A WEEK LATERThe Silverstone Archive was a grand, high-ceiling room with walls lined with towering bookshelves. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and leather-bound tomes. Soft, golden light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting a warm glow over the room and despite the many pack members that were present on the room, it was silent.Emberlynn hurried towards Damien as he strode to the shelf that was at the farthestmost part of the room.Emberlynn had been invited to the library by Damien. Although she had declined at first and desired to visit the embroidery's den, she had thought against it.Lately, he had been seeking her presence even more.Emberlynn didn't want to read too much meaning into all that was happening, but she couldn't help it. Damien's presence next to her, how soft he acted, and the way he looked at her as if she was the only she-wolf in the pack left a familiar sensation in her heart."What are we here to do again?" Damien asked, turning
The air was crisp and cool with the scent of damp earth and greenery.Emberlynn moved quietly on the forest floor that was covered with thick layers of fallen orange, yellow, and red leaves.She was never out in the forest during the morning time until now, and it was a sight to behold. From the feeling of the new spring season to the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle morning breeze, she desired to lose herself in the beauty of nature, but she knew it wasn't the time.It was their hunting season. Even though she barely partook in the activity that had occurred before they set out, which was mainly the pack members gathering to share stories, sing songs, and perform rituals to ensure a successful and safe hunt, she had convinced Damien to allow her to be part.She hadn't witnessed any hunt before, so it was her first time. She had thought Damien would object, but surprisingly, he readily agreed and even gave her the earth-toned tunic and leggings she was on.Ev
Silence enveloped the area they were in, and Damien's ears perked up, listening for any movement. Tilting his face skyward, he sniffed, and a smile adorned his face."Today is our lucky day," He said, then turned to Roy, who was closest to him. "Can you take a clean shot if an animal is far away?""No," Roy shook his head. "At this moment, I am somewhat unstable and might make it flee if I do so.""Who can?" Damien asked, turning to Leo and the rest of the members.They all shrugged, shaking their head.Damien sighed, rolling his eyes. He was certain they were all skilled. He had seen them take clean shots before, but he believed they didn't want to. During hunting time like this, they prepared he take the biggest prey while they were fine with the smallest one.Almost everyone was with an animal, ranging from rabbits to antelope.He believed the buck had smelt the aroma of the dead animals, and that was why it was coming their way."I want total silence," Damien said, and he grabbed
For the umpteenth time, her eyes darted between the towering trees. They were all the same.Although she had not created any mark to differentiate them, she felt their texture and scent."Damien, please," She whispered, her heart racing as she heard footsteps approaching her.Sprinting to one of the oak trees in the forest, she hit behind it, peeping to see whoever was coming.After a few seconds of hearing only total silence, Emberlynn let out a shriek as a furry creature jumped toward her face.Swatting her hands in the air, she cried, "Leave me be!"After swatting at her air, she raised her hands in front of her in defense.Her heart thumped wildly in her ribcage as she opened her eyes to see a lovely squirrel on the forest floor, staring back at her in wonderment."Oh, my goodness," she whimpered, gripping her chest tightly. "You frightened me."The squirrel hopped out of her way as she moved forward and onto the oak tree climbing up.Yet, that wasn't the only thing that had its m
"I'm fine; you don't need to bandage the injury," Damien said as Emberlynn started to wrap him up."I need to; it's barely healing," she said, her gaze locked on the deep, ugly gash. "Does it hurt? I applied some healing ointment I got from Betsy in the bandage."Damien shook his head, staring at her face. She looked overly concerned even though she hurt herself."And you're in no shoes to ask if I am hurt or not. How's your shoulder? You shouldn't move around too much." Damien stated, touching her shoulder.Emberlynn winced, and then she smiled as Damien's eyes narrowed on hers."Hey, I am fine. It's almost healed. I only feel slight pain." she said."Slight?" Damien snorted, "And stop trying to downplay the pain you are feeling."Gripping her hands that continued to wrap him up, he stood to his feet."No, stop!" Emberlynn protested, trying to push him back to the bed, but she ended up falling on it instead while Damien was on top of her."You are the one who should stop," Damien sai
Emberlynn sat on the bed, staring into space. Since she stepped into the room, her thoughts kept returning to what had happened and how she had wronged Damien.She couldn't come up with anything tangible, and each she thought about the fury in his eyes, tears brimmed in her eyes. Her heart clenched, and a dull ache throbbed in her chest as though she had been rejected even though reserve was the case.She sighed, blinking back the tears in her eyes before looking towards the door as it opened."My Lady," Betsy said as she stepped in. Her face was contorted in a frown, and she set the laundry basket with her, walking towards Emberlynn's side."Are you alright?"Emberlynn shook her head, biting her lower lips. She shielded her face from Betsy, who stepped closer to her. "Did the Alpha reject you?" she asked and clasped Emberlynn's face.Her eyes moved towards the mate mark that was newly forming.It was up to a week, and the mate mark hadn't fully formed. Although it wasn't often as lon
Emberlynn awoke the next morning with a pounding head and swollen eyes. She groaned, sitting up on the bed, her hands clasping her heavy head."What now?" she grimaced, her gaze drifted to the wall clock and then to the door that opened, announcing Betsy's presence.She seemed overly bubbly today, which was the opposite feeling for Emberlynn."Arise and shine, My lady; it's a beautiful morning," she said, walking to the curtains and opening them. Light streamed into the room, and indeed, it was a beautiful day, but Emberlynn's pounding head worsened.She closed her eyes before falling back to the bed to rest her head, which felt like it would fall off anytime soon."What's good about the morning when I woke up with a pounding head?" Emberlynn whispered.Her throat was parched, like she had swallowed sand for dinner, and her body ached.She tried to open her eyes, but it was almost impossible."Are you sick, my Luna?" Betsy asked, walking towards the bed. She placed a palm on Emberlynn
After staying indoors for a few hours, Emberlynn decided to leave the room that was starting to get suffocating.Also, she left in hopes of running into Damien. Although Betsy had suggested she went to see him, Emberlynn had thought against the idea.Damien didn't want her around him; it was best to avoid any confrontation.Walking around the garden, which was the only place she could have a real quiet time, she sat on the bench, glancing at the sky.A smile adorned her face as she stared at the beautiful atmosphere, and the smile vanished as she heard a voice behind her."You must be the Luna?" It was feminine, and Emberlynn jumped, turning around.Her eyes locked on a pair of piercing green eyes with the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. Her skin was smooth, and her silky dark hair was held in a high ponytail.She had a pair of blue jeans and a white dress shirt on, with the top button undone.She looked elegant despite the simple clothes she had worn.Also, she was a werewolf