Alden laughed, clearly pleased. “Good. Then, while you are away, we can travel to Bloodmoon Territory.”
Bloodmoon Territory. My breath caught. That land had been my dream territory for cycles, yet they always claimed it was wasteful.
“Yes,” Draven added casually. “The healer has cleared Selene to travel next moon. We will make the journey.”
“Without me?” I asked, though my wolf already knew.
Alden smiled and I did not return it. “Do not worry, Luna. We will send you a gift for the ceremony. Perhaps garments. Now rest. We must escort Selene to her next healer visit.”
And just like that, the Alpha and Beta turned away again.
I said nothing. I only nodded and closed the chamber door behind them. So this was my place now, a silent presence in another wolf’s life.
Fine. Let them believe I remained. I would leave quietly, vanish without sound. No one would notice and when they did… regret would follow. I only needed time.
Later that afternoon, I finally left my chamber and entered the manor’s hearth room, craving warmth. Soup, perhaps. Something real, not prepared for show.
As I opened the cold storage and began slicing roots, I heard it, a soft step behind me.
I turned slowly.