I bolted into the council chamber just as the meeting was about to start, papers clutched in my hands. The room buzzed with low chatter, but it all ceased the moment I stepped inside. Ruby was already seated at the long table, her metallic bangles jangling softly as she fidgeted with them. She glanced at me and raised an eyebrow.

"Spill," she whispered as I slid into the chair beside her.

"It was… interesting," I muttered, not meeting her eyes.

Before Ruby could press me further, Graham cleared his throat from the head of the table. "Ladies, gentlemen, if I could have a moment of your precious time."

I barely had a chance to wonder what he was about to say when Ruby's hand shot out, gripping my forearm tightly. Her nails dug into my skin.

"Ruby, what the—?" I hissed, but the alarm in her eyes made me stop.

The usual shuffle of papers and murmurs in the chamber faded as Graham continued, his voice steady but carrying a hint of curiosity. "We have a new arrival in Storybrooke today."

I froze, my heart hammering in my chest. No, it couldn't be. But the scent—a faint trace of something wild and untouched, like sunlight on a spring breeze—told me otherwise. It was her.

"This is Emma Swan," Graham announced, gesturing toward the door.

The world seemed to tilt as she stepped into the room. She looked uneasy, her arms crossed over her chest as if to shield herself from the room's scrutiny. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her face, and her sharp green eyes darted around nervously.

The hiker I saved, I thought, my stomach twisting.

"Welcome to Storybrooke," Graham said, his voice warmer now. "Emma, please take a seat."

Ruby's grip tightened on my arm as Emma moved to the empty chair across the table from me. I avoided her gaze, but I felt her eyes on me. A quiet gasp escaped her lips, and I knew she recognized me. The air between us felt charged, and I could barely keep my composure.

"Regina," Ruby hissed, leaning close. "What do we do?"

"Nothing," I muttered through clenched teeth, my fingers curling into fists under the table. "We do nothing."

But my mind was racing. What was she doing here? How had she come to Storybrooke? And—most terrifying of all—had the Keepers brought her?

The meeting droned on, but I barely heard a word. Emma's presence was a distraction I couldn't shake. Her scent, her movements, the way she occasionally glanced my way—it was maddening. Ruby nudged me under the table more than once, but I didn't respond.

When Graham finally dismissed us, I bolted for the door, desperate for fresh air. Ruby was hot on my heels.

"Regina," she called as I stepped into the cool morning air.

I didn't stop until we reached the alley behind Granny's Diner. I leaned against the brick wall, my chest heaving. Ruby caught up, her bangles jangling as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You're freaking out," she said flatly.

"I'm not," I snapped, though my trembling hands betrayed me.

"She can't be here," Ruby said, echoing my own thoughts. "You know that, right? If the Keepers find out…"

"I know," I interrupted, pressing my palms to my face. "But how do we make her leave without drawing attention? The Keepers don't know about what happened. They can't know."

Ruby hesitated. "She doesn't remember, does she? About what you did?"

I shook my head. "No. She shouldn't."

"Then we play it cool," Ruby said, her voice firm. "She's just another outsider, right? She'll leave on her own eventually."

"She's not just another outsider," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "There's something about her…"

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "You saved her life. Of course you feel something. But that's all it is. Let it go."

I wanted to argue, but the words caught in my throat. I couldn't tell Ruby the truth—not yet. I couldn't admit that the bond I'd felt with Emma when I gave her my blood was more than just a fleeting connection.

"Fine," I said finally, straightening. "We'll keep an eye on her. But if she remembers anything—anything at all—we'll have to deal with it."

Ruby nodded. "Agreed."

Later that day, as I walked through the square, I spotted Emma near the clock tower. She was sitting on a bench, her arms resting on her knees as she stared at the ground. Something about her posture tugged at me. She looked lost.

Against my better judgment, I approached her. She glanced up as I neared, her green eyes widening slightly.

"Hi," I said, forcing a neutral tone.

"Hi," she replied, her voice cautious.

"Emma, right?"

She nodded, her gaze studying me. "Do I… know you?"

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression calm. "No. I don't think so."

She tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "You seem familiar."

"I'm the mayor," I said quickly. "You've probably seen my picture around town."

"Maybe," she said slowly, her eyes still searching mine.

I cleared my throat. "Welcome to Storybrooke. If you need anything, my office is always open."

She gave me a faint smile. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

As I walked away, I could feel her eyes on my back. My pulse raced, and my thoughts spiraled. She didn't remember what happened—yet. But how long would that last? And when she did, what would happen then?

