"The whole pack already knows about the mating mix-up between my mate and Lunara. The king is too ashamed to cancel it now. He wants Brandon and me to share the same date... like I’m some secret bride."

"He has to cancel it. That date belongs to the other wolf, not you. They need to give you a new one."

Emma shook her head. "It’s not that simple. If he changes it now, the whole pack will know the truth. That’s what he’s trying to avoid."

"What is your mate saying about it?"

"Nothing. As long as she’s with me, I’m fine," Brandon said as he walked into the cookhouse.

He leaned down and kissed Emma’s lips before heading to the coffee maker. His guards stayed at the door.

"She needs rest. At least a full moon before another conflict."

"You were one of those who encouraged her to fight the prior battle," he said.

"Yes, and I’m glad I did."

Brandon walked over to them carrying two cups of coffee and handed one to Emma, though he still made her take a sip from his own cup first. They sat down on the chairs and continued talking.

"I’m not discouraging her, but I want her to rest to avoid losing the pup."

"Moonheart, she is right. Can we take a break?"

She shook her head and took a sip from her cup.

"This is the last conflict. I want it finished once and for all. I don’t want it following me into the next winter." I want my twenty-fourth birth moon to be special, and I want to focus on you and our pup."

"Alright. Then we end it properly," he said. "And after that, we take a long vacation."

He kissed her again, slower this time. She heaved a sigh of relief as she enjoyed the warmth of his lips.

"What are they still doing in bed?" She whispered into his ear when he pulled his mouth away. He chuckled, pushing her device that was ringing to her side. She smiled and picked up the device.

"Moonrise. Faith speaking."

"Emma, you missed your check-in."

"No, I didn’t. The last moon was too busy. I was tracking my blood parents. It wasn’t easy."

"I would have loved to assist you if you had asked."

"How are you, Faith?"

"I’m good. Please, when are you publishing your novel?"

"Next winter"

"I can’t wait to own a copy. Emma...we have a problem."

"What is the problem?"

"Your sibling ran away yesterday. She couldn’t handle the humiliation from the pack neighbors."She really stepped on their toes, you know."

"Theresa is breaking down. She keeps saying she’ll end her life if her pup isn’t found." She keeps talking to herself! Emma, the poor wolf is losing her mind!"

"Oh, my moon goddess! Did you see Lunara at all on Saturday?"

"Yes, although they came in very late, I saw her entering the house."

"Where are you now?"

"Our pack neighbors asked me to keep my eyes on Theresa while they look for Lunara and I have been here since yesterday. I need someone to take over from me; I want to go home and catch some sleep."

Tears filled Emma’s eyes. She quickly turned her face away, not wanting Brandon to see.

But he gently guided her head back toward him. She hates the fact that she still likes Theresa after everything they did to her.

Mrs. Thompson took the phone from her.

"Please, she’ll call back later," she said and hung up.

"What is it?"

"Lunara ran away from home and her mother is losing her mind," she sniffed with deep sadness. Brandon pulled her closer and held her head firmly. Mrs. Thompson sighed. Emma thought she was mad at Lunara for leaving her mother at a critical moment in her life. However, she began to throw bombs at her.

"What did Lunara do when you were the one who ran away?" Mrs. Thompson snapped.

"She laughed at your downfall. Took your place. Fired your domestic workers. She even went as far as setting you up! She would’ve celebrated if you ended up in jail in a strange territory."

Mrs. Thompson yelled as if she would have lent her some sense if it was possible.

"I...don’t care about her," her voice broke with emotion because she cared a bit. "I... care about the poor mother who needs her right now."

"Would you have allowed her to stay here and keep causing more trouble for us?" Brandon asked with a peaceful tone. She lowered and shook her head. "Don’t worry, they will be fine."

"My dear future Luna, they brought this upon themselves. Theresa knows everything yet she didn’t talk to her pup!"

"I need someone that will go and take over from a she-wolf that kept an eye on her yesterday," she said, ignoring Mrs. Thompson.

