Emma's pov

　　"Go with you to your wolf pack?" I ask incredulously, and Daniel nods eagerly. "You don't even know who I am. You heard my brother... well, not that I'm actually a murderer, but..."

　　Daniel chuckles, "It's highly unlikely that two murderers would save each other's lives," he comments, and I widen my eyes at that, "It's a joke, calm down!" he explains, trying to look serious. "What I mean is... you saved my life, I want to repay your kindness."

　　I cross my arms on the table and look at Daniel with genuine curiosity, "Why were you in the forest like that?" I inquire.

　　Now it's Daniel's turn to look embarrassed, and he subtly changes the subject, but it's noticeable, "Since you said I don't know who you are. Could you then tell me?" he asks, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

　　I lean back and take my milkshake with me, taking a few long seconds to respond. I don't want to lie to him, it's not fair. "Emma, my name's Emma... Smith, from the Moonshadow wolf pack," I declare firmly.

　　There's a flicker of surprise in Daniel's big blue eyes, but he doesn't let it dominate his entire face. "Emma Smith... daughter of beta Karl Smith?" he questions, and I nod. "Yeah, I think Direwolf will be a good place for you to stay, I know about the accusations of murdering the alpha's daughter in your pack,"

　　"I didn't-" I begin to defend myself.

　　"I'm not saying you killed her, princess. You saved me in the forest, naked and about to die... surely you wouldn't have committed murder. But accusations are there, and your own brother didn't care much about your pleas. But at Direwolf, you'll be safe. You saved me, it's the least I can do for you," Daniel explains seriously.

　　There's a strong temptation in his offer, perhaps because of Daniel's beauty, I feel inclined to want to accept. But I can't do that. There was already a fight between the Moonshadow Pack and the Night Howlers Pack because of me, and they were allies. If I run to Direwolf, a rival wolf pack to the Moonshadow Pack, it's a surefire way to start another battle for my sake.

　　Daniel's blue eyes are charming and hypnotizing, his teasing jokes, the flirting make me excited too easily. It wouldn't be all that bad to be with him, in Daniel's defined, muscular arms, stroking his defined abdomen, being dominated by him and letting him take me to bed... Hey, Emma, get back to planet Earth, girl! Stop thinking dirty thoughts about Daniel.

　　I take another sip of my milkshake to cool down the fire that was rising in my body because of Daniel. Yeah, I could go to Direwolf, but what would I do after? I'm still not even close to finding Ava's true murderer, my pack still hunts me, and Matthew, well... Alpha Matthew defended me against Michael, but at what cost? I don't want to put another pack in danger. Besides Charlotte, I was honest with Alpha Matthew Anderson when I said I loved Charlotte. I truly love her, how can I leave her like this? Not that she was my daughter or anything, but the desire to protect her is latent within me. I could go to Direwolf with Daniel, the hunky werewolf, almost a Greek god. But that wouldn't bring me peace, just more problems.

　　"Tell me, Daniel... what made you go to that forest, like that?" I return to the subject that has intrigued me. My eyes narrow in the direction of the Greek god in front of me. Daniel grabs the remaining fries on his tray and eats them, gaining a few extra seconds to answer me. I continue to watch his gestures, his golden blond hair now all back, his blue eyes gaining a more mysterious look.

　　"If you really want to know, princess. It was an initiation from my pack... sort of," he replies seriously, the humor that was there before completely disappearing. "It's complicated. Being the son of an alpha isn't a walk in the park," Daniel explains with more resentment in his voice.

　　"Yeah, being the daughter of a beta, being marked as the destined mate of the alpha's son, and then accused of murder, isn't a walk in the park either, hottie-" I abruptly interrupt my nickname for Daniel, but not fast enough for him not to notice what I was going to call him. "What I mean is... I understand the feeling of having a complicated life."

　　Daniel opens a warm smile at me, which makes me feel calmer with the whole scenario I'm living. The sun sets a few minutes later, and the lights hanging on the poles illuminate the hill and the people. Laughter echoes joyfully, and I spend a few more hours chatting with Daniel.

　　"I can't believe I can't remember you at the New Moon Ball!" I comment indignantly, "You're lying to me, you didn't go to that ball." Daniel laughs at my accusation.

　　"I did, but I admit I didn't stay long socializing. Me and my werewolves were doing challenges, you know, stupid guy stuff! But for sure, if I had seen you, princess, I would have asked you to dance at that ball," Daniel declares with a tender voice.

　　"Maybe at the next ball, who knows? I'll hold you to that, huh?!" I reply humorously.

　　"In a few weeks, we'll have a party at my pack, maybe I won't take you out to dance there?" Daniel suggests with a more seductive voice, and I open a contained smile.

　　The night had already settled around us, and I hadn't actually given my answer to Daniel about his invitation.

　　"Daniel, I loved this late afternoon here with you. It's been months since I just... felt so... happy. For a few hours, you managed to make me forget all the chaos my life is in. But," I clear my throat before continuing, "I can't go to Direwolf with you."

　　Daniel's dark blond eyebrows arch at my response, he leans forward, his arms resting on the wooden table, "Emma, why? Did I do something wrong?" he asks anxiously, and I shake my head.

　　"You saved me from the clutches of my brother, we're even, really. My life is still a mess and... getting involved with someone from Direwolf won't be good for either of us. I'm the daughter of the beta of the Moonshadow Pack, and you're the son of the alpha of the Direwolf Pack. It's something ready to explode if seen with bad eyes," I explain sincerely. "It's better we end it here and don't see each other anymore. Not until, by some miracle... things go back to normal someday. Which I find unlikely."

　　Daniel opens a warm smile at me upon hearing those words, "I understand your concern, princess. But don't worry, I believe the Moon Goddess will cross our paths again, and I'm looking forward to it."