I decided to skip the rest of the morning's council discussions, though I knew avoiding Emma Swan wasn't a realistic long-term plan. Storybrooke was too small for evasion. Even if she didn't remember what happened between us, her presence stirred something primal—and dangerous—within me.

As I wandered aimlessly through the town square, I spotted Ruby leaning against a lamppost, her bangles jingling as she fidgeted. She caught sight of me and approached, her sharp eyes scanning me for cracks in my usual composure.

"You're avoiding her," Ruby said, falling into step beside me.

"Of course I am," I muttered, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "She's human, Ruby. She shouldn't even be here."

Ruby hesitated, her gaze turning serious. "She didn't just show up, Regina. Someone brought her in."

I stopped in my tracks, narrowing my eyes at her. "What are you saying?"

"Ask Henry," Ruby said quietly, then stepped away, leaving me to wrestle with the implications.

By the time I returned to the mansion, my thoughts were a tangled mess. Henry was waiting for me in the study, a book open on his lap but clearly forgotten as he stared out the window.

"Mom," he said, brightening as I entered the room.

"Henry," I began, crossing the room and sitting beside him, "do you know anything about the new arrival?"

His smile faltered. "Emma?"

"Yes, Emma," I said, my voice sharpening. "Did you… have something to do with her being here?"

Henry hesitated, his hands twisting nervously in his lap. "I didn't think you'd find out so soon."

My jaw clenched. "Henry."

"I brought her here," he admitted, meeting my gaze. "She's my mom, mom. My birth mom."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. "You brought a human into Storybrooke without telling me? Do you have any idea what you've done? The Keepers could—"

"They don't know," Henry interrupted, his voice firm. "And they don't have to. She's here because I wanted her to be. You're always talking about how important family is, Mom. Well, she's part of mine."

I stared at him, torn between anger and something softer, something I didn't want to name. Henry's belief in love and unity was unshakable, and I couldn't deny the longing in his eyes.

"She stays," he said, his voice quieter now. "Please."

I let out a slow breath, nodding despite the voice in my head screaming at me to refuse. "But there are rules," I said. "She can't know about the pack and magic. About me."

"Agreed," Henry said quickly, his relief palpable.

Later that afternoon, I was in the council chamber again, this time meeting with Graham to finalize the week's patrol schedules. He was uncharacteristically upbeat, his usual calm exterior cracked by an eager grin.

"I've got something you'll want to hear," he said as he leaned casually against the table.

"What now, Graham?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

"There's a VIP party at Eden this Friday," he said. "Efron's hosting it. Some big-shot outsider's in town, and apparently, he's important enough to pull out all the stops."

I arched an eyebrow. "And?"

"And I'm inviting you," he said, his grin widening. "Bring your pack. It'll be a good opportunity to show off some… finesse."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the flicker of amusement that crossed my face. "I already know about the party, Graham."

"You do?" he said, looking genuinely surprised.

"Yes, I do," I replied. "But I'll consider your invitation."

Graham chuckled, leaning in slightly. "And Henry? Will he be attending?"

"No," I said firmly. "Henry doesn't belong at a party like that."

"You're the boss," he said with a shrug, though his eyes glinted with curiosity.

As I left the chamber, I spotted Emma in the square, her blonde hair catching the afternoon sunlight. She was leaning against the clock tower, clearly waiting for something—or someone. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and she pushed off the wall, striding toward me with purpose.

"Regina," she called, her voice steady but carrying a hint of nervousness.

I tensed, glancing around to ensure we were alone. "What do you want?"

"I just… I feel like I know you," Emma said, stopping a few feet away. "Like we've met before."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Graham appeared out of nowhere, stepping between us. "Can I help you?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.

Emma blinked, clearly thrown off by his sudden presence. "I was just talking to Regina—"

"The mayor is very busy," Graham said smoothly. "If you need something, you can go through the proper channels."

I stepped back, letting him handle it. My heart was racing, and I needed a moment to collect myself. Emma's piercing gaze followed me as I turned and walked away, leaving her with Graham.

That night, as I sat by the window in the mansion, watching the moonlight cast long shadows across the room, I couldn't shake the image of Emma's face. She was human, an outsider—and yet, she didn't feel like a stranger. There was something about her, something I couldn't ignore.

"Mom?" Henry's voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his expression cautious. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"For what?" I asked.

"For giving her a chance," he said.

