Chapter 2

The walk home is short.

When I push through the door, the smell of stew hits me first.

Ronan gets to me before I've taken two steps inside. Voice low.

"So? What are you going to do?"

Dad and Mom both look up from the table.

I hang my coat on the hook by the door.

"Nothing."

Dad slams his mug down.

"Eight years with the future Alpha, and you couldn't even hold onto him at the Ceremony? How do you let something like this happen?"

I don't answer.

I learned a long time ago — all he does is point fingers. He never stands up for me. Never once took my side.

Maybe because Meadow is the daughter of his old flame. Anything involving that family, he bends over backward. Every single time.

This time, none of it is my fault.

Mom opens her mouth. All she does is push a bowl of stew closer to me.

She's never had a spine. Whatever Dad and Ronan say goes.

I smile — thin and knowing. I stopped expecting her to speak up for me a long time ago.

As long as she's safe. That's enough.

Who I end up with doesn't matter anymore.

I've barely sat down when there's a knock at the door.

Ronan opens it. Kellan and Flynn walk in side by side.

Meadow is right behind them.

She steps inside and her whole face lights up when she sees my father. "I came to join dinner — is that okay?"

Dad beams. "Of course. Sit down, sit down." He pulls out a chair for her himself.

By pack law, Kellan and Meadow are Moon-blessed.

As for me — I didn't accept Garrick's claim. I didn't reject it either. To everyone at this table, that's not worth discussing.

Meadow sits next to Kellan. He sets a cut of venison on her plate, then seems to remember I exist and drops something onto mine.

"Briar. Eat."

I look down.

Root vegetables. Overcooked, the way I've hated since I was a pup.

He found his true mate tonight and he's so happy he can't even remember what I don't eat?

Ronan starts cracking jokes.

"Did you see that rogue at the Ceremony? Garrick Thane actually showed up. What she-wolf would ever accept him?"

Flynn jumps in. "No pack, no rank. Been on our territory less than three moons. And every mate he's ever had? Dead."

Dad takes a slow sip from his mug.

"The Goddess chose Kellan and Meadow. You can't fight the Goddess's will."

"Meadow and her mother have had it hard enough. Nobody is going to force them to reject a Moon-given bond."

He glances at Kellan. "The Moon Blessing would be held in two days. After that, things will settle. Briar will figure it out."

Mom's eyes go red. She stares down at her plate.

I'm about to tell her not to worry when Kellan takes my hand.

His voice is patient. Almost rehearsed.

"Briar, nobody wanted this. I didn't expect my wolf to respond to Meadow."

"But nothing changes between us, okay? You're still mine."

I take a sip of stew.

"Okay."

He blinks.

I never give in this fast. Before, I'd push back — make him coax me, reassure me, say it again.

But he blinks once, and his hand slips out of mine. Quick. Relieved. Like setting down something heavy he'd been dreading.

"Meadow, you alright?"

Her cheeks flush. "My mom made me join the Ceremony. I didn't have a choice either. I'm just glad it was you — at least you're someone I know."

"I'll go along with whatever you all decide."

They start planning. The bonding ceremony. The feast. The pack howl.

Like this was always the plan.

I finish eating in silence and set down my bowl. "You all keep talking. I'm done."

The chair scrapes the floor. The table goes quiet for a beat.

As I walk away, I hear Meadow whisper, "Is she upset?"

Kellan, calm and sure: "Don't overthink it. Briar's not the sensitive type. Probably just tired."

I slow for half a step.

Tired.

So that's what it means now. It explains away everything — every last thing I've swallowed.

And everyone at that table sleeps just fine.