I woke up and stretched, feeling completely refreshed. Finally, a good night's sleep and it made all the difference. The worries and troubles disappeared, replaced by renewed energy and peace. I took a deep breath feeling the air spill out of my lungs. The silk sheets were so comfortable against my skin that I didn't want to get up. But I did want to see Cane. I hopped out of bed with a smile and quickly prepared for the day. A new pair of jeans and a shirt lay on the edge of the bed. I changed into the outfit.

As I made my way downstairs, the delicious smell of breakfast filled the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation. Walking into the dining area, I saw Cane sitting at the table, deep in conversation with Ashton and a few others from last night's dinner. The room was alive with laughter and chatter, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.

"Hey, good morning!" Cane greeted me with a wide grin. He got up from his chair and walked over to me, giving me a hug. "Did you sleep well?"

I returned his smile and nodded. "Yes, thank you."

"I'm sorry I didn't wake you; you were sleeping so well; I didn't want to disturb you." He said sweetly. He gestured toward the table. "please enjoy."My heart swelled with gratitude as I took in the spread before me. The table was covered in mouthwatering dishes, from fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fresh fruits and pastries. "It looks amazing." "Good morning." I greeted everyone as I sat down next to Cane. I noticed Ashton sitting nearby, mischief dancing in his eyes. He gave me a playful wink, acknowledging my presence. The others at the table greeted me warmly, their smiles genuine and inviting.

My stomach rumbled in anticipation as I reached for the plate piled high with fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast filled the air, making my mouth water.With each bite, the pancakes' sweetness mingled with the bacon's savory goodness, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. The pancakes were light and airy, perfectly cooked to a golden brown. They practically melted in my mouth, leaving a delightful sweetness behind.

"Excuse me. Someone's here to see Bianca," a male voice interrupted, catching my attention. I turned to see a man standing there, someone I hadn't seen before, but the woman beside him was familiar. 

Surprise and disbelief washed over me as I exclaimed, "Emiline?" I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched her running towards me. We embraced tightly, a mixture of emotions flooding through us. "Oh my gods, you're really here, and you're okay!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Emiline, how the hell are you here?" I exclaimed, my happiness evident as I hugged my older sister tightly. The familiar scent of Yasmin and citrus filled my senses, instantly calming me and bringing back memories of home. It had been so long since I last saw her. She had been away in England for school before I was banished from my pack.

 At that moment, I completely forgot about everyone else around us; I forgot about eating, and my attention was on my sister. But around us, all eyes were on our reunion. I could feel a piercing gaze fixed upon us as if someone was intensely observing our every move. "Cane, can I please use your office? I need to talk to my sister," I requested, not waiting for a response as he simply nodded. Taking Emiline by the hand, I said, "Follow me."

We entered his office, anticipation buzzing in the air. I took a seat on the couch, facing her. Her once luscious brown curls now appeared frizzy, as if mirroring the chaotic state of the situtation. In her brown eyes, myriad emotions danced, blending together into an indistinguishable blend of hope, worry, and uncertainty.

"How did you get here?" Disbelief laced my words. She sat there, her presence a mix of comfort and surprise. "As soon as I learned that you were in the royal pack territory, I knew I had to see you as soon as possible," she began, her voice filled with urgency. "I caught the first flight out when you called. Why didn't you reach out to me sooner, you idiot? I was worried about you," she scolded me in a maternal tone.

"Em, I'm sorry," I stammered, my words stumbling out. "There's so much I need to tell you. It's just... I can't believe you're actually here." I hesitated, a flicker of fear crossing my face, afraid that this moment was too surreal and fragile as if it could vanish with a mere awakening from a dream.

"Once I realized you were missing, I hopped on a plane from England to help Dad search for you. We spent the past few months tirelessly looking for any trace of you," she explained, her concern evident. I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of all I had to share.

"It's just difficult to know where to start." Just then, a gentle knock resonated from the door. "Excuse me, ladies, would you like some tea?" a voice came from the other side. It was the same maid who had delivered clothes last night. I stood up and made my way to the door. As I opened it, she walked in with a small cart bearing a delicate, transparent teapot and cups.

