The meaning of the World card is fulfillment, achievement, and completion. You have finally accomplished your goal or purpose. Everything has come together, and you are in the right place, doing the right thing, achieving what you have envisioned. You feel whole and complete.

Everyone in the room waited apprehensively while Aurelia attempted to find out if the ritual done by Prudence and her followers left any consequences. Jacob was the first one to be analyzed by the pack's Elder. He hadn't transformed into a werewolf after being taken to the den that night. The gunshot wound on his shoulder hadn't healed either, which was a good sign.

Emma was grateful he saved her life. Jacob was brave enough to break the magic circle, cast by Prudence, to prevent her from being killed. However, she wasn't very fond of the idea of having him around every Full Moon or being part of the same pack as him. She had forgiven him for the past, but she wasn't ready to have him back in her life. Not after how their relationship ended.

"Not a werewolf," Aurelia announced, making both Emma and Addison let out a relieved sigh. " Yet ."

"What?!" Emma shouted. "How?!"

"He's definitely cursed. However, it's the kind of curse that requires a trigger to activate his werewolf side."

"And what would be this trigger?" Jacob asked. "I need to make sure it won't happen."

"Taking a life," Addison was the one to answer. "You need to kill someone."

"I won't be doing that, for sure."

"It's not that simple. You'll feel drawn, compelled to activate the curse. Even a minor event can lead you to lose your mind and accidentally kill someone."

Emma remembered their Summer together at Hackett's Quarry. Not only Jacob had sort of a competitive behavior, but he was also hot-headed, picking fights about the silliest things with the other counselors.

"I promise I'll try to avoid it as much as I can," he told Addison. "I don't intend to become a murderer. Or a werewolf. No offense."

"Just in case you fail to keep your promise," the woman handed him a business card with her number.

It was Emma's turn next. She sat on a chair while Aurelia burned some herbs and walked around her, examining her carefully. She bit her lower lip nervously, remembering Addison's words. She feared the ritual had made her curse even more painful.

"Fortunately, little has changed," Aurelia told. "Eliza seems to be gone though. Her spirit is still trapped at Hackett's Quarry."

"Good!" Emma exclaimed, satisfied. "Does it mean she's not haunting me anymore?"

"Not exactly, she still can come back. But I assume she'll give you a break. Until then, we can work on something for your protection."

Aurelia closed her eyes again, focusing on finding out any changes on Emma's werewolf side.

"The experience of being close to death and being healed by your mate has made you stronger, my dear."

"Congratulations, Mountebank," Addison grunted. "You made a mistake and in the end, you still got rewarded. You're such a lucky bastard."

"She needs some training, Addie," Aurelia said in a suggestive tone. "She has a lot of potential to be a good addition to our pack. She just needs some guidance."

Emma understood what the Elder meant. Once they were finished, she walked to Addison, lowering her head as a sign of respect and submission.

"I'm sorry for what I did," she apologized again. "I'd feel very honored if you could help me to explore my abilities and accept me as a member of your pack."

"WHAT?!" Addison shouted. "Am I hearing this right? Say it louder, please."

Emma rolled her eyes, breaking into a small embarrassed giggle.

"I want to be a member of your pack. Officially."

"Who would say it, huh?! And we thought this day would never come."

Matteo examined Emma one more time before announcing she was well enough to go back to New York. In a couple of days she could also return to her daily activities. However, the training sessions with Addison would have to wait a little bit more. They decided to start when Emma was done with her acting classes.

When she arrived at the studio apartment where she lived, her two roommates had prepared her a small welcome party.

"I'm so sorry," Emma embraced tightly both Jenna and Benjamin. "I don't know what I was thinking. I should've listened to all of you."

"This is okay," Jenna returned the hug. "What really matters is that you're back."

"And that you will never do it again, right?" Benjamin asked. Emma nodded in confirmation. No more rituals for a while. If she ever decided to try another one someday, it'd come from Aurelia.

She noticed Sarah had been quieter than usual. Her mate sixth sense was detecting a strange energy coming from her, as if something was distressing her deeply.

