"You have been shedding tears and staring at that timepiece for over an hour. Are you awaiting somewolf?" Mr. Tiger asked as he continued trailing two of his fingers along her upper arm.
Emma sniffed softly and kept her gaze fixed ahead, though she was not truly seeing anything. If only he understood how irritating his touch felt against her skin, he would have withdrawn his hand from her form immediately.
"Ignore my massive frame. I am the gentlest wolf you will ever encounter," he grinned, only to close his mouth again when she gave him no response.
"How long will you continue gazing into nothingness? Well, I am a patient wolf; I will wait," he said, reclining on the resting bed, placing his hands beneath his head.
"Mr. Tiger," a young she-wolf who had just entered the chamber called. Mr. Tiger turned his head toward her.
"Mrs. Nazar wishes to speak with you."
"She is not yielding; I do not know what troubles her," he replied, ignoring the she-wolf's message.
"Mrs. Nazar knows how to handle first-timers. She intends to speak with her, but unfortunately, she has received a new bidder," the she-wolf grinned, revealing uneven teeth.
"That is impossible!" he rose immediately.
"Yes… it is."
"How much did he offer?"
"He tripled what you gave."
"What?" he roared.
Emma felt her pulse leap suddenly with fierce excitement. She rose at once, her breathing turning shallow, fast, and uneven.
"Are you pleased now?" he muttered, exhaling sharply before storming out of the chamber.
"This new claimant has paid an enormous price to be with you tonight," the she-wolf said, turning to Emma. "If you refuse to cooperate, Mrs. Nazar will punish you. And once you face her punishment, your life will never remain the same. I advise you to obey her laws completely."
"I will," Emma replied softly.
"Wow… did you just speak to me?" the she-wolf asked, excitement lacing her tone. She had been attempting to be Emma's moonally, but Emma disliked noisy and intrusive wolves. However, her expression shifted when she noticed the untouched meal.
"Please, take the food away. I am not hungry."
"You need nourishment."
"I will be fine."
"Alright," she lifted the tray and left.
Emma moved quickly toward the door, peering outside cautiously. She had been waiting for him for several sunrises, yet suddenly, she could not wait any longer. It felt as though her savior, her liberator, her guardian wolf had finally arrived.
She hurried to the window, then quickly turned her back when she heard voices outside. She did not want Mrs. Nazar, Mrs. Yoone, or anyone accompanying him to see the excitement written all over her.
Moments later, the chamber door creaked open slowly, and her breath spiraled out of control. She refused to turn and look at whoever had entered.
"Emma," Mrs. Yoone called once.
The next sound was the door closing.
Emma knew Oliver stood at the center of the chamber. The fresh, soothing scent of his wolf oil filled the space, warm and familiar. He had clearly just bathed, which explained the long wait.
He stepped closer, slowly sliding his arms around her waist, drawing her into his embrace. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head and along her neck.
Her tears broke free like a rushing river.
He gently turned her around, but she lowered her gaze. He cupped her chin and lifted her face again.
"Speak to me," he said, his voice soft, filled with deep empathy.
"I never truly understood the meaning of 'My Guardian Wolf in shining moonlight' until this moment. Now I know why I see moonlight whenever I think of you, even with darkness surrounding me. You are my world, Oliver… and in you, I breathe," she whimpered, clutching him tightly.
He buried his face into her neck, nuzzling deeply.
Their lips found each other.
The bond between them was powerful, undeniable, magnetic. Neither could pull away. It was their first kiss—both of them. Oliver had always believed they were too young for such intimacy.
Yet somehow… they did it.
Their lips moved with raw emotion, guided by instinct and longing. The more they tasted each other, the deeper the fire burned. Emma's wolf awakened, craving closeness, warmth, connection.
"I apologize for interrupting," Mrs. Yoone's voice cut in. "Do you require anything?"
Oliver pulled back slowly, his gaze still locked on Emma.
"Yes," he answered calmly.
"What do you need?"
"A fresh resting cloth. A new white one."
"Of course," she rushed out immediately.
Emma wondered just how much Oliver had offered to command such obedience.
He turned back to her, his gaze deep and unreadable. A quiet heat passed between them. He studied her for long moments.
Then suddenly, a bright smile spread across his face.
Emma smiled too and looked away shyly.
"You are meant to please me tonight… I am your claimant," he whispered teasingly into her ear.
They both laughed softly.
"Will you allow me to please you?" she asked.
"Why would I refuse?"
"Have you pleased any of them?"
"No. I claimed my moon-cycle had begun. It bought me time. I would have accepted punishment for not surrendering myself to any of them."
"Emma… I missed you," he murmured.
Mrs. Yoone returned with the white cloth and her basket of oils and candles. She replaced the bedding carefully, then hurried out again.
Oliver lifted Emma gently and placed her upon the resting bed.
She grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him close.
Their lips met again.
Emma shifted, climbing atop him, pinning him beneath her. For a moment, she took control, as though she were the dominant one. Oliver smirked softly.
In one swift motion, she unfastened his shirt, revealing his toned, radiant body. He did not resist.
Her hands explored his shoulders, his chest, tracing every line.
He watched her with soft eyes.
"What is your name?" he asked suddenly as Mrs. Yoone re-entered.
"Her name is Emma Yoone," she answered with a grin. "She is my moonpup. Tonight must be special—it is her first."
"Mrs. Yoone, are you truly going to allow your young she-wolf to entertain grown wolves at such a tender age?"
"She has seen enough winters to answer for herself."
Emma and Oliver exchanged amused glances.
"What scent do you prefer? Lavender, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, sandalwood, ginger, honey…" she listed.
"I prefer floral," Oliver said, glancing at Emma.
"Excellent choice," she smiled, lighting the candle. Soon, a soft floral scent filled the chamber.
She handed him a vial. "This is a glide oil."
Oliver accepted it. She left again.
"I brought gifts," he said, lifting Emma as they moved to sit.
"Happy birth-moon, my little mate," he said, opening a sparkling drink.
Emma smiled, blushing.
"Thank you for making me feel special."
"You are special."
"Did you see Brooklyn?"
"Yes."
"She was angry."
"Not anymore."
"Truly?"
"Yes. Your Alpha's deception failed. She saw your timepiece in the den-car and believed you left willingly."
"I was with you."
"I told her. She understands now," Oliver said as he fed her.
The meal he brought was rich and satisfying. Emma forgot, even if briefly, that she was in a predator's den.
"It is time," he said softly, lifting her back onto the bed.
She climbed onto him again, but this time he flipped her beneath him unexpectedly.
They laughed.
"Will you allow me to please you?" she whispered, guiding his hands.
He stopped her.
"Why?" she murmured.
Instead of answering, he kissed her again—slow, deep, consuming.
The floral scent, his warmth, his touch—it sent waves through her.
She tried guiding him again.
He refused.
"Please…"
"moonpup… you have only seen fourteen winters."
"I want you to be my first."
"I will be, at the right time," he promised softly.
He placed his leg between hers as they continued kissing, grinding, exploring without crossing the final boundary.
The pleasure was intense, pure, overwhelming.
Peace settled into her mind.
For the first time in days, the haunting images, the cries, the fear—vanished.
Her wolf relaxed.
Her soul quieted.
And for the first time since entering that forbidden territory…
Emma drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, while Oliver remained awake, watching her quietly, his thoughts lingering on the future they might share.