Fenris wanted to bring home a decorative mate, a bond in name only.
Every noble-blooded daughter in Aurelia was his for the choosing.
Why did he insist on clinging to me?
Was it simply because the Blackthorns had fallen far enough to be bullied?
Too bad for him. He'd miscalculated.
The summons for the Alpha Supreme Heir's Luna Selection arrived, just as I'd expected.
My mother rose before dawn to help me dress.
The ceremonial robes were elaborate, the moonstone circlet heavy on my head.
She steadied my shoulders, her eyes rimmed red. "Seraphina, whatever happens, selected or not, your father and I and every last member of this pack will stand behind you."
A sharp ache bloomed in my chest. I nodded. My wolf pressed close from the inside, quiet and warm, the way she always did when the hurt ran too deep for sound.
The carriage bound for the Moonhold Citadel had been waiting outside the territory gate for some time.
After saying goodbye to my parents and my sister, I climbed in alone.
Then, outside the Eastern Palace of Moonhold Citadel, I ran into Fenris Vargr.
He was helping Ravenna down from an obsidian carriage.
His gaze was indulgent, almost tender. "I've delivered you safely. Satisfied now?"