Chapter 5

I recognized that frostbite salve.

Kain had bought it for Sara a few days ago.

She'd complained about the harsh smell and tossed it on a table.

Kain soothingly coaxed her.

"My mistake. Tomorrow, I'll get you the Elven jade cream instead."

And now, Sara's trash was his "merciful gift" to me.

He actually thought I'd be grateful.

He thought I'd still swallow any poison for a drop of his sweetness.

"Just leave it there."

But Finn didn't move.

His eyes darted toward me.

"Our Alpha also wanted to know..."

"Know what?"

"He asked why you aren't wearing the moon-laurel crown he sent. He said he designed it himself, and he was sure you would love it."

I closed my eyes, hiding the bitter irony.

That crown was loaded with tacky, colored crystals.

It wasn't my style at all.

It was what Sara wanted.

She'd casually remarked.

"Something that flashy would suit your sister."

He took her words as gospel and forced it on me.

"Go back and tell your Alpha," I said, my eyes snapping open.

"I threw it away on the road here."

Finn's head shot up, his face a mask of disbelief.

"Threw... threw it away?"

"Off a cliff. I enjoyed the sound it made."

Finn scrambled out of the room like he'd seen a ghost.

Silence fell once more.

Draven was just watching me.

"You didn't actually throw it away."

I stiffened but didn't deny it.

"So why lie to him?"

"Because I don't want to owe him anything. That crown, and everything else he ever gave me... I had it all sent back to the Crescent Clan's storerooms."

Draven didn't press further.

He tossed a heavy, black wolf-pelt cloak over my shoulders.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow, you return to your clan for the homecoming rites."