The Strength Tarot card is the Major Arcana card of inner strength. It represents mastering raw emotions in order to bring calm to yourself or a situation. It also represents overcoming inner challenges. Overcoming the obstacles we face in relation to our own doubts, fears and anxieties. This card indicates that you are learning to master your fears and anxieties, to be courageous and daring.

After doing another small job as an actress, Emma had finally accomplished another of her goals. Two actually. The results were even better than she expected. And she couldn't wait to share those news with someone.

Sarah was the first person that crossed her mind. Without her, that wouldn't have been possible. Emma's latest videos made her get chosen for that small role on TV. She knew where the girl would be that evening - at the park, taking pictures for a project she was working on.

"Hiya, girlfriend," Emma greeted her with a hug and a quick kiss.

"Hey!" The blonde wrapped her arms tightly against her neck. "I didn't expect to see you."

"I have a surprise and I couldn't wait to tell you."

"What is it?"

Emma grabbed a keychain from her purse and showed Sarah, who still couldn't understand what it meant.

"Want a drive home?" She finally revealed.

"Did you buy a car?" The girl grinned, excited. "I remember you said you had been saving money for a while."

They walked fast, going to the spot where Emma had parked her newly acquired Jeep SUV model. She unlocked the doors, allowing Sarah to get in and check the inside of the vehicle.

"And there's something else," she spoke when she sat on the driver's seat. "This morning in the studio, when we were done filming, I was also offered a scholarship. It's a three-month acting course."

"Emma, this is awesome."

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I mean, I haven't given my answer yet, as I don't know what I'm going to do on Full Moon days."

She still felt insecure, remembering the disaster it was when she was in college.

"It doesn't matter, we'll find a way," Sarah placed a hand over hers, in a supportive manner. "I can help you."

Emma held the driver wheel for a moment. She closed her eyes and sighed. She could barely believe everything was going so well in her life. Maybe Addison was right. All she had to do was to give up on controlling everything and just relax.

They went to a restaurant for a celebration, followed by a movie session in Sarah's apartment. Emma woke up in the middle of the night with that strange sensation on her chest again, as if something bad was about to happen. She noticed her mate wasn't by her side in bed, so she headed to the bathroom.

"Nightmares?" She found Sarah washing her face, looking very distressed. The blonde immediately wrapped her arms around her body.

"The same nightmare again," she told, once Emma got her a glass of water. "The same woods. There are screams and blood and… you're running away from something. Or someone."

Emma assumed she could be dreaming about her most traumatic night. The moment that changed her life. Aurelia told her it was possible, considering their strong connection.

"And then I get caught? Bitten?"

"No, you get shot."

"Am I alone in these woods?" There were hunters in Hackett's Quarry's woods. Mr. H's brother and father. But they never intended to hurt the counselors. They were searching for Silas.

"There's someone with you," it was the first time the blonde revealed that information. "A guy."

"Can you describe him?"

"Light skin, brown eyes, brown hair… he's the muscular, athletic type."

Emma couldn't feel anymore intrigued. She grabbed her phone and showed Sarah a picture.

"This one?" She asked.

"Yes," the girl confirmed. "That's the guy. He was hurt too."

"What the actual fuck…"

Emma threw herself back in the bed, feeling more confused than ever. She was alone when Silas bit her. So that couldn't be a memory. It was really a premonition, a warning like Sarah once said.

But what could she be running from? And why Jacob, of all people, would be with her?

Emma always heard unresolved issues had a tendency to come back and haunt a person's life, until they were ready to solve them. Maybe that was the reason for those dreams. Sooner or later, she'd have to face Jacob again and end the mess they started two years earlier. Her feelings for him were different now. She no longer felt any anger, any resentments. She was in peace with the idea he wasn't the one to blame for her unfortunate situation.

However, what she didn't expect was that she'd have to face Abigail again that soon, especially after their disastrous last encounter.

"Emma, thank god you're here!" A very agitated Abi entered through the diner's door, by lunch time.

"Abi? What happened?" Emma was preparing herself to leave, deciding where she was going to eat.

"Uh… I don't know if you still remember, but it's my birthday in a couple of days."

"Of course."

