Chapter 2

Flora's words made the ache in Kael's expression deepen.

He drew Flora against his side protectively and looked at me over her head. "Lyra," he said. "Flora has asked you herself. Is that not enough?"

"She's right — you're pure-blooded, and you're the granddaughter of the Moonguard Alpha. You won't be taken by the Decree. Your father and grandfather will arrange something. Wait half a year. Once Flora is past her deadline, I'll come for you and bond with you properly."

"It's only a little time. Can you really not wait?"

My eyes stung. The truth was — I couldn't.

It didn't matter that my father was the Guardian Clan's Alpha Lord. It didn't matter that my grandfather led the Moonguard.

The Moon Decree was issued by the Great Wolf King himself. Who dared defy it?

My father and grandfather might be powerful. But no power was greater than the Crown.

And then there was the divine mandate that sat in our clan's sacred chamber — the one I had been trying not to think about.

If I reached my eighteenth moon-year without a bond-promise secured, I would be sent to the Crown Wolf's palace as the mate of the Wolf Prince.

The Prince was gravely ill — consumed by the Moon Sickness, a curse that devoured its host from the inside out. Going to the palace would be no honor.

It would be a slow walk toward becoming a widow before I had truly been a wife.

When the mandate had first arrived at our gates, I had not been afraid.

Because I had known Kael would bond with me.

I had never imagined this.

I kept my expression still, my voice soft as I looked at Kael. I let the smallest crack show in my eyes. "Will you truly not reconsider? You've chosen Flora — and every promise we made to each other means nothing now?"

Kael smiled — gentle, certain of himself. "It means everything. I told you. Half a year. Once Flora is past this, we'll formalize our bond-promise again. The mate of the Dawnfang Heir will only ever be you, Lyra."

I closed my eyes.

It was done. Whatever had lived in my chest — it was gone now.

Flora tucked herself against Kael's arm and looked up at the lunar silver ornament pinned in my hair, her eyes soft with deliberate longing.

"Sister, the Heir said he'll come to present bonding gifts in three days. Could you lend me that moonsilver ornament? The one you're wearing?"

"You know I don't have anything grand enough to mark the occasion properly. If I look unworthy, it reflects on the whole Silverstone household."

"And we wouldn't want anyone saying Sister couldn't be gracious to her half-sister, would we?"

That ornament had been left to me by my mother. It was part of my bonding inheritance.

Flora knew exactly what it was. She was asking anyway.

I had no patience left for pretending. "Flora," I said evenly. "I cannot give you this piece. I will ask Father to send to the Moonstone Vault to have something new chosen for you."

Flora's eyes reddened. "But this one matches my ceremony gown so perfectly. I'd only borrow it for the day — I'd return it after. Is that truly not allowed?"

"Sister, I know you're unhappy that the heir chose me. But I really do love this piece. Won't you let me?"

Kael's expression shifted toward displeasure as he looked at me. "Lyra, you're being small-hearted. It's an ornament. If she likes it, give it to her. I'll have the Moonstone Vault send you two pieces as a replacement."

Three days from now was the day they would formalize their bond.

Three days from now was also the day I would be leaving for the Crown Wolf's palace.

That ornament was coming with me. My mother had made me promise she would see it on me at my bonding ceremony.

I would not let anyone take that.

"Flora," I said quietly, "if you know something doesn't belong to you, you should not want it."

Kael's brow furrowed and his voice sharpened. "Enough, Lyra. Choosing Flora was my decision. Blame me if you must. Why are you making this about the sisters?"

I stepped back. My voice went cold and clear.

"Heir Dawnfang — since you have chosen Flora, you are now my sister's future mate. Please conduct yourself accordingly. You should not be speaking to your mate's elder sister in that tone."

"If you want to shower her with gifts from the Moonstone Vault, that is entirely your affair. But as for my possessions — Flora, hear me clearly — not a single one of them is yours to touch."