Matthew's Pov

　　"I know she is your fiancée and mate, Alpha Matthew. Emma is our leader, our alpha. It is my duty to protect her and our wolf pack," Faylen announces with a firm and focused voice. "I will have to ask you to accompany us to the packhouse for an emergency meeting. We of the Stonehaven Pack always make decisions together. Emma's inner circle," Faylen explains.

　　She moves around the bed where Emma is lying. The hospital room in Emma's wolf pack is spacious and very technologically advanced. The white walls reflect the cold light of the medical equipment, giving the room a sterile feel. The air is cold, and the smell of disinfectant is very strong, almost suffocating. Emma's face is very pale, a ghost seeming to have taken over the visage of my beloved fiancée. I continue holding her cold, thin hand between my warm fingers, wishing I could transfer all my energy and warmth to her.

　　The only sound in the room is the beeping of Emma's weak and rhythmic heartbeat. Each beat is a bit of hope and also fear. Fear that she might not wake up. The machines around her flash with green and red lights, maintaining a constant rhythm that seems to mock my anxiety.

　　I don't want to leave Emma alone, but it is necessary for me to accompany Faylen so that all of this can be resolved as quickly as possible. My lips meet Emma's cold forehead, and I kiss her tenderly.

　　"I'll be back before you know it. Please, wake up, Emma... please," I plead close to her ear, planting another kiss on her cheek. Her skin is cold, a painful contrast to the warmth I always felt emanating from her.

　　Faylen squeezes Emma's shoulder affectionately and accompanies me out of the hospital room. The hallway is silent and deserted, except for the presence of my sister. Charlotte is sitting in the hallway, her eyes red from crying softly. She runs to me, and I hold her tightly, lifting her up. Her legs cross at the side of my waist, and her weight is entirely on my arm. Charlotte is starting to get a bit heavy to carry, but in moments like this, her weight doesn't matter. It's good to have her here by my side, even though everything is confusing and uncertain.

　　"What happened to Emma? Is she going to be okay, big brother?" Charlotte asks in a tearful voice. Her nose is red, and her face is wet from the tears.

　　I dry her cheeks with my thumb and adjust her better in my arms.

　　"Emma is a little sick, but the Stonehaven Pack and I will find a cure for her quickly. I promise, Charlotte," I explain with a choked voice, trying to maintain confidence and hope in my words for my sister.

　　Charlotte hugs my neck with her soft and chubby arms, and this embrace almost unbalances me emotionally. Forcing me to hold back the urge to cry, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine.

　　"She is just sleeping, big brother. I think Emma didn't want to taste the cakes today. We'll try them next week!" Charlotte declares close to my ear, the innocence in her voice contrasting with the gravity of the situation.

　　I pull my face back a few inches to look at my little sister better. Charlotte's eyes shine for a few moments with a new expectation that I can't understand and don't want to try to understand.

　　"Charlotte must have had some vision. Emma will be fine, Matthew," Fenrir comments inside me with a contained voice, and I take a deep breath to stay calm.

　　"I won't cling to any vision until I've had one myself. You know what I think about Charlotte's powers," I retort with irritation in my voice.

　　"It is necessary to have faith in difficult times. Don't worry, I'll have faith for both of us," Fenrir responds finally.

　　I put Charlotte on the ground and adjusted her yellow dress out of pure habit. The vibrant color contrasts with the sadness of the moment but also adds a touch of hope.

　　"Lotte, I'm going to ask Liam to come and pick you up to take you home, okay? In the meantime, can you behave?" I ask worriedly.

　　"Amelia and Kylian are playing at the packhouse. Charlotte can join them if you like," Faylen suggests sweetly, and Charlotte's face lights up.

　　I mutter a "thank you," and the three of us head to Amelia and Kylian. The packhouse is full of life, with children playing and adults chatting. But a veil of concern hangs over everyone as if each one is aware of what is happening with Emma.

　　Charlotte says goodbye to me with a tight hug, and I watch her join the others. A part of me feels relieved that she is in good hands when Liam arrives.

　　"Liam, I need you to come to Emma's wolf pack and bring some soldiers. My fiancée has been cursed, and I need your help here at Stonehaven with Charlotte," I request from my beta through the mind link.

　　In moments, Liam agrees through the mind link, and I refocus on what is happening around me.

　　Faylen guides me to the meeting room, a spacious area with a long wooden table in the center. Emma's inner circle, Bruno and Jordan, are already there. I know Amelia and Kylian also participate, but since they are with Charlotte, it's just the four of us.

　　Faylen and I report to the twins about Emma's condition, and I notice the worry and anguish on their faces. But there is also an urgency to resolve this, a discipline to maintain order that makes me proud.

　　"I will organize our troops and inform the entire pack within an hour," Jordan declares after we've spent hours debating what to do.

　　"I will return to the Night Howlers Pack and see how the search for the witch who cast this curse on Emma is going!" I respond with determination, feeling my body fill with anger and fury knowing that someone dared to harm my fiancée.

　　"We appreciate your help, Alpha Matthew. If you don't mind, I would like Bruno to go with you. It will be necessary to have someone from our pack along with yours so that the information isn't delayed in being passed on if we have any news!" Faylen informs.

　　I agree with a nod. Bruno is a great man, always very straightforward and humorous. His brother Jordan, who is huge, with an intimidating look and well-defined physical stature, has always been the quieter one.