Kael Nightfall crashed while retrieving my territory vehicle. Fractured tibia.
By the time I reached the pack's healing wing, a girl with swollen, tear-streaked eyes was shrieking at me:
"Who do you think you are, making the Beta-Commander fetch your vehicle? If you hadn't been too lazy to go yourself, he never would've gotten hurt!"
"Do you have any idea that the Beta-Commander fractured his leg? That he bruised his ribs?"
Her tone dripped with self-righteousness—like she was scolding a lower-ranked wolf who'd stepped out of line.
It wasn't just me. Every packmate and bloodline relative who'd come to visit Kael stood frozen, staring.
Kael shot her an indulgent glance, then turned to placate me:
"She's just protective of those she serves. Speaks her mind a little too freely. Don't take it personally."
His heart hadn't been with me for a long time. Of course I wouldn't take it personally.
I studied the weeping girl with detached calm, my wolf senses picking up the bitter edge of her scent beneath the tears. I waited until she'd exhausted herself into silence.
"Finished? Good. My turn."
"This is the second time your trade outpost has made this kind of amateur mistake. Either you give me a satisfactory explanation, or you can deal with the Pack Enforcers and Blackwood Territory's oath-keepers."
1.
The color drained from her face. She turned to the male in the healing bed, eyes pleading.
Kael's expression flickered.
"Selene Blackwood, it was my mistake. She had nothing to do with it. I've already handled the incident."
"Your mistake?" I arched an eyebrow and looked straight at him. "How bad is it?"
Kael cleared his throat. "I'm fine. Just the fracture and a mild concussion. You don't need to—"
I cut him off.
"I was asking about the vehicle."
The girl flinched at my coldness, her voice pitching higher:
"The Beta-Commander is in the healing wing and all you care about is the vehicle? Do you even have a heart?"
"You must be Lyra Frostveil."
I folded my arms, unhurried, my face blank. My Alpha presence settled around me like a second skin.
"First—that vehicle is worth eighteen million in pack resources. A prized status mount. One of twelve in existence across all territories."
"Second—Kael Nightfall is my bonded mate. Bound by blood oath. Him retrieving my vehicle is hardly unusual."
"Third..."
I paused, letting my gaze drop to where her fingers were clenched around the fabric of Kael's healing gown.
"You're just some Omega the Nightfall Pack sponsored once. So what exactly gives you the right to stand here and interrogate me?"
Lyra's face flushed scarlet. She released his gown instinctively, but couldn't stop herself from protesting:
"I—I just feel bad for the Beta-Commander!"
"You could've retrieved the vehicle yourself, but you made him go all that way. Now something's happened and you can't even pretend to care—"
I glanced at the message from Arin on my communication device. A cold smile curved my lips.
"Save some of that sympathy for yourself."
"The damage assessment just came in. Repair costs are estimated at over three million in pack resources. Direct transfer or physical payment?"
Lyra's knees buckled. She swayed, then glared at me with stubborn, wounded fury:
"Th-three million? That's extortion!"
Her gaze slid toward Kael, helpless and imploring.
"Beta-Commander..."
Kael pushed himself upright, wincing as the movement pulled at his injuries. He pressed his fingers to his brow.
"Selene, she's barely finished her training. Still young. Where would she get three million? Don't scare her."
"I'm the one who made the mistake. I'll pay for it."
Lyra's eyes lit up. The corner of her mouth curled with barely concealed triumph.
I looked at him, my voice dripping with mockery:
"How chivalrous of you, Beta-Commander. Wasn't buying her an entire trade outpost from pack funds generous enough?"
Kael clearly hadn't expected me to know about that. His expression froze.
Lyra lost every trace of her earlier bravado. She bit her lip.
"Selene... if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't blame the Beta-Commander. He only helped me because he felt sorry for me."
Kael sighed and waved her toward the door.
"This has nothing to do with you. Return to your den."
Lyra kept her head down as she shuffled toward the exit, glancing back every few steps. She'd just reached the doorway when she suddenly turned and hurried back.