I didn't reply, but as he left the room, I knew he was right. I had given Emma a chance. The question now was what that chance would cost me.

The bell above Granny's Diner jingled softly as I pushed open the door. Ruby was behind the counter, wiping down glasses, but her sharp eyes flicked to mine the moment I entered. She nodded subtly, signaling the back room was ready.

Henry trailed behind me, his face bright with curiosity, clearly excited to be included.

"Not a word," I warned, glancing back at him. He grinned sheepishly but stayed quiet.

The pack was already gathered in the private room behind the diner. Mason leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, while Fey sat stiffly at the table, her fingers drumming impatiently. Ruby was perched on the edge of a chair, her bracelets jingling softly as she fidgeted.

"Glad you could make it," Mason drawled, smirking as I entered.

"Shut it," I muttered, taking my place at the head of the table. Henry took a seat beside me, still looking far too eager.

I let my gaze sweep over my pack, ensuring I had their full attention. "We have a situation," I began, my voice even and calm. "Graham has made a suggestion—one we need to discuss."

Fey snorted loudly. "If this is about merging with the Banes, you can forget it."

Her voice cut through the room like a whip, and tension rippled across the table.

"It is about merging," I said, fixing her with a sharp look. "And you don't get to opt out, Fey."

The muscles in her jaw tightened, but she couldn't argue further.

"What's the plan?" Ruby asked, her tone cautious but steady. Her loyalty was unwavering, but even she had her limits.

"Graham wants us to start integrating the packs before the union," I said. "Socially, at first. He thinks it'll show the Keepers we're compliant—and give us more control over the situation."

The room erupted in protests.

"You can't be serious!" Fey snapped, slamming her hands on the table. "Why should we even entertain this? They'll just walk all over us!"

"This is a terrible idea," Mason added, though his tone was more measured. "Graham's playing a game, Regina, and we're the pieces."

Ruby looked uneasy but didn't speak, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Henry, sensing the rising tension, glanced at me nervously. "Mom, maybe—"

"Henry," I interrupted, keeping my voice calm but firm. "Go get yourself some ice cream."

His brow furrowed. "But I—"

"Now," I said, giving him a look that left no room for argument.

He hesitated, then stood and left the room, his shoulders slumping slightly as he closed the door behind him.

I turned back to the pack. "Listen to me," I said, my voice low but commanding. "This isn't about the Banes. It's about us. Our strength. Our loyalty. If we don't control this situation, the Keepers will."

Fey stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "You're asking us to play nice with them? Sabine? Dax? They'll never respect us, Regina!"

My temper flared. "Sit. Down."

When Fey hesitated, I let the growl rumble deep in my chest. My magic crackled to life, red energy flickering around my hands. My eyes burned crimson, and my teeth elongated into sharp, glinting fangs. The room fell deathly silent as my power filled the air, heavy and undeniable.

"You will follow my lead," I said, my voice cold and unwavering. "I am your alpha. Your queen. And you will not question me again."

Fey's defiance melted into submission, and she sank slowly back into her chair. Mason and Ruby exchanged uneasy glances, submitted but said nothing.

"Good," I said, letting the tension in my shoulders ease. The magic faded, my eyes and teeth returned to normal. "This isn't about them. It's about showing the Keepers that we're in control—not them. We'll attend the party. We'll play their game. But we'll do it on our terms."

The pack murmured their agreement, subdued but compliant.

The meeting had just ended when the bell over Granny's door jingled again. I didn't need to turn around to know who had entered; I could feel his presence like a storm rolling in.

"Busy day, Regina?" Graham asked as he strode into the room, his tone light but carrying an edge of curiosity.

The pack stiffened instinctively, their unease palpable.

"Not too busy," I replied coolly, watching him from the corner of my eye.

He leaned casually against the doorway, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "Everything all right with your pack?"

"We're fine," I said, standing and crossing my arms over my chest.

"Good to hear," he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Eden's going to be… interesting."

I raised an eyebrow, refusing to rise to his bait. "We'll see."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he straightened, his demeanor shifting slightly. "What about Henry? Will he be there?"

"No," I said firmly. "He's not ready for that kind of environment."

"Your call," he said with a shrug, though his tone suggested he was unconvinced.

"Damn right, it's my call," I muttered under my breath as he turned and walked away, leaving the door swinging softly behind him.

The pack filed out one by one, their earlier protests replaced with quiet determination. Ruby lingered for a moment, her expression unreadable, before giving me a small nod and following the others.

