The ride from the Silver Coast Pack territory dragged on longer than it should have.

Emma leaned against the car window, watching the woods slide past in slow waves. Her hand rested on her lap, fingers loosely holding the edge of her dress as the trees she grew up around slowly disappeared behind the convoy.

"Alpha’s mate ," Paige, who’s in the seat across from her, spoke softly, adjusting a folded cloth in her hands. "We’re already past the outer border. The roads are getting smoother."

Emma didn’t look away from the window. "I noticed."

The convoy rolled deeper into the Northern Region, leaving behind the cracked roads and struggling territories Emma once knew.

Smooth stone highways stretched ahead beneath silver street lamps while towering estates rose behind iron gates carved with ancient wolf crests.

Paige stared out the window quietly. "I’ve never seen a place like this before."

"They’re not trying to impress anyone," Emma said softly. "Places like this are built to remind wolves where they stand."

A silence settled inside the vehicle after that.

Even the air here felt different—colder, heavier somehow.

Naomi rubbed her arms lightly. "I don’t like this feeling."

Emma’s gaze remained on the passing estates. "You either get used to it," she murmured, "or you don’t survive here long."

Emma’s fingers tightened slightly against her dress as something inside her stirred—old memories slipping through without warning.

"I used to think places like this didn’t even exist," she said, voice low.

Naomi tilted her head. "What do you mean, alpha’s mate?"

Emma stared at the passing estates. "Like they were stories told to scare younger wolves into obedience."

The convoy passed another set of gates, and Emma’s reflection flickered in the car window—calm on the outside, distant somewhere underneath.

"Alpha’s mate," Paige said carefully, "you’re not nervous, are you?"

Emma blinked once. "No." A silence settled for a few seconds. "Just remembering things I never thought I’d step back into."

Her mind drifted further back without permission.

Winters ago, she had stood at the edge of pups’ gatherings, snow falling through torchlight while elders spoke in heavy voices about the High Fang Regent’s bloodline.

"They said those wolves didn’t need armies," Emma murmured. "Just presence."

The maids listening swallowed slightly. "And you believed them?"

Emma let her gaze drop for a moment before answering. "When you’re young, you believe anything said with enough certainty."

The convoy slowed briefly as another massive gate appeared ahead, carved with the crest of the Northern High Fang.

Naomi leaned closer to the window. "That must be the inner estate."

Emma didn’t respond right away.

Instead, she watched the gate draw closer, tall and unmoving beneath the pale light of day, as if it had been waiting for her long before this moment.

Then she finally spoke.

"We’re not just entering an estate."

Her voice stayed calm, though quieter now.

"We’re entering a pack that decides what wolves become."

Emma lowered her eyes briefly.

There was a time she never imagined standing this close to a pack like this. Back then, she had only been the unwanted she-wolf of a struggling pack, blamed whenever things went wrong and overlooked whenever they went right.

While others dreamed about powerful mates and higher ranks, Emma had spent most of her life trying not to be noticed at all.

A faint smile brushed her lips.

Now she sat inside a heavily guarded convoy heading toward one of the strongest packs in the Northern Region.

And somehow, Brandon was part of that pack.

Her mate.

The future Alpha she never saw coming.

The thought alone still felt unreal sometimes.

Emma let out a slow breath and leaned her head lightly against the window as the memory of everything that had happened these past weeks washed over her again. The mating bond. The political tension between packs. The sudden discovery of her father’s identity. Every piece of her life had shifted so quickly she still felt like she was struggling to catch up with it.

Before she could sink deeper into her thoughts, the convoy suddenly began to slow.

She blinked and straightened slightly in her seat.

Ahead of them stood towering glass gates wrapped in white iron designs shaped like crescent wolves. Guards stationed outside immediately stepped aside the moment they recognized the approaching vehicles.

The gates opened without hesitation.

As the convoy rolled through the entrance, Emma felt something tighten quietly inside her chest.

Her father’s mansion stood ahead beneath the moonlight, enormous and untouched by the struggles beyond its walls. Golden lights glowed through endless windows while fountains shimmered beneath the silver moonfall sky. Everything about the estate carried power so naturally it almost felt unreal.

