Freya’s lips curved in a strained smile. “What if this is the only one my heart refuses to yield?”
She had never cared for adornments blessed by the Moon Goddess, but this time she would not retreat.
Riven gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before flicking Kael’s forehead with gentle reprimand.
“In this family, we honor what your mother wants. How could you ask to give away the item she desires?”
He lifted his bidding token once more. In the end, Riven won the Eternal Heart for seventy-five hundred thousand moon credits.
Sorenna’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her eyes shimmered with angry tears as she stormed out of the grand hall.
Riven exhaled deeply, rising as if to chase after her. Before leaving, he bent and pressed a kiss to Freya’s forehead. “I’ll collect the necklace… and get Kael some warm moon-milk on the way.”
Kael, who had been ready to run after his father, paused, turning back to Freya and tugging her hand. He began pestering her for a bedtime tale. It was the old routine, the silent collusion between father and pup.
For years, Riven had used this distraction to slip away unnoticed, giving himself a perfect excuse to indulge in his forbidden appetites under the cover of night.
But a pup was still a pup and Freya uncovered his ploy effortlessly. Feigning the need for fresh air, she excused herself. Kael sensed her mood and didn’t stop her.
She followed Riven’s scent trail through the corridors until it led her to the secluded washchamber hall, where Sorenna stood crying into Riven’s chest.
From behind the stone wall, their voices reached her ears clearly.
“This is your fault!” Sorenna sobbed. “You humiliated me in front of that woman. You clearly care more about her. If I had met you sooner, you never would have mated with her!”
Then her voice sharpened, dripping with jealousy. “The only reason she still holds the Luna title is because the mate bond you two get since puphood.”
Sorenna cried for quite a while. Riven didn’t interrupt—not a word.
And when her sobs finally quieted, he chuckled softly. “Look at you… crying like a newborn wolf pup. What a mess you are.”
His teasing only deepened her pout. She planted her fists on her hips. “I don’t care! Your Luna snatched the treasure I wanted. You owe me tonight!”
The air thickened between them, charged with feral desire.
Riven’s voice dropped to a low growl. “You said it yourself. Don’t beg me to stop later.”