"Will that make you happy?" Brandon asked. She nodded and he smirked. "You and your sibling are just the same," he grinned as he wiped her tears. "This is exactly what Ken would do."

"They got that from their father," Mrs. Thompson added and they cracked up.

"Why is she crying and laughing at the same time?" Brooklyn asked, after waving at Brandon and Mrs Thompson.

"Good question, Brooklyn! Would you go and take care of Theresa?" Mrs. Thompson asked with hands akimbo.

"No"

"Will you encourage anyone to go and take care of her?"

"No, her pup can take care of her," she frowned and sat beside her.

"Lunara left home yesterday and she is nowhere to be found."

"It’s none of my business. She can go to hell for all I care! ...wait...wait...is that why she is crying?"

"Yes," Mrs. Thompson responded immediately.

"Oh, my moon goddess!! ...."

"Hold on, Brooklyn," Brandon said and beckoned to Ken, who had just appeared in the entryway.

"Ken, we have a problem here."

"What’s the problem," Ken asked after kissing Emma’s hair. He pulled a chair and sat beside Brooklyn.

"Lunara ran away from home yesterday."

"Oh, my Moon Goddess! Who’s going to take care of her mother? She’s so heartless. She knows her father is in detention, and her mother needs a lot of care right now. She’s cruel and selfish, just like her father." He let out a long sigh and lowered his head.

"Moonlight, did you speak with her mother?" Ken asked, looking at her.

No, but I want to send someone that will keep an eye on her until Lunara returns."

"That’s very thoughtful of you," he stood up, patted her back gently, and began to walk towards the coffee maker. Everyone, including Emma, laughed, but he didn’t even look back.

"Did Brooklyn tell you the good news?" Ken asked when he came back with two cups of coffee.

"No," they chorused.

"We’re getting mated on Saturday!" Ken announced proudly before leaning down to kiss Brooklyn on the lips.

All the sadness in Emma’s heart disappeared at once. Mrs. Thompson quickly served the food, and soon the cookhouse became lively again with laughter, teasing, and excited chatter.

Emma tried to eat with them, but after a few bites, her stomach turned.

She pushed back her chair and rushed outside.

A moment later, she vomited behind the cookhouse.

"Moonheart, are you okay?" Brandon asked as he hurried after her, concern clear on his face.

Emma wiped her mouth weakly and leaned against the wall. "I don’t like the food."

"Tell me what you want," Brandon said gently, pulling her into his arms.

"Nothing. I just want to rest."

But Brandon ignored her answer. He quickly began asking the kitchen workers to prepare different foods she had liked before, hoping at least one of them would stop her nausea.

"It’s normal," Mrs. Thompson said in an encouraging tone. "The vomiting stage will pass soon, and then she’ll start craving weird things," she added.

"BO, is this what mother wolves go through to bring a new life into the pack?" Ken asked, sounding sorry for them.

"Ask Mrs. Thompson. I’m not a mother wolf," Brandon replied.

They all burst into laughter.

A few minutes later, they went into the garden to admire the beautiful roses. Emma couldn’t stop inhaling their scent, craving it more than she expected.

Just then, Emma’s device rang. She glanced at the screen and answered the call.

"Alpha’s mate. She need to see you."

Paige went still.

" Paige?" Her voice sharpened immediately. "Is something wrong?"

Silence.

No answer came back. Just that strange, lingering quiet on the line.

Brandon watched her face change. The easy calm she had moments ago was gone now. Her expression had tightened, her attention fully locked onto the call like she was trying to read between the silence.

"Paige talk to me," Emma said again, lower. "What happened?"

Still nothing.

Then the call ended.

Emma lowered the device slowly.

For a moment, she didn’t move or speak.

"Moonheart?" Brandon asked softly.

She finally looked at him—but something about her eyes had shifted. Focused. Alert. Like whatever had just happened wasn’t small.

And in that instant, Brandon felt it through their bond.

A subtle pull in her chest. A quick, instinctive response to his tension—like his wolf had registered the change in her before his thoughts could catch up.

His wolf stirred.