Over the next few days, Emma slowly adjusted to her new life.
High Luna Alexandra visited often, not as a royal figure, but as another mother who understood what Emma was experiencing. She sat with Emma during feeding times, answered her questions, and reminded her that every mother learned through experience.
Emily also stopped by regularly to help. She showed Emma small tricks she had learned while caring for Bryan at the healing den, from recognizing his different cries to making sure Emma rested whenever she could.
"You don't have to do everything alone," Emily told her.
Emma looked down at Bryan sleeping peacefully in her arms.
"I spent my whole life preparing to become a mate to Brandon Oliver. I never realized preparing to become a mother would be the hardest part."
Emily smiled.
"That's because being a mother is not about being perfect. It's about learning from your pup every day."