"What's wrong?" Emma asked. "You're not okay, I can feel it."

"It's nothing," the blonde shook her head. "I'm just tired and still traumatized by the whole thing. I really thought I'd lose you."

"Are you sure there's nothing else?"

"I… there's something I wanted to tell you. Something that has been happening to me."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. All the ex-counselors were there for a visit. Although Emma was feeling really better, she still wasn't in the mood to be around them. She was really looking forward to have a carefree moment of distraction along with her little found family. She didn't want to be reminded of the traumatic events at Hackett's Quarry, at least for that night.

"What?!" Laura asked, noticing Emma seemed both surprised and confused by their presence. "The badass werewolf woman took you away and we heard no more news from you. We were worried!"

"Yeah, and then Jacob called saying you almost died," Kaitlyn added. "When we contacted Jenna, she invited us for your little party."

"I'm really really sorry…" Jenna whispered once she approached. "I invited the two of them because they're always around. I didn't know all the rest would come along."

"It's okay," Emma sighed defeated, accepting the fact two of her exes were just standing in her living room. "I'll stay here for a while, then make up some excuse and go to the bedroom."

"How are you doing?" Abi approached, sitting by her side on the couch. "I was really worried about you."

"Still feeling a little…" she made a facial expression to indicate she was still a little bit sick and sore. "But I'll be okay."

"How is your… well… werewolf side?"

"Howlin' and thrivin'. Actually, I can't wait to start training with Addison and learn some real badass moves."

"Oh, like she did to… Prudence?"

Emma remembered how fierce and ruthless her boss acted against the cult leader. She couldn't feel sorry for the woman, but Abi was probably shocked to witness such a gruesome scene involving werewolves again.

"Hey," before she could answer, Sarah came from the kitchen, bringing a plate of food and handing it to her. "I know you're feeling famous with all these guests, but you need to eat. Matteo said you can't take your meds with an empty stomach."

"My favorite nurse," Emma took the plate from her girlfriend's hand, pressing a quick kiss on her cheek. She noticed the blonde was glaring at the spot by her side, occupied by Abi. There was a tension between the two of them. She pulled Sarah to her lap, where she gladly accommodated.

"Uh… did anyone ever pay attention when Mr. H used to tell us those stories about his ancestors?" Emma decided to take the opportunity to change the subject and, at the same time, find out anything about Septimus and the quarry mine.

Everyone quickly looked at Ryan. From all of them, he was obviously the only one who had enough patience to listen to all those stories.

"I did," the boy admitted. "Why? Anything you want to know?"

"About the mines. What's in there? And why Septimus decided to shut them down?"

Ryan told her everything he knew. He and Laura had been there when they broke into the Hackett's house, but they didn't see anything that could be related to werewolves specifically.

"Can we agree to never come back to that damn place ever again?" Dylan suggested. "Look how it ended again."

"Yeah, I don't know how Ryan and Abi could even trust those bitches," Laura added. "They were fucking shady from the beginning."

Abi didn't say anything, but she was clearly stressed. While the other members of the group kept arguing and exchanging accusations, she left the room, headed to the rooftop.

"How were we supposed to know what they were planning?" Ryan defended himself. "They promised they'd help."

"Right, and then Emma almost died and I became a walking curse," Jacob complained. "Really, man. I thought that after Mr. H you had learned to not trust people so easily."

Emma remembered Addison's words. Jacob would feel compelled to activate his curse. A shiver ran down her spine, thinking of the possibility of having him around every Full Moon.

"Are you feeling alright?" Probably sensing her discomfort, Sarah asked in a loud tone to interrupt that stupid discussion.

"Actually, my head is starting to hurt a little."

"I think we should go," Ryan took the hint. "We already know Emma is fine. She needs to get some rest."

Before the group left, there was one thing Emma had to do. She gave Jacob a signal to follow her to the kitchen. When he did, she pinned him roughly against the wall.

