She wasn't prepared for the force behind my pull. Raven crashed to the cobblestones, a thin line of blood welling where the chain had scraped across her skin.

I hadn't planned to cause a scene in the market-den.

But seeing my daughter's belongings displayed so boldly around this she-wolf's throat—I couldn't swallow that insult down.

I held up the necklace for the gathered pack members to see, my voice cutting through the murmuring crowd. "There's an engraving on this. My pup Seren's initials, marked in the old script!"

"You and Kael can expect a summons from the pack tribunal!"

The words had barely left my mouth when something slammed into me from behind.

I lost my footing. The necklace was wrenched from my grip.

Kael's voice exploded above me: "Who the hell said those are your pup's initials?!"

I was on the ground. My knees had landed on scattered shards of broken pottery—pain shot through me, sharp enough to steal my breath.

I looked up, my wolf snarling beneath my skin.

Kael had Raven cradled protectively against his chest, his body curved around her in a shielding stance. And behind him stood Morwen, his mother, holding an infant wrapped in ceremonial swaddling in her arms.

So that was Kael's illegitimate pup.

When I'd whelped Seren, Morwen had claimed she wasn't experienced enough to assist with the birthing. Said she'd rather hire an expensive nursemaid from the healer's circle than risk harming my daughter with her inexpert hands.

Now I understood the truth. She simply preferred male heirs to carry the Ashvale name.

Before I could process any of it, Kael turned to face me fully. The disgust burning in his amber eyes hit me like a physical blow.

"Lyra!" His lip curled back, revealing the sharp points of his canines. "Are you done with your little breakdown? Then get out of here. Stop harassing my mate!"

Mate?

Kael was publicly acknowledging his affair? Claiming this she-wolf as his bonded before the entire pack?

He didn't wait for my reaction. He turned back to Raven, gently refastening the moon-gold chain around her throat, his gaze soft with concern as he smoothed her disheveled hair. "Sweetheart, are you hurt anywhere?"

"You just whelped—you can't let yourself get upset like this. Does your belly pain you?"