Emma opened her eyes after some moments and saw the he-wolf who had entered her den chamber crouched beside her resting place, staring at her. His presence filled the small space like a looming shadow, heavy and suffocating. For a brief second, she wondered if she was still dreaming, if this was just another nightmare brought on by fear. But the weight of his grip, the sharp scent of his body, and the intensity of his gaze told her otherwise.
She tried to flee, but he pinned her down again with one hand.
"Is this not what you desired?" he asked in a rough, hoarse tone. Emma trembled at the sound of his voice. It scraped against her ears like gravel, sending chills down her spine. She looked at his intimidating bald head, the veins on his neck slightly visible, and shook her head quickly, fear filling her bright eyes.
Her chest rose and fell unevenly as panic settled deeper within her. He rose and settled on her resting bed, his weight pressing into the mattress as though he belonged there. She attempted to escape again, desperation driving her, but he stopped her with ease.
"How many winters have you seen?"
"I'll… be… fourteen by the next full -moon," she replied. Her limbs trembled uncontrollably, as though her body had lost all strength and refused to obey her.
"What!! I can endure fourteen, but thirteen is forbidden to me! Even one day before fourteen is still forbidden! I am no corrupted wolf!" he barked loudly, glaring at her. His reaction startled her, but it also brought a strange, fragile sense of relief. Emma slowly began to calm, though fear still lingered beneath her skin.
"What happened? Who…who…brought you into this territory?"
"My Alpha… my father," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Against your will?"
"Yes."
"This is a violation of pack laws! An attack on your dignity and spirit! No… this cannot stand! Where is his den? I will go there immediately!"
"I will fall into greater danger if you do." Her voice cracked slightly, carrying both fear and urgency.
Silence settled in the chamber as his gaze wandered over her form. Emma stiffened under his scrutiny, her fingers curling tightly into the fabric beneath her as if it could shield her.
"Me as well… Mrs. Nazar holds great power, and her alliances reach into the high ruling Realm."
"Please… leave." Her plea was soft, almost fragile, but it carried the weight of everything she feared.
"There are many he-wolves outside, bidding for you. If I leave this chamber, I hand you over to them. And if we do not proceed now, another highest bidder will replace me."
His words settled heavily in the air, each one tightening the invisible cage around her.
"Please… help me…" she began, her voice breaking, but a knock interrupted her. The stranger rose and opened the door.
"We have another bidder," a she-wolf's voice said. "He offered three hundred coins."
"Tell your Luna that I will pay double what he offered."
"Good. Can I have it now?"
The he-wolf reached into his pocket, handed her the coins, and shut the door. The faint jingle of metal echoed briefly before silence returned.
"I have just given all the coins I carried, and that bidder will not withdraw."
"Please, help me… I need time to adjust." Her voice trembled, desperation threading through every word.
"How much time do you require?"
"I need few days… please."
The words came out slowly, as if she was afraid even hope might betray her.
He rose from the bed, walked to the window, and opened it to allow air into the chamber. A faint breeze slipped in, brushing against Emma's skin, offering a brief, fragile comfort. He leaned against the frame briefly, sighed, then turned back.
"Can you pretend your moon-cycle has begun?"
"Yes… but she will want proof."
"I know."
"Do you have a moon cycle pad or cloth… anything?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me," he said.
Emma pulled her pouch closer and brought out her moon cycle pad, her hands shaking slightly as she did so.
"Fix it as you normally would."
She secured it within one of her garments, her movements slow and careful.
"Mrs. Yoone is strict. She will demand to see it. We must make it convincing," he said, scanning the chamber for something sharp. Emma's gaze fell upon the tray of food and the blade beside it. She quickly took the knife and handed it to him.
He made a small cut on the tip of her thumb. The sting was sharp, making her flinch, but it was nothing compared to what she feared. That pain would linger far deeper than any wound.
The cut was small, so he pressed gently until enough blood formed, watching carefully as it gathered.
"Apply it…"
Another knock came. Emma quickly finished as he moved to open the door. Her heart pounded loudly, echoing in her ears.
Mrs. Yoone—the she-wolf who had pretended to be her blood mother—entered, carrying a basket filled with candles and scented oils. Her face glowed with satisfaction as she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the chamber with quiet authority.
"It is her first night, and I want it to be special," she said with a smile. The he-wolf remained by the entrance, his expression filled with quiet resentment.
"Well, I was about to leave before you arrived."
"Already?" she frowned.
"She is unwell."
"But she was fine earlier," Mrs. Yoone said as she stepped closer, placing her hand on Emma's neck to feel her warmth. "She feels fine."
"My moon-cycle has begun."
"Liar!"
"She speaks truth. I saw it myself."
"When did it begin?" she asked, her tone laced with irritation.
"An hour ago."
"I want to see it," she demanded, turning toward Emma. Emma removed her garment slightly, and Mrs. Yoone turned her gaze away quickly.
"I knew you are not my true-blood mother. No real she-wolf would ever do this to her she -wolf…"
"I may not be your true-blood mother, but what the she-wolf who birthed you did is far worse than this."
Emma slowly lowered her gaze, her heart tightening. She needed to find her… to stand before the she-wolf who gave her life and uncover the truth of what truly happened.
"Mr. Carter, you know the laws here. No payment is returned after it is given," Mrs. Yoone said as she turned to face Mr. Carter, ignoring Emma totally.
"I know. I will return when she is free."
"How long does your cycle last?" she asked, staring at Emma with frustration.
"Four days."
"Fine. I will add one more for cleansing. Be ready for him—or the highest bidder—by the sixth day!" she snapped, lifting her basket angrily before leaving the chamber.
The door shut behind her with a finality that made Emma's chest tighten.
"Thank you," Emma whispered softly, her voice barely audible.
"I can accept fourteen winters, but thirteen is forbidden. I will return on the sixth day. Do not worry about any bidder. I am ready to give up everything to claim you. None will outbid me. I already favor you… I only hope you will remember what I have done."
His words lingered as he moved toward the door, his presence slowly fading from the chamber.
Emma lowered her gaze, gratitude filling her heart. She knew word of her situation would reach Oliver by the sixth day, and all her hope rested on him.
A fragile hope, but it was all she had left.
"If he comes… where will he find enough to outbid this he-wolf? And if he cannot… will he stand and watch another claim me?" Her thoughts spiraled endlessly, refusing her rest.
Each question tightened around her like chains, pulling her deeper into fear.
Soon, the buried trauma her mother once helped her suppress returned with force, tormenting her again. It did not creep in slowly—it crashed into her mind like a storm she could not escape. She did not understand its origin, nor recall the past that birthed it, but the emotions, images, and cries refused to leave her mind.
It was the sound of a she-wolf wailing, raw and broken, as though death loomed before her. Emma saw her kneeling, begging for her life, her hands trembling, tears streaming endlessly down her face.
The image felt too real… too close… as if it was not just a memory, but something tied to her very soul.
Fear surged within her as it always did. Her heart pounded wildly, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Her vision blurred, and the world around her seemed to close in.
Before she could control herself, she lost control of her bladder. Shame mixed with fear, but even that could not overpower the terror gripping her.
This affliction had followed her since childhood. The trauma always rose without warning, making bonding with Luna Theresa difficult in the beginning. It filled her with fear and helplessness around both her Alpha and Luna, and deepened her longing to find her blood- mother, then she remembered him.