Riven stilled, startled, then his expression gentled. He took her cool hands in both of his.
“How could you ever be unpleasant? You always carry the scent of my moon-mate.” His thumb brushed her knuckles. “I could never despise you.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it softly.
Kael squealed, covering his eyes dramatically. “Ewww, so mushy!”
But he wriggled closer, looping his arms around Freya’s arm. “Then I’ll keep Mommy warm too!”
Outside the glass wall, passing pack members slowed, catching a glimpse of what looked like a perfect Alpha family—the strong Alpha, the gentle Luna, their bright cub.
Eyes shimmered with envy.
But the illusion cracked the moment Riven’s crystal comms chimed.
He glanced at it. Freya caught a flicker of the contact name before the screen dimmed, “My Darling.”
A tiny, sharp silence fell.
Riven rose abruptly, smoothing his expression into something neutral. “Freya, the council summoned me.” His voice was practiced, steady. “I’ll bring back your favorite lunar pastries.”
He ruffled Kael’s hair. “Be a strong little wolf. Protect Mommy.”
“I want to go with Daddy!” Kael whined, reaching for him.
Riven hesitated, torn for a breath. “Maybe I should bring him—”
“Go,” Freya interrupted, calm and deceptively steady. “Take him. It’ll be easier for me.”
Riven blinked, surprised, but didn’t push. He lifted Kael into his arms and headed for the door. Just before stepping out, he paused, glancing back.
The dusk-light seeped through the enchanted windows, washing Freya in muted silver. She looked fragile. Drained. Almost fading.
And she didn’t look at him—not once. Her gaze stayed fixed on the barren horizon beyond the Corvath Pack’s borders, as though she were bracing herself against something only she could see.
Hours passed.
No council summons came. No report. No pastries.
Instead, a crystal comms chimed beside her bed.
A message from Sorenna.
The screen flickered to life—revealing Kael in a lavish den, crumbs smeared across his cheeks as he laughed and played with shiny toys clearly not his.
Behind him, Sorenna lounged with a satisfied gleam in her eyes.
“I love Sorenna the most!” Kael chirped, giggling.
The video ended.
An audio file began.
A man’s voice—husky, low, breathless with desire—echoed through the quiet chamber.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say I could do anything I wanted? Regretting it now?”