They weren't on good terms, but she'd never be able to forget. They shared a very special moment during Abi's birthday, the year before. And back at Summer Camp too, when Emma threw her a surprise party.

"My parents were going on this super boring trip. I lied to them, saying I wanted to stay because I'd celebrate with some friends."

"Okay," Emma still couldn't understand where it was going.

"And now I have a party to plan," Abi finally explained. "I have no idea where to start. I thought you could help me."

It had been a while since Emma actually had a party to organize. Her days as a popular girl were long over. But it wouldn't cost her to give Abi a hand. She invited Abi to enter her new car and they followed to a grocery store.

Abi's party wouldn't be anything too big. She only invited Emma and the other counselors. She had two friends from college who also lived in the area, but she dropped the idea of inviting them too. Mostly because the 'W word' could eventually be spoken by accident around them.

"I think this is enough," Emma told once they finished shopping and placed everything inside the car. "Considering how many people will attend."

"Will you bring… someone ? Abi asked.

Emma wasn't sure she'd attend the party at first. She didn't even consider what she'd do about Sarah. Taking her would definitely cause some discomfort with Abi. And going alone would definitely put her in a hard spot with her new girlfriend.

"Maybe. If Sarah wants to come."

"Okay."

They went to a department store next for Abi to buy other stuff she could need, as well as some decorations. Then, they stopped to eat and have a milkshake.

"Now about the booze," Emma said, "you should definitely ask Jacob. I'm sure he'll know exactly what and where to get it."

"Are you okay with him being there? I never asked you."

"Yes, I think it's about time to leave this all behind. He was even nice when he showed up at the diner the other day."

Emma noticed Abi was staring at her in a funny way.

"What?" She let out a small laugh.

"Nothing," Abi smiled back and looked away. "It's just… you're different. You changed."

"In a good way I hope?"

"Yes. You're now like… the old Emma, but better."

The way Abi said those words, the way she was looking at her… it really felt like the old times again. The months when they were together.

Emma felt a funny sensation in her stomach. A sensation she shouldn't be feeling, considering the circumstances.

"These last few weeks have been… life-changing? I'm learning I still can be myself, while being a werewolf too. It's being fun, actually. I started training some fighting moves with other members of the pack and…"

And then, Emma realized she became too excited. Maybe she had gotten too used being around people who were familiar with her werewolf nature - or people who were werewolves themselves. The subject ended at the mention of that word.

Abi clearly didn't feel comfortable listening to that. She still wasn't willing to accept her the way she was.

"I'm sorry," she let out a sigh and apologized.

"It's okay," Abi said. "It's just weird, you know? You make it sound so normal, so human. But you do remember what werewolves are capable of, right? Aren't you afraid to kill someone by accident or even injure them?"

"All the time. This is why I'm always seeking the safest manners to do it."

That tension from the other day returned, washing away all the good moments they shared in the last two hours. Emma checked her watch, noticing her lunch break was over. She drove Abi home and went back to the diner.

"See you at the party tomorrow?" Abi asked when Emma dropped her at her house. "I really want you to be here."

"Sure," Emma forced a smile. "I mean, unless I need to cover somebody else's shift."

"You shouldn't go," Rowan said while she taught Emma a new move. She was one of the werewolf girls she had been training with. "Besides being your ex, she sounds like an asshole."

"Yes, why would you want to ruin things with your mate?" Quinn observed them, while she trained with Logan, the other werewolf newbie of their pack. She was the kind who was always dreaming to find her mate.

"I know. Being a bitch was my specialty in the past and I don't wanna do it again. To neither of them, I mean."

"Take Sarah with you," Logan suggested as he got beaten one more time. "It's the best solution."

There would be a lot of discomfort between Emma's ex and her current girlfriend. She knew that. But it was the only manner she wouldn't hurt any of them. Later, Sarah showed up at the fighting academy. Emma introduced her to other werewolves, who invited her to come and train with them someday too. They followed to the studio apartment to have dinner together. She waited for the right moment to ask about the party. They were alone in the bedroom, exchanging kisses, when she dropped the question.

"I have something to ask you."

"Shoot it."

"I have a birthday party to attend tomorrow," Emma started. "Would you like to go with me?"

"Of course," Sarah smiled. "Why are you even asking?"

