"Of course I do, but, Soft fang, he must tell the pack what he did. I have ignored him since because it is his life, and he is free to live it the way he wants.

His jaw tightened as he stepped closer.

"If he ever touches you," he said slowly, "I won’t hesitate."

"Father, he won’t dare!" She said and he shook his head.

"He must tell the pack what he did if they want you. This is the only way I’ll be convinced that he won’t try his strategy on you."

"Father please, to save both the King and Lunara from shame, I think it will be better if he confesses to his kin and apologizes to them. You can call all the council members who are involved in illicit sexual behavior out during the council meeting. Please, do it for us.

I attended the first meeting alone because Brandon wanted to step down. I convinced him to drop the idea of abdication and give me some time to fight for the king’s approval and I did everything I could to make sure the king accepted me.

I was given just two weeks to find my blood mother and so I began the search after the meeting. I am happy I have more than just a mother, I have you too.

Emma stepped forward, hands clasped tightly.

"Please... just let this go through. Brandon’s already given up too much for me." I won’t let him give up on anything again because of me."

"Love is all about sacrifice."

"I know, but he has done enough already."

"Alright, you and Brandon need to convince the king to tell Alexandra everything. She deserves to know the truth."

"Of course, we will," she said happily.

"I just have a few pieces of advice for you. Please be careful with the way you interact with high fangs, keepers of the moon seal, and all the top leaders. Being the future Luna will bring you closer to them. It will give them the opportunity to see you often and interact with you. They will promise you heaven and earth just to draw you close to their beds. They will tell you how stunning you look and question your choice of mate. Some will say he is too young and so lacked experience as far as satisfying a mate sexually is concerned. When their text messages start coming, remember everything I’m about to tell you now.

Don’t ever cheat on Brandon!

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"You know what I mean. Wolves don’t cross that line."

You must surely be caught one day and you will live with shame and guilt for what you have done forever. You will not only hurt Brandon, but you will also hurt me, your mother, and Ken. I will be deeply saddened because wolves will look down on you, criticize you, point fingers, and gossip about you. You are gonna experience so many worries and tension and I will be greatly devastated.

The King lost his worthiness the moment he left his mate and lured other wolves to his bed. He became a liar and a thief in his own house!

Please, stick to Brandon and do not try to protect the image of any high fang regent by trying to hide his text message from Brandon. Report any high fang who makes passes at you to me or Brandon and don’t stop us from taking drastic action against them!"

"Thank you, Father."

She moved in quickly and wrapped her arms around him before he could say more. She noticed he was now speaking out of what he found out when Kaida died and it hurt him so much.

"Don’t worry, father. I’ll make you, my mother, Ken, and all the wolves who believe in me proud."

"I’ll keep my eyes on you and Brandon. Just talk to the king and give me feedback tomorrow."

"I will father," she said with a smile.

"Em, you once told me that you murdered the feelings you have for Emily...." She whispered into his ear. He laughed and smacked her shoulder playfully. He didn’t allow her to ask the question she wanted to ask.

"I know what you want to hear," he said, pointing his finger at her.

"Is the feeling still dead or did it resurrect?"

He burst into laughter and stood up. He took her hand as they walked towards the elevator.

"I have a meeting at noon and it is almost twelve. I’m going to answer your question when everything is over."

"Alright, father."

He and his security personnel walked towards the basement while she joined her mother and Nina in the garden.

"Mother, won’t you kiss your mate farewell?" She asked as she took a seat beside Emily.

"I have done that already. How did it go?" Emily asked.

"He granted my request. My only concern now is the king. I don’t know how to convince him to confess to his Luna."

"This is not your responsibility, it is Brandon’s. Soft fang, you have done your part and you need some rest.

"Mother, I haven’t done half of what Brandon did for us."

Her mother’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied her.

"You’re thinner," she said quietly. "Is Brandon pushing you too hard?"

Emma smiled softly and rolled her eyes. She tilted her head.

"So... is Ashley stressing you out too?"

"No. Why would you ask that?"

Emma gave her a knowing look. "So you could answer my question for me."

Her mother laughed and gave her a light playful smack on the arm. "I’m being serious."

"Yeah, always serious."

The three of them burst into laughter together.