I sat alone in the room, the echoes of our tense conversation still ringing in my ears. Graham's words replayed in my mind, mingling with Henry's quiet plea earlier.

Emma's face flickered in my thoughts, unbidden. She was human, an outsider—and yet, her presence felt like a thread unraveling the tightly woven fabric of my world.

Granny's Diner was bustling with its usual lunchtime crowd, but the back area had been reserved for us—the packs. The tension in the air was palpable as both groups sat at their respective tables, divided like oil and water. The Banes huddled together, talking in low voices, while my Nightshades sat stiff and watchful.

This wasn't going to work.

"Hey, Graham!" I called, my voice cutting through the low hum of conversation.

He broke off his chat with Sabine, whose face twisted in outrage at the interruption. Graham's eyebrows shot up, but he quickly masked his surprise with a carefully neutral expression.

"Yeah?"

"Push our tables together," I said.

Fey's sharp intake of breath was audible, and I didn't need to look to know she was glaring daggers at me. My smile widened as Graham's hand twitched, betraying his surprise.

"Of course," he said smoothly. He turned to Dax and jerked his head toward our table.

Dax lumbered over, gripping the edge of our table with one hand. With an ear-splitting screech of metal on tile, he dragged it across the floor until it connected with the Banes' table. Heads turned across the diner, and I didn't miss the raised eyebrows and curious murmurs from the Keepers' human puppets seated nearby.

Good. Let them report this to the Keepers as soon as possible.

Mason was already on his feet, dragging his chair over to Neville, who looked surprised but quickly smiled and pushed his seat back to make room. Mason waved Henry over, and my son trotted happily to his friend's side. Neville extended a hand in greeting, and I felt a flicker of relief.

Maybe this wouldn't be as impossible as I thought.

Fey, however, was less accommodating. She grabbed her chair and stomped over to the combined tables, positioning herself as far from Sabine as physically possible. Sabine scooted back, her eyes narrowing.

So much for easy.

"Ruby," I said quietly.

Ruby tilted her head, waiting for instructions.

"Fey needs some moral support—and maybe restraints," I muttered. "Sit with her."

Ruby snorted softly but obeyed, sliding her chair beside Fey's with a jangling of bracelets.

I kept my gaze on Graham. He was whispering something to Dax, who stiffened at his words. With a sigh, Graham patted him on the shoulder and gestured toward me.

Dax trudged over, picked up the chair I'd been sitting in, and carried it to Ruby and Fey. I nodded as they adjusted their seats reluctantly to make room for him.

Graham raised an eyebrow at me and gestured to the chair beside him.

I grabbed my plate and moved toward him, ignoring Sabine's seething glare. Cosette offered a hesitant smile as I sat down.

"Hello, ladies," I said cheerfully.

Sabine grunted, crossing her arms tightly.

"Hi, Regina," Cosette murmured, poking at her spaghetti with her fork. Her eyes darted nervously between me and Sabine.

"Interesting move," Graham said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.

I shrugged, biting into my turkey sandwich. "I thought it might save us from any… incidents at Eden. I doubt Efron would appreciate rival wolves tearing each other apart in the middle of his party."

Graham chuckled, his chair tilting on its back legs. "Fair point."

Sabine, however, was less amused. Her nails dug into her arms, leaving angry red marks.

"Sabine," Graham said sharply, his chair slamming back onto all fours. "Knock it off."

She scowled but obeyed, muttering something under her breath as Cosette timidly handed her an emery board.

Meanwhile, Fey's laughter rang out from the other end of the table. I turned to see her grinning as Dax gestured wildly, clearly in the middle of some elaborate story.

"Well, that's a sight," I murmured. "Smiling must rank near the top of Fey's seven deadly sins."

"She's warming up," Graham said. "Dax is good at that. Your pack will like him."

"We'll see," I replied, watching as Mason, Neville, and Henry leaned into their animated discussion. Snippets of their debate reached me—something about whether Montreal or Austin produced the best bands.

For a moment, I allowed myself to relax. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

That sense of ease evaporated when Graham's hand casually landed on my leg, his fingers tracing the curve of my thigh.

I choked on my sandwich, coughing violently as I grabbed his water bottle and took a desperate gulp.

"Are you trying to kill me?" I rasped, swatting his hand away. "Keep your hands to yourself."

Graham laughed, entirely unbothered. "Just testing the waters, Alpha Queen."

I glared at him, my magic crackling faintly at my fingertips. "Test them again, and you'll regret it."

