Emma pov

　　"The werewolves who were with me were not from my wolf pack. Hilda hired them, they're mercenaries. I don't know which wolf pack they came from," Milena responds in a meek, frightened voice.

　　Matthew continues pacing the small space in the room, his dark green eyes filled with suspicion and concern over Milena's words. The walls seem to close in even more with the tension building in this interrogation.

　　"We will take you to the Night Howlers Pack. You will be judged and receive your sentence after the investigation of the events that happened here, including the attempted kidnapping of a crucial member of my wolf pack," Matthew declares in an icy tone. "Besides hiring a witch to perform dark magic against members of another wolf pack. We will not forget the attempted assassination of an alpha," Matthew continues, a sarcastic smile appearing on his lips.

　　He steps closer to Milena, who shrinks back a few inches on the bed as if trying to disappear in the face of Matthew's imposing presence. "You have no idea who you've messed with, Ms. Milena. I am not an alpha who lets things slide without punishment. Justice will be served, and your penalty will be enacted," Matthew's words are both threatening and a promise waiting to be fulfilled.

　　As he steps away from Milena Golden, Alpha Matthew turns to face us, looking at his beta Liam, and Mrs. Dawson. His hands go back to his pockets, and I admire how his serious expression softens the wrinkles that have formed on his forehead.

　　"Liam, prepare one of the cars to transport Milena to Night Howlers Pack. Mrs. Dawson, go with them and arrange the trial with the other elders, please. Also, contact the witches, we need to alert them about Hilda and her use of dark magic. Liam, I also want you to investigate the supposed mercenary werewolves. If what Milena said is true," Matthew glances at Milena with distrust and contempt, "then this doesn't need to escalate into a direct threat from Lone Mountain Pack," Matthew turns his body to face Milena one last time, "But if it's a lie… our peace with Lone Mountain Pack will be over, just like we did with Moonshadow Pack."

　　The mention of my former wolf pack hits my heart. One of the reasons I left was to avoid this enmity between the two wolf packs, but it seems it wasn't enough. I feel a pang of pain and guilt. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, trying to collect my emotions after everything that has been revealed here.

　　I step out of the room and stand in the hallway with Jordan right behind me. I lean my body against the hallway wall and tilt my head up, looking at the concrete ceiling that also needs painting soon. The small, narrow hallway is silent, except for the distant sounds of Kylian and Amelia along with footsteps in the yard, creating a strange contrast with the emotional turmoil inside me.

　　"Alpha Emma, are you okay?" Jordan asks worriedly, placing a hand on my arm to comfort me. I try to give him a friendly smile, but there's no joy on my lips.

　　"Yes, it's just… Moonshadow Pack, I just," the words don't come out the way I want. I feel a lump in my throat, a weight that prevents me from speaking clearly. "Could you go check if Kylian and Amelia are taking good care of Charlotte? Please," I ask, quickly changing the subject.

　　Jordan's brown eyes are worried as they look at me, but they soften when I ask him to do this. "Sure, if you need anything else just call," he says before leaving the hallway, leaving me alone with my agitated thoughts that now seem ready to consume me.

　　Once I'm alone in the hallway, I control my breathing, focusing on everything that was discussed inside. The person who died was Emily, and despite the guilt of wanting to creep into me, Eldra and Accalia won't allow it.

　　"She was not a good woman, Emma. That Emily had great envy for your friend Ava. Such envy that she was willing to kill you to get what she wanted," Eldra repeats the information I already know, but her tone is comforting, helping me keep my feelings in check. "It's not your fault what happened. Milena Golden caused her own daughter's death by raising her to believe she deserved someone else's life. It's sad when you think about it."

　　I hug my shoulders at Eldra's observation. I never wanted someone else's life. Not even Ava's. Even now that we had to distance ourselves because of what happened, I don't envy the life she has.

　　I miss my best friend. When I thought she was dead, I cried night after night. Besides her death, the accusations against me made me often believe they were true. That I had indeed killed her.

　　"I thought it was entirely my fault what happened to her. I thought if I hadn't been so irresponsible if I hadn't drunk so much, none of that would have happened," I declare mentally to my wolves. "But I realize now, none of it was my fault. It wasn't even Ava with me that night. She had been kidnapped for days. My childish and immature behavior wouldn't have interfered with her abduction."

　　"There were setbacks, Emma. Things have been resolved. Look at what all this tragedy brought you, look where you are now," Eldra points out excitedly, and I feel compelled to smile.

　　"Emma?" Matthew's voice pulls me back to reality, and I'm slightly startled by it. I turn my head to face him, Matthew is near the girls' room door, his eyes filled with expectations.

　　"Yes?" I reply with a bit of insecurity, my heart beating fast in my chest. I hold my breath for a few seconds, feeling the atmosphere around me slow down with his presence. Matthew Anderson is my mate.

　　My body doesn't move because if I move even a muscle, I feel it will be towards him, to kiss him, to tell him I missed him every day I was away. I place my hands on the wall I'm leaning against, forcing myself to stay put, resisting the urge to give in completely to my overwhelming feelings for Matthew.