"It's… uh… Abi's birthday."

After that night at the diner, Emma had finally told her new girlfriend everything about Abigail. She wanted to avoid any possible misunderstandings.

"You know it's going to get really weird if I go with you."

"I know, but it doesn't sound right to attend my ex's birthday alone."

Sarah went quiet for a moment. She seemed a little upset.

"Do you still have any feelings for her?" She asked.

"What?!"

"I just need to know, Emma. I… You told me everything about your exes, but I haven't told you about mine."

Sarah met her only ex-girlfriend during their senior year in High School. They dated for two years, even making plans to move to New York together. Until Sarah found out, through mutual friend's stories on Instagram, that she was being cheated on.

"It had been happening for months. Everybody knew, except for me."

Emma felt Sarah's pain directly in her own chest. That should've been terrible and traumatic for her. She suddenly understood why her father seemed so happy and relieved to know about them.

"Oh shit, this is terrible," Emma gently placed a hand on her knee. Some anger started boiling inside her too, mixed with the intense desire of protecting her mate. "I'm sorry you went through that. This girl is a fucking idiot, she…"

"My point is, Emma. I want you to be honest with me," Sarah stared deeply into Emma's eyes. She sounded serious and firm. "I want to know if there's any chance you'll ever leave me for Abi. If you still feel anything about her."

"I… uh… I don't know. When we broke up, I just repressed everything I was feeling. I never had time to actually process it, you know? She gave me some hope after she found out about my curse, only to take it away moments later."

And suddenly Emma noticed those words came out really really wrong. She didn't feel anything for Abi, did she? Then why was she so worried about her reaction, in case she didn't attend the party?

"Okay, so…" Sarah took a deep breath, fighting the tears forming in the corners of her blue eyes. "I want you to go to this party. Alone . I want you to figure out how you really feel about her. And if you choose her in the end, I'll respect your decision."

"I'm an idiot," Emma spoke as she drove to Abigail's house. "Like… the biggest idiot ever."

Her phone was placed on the car's panel, with the camera pointed to her.

"How could I agree to attend this fucking party, all by myself to… explore my feelings for Abi after everything Sarah has been doing for me?"

Sarah not only accepted she was a werewolf, but she took care of her during her last transformation. She supported her in every possible form and encouraged her to record videos again. If she had made any progress in her career, she owed that to her girlfriend.

"I… I should've told her there's nothing to figure out, right? I should've told her I already chose her weeks ago, when we met," it was easier to talk about her feelings when she was alone, in front of the camera. In front of people, she never managed to act that vulnerable. "Even my savage and bestial werewolf form has realized she's the one. This is why it chose her as my mate."

It was too late to turn around now. Emma was already on Abi's street, recognizing some of the cars parked there.

"But I only realized it now, after I fucking broke her her heart. I'm a shitbag. Here I am. Let's see how long it's going to take for Abi to feel repulsed when I accidentally remind her I'm a werewolf."

When she entered, most of the group was already there. It was still strange to see them all reunited, knowing exactly what connected them. She was the living proof that night actually happened. It wasn't a mere nightmare or a hallucination.

"Hey, Emma," Abi grinned when she saw her. She pressed a kiss on Emma's cheek, making her blush. "I'm glad you came."

Emma handed her the gift she bought - a new sketchbook, personalized with her name and the design of her tattoo on the cover.

"Happy birthday, Abi."

She immediately headed to the kitchen to grab herself a drink, where she found Kaitlyn doing the same.

"What's really going on here? When I got an invitation for a party Abi was throwing, I thought it was some kind of joke."

"To be honest I thought it was kinda strange too. But maybe she didn't want to spend her birthday alone."

"Or maybe she's trying to make excuses to be closer to you again?"

The question left Emma stunned, paralyzed. Was it even possible Abi was making such an effort only to try to repair their broken relationship? She hated socializing. She hated being around people. Especially… those people. People who reminded her of the worst night of their lives.

"Emma!" Dylan came to greet her once they returned to the living room. " Howl is it going?"

"Over the moon?" They both broke into laughs.

They were always joking about how they were the two unluckiest counselors that night. So she took the opportunity to make fun of his tragedy too.

