Fenris's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering over the mountains. He stepped forward, his powerful frame blocking her path, dominance radiating from every pore. "Lyra, you have time to concern yourself with someone else's den-seeking?"
"Selene was burned because of you yesterday. There are still red marks scarring her leg." His tone left no room for argument, the Alpha command threading through his words. "You will go to her now and offer your apology. Beg for her forgiveness. Otherwise, forget about borrowing anything—even if you offered tribute, you wouldn't receive a single favor from this pack!"
Without allowing her a chance to respond, he wrapped his arm around Selene's waist and strode into the manor, leaving only his cold, retreating back and the fading scent of cedar and authority.
Lyra caught the flash of triumph in Selene's eyes as she glanced back over her shoulder. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Lyra's lips. She didn't linger. She turned and walked straight to her chambers. The moment the heavy door clicked shut behind her, every ounce of strength seemed to drain from her body like water through sand.
Early the next morning, just as the first pale light crept over the horizon, Lyra rose from her bed. The moment she stepped out of her chambers, the rich aroma of a morning meal drifted from the great hall—Fenris and Selene sat at the long table, the very picture of a mated pair in perfect harmony.
Selene spotted her and deliberately tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. The motion exposed the scattered claiming marks across her throat, some deep purple, others fading to rose. She shot Lyra a provocative look, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Sister, there seemed to be quite a disturbance in the manor last night. I woke up with all these marks on my neck. Should we summon the pack healers to examine them?"
Fenris glanced up at Lyra but said nothing. He simply retrieved an elegant wooden box from the table and held it out to her, gesturing for her to open it.
Lyra hesitated, then reached out and took it. The moment she lifted the lid, a translucent moonstone bracelet came into view. The stone was warm against her fingertips, its color like captured starlight—elegant, refined, clearly worth more than most wolves earned in several seasons.