Emma just finished taking her bath, changing into casual clothes when her parents called her to the dining room.
She walked in there majestically, She found her parents sitting edge to edge.
She walked to sit beside her father, who stared at her with admiration.
“We need to talk,” Mr. Sinclair said. His voice was low but firm.
“What about?” Emma asked, trying to sound quieter.
Her mother folded her hands. Her expression softened. “The moon feast at the Moonbrook pack is next weekend,” she inhaled loudly. “It is a significant celebration. You will attend it whether you like it or not,” she added.
Emma blinked repeatedly. The weight of her mother’s words sinks into her soul.
Moon feast was not just any celebration. It was one of the most important traditions among the realist pack. The grand festival is held under the full moon. It was steeped in history and culture, marking the time when groups of the pack came together to forge alliances, celebrate their heritage, and most importantly, find their mates. MoonBrook pack was known for hosting the most lavish and traditional moon feasts in the entire region.
“I know it is important,” Emma uttered carefully. Her voice was clouded with worries. “But why do I need to go?” She asked.
“Because you are of age, and this is the perfect opportunity for you to find a mate,” Mr. Sinclair leaned back in his chair.
“I see,” Emma nodded quietly, fidgeting with her finger
“And It is not just about finding a mate. It is about making connections, representing our family.” Her mother added.
Before Emma could respond, a voice came from the hallway.
“Did someone say Moon Feast Festival?” Ever poked her head into the room. Her eyes were high, sparkling with exactness.
She stepped inside, a grin spreading across her face. “I can’t wait for the party. I have heard that Moonbrook pack throws the best celebration and maybe,” she twirled dramatically. “I will finally find my mate,” she exclaimed.
“That is the spirit,” Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes. “What we should be looking forward to, is a chance for a fresh start and new opportunity,” he added.
“Dad, why did I feel like you are exaggerating this whole party, I mean what is special?” I question
“Exaggerating?” Mum chimed in with wide eyes “That’s why you have to attend the party so you will know it is not exaggerated at all,” she added.
“You have to pull yourself together the party is going to be lit!” Ever exclaimed happily.
“Of course, it will be,” Emma tried to match Ever energy.
Emma, oblivious to Emma’s inner anger, clapped her hands together. “I have already planned my dress. It is going to be silver like the moon. What about you, Emma? What are you wearing?”
“I have not thought about it yet,” she replied simply. Their mother raised her eyebrows at that.
“Well, you won’t have to. I will take care of everything that you need. You just have to put your mind at rest and make sure you maintain your dignity.”
“That is unnecessary,” Emma quickly said, holding up her hand. “I would rather just wear something simple. I am not even—”
“Nonsense. No daughter of mine is going to show up to the moon feast looking pale and unprepared,” her mother interjected. Her tone was sharp.
“It is not that I don’t care,” Emma interject softly. “It is just that I don’t think I will find anyone. I don’t want to get my hopes up.” She sighed, her shoulders slumping.
“What are you talking about, Emma? Do you even realize what you’re saying?” Her mum asked with a wide terror eyes and Emma swallowed hard.
She was about to reply when her father’s voice rang,“Is somebody cooking in this house? What’s smelling like this?” He asked his eyes searching around.
“Oh, damn it! I was preparing food. I forgot I haven’t turned off the gas! I’m sorry, Mum. I’m sorry, Dad.” Ever quickly apologized.
“Stop being sorry and get out of this place right now,” her mother snapped. Ever quickly rush out of the room.
She then turned her gazed back to Emma. “You’re overthinking this. It’s not just about finding a mate. It’s about presenting yourself with confidence. Showing the world who you are.”
Emma looked away. “And what if I’m not enough?” she whispered.
Her mother’s expression softened, but there was an unyielding determination in her voice. “You are more than enough. You are strong, smart, and beautiful. And no matter what happens, you always have us—this family.”
Emma bit her lip, her emotions boiling within her. “And what about Ever?” she asked firmly. “What if she doesn’t find someone? What happens to her?”
Her mother pondered the question for a moment. “Ever is inconsequential right now. She will be fine.”
Immediately after those statements, they heard footsteps approaching. They turned and realized that Ever was standing at the doorway to the kitchen.
“Are you talking to me?” Ever pointed to herself, her tears staining her lashes as she tried to hold them back, she tried not to break down in tears.
“No one is talking to you,” their mother gave her a dismissive gesture, but Ever remained standing, her eyes darting between Emily and her mother.
“Go and check the food you’re cooking. I don’t want it burnt, okay?” She uttered with a cold gaze and Ever quickly walked out without another word.
Emily stared at her, his gaze fixed on her as she left, expecting his mother to show some sign of regret. But instead, her mood shifted back to its previous, cheerful state.
