Calla's POV
I walked to the living room after sending the fifth maid away. I was of no use to him. Disobeying would only make things worse.
Their laughter reached me before I touched the door. Happy, easy, unbothered. I paused in the doorway.
They were all there. A perfect, glowing picture.
Gladys sat at the head of the table. Luna Delia was beside him, her dress a striking emerald. Briar looked radiant in pale silk. Jasper sat close to her, a drink already in hand. Elara was beside Gladys, one hand intertwined in his, the other working through the steak on her plate. Something low at her throat caught the dim light.
He gave it to her. It was never for me.
Gladys's gaze found mine and the smile on his lips froze. He took a napkin, wiped his mouth, adjusted in his seat. The others followed his stillness and noticed me.
"You finally came."
I stepped in without a word. Every gaze settled on me.
"I told you it wasn't a big deal," Elara said softly. "There's no need to apologize, Callie. You only wanted to prove yourself. Come join us."
My jaw pressed tight.
"You are so sweet," Luna Delia said. Then her gaze snapped to mine. Sharp and cold. "You heard your Luna."
My chest tightened. I looked at the table. Steak, roasted ribs, venison, grilled chicken, blood sausage, seared liver, bone marrow, thick meat stew. I swallowed and moved. Not away. Closer. To the empty seat beside Briar. I sat and I ate and I said nothing.
"You didn't have to," Gladys murmured to Elara. I didn't look up.
"Come on. It's the least I can do after hitting her like that." A pause. "And after you severed your mate bond for me."
I reminded myself to breathe. This was her plan. She wanted me to act out, then play generous. I swallowed the chicken in my throat and washed it down with water.
Briar stood. Her mother followed. "I've lost my appetite," Luna Delia said, and they left together.
Gladys cleared his throat. "The Lycan King is dead. His son has opened the kingdom gates to werewolves for the first time in history. The coronation is tomorrow. Aura Pack has been invited."
I said nothing. They were finally getting acknowledgment.
"We'll be attending. You'll remain here and tend to the pack. Not being Luna doesn't mean you slack off. It's time you made things easier for Elara."
My fingers tightened around the fork. Our eyes met for one brief second before his shifted to her.
She softened her expression. "I'm sorry, Callie. I want to host the coronation and Gladys would help me make the case, so we'd have to go together. Tending to the pack is my job as Luna."
I finally met her gaze. She looked expectant, waiting for a crack. I forced a smile. "The Alpha of Blackbridge Pack could help with that."
"It's no secret he's been unstable since his Luna left," Jasper said. "Besides, this is an opportunity for Aura Pack. If we meet Apex Blood, explore trade, it could mean a great deal. You don't want to hinder that, do you?"
I drank water and let it settle.
"I have somewhere to be."
Gladys raised a brow. "Where?"
"The Luminary Pack. I haven't completed my treatment."
He rolled his eyes. "Missing a day won't kill you. You're strong enough now."
I pushed back from the chair and stood.
"I'll be the judge of that."
"Don't you dare walk out on me." His voice filled the room. I held Elara's gaze. Her lips curved upward.
"Gladys—"
"Alpha. Alpha Gladys." He corrected.
I let out a slow breath.
"Alpha Gladys. I need to go for treatment. The portal stays strong only if I stay strong. Without that, everything collapses."
His eyes locked on mine, cold, then looked away. "Fine. Make it quick. Be back before we return."
My jaw tightened. I nodded and left.
My back pressed against the door as it closed behind me. The ache in my chest burned, but not the way I expected.
He doesn't care.
Neither do I.
I reached for the scroll and buried it under the pillow.
He's not done yet.
The door opened. He stepped in. "You don't have anything going on with Derata's younger brother, do you?"
I looked up into his green eyes. The ones I had always searched for warmth.
"Why do you care?"
His brows lifted. "What?"
I took a step forward.
"Why. Do. You. Care. We are nothing to each other now. Not even mates. So whatever I do is none of your concern."
His fingers curled.
"I don't care. I won't have you taint the name of this pack—"
"And parading Elara does what for it exactly? Beautify it?"
He looked at me like he wasn't sure I was the one speaking.
"I am the life of this pack. Anything happens to me, the demons will smear the name you care so much about with blood until it ceases to exist." I paused. "Leave. You don't want Elara getting the wrong impression."
He shut the door and closed the distance between us. "The bond has not been fully severed; you cannot have anything to do with anyone."
"Yet." I added. "But it's my choice. Elara is not a thing, is she?"
His lips parted.
"Gladys?" Elara's voice drifted through the door. "The carriage is here."
He held my gaze a moment longer. Then he left.
I breathed out, slowly. For the first time, it didn't hurt. It felt like something lifting off my chest instead.
A few seconds later, carriage wheels crunched on the gravel below. I went to the window.
Gladys guided Elara outside, his hand resting lightly on her waist as he helped her up the step. She paused before stepping inside and looked up. Right at my window.
A small smile curled on her lips. Pure taunt.
He climbed in after her. He never glanced my way. The Beta and guards followed. The carriage rolled off toward the Lycan Kingdom.
Silence filled my room. I stepped back from the window.
Then movement again below.
Derata was walking into the courtyard. She waved up at me.
A sharp breath of relief left me. I hurried outside. She pulled me into a quick hug, laughing easily, and something in me loosened at the sound. Ever since Kellan went missing, her smiles had been rare. They had been lovers. In his absence I had managed to become her closest friend, and her older brother Aedric had taken the mantle of Alpha without him.
"Guess what?" she said, mischief already at the corner of her lips.
My brows arched. "What?"
"We are going to the Lycan Kingdom and you are coming with us."
I pulled back slightly. "Why are you going?"
"You didn't hear? Apex opened the gates to werewolves. Anyone who can host the coronation can apply. Thousands have submitted, but Aedric secured a meeting." She leaned closer. "I'm going. He's coming. Our carriage is just outside." Her voice dropped, grinning. "Come see Apex Blood with me. They say he's strange. They say he's handsome. What do you think?"
My thoughts went still.
The same destination as Gladys. The same chance.
I turned back toward my empty chamber. Would he recognize me? What exactly did I say that night?
"Let's go," I said. The only way to find out would be asking.
Derata's grin widened. She grabbed my wrist and we hurried out.
Two carriages waited in the lane. Alpha Aedric and the Beta of Luminary Pack sat in the first. When they saw me, I gave a respectful bow. Aedric smiled and nodded back.
Luminary Pack had bled heavily in the old wars. Aedric was one of the few who knew my true identity and still honored it. He had served beside my father before a bad knee injury ended his fighting days early.
I stepped into the second carriage with Derata. She settled beside me, eyes bright, as the wheels began to roll.
We were heading to the Lycan Kingdom.