Emma's POV

　　After a moment, Matthew turns his attention to Charlotte, his demeanor shifting back to warmth and affection. "Since today is the weekend, how about we spend some time playing together?" he suggests, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

　　Charlotte's face lights up with excitement at the prospect. "Yes, please!" she exclaims, bouncing in her seat.

　　As they discuss their plans for the day, I can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment since I won't be a part of it. But then a thought occurs to me. If Matthew is going to be busy entertaining Charlotte, that means he won't be paying much attention to what's happening around the pack. It could be the perfect opportunity for me to slip away and investigate Ava's case without arousing suspicion. With determination brewing in my chest, I quietly formulate my plan as we continue to enjoy our breakfast together.

　　After breakfast, I retreat to my room, my mind buzzing with anticipation. I know that if I want to uncover the truth about Ava's death, I'll need to act swiftly and decisively. As I wait for the right opportunity to present itself, I can't help but notice the unusual lack of activity around the packhouse and the borders.

　　It's strange to see so few guards patrolling the area, but then it dawns on me. Matthew must be preoccupied with Charlotte, giving the warriors a rare moment of respite from his watchful eye. It's the perfect opportunity for me to slip away unnoticed.

　　Creeping towards the borders, I spot two guards engaged in conversation. With bated breath, I edge closer, my heart pounding in my chest. I dart behind a nearby tree, using its broad trunk as cover to shield myself from their view.

　　As I wait for the right moment to make my move, I can feel the tension mounting with each passing second. But in my haste, I accidentally step on a twig, the sound echoing through the quiet forest.

　　Instantly, the guards turn in my direction, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of intrusion. Panic courses through me as I hold my breath, praying that they don't spot me. But to my relief, one of them dismisses the noise with a casual wave of his hand.

　　"It's probably just a cat," he remarks, before turning back to his companion.

　　I let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful for their obliviousness. With renewed determination, I continue to move forward, my senses on high alert. As I finally cross the pack borders undetected, I offer a silent prayer of thanks to the Goddess for granting me a stroke of luck. Now, it's time to uncover the truth behind Ava's death, no matter the risks involved.

　　As I step into the main junction, surrounded by the dense forest, my heart pounds like crazy. Every little noise makes me jump, and I can't help but feel scared of what I might find. What if I accidentally hurt Ava that night? The thought sends shivers down my spine. But then I try to calm myself down, telling myself there's no way I could've done that. I mean, the silver dagger they found wasn't mine, and I would never hurt anyone intentionally.

　　As I walk through the familiar paths of the woods, memories of that night floods my mind. We were having so much fun in the morning while planing our next pajama party. But everything changed that night. Not only did I lose her, but also the trust and love of my family and my mate.

　　Lost in my thoughts, I turn a corner and almost bump into something hard, like a muscular brick wall.

　　Michael. What is he doing here?!

　　My heart skips a beat as I meet his gaze, feeling a mix of emotions – confusion, hurt, and maybe even a hint of longing. It's like seeing a ghost from the past, and I'm not sure how to react.

　　He is shocked to see me too, but his eyes quickly turn red with rage, "Oh! So you were hiding here, huh?" he asks. "You think you can just run away and hide from us, huh?" Michael's voice is laced with venom as he continues, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.

　　"I'm not running away! I just need some space to clear my head," I protest, my voice shaky with fear and pain.

　　But Michael isn't listening. He's too caught up in his own rage, too blinded by his accusations to see the truth. "Space? Ha! More like trying to avoid facing the consequences of your actions."

　　Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I fight to defend myself. "You don't understand. I loved Ava. I would never do anything to hurt her."

　　Michael scoffs, his expression full of disdain. "Yeah, right. If you were really her friend, you wouldn't have called Ava that night to escort you like she's your personal driver while being so drunk. You thought of her as some kind of servant of yours, didn't you? Just because she was sweet and naive, you took advantage of her!"

　　His words sting, and I feel a surge of anger rising within me. How can he keep blaming me like this? "I did not! I don't know how to prove this to you, but I had told her numerous times to not drive to the club. But she would not listen!" I shout.

　　"Shut up! You think I am fool like my sister? If you were so innocent, you wouldn't have tried to run away and hide in the first place. It shows that you are guilty." He spats, and before I know it, he harshly grabs my arm. "You are coming back with me!"

　　"Michael, stop! You are hurting me," I protest and try to free myself from his grip. But I can't move an inch as he has a good grip strength. My pleas fall on deaf ears as he drags me forward.

　　"Stop!" A growl shakes the earth, and my eyes widen as Matthew steps out of the shadows.