I looked at the fork. Then I looked at Luvena. She was watching us with quiet satisfaction shining in her eyes.
“I told you I am full,” I said coldly. “You should eat it yourself, Jareth.”
I turned and walked out of the kitchen.
“Shara,” he called behind me, his voice sharp with warning. But I did not stop. I just went straight to the study.
The only room in the mansion protected by strong signal wards. I locked the door.
My hands trembled as I took out my crystal communicator and dialed a number I had not called since the day of my mating ceremony.
The call rang twice.
“Ashara?” a deep voice answered. “This is surprising enough. It has been many years, right?”
“Uncle Marcellus,” I said calmly. The tears were gone now. “Do you still remember your offer? The one about managing the overseas pack branch in Silverhowl City?”
There was a pause for a moment before then I continued, “Please begin the transfer. Then arrange the documents and a sky journey for me. I am leaving the pack as soon as possible.”
I decided to go to the pack’s business tower.
Aside from being Jareth’s mate, I was also an architect who helped design many of the pack’s territories. I told myself I only wanted to deliver the revised plans for the seaside pack settlement.
But deep inside, another instinct pushed me forward.
I needed to see him in his own domain. I needed to know if the corruption I discovered in my home had also poisoned the empire we built together.
I walked through the tall crystal doors of the tower, holding the rolled architectural scrolls like a shield.
Usually, when I arrived, the wolves in the building greeted me warmly. Smiles and respectful nods followed me through the lobby.
But today, everything changed the moment my heels touched the marble floor.
The receptionist, a young she wolf named Celene who normally praised my dresses, froze while typing. Her eyes widened and quickly moved from me to the private elevators and back again.
“Luna Warhowl,” she said nervously, rising halfway from her seat. “We did not expect you today.”
“I came to see Jareth,” I replied, forcing a gentle smile that felt stiff on my face. “Is he in his office?”
“Alpha is in a meeting,” she said quickly.
The lie was obvious. She was terrible at hiding it. Her eyes kept flicking toward the communication crystal on her desk, as if she wanted to warn him.