"Double high five?" She raised both of her hands. "Oh my god, I'm sorry. I forgot."

"Nah! I mean, I should've suggested Abi a costume party. I'd nail it as Captain Hook, don't you think?"

Then, Emma sat down on the couch, next to Ryan. She hadn't spoken to him in the last few weeks. He was the one helping her with all the werewolf research and she was dying to find out about his latest discoveries.

"Hey, Ryan."

"Emma, I was waiting for you."

"Did you find anything new?"

"I discovered Eliza used to belong to this group of women who practiced witchcraft, before she was permanently banned. I've been trying to locate them."

That gave Emma a new hope. Maybe the group knew how to undo the curse Eliza cast, setting her free from being a werewolf.

A sudden chill ran all over her body for some reason. That same alert for danger she felt when Sarah got in that car accident. She started to become tense and anxious.

"What the hell is Abi doing?" Ryan asked, making Emma go back to herself and observe her ex-girlfriend. She was drinking more than she should. And also more than she was used to.

"Oh shit," Emma stood up, going in her direction. "Hey, party girl… why don't we take a little easier on the booze?"

"Come on, Emma," Abi complained. "What's wrong with you? Let me have fun. You always said I should let it loose a little bit, right?"

"Yeah, but not like that. Trust me, you'll feel awful later."

"Oh! Nice to know you still worry about me."

"I always will," Emma said. "Friends have to look after each other, right?"

"Yeah," the girl seemed a little bit frustrated by what she said. " Friends ."

Abigail went to the middle of the living room where she shouted:

"Guys, why don't we play a game?"

The group stopped interacting to look at her. They seemed surprised to hear that coming from her. And also tense, remembering how wrong it went the last time they played a game together.

"Uh… because we already know playing games doesn't work well with our group?" Dylan said. Ryan gave him a censoring look. "What? Last time I lost a hand and Emma became a werewolf!"

"Well, at least we can say it can't get any worse than that?" Laura added. "Right?"

"Okay then, anything but Truth or Dare," Kaitlyn suggested. "What if someone decides to pick a dare where Dylan loses his other hand?"

"Never. Have. I. Ever," Jacob came up with an idea. "This one can't go wrong."

He went to the kitchen, along with Max and Nick to get alcohol to fill the cups each one of them was holding. Emma thought it was a terrible idea. Uncomfortable secrets could come to surface. Sparks could fly and fights could be started. She uselessly tried to protest, but the rest of the group was determined.

"Never have I ever…" Jacob was the one to start, "got a tattoo I regretted."

No one had drunk, until a couple of seconds later Laura nudged Max, while muffling a laugh.

"Max," she mumbled. "Go. Drink."

Her boyfriend's face went full red, as he shyly took a sip from his cup.

"What is it?" Dylan asked. "Is it that bad?"

"You don't want to know," Laura told, bursting into laughs.

"Never have I ever…" it was Max turn next, "had a dirty dream about someone in this room."

All of them drank, no exceptions. Then everyone started to exchange looks, wondering who could've been in each other's dream.

"Before we proceed, anyone wants to share?" Kaitlyn asked. No one answered. "Good. Never have I ever texted the wrong person."

Emma had done it once during her High School years, with two different people she was flirting with. Jacob drank too. As well as Kaitlyn and Laura. They went for a few more rounds, before it was Abi's turn.

"My turn," Abi spoke. "Never have I ever… had a disastrous date?"

All of them drank. Emma wondered if she was talking about her or someone else she dated after her.

"You, Abi?" Laura asked, intrigued. "Tell us!"

"Uhh…" the girl became tense, glancing at Emma. "Well, it was even Emma almost turned wolf on me while we were making out."

She let out a small nervous laugh, but no one really found it funny. They all knew how badly it could have ended. They also looked at Emma, probably wondering if her instincts were completely under control. She couldn't judge them, they had seen werewolves at their worst.

"Never have I ever…" Nick was the one to break that tension, probably because he knew how Emma felt. He had experienced the same that night, while he was infected. "Used a fake ID."

She mumbled him a small 'thank you' , while some members of the group drank.

"Never have I ever overshared," Ryan was the next one to speak.

