Emma suddenly remembered it was September already, and only a few full -moons to her fourteen birth-moon, and she wept. Oliver had instructed Brooklyn to keep her gaze upon Emma, and she had been visiting more often. Her den-kins were uneasy with her frequent visits. Brooklyn noticed, but she did not care.
Two moons before Emma's birth-moon, Alpha Daniel entered with a strange she-wolf. Luna Theresa, who had been on the night shift, had gone to her work den already. Brooklyn and Emma were in Emma's den-chamber, unaware of the stirrings below.
Brooklyn glanced at her pawwatch and stood upright.
"Emma, see me off."
Emma slowly rolled from her bed and followed. They slowed when murmurs rose from the den-lounge.
"Hei Brooklyn, I guess your secretive moonally didn't tell you her blood -mother visited?" Alpha Daniel rumbled. Emma looked at the she-wolf smiling at Brooklyn and frowned. She was short of words. She opened her maw to speak, but none came. Alpha Daniel grinned wickedly and shrugged. Brooklyn dashed off angrily before Emma could utter a word.
"Brooklyn wait...!" Emma called.
"Return inside!" Alpha Daniel growled. Emma looked at the she-wolf again and shook her head. She had not met her blood-mother, but the she-wolf did not appear to be one who had birthed her.
Emma returned to her den-chamber, heavy with sorrow. She had not met the she-wolf or exchanged words with her before, yet Alpha Daniel made it appear as though she knew her and hid it from Brooklyn, who had complained about Emma's secretive nature. Emma resolved to explain everything to Brooklyn the next moonrise.
She lay in her chamber, one eye half-open, expecting the she-wolf or her father to come and speak to her, but none approached. In the early hours, Alpha Daniel opened the chamber-door and told her to get ready..
"Ready for what?" she murmured.
"Spring field," he growled.
"What! Is my…my… blood -mother aware?"
"Who is your mother?"
"The she-wolf I saw yesterday."
"Oh…did I tell you she is your blood-mother? She shall be your mother for now, until I disclose the location of your blood -mother."
"What?"
"You have just ten heartbeats!" he shouted, slamming the den-door violently.
Emma reluctantly rolled from her bed and approached the wash-den. She tried all her garments, but none could hide her growing curves. She sat on the den-bed with the garments in her paws, crying bitterly. She quickly picked one garment and arranged the rest in a small traveling pouch when she heard Alpha Daniel's pawsteps approaching again.
"You have just three heartbeats, and that creature will not come with us," he barked, pointing at her familiar feline.
"Please… father"
"Fine!" he growled and departed.
It was still dark; the moon barely traced the horizon. Lunara had borrowed Emma's pawwatch two moons ago and had not yet returned it; she did not know the exact hour but guessed it hovered near the fourth hour of the night.
Lunara was still asleep when they departed. Alpha Daniel did not allow Emma to bid her farewell. She descended the stair-den slowly, pondering why Luna Theresa seemed comfortable with the arrangement. Fourteen full winters she had lived, yet they still regard her as an outcast.
"Hi, Emma," the strange she-wolf grinned. Emma looked at her and ignored her. She did not return the greeting. She detested her already. She opened the rear of the she-wolf's den-car and placed Amy inside first before entering. She was surprised to see her pawwatch on the car-seat. She wondered why Alpha Daniel had tolerated the slight drama before sending her away. Probably, he feared packs' inquiries about her whereabouts.
Alpha Daniel entered the passenger side; the she-wolf drove slowly away. Emma glanced toward Brooklyn's den. Her chamber-light shone, and she saw Brooklyn standing behind her window, eyes fixed on the den-car. Emma waved slowly, unsure if Brooklyn noticed. She could not resist the urge to wave. It was clear Brooklyn had endured a sleepless night.
Brooklyn and Oliver were Emma's only hope, and she trusted them. However, with the recent events, Emma wondered if she could trust Brooklyn again. Oliver remained her sole beacon of hope, knowing how to comprehend trickery. She only needed to survive in the territory until the seventh-day. Oliver did not go out during the week; his guardians forbade excursions after study. Emma continued waving until the she-wolf-driven den-car disappeared from view.
Emma sobbed silently as they drove out of the city. It felt as though she were being led to a hunt. She leaned against the chair and soon drifted into slumber.
She awoke near midday, realizing they were close to the territory. Her heart raced erratically. She looked at the wolf-kin there, their fur matted, claws untrimmed. She could not imagine herself opening herself to them.
The she-wolf pulled over, and they alighted. Excitement gleamed in the wolf-kin's eyes. Emma wondered why they appeared happy. Probably, it was because of the smooth journey. Alpha Daniel strode toward the main den, asserting dominion.
Emma clutched her bag tightly, resisting departure. One of the guards opened the den-door. Amy jumped slowly, clearly sad. Emma lifted her bag and stepped out. The guard shut the door and gestured toward the main den. Emma walked coldly, casting occasional backward glances. Amy followed behind.
"This way," a young she-wolf directed toward the lobby as Emma intentionally passed. She turned and entered the building. Alpha Daniel relaxed on the three-seat den-sofa, swinging his legs impatiently.
Mrs. Nazar joined after a few minutes.
"Wow, she is exquisite…very, very exquisite," she grinned, admiring Emma's growing curves. "Very fine."
"Greetings," Emma said nonchalantly.
"I will depart now," Alpha Daniel said after exchanging pleasantries in low growls.
"Do not worry, she will thrive. She is my pup now," the she-wolf driver said. "Emma, if you work hard, you will earn enough and sponsor your studies. There are fine pack academy dens here."
"I'm tired of wasting my wealth on a she-wolf who falters," Alpha Daniel growled. "She must toil and care for herself."
"What need has she of academy? I have wealthy allies. Treat them well, and one may make her his mate, altering her fate. You chose well. Soon she will rejoice, Mrs Yoone said.
"And my mother…will she arrive?"
"She is why I brought you here. She said she would come; if not, without my full pack's wealth, she will never see you."
"You lied to me!"
"Is this how she speaks to you?" Mrs Nazar frowned. Emma ignored and continued.
"How much did she owe you? I shall pay!"
"Wow, brave she-wolf! Already conducting business," Mrs Nazar grinned, running her paws over Emma's cheeks.
"Gather the gold first," Alpha Daniel barked, waving at Mrs Nazar, and began toward the entrance. Emma's tears fell as she realized Alpha Daniel planned to hide her from her blood -mother. She had been naive to trust him. Oliver had been right—no one bargains with the dev!l. Relief came from confiding in her allies; she counted on them for rescue. She wondered what fate would have been without Brooklyn's intervention.
"We have rules here. One of the young she-wolves will guide you through them. Ask questions if you don't understand the rules. Ask again, for I grant no mercy to those who flout them. Do you understand?" Mrs Nazar asked sharply, as if Emma had already violated the laws. She nodded, head lowered.
"As for your blood-mother, forget her. She has returned to her origin. You will never meet her. Mrs Yoone is your mother now and will provide you a better life. Obey, and happiness shall follow," Mrs Nazar said, pointing at the strange she-wolf.