"What…"

"Dude, don't give me 'what' ! You just learned you're cursed and you're already trying to start a fight."

"Come on, Emma. He…"

"It took me a very long time to feel like I belonged somewhere again, after I became a werewolf. And now I found my place among a pack and accepted this side of me, you are not going to ruin it. Are you listening?"

Her voice was threatening, dangerous, making him forget every possible positive aspect a werewolf nature could bring to his life.

"Are you listening?" She repeated the question, loud and firm.

"Yes," Jacob said, raising his hands defeated. "I'm sorry. I promise I won't cause you any more trouble."

"You better."

She returned to the living room, looking calm and composed again. Part of the group said goodbye and left. Kaitlyn and Laura were waiting for Abi, who was nowhere to be seen.

Emma headed to the rooftop to call her. The girl was standing there with her arms crossed, staring at the view in front of her.

"Hey, uh…" Emma spoke as she opened the door. "Kaitlyn and Laura are looking for you. They're going home."

"Oh, sure," Abi told, walking in her direction. "I just wanted to talk to you first."

"I'm sorry for that stupid discussion in the living room. It was really lame."

"No, Emma. I should really apologize to you. I should've never contacted those witches. I never imagined they'd hurt you. I thought I'd be helping, that you'd be glad to get rid of your curse. God, I was so stupid."

"This is okay, Abi," Emma assured her. "It wasn't really your fault. I should've known better, especially when I had already been warned by my pack's Elder."

My pack . She smiled to herself, finally feeling comfortable to say those words aloud. Her pack. Her second family that went for her rescue when she needed it the most. Their leaders had saved her life.

"I'd never forgive myself if something had happened to you," Abi crossed her arms in front of her body, as her eyes filled with tears. "I just… I just wanted things to be the way they were before. Back at the Summer Camp. Before all this werewolf crap. We were so happy. So… normal ."

"Things will never be the same, Abi. Even if I had managed to break the curse. I'm not that person anymore. I… I hated that person, this is why I was always pretending to be somebody else."

"But I didn't. I loved that person!"

Abi took a step in her direction, wrapping her arms around her body and resting her face against her collarbone. Emma didn't move, still reflecting about those words and what they meant. Abigail didn't really love her. She loved a ghost, a memory. She loved the person she was pretending to be, during Summer Camp and during the brief months they were together. A disguise that fell apart as soon as they started facing the first obstacles her werewolf nature imposed.

"She's gone, I'm sorry," Emma spoke. But she didn't lament it. In fact, it was the opposite. "For the first time in my life I'm proud of who I am, of who I became. And I owe that mostly to one person…"

"Your… mate ," the way Abi pronounced that word indicated she still didn't believe their bond.

"To Sarah? Yes, she did a lot for me. Things she didn't even have to do. But I owe this mostly to a part of myself. My wild and savage side, who made me a better person."

The door opened again. Sarah was bringing Emma's phone in hands. Abi quickly pulled away.

"Aurelia was calling," she announced. "I thought it could be important."

"Thanks, I'll call her back."

Emma was about to enter back into the building, but she noticed Sarah was standing firmly at the same spot.

"You should leave now," the blonde told Abi. "You caused enough trouble for Emma already."

"I'm sorry, okay?" Abi apologized as she passed. "I thought I was doing the best for Emma."

"What do you really mean when you say you wanted 'the best for Emma' ?"

Emma furrowed her brows confused. Her girlfriend wasn't the kind who used to confront people and start fights. Sarah was the type who used to swallow her emotions and cry in secret later.

"That I wanted her to stop suffering from these painful transformations?" Abi tried to explain. "That I wanted to prevent her from accidentally hurting someone?"

"She's very cautious. She has never put anyone in danger."

"I know, but…"

"Or do you mean you wanted to end our mating bond, hoping she'd come back to you?"

There was something different in her eyes. Something Emma had become very familiar with in the last two years. If she didn't know Sarah so well, she'd say she was a werewolf too.

"I never said that, okay?" Abi argued. "I don't even know where it's coming from."

