Em just let them attack her, knowing full well that she saved Mikaels life. By the time they were finished with her, she was on the ground, bleeding from the scars and cuts they afflicted on her. When she felt Mikaels nose, she tried to look up at him, but it just hurt her even more " M-Mikael.. I'll be fine. Go rest."

She knew that Hunter was watching, but she didnt care. Whats done was done. But she now belonged to Hunters pack, the least and lowest of the pack. And would eb the none doing everything for Hunter. To pay for what she had done.

When she could finally stand, she could barely walk. One move would cause her to fall back down and howl in pain. But she never gave up trying again and again. Proving to Hunter that she was a survior.

Mikael tried to help her inside of the den, but Hunter growled at both of them. "You two will sleep outside." He merely said before walking inside, followed by Daria, Makalyla and her pups, and finally Clay, who took one more look at Mikael before shaking his head and walking in. They lied down by each other and Mikael stressed over her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible and to also make sure she was okay. "You... you were willing to go through that for me Em. You gave up being an Alpha... you took my punishment for me... just so you can be with me..." Mikael nuzzled Em, who initially flinched from pain, but soon let him nuzzle her.

Em sighed as she looked at Hunter before nodding, letting him know that she understood. Then layed back down" I had to, Mikael. I couldn't let you suffer that punishment. It was my fault. Not yours. " She sighed as she flinched when he tried to nuzzle her. " Best if you dont touch me for a while, Mikael. I dont want to be rude, I just need sleep and a place to sleep that isnt so rough on my pelt and on the cuts. "

She walked weakly away from where she was attached as punishment and found a tree, away from the main den and snuggled down to sleep. It wasnt the best, but it would do for now. She let him snuggle close to her, but just enough where she would wake up in pain.

By morning, Em was more tired than ever. And she knew she had to do all the work today for Hunter " But sir...I-" she tried to say but she was cut off " Im sore, Alpha.. you seem to not notice that" sh argued back. I need to hold my tongue when talking to him she thought as she pinned her ears back. " Im sorry.. I shouldnt have spoken out of turn"

Hunter stared at the newest member of the Hearts with general disdain. "Right... now. You and Mikael have a full day of duties to perform for us... understood?" Hunter stared at Mikael, and he nodded solemnly. "Good. Let's get to work." The first thing to do that do was to expand the den so that Makayla's pups had more room to sleep in. Mikael and Em toiled away, with Mikael picking up the work that Em couldn't get to in time. Next they needed to find materials so that Clay could craft potions to heal certain injuries, but of course none of them were for Em. She slowly worked her way through the wildnerness as Mikael worked quickly to find the rest of the materials. Finally, Clay instructed for them to dig out another den, this one for Clay to hold his potions, ingrediants and the like, which eventually brought them to the end of the day. Both Em and Mikael were tired and hungry, but Mikael was just grateful that Em was okay. After being given rabbits to eat, the two didn't hesitate and quickly chowed down on their meals. "Are you feeling better?" Mikael asked Em in between bites.

" Some what better.. but still in a ton of pain. I wish Hunter was nicer around me. It hurts to be around him when he gets to bossy. It's like he knows I'll live through the pain, but he want to make me suffer during the healing process" she said as as ever so slowly ate the one rabbit. " I should talk to him, but if I do, I dont know what he will do to me next."

She gave a sigh as she stepped away from her one meal and looked at Hunter. he thinks I will suffer from all his rules and little jobs.. but he cant break me. she thought as she slowly walk off to get some excercise, even though she knew she couldnt go anywhere without Hunters permittion. She heard his voice and she stopped before turning around. " Yes, Alpha?" she asked walking up to him meekly, her tail behind her legs and her ears pinned back.

Hunter looked at her, staring at her for a moment before he spoke. "Make sure you and Mikael get some rest. I have more work for you tomorrow. That is all." He walked away, but not before turning around and telling Mikael that he couldn't follow Em with her. Mikael obliged and stayed put, looking at her longinly with his eyes. She's willing to do all this work and suffer this much for me... she must really love me after all... and... I think I love her too. Getting up, he walked over to Em before she left and took a deep breath before whispering into her so Hunter couldn't hear. "You spent so much time carefullly training me, pushing me to make sure I was the best wolf around. You were never mean, but firm. When I pinned you for the first time up at the mountain and stared into your eyes, a feeling came over me that I didn't quite know what it was then, but after seeing you willing to sacrifice yourself for me, I now know what the feeling is: love. You said that you loved me... and now I know... that I love you Em. You gave up being an Alpha of a pack for me, and your willingness to take the fall for a male who isn't even a Beta... I... I don't even know how to describe how I feel, other than happy knowing that I met you." He smiled, a lone tear running down his face after admitting his feelings towards her.

" I understand, Alpha" was all Em said before slowly limping away. She eyed Mikael carefully, studying him " Of course I love you. If I didnt, I wouldn't have saved your pelt from getting what I just got. I knew it. You dont have to talk about your feelings towards.. me..that will come when I am healed fully and able to help. We will have all the time in the world to talk to each other, but for right now. I have to go help hunter with whatever he needs done. "

She nuzzled him before going off to take a long awaited nap before going to help Hunter with what ever he needed of her.

" You needed me, Alpha?" she asked an hour later, still waking up from her nap.

"Yes I do. Clay needs to spend time working on his den so he can make potions and stuff like that, so for now you will be helping Makayla with her pups, not only because they are being an absolute pawful for her to handle, but this should allow you to recover from the punishment. Do whatever Makayla says, understood?" Em nodded and she walked over to Makayla, who was watching over her pups as they wrestled with each other. Hunter walked over to Mikael and told him that he would be joining Daria on a hunt and Daria would lead the hunt. Mikael nodded and he walked over to Daria to talk to her about the hunt while Em settled into helping Makayla with her rambunctious pups.

Em wasnt the motherly type. Even though she had three pups of her own. But she might as well have been. She layed down, watching them play. " Not to rough, guys. Be gentle."

There were times where she had to seperate them from each other because of a fight or two starting " Enough of that. No fighting. " Em had to get help from Mikayla ever now and then. " Mikayla.. am I doing any of this right? I know its stupid question.. I never had to dea; with pups like this. I have three of my own but they can handle them selves." she looked at the female and sat up, now the pups climbing on top of Em, biting her tail and ears.

She snarled at them to get off her. I miss my little ones now. I may never see them again after what happened last night. She thought as she cuddled around herself, now just watching Mikayla and how she handled them " Im sorry if im not doing alot, Mikayla, just memories are haunting me now and I cant handle it."

Makayla could see the sadness in her eyes as Em reminisced about her own pups, feeling a pang of sympathy for her as she watched over her young ones. I want to feel bad for her, but... she did fall for another male that wasn't her mate so... Makayla had to look away from Em so she wouldn't see the heartbreak painted on Em's face. But... why? Did her mate mistreat her or something? Why would she want to pursue another male? She left those questions alone and continued tending to her pups as Mikael went on his hunt with Daria. It was strange this time around, with Mikael being led by Daria, as Mikael preferred to lead the hunt, but with everything that happened recently, Mikael wasn't going to be in a position of power anytime soon.