Chapter 76

Emma pressed her back against the door, her heart still racing. Her hands trembled slightly as she touched her burning cheeks, still feeling the ghost of their lips against hers.

What had she gotten herself into?

The twins had always been a mystery to her, cold and distant at first, their attention fixed elsewhere. But now? They were relentless, teasing, chasing her in ways that made her feel flustered and uncertain.

And the worst part?

She didn’t hate it.

Emma groaned, running a hand through her hair. She needed to clear her head.

A knock at the door startled her.

She jumped, gripping the handle as she tried to steady herself.

“Who is it?” she called, hoping her voice didn’t betray how shaken she was.

“It’s me,” a familiar voice replied.

Tyler.

Emma quickly composed herself and opened the door. He stood there with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

“Can I come in?”

Emma hesitated before stepping aside, allowing him in.

Tyler walked in, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on her.

She frowned. “Okay, what’s going on? You’ve been acting weird all morning.”

He let out a slow breath, as if deciding how much to say. “I heard the Alpha called for you.”

Emma nodded. “Yeah, he did.”

Tyler’s jaw tightened. “And?”

She studied his tense posture before sighing. “He told me my mating ceremony with the twins will be held in a week.”

Silence stretched between them.

Tyler’s eyes darkened, and something flickered in them, something she couldn’t quite place.

“And you’re okay with this?” he asked finally, his voice low.

Emma hesitated. Was she okay with it?

It wasn’t like she had a choice, but still… last night had stirred something inside her, something she wasn’t ready to name.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But it’s happening whether I want it to or not.”

Tyler’s fists clenched. “That’s not how it’s supposed to be, Emma.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

Before he could answer, another knock came at the door.

Emma turned, confused, before opening it.

Standing there, leaning lazily against the doorframe was Kale.

His eyes flicked between her and Tyler before a smirk curled his lips.

“Interrupting something?”

Emma stiffened, while Tyler’s expression darkened.

“Not really,” Tyler muttered.

Kale chuckled. “Touchy, aren’t we?” He then turned to Emma. “Jayden wants to see you.”

Emma frowned. “Why?”

Kale shrugged. “Didn’t say. Just told me to bring you.”

Emma sighed. It wasn’t like she could say no.

She turned back to Tyler. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Tyler didn’t look pleased, but he gave her a sharp nod before brushing past Kale and leaving the room.

Kale watched him go with an amused expression before turning back to Emma. “He doesn’t like this, does he?”

Emma huffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kale’s smirk deepened. “Sure you don’t. Now, come on.”

With that, he took her hand, his grip warm and firm as he led her away.

Emma tried not to think about how easily she let him touch her.

Tried not to think about how her heart still hadn’t settled.

And most of all…

Tried not to think about the fact that, in just a week, she would belong to them completely.

As Emma followed Kale down the long corridor, her mind raced with everything that had happened. The sudden shift in the twins’ behavior, the unexpected intimacy, the way her body still felt weak from the previous night—it was overwhelming.

She bit her lip, trying to focus. She had to stay calm.

When they reached Jayden’s room, Kale pushed the door open without knocking.

Jayden was standing near the window, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked on Emma the moment she stepped inside.

“You took your time,” he muttered.

Emma frowned. “I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

Kale chuckled, shutting the door behind them.

Jayden sighed, walking toward her. “Why did it seem like you’re trying avoid us,” he said bluntly.

“I’m not not trying to do that, at least we saw just a minutes ago,” Emma quickly reply.

“Huh? You mean that?” Jayden arched an eyebrow in a reading way.

Emma crossed her arms. “Yes. You can’t expect me to just act normal after what happened last night.”

Kale smirked. “You didn’t seem to mind it at the time.”

Emma’s face burned. “That’s not the point!”

Jayden sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, we don’t regret it, and neither do you.”

Emma opened her mouth to argue but hesitated.

Did she regret it?

Jayden stepped closer, his eyes darkening. “You’re ours, Emma. You always have been. And the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be.”

Kale leaned in from behind, his breath brushing against her ear. “You can keep running, but we’ll always catch you.”

Emma’s heart pounded, but before she could say anything, a knock came at the door.

She took a deep breath, stepping back quickly as Jayden answered it.

A maid stood there, looking nervous.

“The Luna has requested Lady Emma’s presence,” she said, bowing slightly.

As soon as the maid announced that the Luna was calling for her, Emma felt a strange weight settle in her chest.

“The Luna?” she repeated, glancing at the twins.

Jayden’s expression darkened. “What does she want with you?”

The maid hesitated under their intense gazes. “I-I don’t know. She just asked for Lady Emma to come to her chambers immediately.”

Emma swallowed. She wasn’t sure why, but something about this felt… off.

“You don’t have to go.” Jayden turned to her.

“We can tell her you’re resting.” Kale nodded.

Emma’s heart fluttered at their protectiveness, but she knew she couldn’t just ignore the call of the pack’s Luna. Even if she is cruel, she knew refusing wasn’t an option.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She sighed.

Kale leaned closer, his fingers brushing against her wrist. “Emma—”

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured him, though she wasn’t entirely sure of it herself.

Jayden’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. “We’ll escort you, then.”

Emma blinked. “That’s not necessary.”

“It is,” Kale said firmly. “We’re not letting you go alone.”

Emma sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. With the twins flanking her protectively, she followed the maid down the long hallways toward the Luna’s chambers.