"You said that to her before," Sarah insisted. "In your birthday party, when you tried to sleep with her even if you knew she was already with me."

"Oh, fuck!" Emma remembered how Abi's face was in contact with the spot where she carried her mating bond mark when she hugged her. That was definitely the trigger for such a negative reaction. "Sarah, can we just…"

"Did you tell her that, Emma?! I was drunk!" Abi shouted, including her in their argument.

"Why wasn't she supposed to?" Sarah wasn't willing to stop. She was in an altered state. "We keep no secrets from each other."

"Can we just stop fighting?" Emma asked again, sensing the situation was about to escalate. "This is getting ridiculous!"

"I thought we were friends!" Abi was now angry at her. "I open up about my feelings and you just share it around with random people?"

"I'm her girlfriend . And her mate ."

"By your reaction here today, you don't seem so sure of your… bond ."

And that was the spark left to ignite the fire. Suddenly, Sarah was on top of Abigail, who pulled her hair and tried to push her away with some slaps.

"What. The. Actual. Fuck." Emma repeated all over again, while she used her super strength to separate them. "I'm starting to hate parties!"

For her luck, her friends listened to all that yelling and came to help. Laura and Kaitlyn grabbed Abi, while she held Sarah. One thing intrigued her though - Sarah seemed stronger than she usually was.

"Okay…" Emma exhaled deeply, thinking of the most appropriate manner to start that conversation. She wasn't mad or embarrassed. Only confused. She wanted to understand what happened and especially, how . "What exactly is going on? That behavior… it wasn't you . You were… furious ."

Sarah was still sitting on the edge of her bed, crying non-stop. Emma had already assured her that was a normal reaction, considering they had recently sealed their mating bond.

Addison warned them about the side effects, which included some enhanced jealousy and possessiveness between the parts. Especially in the beginning. But she always expected herself to be the one to snap first, considering she was the only werewolf of the pair.

Or at least she thought so.

"I felt when she touched your mark," Sarah spoke between sobs. "And I don't know what got into me. I just lost it. It has been happening for a few days now."

"Is it what you wanted to tell me, before they arrived?"

"Yeah. I… since the day of the ritual I started to feel these things. It started with an uncontrollable impulse to protect you. It wasn't a normal impulse, it was brutal, it was dangerous… like, I fear what I'd even be capable of, if I had seen those cultists torturing you."

"You're not infected," Emma concluded after falling pensive for a moment. "Otherwise you'd have transformed during the Full Moon."

"Do you think I'm like Jacob?" Sarah asked. "It's inside me, waiting until I lose control and take a life?"

"It could be. But how did the curse get transferred to you? It's really strange."

"Do you forgive me?" Sarah wrapped her arms around Emma's waist, resting her head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm feeling so embarrassed right now."

"It's okay, it could've been me. I'd probably do the same if some girl decided to act a little too friendly around you," Emma assured as she caressed her blonde hair, thinking of a possible cause for her behavior. "Or talked about our bond like it was bullshit. After all, if it wasn't for it I'd be dead right now."

That question intrigued her for days, until she was back to work and could finally speak to Addison about it.

"It's a normal reaction coming from your mate," her boss explained. "She's carrying your enzymes in her blood, after being claimed."

"I know, but she even seemed to be stronger," Emma was still puzzled. She could sense werewolf energy coming from her girlfriend during her fight with Abi.

"Are you sure you didn't infect her by accident?"

"Yes. I'm always cautious around her. I made sure to claim her weeks before the Full Moon. What if she got cursed, like Jacob, when I claimed her?"

"Speak to Aurelia. But I don't think there are any reasons to be worried."

January, 2024

Sarah wasn't cursed. She didn't transform into a werewolf during the last Full Moon either. Some situations would still trigger a werewolf-ish behavior from her, especially when she and Emma got intimate. Emma couldn't complain about this part, she was loving each one of those intense and long encounters.

She had recently started her training sessions with Addison, trying to learn everything she had witnessed at the night of her rescue.

