Chapter 4

Something flickers across Killian's face. Gone in a second.

His voice goes flat. Cold. "She's too young. No rush to find her a mate."

Vanessa laughs. "You don't know how a she-wolf's mind works. Caleb and Cara are alike — both gentle, both kind. His pack is a little small, sure, but that means no politics either." She looks at me. "Besides, Cara likes him."

I nod fast. Anything to make Killian stop looking at me like that.

"Caleb is great. He made me a rabbit toy on the first day."

Killian says nothing.

His eyes are dark. Unreadable.

But he'd never get mad at Vanessa.

That stare is terrifying. I slip back to my room before he can say another word.

Behind me, Vanessa's voice floats through the door. "Are you upset with me?" A little pout in it. Playful. "It's my fault. I should've told you first. Punish me if you want. I can take it."

I can't help it. I glance back.

Killian's mouth curves, just barely. He leans down and says something low. Vanessa swats his arm, blushing.

Last life, watching this would've torn me apart. Jealousy, bitterness, all of it crashing over me like a wave.

This time — nothing.

Good enough.

The honey cakes never made it out.

Killian sent word: giving gifts in private is what loose she-wolves do. It shames the pack. His pack doesn't need that kind of embarrassment.

Last life, after I became his mate, that's the word he used most. Loose. Shameless.

If it weren't for my father, he'd never have taken me.

He hated that I couldn't read. Hated that I wasn't smart enough.

Three days after our mating ceremony, he brought in a tutor. History. Math. Everything, crammed into my skull until my head was splitting.

Every night he tested me. Every wrong answer — his hand came down. Hard. The pain shot from my palm through my whole body.

"Cara. Again."

His face like stone.

I was so scared I passed out.

When I woke up, the tutor was gone. Killian never brought it up again.

"Cara, you're the dumbest wolf I've ever met." He stared at my bloody palms, mouth full of ugly words. "What the hell did your father teach you? How did you turn out like this?"

But then he took my hands, one at a time, and dabbed medicine on them. Gentle. Careful.

Light through the window on his lowered brow.

That was Killian. Always like that. Hit you, then patch you up.

Like training a dog.

That night I couldn't sleep. Killian's face kept snarling through my dreams. I woke up drenched in cold sweat.

But none of it happened. Not this time.

The ceremony is getting close. The pack house is busier every day.

Caleb keeps sending little things. He's not a talker, but he makes you feel safe. I write him back every time.

The dark cloud from the last few days starts to lift.

Until a servant from Caleb's pack delivers a message.

"Beta Caleb says he's been reassigned to a pack down south. Leaving today. He wants to know if you'd go with him. If you're willing, he'll meet you at the south gate."

I go quiet.

Before I can answer, one of Vanessa's maids rushes in.

"Miss! The Luna-to-be broke out in a rash — her whole body — please come quick!"

My stomach drops. I run.

It's an allergic reaction. Someone put hazelnut in the morning porridge.

I tell the maids to boil herb water and wash her down. After one round, the rash fades. Vanessa falls asleep, exhausted.

I pick up the basin and head out.

A tall shadow blocks the doorway.

"What's wrong — your perfect little mate gets taken away, so now you're walking around with a face like a corpse?"