“So, as I was saying, I’m going to get the best dress for you. You have to outshine everyone at the pack that day, so if your mate sees you, he’ll accept you without giving it a second thought,” she explained. Emily simply stared at her blankly, unsure of what to say in response
Emma shut the door behind her. The shallowness and the sharpness of her mother’s voice send a wave of shiver down her body. She wondered what had changed. Even though her sister could be annoying sometimes, the words her mother used for her felt more hurt. She had called Ever “inconsequential.” The word felt too harsh even for her, even though she hated Ever. The word carried a weight that made her stomach churn. She did not want to dwell too much on it, but the thought still lingered, leaving a bad taste on her tongue.As much as she tried to push it aside, the words still lingered at the back of her mind. She shook her head, deciding to distract herself. She thought of how to distract herself. A familiar idea suddenly struck her mind. She hurriedly left her room and padded down to Damien’s room. When she got there, she knocked lightly on the door. She waited patiently for a voice or the door to open, and soon—Damien’s calm voice asserted, “Come inside,” and she pushed the doo
The next day, Emily’s mind was still puzzling over what the prophecy had told her yesterday, she tried to dwell more on it but the sound of her phone buzzed made her flange in fear. She stared at the caller ID, and it was a strange number. She doubted if she should pick up the call or not, but eventually, she swiped the green button pressing the phone against her left ear.There was a few minutes of silence and she started wondering if it was a spam call. Just when she wanted to hang up, the caller called out her name. “Emma” A low voice greeted her. “We need to meet today,” the person addedEmma frowned at first because she had no idea who was talking. “Why? What is wrong? Who are you?” She rushed her question. “If you want to know me, just meet me at the hotel basement downtown. I will explain everything to you,” the person said, and her heart pounded.“Who is this person?” she thought to herself but eventually agreed. “Fine, I will be there.”With that, she hung up the call,
The dinning room was aglow with warm light. Emma and her family gathered for dinner. The faint clinking of cutlery echoed off the polished table. Emma sat stiffly in her chair, her fingers curling around her spoon, trying to ignore the persistent glance from her sister. “So, Emma, what is been keeping you so busy these days?” Ever asked her voice breaking the grace silent. Emma did not bother looking at her. Instead, she focused on her dad, offering them a small smile. “The usual,” she replied. “Mom,” she called turning toward her mum “I have decided on something,” she said with a large smile.Her mother dropped the fork in her hand and focused her attention on her. “Decided on something? Which is?” she asked.“I have decided that I will attend the festival, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.”The words came as a shock to her parents.“Really? I thought you weren’t interested,” her mother said, turning to her with evident surprise.Emma shrugged, her expression unreadable.
The next day, Emma woke up with a start. The morning sunlight streamed down the window and the memory of the conversation she had with Damien hit her like a tube brisk, she stood up from the bed, crossing the room, and going to Damien's room. When she got there, she realized Damien was not inside, which gave her the thought that he had already gone out in search of whatever Ever was up to. Yesterday, he had promised her that he would investigate and bring back news.Emma returned to her room. She tried to calm her racing heart but no matter how hard she tried it kept beating fast. She took a glimpse of herself in the mirror and realized her eyes had developed a dark circle, she had barely slept overnight, and her mind was swirling with questions about Ever, her strange behavior, and the gut-wrenching suspicion that something sinister was at play.Deciding to get ready in case Damien returned with urgent news, Emma went to take a quick bath. As she finished dressing, her parents
Emma and Damien found themselves in a quieter part of town. The sun was beginning to lower into the horizon. They parked discreetly near an old unassuming borough. The area was a stark contrast to the bustling city they had just left behind. Emma’s nerves were frayed. Her finger drummed restlessly on the dashboard as she kept her eyes glued on the entrance of a dimly lit bar across the street. “What do you think she's up to this time?” Emma asked, her voice was tight with tension. “Whatever it is, we are going to find out,” Damien replied simply. “Just stay sharp, okay?” he added, leaning back in his seat, his gaze unwavering.They sat in grave silence until Ever finally stepped out of a sleek car, her confidence radiating in the way she carried herself. Emma couldn’t tear her eyes away as her sister strode purposefully toward the bar.Ever paused briefly at the entrance, a flicker of unease crossing her face. Something felt wrong. She scanned the surroundings but she couldn't f
