Brandon opened his eyes and saw her staring at the wall. He grinned and moved closer to her.

"What is it moonheart?" He smirked because he already knew what the problem was. She ignored him and kept looking straight.

"Ken and I want to surprise your moonally. Moonheart, we started this journey together and I want her to be as happy as we are."

Ken has his plans and I have mine. He didn’t tell me what his plans were and I didn’t tell him mine, but we will find out tomorrow."

"Are you going with us?"

"No, we will meet you guys there."

She took a deep breath and turned her back on him, as though distance might steady the rush in her chest.

He grinned almost immediately and closed the space between them, his hands settling firmly at her waist with familiar ease.

"Moonheart?"

"Hm?" she responded softly, her voice already wary.

"You know I can’t control myself around you. Even when I try... I only find that the pull gets stronger."

For a brief moment, he simply watched her, like he was waiting for her reaction before he admitted anything more to himself.

She rolled her eyes, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her. "Well, that’s because my alpha is a naughty pup."

He stilled for a second. Then slowly, dangerously, his brows lifted as amusement sharpened into playful mischief and he tilted his head.

"What... did you say?"

Before she could react, his fingers slipped to her sides, tickling her in a teasing, affectionate rhythm.

A burst of laughter escaped her, unexpected, breathless, almost choking her own words.

"Starlit, stop! I’m choking already," she gasped, twisting in his hold as she tried to escape.

But he only tightened his grip gently, drawing her back against him with deliberate ease. His voice dropped lower, warm and dangerously playful.

"Just breathe. You’ll be fine after I’m done doing naughty things with you."

Her protest came too late. He guided her down onto the bed with a controlled, unhurried motion that held more intent than force.

A vial slipped into his hand, filled with a brown liquid that caught the light faintly. He tipped it, letting the substance trace along her skin in slow, deliberate lines.

Emma’s breath hitched, her laughter turning unsteady as he leaned over her, his presence swallowing her senses whole.

"When he lowered his head, following the slow path he had traced across her skin, her breath broke into a soft, helpless gasp."

"Brandon, stop," she managed between breathless giggles, squirming beneath him as she tried to push him away without real resistance.

"Just relax, okay," he murmured, unbothered, his voice softening at the edges. "I’m just getting started."

His kisses trailed lower with unhurried patience, each one drawing another tremor of laughter from her as her body betrayed her with every touch.

Emma squirmed beneath him, giggling uncontrollably, her fingers clutching at the sheets as warmth and fluttering sensations scattered through her.

"I’m pregnant—please stop," she said through laughter, shaking her head as if that alone could save her.

He paused just long enough to look at her, expression softening in a way that steadied the moment.

"We’re pregnant," he corrected quietly.

The tension melted into something gentler after that. When he finally pulled back, he lifted her easily into his arms, carrying her toward the bath chamber as their laughter slowly returned.

They teased each other there, lighthearted and unguarded, their words laced with playful flirtation, as though the pack beyond them didn’t exist at all.

When they were done, he dried her hair with careful hands, his movements slowing as if he didn’t want the moment to end. He dressed her gently, then guided her back to the bedchamber.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, his warmth wrapping around her like a shield.

As sleep crept in, she felt his steady breath against her back, slow, warm, and unshakably close, until everything else faded away.

***************

Morning came too quickly.

The warmth of the moonfall faded, replaced by a dull ache settling deep in her body.

"She had never felt this weak... this drained."

She also felt pain in her lower abdomen and the mild pains made her feel like throwing up.

Brooklyn walked into the chamber with her morning coffee and she wished she was as strong as she was.

"Moonrise, Emma," she greeted her with a smile, but she noticed she wasn’t as happy as she wanted her to believe she was and she wondered what happened. She smiled and beckoned her when she turned to leave the chamber. Brooklyn walked slowly towards her bed and sat down gently. She could see fear in her eyes. Brooklyn, she knew, was courageous and fearless. She became sick with worries immediately.

"What happened between you and Ken last moonfall?" She asked.

