Three years ago, I had a fight with my father and fled the Silvercrest Den in a fit of anger, determined to chase my dream of a quiet life far from the pack.
I shook off every one of his scouts along the way, masking my scent with crushed moonroot and bitter sage until not even the sharpest tracker could follow. I settled at the foot of this mountain, deep in the borderlands where rank and bloodline meant nothing.
That was when I met Caelan Blackthorn. He was on horseback, his cloak whipping in the wind, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. One look was all it took. I fell for him completely.
I hid my identity from him, and he told me only that he was a lone wolf roaming the territories. We exchanged vows beneath the open sky, with the Moon Goddess and the wild earth as our witnesses.
We had no ceremonial furs or pack feasts, but we had each other. He hunted the forests while I kept our den, and we were happy.
Now the den was destroyed, and I was locked away in a side chamber of the Blackthorn estate.
The only glimpse of the outside world I could steal was through a crack in the wall.
A few women passing by were whispering about the Blackthorn mating ceremony.
"Did you hear? The young Alpha heir petitioned the Supreme Alpha himself for the mating rites. He traded his military honors for the Silvercrest Moonstone Circlet, the one reserved for Alpha-blooded brides!"
"Well, his intended mate is the Grand Advisor's legitimate daughter. She deserves that kind of ceremony."
"They're perfectly matched in rank. What a striking pair they'll make."
The Moonstone Circlet they spoke of had been my favorite treasure in the Silvercrest Den. I'd never worn it only because I hadn't yet come of age for a mating ceremony, so my father never bestowed it on me.
On my own mating night with Caelan, the only thing on my head had been a wreath of wildflowers he'd woven with his own hands.
He'd said to me then: "My Seraphina deserves the finest things in this world. Even a pack princess's circlet wouldn't be too good for you."
And now he had traded his military honors to give that very circlet to Sable Ashveil.
That evening, Caelan came carrying a whole box of my favorite pastries.
He sat across from me, his expression perfectly composed. "Eat something. The pup must be hungry."
Only then did I pick up a piece and take small, careful bites.