Chapter 2

The thirty-minute drive felt like an eternity.

The snowy landscape blurred in and out of focus.

As their car pulled into view, I took a deep breath.

I had to crush the rage boiling inside me.

Kane rushed over the second he was out of the car.

He wrapped my frozen hands in his, warming them against his skin.

Then, he pulled a warm stone pouch wrapped in animal skins from his coat, still radiating heat.

"My poor Luna, waiting out in the cold. The wind turned your eyes red."

Behind him, Lyra's expression faltered at his words.

But the moment I looked at her, her eyes were bright with joy again.

She stepped forward, tying a handmade fur scarf around my neck.

"Sorry, Elara! I promise I won't dawdle at the market next time."

I smiled and took a step back, avoiding her touch.

"It's fine. Let's just get back to the tribe."

"Good thing the trading post was still open," Lyra added.

"We almost missed getting Solstice gifts for the elders."

Kane shot her an annoyed look.

"Oh, please. You say that every year. You're better with the elders. Always finding out what they need, stealing my credit. We even bought the same enchanted massage stones this time…"

Lyra always seemed so carefree, but she could be incredibly thoughtful.

Her parents died in a tribe war years ago.

My own mother and father raised her like a daughter.

She always said she was my sister.

She scoffed, turning back to Kane.

"Enough chatter. Don't let my sister freeze."

Kane put his arm around my waist, pulling me close.

He opened the passenger side door for me.

I saw the familiar leather armor on the seat.

Next to it was a matching warm stone pouch.

What truly turned my stomach was the smell.

Their scents, tangled together, clinging to him.

And the barely-hidden swelling on both of their lips.

I snapped back to reality.

Lyra was heading for the back seat.

My hand shot out, grabbing her arm before she could get in.

I needed to switch places with her.

"Lyra, I'm tired. The back is bigger. I want to sleep."

She nodded instantly, grabbing a soft fur blanket for me.

She even fluffed up a pillow.

During the drive, she looked at Kane in the rearview mirror.

"So, have you two set an exact time for the bonding ceremony?"