14: Emma

‘Restless is NOT the word,’ she protested, broadcasting images of exactly what she wanted to do with our mate that made my cheeks burn.

"I'll run with you," Elijah offered, his tone casual though his eyes reflected understanding of my predicament. "Lyall hasn't seen his sister in a while."

I gave him a grateful smile, recognizing the lifeline he was extending—the comfort of family, of familiarity, when everything else was transforming around me.

Theo's eyes had returned to their natural amber, though they still held an intensity that made my pulse quicken. "I'd like to join you, if you don't mind," he said, his gaze never leaving mine. "Aeson is feeling a bit cooped up as well."

Artemis erupted into such ecstatic celebration that I was genuinely surprised the others couldn't hear her. She bounded through my consciousness, projecting a stream of images so rapidly I could barely process them—running through moonlit forests, playing in mountain streams, hunting side by side with a powerful Lycan form that could only be Aeson.

‘YES!’ she howled. ‘Yes, yes, YES!’

I felt a gentle pressure against my mind—Elijah initiating a mindlink. I opened to it, grateful for the momentary refuge from Artemis's enthusiasm.

‘Are you really okay with this, Em?’ His mental voice carried concern wrapped in warm affection. ‘No pressure if you're not ready.’

I took a steadying breath. ‘Yeah, I am,’ I replied, surprising myself with the certainty I felt. ‘If it changes, I'll cross that bridge, but right now, I'm okay. Artemis is... well, "incredibly excited" doesn't quite cover it.’

A sense of his warm amusement flowed through the link before he withdrew, leaving me alone again with my excitable wolf.

I looked up at Theo, aware that only seconds had passed during this exchange. "Artemis would definitely like that," I said, offering him a small smile that felt vulnerable yet genuine. "She's quite... enthusiastic about the prospect."

Something warm flickered in his eyes. "I'm glad to hear it," he said softly.

Elena, who had been standing quietly beside Elijah throughout this exchange, stepped forward. "I think I'll leave you three to your run," she said with a knowing smile. "Someone should maintain a diplomatic presence here, and besides, Selene is feeling more social than athletic tonight."

Elijah brushed a kiss against her cheek. "We won't be long," he promised.

"Take the time you need," she replied, her warm gaze including both Theo and me in her statement.

"Well then," Theo said, extending his arm toward me with that careful deliberation I was coming to recognize—offering connection without demanding it. "Shall we?"

I nodded, tentatively placing my hand on his forearm. Even through the fabric of his formal jacket, that familiar spark traveled up my arm—no longer shocking but still potent, still new. Artemis quieted briefly, savouring the connection.

We moved through the ballroom toward the grand entrance, a strange procession—the Lycan King, the Blood Moon Alpha, and me, caught between worlds in more ways than one. Conversations faltered as we passed, curious gazes following our progress. I kept my chin lifted, focusing on the steady rhythm of our steps rather than the speculative whispers that trailed in our wake.

The night air greeted us with cool clarity as we stepped outside the Golden Compass, the sweet scent of night-blooming flowers rising from carefully tended gardens. Beyond the hotel's manicured grounds, the dark line of the forest rose against the star-scattered sky. The Royal City forest preserve was maintained specifically for visiting werewolves and Lycans who needed space to run—an acknowledgment that even in the heart of civilization, the call of wild places remained essential to our natures.

"The eastern path leads to a clearing with a small stream," Theo said, guiding us toward a trail that vanished between ancient oaks. "It's secluded enough for privacy."

I nodded, already feeling Artemis pushing forward in anticipation. The ceremonial garments that had felt appropriate in the ballroom now seemed constrictive, a symbol of the civilised facade we maintained over our wilder natures. I longed for the freedom of fur and four feet, for the simple clarity of wolf thought.

As we reached the tree line, the city lights fell away behind us, replaced by the filtered glow of moonlight through branches. The earthy scents of soil and leaf litter rose around us, instantly familiar, instantly comforting. This was language my wolf and I both understood, regardless of politics or species divisions.

"I'll just be a moment," I said, slipping my hand from Theo's arm. I moved toward a large oak several yards off the path, its massive trunk offering convenient privacy. Anticipation thrummed through me—my own and Artemis’, inseparably entwined. For the first time since recognizing our mate bond, we were in perfect alignment: regardless of human complexities, this run was something we both wanted with equal fervor.

Behind me, I heard Elijah's low voice saying something to Theo, but I didn't pause to listen. The call of the shift was too immediate, too compelling. I stepped behind the tree, my fingers already working at the fastenings of my formal gown.

It was time to let Artemis run free.