Graham opened his mouth as if to respond to my earlier quip, but he suddenly straightened, his attention snapping to something behind me. His eyes darkened, and his posture stiffened.

I followed his gaze and froze.

Emma stood near the entrance of Granny's Diner, her hesitant steps faltering as her wide green eyes took in the combined packs. The faintest smile touched her lips as her gaze landed on Henry. My son, ever eager, was already halfway out of his chair, his grin bright enough to rival the sun.

"Mom!" Henry called, his voice brimming with excitement. "It's Emma!"

Every muscle in my body locked into place. Her scent hit me first, overwhelming and intoxicating—a mix of spring rain and sunlight, sharp and unmistakable. It rolled over me in waves, making it impossible to breathe without drawing her into my lungs. My heart thundered, and I fought to maintain composure as my magic hummed just beneath my skin, threatening to rise.

Ruby, seated beside me, tensed, her nostrils flaring. The rest of the pack stiffened, their eyes narrowing as they instinctively mirrored my reaction. Even Graham's casual smirk slipped, replaced by a guarded expression.

"What's she doing here?" Fey hissed, her tone laced with suspicion.

Henry, oblivious to the storm brewing, stood and waved Emma over. "Come sit with us!"

Emma hesitated, her steps faltering again as she caught the wave of tension rolling through the room. She glanced at me, her eyes questioning and hopeful. My chest tightened at the raw emotion in her gaze, and I clenched my fists under the table to keep from reaching for her.

Graham leaned in close, his voice low enough for only me to hear. "Want me to handle this?"

"No," I said quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. "Stay seated."

He frowned but obeyed, his gaze flicking between me and Emma.

Emma finally reached our table, her smile faltering as the pack's hostility became impossible to ignore. Mason, Fey, and even Ruby let out low, warning growls, their bodies taut and ready to defend me. For the first time, the entire pack acted as one, unified in their protective instinct.

"Hi, Henry," Emma said softly, her voice cutting through the tension. She glanced at me again, the bond between us pulling at her, even if she didn't understand it. "I just… thought we could spend some time together."

Henry looked at me, his excitement dimming as he realized how unwelcome Emma's presence was. "Mom, can she stay?"

The pack bristled, their growls growing louder, and even Graham stiffened, his sharp gaze locked on Emma. The human didn't back down, though her expression betrayed the slightest flicker of unease.

I stood slowly, my chair scraping against the floor. The pack immediately silenced, their eyes following my every movement. I stepped toward Emma, forcing myself to stay calm, to keep the raging storm of emotions and magic under control.

"Henry," I said, my tone even but firm. "Why don't you go grab something from the counter?"

Henry hesitated, his gaze darting between me and Emma. "But—"

"Now," I said, softening my voice but leaving no room for argument.

With a reluctant nod, he walked away, casting a worried glance back at us before disappearing toward the counter.

Emma didn't move, her eyes searching mine for something—an explanation, a connection. I didn't trust myself to speak, not with the bond between us thrumming so strongly. Her scent, her presence, her very existence pulled at me, testing every ounce of my restraint.

"Emma," I finally said, my voice low and measured. "This isn't the time."

Her brows knit together, hurt flashing across her face. "I don't understand. Did I… do something wrong?"

"No," I said, forcing the word out.

Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but Graham stood then, his towering presence cutting off whatever I was about to say. His expression was calm but unyielding as he addressed Emma.

"You should leave," he said, his voice firm but polite. "For your own good."

Emma looked at him, then back at me, the weight of his words sinking in. She took a step back, her hands clenching at her sides while looking at everyone and the sounds of their low growls. "Right. Of course." Her voice was barely above a whisper, and it cut deeper than I wanted to admit.

Without another word, she turned and walked toward the exit, her steps slow and hesitant. I didn't look away until the bell above the door jingled, signaling her departure.

Graham sat back down, his sharp eyes appraising me. "That was… controlled. Impressive, even."

I ignored him, focusing on calming the magic still coursing through my veins. The pack slowly relaxed, their growls fading as the tension dissipated. Ruby gave me a questioning look, but I shook my head, silently signaling that now wasn't the time.

Henry returned a moment later, a sundae in his hands and a troubled look on his face. He didn't say anything as he sat back down, but the weight of his unspoken questions lingered in the air.

I picked up my water bottle, taking a long sip to steady myself. My pack might have protected me today, but the storm brewing between me and Emma was far from over.