Night settled over the Chav’re estate, and the moon mourned with the gathered in silence.

Black dominated the garden, with Whitecrest wolves standing out in emerald green. A heavy fog of grief hung in the air, enveloping Emory and Kirsten as they walked through the crowd. The mourners hugged and shared hushed condolences as they waited for the wake to start.

It was breathtaking how the garden was transformed into a memorial space. Tear-stained faces were softly illuminated by lanterns hung from the trees. Right in the middle was Larc’s portrait, surrounded by candles and flowers, his smile mocking the sorrow all around him.

Inhaling deeply, Emory walked through the path of mourners. There was so much sorrow in the air, she had to turn off her senses, especially her pack link. Their pain almost broke her heart, and she wished she could comfort them. Not letting their suffering affect her, she kept her usual Stoic expression.

They walked up to Larc’s casket on an elevated podium, and she just stood there, lost for a moment. When Emory came to Larc’s casket, she touched the cool wood, and bowed her head in silent prayer. It gnawed at her - Larc’s journey to bring her home had cost him his life, and that guilt consumed her. Stepping back, she fought to keep the tears at bay, the lump in her throat growing heavier with each breath. Then she climbed down to join the Whitecrest wolves on the other side of the podium.

Kirsten stayed up there with her mate, who smiled at her from where he stood beside Larc’s cist.

Trey was the first to speak, regaling stories about Larc that had everyone laughing and teary-eyed. After that, he gave a tribute that made Emory tear up. One by one, others stepped forward to share their memories, painting a picture of a life well-lived, a legacy she wasn’t a part of.

“Larc was like a brother to me.” Rodyn’s voice caught her off guard.

He was back? That was a relief, but where was her aunt? Taking a quick look around didn’t help either; it was jam-packed, overflowing to the gate. Trying to find Kinshra in the mass of scents was impossible. So, with a sigh, Emory focused back on Rodyn’s speech, letting the moment and stories wash over her.

As Emory stood in front of the Whitecrest crowd, she noticed a woman just two shoulders down from her. It was as if she was surrounded by a halo of sadness. The moment their eyes met, Emory felt compelled to do something, anything, to ease her pain. Immediately, she knew she was Larc’s mate; losing a mate was the only thing that could cause such pain. The woman, with a look of sheer disbelief, whispered, “Emory?” as if she was seeing a ghost.

“Yeah?” Emory answered.

“You’re back,” she breathed, pulling Emory into a hug. She then stepped back, searching Emory’s face for a sign of recognition. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

She was stumped, her mind drawing blanks. “I just” I thought you were Larc’s mate.”

“I am,” she confirmed, her voice breaking. “But we were friends too, back in Augusta Region, before you left the province. It’s me, Kira.”

A flood of forgotten memories came flooding back when I heard that name, Kira. School yard laughs, reckless adventures, a friendship she hadn’t thought about in years. Emory’s eyes widened with newfound clarity, and Kira responded with a gentle laugh, pulling her into another embrace.

“It is so good to see you,” Kira whispered to her.

As soon as Emory realized who Kira was, guilt struck twice as hard - not just for not recognizing her sooner, but also for her part in Larc’s death. “Kira, I” I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” Emory whispered, gently cradling Kira’s face. “I can’t even begin to imagine how tough this is for you.”

Kira’s eyes brimmed with tears as she nodded. “It’s been unbearable,” she confessed, her voice trembling. “I keep expecting him to just walk through the door, like this is all some terrible mistake.”

Pulling Kira into a hug, her grief seeped into Emory in a way she’d never experienced, and she grunted, clenching her teeth to contain it. When Kira’s attendees stepped forward to intervene, Emory gestured for them to back off. As Kira clung to her, crying heavily now, Kirsten was forced to climb down to join them.

“Let’s get her inside,” Kirsten said, leading Emory back towards the house with Kira still in her arms.

At the entrance to the main house, she gave Kira to her attendees and watched Kirsten lead them inside. As much as she wanted to console Kira, she knew now wasn’t the time. Kira needed space to grieve.

Left momentarily alone—well, as alone as one could be with Tommy and a personal Gamma detail glued to her side—Emory’s solitude was short-lived.

“Alpha Rodyn,” her Gammas greeted behind her, and she turned to see Rodyn approaching, his presence as imposing as ever, grey eyes locking onto hers with an intensity she remembered all too well.

“Hey, Emory,” he greeted, closing the distance between them with a few strides.

Up close, Rodyn was just as she remembered: strong features softened by a smile that lit him up from the inside. His features were still as rugged and strong as she recalled.

While giving her a once-over, he flashed a mischievous grin. “You are breathtaking.”

She bit her lip at his compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her body that she couldn’t explain. His voice sounded different: pleasantly different, like a surging stream of lava coursing through her with zest.

Staring back at him, she found it hard to look away. Even though Rodyn always made her feel flushed and hot, there was no telltale zing hinting at a mate’s bond. It never made sense to her. Still, she felt drawn to him, but she couldn’t figure out why.

