Chapter 6

Emmy POV

   “Just a little more blush, okay, Em?” Pearl suggests as she helps me with my make-up. I angle my head to the side, giving her better access.

   “I don’t know why you’re so insistent that we get so dressed up tonight, Pearl,” Amy walks up, trying to put her earrings in.

   “You two are the worst, I swear. First, it’s the full moon tonight. We could meet our mates! Don’t you both want to look your best in case you meet them tonight? Second, Saph and Nathan are taking each other as chosen mates tonight. We are having an early dinner with them before they head out to… you know…” Pearl’s voice trails off and she hides her face in her hands, blush staining her pale skin.

    “Yea, yea. They’re gonna seal the deal,” Amy says, while obnoxiously thrusting her hips in the air.

    I throw a pillow from my bed at her, making her stumble. “I swear, Amy, you’re no better than a twelve-year-old boy. Grow up!” I scold her, then turn back to Pearl to let her finish my make-up. 

     I have no plans on finding any mate tonight, but if it makes Pearl feel happy to do my make-up, I’ll humor her. I just want to get through this dinner and finish getting my things together.

     The three of us were dressed and ready. Pearl is wearing a cute, lightweight, mock-neck black midi-dress, with a white print design. Amy is in a lavender body-con, asymmetrical dress with long sleeves. I went with a simple gray sweater dress. It fit me loosely, and Amy insisted I pair it with black booties. Tonight isn’t about me. It’s about Saph.

    We arrive at Saph’s cottage. She decided that she wanted a cottage for her and Nathan in the future, and she wanted to have her own herb and vegetable garden. We arrive, and before I can even knock, Saph throws the door open, with a giant smile on her face.

    “Oh goody! You’re all here. Nathan hasn’t arrived just yet. Darius and Daya are meeting him at the territory entrance. I’m still finishing dinner. And I have to finish my hair. Ah! I’m so excited!” She's talking so fast and flapping her hands, she might just take flight. Pearl and Amy simply laughed at our sister. I smiled and gave her a big hug.

     “Let us help you finish the food so you can finish getting ready. Honestly, you look beautiful already, I don’t think you need to do anything else,” I reassure her as I take in her outfit. Saph is wearing a floor-length burgundy maxi dress. Her dress has cut-outs on the waist and a slit up to her mid-thigh.

    “Saph, you look hot. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nathan marks you on the spot,” Amy chimes in as she makes her way to the kitchen to peek into the pots and pans on the stove. Pearl swats her hands away. 

     Amy in the kitchen is dangerous. She can stir things but don’t put her in charge of cooking. Pearl immediately takes charge of the cooking duties. I follow Saph into her bedroom to keep her company while she finishes her hair and make-up.

   “Em, I can’t begin to express how excited I am. None of you have met Nathan yet. I know you’ll love him as much as I do. Well… maybe not as much as I do, but you’ll like him a lot!” she says gleefully. 

     Her face is so cheery and bright. She takes her hair out of her trademark bun and lets her hair flow down below her shoulders in loose waves. She is stunning. A natural beauty. I wish I could have that much confidence in my appearance. 

     We hear another knock at the door and Saph practically jumps out of her skin. She races to the door and before she gets there, the door is already being pushed open. A tall, lean, and muscular man, with mocha-colored skin is on the other side of the door.

     “Nathan!” Saph launches herself at him and he scoops her up around her waist, as she wraps her legs around his.

    “Sapphire,” he hums as his eyes close tightly while he nuzzles her neck. It’s as if they aren’t surrounded by her family. I make my way to the kitchen to give them their moment.

    Dinner went by painfully slow. Saph and Nathan were making googly eyes at each other the whole time. Pearl asked them about how they met. Amy stayed busy drinking her wine. Daya and Darius were practically making out the whole time too. I felt so out of place. This just confirms my need to leave this pack. The sooner the better.

    “Well, sisters…and Darius…” Saph addresses the group and Amy and Daya snicker at her comment. Darius rolls his eyes and gestures for Saph to continue. “I want to say how much it means to me to have you all here and meet Nathan before we take each other as chosen mates in a couple of hours. I know he is the one for me and I feel so happy knowing the five of us are together again. And soon, Nathan will be moving here permanently as well, right?” Saph gazes down at Nathan, who is holding her hand in his so gently.

    “Yes, my jewel. I have to return to the Black Mountain Pack tomorrow to finish up with my warrior duties out there. Alpha Darius has assured me a spot here as a warrior when I make the move over here in a couple of months,” Nathan says calmly. 

    Saph pouts knowing they will be apart for a couple of months, but quickly replaces her frown with a giant smile.

   “Okay, I think now is when we will ask you all to leave so we can…” Saph began to say and I quickly clamp my hand over Amy’s mouth before she can say another stupid comment.

   “No need to explain, Saph. We’re leaving. Enjoy the full moon,” I say as I stand up and make my way to the front door, dragging Amy with me.

   We all make our way outside and the door closes, but it does nothing to block out the sounds of Saph’s laughter and Nathan’s low growls. Gross.

   “Well, seems like now is the perfect moment to head home. Don’t you agree, Troublemaker?” Darius asks Daya. His hand wraps around her waist and rests on her stomach.

   “I guess the night is over for us too. No mates…” Pearl says sadly as she looks up at the full moon. 

   I gently rub her back. I know how badly she wants to meet her mate. I just wish she wouldn’t get her hopes up like this.

   “Perhaps your mate isn’t in this pack. We may need to take an adventure someday,” Amy says, giving Pearl a smirk. I see Pearl’s mood immediately pick up at the idea.

   “Nobody is traveling anywhere until we know it’s safe,” Daya speaks up, and I watch the excitement leave Pearl’s eyes as if Daya just popped her favorite balloon.

   “Speaking of travel. Emmy, meet me in my office in the morning. There is something we need to discuss,” Darius says, his tone serious. I can feel myself getting nervous. 

    Does he know? How could he have found out that I’m leaving?

“Yes, Alpha,” I say, bowing my head respectfully.

   “Emmy, please. No need for formalities,” Darius tells me. 

    It’s so hard for me to break that habit. My previous Alpha was very formal and always wanted to be addressed by his title.

“Get some rest, sisters. See you in the morning, Em,” Daya says as she hugs me goodnight. 

    We all walk in our separate directions, the light of the full moon glowing brightly in the dark sky.

    I get back to my apartment and head straight for my desk where my laptop sits. I open my e-mail and re-read the same one I’ve been reading over and over for the last week.

         Ms. Emerald Stone,

        

Congratulations! On behalf of the Office of Admissions, we would like to welcome you to Columbia University’s School of Law. We look forward to your attendance and are confident that you will add incredible value to our program.

A smile graces my face as I read the e-mail out loud.

    I’m leaving.