Ever froze in disbelief as the barista repeated the words; “Both cards declined.” Her stomach dropped, and her friends around the table exchanged uneasy glances as if exchanging words with their eyes.“That can’t be right,” Ever murmured, digging into her bag to find another card. Her fingers fumbled through its contents, but she found nothing. Panic began to rise as she tried to make sense of what was happening.Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the tension. “Are you alright?”Ever turned quickly, startled to see Damien standing behind her. He stepped closer, his expression calm but laced with concern.“Yeah… I’ll be fine,” Ever replied hesitantly, brushing imaginary dust from her clothes.“I can see you’ve got a lot on your plate,” Damien said smoothly, his reassuring smile oddly disarming. “Let me help you out.”Before Ever could respond, Damien reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black card. “Here. Use this to cover the bill. You can return it when we get home,”
Ever stood before her parents. Their disappointed eyes bore into hers. It was a feeling she had grown all too familiar with over few weeks. But today, it felt more heavier. Her mother’s voice was sharp as she scolded her. “Ever, this behavior is completely unacceptable. Do you have any idea what you have done? This childish altercation with Emma it’s unbecoming.” Her voice was calm, controlled, but it cut through her like a blade. Ever could barely look at her. Her mother’s cold gaze was a reflection of everything she had never been able to say. She had spent days trying to earn their approval, maybe hoping something would go back to the way it used to be. But no matter what she did, it was never enough. Emma was now the shiniest star in the family now. She wondered when everything became this unbearable.“You are acting like a child,” her father’s voice rang out. His tone was reprimanding. “You should know better than to engage in petty arguments. I expect more from you, Ever.” It
Ever staggered further into the house, her alcohol-laden breath filling the room. Her parents exchanged uneasy glances, their disapproval of her drunken state briefly overshadowed by Emma’s worsening condition.When they took a glimpse look at Emma, who was lying down on the couch her breath was quicken. And she trembled uncontrollably. Her skin was pale and damp with sweat. “Ever,” her father said sharply, his voice filled with a mix of desperation and command. “Your sister is very sick. Do something!”Ever smirked bitterly, her eyes glassy yet somewhat sharp with simmering resentment. “Why would I do anything for her?” she slurred, her voice laced with defiance. “You’ve made it clear who the real child is. You don’t care about me,” she said mockingly, as if the situation was a joke to her.Her mother’s face tightened, but for a moment, there was no anger, only desperation. “Ever,” she pleaded, her voice softer now, “please, we’re sorry if we’ve hurt you. But Emma, she’s your sister
Jayden gaze was sharp, almost searching for something that was not lost. There was something uncertain about the way he looked at her, like he was feeling back layers she didn't even know she had, searching for cracks or anything wrong, which she did not understand."Who were you talking to?" Jayden repeated his question, his tone edged with suspicion.Emma squared her shoulders."The guard you sent to me. Tyler," she replied.At that, his expression shifted. His lips curled slightly, but it was not quite a smirk, it was something colder."You think you're funny?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.“What?” Emma frowned, taken aback by his question."I said," he stepped closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper, "Don't anger me."A strange, suffocating tension settled on Emma, as she didn't understand what he meant by that. He had just come to her room, knocked on the door, and wanted her not to anger him. Why? What caused all this?Jayden's piercing eyes held hers for a long m
Emma stayed in her room for the next few days, avoiding everyone. It was not that she was scared. It was far from that. She just did not want to deal with the stares and the whispers of the inevitable judgmental glare.The twins already painted a certain image of her, and she had no interest in confirming or denying whatever notion they had. If they thought she was troubled, fine. Let them. She was used to being misunderstood. And besides, it was not like she had always like this and it was not like she had anywhere to go.The only person she could not seem to avoid was Tyler, her so-called bodyguard.At first, she had assumed his presence would be strictly professional, that he would stand guard outside her door, only stepping in if there was a threat. Instead, he was always around her, checking on her, making sure she was eating, asking if she needed anything.His presence was not overbearing, but it was persistence. Too persistence. And it was starting to grate on her nerves.On th
The walls of the room were thick, but not thick enough to drown out the voices arguing outside Emma sat up, her heartbeat steady, but curiosity burned through her like wildfire. The anger issues in their voices were unmistakable, the weight of the conversation pressing against her like an invisible force. She didn’t need to hear every word to know it was serious. She recognizes the voice as, Jayden’s, Kale’s, the Luna and the alpha king's. “Do not ever think of changing the moon goddess’ order,” The Alpha’s voice rang out, fork and absolute. “It will only bring ruin to the pack.” Emma bit her lips. The authority in his voice sent a chill down her spine. A brief silence followed the alpha words. Then she heard Kale's voice, it was kind of low that she could nearly catch up with what he was saying. “We are only saying that she…” “No!” Their father’s voice cut in like a blade. “You are my sons, but you will not defy the fate. If she is your mate, then she is yours. If you reject