Emma knew it was harsh, but she needed to release her anger, her frustration somehow. She stood up and when she passed through Abi, she whispered:

"Looks like it's your turn to drink, Abi."

That game was making Emma feel suffocated. The anxiety was crushing her chest. She invented some excuse to go to the backyard, where she could finally breathe again. There was a swing from when Abi was a child. She sat down there and started to slowly move back and forth, reflecting about her life. Nobody knew what she had been going through in the last two years. Nobody knew how painful it still was to become a werewolf every Full Moon. How could Abi try to turn such a terrible and intimate experience into some kind of joke?

"Need a push?" A male voice brought her back to reality. Jacob was standing only a few steps away. "Sorry. I was just… I'm leaving."

"This is okay," Emma interrupted him, with a small smile. "You can stay if you want."

"Cool. I was worried about you, after that thing with Abi."

"It's okay."

Jacob sat on the other seat, next to hers. Through her werewolf senses she could feel he was nervous and uncomfortable, as if he expected her to snap at him at any moment.

"So, how are things going with… you know…"

"Being a werewolf?" She lowered her defenses, thinking of a joke to show him she was okay with his presence. "Like they say - 'when life gives you lemons, grab tequila and salt '. I mean, I've been just trying to find the silver lining in all of this."

"No," Jacob shook his head looking serious, "I mean, you can't find a silver lining in this, Em."

She furrowed her brows confused.

"You know, it's silver . Silver, werewolves… got it?"

Emma burst into laughs, followed by Jacob.

"Oh my god, this was super lame! But I loved it."

"I'm glad to know I still can make you laugh, at least."

They were in silence for a while. Emma was trying to find the right words to say. That was the second main reason she was there that night. She wanted to apologize.

"Jacob, I'm sorry about… everything," she spoke. "But mostly for the last time we met, I was in a very bad place. I was hating myself, especially after I broke up with Abi. And I just directed all that hate to you."

"But it was my fault somehow," Jacob said. "If I hadn't broken that van…"

"It doesn't matter. There was no way to know. And it could've been any of us to be bitten by Silas."

"Did you find anything that can possibly stop it?"

"No, not yet. But it's being fun to discover what I can do with my werewolf abilities."

"And what is the coolest thing you can do?" He asked.

"Let me see…" Emma was pensive for a moment. "I think the super strength is my favorite. Especially now I'm learning some moves. I can kick anybody's ass."

"So I better not challenge you for arm wrestling… like never?"

"Hmmm… It'd be a bad idea, I guess. I'd definitely beat you in a blink of an eye."

The conversation with Jacob made Emma feel a little better. When she returned inside the house, she couldn't find Abi anywhere. She decided to look for her, to announce she was going home. Abi was in the bathroom, vomiting her guts out. She also seemed to have cried. Emma helped her to clean herself and to lay in bed.

"I'm an idiot, right?" She spoke weakly. "This party, that game… it was a stupid idea."

"You're not an idiot, Abi," Emma was sitting by her side on the bed. "It's just… this isn't you."

"Yeah, maybe I was supposed to spend my birthday alone and miserable. Since I can't make friends or keep a girlfriend."

"I'm not saying that. You should've called me. We could just go out and do something fun. You, me, Kaitlyn and Laura."

"I wanted to impress you," Abi confessed. "I wanted to show you I can be fun, social and outgoing."

"Abi… I always liked you the way you are," Emma couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You don't have to change or act like someone you're not."

"Do you? Even after I was a jerk to you tonight?"

"I do. You had drank a little too much. I know you didn't really mean it."

Emma gave her a reassuring smile.

"Know what I really wanted for my birthday?"

"What?"

"Us. What we had last year," Abi sat down, her hands finding Emma's. "I wanted… I wanted to go out with you and kiss you and… make love to you. I wanted to forget this whole werewolf thing exists, even if only for one night."

She learned forward, her lips being only one breath away from Emma's.

Emma closed her eyes, feeling her heart thundering inside her chest.

Abi wanted one night . One night to pretend her werewolf side didn't exist. But how would it be when they woke up in the next morning and it was still there?

One night of fun was not what Emma wanted. Not anymore. She wanted someone to be by her side even on her worst days. She wanted someone to accept her for everything she was, including her werewolf side. Someone like… Sarah.