"How did you do that? It was super badass! I mean, you stopped your transformation to save me, but you also had some of your werewolf traits at the same time."

"Aurelia delayed our transformation with a ritual," Addison explained. "It's not a good experience. We face some annoying side effects until the next Full Moon."

They were working on teaching Emma how to defend herself using her enhanced reflexes and strength. She was having a hard time deflecting Addison's moves. She was incredibly fast.

"Now about controlling your transformation, it's a privilege of pure blooded werewolves. We can use some of our werewolf traits, whenever we wish for. With enough training, we can even transform at any time of the month."

"What am I? I wasn't born a werewolf, but I inherited the curse from one," Emma was curious about her abilities and her nature. "I assume Silas could control his transformations, as he was the main attraction of Eliza's show even when it wasn't a Full Moon night."

"I'd say your blood is impure, as you were born human and got infected. But your inherited curse makes you a special case," Addison fell pensive and then, she smirked. "Let's run a few tests."

Emma couldn't quite understand when she increased her moves and also started to insult her a little. But then, when her blood started boiling inside her veins and her anger made her able to pin Addison hard against the floor, she finally understood. She was trying to force her to partially shift to her werewolf form.

"Ha!" She celebrated, looking at herself through her phone camera. "Look at my eyes and teeth! I'm a pure blooded werewolf."

"Don't be so full of yourself," Addison nudged her. "A pure blood is way more than that. We come from long and ancient bloodlines."

A member of the pack came to announce Addison had a visitor, a woman who wanted to speak to her. They headed to the manor and Emma immediately recognized the female figure sitting on the couch - Victoire Desrosiers. She was a known name in the film industry. Only a couple of years back, she'd die to attend one of her workshops in the West Coast.

She immediately felt Addison irradiating the same dangerous and savage energy from the night she confronted Prudence. Her eyes went red in pure anger.

Emma went in the direction of the woman, still dazzled by her presence. She was about to introduce herself, when Addison pulled her back.

"Outside, Mountebank," she ordered, gritting her teeth. "Now."

She quickly obeyed, but her eyes wouldn't leave Victoire's. They had a familiar shade of blue she had only seen once in her life. The woman scanned her head to toes, as if she was judging her.

Emma closed the door, but she made sure to hide beneath one of the windows on the porch to listen to their conversation.

"After all these years… how dare you to come back here and still ask for my help?!" Addison yelled. "Your presence here in these lands is insulting!"

"I was just fine for over 21 years," it was Victoire's turn to speak. "And now the side effects are returning. It started as a migraine and now it became an inconvenience. I have a tight schedule to follow, I can allow myself to be bothered by…"

"You took care of it once, didn't you? Do it again."

"You don't understand. There was a high price to be paid. I can't do it again."

Victoire sashayed around the manor, in a very snobby and pretentious attitude. She seemed like a model coming straight from a catwalk. Emma couldn't deny she was absolutely stunning and impressive.

"You made a deal with witches to suppress your werewolf side, what did you expect?" Addison went to a cabin in the living room and grabbed a bottle of bourbon, serving herself a glass.

"Addison, I broke the deal," Victoire sighed. "I couldn't pay the price they asked me. This is why I'm suffering from these annoying effects."

"Why doesn't it surprise me, coming from you? Breaking promises is your specialty, after all," Addison let out a small sarcastic giggle. She pressed her fingers against her temples, knowing she was about to regret what she was about to ask.

"What price was that, Victoria ?"

"They…" the woman paused, taking a deep breath. "They wanted the life of my first born. And I accepted. After all, I never planned to be a mother."

"I don't like where this is going…"

"I was young and stupid, Addie! I fell in love. He was the sweetest man I've ever met. He took care of me, he made me feel loved and respected… we got married once we finished college and I got pregnant."

"Let me guess. Now the witches want your kid and you need my help."

"No, it happened a long time ago! The payment was supposed to be done when my daughter reached seven years of age. Otherwise the deal would be broken. I couldn't do it. I'd never do it. She was the most precious thing in the world. I was so afraid they'd find me and take her. So I just… I ran away."

