"The wolfsbane's already taken effect. It's too late. Be good. Once Sable gives birth to the legitimate heir, we can have another pup."
I seized his hand and held on with everything I had. "Caelan, listen to me. I am a princess. Princess Seraphina Silvercrest. Go get the healer. Save this pup."
But he thought I was lying. He wrenched his hand free, anger flashing across his face.
"You've truly disappointed me. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. This is the Silvercrest Dominion's capital territory, not your little borderland den. One wrong word here can cost you your head."
He flicked his cloak and stormed out.
"A pup loss won't kill you. Look after yourself."
I watched his retreating figure until it disappeared. Every last shred of hope in me went with it. Deep in my chest, my wolf went silent. Not howling, not keening. Just silent, as though the part of her that knew how to make sound had been cut away.
I curled into the corner, the pain splitting me open. I could feel it, every moment of it, the pup slipping away from my body.
The pup I had longed for day and night, killed by its own father on the very first day he learned of its existence.