CHAPTER 4
1304 Words
Emilia jolted awake, sunlight flooding through the hospital curtains. She blinked, disoriented, then glanced at the clock. 10:07 a.m.
“Damn it,” she muttered, scrambling to her feet.
Books spilled from her lap as she scrambled out of bed. Another night wasted chasing hope in worn-out texts. The ancient book on dormant wolves lay open, its pages filled with half-baked theories, trauma, broken bonds, and retribution from the Moon Goddess. All of them hinted at reasons why a wolf might go silent.
None of them told her how to bring hers back.
She yanked her hoodie over her head, tied her hair into a quick bun, and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair and rushed out, her boots thudding through the hospital corridor.
She didn’t stop running until she reached the main ward.
“You’re late again,” Miri said, barely glancing up as she scribbled notes onto a chart.
“I know,” Emilia muttered. “I overslept.”
“You were up reading again, weren’t you?”
Emilia didn’t answer. She pulled on her gloves and checked the station’s schedule.
Miri smirked. “Found anything new in your obsession genre?”
Emilia shook her head. “Same empty promises. ‘Trust the Moon Goddess,’ blah blah.”
Miri leaned closer. “You still think it’s tied to the rejection?”
Emilia hesitated. “It happened the same night. I felt her. Then she vanished.”
“You never said who rejected you,” Miri said quietly.
Emilia’s eyes darkened. “Someone who pretended I mattered. Then crushed me… in front of everyone.”
Miri reached for her hand. “Whoever he is, he’s not worth your silence.”
~~~~~
Later that evening, Emilia sat on the hospital balcony, with the breeze cold blowing against her skin as she stared up at the full moon.
She wasn’t going to the mating ceremony tonight. Not with her wolf still silent. A wolfless she-wolf was considered cursed. No one would risk claiming someone like her.
As she stood, brushing invisible dust off her leggings, ready to head inside, the comm unit buzzed, then a nurse ran out, breathless.
“Emira! A call just came from the palace. Rogues attacked some guests. They are at the palace; you should hurry to get there in time.”
Emilia’s heart jumped. Without thinking, she grabbed her kit and sprinted out of the hospital door, heading towards the palace.
When she got to the palace, a guard took her to the room where the person was. She froze as her eyes fell on the woman on the bed. Neriah.
And standing right beside her was Kael. His face was tense, and his eyes locked on Neriah, filled with concern. But then, he shifted his gaze, and it landed on Emilia.
Everything stopped. Emilia couldn’t move. The memories of his rejection, his cruel words, the look in his eyes that night came crashing over her.
Kael’s expression twisted into something unreadable, shock, then guilt and confusion. He took a step forward. “Em..?”
Emilia stepped back, her knuckles turning white as she held onto her kit tightly. She wasn’t prepared for this.
“What are you doing here?”
Emilia didn’t turn; she didn’t need to, the familiar after-rain scent had hit her nose. She turned to find Draven at the doorway, his stormy grey eyes piercing deep into her eyes.
Steeling herself, she met his gaze. “I’m the only healer available from the hospital,” she replied, steadying her breath.
Draven’s eyes narrowed, a mix of concern and something else deeper flickered between them. The tension was visible. He gave a curt nod and left.
When he was outside the door, he ruffled his hair with his fingers. His stoic expression switched to frustration. Her jasmine and honey scent had reignited the bond he was trying to ignore.
Back inside the room, Emilia had started tending to Neriah, when Kael approached, his face laced with guilt and confusion.
“Emilia..”
“How do you know Alpha Draven?” she asked without looking up.
“He’s my cousin,” Kael replied. “Our mothers are sisters.”
Emilia paused, her heart racing at the information. “I see,” she said softly, resuming her work.
Kael hesitated before speaking again. “Emilia, about the past… I acted based on expectations.” He paused, but Emilia didn’t say a word.
“I never meant to hurt you,” Kael continued. “Choosing Neriah… It wasn’t about feelings. Her father is the beta of our pack…”
“Your pack,” Emilia spat, her teeth gritted.
Kael was shocked at her outburst; he had never seen Emilia angry before. She had always been a kind and patient girl who understood everyone.
“I never meant to hurt you,” he continued.
“You didn’t just hurt me,” she said, finally meeting his gaze. “You shattered me.”
Kael’s lips parted, searching for something to say, but Emilia had already turned her focus to Neriah.
Just then, a knock came. A palace guard stepped in and bowed slightly. “Sir Kael, Alpha Draven requests your presence.”
Kael hesitated, then nodded, casting one last glance at Emilia before leaving.
As soon as the door closed, Emilia allowed herself to exhale. She glanced down at Neriah, her features were pale. Something caught her eye. Neriah’s stomach was too flat. Emilia blinked, confusion flooding her thoughts.
‘She’s not pregnant anymore.’ Emilia’s mind spun. No signs of recent birth. What had happened?
Draven stood alone in his office, the weight of the full moon ceremony pressed heavily on him. Lately, he has been pressured by the pack’s elders and his mother to find a Luna. He should give himself an heir now that was still fit.
The curse of rage has been eating him up badly. Without any solution to his problem, Draven just knew that he had little time before he took his own life.
As Draven paced slowly, his thoughts became consumed by that one person, Emilia. It had been six months since their paths crossed, and yet she had refused to leave his mind despite the time and distance.
The bond he felt with her that night in the woods was unforgettable. He has been trying to suppress the pull, but the moon goddess had other plans.
After ensuring that Neriah was stable, Emilia made her way through the palace corridors. Drawn by the sounds of music and celebration, she found herself standing near the grand hall. Peering inside, she saw Draven standing at the side, engaged in a conversation with a striking lady.
The lady’s hands were wrapped around Draven’s arm, and they looked very intimate. Emilia knew the lady was Selene, whom she heard was in the army. It was obvious Draven and Selene were both in a romantic relationship.
As the ceremony began, Selene took her seat close to the stage. Emilia could see Selene’s eyes lit up in anticipation as she sat in her seat. Then Draven walked up to the stage.
Standing tall, he wore a deep charcoal-black suit. As he stood there, Emilia could see all the ladies’ eyes on him while they dropped naughty words.
“Tonight, I will choose my Luna.” Draven started. His voice was cold but commanded attention. The whole room fell silent, and only the heartbeat of people was heard.
Selene slowly stood from her chair. Her smile widened confidently.
Draven’s eyes swept the hall, and for a moment, he paused, his gaze lingering at the door. Emilia’s heart stuttered.
“Emira Valehart.” Everything froze.
Gasps echoed through the hall. Selene’s face dropped in disbelief before she turned sharply and stormed out of the hall.
Emilia stood frozen. ‘Me?’
- Writer
