Not long after, Riven saw Sorenna in the hallway. His gaze darkened.
“What are you doing here?” he asked coolly.
“Alpha Riven,” she said in a humble tone, “it’s my first pregnancy… and I heard Luna Freya has experience giving birth. I came to seek her advice…”
“After all, it’s my first time carrying a pup,” she said sweetly, stroking her still-flat belly with an exaggerated tenderness meant to draw every eye.
“My mate didn’t want pups yet—said it would ruin my form. I’m still deciding whether to keep it.” Her sigh floated like perfume, soft and poisonous.
Kael’s golden wolf eyes grew huge. “Sorenna, I want a baby sister to play with!” he blurted, tail swishing in excitement.
Sorenna laughed behind her hand, demure and wicked all at once. “Then you must guard her well when she’s born. Don’t be certain… unworthy females torment her.”
She glanced sideways at Freya, letting the implication drip like venom.
Kael nodded earnestly, oblivious, but Freya felt the barb sink straight into her bones. A slow chill crept into her voice. “Luna Freya isn’t well. You should take your leave now.”