Chapter 6

Emma's POV

When I woke up the next morning, my entire body throbbed with a dull, relentless ache.

It felt as though I had spent the night curled up on the cold, hard floor, and in truth, I had slept on the floor.

The memory of Alpha Gregory sending me out of his room was still fresh, a bitter reminder that he had not accepted me.

The red moon pool had drained me, left me aching for my mate, but there was nothing I could do.

The bond between us was as real as the pain coursing through my veins, but without his acceptance, it was as if I was clawing at the walls of an impenetrable fortress, trapped in a limbo of unfulfilled longing.

Luna Essa had woken me. Her presence was quiet, understanding.

She hadn't said a word about the night before, but her eyes told me she knew.

Maybe it was the way my limbs moved sluggishly, or the defeated look I must have worn like a mask.

Either way, she didn’t press me for details, and I was grateful for that.

Now, I stood beside he