After Ravenna moved in, Alaric practically glued himself to her side.
And me? I stopped expecting anything from him the moment I saw the truth.
One night, as I walked downstairs to get some water, I heard her voice through the slightly open door of the guest chamber.
"Alaric," she cooed, "I heard that Ancestral Moonfang Token from your bloodline works really well. The pup's been keeping me up at night… could I borrow it for a while?"
The token wasn't just a piece of jewelry. It was a Blackthorn heirloom, forged under a blood moon and blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. A symbol that whoever wore it was the rightful Luna of Blackthorn Den. Alaric had given it to me on the night of our mating ceremony, clasped it around my neck himself. He said it would be mine forever, because there would never be another Luna of Blackthorn.
His voice pulled me out of the memory.
Through the gap in the door, I saw him press a gentle kiss to her cheek and smile. "Of course. I'll ask her for it. You can wear it as long as you want, at least until the pup is born."
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.
I couldn't even remember his exact promise anymore, but it didn't matter. Because clearly, neither could he.
I took a step back, but the floor creaked under my foot. Alaric opened the door and found me standing there. He looked startled. Guilty, even. He stepped outside, pulled the door shut behind him, and led me to a corner of the hallway. His scent, cedar and cold iron and storm ozone, pressed close in the narrow space, but underneath it clung something else. Night jasmine. Copper. Her.
"Selene… you heard that, didn't you?" he asked hesitantly.
I didn't say anything.
He hesitated again before speaking. "Ravenna's been having trouble sleeping. Do you think you could let her borrow the token for a bit?"
I nodded slowly, but at that moment, a sharp pain twisted through my side. I winced and swallowed it down.
"I'll give it to her, but on one condition."
Alaric's face lit up like I'd just handed him the moon. He stepped toward me, ready to wrap me in a hug, but I took a step back before he could touch me.
Ravenna's scent was all over him, that cloying night jasmine threaded through with copper and wet ash. It made me want to gag. Somewhere deep in my chest, my wolf curled away from it, pressing herself small against the far wall of my ribs.
"I'm glad you're finally coming around," he said with a relieved smile. "Once Ravenna has the pup, I'll give it back. Don't worry. Your place in this pack isn't going anywhere."
So he did remember what the token stood for.
"I don't care if she never gives it back," I said quietly. "I just need you to sign this."
I turned and walked upstairs.
A minute later, I came back down with the Bond Severance Writ in hand, already flipped to the page where his signature was needed.
"There's no need to be upset," he said softly, like he was trying to soothe me. "Ravenna's not going to keep it forever. Like I said, I'll return it once she has the pup."
He signed the writ without even glancing at it.
As soon as I held the signed Bond Severance Writ in my hands, the storm inside me quieted. I never expected it would be this easy. My wolf lay still for the first time in days, not relieved exactly, but no longer fighting.
Alaric gave me a small smile. "I know I haven't been there for you these past few moon cycles. Go ahead and buy whatever you want. I'll take care of the bill."
So that's why he was so quick to sign. He thought this was just me angling for a shopping spree.
I unclasped the Moonfang Token from around my neck and handed it to him, expressionless. The metal was still warm from my skin, and for an instant I felt the faintest hum leave it, like something old recognizing it was being let go.
For a moment, he hesitated. But eventually, he took it and held it tight.
"Don't worry. Once the pup's born, it'll be yours again," he repeated, like he needed to convince himself.
But I didn't care anymore.
"She can wear it for as long as she wants," I said flatly.
Overcome with emotion, Alaric pulled me into a hug. I pushed him off immediately, but he didn't seem to mind. He turned and walked straight back into Ravenna's room.
A second later, I heard her squealing with joy.
I just stood there, staring out the window. The moon hung low and waning, half-swallowed by cloud.
Tomorrow was the day I'd leave. And this time, I wouldn't hesitate.
