MATTHEW's POV

　　As Charlotte and I settle in to watch Finding Nemo together, I can't shake the image of Emma from my mind. Her laughter at the breakfast table echoes in my thoughts, and I find myself unable to focus on the movie. It's strange, really. Why does she affect me this way? She's a member of the enemy pack, someone I should view with suspicion and distrust. And yet, whenever she's around, I can't help but feel… good.

　　But is she really my enemy anymore? The more I get to know her, the more I realize that she's just a person caught up in circumstances beyond her control. And yet, there's something about her that draws me in, something that makes me want to protect her.

　　I find myself liking it when Emma reads stories to Charlotte. They're not stories I would normally be interested in, but there's something about her voice that soothes me, that calms the restless beast inside me. My wolf seems to agree, insisting that I stay close to Emma, that I keep her safe. And as much as I try to resist, I can't help but listen.

　　As I watch Charlotte giggle at the antics of the animated fish on the screen, my mind drifts back to Emma. I can't help but wonder what her wolf looks like. Fenrir, my own wolf, seems particularly intrigued by the thought. He's eager to run with Emma's wolf, to play and frolic together in the forest.

　　But I can't shake the feeling that it's too soon for such interactions. Running with someone's wolf is a sign of trust, of friendship. And while I feel a growing connection to Emma, I'm not sure if we've reached that level yet. I need to tread carefully, to keep my emotions in check and not rush into anything.

　　Being an Alpha has taught me to be cautious, to guard my heart against potential betrayal. Too many times, I've been burned by those I thought I could trust. It's left me wary, hesitant to let anyone get too close.

　　And yet, there's something about Emma that makes me want to believe in her. Despite my doubts and fears, there's a voice in the back of my mind that insists she won't betray me. I can only hope that voice is right.

　　As Charlotte's soft snoring fills the room, I find myself lost in thought once again. The question lingers in my mind, nagging at me like a persistent itch. If push came to shove, if I found myself at odds with the Moonshade pack, whose side would Emma choose?

　　I shake my head, pushing the thought aside for now. It's a question I can't afford to dwell on, not when there are more immediate concerns at hand. With a gentle smile, I lean down and press a kiss to Charlotte's forehead, watching as she drifts off to sleep.

　　Quietly slipping out of the room, I make my way through the packhouse, a sense of anticipation building within me. It's no surprise when I spot Emma sneaking out of the pack borders, her determined stride carrying her towards the forest.

　　I can't help but wonder what she's searching for out there. Clues regarding her best friend's death, perhaps? Whatever it is, I know I can't let her face it alone. With a determined set to my jaw, I follow silently behind her.

　　As I follow Emma through the forest, I take care to keep my distance, ensuring that she doesn't detect my presence. I move silently, my steps light as I navigate the underbrush, mindful of every twig and leaf beneath my feet.

　　But as I continue to trail her, my attention is abruptly drawn to a tall figure ahead. My jaw tightens when I recognize him: Michael. I've seen him at the Mating Balls, always getting a bad vibe from the guy. And now, seeing him here with Emma only reinforces my suspicions.

　　Hiding behind a nearby tree, I strain to hear their conversation, my muscles tensing as Michael hurls baseless accusations at Emma.

　　"Oh! So you were hiding here, huh?" he asks while glaring at her. "You think you can just run away and hide from us, huh?"

　　"I'm not running away! I just need some space to clear my head."

　　"Space? Ha! More like trying to avoid facing the consequences of your actions."

　　"You don't understand. I loved Ava. I would never do anything to hurt her." Emma is shaking while she defends herself.

　　Michael scoffs, "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!"

　　How can he speak such vile words about someone who was supposed to be his mate? It infuriates me, the injustice of it all, and I find myself itching to intervene, to defend Emma against his verbal onslaught.

　　"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!" She shouts, seeming to be at the verge of crying.

　　"Shut up! You think I am a 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 grabs her hand without her permission, "You are coming back with me!"

　　"Michael, stop! You are hurting me!"

　　My muscles tense as I watch Michael forcibly drag Emma through the forest, ignoring her cries for him to stop. Without a second thought, a low growl rumbles from deep within me, my instincts kicking in before my mind can catch up. "Stop!"