A new sun rose over the pack territory like an untouched scroll in Emma's life, blank yet heavy with unseen markings of fate. Ever since her Alpha had declared that he was weary of spending his hard-earned resources on her learning rites, she no longer knew what path lay ahead. The thought of stepping into the learning academy again felt uncertain, almost forbidden.
Emma slowly rolled from her resting place, her body still heavy from restless thoughts, and made her way toward the cookhouse to assist her mother with morning duties. Her steps were quiet, cautious—like a young wolf unsure of her place within the den.
"Moonrise, mother," Emma greeted softly, lowering her gaze in respect.
No answer came.
The silence pressed against her chest, colder than any winter wind.
Without another word, she moved toward the water basin and began cleansing the eating vessels used the previous night, her hands working automatically while her mind wandered.
"Heck no!!! Mother, if she does not leave this cookhouse this instant, I will never eat anything prepared here again!" Lunara's voice rang sharply as she stormed in, already adorned in her pristine learning-garment that clung perfectly to her figure like a mark of her elevated standing.
Emma froze briefly, her fingers tightening around a bowl before forcing herself to remain calm.
"Emma—leave!" her mother barked without hesitation.
Emma silently reached for a cloth, dried her hands, and turned away.
As she stepped out, Lunara shot her a venomous glare before spitting on the ground where Emma had stood.
"Lunara, do not repeat that act," Emma heard her mother caution gently behind her.
"She disgusts me! I despise her!" Lunara snapped without remorse.
"Why did the Moon Princess summon her?"
"I do not know! And she warned that if I cannot dwell in harmony with her, then I cannot remain within their Royal Alpha Realm!"
"Well, she is here now. Let us hope she keeps her word. You will see her tomorrow, correct?"
"Yes mother."
"Do not forget to inform her that she has returned if she does not appear this morning," her mother added.
Emma tiptoed back towards her chamber, careful not to reveal that she had overheard every word. Her mind churned with questions.
A Moon Princess?
Who held such authority that even Lunara feared losing her place?
And why… would such a high-born she-wolf request her presence?
Lost in thought, Emma collided with her father.
She flinched instantly.
He cast her a dark, menacing look, exhaled sharply, and continued past her toward the feeding chamber without a word.
Emma remained still for a moment before retreating quietly.
Not long after, her father departed the pack with Lunara, leaving the den heavy with silence.
From her window, Emma spotted Brooklyn's Alpha escorting her toward the learning grounds, but Brooklyn herself did not notice her.
Emma lingered there, waiting… watching… hoping.
But the mysterious Moon Princess never came.
That day stretched endlessly—longer than any she had ever endured.
Each passing hour felt like a slow crawl beneath her skin.
She counted moments… breaths… heartbeats… anything to anchor herself against the emptiness.
Before the next sun reached its peak, Emma had completed all her assigned chores and made her way swiftly toward the gathering grounds—the place where her heart felt most alive.
Excitement fluttered wildly within her chest.
Her wolf stirred restlessly.
By the ninth hour, she was already there… waiting.
Waiting for Young Oliver.
Her gaze flickered repeatedly to the timepiece on her wrist.
But he did not come.
Her thoughts began to spiral.
"What if he never reached the capital territory?" she whispered, her voice trembling as though madness lingered at its edge.
"No… if he had not, her mother would not have come for her," she reassured herself quickly, clinging to hope like a lifeline.
She rose and turned toward the southern path—the direction from which he always appeared.
She waited.
And waited.
And waited.
But her Moon-Mate never came.
At last, Emma sank to the base of the willow tree, her body curling inward as sobs broke free from her chest.
Her grief poured out like a she-wolf mourning a lost mate.
"Hei…"
A voice called from behind.
Emma turned slowly.
"Emma… the sun is already fading," Brooklyn said gently.
Emma lifted her gaze briefly before lowering it again, her spirit dimmed.
"I saw you return yesterday," Brooklyn continued softly. "Emma… I am sorry."
"Thank you for telling him," Emma whispered.
"It is time to return home," Brooklyn urged, reaching for her hand.
"No one will care if I remain here through the night," Emma murmured weakly.
"And that means you shouldn't abandon yourself as well?" Brooklyn replied firmly. "I have always said it—you're my most moon ally, my best packmate."
Emma's lips trembled.
"How did you know I was already gone?"
"Edith came to your den. She searched for you , but your pack- kins showed no concern for your absence."
Emma lifted her face slowly, hurt flashing across her eyes.
Brooklyn knelt before her.
"What happened?"
"I am worried about him," Emma confessed. "He never fails to come… and he did not warn me this time."
"Perhaps something urgent arose," Brooklyn said, nodding gently as she clasped Emma's hands. "Come… you will see him next sun cycle."
Reluctantly, Emma rose and began to walk back with Brooklyn.
The evening breeze whispered through the trees, carrying fragments of blue sky between branches—yet all it did was deepen her longing.
Her heart remained tethered to him.
"Emma… tell me, how was that Spring field territory?" Brooklyn asked again.
Emma remained silent.
"He cares for you," Brooklyn added. "He is thinking of you even now."
"I just… do not want harm to reach him," Emma whispered after a long silence.
"Nothing will happen to him."
"I cannot wait until I reach eighteen winters… when I can claim my own path. He held back because I have only seen fourteen winters…"
"Emma!" Brooklyn stopped abruptly.
"What?"
"Do you wish to lie with him already?"
Emma shook her head quickly. "No… he promised to claim me as his mate when I reaches sixteen winters. Though I long to build a life beside him at my eighteen winter."
Brooklyn sighed.
"That is not what you need. You must grow strong… become a healer or a law-keeper. Then your pack will never look down on you again."
"He believes I should follow my true calling… my love for storytelling," Emma said quietly.
"Will he become a Soulcrafter?"
"Yes. Though his Alpha disapproves."
Emma's gaze softened.
"I will follow my path. He believes I will become renowned."
Brooklyn burst into laughter.
They parted at Brooklyn's den, exchanging farewells.
Emma continued alone—until she froze.
Her father sat outside… waiting.
A wooden rod rested in his grip.
Her steps slowed.
Fear crept through her veins.
"What hour is it?" he asked coldly.
Emma glanced at her timepiece. "Seven and twenty-five."
"Good," he said. "What is the name of the wolf you meet?"
"There is no wolf except Brooklyn."
"Lunara claims you visits the gathering grounds to meet one. Is it true?"
Emma hesitated.
That moment cost her.
A sharp strike landed across her face.
"Return to your chamber and await for me!" Alpha Daniel roared.
Emma fled without hesitation.
Moments later, Lunara entered, scanning her from head to toe with disdain.
"Disgraced she-wolf," she sneered. "my father will ensure you never looks upon another wolf again. You should have seen his face when I revealed you're no longer pure."
Emma's breath hitched.
"Whose face?"
"Did you see him at your usual place?" Lunara smirked cruelly. "No… you will never see him again. He rejects you now. Filthy she-wolf."
Emma's heart shattered.
"Where did you see him?" Emma asked, though she already knew silence would answer.
Lunara spat once more before leaving.
Emma stood frozen.
They had never been perfect siblings…
But never enemies.
Now…
She wondered when love had turned into hatred so deep that even her presence provoked disgust. "For your information, I'll be meeting him soon." Lunara froze where she stood.