When the assisted conception rite finally worked—when the healer confirmed the pup's heartbeat—he was even happier than I was, howling his joy to the moon.
I'd been naive enough to think our devotion had moved the Moon Goddess herself.
Turns out I was just stupid enough to walk right into someone else's trap.
I pushed away the spoon he held to my lips.
"Kael." I met his eyes, searching for any flicker of his wolf. "What if there was interference during the conception rite? I want to get it verified through a bloodline test."
His spoon froze mid-motion. Something flickered across his face—guilt, maybe, or the shadow of his wolf retreating.
"My moon, you've been reading too many old pack tales. That's impossible. A healer-den that established, with blood-craft that precise? They don't make those kinds of errors."
"But I'm scared. I asked around—the Blood-Scribe can perform a sire-line verification even now. Please, Kael. Let's just do it."
He set down the bowl, anxiety flashing in his amber eyes.
"Selene. I'm worried the ritual might strain you or the pup. Trust me—there's no way they made a mistake."
He pleaded with me, patient and earnest, his hand covering mine. But I wouldn't budge.
His pack-link pulsed with an incoming call. He glanced at the source.
"Selene, there's an issue with the border patrols. Let me handle this real quick."
He disappeared into the bathing chamber and turned on the water flow.
The rushing water drowned out his hushed conversation through the private link.
Five minutes later, he emerged—brow smooth, tension gone from his shoulders.
"Selene, if you're really that worried, then let's do it. I'll send word to the Blood-Scribe right now."
"Really? But you just said—"
Kael cut me off with a gentle squeeze of my hand. "Selene, I love this pup. But I love you more. If you have doubts, we verify the bloodline. Once you're at peace, the pup can grow strong and healthy."
Something nagged at me, a warning instinct deep in my bones. What had changed his mind so suddenly?
On the way to the healer-den, I found my answer in that mark-thread.
[The barren she-wolf suddenly wants a sire-line verification. Did she actually see this mark-thread?]
[Whatever. Let her test all she wants. One little blood-rite report won't be a problem for me to handle.]
My claws threatened to break through my fingernails as I gripped my communication stone, pressing my lips together in silence.