Emma returned to the pack house that night with an empty stomach. She lay on her narrow bed beneath the silent ceiling, her young wolf spirit restless and unsettled. Her thoughts roamed like a lone wolf through a dark forest, unable to understand the strange emotions rising inside her chest. She needed someone wise enough to recognize what she was feeling and give those feelings a name. Yet the adult wolves in her household cared little about the storms within her heart.
As her body continued changing with the passage of moons, Emma found herself overwhelmed by sudden shifts of emotion. She realized she was growing quickly, stepping closer to the age when difficult choices would begin to shape her path. Deep inside, she longed for the gentle guidance of a mother wolf. But she was painfully alone, surrounded by silence with no one she could truly speak to.
When the next moon cycle brought Monday morning, Emma finished her dawn chores within the pack house before preparing for pack academy. She slung her worn backpack over her shoulder and stepped onto the busy street leading toward the academy. Her thoughts churned like restless wolves; she felt she needed to speak to someone before her emotions overwhelmed her completely.
As she walked down the crowded academy corridor toward her next lesson, Brooklyn suddenly hurried toward her.
"Hey… Emma," Brooklyn called from behind.
Emma slowed her steps, rolled her eyes, and waited for Brooklyn to catch up.
"You look pale. What happened?"
"I'm fine, Brooklyn."
"Come on, Emma, you're not."
Emma sighed softly.
"I have been having many strange mood changes lately."
"That is normal when a young wolf approaches maturity," Brooklyn replied while matching her pace. "Are you afraid of your first crimson moon?"
Emma shook her head slightly.
"I'm afraid of everything, Brooklyn. I never realized how much I had grown until a young Soulcrafter made a painting of me. When I saw it, I felt happy… and sad at the same time. I couldn't even explain to him why I felt that way."
"Oh… him?" Brooklyn's lips curled into a teasing grin. "That sounds awkward."
"Yes… very awkward."
"Who is he?"
"I don't even know his name."
"You should have asked him, Emma."
Emma shrugged dismissively.
"I don't need to know it. I'm not going to that park again anyway. I will choose a different place."
Brooklyn widened her eyes dramatically.
"Wow! Do you have a moonmate now?"
"No!" Emma blurted loudly, frowning while glancing around to make sure no one overheard. "I never said he was my moonmate. He isn't even a moonally."
"Oh… okay," Brooklyn said slowly. "Then who is he to you? And why did he draw you?"
"He's just a Soulcrafter who sketches random things."
"Fine… but why were you sad?"
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you."
Brooklyn folded her arms thoughtfully.
"You think I didn't notice? You were upset because of how your body is changing. Emma, how long will you keep hating your own beauty? What is really bothering you?"
"Nothing."
Brooklyn sighed deeply.
"Well… I told my mother about you last week. She may invite you over today or tomorrow. She plans to get the truth out of you because I'm tired of asking."
Emma's eyes widened in alarm.
"That is exactly why I'm scared to tell you anything! You always tell your mother everything, and she immediately confronts my parents! My father warned me not to speak about certain things, so your mother won't get a single word from me."
"Oh my moon goddess!" Brooklyn gasped.
"What?" Emma asked nervously, glancing around again.
Brooklyn lowered her voice dramatically.
"Is he touching you?"
"Who?"
"Your father!"
"No!" Emma snapped immediately.
"Then what is it?"
Emma took a slow breath.
"Brooklyn… we will talk about this after Moonhall."
At that moment, she noticed their pack tutor walking briskly toward them down the corridor. Emma quickly increased her pace.
"Emma, you just placed me in a terrible position. I don't know who to talk to," Brooklyn called after her.
"Don't talk to anyone!" Emma insisted firmly.
"Honestly, Emma," Brooklyn murmured more quietly, "I can't just stay silent. Something is clearly hurting you."
Emma suddenly stopped walking.
"If I lose the chance to see my blood parents because of your loose tongue, I will never forgive you."
Brooklyn froze in shock.
"Oh… my… moon goddess… this is serious."
She remained standing there staring while Emma walked swiftly away down the corridor.
After that conversation, Emma avoided Brooklyn for the rest of the day. During lessons she remained surrounded by other packmates so the subject could not be raised again.
She refused to risk losing the chance of ever seeing her blood parents.
Emma decided she would no longer visit the territory park every Saturday. She did not want to face the mysterious young Soulcrafter again, especially if he asked why she had suddenly grown sad the previous week.
Yet the Saturday she stayed away became the most miserable day she had experienced in many half- moons.
She spent the entire day feeling restless and lonely. The week that followed dragged slowly, filled with boredom and silence.
Deep inside, she secretly wished time would hurry so she could return to her favorite park again.
On the final Saturday of Novembber, Emma awoke before dawn.
Excitement fluttered through her chest like a young wolf's heartbeat as she waited impatiently for the pale twilight sky to transform into morning.
Time seemed to crawl painfully slowly as she stood by her window watching the sky unfold in shades of crimson and gold.
She did not fully understand why she felt so eager.
By exactly ten in the morning, Emma was already seated beneath the willow tree in the territory park. A novel rested in her hands, though she barely read a single word.
Her eyes constantly drifted toward the pathways around her.
She checked her wristwatch again and again, far more often than she looked at the book.
Suddenly her heart skipped wildly.
The young Soulcrafter appeared, walking toward her with his backpack resting comfortably on his shoulders.
"Hi," he greeted when he reached her.
Emma ignored him and stared stubbornly at her book as though she were deeply focused. In truth, she could not see a single letter on the page.
The he-wolf remained standing for a moment before calmly sitting beside her in a relaxed half-lotus posture.
He removed his backpack and pulled out his sketch materials.
Soon his pencil began moving across the white paper, capturing the distant three hills, the small pack houses scattered at their base, and the surrounding wildflowers that gave the scenery a peaceful village charm.
Emma tried to keep pretending she was reading, but her curiosity grew stronger with every passing moment.
Finally she tossed her novel aside and watched his skilled left hand in amazement as it worked its quiet magic across the sketch page.
A bright smile slowly spread across her face.
"I'm taking that one," she said happily.
The young Soulcrafter looked at her and smiled warmly before turning his body slightly to face her.
"I would like to draw you," he said gently. "Would you mind?"
Emma frowned and shook her head.
His eyes remained fixed on her, filled with many unspoken thoughts. Emma quickly lowered her gaze under the weight of his stare.
He tilted his head slightly, trying to see her face again.
Then he said something so unexpected that Emma instantly lifted her head.
Her bright eyes locked onto him in surprise.
"What did you just say?"