Before he could react,Elara spoke lightly,dismissing her past.“That was during the last moon cycle.But I have been following Alpha Thorne’s command for a while now,and I have become too comfortable.Now that you mention it,perhaps I should seek a more challenging assignment in a different Pack.”
With just a few words,Elara had expertly deflected the focus and steered the conversation toward neutral Pack trade topics,and the atmosphere became lively again.
Hearing her mention leaving—not just the Den,but his direct command—Ryder suddenly felt an unfamiliar,deep uneasiness.
He forced a stiff,practiced smile.“Beta Vance is highly valuable.I would suffer a severe loss to the Pack if she chose a different territory.”
Someone else asked,trying to fill the quiet void,“Why did Alpha Thorne not bring his Claimed Mate tonight?Your Claiming ceremony was so low-key…”
Ryder responded vaguely,“She is preoccupied with Pack matters.”
The guests wisely changed the topic.No one questioned why Lyra,who had no official standing with the Thorne Clan,was standing in the Mate's place.While Ryder was caught up in the mandatory Alpha drinking rituals with the other Clan leaders,Lyra suddenly approached Elara.
She smiled innocently,her voice like soft velvet.“Sister-in-law…Oh,I—I mean,Elara.I sensed from my Alpha that you and Ryder already signed the decree for severance,is that correct?”
Elara looked at the she-wolf pretending innocence and calmly replied,“Yes.”
Lyra let out a visible sigh of relieved acceptance,her smile growing more natural.“That is good…I thought you still felt a bond of devotion toward my Alpha.”
As soon as Lyra finished speaking,she acted as if she had revealed a forbidden truth.She shook her head,nervously twisting the hem of her expensive human dress like a shy little pup.
But Elara could clearly see the hidden satisfaction burning in her eyes.
“Really,Lyra?”Elara asked,setting down her drinking horn,a faint,dangerous smile forming on her lips.“It certainly took you a long time to cease your scent marking.”
Lyra had not anticipated Elara’s inner wolf to remain so calmly subdued.A flicker of surprise—or perhaps disappointment—crossed her eyes.Slowly,she began to believe that perhaps Elara truly no longer carried any deep scent of devotion for Ryder.