"Abi, stop. I can't," Emma placed a hand on her chest, carefully pushing her away. "All of this started because I was a bitch back at Summer Camp. I don't wanna be like that again."

Abigail let out a frustrated sigh.

"Come on, Emma. You can't be serious about this whole mating bond thing. This is ridiculous."

"Even if our mating bond wasn't real at all. I still wouldn't do this to her. She's good to me."

"And how are you sure your feelings are even real? If her feelings for you are real too?"

"What do you mean?"

"When your curse is broken and your werewolf side is gone, the mating bond will cease to exist. What about these feelings? Are they real? Or are they only the most primitive desires of your werewolf side?"

Emma had never considered that idea. Her relationship with Sarah felt so natural, so peaceful, so good. How could that come solely from her wildest side, the one without a conscience? Was that even possible?

"Who knows? I guess I'll have to wait and see."

Emma checked the clock, realizing it was already getting late. However, that couldn't wait. She had to do that, in that exact moment.

"What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, surprised, as soon as she opened the door. Emma could tell she had been crying, even if she did her best to hide it. "I thought you had a party to attend tonight."

"I did," Emma shrugged and smiled, "but then I realized there was somewhere else I'd rather be."

"And you wanted to be with me?"

"Yes, I… there's something I need to tell you and it cannot wait."

They entered the small apartment. As Emma sat on the couch she noticed the TV was paused on a classic Hitchcock movie. One of Sarah's favorite movies, she remembered. But also the one she liked to watch when she was feeling angry or sad.

"So?" The blonde asked, apprehensive. "What did you want to tell me?"

Emma took a deep breath before proceeding. She had never done that before. She felt nervous, anxious maybe. Even if she knew there was no reason for that.

"Addison once told me mating bonds happen for a purpose," she told. "From the moment I realized we're mates, I've been obsessed to know what our purpose was. And it was only on my way here that I finally found out."

"I didn't know about this part. What is our purpose?"

"Sarah, before you came, I hated myself. And I'm not only talking about when I became a werewolf. Before that, I was always acting. I was always pretending to be someone I was not. Under that fake confidence, I was insecure. I was afraid to be myself. I was even afraid to fall in love because I assumed I wasn't good enough for anyone."

The blonde tried to interrupt to say something, but Emma stopped her. She took a deep breath before proceeding with her speech.

"It got worse when I was infected. I blamed my stupid mistakes for this curse. I thought I was being punished for things I did a long time ago," she also blamed herself for that night at Summer Camp. Many times, she thought of her curse as being some sort of karma for toying with Jacob's feelings and purposely starting conflict during the Truth or Dare game. "But you… you're my redemption. Meeting you felt like… it felt like coming home after a long time away. You make me like who I am. You make me want to be better everyday."

"What about Abigail?" Sarah asked. "Did you try to figure out if you still have feelings for her?"

"Abi will always mean something to me, she was the first person I truly loved," she admitted honestly. "But with her, it felt like I was always walking on eggshells. I felt like I couldn't really be myself because it wouldn't be enough. I was always tense, always afraid to fail."

"Emma, you're enough. You're more than enough. You're…"

A small smile appeared on the corners of Emma's mouth before she proceeded.

"With you… I feel free again. You've seen me even at my worst moments and you stayed. There's nothing else to be figured out. I've chosen you from the moment I met you, Sarah. Do you still want to be with me? I know it's a lot to ask. I come with heavy and howling baggage."

"How could I even say no to that?" Sarah wiped the tears from her face and smiled. Then, she jumped straight at Emma's arms, kissing her passionately. "The heavy, howling baggage is only a detail. I think I even like it."

Emma laughed and wrapped her arms around Sarah's waist, pulling her closer to her body.

"But this movie is kinda depressing, don't you think? We should watch something happier and fun."

"I think I'll agree with you this time."

After switching to a hilarious comedy, they both went to bed. Sarah fell asleep quickly, resting her head on Emma's chest. Emma, however, couldn't stop thinking about that one question Abi asked - How would it be once she was no longer a werewolf? What would happen to their bond and their feelings?

"This is probably the craziest trip I've ever gone to," Sarah grinned excitedly from the passenger's seat as Emma drove them to the werewolves' den, in Upstate New York.

