The memory unfurled like an ancient wolf legend whispered beneath the full moon. It was the month of November, the first Saturday beneath a restless sky—ten moons earlier. The rains had begun to retreat from the land, and the dry season prowled just beyond the horizon like a patient wolf waiting for its moment. The air was calm, the wind soft and wandering, carrying the quiet scent of an ending year across the territory.
Beneath the sweeping branches of a willow tree in the territory park, a thirteen-winters-old she-wolf sat curled at the roots, her attention buried inside a worn novel. That willow had become her sanctuary since her twelfth birth moon—the only place where her restless soul could breathe freely. In barely two more Winters, she knew she would be forced to leave Santorini forever, sent away like a discarded omega.
The she-wolf l was none other than Emma Greens herself. Every Saturday, she wandered to that park with a different novel, hoping the stories might drown the sorrow clawing at her chest. She waited for a miracle—perhaps a stranger sent by the Moon Goddess herself to rescue her from the cruel destiny her father had sealed.
But for an entire year, not a single soul appeared to save her from the life that had already been arranged for her… a life she despised with every fiber of her wolf spirit.
When Emma had been only eleven winters old, a violent clash erupted between her and her little she-wolf. The fight had been savage, the kind only rival she-wolves could unleash. Scratches and bruises decorated their bodies like battle scars.
Her father, Alpha Daniel, had not cared who started the fight. His rage was swift and merciless. The belt cracked through the air like a whip as he punished her until her back burned. Then he locked her inside her chamber like a caged animal, leaving her with nothing but a filthy bucket for her waste and no food for two agonizing days.
On the third day, Emma lay collapsed on the cold wooden floor, her wolf spirit trembling between life and surrender. She had begun wishing death would arrive quietly and carry her away from the cruel pack she was born into.
Then the sharp metallic jingle of Alpha Daniel's heavy key ring echoed at the door.
The door creaked open.
Without a word of sympathy, he tossed a large crimson gown onto her fragile body.
"Dress up. We are traveling to Springfield Territory," he commanded, his voice cold as winter frost.
Emma's heart skipped. She had heard many whispers about Springfield Territory. Her father had threatened countless times to send her there like unwanted cargo.
At that moment, however, anything sounded better than remaining inside his brutal pack den.
"You will spend the rest of your miserable life there!" Alpha Daniel roared, his temper flaring like a dominant wolf asserting control. "My sister controls the largest rice territory in that region. You will work under her until every coin I wasted on you and your useless mother is repaid. Do you hear me?"
Emma nodded weakly, confusion clouding her young mind. She had never worked in a rice field before.
Alpha Daniel stormed out, slamming the door with a violent bang that echoed like thunder through the corridor.
Emma quietly carried the foul bucket to the bath chamber, emptying it before washing herself. After bathing, she slipped into the oversized crimson gown and prepared for the journey like a silent prisoner accepting exile.
Her mother entered the room with the breakfast Emma had rejected earlier.
The she- wolf's eyes burned with irritation as she forced the tray toward her.
Emma accepted it silently and began eating in slow, careful bites.
She waited until she left the room before sliding the remaining food beneath her bed like a desperate survivor hoarding supplies.
The journey toward Springfield Territory was long and unsettling. The deeper they drove into the northeastern wilderness, the more Emma felt the grip of dread tightening around her chest.
The red dirt roads stretched endlessly through the territory, clouds of dust swirling behind their vehicle like restless spirits.
Eventually, Alpha Daniel paid a motorcycle rider who had guided them to the pack estate of his mysterious sister.
Emma stepped out and froze.
The compound was massive, surrounded by towering bamboo structures that rose like ancient watchtowers. Among them stood a single grand building—modern and striking against the rustic landscape.
It looked less like a farmhouse and more like the residence of a wealthy pack leader.
Emma stood quietly, drinking in the raw beauty of the wilderness territory around her.