She faked a smile and tried to stand up. Emma held her denim and dragged her back again.

"Brooklyn, you are my moonally and my gossip mate. You taught me how to share my worries with my moonallies," she said, and she lowered her gaze.

"I couldn’t control myself last moonfall," she said and took a deep breath. "Never mind."

She stood up to go again and Emma pulled her back.

She figured out what happened immediately and was happy it happened in her house. She kept holding her hand and she sat down again.

"Who initiated?"

"He likes games a lot and I started playing with him. Before I knew it, I became so horny and wanted him so badly.

"Last moonfall... I lost control," she admitted, her voice trembling. "One moment I was teasing him... and the next, I was the one pulling him closer."

I’m.... not regretting it. It was the most beautiful moment of my life and I’m going to hold it dear forever," she said. She looked at her, tears clouded her eyes. She moved closer and hugged her.

"What would he think of my standard? Will he think I’m cheap because we just started dating?" She let out the word that was silently eating her up. Tears flew down her cheeks.

"Do you think he is cheap?" Emma asked. She shook her head.

"Then why would he think you are?"

She lowered her gaze and began to wipe her tears.

"I just found something real... I can’t lose him now." she murmured, looking pathetically into her eyes.

"Don’t worry, you won’t. Where is he?"

"I don’t know. I have been avoiding him since moonrise."

"Brooklyn, you are smarter and braver than this," she said and got down from the bed. "This is not you."

"He bewitched me last moonfall and I felt so connected to him. Now I’m scared." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

She lowered her gaze, fingers tightening in her dress. "What if he thinks I’m cheap...?"

"What did he say to you after the lovemaking?"

"He just pulled me up to his chest and held me firmly. None of us said anything."

"Oh, my moon goddess! Brooklyn, you just made him believe you didn’t like what both of you shared."

"I did not."

"Oh yes, you did! You must talk to him. Where is he?"

"I don’t know where he is."

"Did you check the bedchamber where both of you slept last moonfall?"

"When I woke up, I found out he has gone to the gym. I just bathed and joined Bernard in the cookhouse."

"We are going back to the chamber. He is probably there," she said, and began to walk towards the bathchamber. She had her bath and was soon ready for daily activities. The hot coffee Brandon made for her and the little conversation she had with Brooklyn helped her a lot. It stole her mind away from the twitches she felt below her abdomen when she woke up.

"Let’s go," she said, adjusting her short gown. Brooklyn stood up and they left the chamber.

"If I tell you everything that happened between me and Brandon after signing our bond papers, you’ll simply brace up and be happy you initiated it."

A brief silence followed, thick enough to press against the space between them.

She exhaled slowly, as though weighing whether to continue or let the words sink in first. Her gaze flashed away for a moment, then returned with quiet certainty.

"I’m sure he wouldn’t have made a move unless you wanted him to," she added, her tone steady but pointed. A pause. A subtle shift in her expression.

"And that," she said softly, "was exactly what you did."

Since it was 9:30 am already, she knew he wouldn’t be in the gym anymore, so they proceeded to his chamber.

Brooklyn halted when she saw him standing behind the window with his hands in his pockets.

"Go to him," Emma whispered into her ear. She began to creep towards him. She leaned on the door and folded her arms across her chest as she watched her steps.

Brooklyn slowly encircled her arms around him and rested her head on his back. He veered around, held her cheeks firmly, and kissed her so passionately.

"Moonlight, how are you?" Ken said as he lifted his gaze on her."

"I’m fine just that Brandon...,"

"He couldn’t hold back around you," he said quietly.

Silence slipped in between them—thick, stretching. He held her gaze, steady. Unflinching.

When he spoke again, his voice dropped, softer... like something that wasn’t meant to be said out loud.

"That’s what happens when a wolf falls in love."

A pause.

"Control stops mattering."

His eyes stayed on hers, unreadable.

"And neither does restraint."

The words settled, heavy. He didn’t look away.

"You have no idea what that means yet."