"Careful," Emma joked. "I think this is exactly what I said when I was headed to Hackett's Quarry that Summer."

Addison explained there was no problem if Sarah decided to follow her to the den, as long as she stayed in the manor when the night fell. A few other humans would be there too. The house was safely protected to keep the werewolves away until the morning.

They arrived early at the rural property, as Emma wanted to introduce Sarah to Aurelia.

"Hello, my dear," the Elder greeted when she saw them at her cabin's door. "You look so much better from the last time I saw you."

"I… uh… there's a reason for that," she showed her hand, entwined with Sarah's. "This is Sarah, my mate."

"One of the reasons," Sarah corrected. "She's also making progress on her acting career."

"Yeah, that too. I'm starting a three-month course on Monday, I'm very excited."

"This is amazing news. It calls for a celebration."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Aurelia took Sarah's hand in hers, squeezing it fondly. "Come on, sit down. Let me get us something to eat."

The woman had just prepared some of her delicious treats, serving them along with some tea while she explained to Sarah about her role as mate, being a human.

"You'll gain some protection when you're claimed. You'll be able to stay close to Emma when she transforms. Werewolves won't attack their human mates."

"What about other werewolves?" Emma wanted to know.

"You can do a ritual to introduce her to the pack." Aurelia told. "Due to our loyalty to each other, none of us will be able to hurt your mate either. Members from other packs will be able to smell that she belongs to a werewolf too, but it's not guaranteed they'll respect it."

A few minutes later, Sarah stood up and started to walk around, curious to see all the peculiarities the Elder had in her cabin. Emma took the opportunity to lower her voice and ask something that had been on her mind.

"Does it work for other supernatural creatures too? I mean, ghosts?"

"Eliza? Maybe. Once the bond becomes stronger and permanent, it'll be easier for you to protect her."

"How?" Emma asked.

Aurelia explained everything she already experienced would be enhanced - she'd be able to know if Sarah was in danger and if they were separated, she'd be able to easily track her. The enzymes her blood contained would also be able to heal her mate, in case she was injured.

"I'll do it," Emma exhaled deeply. "If she consents, of course."

"It comes with a lot of responsibilities. It's not a decision that should be made by impulse, remember that."

"Tarot cards," Sarah exclaimed, getting their attention. "Can you read them, Mrs. Sutton?"

"Yes, my dear," Aurelia followed her. "Would you like me to see what's in the cards for you?"

"I'd love it! My grandma also loves this stuff, she even taught me some stuff."

The two of them sat on the table, Sarah being in front of a very focused Aurelia. Emma watched them in silence, not knowing exactly what to expect. Like anything related to the supernatural, in the past she wouldn't have believed that. Now she was just intrigued, curious.

The first set of cards, Aurelia spoke about Sarah's past. Telling that she overcame many obstacles to be where she is now. The second set, about the present, where she described the moment of joy they were experiencing.

"I see good things coming in your way," the Elder later spoke about the blonde's future. "And… there's a female figure returning to your life."

"Come on!" Emma let out a complaint. "Really?"

"It's not an ex," Sarah said, a little spooked. "It's… it's my mother."

"Exactly," Aurelia confirmed.

They both insisted Emma to have her own turn. She was a little hesitant at first, but she eventually agreed. Aurelia spoke about her past, the adversities she went through and the changes she faced. Then she spoke about how she was in a moment of peace, stability and luck.

"And now, your future…"

Aurelia stared at the cards in silence. Sarah's expression changed too. From excited, she turned nervous.

"What?" Emma asked. "Am I like… totally screwed?"

"Looks like you'll have a choice to make," the Elder explained. "Two paths to follow. One will lead you to where you always wanted to be. The other…"

Emma looked at the cards displayed on the table. She recognized one of them. The Tower. The same card she saw at the police station, two years earlier, after the events at Hackett's Quarry. At the time, it was like a prophecy of her incoming fate of becoming a werewolf.

"The other is an illusion. It can lead you to danger and tragedy."

"It won't happen. It's obvious I'll choose the first one."

"It's not that simple, my dear," Aurelia touched her hand. "Sometimes evil comes disguised as a blessing. And when you notice, there's no way back."