Chapter 4

Riven settled their pup into the den-bed, then slipped beneath the covers and—out of habit—draped an arm around Freya’s waist.

“You seem troubled tonight,” he murmured softly. “An anniversary isn’t about the date. It’s about who you spend it with.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he thought of the surprise he was saving.

On her upcoming moon-birthday, he planned to unveil a new brand under the Corvath trade banners—one named after her, “Freya.”

He’d reveal it in a week. He wanted it to be perfect.

Freya stayed silent, afraid that if she spoke even a word, her voice, raw and trembling, would betray every secret fracture in her heart.

She lay stiff in his hold and gave only a faint, muffled sound of acknowledgment.

By the time Riven thought to say more, he noticed she had already drifted off. Kael, worn out from playing, slept soundly curled against her.

Then Riven’s crystal-crystal comms lit up.

It was Sorenna.

He slowly slid his arm from beneath Freya’s neck and turned away from her before opening the message—guilt guiding his movements.

The moment Sorenna’s image appeared, wearing little more than silver moon-silks, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

Her text followed, [Alpha, want to come out and play tonight?]

Just as he prepared to decline, a video call flashed across the screen.

“Are you sure you’re not coming?” Sorenna purred. “Winterfest is approaching. I could grant you a wish… perhaps as a Winter Fairy who gives you anything you desire.”

Riven’s pulse surged.

She always knew how to pull him in. But tonight was his wedding anniversary. Sneaking off to meet another she-wolf at this hour would be crossing a line—even for him.

And yet…

As Freya slept quietly beside him, Sorenna slowly peeled off the final layer of moon-silk. Riven’s restraint frayed thread by thread.

He rose from the bed, convincing himself this would be the last time before Freya’s birthday. Just once more. Just tonight.

But the moment he reached for his coat, Freya stirred awake.

Their eyes met.

Riven steadied himself and forced an easy smile. “Urgent matter at the Alpha Court. Did I wake you?”

He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, as though he were the model of a loving mate. Without waiting for her reply, he grabbed his coat and left.

The door slammed shut. Silence swallowed the chamber.

Kael jolted awake, rubbing his eyes.

When he realized Riven was gone, he whispered drowsily, “Daddy’s sneaking out to meet Sorenna again… next time I’ll try to follow.”

Freya froze.

Her heart cracked, splinter by splinter, as her gaze fell upon her young pup.

Realizing what he had just revealed, Kael clapped a hand over his mouth and hugged her tightly.

“Mother… Daddy must be working,” he murmured, trying to comfort her. “But I’ll stay with you. I’ll never leave.”

Even so, regret flickered in his golden eyes.

Freya said nothing. She didn’t stroke his hair or tell him he was a good pup, as she once would. She only pulled the blankets over him and stared blankly at the ceiling.

When the sound of Riven’s carriage echoed from below, she curled into herself, covering her ears.

Maybe if she blocked out the noise, maybe she could pretend he truly was working and not wrapped around another she-wolf.

Riven never returned that night. Nor the next morning.

As Freya sat for breakfast, her crystal-comms chimed with a message.

[I instructed Jane to prepare warming chicken broth for you. Make sure to drink some. Let the nanny take Kael to pup school. You should rest more and avoid tiring yourself.]

Riven had arranged every detail of her day, the perfect image of a caring mate.