The Demon Goddess He Betrayed A Heart's Final Sacrifice

"Ah, so it's the Dawnveil Alpha's little pup. I was wondering who dared."

"I understand you're grieving, but there's no need to forge a false spirit wolf and impersonate the Primordial She-Wolf just to cause a scene."

He waved his hand with casual dismissal, his tone edged with impatience. "Enough. Considering your filial devotion, I'll let today's antics slide."

"Dismiss that fake spirit wolf of yours into the Soulfire Pit."

"Then go find Lord Yunhe at the Sovereign Grounds, pick whatever celestial rank catches your fancy, and stay out of trouble from now on."

With that, Fenris wrapped his arm around Elara's shoulders and turned to leave.

I reached out and locked my fingers around Elara's wrist. My voice was ice. "What's the rush?"

"I don't want your celestial rank. I want you to return my master's Wolf Core."

"Then come back with me and keep him company in his grave."

Both Fenris and Elara froze.

Rosalind was the first to recover.

Eager to prove herself, she charged over and slapped me across the face, snarling, "Lynara, you ungrateful wretch!"

"The Supreme Alpha lets you off and you push your luck?!"

"Apologize to the Supreme Alpha and his mate this instant, or I'll deal with you myself!"

I looked at Rosalind, cold and unblinking, and let my voice drop lower.

"Senior packmate. Everyone who has ever laid a hand on me is dead. My mate is the only exception."

Rosalind's brow furrowed. She spat, "Lynara, have you lost your mind?"

"You've never even been bonded. Where did this 'mate' come from?"

"That's enough. Apologize now and stop this lunatic act!"

But before the last word left her lips, Rosalind crumpled to the ground like a rag doll. The bones in all four of her limbs snapped at once, twisting her arms and legs at grotesque angles. The scent of overripe berries and hot brass flooded sour with pain.

She stared up at me in horror. "Lynara, what kind of dark power is this?"

"Let me go! You're killing a ranked wolf in front of the Supreme Alpha himself. Do you have a death wish?!"

I didn't spare her another glance. My grip tightened on Elara's wrist, and my voice stayed flat. "Are you going to tear the Wolf Core out yourself and hand it over, or do you need me to do it for you?"

Elara's face went white as parchment. She turned instinctively to Fenris for help. The thin, borrowed scent of violet and cold stone on her skin curdled with fear beneath my fingers.

Only then did Fenris snap out of his stupor.

His expression hardened. Killing intent flooded his gaze. The air around him thickened, that cold iron undercurrent in his scent bleeding through the white cedar and sunlit marble until every wolf present felt the pressure settle against their chests like a hand pressing down.

"Girl. Crippling someone without lifting a finger. Your dominance is impressive, I'll grant you that."

"But no matter how convincing the act, you are not the Primordial She-Wolf."

"You don't have the power to face me."

"So I'll give you two choices. End your own life, or wait for me to scatter your soul into oblivion."

I looked at Fenris with something close to pity, and let every syllable land.

"Mate. You've already scattered my soul once."

"Do you really think it would work a second time?"