"Well, looks like you did one right thing in your life. Your child grew up without your influence around her, so she must have turned into a decent individual."

"I know they're better off without me. But I need your help, I need these side effects to be gone. Could you speak to Aurelia for me?"

"Speak to her yourself," Addison finished the glass she was drinking and started to walk away, ignoring Victoire's pleas completely. "I won't help you, not after you did."

"You're my sister ! You owe me that," the woman insisted.

"I owe you nothing."

Emma didn't ask any questions before heading back to New York. She had never seen Addison so distressed before. When she left, her boss and Aurelia were talking in secret about the mysterious woman who wanted their help.

"How was your training with Addison?" Sarah wanted to know later, when Emma showed up in her apartment. They opted for a different kind of date that night. They were cooking Lasagna together, an Italian dish they both enjoyed.

"It was great," Emma grinned. "I learned I can shift whenever I want, just like her and the rest of pure blood werewolves."

"So my girlfriend is part of the werewolf royalty?"

"Addison was kinda disappointed to find out. You should've seen her face."

Emma had finished layering the Lasagna into the pan and took it to the oven to bake, while Sarah was doing the dishes.

"Then we got interrupted," she took a sip of her wine glass, remembering the argument she witnessed. "Something happened."

"What?"

"Have you ever heard about that film producer named Victoire Desrosiers? She wanted Addison's help. I think she's also…"

The glass Sarah has holding slipped from her hand, shattering in multiple pieces and opening a gash in her palm.

"Hey! I got this…" Emma grabbed her hand, covering it with a towel while she opened a small cut on her own hand to heal the wound using her blood.

She noticed Sarah was still pale as a ghost. Her expression was of complete shock. She'd never imagine her girlfriend had a blood phobia, after all she had watched her transformations many times now.

"This is okay," Emma lifted Sarah's hand, showing the wound was slowly starting to disappear. "It's gone, see? Go to the living room. I'll clean all this blood."

"She's… She's my mother," Sarah broke the silence, making Emma unable to speak for a moment. "Victoria."

"A-Are you sure?"

The blonde still couldn't speak much. Between sobs and pauses to breathe, she showed Emma her documents, showing her mother's name. Victoria Bryce, who used to be Victoria Miller before marrying Sarah's father. The same last name as Addison's.

"This is so fucking insane," Emma shook her head in denial. Sarah only had one picture with the woman, from when she was a baby. One that was accidentally left behind, when her father threw away every possible reminder they still had of Victoria. "You look a lot like her."

"I know," Sarah complained. "And I don't like it. I got everything from her. Her looks, the things she likes… only my personality came from my dad. Thank god."

"Do you… do you wanna talk about it? Tell me how you feel."

"I'm feeling a lot of things right now, Emma. I can't describe it."

Emma held her close to her body. Their dinner had definitely been ruined. She took her girlfriend to the bed where they spent the whole night cuddling, in silence.

Sarah wanted to wait a few days before telling Addison. Emma respected her decision, not giving a single hint of their connection when she was around her boss. The conversation happened over the weekend, when they were both at the den and in the presence of both Addison and Aurelia.

"Look, I had no idea…" Addison sighed, holding her head with both of her hands. "Victoria was always selfish. I never thought she'd ever be able to procreate. Otherwise, I'd have tried to help."

"This is okay," Sarah assured her. "We had a good life without her, my father and I."

When they were finally done with the difficult part, Aurelia finally allowed herself to open a wrinkled grin.

"Addie, you know what it means. She's family. It calls for a celebration."

"Yeah, she's probably the only good thing Victoria ever did in her life."

"Actually, I was thinking about it," Sarah still had a lot of questions, especially regarding her nature. "Since I'm related to you, what am I?"

"Human, probably," Addison was the one to answer.

"But she has been showing those werewolf behaviors I told you about," Emma added.

"She has the gene inside her, Emma. And when you claimed her, it probably got a little bit more active."

