Emma rose early on the fifth sun-cycle morning, as was her custom, and joined her mother in the cookhouse. A frown settled on her face the moment her eyes landed on the preparation table. The spread of meal scrolls and ingredients laid out was far too abundant for an ordinary morning meal. She wondered what occasion called for such effort.
"Moonrise, mother," she said, her gaze still resting on the table.
"Emma, begin your duties at once. We have little time."
"What are we celebrating?"
"Lunara's mate visited yesterday, and she offered him nothing! I sent word to my work den that I would not be present today."
"Why?"
"I wish to see him."
"Mother…"
"Emma, begin your tasks! There is no time! Stop questioning!"
"I do not think he will come today."
"Is that what she told you?"
"No, but he seemed uneasy yesterday."
"Uneasy?"
"Yes."
"Of whom?" her mother asked, her brows drawing together. Emma ignored the question and began cleansing the utensils.
"Where is Lunara?"
"I do not know."
"Find her and bring her here now."
Emma left the cookhouse and searched through the den for Lunara. When she pushed open the entrance door, she found her seated on the stone step leading to the main entrance, leaning against the rail. She wore a flowing mid-length celebration gown as though it were her naming day. Emma frowned when she noticed Daniel repairing their damaged grass-cutter. He was meant to be in his strategy chamber preparing for his work duties. It was clear he would not be leaving soon.
"Lunara," Emma called, but there was no response. She descended the steps and stood before her.
"What is it?"
"It is ten minutes past the seventh hour. Are you certain he will come?" Lunara asked, looking up at her.
"Did you rest at all last night?"
"Yes, I did," She said with a soft, knowing smile, her eyes glowing faintly—it was clear to any packmate that her heart had already chosen its mate.
"Mother wants to see you."
Lunara rose and followed her into the cookhouse.
"Moonpup, you and your father told me your new found mate is visiting today; am I correct?"
"Yes mother."
"At what hour will he arrive?"
"I do not know; he did not tell me."
"Very well, I only wished to know. Emma says he will not come."
"She told him to stop coming, but I convinced him before he left."
"Why, Emma?"
"Nothing, I…I… I am sorry," Emma stammered. Her mother stared at her before letting out a sigh. Emma wondered why they were so interested in he-wolf they just met for the first time. Perhaps Oliver had told her father that his father was a Realm Alpha of great wealth.
Her pack-kin waited the entire sun-cycle for Oliver, but he did not appear. They blamed Emma for his absence, calling her different names. Daniel vowed to deal with her if the young wolf failed to come. She could not tell them he was her mate before Lunara lied about him being her mate.
The waiting continued into the next sun-cycle, yet there was still no sign of Oliver. Emma longed for the seventh day when she would meet him at the nature grounds and tell him everything that had happened.
On the seventh sun-cycle morning, she completed her assigned duties and slung her satchel over her shoulder. There was a visible spark of excitement on Lunara's face as she left—perhaps at the thought of having Oliver to herself when he eventually visited. Lunara never thought to ask where Emma had first encountered him. She was only thirteen winters old, while Emma was almost fourteen and slightly wiser.
A strange thrill stirred within Emma the moment she stepped into the nature grounds and caught the faint trace of Oliver's distinct wolf scent. She knew he was nearby. She began searching behind the towering trees. Suddenly, she heard movement behind her. She spun around quickly and saw him crouched low, smiling at her.
She returned his smile, her breath uneven from the surprise. He rose and walked toward her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. A sudden chill coursed through her body, then just as quickly, her breathing steadied.
"My parents did not go to their work dens on the fifth and sixth sun-cycles," she said with a small smile.
"Why?"
"Lunara told them you were her mate and that you were coming," she said, and they both burst into laughter.
"She pressed me greatly, and I promised I would come just to regain my freedom," Oliver said, and they laughed again.
"What did you tell my father?"
"I answered all his questions."
"I miss you," Emma said softly.
"Emma, I do not have enough words to tell you how much I miss you. I counted every hour until now," he said, pulling her into his embrace. She held onto him just as tightly, unwilling to pull away.
"You did not bring your sketch scrolls?"
"No, I came to spend the entire sun-cycle with you. No painting, no story scrolls today—just you and me. I wish we could remain here until sunset, sharing a bottle of aged drink," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Will you ever stop doing that?"
"No, it happens without my will."
"What causes it?"
"You."
"How?"
"There is a strange feeling I get whenever I perceived your scent and look deeply into your bright eyes. When it comes, my body reacts on its own," he said, guiding her gently onto the grassy ground.
"Can you explain the feeling?"
"No."
"Do you feel like kissing me?"
"Yes… and I feel like never letting you go. I feel like staying bound to you forever. I also feel like giving you soft claiming bites. I wish we were older."
"What would you do?"
"I would make you my Luna, hold you every day and night, give you endless soft bites, and endless kisses."
Emma drew in a sharp breath as her heart flipped wildly within her chest. His innocent voice sent waves of warmth through her body.
"Kiss me," she whispered.
"Emma, no," he said with a grin.
"I suppose you do not know how to kiss a she-wolf."
"My little she-wolf grows tired of hearing me speak of you. She cannot wait to meet you," he said, shifting the topic.
"I cannot wait to meet her too. What about your packmates—what do they think of us?"
"They say we are too young and that what we feel will not last, but I do not care. I am happy to know what it feels like to fall for a wolf like you," he said, his eyes narrowing again.
"I never knew how much my soul longed for you until I saw my little she-wolf draw close to you," Emma murmured.
He leaned closer, his gaze locking with hers. His golden eyes studied her as though capturing her very essence. His look was soft, like a gentle touch, yet powerful enough to stir something deep within her. She felt carried away by a wild, quiet harmony.
She could not resist leaning into him. Surrounded by the calm breath of nature, she felt completely at ease. The trees swayed gently, offering soft winds that wrapped around them like a blessing. Oliver continued to gaze at her, unmoving.
He kept looking at her, not saying anything, like he didn't want the moment to break.
Emma shifted slightly, suddenly aware of how close they were. Her heart was beating faster than usual, and she wasn't even sure why.
"I still feel it," she said quietly.
"What do you feel?" he asked.
"That… thing. Like something is pulling me closer to you."
Oliver nodded slowly.
"I feel it too," he said. "It's weird… but not bad, it's normal."
Emma let out a small breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Yeah… not bad."
There was a short silence, but it wasn't awkward. Just… new.
She leaned slightly against him without thinking too much about it.
Oliver stiffened for a second, then relaxed.
He didn't move away.
Instead, he adjusted a little so she could rest more comfortably.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she replied softly. "I just… like being here."
He smiled a little.
"Me too."
They stayed like that, not talking much after.
The wind moved gently through the trees, and everything felt calm. Simple.
But different in a way neither of them could explain yet.
Suddenly, a soft, trembling whimper escaped Emma—like a pup sensing danger.
"What is it?" Oliver asked quietly, his eyes her."