What mark?She had never paid attention to anything unusual on her skin, and now they were acting as if she had been hiding some grand secret. It made no sense. They always found a way to stir up drama, and she was tired of it.Emma exhaled sharply, shifting on the bed. “What are you talking about?” she muttered twisting her upper body to try and look over her shoulder. But doing so, she lost her balance. This!!!A sharp sting shot up her arms as she hit the floor, face-fist, a startled yell escaping her lips immediately. For a moment, there was silence. Then Kale burst into laughter. “By the moon, that was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen,” he choked out between his laughter, clutching his stomach. Jayden only sighed, shaking his head. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Emma groaned, her face burning with embarrassment. She gritted her teeth, her temper flaring. “Don’t just stand there like that. Help me up,” Still chuckling,
The first thing Emma felt was warmth. It surrounded her, cocooning her in a way that was oddly comforting. But the moment her consciousness returned, so did the memories, the rogues, the attack, the suffocating fear. Her eyes snapped opened panic seizing her chest as she bolted upright. She expected to be alone but she wasn’t. Her breath hitched as she realized she was lying in an unfamiliar room, one far to elegant to belong to her. The walls were dark, lined with intricate carving, and the heavy drapes cast long shadows across the dimly lit discs. Everything smelled fairly of wood and an oddly familiar scent that she couldn’t dispatch. Then suddenly her gaze met them. Jayden and Jake, they where sitting across the room, their gazes locked onto her the moment she moved. Emma stiffened. Something is definitely not right. She could feel it. The twins Everett wearing their unusual smirks, there was no mockery, no arroganc, just something unreadable in their eyes. “How do you fee
Emma stood still her heart pounding faster in her chest. Kale and Jayden stared at her with a knowing smirk displaying on their lips. “Are you serious about that?” Jayden repeated his voice was calm but edged with something she couldn’t quite place.She forced her to give a gentle nod. “Yes. Whatever it takes,” she replied confidently. They exchanged a glance then Kale leaned forward slightly. “Good then meet us in the woods tonight. And dress up well.” “Dressed up?” Emma blinked repeatedly “Why?” She questions. “Why? You don’t want to? I thought you said you would do whatever we ask you to do?” Kale raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I promise but why should I come to the wood? At night?” Jayden smirk widened. “No more questions! You heard him. Make sure you look nice. We don’t want you showing up looking like you just rolled out of bed with a snooze,” Jayden smiled devilishly. Confusion flicked in her eyes but she didn’t dare ask any other questions if she didn’t want the issue to be
The next morning, Emma rose with a sense of determination weighing on her shoulders. The Alpha's words from the previous day echoed in her mind, reminding her that she had no choice but to endure whatever the twins threw her way. Fighting back or allowing their actions to affect her would only give them more power over her.The best thing she could do now was to act as though their cruelty meant nothing to her. She decided to find a way to get on their good side and promised to do everything that would make them forgive her. She thought about making breakfast for them.She went to the kitchen, taking a deep breath and steadying herself. She wanted to remain peaceful, or at least survive in the process. Perhaps a gesture of goodwill would help. Cooking for them wasn't exactly something she wanted to do, but it was a way to extend an olive branch without outright begging for their forgiveness.She focused on preparing the meal with care, ensuring the food was cooked perfectly, well-sea
The twins were equally surprised by Emma’s boldness. How dare she slam the door in their face like that? The two of them exchanged angry glares before storming out, walking to their father’s office. They knocked on the door, and before their father’s voice could give them permission to enter, they burst the door opened and stepped inside.They stood in front of him in a way that made their father raise an eyebrow and drop the document in his hands, his eyes now focused on the two of them.“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” he asked.The twins stepped further into the room.“Everything is not okay, Father. Not a bit of it is okay,” Kale started. “I mean, the brat that you brought home disrespected us in a way that could cause her trouble. How dare she slam the door on our face without our permission? That’s just out of line.”“She doesn’t get to behave like that to us, Father,” Jayden added immediately.The Alpha, focused all his attention on them.“Is that what she did? She slammed t
Emma marched forward to her room. She didn’t know what was wrong with the twins or why they thought they could transform their aggression on her. She walked to her bed and fell down heavily on it, her eyes magnetized to the ceiling.Obviously, she didn’t know why she suddenly missed her parent so much. She wished she could go back home, but she had already set her leg into this, and there was no way of going back.“I miss you, Mom,” she muttered, her heart freezing with different types of questions. Maybe if she was still with her mom, she wouldn’t be facing all this nonsense from those dramatic twins.Suddenly, her phone vibrated, and she flinched, sitting up on the bed and holding her chest. She was scared for a second.She picked up the phone and realized it was Damien calling. Happily, she slid the green button and pressed the phone against her right ear.“Hello, Damien,” she whispered happily.“Emma, how are you doing? I heard you moved to the pack. You didn’t even think to inform