Bond Rejected at the Tribute Gala

I looked into her eyes.

"If someone hurt me, what would you do?"

"Would you still protect me like you swore in our bond-vows—no matter the cost, even if it meant your life?"

Aurora's hands trembled as she reached for a cloth to wipe my tears.

She didn't hesitate. Just nodded, fierce and certain.

"Anything, Alaric. Whatever you need—just say it. I'll make it happen."

I held her gaze. Those eyes, so earnest. So sincere.

"Really?"

"Then I want you to kill Rowan."

Her head snapped up. She stared at me, frozen.

"What did you just say?"

Panic flickered across her face. "Did something happen? Did you misunderstand something?"

She was terrified I'd caught on.

Her whole body went rigid.

"After the pack territory was seized, Rowan left his position as liaison and crossed the sea to another territory. I haven't had any contact with him in three years."

"Did he come after you during your sanction? If he did, I swear I'll make him pay—"

I caught her wrist. Let out a soft laugh.

"I'm kidding."

"Taking a pack member's life without elder approval carries blood-debt, you know."

"You just finished serving your outcast sentence. How could I bear to see you marked again?"

"I was just teasing."

I turned away to grab something, keeping my expression hidden.

She couldn't see my face. Couldn't see what was really there.

She thought it was just a joke. I heard her exhale—relief bleeding out of her.

"Alaric, I'm sorry."

"These three years... you've suffered so much."

I didn't turn around.

But in my heart, I thought:

It's fine.

Your reckoning is coming.

After Aurora's public disgrace ended, I started making frequent trips to the Den-Healers' Hall.

The healer pulled me aside, her voice low. "Are you really not going to tell your bonded mate?"

"This isn't some minor wound. Your mate has a right to know what's happening to your body."

I shook my head, smiling faintly.

"Let's leave it. I don't want her to know. And I don't want treatment anymore."

Aurora was lurking in the stone corridor, catching fragments of the conversation through the walls. But not enough to piece together.

When I walked out, she was waiting.

"How did it go?" Concern painted her features. "What did the healer say?"

I smiled and shook my head, about to answer—

When a courier stone in her pocket hummed with Rowan's scent-sealed message.

"Aurora, I've got way too much sweet-root wine at my den. Come help me finish it?"

"Oh, and I had a silk robe made for you. Want to come try it on?"

"Sure. I'm on my way."

Her lips curved upward—just slightly—as she replied, voice perfectly calm.

She thought I hadn't heard. Covered the stone with her palm and turned to me, expression serious.

"Alaric, remember that alliance pact I mentioned? I'm going to discuss it now. If it works out, we might actually restore our standing in the territory."

I stared into Aurora's eyes.

When she'd claimed me as her mate, those same eyes had been filled with sincerity.

Now they held that same sincerity.

But the lies spilling from her lips? She didn't even blink.

My gaze must have unnerved her. She started to fidget, nearly tripping over her own composure.

"Alaric, are you... is something wrong?"

"Go ahead."

"If you can turn things around, you won't have to worry about those rogue enforcers anymore."

Those rogue enforcers—every single one of them sent by Aurora herself.

They'd cornered me in that dead-end passage between the outer dens.

Stripped our dwelling of anything worth taking.

Most days, I went three days between meals. When the hunger became unbearable, I'd drink from the well until my stomach stopped screaming.

Aurora let out a breath of relief, grabbed her cloak, and walked out.

I watched her retreating figure. Felt my gaze turn cold.

I thought about last night—waking up in tears, asking Aurora—