Emma Pov

　　When he opened the wrapping, Matthew's reaction was one of puzzlement until he read the title of the book: How to Be a Gentleman for Dummies. A genuine laugh escaped his lips, and I laughed too.

　　"You want me to win the challenge, then, Emma?" he asked provocatively, and I just shrugged in response.

　　Now here I was, being held by Matthew and being called a miss. The urge to laugh was strong.

　　"For the delay in starting the reading, I should have bought the illustrated version, maybe it would be easier for you to understand," I tease humorously, and Matthew sticks his tongue out at me.

　　"It's impossible to please you, isn't it?" he asks, and I stroke his face, feeling the roughness of his beard. I want to kiss him deeply, and it would be possible; I just need to lean a little further forward, and our lips would meet.

　　"Practically, yes." I finally reply, taking a few steps back, creating a barrier between us so I don't fall again for my desires. "But is there something I can do for you, Matt?"

　　"Yes. Actually, I was looking for you. Your family is here; they want to talk to you." Matthew declares seriously, and I am momentarily stunned by the revelation.

　　"My family?" I ask confused, and Matthew nods.

　　"Your parents are here."

　　Matthew goes with me to the main house's living room, I hold his hand as nervousness starts to arise within me. It's been months, many months since I saw my parents. I don't know how they are now or what they want to say to me, and that eats at my heart with anxiety.

　　When I reach the living room, my mother Meg is sitting on the couch. Her long hair is braided into an intricate braid falling over her shoulder, she is wearing blue and white polka dot pants, and a light navy blue blouse. My father is in casual wear, dark jeans, and a white shirt, standing behind the couch where my mother sits.

　　"Here she is, Beta Robert. Make yourselves comfortable. Would you like something to drink?" Matthew offers kindly. We are still holding hands when we arrive at the living room, and I notice my parents' eyes focusing on that, on this small act that serves as emotional support for me more than anything else.

　　"No, thank you, Alpha Matthew," Robert, my father, declares firmly. Matthew nods, and our hands part, causing me pain.

　　He steps away, leaving me and my parents alone in the living room.

　　Mom is the first to come towards me to hug me. Her scent of vanilla and fennel fills my nostrils, and I envelop her in a tight hug. Missing that. Missing my mom. My father, however, takes a moment to hug me, and it's quick, without much care or affection.

　　"What are you doing here? Is James alright?" I ask, worried.

　　"Yes, your brother is fine. We are all fine, dear!" Meg, my mother, responds with a gentle voice. "We came because of you. We are worried about you. Why didn't you come back home with Ava?"

　　"Is Alpha Matthew keeping you prisoner here, Emma?" my father asks in a low, firm voice.

　　I blink at him, confused by the question. "No, I'm not a prisoner. I'm sorry for making you worried. I didn't come back with Ava because I didn't know how things would turn out. If the Moonshadow Pack would still find me guilty for what happened."

　　Meg holds my hands in her lap, caressing my palm with her thumb. "Of course we accept you back, dear. Obviously!" Mom declares with enthusiasm and affection.

　　"Besides, with what you did… Michael must be reconsidering your relationship and will ask to get back together," Dad states firmly, and I look at him confused.

　　"Get back with Michael?" I ask incredulously, already shaking my head.

　　"Yes. Emma, he is the alpha's son. You would be the next Luna, you know how important that is?" Robert asks authoritatively.

　　"Of course, I know. But Dad, I don't love Michael. After everything he did to me, he broke our bond. He rejected me. I don't want to get back with him," I declare firmly.

　　"Emma, don't be childish. What he did was extreme, I admit, but can you blame the guy? He had lost his sister!" Dad declares, and I feel my heart tighten.

　　I pull away from my mother's touch and stand up from the couch. "And none of you stood by my side. None of you! I kept saying I didn't kill Ava, but did you believe me? Damn, James kidnapped me and was determined to take me back to my death!"

　　I look at my parents and realize they didn't come here to apologize, they didn't come because they missed me or because they loved me. They just wanted to ensure their prestigious position in the Moonshadow Pack.

　　"James did what was right for the situation we were in. But look how it all worked out? You're fine, we're fine, Ava is fine!" Mom responds with a raised voice, her hands flailing as she speaks. I am shocked by her words.

　　"You were going to let them imprison me or worse, kill me," I mutter in shock. "You don't give a damn about me."

　　My mother tries to approach me, but I dodge her. My eyes start to well up, ready to spill over with tears. "I'm not going back to the Moonshadow Pack. I'm not going back to Michael. And I'm not going back home. Here," I point to the floor of Matthew's house, "here I found shelter. I found new friends, I found people who like me enough to believe every word I say. I wanted to be able to count on you, but the reality is that I don't need you. Not anymore!"

　　"Emma…" My father starts, but I interrupt him.

　　"I don't want to know. I want you out of my life, forever!" I declare firmly, feeling the tears roll down my face. "Leave!"