“You’re not too bad yourself, Rodyn.” She really meant it. He looked incredible in his all black outfit with a black jacket adorned with gold thread reaching his ankles. It was all poise and confidence, with perfectly coiffed hair and a neatly trimmed beard.

“Welcome home,” he said.

“Yeah, not the homecoming I imagined,” Emory admitted.

“I’m sorry, Em,” he said softly, stroking her cheek. “Larc was so pumped about bringing you back. None of us saw this coming.”

“Did you go with him?” The question slipped out before she could think better of it.

Rodyn shook his head. “I was off to Eleado” on another assignment,” he explained, a touch of regret in his voice.

Then, almost as an afterthought, he offered his hand, an unspoken invitation to step away from the crowd for a bit. Emory looked at his hand for a bit, and eventually, her hand found his. The moment their fingers intertwined, a chill raced up her spine, not from the cold but from the unexpected jolt his touch brought.

They wandered off, leaving the wake behind as they walked under the moon’s watchful gaze, towards the backyard. The estate’s expansive grounds felt different now, more intimate.

“Tommy, hang back a sec, would you?” Emory said, signalling for some space. Tommy nodded, understanding the need for privacy.

Rodyn turned to her, an open invitation in his eyes. “You seemed pretty curious back in the woods. I’m here now, shoot.”

“Where do I even start?” she mused aloud, considering where to begin.

He laughed, a sound that somehow made the night feel less heavy. “My being a Hunter Wolf.”

Goddess, that laugh—why did it have to make her feel all fluttery inside? Pushing aside her brief distraction, she focused. “Exactly. Your transformation. How? What’s your Hunter power?”

Rodyn glanced up at the moon, then back at Emory. “Well, it only manifests in my Hunter form. I can create duplicates of myself. Handy in a tight spot.”

Emory stopped dead in her tracks, her hand slipping from his. “Whoa, hold up! You can do what now? That’s insane—and amazing. Can you show me right now?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement at her reaction. “Pretty much. It’s one of the more unique abilities out there.”

The idea of anyone being in four places at once blew her mind. “Seriously, can I see it?”

He laughed softly, then slipped his hands into his pockets. The night air around them turning a touch more serious. “Let’s save that for another day,” he suggested. His gaze, intense and grey, captured hers, bringing a moment of quiet connection. “Do you know you are the last hunter?”

Emory nodded. “Yeah, I’ve pieced that together.”

“And the part about marrying the Lycan King? How do you feel about that?” His voice dropped a notch.

“As hard as it is to believe, I do have a say in this, and I haven’t decided anything yet.” She eyed him, curious about his sudden interest. “Why does this matter to you?”

Rodyn’s expression softened. “It’s about you, Emory, of course it matters to me. You’re juggling grief, all these revelations hitting you at once, and this monumental decision—all with the burden of the Empire’s future pressing down on you. It’s overwhelming, and even though this is home, everything must feel so new, so uncertain. I want you to remember you’re not alone in this.”

“Right. I guess everything’s a bit much right now,” she admitted, not really sure how to process his concern. It was comforting and complicated at the same time. “Thanks, though. It’s” nice to hear that.”

“Always here for you,” he assured her, the warmth in his smile reaching his eyes. “I’ve got to say you’re handling things really well. Anyone else would have flipped out with the magnitude of everything.”

She knew deep down she was just skimming the surface of her emotions, the real turmoil hidden beneath a veneer of calm. Tonight, she’d need all the quiet she could get to truly come to terms with her new reality and that daunting conversation with Lord Wulric.

“Who would’ve thought you wouldn’t have met your mate by now?” Rodyn said slowly.

Emory laughed at the irony. “Looks like we’re in the same boat then,” she pointed out.

Rodyn’s laughter joined hers, lightening the mood. “Is this a competition now?”

“Not really,” Emory shrugged, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “But if it was, I’d say I’m in the lead. Who knows? Might end up with a mate by Sunday.”

He shook his head. “That’s different. A marriage of convenience, a political alliance—that’s not the same as finding your fated mate.”

His words hit her harder than expected. Considering her mate was out there, and she might be bound to someone else for the sake of peace, was a sobering thought. It made her head spin. Marrying someone she didn’t love felt like a major betrayal to herself and the mate she hadn’t met yet.

Before she could spiral further, Rodyn reached out, trying to offer some comfort. “I didn’t mean to’” he started, but Emory instinctively stepped back, putting distance between them.

Just then, Kirsten appeared, her timing uncanny. “There you are, Emory,” she announced. Her smile towards Rodyn, though polite, was cold. “Alpha Rodyn.”

Rodyn nodded back coolly. “Luna.”

Kirsten turned to Emory. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s important.”

“Got it,” Emory said, feeling relief and disappointment at being pulled away. She cast a fleeting look at Rodyn. “See you around, Rodyn.”

With that, she turned, following Kirsten back to the house, leaving behind the moonlit solitude and the conversation that had stirred up a storm inside her.