply she longs to find her true-blood mother," Oliver said firmly. "She would never hide such a truth from us. They deceived you. Her blood -mother did not take her."
"I saw her!" Brooklyn insisted. "I saw the she-wolf take Emma away!"
"Brooklyn… six sunrises have passed. You know my den. Why did you not come to me?"
"I was angry!" she snapped. "You planned everything without me. You said you would not let her father take her away. I knew you had a plan… but I did not know I was excluded from it!"
"They deceived all of us,"Oliver said, his tone tightening. "They likely believed she had not opened her heart to anyone."
"Lunara said their Alpha planned to send her to an aunt. They do not know who found her blood -mother and revealed everything to her," Brooklyn whispered. "But I came here to tell you… I am not pleased with what you did. She is my only moonally."
"Her blood -mother did not take her away," Oliver said again, firmly.
"I saw the timepiece you gave her… lying in the rear of the den-car. Perhaps she went out with that she-wolf and hid everything from me!"
"She was with me," Oliver replied, his voice hardening. "No one took her anywhere. Your friend has been taken to that territory. Her father used your innocence against you… but I am no pup."
His eyes darkened.
"I am going there."
"To do what?"
"To bring her back."
"What if she is not there?"
"What if she is?"
"They will not release her to you if she is there," Brooklyn said helplessly. "I am… confused."
"Listen carefully," Oliver said, stepping closer. "Emma would never leave this territory without bidding us farewell. We are her chosen moonallies."
He paused.
"Return home. Pretend you knew nothing. I will go there… stop them from destroying her life… then return to plan her rescue."
"What if it is already too late?"
"Go home, Brooklyn!" Oliver barked.
His tone carried a cold edge, though beneath it lay a storm of fear and fury he could not contain.
Brooklyn flinched, quickly wiping her tears before turning away and retreating slowly.
The moment she disappeared from sight, Oliver turned and sprinted out of the gathering grounds.
Time was no longer a luxury.
He returned to his den, gathering what he needed with urgency. Wealth would be required—much of it.
He seized one of his guardian's open payment scrolls and a heavy pouch of coins before departing once more.
The journey was brutal.
The longest he had ever taken.
The transport driver carried him for nearly eight full hours, slowed by countless halts along the path.
Finding the territory proved easy.
Mrs. Nazar's name echoed through the region like a whispered legend.
More than five riders directed him toward her den.
When they arrived, Oliver stepped into a vast compound blazing with unnatural lights.
The air was thick with forced laughter, music, and hollow joy. Wolves danced as though chasing away sorrow that refused to leave them.
His eyes searched the entire space—desperate, sharp—hoping to find Emma sitting lonesomely somewhere in silence.
She was nowhere.
"Young wolf… I fear losing my den-car in this cursed forest," the driver muttered, glancing nervously at the thick wilderness surrounding them.
"There are guards," Oliver replied coldly.
"What are you even doing here? There are far better resting dens in the capital!"
"Mind your path," he snapped.
"Yes… yes," the driver muttered.
"Return at dawn," Oliver ordered, already walking away.
"Where do I rest?"
"In your den-car."
A she-wolf approached him as he neared the main den.
"Visitors are forbidden beyond this point," she said sharply.
"I seek someone."
"Who?"
"A new she-wolf brought here on Sun-cycle."
"Why?"
"I intend to claim her tonight."
"I am sorry," she said smoothly. "A high bidder has already secured her. The claiming has begun. We have other wolves… far more experienced." She winked.
"Then I will speak with Mrs. Nazar."
"No," she snapped, turning away. "She is occupied."
Oliver remained still for a moment, dread tightening in his chest.
Then he moved forward anyway.
"I told you, the claiming has ended," she said again, pointing toward a payment table.
Without hesitation, Oliver drew out coins and handed them to her.
She paused… then smiled.
Silver, it seemed, was the only law here.
"Wait here," she said.
"What does he want?" a deep female voice echoed from the shadows.
"The new she-wolf," the attendant replied.
"The claiming has ended," the voice dismissed.
"I will pay double," Oliver said.
Silence fell.
"Do you even understand what you are saying?" the voice demanded.
"I will triple it."
Stillness deepened.
Then suddenly—
The she-wolf rose.
"Lyra!" she shrieked with wild laughter. "Run! Stop him! I cannot lose this fortune!"
Her laughter echoed through the hall, sharp and unhinged.
"Stop him now!"