Chapter 3

Emma's Pov

"Where am I?" Emma asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her eyes fixed on the woman with piercing green eyes who regarded her with a faint smile.

"Oh, you are awake," the woman replied, her tone light yet inscrutable. Emma’s heart raced as confusion churned within her.

She had expected to be dead or imprisoned, given that crossing the TMN pack’s borders was usually a death sentence, but here she was on a soft bed.

Emma’s stomach tightened in fear as different scenarios crossed her mind. What if they were planning to use her as a sex machine, just like her father had done to her? The very thought made her stomach turn.

She hadn’t crossed the borders on purpose. Days of wandering, weak from hunger, had made her desperate. When she had spotted some ripe bananas, a flicker of hope had ignited. She had planned to grab the bananas quickly and continue her escape.

But as soon as she entered the area, she saw the pack warriors closing in. Panic exploded in her chest, propelling her to run, the bananas slipping from her hands. In her frantic dash, she had stumbled into the old cottage, hoping its shadows would hide her.

The cottage had been stifling, filled with the stale scent of dust and old wood. She had huddled in the corner of a worn-out wardrobe, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her heart had thundered in her chest, each beat resonating in her ears.

Every creak and murmur from outside had made her flinch. The Alpha’s voice, commanding and authoritative, had caused her to shiver uncontrollably. The footsteps had grown louder, each step in sync with her pounding heart. She could barely make out the words, her hearing impaired by fear.

Emma’s thoughts raced. Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the sparse furnishings and the gentle glow of the lamp. The woman's unyielding stare felt like a weight pressing down on her.

Emma's fingers twitched nervously, and she clenched and unclenched her fists in her lap. Her throat was dry, and she swallowed hard, trying to calm the tremors in her voice. "Why am I here?" she finally asked, her voice cracking slightly.

The woman’s smile widened, her eyes holding an unreadable glimmer. "I am Luna Essa of the TMN pack—or should I say, ex-Luna, since you, my dear, are about to take over," she said.

Emma stared at her in disbelief, her eyes wide with confusion.

"I don't understand what you are saying, ma'am. I know I committed a grave sin by crossing your border, but I assure you, I had no malicious intent. I was just hungry and saw some bananas. I only wanted to take a little and leave so please stop with this mocking words about me been mate with an Alpha," Emma said, her lips trembling as she looked at the woman with pleading eyes.

"Oh dear, what don't you understand? Is it the fact that you are to be the next Luna of the TMN pack, or something else?" the woman asked.

"Yes," Emma stammered in reply, her expression lost and confused.

The woman looked at her thoughtfully. "Well then, let me explain further," she said. "I am the mother of Gregory, the Alpha who discovered you after you crossed the pack borders without permission."

As soon as Emma heard the name, her heart pounded furiously. Alpha Gregory was the most feared name among the rogues she had met while running away from her abusive father.

The way they had always warned her not to go near his pack ringed in her ears but she had ignored their warnings and went straight into the lion's den all because of a few piece of banana now look at what it had caused her.

The memory of the Alpha piercing green eyes as he discovered her hiding in the wardrobe flooded back. She had come face-to-face with him, his presence overwhelming and terrifying which made her faint at that time.

Her entire body trembled uncontrollably as she could still feel the intensity of his gaze, the way it had made her feel utterly exposed and vulnerable. Her knees felt weak, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

"I remember," Emma whispered, her voice shaking. "He found me... in the wardrobe."

Luna Essa nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, Gregory found you. And that discovery has changed everything."

Emma's mind raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, she felt a glimmer of hope—an Alpha could protect her, shield her from the dangers she had faced alone for so long. But then, a wave of doubt washed over her. "Will he actually accept me as his mate?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "I'm a rogue."

Luna Essa's expression softened. "My dear, be reassured," she said gently. "I know my son, and Gregory would never make a decision that would harm his pack. The Moon Goddess has chosen you as the next Luna, and she has her reasons. I trust my son's judgment completely." I just need to trust and believe in the power of fate.

Emma took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I still don’t understand everything, but I’ll try," she said, her voice wavering.

"That's all I ask," Luna Essa replied, her smile warm and reassuring. "We’ll take this one step at a time, together."

"Okay," Emma finally replied,this time with a smile as the way the woman spoke like her in the way her mother mother would always try to reassure her.

The memory of her mother made her thoughts drift back to the memories of her childhood and the time she was with her father.

The thought of her mother brought tears to her eyes as she recalled how much better her life had been when she was alive. Emma was the daughter of Alpha Evan from the Whispery pack.

"During pregnancy, Emma's father, had lavished love and attention on her mother, hoping for an Alpha son. But when Emma arrived, declared an omega, his love evaporated like mist in the sun."

Growing up, Emma had never felt her father's love. He was rarely home, and when he was, he barely acknowledged her existence. Anytime she saw him, his mood would darken as soon as he noticed her.

She remembered running to him, arms outstretched for a hug, only to be pushed aside or ignored entirely.

When her mom was still alive, she had done her best to protect Emma from her father.

But after her mother died, he became a beast and showed his real colours, forcing her to work as a sex slave for any man who wanted her.

She remembered the nightmares of being bound and helpless, subjected to the whims of multiple men, still lingered in her mind, making her skin crawl.

She remembered the sound of her father's belt buckle whenever he wanted to punish her for resisting any of the men.

The worst of them was when she had discovered she was pregnant and had happily told her father, but he only beat her mercilessly and gave her a drug that made her bleed uncontrollably.

She had cried that very night from the intense pain both from the stabbing pain in her abdomen and also the pain of loosing her child.

The memories of all she had been through brought more tears to her eyes. She took a deep breath and used her fingers to wipe away the tears that threatened to fall.

Turning to look at the woman who claimed to be her mate's mother Emma asked,"So, what am I supposed to do now?"

"Luna Essa's eyes crinkled at the corners as she reached out to pat Emma's hand.

"Well, we are going to plan a wedding, your wedding."