Kryden’s lips curled in mockery. “Quit baring your fangs at me like you want to devour me. If you can pay, then pay and leave.”
A wolf nearby scoffed. “Pay? She couldn’t cover that total even if her life hung on it.”
“The dishes, the rare moon-wine already opened — she couldn’t even dare look at the amount owed.”
“She’s been living off Alpha Ridgefern’s resources all this time, without him, she’s nothing.”
As if determined to strip me of every last shred of dignity, Kryden rose with a frosty chuckle, his sharp eyes scanning the entire chamber.
“Any wolf who steps in to aid Arielle stands against me — and against the Ridgefern Clan.”
Everyone knew the Ridgefern Clan ruled the wealthiest territory in Moonspire Courtlands. No one would risk becoming Kryden’s enemy.
A few trade allies I had once shared friendly hunts with started to stand, clearly intending to help.
But the moment they heard his threat, they dropped back into their seats, eyes lowered, afraid he might notice their hesitation.
“See? Alpha Ridgefern isn’t joking.”
“He’s guarding that little aide harder than he ever guarded his own Luna.”
“Right? I thought, perhaps he was just angry before, but this? This is real.”
“After such a warning, who would dare help her?”
I couldn’t hold back. I lunged forward and caught his arm.
“Kryden, you’d really drag me through the dirt for that plotting little vixen?”
He curled his lip and struck me across the face.
The crack echoed through the dining tavern.
“Yes.”
I faced him again, stunned, hardly able to accept what he had just done.
Three cycles bound as mates. Across the territories, we were known as the perfect pair. He was the one who chased after me when I first came to Moonspire Courtlands.
At our mating ceremony, he vowed before the Moon Goddess — that he would stay loyal for life, that he would love me until his last breath.
And now? Only three cycles later, every vow, every splendid memory, shattered by his cruelty.
Just as the whispers used to say: If you enter a powerful clan with nothing but beauty, and you’ll never earn true respect. The moment a younger, prettier, and more ambitious she-wolf appears, your place is gone.
However, Kryden never realized. When I joined the Ridgefern Clan, it wasn’t for status or wealth.
I chose him because I loved him.
He met my reddened eyes, then pulled out a napkin and turned aside, wiping the hand that struck me as if ridding himself of contamination.
“You knew I favored her, yet you chose to humiliate her.”
“Arielle, if you can't pay what you owe, I’ll order the the dining tavern manager to tear that gown from you and throw you out into the streets.”
The chamber exploded with murmurs and cruel laughter. The gathered wolves stared at me, their expressions dripping with scorn and predatory curiosity.
“Alpha Ridgefern is really going all the way — making his own Luna run out bare for the new favorite.”
“Unbelievable.”
“She won’t be Luna for much longer. After tonight, she’ll be nothing.”
“Quiet — I want to see how this ends.”
The older merchant wolves watched with open amusement.
“Let’s see if she’s as impressive as her pride suggests.”
My face burned hotter than fire.
Before we left the den, Kryden had taken my own moon-credit sigil without warning.
I had only the elegant dress on my body. I had no means to pay.
And my crystal communicator was out of power.
Then I knew, Kryden had set this up perfectly.
“It’s getting late, Arielle. They’re waiting for you to pay so they can close.”
