It was exactly this kind of "small work" that had kept me buried in the chaos of howling council chambers, sorting through endless scent-marked scrolls and territory reports just so he could grasp the key points in the shortest time possible.
And in his eyes, all of it was unnecessary.
Selene handed over the council minutes, her nervousness bleeding into her scent.
Fenris flipped through a few pages, his frown deepening with each one.
After Selene retreated from the den chamber, he turned to me, his tone intimate and casual. "You still know me best. The new Omega's summaries are way too cluttered."
He was clearly waiting for me to do what I'd always done—take the documents and reorganize them myself.
But I just smiled faintly. "Give the new pack member some time. She'll adjust."
He froze for a moment, as if he hadn't expected that response. A flicker of discomfort crossed his face before his expression smoothed back to normal.
Just then, his message-sigil flared with light.
I caught a glimpse of it without meaning to—an invitation to a mating celebration from his closest ally, with a note specifically requesting he bring a companion.
"Want me to come with you?" My voice was soft, carrying a hint of something almost imperceptible.
His expression turned complicated in an instant.
He reached out and pulled me into his arms, his voice gentle and indulgent. "That kind of gathering isn't really your scene. Just a bunch of high-born pups showing off their bloodlines. I'd hate to put you through that."
I gently pulled away from the embrace, keeping my tone even. "Actually, I have plans tonight too. I need to go out."
Sensing my words had come off a bit cold, I added, "Come back to the den early."
He visibly relaxed, pressing a light kiss to my cheek. "You're so thoughtful, sweetheart. Next time there's something more formal, I'll definitely bring you. Let everyone meet you properly."
I looked at the sincerity on his face and almost laughed.
Five years. This was the first time in five years he'd ever mentioned making our bond public.
And it happened to be right when I'd already decided to leave.
I turned toward the chamber door, my back to him. "Sure. Next time."
The moment the door clicked shut, I knew.
That "next time" would never come.
And I was right.
Just as I'd predicted, his companion that night was Aurora.
The celebration grounds glittered with moonstone lanterns, honeyed mead flowing freely.
Aurora wore an exquisite white ceremonial gown, her arm linked through his as all eyes followed them. Her cheeks were flushed, and she kept leaning into him, drawing good-natured teasing from the gathered wolves.
"Aurora's gotten so beautiful."
"I know, right? She and Fenris look perfect together."
Everyone tactfully avoided mentioning their former pack-sibling bond.
After all, Aurora had no blood ties to the Duskmoor pack now. To outsiders, they were just an ordinary courting pair.
After the celebration ended, a tipsy Aurora sat in the carriage seat beside him, her fingers restlessly tugging at his sleeve, her voice thick with mead and grievance.
"Fenris... I really can't go back to that guest lodge... Can I stay at your keep until the bond dissolution waiting period is over?"
His hands tightened on the reins.
Logic told him to refuse.
It would be hard to explain to me, and if things blew up, the pack elders might find out.
But looking at her reddened eyes and flushed cheeks, he found himself steering toward the Alpha's keep as if possessed.
It wasn't until he reached the front entrance that he saw something he hadn't expected.
I was standing at the threshold, talking to Kael Thornhart.
Kael was a well-known high-born heir in their circles, but he'd refused to inherit his family's territory and become a Pack Advocate instead, specializing in bond-law.
We each held a document in our hands.
Fenris's heart lurched. He steadied Aurora and strode toward us.
