In the final cycle before the severance was legally binding,Ryder had been occupying Lyra’s new Den,assisting her with settling into her claimed territory,believing he would placate Elara once all the logistical distractions were handled.
Meanwhile,Elara spent her time with her parents.Looking at the white streaks in her Father’s coat and the lines of stress around her mother’s eyes,a sharp realization hit her.
Elara had been the eldest daughter of the Vance Clan,groomed for high-status alliances since pup-hood.But for one male wolf,she had relinquished her Pack status and had willingly submitted to a subordinate role,enduring his blatant neglect.She had been a fool to the Mating bond.
Since her decision was now cemented in stone,Elara did not return to the Blackwood Keep,the territory she had shared with Ryder.Instead,she moved back to the Vance Clan Den.She systematically packed up all the scent-marked gifts,Claim trophies,and even the smallest human items Ryder had given her,sending them back to his Den.