Sure enough,Ryder had completely forgotten his promise to collect her.In the background,Lyra’s melodic laughter was clear as day.Yet,Ryder still lied calmly.“I am finalizing a business contract.If the matter is not critical,perhaps we can discuss it once I return to the Keep?”
Elara’s voice was gentle as she delivered the final blow.“It is of no consequence,Ryder.I merely needed to confirm your current Pack location.”
After hanging up,she opened the calendar on her comm-link.
Lyra’s official severance cooling-off period had one cycle left.Elara’s own Separation Decree would take effect in fifteen cycles.Soon.There was no need for Elara to feel the pain of his betrayal anymore.
When Elara opened the gate to the Blackwood Keep,she almost thought she had entered the wrong territory.The Den,which held the scent of her five-year-long,secret Claim,had been completely contaminated.It was a raw,visceral shock to her Fated Mate senses.
She had packed most of her personal human belongings before leaving the Healer's den,but it was clear that Lyra had taken advantage of her absence to remove even more of Elara’s residual scent markers.