Meanwhile, Alpha Daniel marched into one of the towering bamboo houses, climbing its wooden ladder-like staircase.
A tall warrior with the imposing presence of a pack guardian emerged moments later and escorted them toward a spacious courtyard.
Several hours passed before a middle-aged she-wolf finally emerged from the grand building.
Four intimidating warriors trailed behind her like loyal wolves guarding their Alpha. Their broad chests and fierce expressions radiated raw dominance.
The she-wolf's eyes lit up the moment she saw Alpha Daniel.
"Alpha Daniel!" she called warmly before embracing him.
Emma bowed politely.
"Good evening."
The she-wolf's gaze shifted toward Emma. Slowly, her eyes scanned downward, stopping briefly at Emma's chest before her expression hardened with disappointment.
"How old is she?"
"Thirteen," Alpha Daniel replied.
Emma instinctively spoke. "I'm not thirteen—"
"Silence!" Alpha Daniel barked sharply. "How dare you call your father a liar? Do you even know the day you were born?"
Emma immediately lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry…" she murmured softly.
The she-wolf sighed heavily before turning back to Alpha Daniel.
"She is terribly untrained."
"One of the reasons we came," Alpha Daniel answered calmly.
"Leave her to me," the she-wolf said with a confident smile. "I will shape her properly."
Her gaze lingered on Emma again before drifting toward a cluster of tall bamboo pack dens standing several meters away.
Emma noticed there were nearly fifteen of them.
The she-wolf smiled slowly.
"She is beautiful," she said thoughtfully. "I won't waste her on the rice fields. I have a far more profitable role waiting for her."
"Excellent," Alpha Daniel responded immediately, clearly understanding what she's planning.
"However," the she-wolf continued, "she is still too young. Bring her back when she turns sixteen. Without developed curves, she is of no use to me."
Emma's cheeks burned with humiliation as realization struck her like lightning.
She lowered her gaze, grateful her budding chest was mostly hidden beneath the oversized gown.
"I will mark her," the she-wolf added coldly. "Once others see the mark, they will know she belongs to Mrs. Nazar."
"Now?" Emma accidentally blurted.
She quickly covered her mouth in horror.
Both adults stared at her with icy hostility before continuing their conversation in hushed voices.
Emma could not hear every word, but when Mrs. Nazar gestured toward her warriors with a smug grin, Emma understood the message clearly.
Escape would be impossible.
They spent the night in Springfield Territory before returning to Santorini the next morning.
One long winter had passed since that dreadful visit.
Now only one winter remained before Emma would be sent back permanently.
On that fateful Saturday beneath her willow tree, Emma flipped the pages of another borrowed novel from her academy library.
Her eyes stared at the pages, yet the words blurred together like meaningless symbols.
Her father's newest threat echoed repeatedly inside her mind.
He had warned that only he knew the location of her blood parents. If she dared reveal their secret plan about Springfield Territory to anyone, she would never see her true parents again.
And finding her blood parents…
was the one dream Emma would trade her entire life for.
Suddenly—
Click.
The sharp shutter sound of a camera shattered the silence.
Emma lifted her head instantly.
A chubby young he-wolf stood several feet away, awkwardly stepping backward with a camera clutched in his hands.
Rage flashed across Emma's face like lightning.
"He can't even say sorry!" she snapped furiously.
She threw her novel aside and sprinted after him like a furious young wolf chasing prey.
Within seconds she grabbed the collar of his white shirt and yanked him backward.
The he-wolf stumbled and fell onto the grassy ground.
Emma immediately climbed onto his round stomach and began pounding his soft cheeks with small but furious fists.
Surprisingly…
The he-wolf did not fight back.
Instead, he stared at her with complete fascination, his gaze locked onto her striking bright eyes.
"You are the most beautiful she-wolf in the world," he whispered dreamily, winking his left eye with a shy smile.
"Your eyes are vibrant… full of life. I… I really like them."
He smiled again—gentle and sincere.
Emma froze in stunned silence.