Taking a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and walked to the door, schooling my features into something resembling calm. I reached for the handle, already preparing my polite, detached response to whatever excuse Rennon had conjured up this time. But as I swung the door open, my breath caught in my throat.
“Emery?” The name left my lips in a whisper, as if speaking it too loudly might shatter the fragile moment.
Before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. The tears I had been holding back for what felt like an eternity finally broke free, and I clung to her as if she might vanish into thin air.
“Sister?” Emery’s voice was laced with confusion, but she didn’t pull away. She wrapped her arms around me, her warmth a comfort I hadn’t realized I was craving. “What’s wrong? I heard… I heard Alpha Rennon brought someone home, but I didn’t expect you to be this upset.”