"Mother, what’s going on with you and my father? You look... younger. Like nothing ever weighs you down."

Her mother’s lips curved as she glanced over, still calm, still unreadable.

"If you think I’ve turned into your gossip partner, you’ll be disappointed," she said lightly. "Go and bother Brooklyn with that curiosity."

Emma tilted her head, a faint knowing smile forming as her gaze sharpened.

"I can see it now... your beast is fully awake."

Her mother paused mid-step, eyes narrowing slightly as she looked her over. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Soft Fang... are you feeling unwell?"

Emma exhaled, her shoulders easing as the tension in her voice slipped out with it.

"No, Mother. Just stress." Her eyes flicked away briefly. "The council meetings... searching for you all this time... it’s been a lot. It would’ve driven me into the ground if Brandon hadn’t been handling things with me."

"You’re right." Emily moved closer and gently touched her arm, her eyes carefully searching Emma’s face. "I think you need rest. Stay with us for a while... let me take care of you."

Emma leaned back against the sofa and let out a slow breath.

"Then you should call my mate and tell him."

"And I will." Emily quickly reached for her communication device and dialed Brandon’s number.

The call rang once. Twice. Three times.

Her brows slowly pulled together when he didn’t answer.

A few minutes later, Emma’s device suddenly lit up on the table.

Brandon’s face appeared on the screen the moment the video call connected.

Her hand shot to the device.

"Starlit," she said quickly, already answering before the screen fully stabilized.

"Moonheart," his deep voice came through the device, low and steady. "How did it go?"

"Well."

His silence lingered for a second before he spoke again.

"Emily called me earlier. Is everything alright?"

Emma glanced toward Emily before nodding softly.

"Yes. She’s here. She wants to speak with you."

"Alright. Give her the device."

Emily took the device from her carefully.

"Brandon, how are you?"

"I’m fine," he replied. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes." Emily sat upright, tightening her hold on the device. "I think Emma needs proper rest, and I want her to stay with us for a few days so I can watch over her."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Brandon leaned back slightly, arms crossed.

"Then come stay with us," he said flatly. "I’m not letting her go anywhere." Brandon said calmly, but the possessiveness in his voice slipped through clearly.

She’s already being taken care of here."

"I’m not trying to take your mate away. I’m just trying to help," Emily said, turning to Emma with a serious look.

Brandon let out a quiet scoff and crossed his arms. "I know exactly what you’re trying to do." His eyes narrowed slightly before a teasing smile pulled at his lips. "And I’m also aware Ashley can’t survive missing you for even five minutes."

Emily opened her mouth to argue, but Brandon lifted his device first. "Moonheart, I’m on my way home. Start coming home too."

The call ended.

Emily stayed frozen, eyes still on the blank screen.

"He’s impossible," she muttered.

Emma covered her mouth, trying not to laugh, but the sound slipped out anyway. Emily shook her head dramatically, and that only made Emma laugh harder until Emily finally burst into laughter with her.

"How is Penny and Allison?"

"Penny is completely different now," she said, leaning in like she couldn’t believe it herself. "She’s even trying to quit dancing."

She shook her head slightly, still processing it. "And that’s not even all of it. Allison said she visits her more often now... and she actually promised she’ll change."

A soft smile broke across her face as she sank into the polished sofa, the cushions giving way under her weight.

"Wow... that’s good news."

Moonlight spilled across the floor as they settled in.

No one spoke for a moment. Just the quiet sound of glasses touching the table.

Maids moved quietly in and out, placing chilled juice on the low table before stepping back without a sound.

Emma reached for her glass, fingers brushing the cool surface, and took a slow sip as the conversation drifted on between them.

"Allison has been exonerated and was declared to be factually innocent a few hours ago. She will likely go home tomorrow."

Emma’s fingers paused on the glass.

"...declared factually innocent a few hours ago."

Silence settled heavily after the words. For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Emma slowly set the glass down.

"So she’s finally free," she said softly.

Her voice was calm, but something uneasy lingered beneath it—like a thought she couldn’t fully name yet.

She looked up, the stillness in her gaze sharpening.

"Mother... there’s something I noticed about my father."

A pause.

"I think there’s something he isn’t telling you."