I met his cold stare with a smile.
"The mountain passes closed."
His expression darkened. I pretended not to notice.
"Everyone, please—eat, drink. Raven, it's been ages since we've crossed paths. I had no idea you'd be here in my den. Tomorrow's the first day of the new moon cycle—how perfect that we can all celebrate together."
The silence that followed was heavy as snowfall. You could've heard a pine needle drop.
Every bite of food turned to ash in my mouth, but I kept eating. I stuffed myself until my stomach ached.
They couldn't take it anymore.
Ronan grabbed my wrist and yanked me up from my seat.
"Fine. Yes. It's exactly what it looks like."
His voice turned sharp. "Lyra, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop with the passive-aggressive act—you're making Raven uncomfortable."
He stepped in front of her, shielding her with his broad shoulders. As if I were the threat.
I hadn't done anything. I'd just eaten dinner.
I looked at my pack-parents. They shifted awkwardly but positioned themselves protectively around Raven too.
Like she was pack.
Like they were the real family here.
My mind replayed what I'd heard before I walked in. They'd called her daughter of the pack.
My throat tightened, but I kept my smile fixed in place as I swept my gaze across all of them.
"Making her uncomfortable? How?"
"I heard Father call her 'daughter of our pack' before I even opened the door. I thought I must have misheard."
"But I didn't, did I? I've been sitting here all this time, and not one of you has said it was a joke."
The older wolves' faces flushed with shame.
Ronan guided Raven to the cushioned bench by the fire, tucking a soft pelt behind her lower back with careful hands.
Then he poured her a steaming cup of chamomile tisane and placed it gently in her palms.
In all our years of bonding, Ronan had never once treated me like that.
I had never been on the receiving end of such tender, meticulous care.
Yet here it was, lavished on another Omega without restraint.
I watched for a moment, then asked casually, as if making small talk, "When did this start?"
Ronan shot me a glance, irritation flickering across his face. "Just say what you mean."
"Fine. When did the two of you start?"
My soul was tearing itself apart, and my voice rose sharply before I could stop it.
Raven's hand jerked. Scalding herbal brew sloshed over the rim.