Ember returned to her chamber and looked out the window, lost in thoughts about her family. If what Rhian said is true, that means they don't really hate me. It's all because of the old king. Would it be alright for me to listen to him and meet my family just once? I'm not sure what to do.

As she looked up at the sky, she noticed patrolling eagles in the distance. She was suddenly reminded of something. Morpheus' nest!

She hurried to her study and entered the gallery, only to see something amazing—something beyond just that gigantic tree.

A huge cottage had been built on the massive branches of the tree. It was beautiful, and she couldn't wait to step inside. Morpheus had even built a few stairs and a bridge that connected the gallery to the cottage.

It was clear he had built it so Ember could enter the nest on her own.

He was supposed to show me the nest, but he's busy, so it should be alright to enter without him being with me.

She walked ahead and stepped onto the stairs that crossed over the balcony railing and led to the bridge.

As she stepped on it, she realized it was sturdy and even had railings on both sides, so she could walk safely without any trouble.

He really put so much thought into building this, considering me. But he always acts like he doesn't care about these things.

She couldn't wait to explore the nest and hurried ahead.

The bridge ended right at the entrance of the huge, circular-shaped cottage. It had a floor, railing around the border, a slanted ceiling, and no walls—just a gigantic, well-structured nest.

As she walked inside, she saw that it was divided into several areas: a sitting area, a wooden bed with a mattress, wall shelves, a cooking space—everything one would need.

At the far end, there was a small square-shaped structure that looked like a tiny room. It was a bath.

Ember sighed. Thankfully, they put a wall around the bath. I heard only females use this bath, while males just fly off and dive into the river. That means they don't really bathe—they just enjoy themselves in the water. They don't even need a change of clothes. Their magical garments appear and disappear on their own. If only I had such a luxury—I wouldn't have to spend so much time getting ready, Ember chuckled. The beast world is really different.

Ember went to the bed and sat on it. In his previous nest, he had a makeshift bed of hay with animal hide covering it. But this one… this is more like something humans would use. Is it for me? Definitely. I'm sure he's not used to sleeping on a bed like this. Even in his cave, he sleeps on a makeshift bed—and I can tell he loves it.

She noticed there were folded curtains along the circular, slanted ceiling of the nest, tied up neatly with ropes. With a simple tug on the rope, they would fall down, covering the nest like walls.

It feels good—open and airy—and one can just use these curtains when needed, she thought, and then suddenly realized something.

She stepped out of the nest, back onto the bridge, and looked up to see if she could catch a glimpse of another nest at the top of the tree. But her view was obstructed by the thick branches, and it was too high up to see clearly.

She bent down slightly on one side of the bridge to try and get a better look, leaning just a little too far—so much that she almost lost her footing.

"Ah—!"

Before she could fall, a pair of hands caught her.

"You just can't stop putting yourself in harm's way, can you?" a man's displeased voice reached her.

She opened her eyes to see the man—Morpheus.

"I was just trying to look at the top of the tree…"

He made her stand firmly on her feet and said, "Can't you wait? Or have you started thinking you've grown a pair of wings after becoming my mate?"

She realized he was clearly displeased and said, "I apologize. I wanted to call for you, but then I thought you must be busy dealing with human matters."

"I was. But if you plan to harm yourself by being careless, you can—and should—call for me," he said, and before she could reply, he lifted her.

In the next instant, she was already at the nest at the top of the tree.

When he settled her down, all she could do was be surprised like a little girl. The view from up here was even more breathtaking.

"I don't have wings, so I won't be able to come here whenever I want."

"You can just call me for that."

"Okay!"

As she looked around, she said, "Morph."

"Hmm?"

She didn't turn to look at him, feeling a little shy about what she was going to say.

"There's a night of the full moon soon. Will you take me to the Full Moon Festival? I heard it's in the Wolf Clan this time."

Her heart raced as she asked him. Indirectly, she was asking him to mate with her.

"Draven can take you there like always," he replied.

She still didn't dare look at him and said, "I was hoping this time it would be you. It would be our first time attending the festival as mates."

"This festival happens every month. There's nothing special about it," Morpheus replied without a moment's delay, his gaze fixed far away on the sky.

She understood he didn't want to go with her and didn't speak for a while. An unsettling silence surrounded them. Tex^t# ac^qui-r@e^d+ f@ro+m M|-V$|@L.EMP&YR..%

Morpheus could feel her emotions, but what could he do? Full moon night—that was the most dangerous time for him to be with her.

"Can you take me back?" he heard her ask, her voice low.

Morpheus hummed and walked over to her. She still didn't look at him. He lifted her in his arms and flew down the tree.

Once they reached the balcony of the study, he gently set her down.

"Umm… that's a good nest. I liked it. You worked hard," she said, breaking the awkwardness and trying to suppress the sadness she found herself feeling in that moment.

"I'm glad you liked it," he replied, his gaze searching her face, trying to read her emotions.

"I'll go inside then," she said and turned to leave without even waiting a moment.

He watched her walk away, knowing full well that he had disappointed her.

With Draven by her side, she should be alright soon. She doesn't need anyone else, he told himself.

With that thought, he steeled his heart—and flew away.