"Will I ever transform?" Sarah wanted to know.

"I don't think so," Addison fondly ruffled her hair. "I'd have happened already."

"But what about Logan?" Emma reminded her boss of one of her friends from the pack, who only transformed in his late-teens. "He told me he took longer than his brothers."

"Good point. It's rare, but it can happen. Only time will tell."

Later, Emma found Sarah by the lake. The same lake where they met, a few months earlier. The girl was sitting on a large rock, staring at the view in front of her as a few tears streamed down her face. Emma sat down by her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. Not being sure how to comfort her girlfriend in that situation, she decided to use some humor to lift her mood.

"This is okay. I wasn't thrilled when I found out too."

"That you were a werewolf or that I was your mate?" Sarah opened a small smile, replying in the same joking manner.

"Definitely the first one," Emma told. "I freaked out a little bit when I found out you were my mate too, but because I feared I wasn't good enough for you."

She still remembered how insecure she felt in the morning after they met, when she was still traumatized about the manner things ended with Abi.

"But the moment I thought: 'Damn, that's the one' was when you gave me your chocolate pudding when I visited you in hospital," Emma added, making her girlfriend let out a laugh.

"Only because I was trying to impress you," Sarah fondly nudged her. "And because I knew I could charm the nurses into giving me another one later."

"One thing I definitely wouldn't be thrilled to find out is that I'm Addison's niece."

They both broke into laughs.

"She's scary sometimes. But I'll soften her, you'll see."

"I know, this is a gift you have. Look at me."

Sarah smiled, resting her head on Emma's shoulder.

"Really, I'm not crying because I may turn into a werewolf or not someday. It's because of… Victoria," the blonde confessed. "Knowing she's around here and it's not because of me. I kinda hoped my dad was wrong about her being such a horrible person, but Addison just confirmed she's worse than I imagined."

"I know it sounds really bad and I'm not trying to excuse her behavior or anything. But if someday you have the chance, you should listen to her side before forming a full opinion. Addison had her own issues with her. It's a different story."

"Yeah, maybe."

Victoria returned to the den on another occasion, a few days later. Addison contacted Sarah, asking her if she'd like to take the opportunity to meet her in person, which she refused. At least for a while.

Emma also learned Victoria knew about the quarry mines and the secret they held, but her aversion for the woman who abandoned her girlfriend was stronger than her desire to find out. Whether it could break her curse, or at least prevent her transformations, it didn't matter. Not at that moment. She was finally happy and in peace. Especially after she got her first small role in a TV Show, a few days later.

Epilogue

That Spring, Emma officially became a member of Addison's pack in a sacred ceremony where she swore loyalty and confidence to her new family. She also received their official mark - a small tattoo in the shape of a Full Moon in the base of her neck, which she adorned with three small stars, representing her family, friends and her lifelong partner.

She hadn't heard from Jacob again and assumed he was keeping his word and being careful to not activate his curse. Things with Abi were kinda weird for a while, but some distance was necessary at that moment. That break gave enough time for her to mourn the person Emma no longer was, as well as move on from their past feelings. Slowly, they were being able to mend their friendship.

Sarah also had her own ritual, being introduced as her mate and also Addison's niece. The pack considered her a member, even though she hadn't shown any signs yet that she would actually transform into a werewolf.

"So, that's it. First night in our new apartment," Emma turned her cell phone's camera, showing around the newly acquired place she was now sharing with her girlfriend. "Maybe I should start a new vlog series about our new crazy adventure."

"As you can see, there's still a lot to organize, lots of boxes to unpack… and what is it?" She noticed a rectangular paper that was lying on the floor, probably forgotten by the apartment's former owner. "A tarot card. Let's see what the future holds for us… The Chariot. Anyone know what it means? Write down in the comments."

*When the Chariot pulls up in a reading, it's go time. This powerful tarot card from the Major Arcana signifies that you can have everything you want and make your dreams come true...but it's going to take hard work, laser focus, and sheer determination to make it all happen. In a very literal sense, The Chariot can represent travel.