Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and walked to the door, schooling my features into something resembling calm. I reached for the handle, already preparing my polite, detached response to whatever excuse Rennon had conjured up this time. But as I swung the door open, my breath caught in my throat.
“Emery?” The name left my lips in a whisper, as if speaking it too loudly might shatter the fragile moment.
Before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The tears I had been holding back for what felt like an eternity finally broke free, and I clung to her as if she might vanish into thin air.
“Sister?” Emery’s voice was laced with confusion, but she didn’t pull away. She wrapped her arms around me, her warmth a comfort I hadn’t realized I was craving. “What’s wrong? I heard… I heard Alpha Rennon brought someone home, but I didn’t expect you to be this upset.”
Her words were like a knife twisting in my heart, but not for the reason she thought. She was here, alive and breathing, and that was all that mattered to me at that moment. The memory of her cold, lifeless body flashed through my mind, and I tightened my grip on her, as if holding her tighter could prevent that future from ever happening again.
“I… I’m just so glad you’re here,” I managed to choke out between sobs, the relief washing over me in waves. She was here, alive, and I had been given a second chance to save her. I didn’t know why or how, but the Moon Goddess had granted me this opportunity, and I would not waste it.
“Sister,” Emery’s voice was soft and soothing as she stroked my hair gently. “It’s okay. I’m here for you. Do you want me to talk to Alpha Rennon? How dare he bring someone home!”
If only she knew how much those words meant to me. I pulled back slightly, wiping my tears and trying to regain some semblance of composure. I couldn’t let her see the full extent of my despair, not when I had so much to tell her. She needed to understand what was coming, and I had to be strong for both of us.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
Emery looked at me skeptically, her brow furrowing. “You don’t have to pretend with me. You can talk to me about anything, you know that.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I know, Emery. And there’s something I need to tell you. Something important.”