Emma had never realized the forest territories and wooded packlands were almost a separate universe of their own until she stood in front of one. The weather was quite pleasant with a soft wind drifting through the tall trees like a quiet breath from the Moon Goddess.
Oliver lowered the hiking backpack from his shoulders. He brought out two new boots and handed one to her. Emma sat down on the ground and put the boot on. Then he pulled out a compass and began explaining how it worked.
Emma stood up after the explanation and began walking toward the rough path that would take them down the hills. She was surprised when she turned and realized Oliver was still sitting on the grass, looking at her with worry clearly written across his face. He crooked his fingers and she walked back toward him.
"Sit," he said.
"I'm sitting."
Emma sat down without understanding why his face looked so tense.
"I want honesty from you. Were you forced by someone last night?" he asked.
His question threw her off balance. Emma quickly lowered her head and could not raise it again when she understood why he had been staring at her.
"Were you forced?" he asked again.
"I… I don't know how to explain."
Emma was confused and didn't know how to explain her situation. Most packmates their age had never heard about the moon-cycle bleeding of she-wolves and human girls alike. She was sure he didn't know about it either. If he had, he wouldn't have asked that question.
"Emma, please talk to me."
His voice softened, impossible to resist. Emma secretly liked how he called her name. It made her love her name more.
"No one forced me. It's my moon cycle," she whimpered, her head still lowered.
"What is moon cycle?" he asked.
"I… I can't really explain everything."
"Does it happen to some she-wolves?"
"It happens to all she-wolves."
"It doesn't happen to my sister. We are very close and she tells me everything. She never mentioned moon cycle."
"How old is she?"
"She's eleven."
"Moon cycles can begin as early as eight or as late as twelve."
"So you mean a day will come when she will begin to…"
"Yeah."
Emma interrupted gently.
The anger in Oliver's eyes slowly disappeared, replaced by worry and concern.
"Oh Moon Goddess… does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt much, but it makes me uncomfortable."
"Do you need something to stop it?"
"I can't stop it. It will end after some days, but I can control it."
"What do you need to control it?"
"Our learning den provides Moon-cycle pad for us every new session, but I have already used mine."
"Can I find it in the market den?"
"Yes."
Oliver stood up immediately.
"What is it called?"
"Moon-cycle pad."
"Do you have a favorite brand?"
"No."
"Wait here. I'll return soon."
Oliver ran off immediately.
Emma stood up and checked behind her. The stain was quite noticeable. She began wondering how she would dispose of the learning-den handkerchief she had used in place of a moon -cycle pad and how she would return her den with the stain on her pink gown.
She looked down at a creek in the valley. The water there was muddy and irritating. She couldn't use it. Emma sat back on the grass and waited for Oliver.
After about twenty minutes she lifted her head and saw him running toward her with a plastic grocery bag. He was panting heavily when he sat in front of her.
"I was thinking… how often does the moon cycle come, and when it comes, how long does it last?"
"It comes once a full -moon… sometimes twice."
"Twice?"
"My cycle is twenty-five days."
"Different people have different cycles?"
"Yes."
"Does your mother know?"
"No."
"Why?"
"We are not close enough."
Oliver stayed quiet for a moment, watching her carefully.
"You know you can tell me everything, right?"
"Yes."
Emma nodded.
"Alright. We will go down there and wash your gown. I bought a new gown for you. You can wear it while we wait for your clothes to dry."
Emma nodded shyly.
Oliver handed her a new dress, a packet of moon-cycle pad, and new undergarments. Emma felt embarrassed. Oliver stepped closer and squatted in front of her, gently taking her hands.
"There's nothing to be shy about. I'm your best ally. You can talk to me about anything and I won't judge you. I will always listen to your problems and we will find solutions together. Always remember you have a moonmate with a non-judgmental ear whenever you need to unload your thoughts."
Tears gathered in Emma's eyes. A few drops slid down her cheeks. Oliver wiped them gently and helped her stand.
"Let's go down to the valley."
Oliver lifted his backpack and held out his left hand.
"I'm coming."
Emma picked up the plastic grocery bag,held his left hand and walked beside him.
They wandered through the valley until they found clean water. Oliver sat at the foot of a tree and began taking out his drawing materials.
Emma stole glances at him to be sure he wasn't looking at her. His attention stayed on the drawing materials, so she relaxed and began tidying herself up.
The gown Oliver had bought from the market den was short and tight, but she managed it.
There was no sunlight in that part of the valley. Emma stood quietly and looked up toward the hills.
"Let me help you."
Oliver took the gown from her and began climbing the hill.
Emma looked around the valley nervously.
"I'm coming with you."
"Alright. Bring my drawing materials and backpack."
Oliver grinned and waited.
"I'm bringing them."
Emma grabbed the bag and his drawing tools and followed him.
The rocky hill rose nearly one hundred and fifty feet high, crowned with a rounded green summit and a few dwarf trees. Oliver hung Emma's dress on a tree while they sat beneath its shade.
"Thank you."
Emma looked at him gratefully.
"Are you alright now?"
"Yes."
Emma nodded and looked away.
"What do you do when you run out of Moon-cycle pads?"
"I use my handkerchief and wash them later."
"Oh my Moon Goddess!"
Oliver frowned deeply.
"That isn't hygienic."
He quickly unzipped his backpack and took out some silver.
"Take this and use it for your needs. Tell me if it isn't enough."
Emma hesitated before accepting it. She truly needed it for personal items and a hot hair brush. The mass of mermaid-like silky hair on her head took forever to dry, which was why she rarely washed it.
"Thank you."
Emma whispered softly.
Oliver smiled warmly, and she found herself smiling too.
Oliver spent time drawing and painting the beautiful surroundings. Emma watched him with admiration. She kept asking questions and he answered each one patiently.
Soon they began playing and climbing the small dwarf trees scattered around the hilltop. For a while, Emma almost forgot she was even going through her moon -cycle.