It was only in that moment that I truly understood.

I'd grown up alongside Fenris too. Childhood companions, people might have called us. Our packs had been allied since before we could walk.

But I could never compete with that—with a bond forged from sharing the same den, the same meals, the same everything. The scent of home woven into every memory.

The Fenris who had always kept his distance with me, always maintained that careful restraint, always treating our mating bond like nothing more than a territorial arrangement—that same Alpha showered Aurora with unconditional devotion and fierce protection.

I had realized it far too late.

I had to shatter completely before I could admit it was time to sever the bond.

"Lyra." She lifted her head suddenly, her pale eyes carrying a cautious, probing gleam. "Do you think it's... strange? The way I feel about Fenris?"

I watched her in silence.

Her scheming lacked any real subtlety. Her possessiveness over Fenris was almost embarrassingly obvious, her scent spiking with it whenever she spoke his name.

She had even said these things directly to me—his bonded mate, at least by oath.

But I found myself smiling.

Playing along, I kept my voice gentle. "It's not strange. I think Fenris cares about you very much too."

"Then, Lyra..." Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, her scent turning sweet with anticipation. "Would you give him up for me?"

I looked into those eyes brimming with expectation. My tone stayed flat. "Maybe."

I did not mention that I was already preparing for Bond Rejection.

I was not about to hand her any certainties ahead of time.

But she seemed thoroughly satisfied with my vague answer. A smile spread across her face—almost triumphant—as if Fenris were already within her grasp, as if she could already feel his claiming bite on her throat.

On the journey back to the estate, Aurora slept soundly in the back of the carriage, her breathing soft and even.

Fenris glanced at me through the reflection in the window glass, his voice low and apologetic. "Sweetheart, next time I'll definitely announce our bond to the pack."

I just smiled softly. "It's fine. We have an arranged bond. I understand."

Something flickered in his golden eyes when he saw how calm I was. A thread of unease he could not quite name, his wolf stirring beneath his skin.

"A week at most," he added quickly. "I'll have everything sorted out with the Pack Council."