30: Emma

A murmur of interest rippled through the gathered wolves, who had edged closer to hear our exchange. I became aware that our casual conversation had attracted an even larger audience, with wolves from various packs watching with undisguised curiosity. The Northern Crescent Alpha stepped forward, his silver-streaked beard gleaming in the sunlight.

"Would you be willing to demonstrate some counters?" he asked, his deep voice carrying the distinctive accent of the mountain territories. "Many of our younger pack members have never been taught how to effectively defend against a Lycan."

I hesitated, suddenly uncomfortable with being the centre of attention. Training my own pack was one thing; conducting an impromptu seminar at the summit was quite another. My gaze flicked to Elijah, seeking guidance.

"It would be valuable information," my brother said carefully, diplomatic as always. "But only if you're comfortable, Em."

"I'd be interested to see these techniques myself," Theo added, his expression thoughtful. "It could inform our training protocols for the royal guard, who often underestimate werewolf opponents."

The request from Theo, framed as it was in terms of mutual benefit rather than mere curiosity, made it difficult to refuse. I nodded slowly. "I can demonstrate some basics," I conceded. "Though I need a partner." I glanced at Elijah. "Someone who already knows how to fall properly."

"I'm apparently quite experienced at ending up on my back," my brother said dryly, earning laughter from the gathered wolves.

As the crowd reorganized itself to give us space, Theo and Christian stepped back, finding positions where they could observe clearly. I tried not to focus on Theo's presence, on the weight of his gaze that I could feel even without looking at him. Instead, I centered myself, calling on the teaching mindset I used with new recruits back home.

"The first principle when facing a larger opponent," I began, my voice carrying across the now-attentive gathering, "is to recognize that meeting force with force is rarely effective. Instead, we redirect and use their momentum against them."

I positioned Elijah in front of me. "My brother will attack as a Lycan would – using his height and reach advantage with a standard restraint hold."

Elijah nodded, adopting a stance that mimicked the more upright Lycan posture. He lunged forward, arms extending to grab me in what would have been an effective restraining technique if executed by someone with a Lycan's height and strength.

Moving at half-speed to make the demonstration clear, I sidestepped, using my forearm to deflect his grip while simultaneously hooking my ankle behind his. A quick pivot and he was off-balance; another controlled movement and he was on the ground, my knee positioned to pin him without applying actual pressure.

"The key is timing," I explained as I helped him up. "You don't resist the initial momentum. You redirect it, adding your own movement to create an amplified effect."

We demonstrated the sequence again, then again with slight variations. The gathered wolves watched intently, some mimicking the movements with their partners. I noticed even some of the Lycans at the edges of the crowd observing with interest, though they maintained a careful distance.

"Now for a more challenging scenario," I continued, warming to the subject despite my initial reluctance. "When a Lycan has already secured a hold."

Elijah stepped forward again, this time wrapping his arms around me from behind in a restraint hold that pinned my arms to my sides. It was a common technique used by Lycan guards when subduing werewolves – effective because of their height and strength advantage, and particularly difficult to counter due to the restricted movement it imposed.

"The instinct is to pull away or struggle forward," I explained, keeping my body deliberately still. "Both waste energy and usually tighten the restraint. Instead—"

In one fluid movement, I dropped my weight, bending forward while simultaneously twisting my torso and driving my elbow backward. The sudden shift in my centre of gravity combined with the targeted strike should have broken Elijah's hold, allowing me to pivot free.

Should have.

But Elijah, anticipating the move he'd seen me execute dozens of times, shifted his weight to counter it. His adjustment threw off my timing, and instead of the clean escape I'd planned, we both overbalanced. I felt myself pitching forward awkwardly, Elijah's weight behind me turning what should have been a controlled demonstration into an undignified tumble.

Before I could hit the mat face-first, strong hands caught my shoulders, steadying me with startling gentleness despite their obvious strength. I looked up to find Theo's face inches from mine, his amber eyes wide with concern that quickly shifted to something warmer as our gazes locked.