For a moment, Emma simply stared.

This pack had once felt impossibly far away from her.

Now she was driving straight into its center.

The vehicles finally stopped deep inside the estate grounds late that morning.

Before the drivers could move the convoy toward the underground basement, Emma quietly stepped out first. The cool morning air brushed against her skin as she closed the car door softly behind her.

Not far from the main pathway, she spotted Emily and Nina sitting beneath the garden lanterns that were still glowing faintly from the moonfall before. Both wolves were turned toward the basement entrance, clearly waiting for the convoy to disappear underground before expecting Emma to come out.

Neither of them noticed her approaching from behind.

Nina stretched in her seat and sighed. "What’s taking them so long?"

Emily folded her arms. "You know how she’s pampered. Probably waiting for her mate to carry her out."

Emma’s lips twitched faintly.

"You two do realize I can hear you, right?"

Both wolves nearly jumped out of their seats.

Nina spun around first, eyes widening in shock. "Emma?!"

Emily pressed a hand against her chest dramatically. "Moon Goddess, don’t sneak up on wolves like that!"

A small laugh escaped Emma before she could stop it, softer than either of them had heard from her in days.

The tension sitting on her shoulders during the entire journey finally eased—just a little—as Nina rushed toward her and pulled her into a tight embrace beneath the glowing garden lights.

"Moonrise, mother."

"Soft fang, I’m about to dial your number now.

"Your father’s been waiting for you since moonrise."

"I’m here now, mother."

She smiled at Nina and went to sit beside her mother. Nina smiled back at her.

Nina couldn’t wait to leave with Emma, so Emily sent her driver to pick her up anyway, despite Emma suggesting they go together later.

"Nina, I hope you’re feeling better now that you’re with Mother," she teased softly.

"Nothing feels safer than being with Mother." Nina said with a small smile as she leaned against Emily’s shoulder.

Emma let out a quiet sigh, her lips curving faintly. "Aw, now I’m jealous. You were lucky to grow up with her warmth around you." Her voice lowered slightly. "I wasn’t..."

She sniffed and quickly looked away before the tears could fall. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"It’s okay," Emily whispered gently, reaching up to wipe the tears from her face. "I’m here now."

"You’re late, and your father is about to leave for the Council of High Fangs. Hurry and meet him before he goes."

"Mother, I..."

"Go and see your father first; we’ll talk later."

"Alright," she said and walked hurriedly out of the garden. She saw Naomi and Paige looking around, probably wondering the direction she had taken. They followed her when they saw her heading towards the main entrance.

"Wait here," she said, pointing at the sofas that were in the antechamber. She used the elevator immediately. She got out of the elevator and saw heavily armed security wolves in military uniform waiting for him.

"He is waiting for you in his lounge," one of the security wolves said.

"Thank you," she said, and continued walking.

"Moonrise, father," she greeted him with a smile. He smiled too and gestured to her. She understood his gesture and sat beside him.

"How are you doing, Soft Fang?" he asked as he kissed her forehead.

"I’m doing great, father."

"You look more rosy and shiny and a bit exhausted; what happened?" He asked, looking at her tired face. She was really feeling tired.

"Nothing, I’m fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she responded. She didn’t want to break the news of her pregnancy to any of them yet until everything was over.

"How is Brandon treating you?"

"Nice"

"I know him very well. He’s nothing like Eldric and Alexandra. He and Elara are different. They take after their grandparents. They’re good pups, and I’ve always been proud of them."

"The high Luna is nice too. She has been good to me."

"I haven’t seen her soft side yet, but she’s a strong Luna. She hides her emotions too well," he said.

A quiet chuckle filled the lounge because he was right. Reading the High Luna was almost impossible. Most days, her face gave nothing away.

Emma lowered her eyes for a second, then smiled faintly. "Actually... I saw it once."

Her father leaned back. "When?"

"Last Saturday." Her fingers tightened together. "When the King accepted me."

The smile faded from her lips. The lounge fell quiet again.

Emma looked up at him. "Father... you already know why I’m here."