"Thank you so much, Myra," I recalled her name from yesterday when I overheard Cane speaking to her. She poured the tea into exquisite china cups, handing one to me and another to my sister. "Thank you very much," Emiline expressed her gratitude. "My pleasure," Myra replied, bowing before excusing herself. I took a sip of the fragrant tea, savoring the hibiscus notes, and placed the cup back on the table beside me. "So, are you going to tell me what happened?" Emiline asked.

I nodded, "Yes."

"It all started back in the pack. It was Elijah's alpha ceremony, and before he was given the title, we had an, I wouldn't even call it a conversation in the kitchen." I rolled my eyes. I sighed heavily, "Elijah turned out to be my mate. But during his alpha ceremony, he rejected me. We got into it, and our disagreement escalated into a massive fight, leading to my expulsion from the pack. The fight left me with severe injuries, including a broken wrist, which temporarily severed my connection with my wolf. After wandering around the forest for a while, I found myself abducted by two hunters employed by a deranged alpha. They held me captive and kept me sedated for two months. I later found out the scumbag was kidnapping and torturing she-wolves. I had some nasty injuries; he put a silver collar around my neck that burnt like hell. I have some light scarring." I gestured towards the intricate patterns left behind by the burn on my neck. I saw tears forming in my sister's eyes as she gasped lightly.

"Thankfully, the royal pack stormed the rouge group just before anything else could happen. Ashton, the beta, rescued me and brought me here." I continued. "They brought me here," I began, my voice trembling. "That's where I met Cane, the son of the king. It's... complicated. We... I mean, him and I, we're mates." I struggled. "I'm aware that second-chance mates exist, but I don't believe I'm simply a substitute for his first choice," I expressed, a hint of uncertainty lacing my words."

"So, what were you and Elijah? False mates?" she questioned, her voice tinged with confusion.

I furrowed my brow, contemplating her inquiry. "False mates? Is that even a thing?" I asked, genuinely curious, as the concept was unfamiliar to me.

"I've encountered mentions of it in my readings while in my internship, but it's quite rare. In fact, some argue that it may not be a real phenomenon," Emiline explained. Emiline's passion for the world of history led her to pursue her studies in England. Immersed in the captivating realm of historical art, she delved into the subject with fervor. Her dedication and academic prowess granted her a remarkable opportunity—a prestigious study internship with a professor at her university who turned out to be a werewolf. The experience allowed her to delve deeper into the intricacies of art history while also exploring the unique perspective and knowledge that werewolf lore could offer.

"How did you manage to get here?" I inquired, my curiosity tinged with disbelief. "Did Elijah just let you go?"

"Bianca. Elijah has been locked away in his office since the very night you left. Nobody has seen him" she responded. 

My eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Dad can explain the details, but from what I know, as soon as I returned home and set foot on the pack grounds, Elijah had already barricaded himself inside the pack office. His father and others tried to break in, but he somehow shut the doors and windows. It's like he snapped and lost his mind on the same night you were banished out. And to make matters worse, his girlfriend Kat vanished without a trace. Despite extensive searches, there's been no sign of her."

"What the hell?" I blurted out, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

"The pack is in complete chaos. Wolves are falling ill left and right, and nobody knows what's causing it. Elijah's father passed away like two weeks ago due to the unknown illness, and Luna is also in grave condition. She and Beta Ed struggle to maintain control, but fear and unrest have gripped everyone. Everyone in panic, many want to leave but they don't want to be rogues."

"Are Mom and Dad alright? Philip and Carson?" I asked, concern flooding my voice.Emiline nodded, a flicker of relief in her eyes. "They're ok, for now, but that's why I came to find you. If you returned, you could talk to Elijah and convince him to come out. Without an alpha, our pack won't survive. There's no order."

"I can't. Our connection is severed. I accepted his rejection. There's nothing I can say," I replied with a heavy heart.

"But what about the prince? He's your new mate, right? Perhaps he can help. Or his dad, King Charles. We have to save our pack," she pleaded, despair lacing her words.

"I'm not entirely certain," I replied, my teeth sinking into my lip with apprehension. "But what I do know is that we have to go home," I declared, a resolute determination permeating my voice.

Name: Emiline Claire North

Age: 22

Allegiance: WestMoon Pack