Our fingers brushed as I regained my balance, and we felt a spark – static from the dry air, but it jolted us nonetheless. The mate bond flared between us like a living thing, bright and insistent. His scent enveloped me, intensified by proximity and the light sheen of sweat on his skin from the warm day. Artemis surged forward with such force that I felt my eyes shift partially, the world taking on the sharper edges and enhanced colours of her vision.

"Thank you," I managed, my voice rougher than intended as I fought to push Artemis back.

"My pleasure," Theo replied, his own voice deepened to a register that sent an involuntary shiver through me. His pupils had dilated, the amber of his irises almost consumed by black, and I caught the briefest flash of purple-blue – Aeson responding to Artemis's presence.

We both stepped back simultaneously, breaking contact though the awareness between us remained heightened. I turned to find Elijah watching us with a carefully neutral expression, while Elena made no attempt to hide her knowing smile.

Christian, however, wore an expression of undisguised fascination. "Interesting," he murmured, his clinical tone at odds with the gleam in his eyes. "Very interesting indeed."

Heat crawled up my neck, embarrassment mingling with the lingering effects of that momentary connection. Around us, the gathered wolves shifted and murmured, their reactions ranging from confusion to dawning comprehension. The Northern Crescent Alpha's bushy eyebrows had risen nearly to his hairline.

I cleared my throat, desperate to regain control of the situation. "As I was demonstrating," I continued, my voice thankfully steady, "timing is critical. If your opponent anticipates your counter, you need to be prepared to adjust."

"Perhaps a different partner for this demonstration?" Christian suggested, his tone innocent though his eyes danced with mischief. "My brother has extensive combat training."

"I would be happy to assist," Theo said, his formal words at odds with the intense look he gave me – a look that asked permission rather than assuming it.

Artemis practically leapt with joy at the suggestion, broadcasting images of physical contact with our mate that made my cheeks burn. I fought to maintain my composure, aware of the many eyes watching this exchange.

"That's..." I hesitated, torn between Artemis's eager enthusiasm and my own caution. "I'm not sure that would be appropriate."

"Because I'm Lycan?" Theo asked quietly, the question layered with deeper meaning.

"Because you're the king," I clarified, though we both knew it wasn't the full truth. "And because this was meant to be a casual demonstration, not a formal exhibition."

To my surprise, Elena stepped forward, her diplomatic instincts engaging. "Perhaps we could continue this another time," she suggested smoothly. "Emma's been working all morning, and I'm sure everyone could use some refreshment before the afternoon sessions."

The gathered wolves seemed to take this as a dismissal, reluctantly beginning to disperse while continuing to discuss what they'd seen. Several nodded respectfully to me as they passed, a few even offering quiet thanks for the demonstration.

Christian studied me for a moment longer, then clapped his brother lightly on the shoulder. "We should prepare for the council meeting," he said. "The financial reports will need final review."

Theo nodded, though his eyes remained on me. "Of course." Then, to me: "Thank you for the demonstration, Emma. It was... educational."

Something in the way he said it, the warmth underlying the formal words, sent another ripple of awareness through me. Artemis whined softly within, disappointed at the ending of our interaction.

"I should clean up," I said, suddenly acutely aware of my sweat-dampened training clothes and disheveled braid. "I have some pack business to finish before this evening."

"This evening?" Elena asked innocently, though her eyes held knowing amusement.

"Dinner," Theo answered, his voice neutral though his eyes remained intently on mine. "At eight."

Elijah's eyebrows rose fractionally, but he said nothing, simply placing a supportive hand at the small of Elena's back. Christian's expression shifted from analytical interest to something softer, almost approving.

"Until then," Theo said, inclining his head slightly before turning to leave with his brother.

I watched them go, unable to tear my gaze away despite my best intentions. Artemis sighed within me, her earlier excitement settling into a steady hum of anticipation.

‘Tonight,’ she murmured, the single word laden with meaning. ‘We'll see our mate tonight.’

I couldn't decide if the thought was terrifying or exhilarating. Perhaps both.