I didn’t talk to Slyra for a couple of day. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t. I’ve always known what was required of me. What I never expected was how difficult it would be to look into Slyra’s eyes and watch the light within them dim because of my choices.
I found her in the east wing, staring out over the territory that stretched beyond our lands—the territory that would soon be joined with ours through my union with Lady Elene. Slyra’s slender fingers traced patterns on the window glass, her reflection fragmenting as clouds passed over the moon outside.
“We need to talk,” I said, closing the door behind me with a decisive click.
She didn’t turn immediately, her shoulders tensing at the sound of my voice. “Now you want to talk? After walking out on me and announcing your decision to the entire pack without so much as a warning to me?”
“Like I told you, it wasn’t personal, Slyra.”
That got her attention. She whirled around, eyes flashing with something dangerous—something that reminded me why I’d chosen her in the first place, before politics and duty had stripped away what was between us.
“Not personal?” Her laugh was hollow, devoid of any warmth. “You’re taking a second mate, Rovan. How is that not personal?”
I kept my expression neutral, even as something twisted uncomfortably in my chest. This was why I’d avoided this conversation—why I’d let the announcement speak for itself.
“It’s about the pack,” I said, my voice deliberately cold. “Everything I do is about ensuring our survival, our strength.”
“And I’m what? A liability?” She stepped closer, the scent of her anger sharp in the air between us. “Tell me, Alpha, what exactly have I done to endanger the mighty Blackmaw Pack?”
“This isn’t about what you’ve done. It’s about what needs to be done now.”
“And that’s Lady Elene?” Slyra’s voice cracked slightly on the name. “That’s your solution?”
I moved to the window, looking out at the territories that had been under Blackmaw protection for generations. “The Redfang Pack controls the northern hunting grounds. Their alliance with the eastern packs gives them leverage we can’t ignore.”
“So this is politics?” Slyra pressed. “A strategic move on the territorial chessboard?”
“It’s survival,” I growled, turning back to her. “The council elders have been clear. Our position is weakening. Three neighboring packs have formed alliances that exclude us. The hunting has been poor for two seasons. We need this union.”
Slyra crossed her arms, her eyes never leaving mine. “And our union? What was that? A mistake to be corrected?”
“Don’t twist my words.”
“Then give me straight ones!” Her voice rose, edged with desperation. “Why her? Why now? Is it because I’m a nobody? Because I don’t have the right bloodline? Is that why I’m being cast aside like yesterday’s scraps?”
The accusation hung in the air between us. There was truth in her words—truth I wasn’t prepared to acknowledge, not even to myself.
“You’re overreacting,” I said instead, falling back on dismissal. “Your position as Luna remains. This changes nothing between us.”
“Changes nothing?” Slyra stepped forward, close enough that I could see the unshed tears brightening her eyes. “You’ll take another woman to your bed, give her my title, my place beside you, and you claim nothing changes?”
I held my ground, refusing to back away from her pain. “The pack needs this alliance. The pack needs Lady Elene.”
“And what about what I need?” The first tear spilled over, tracking down her cheek. “What about what you promised me when you made me your Luna?”
Something inside me cracked at the sight of her tears, but I couldn’t afford weakness. Not now. Not with everything at stake.
“We all make sacrifices,” I said, hardening my voice. “Being Alpha means understanding that personal desires must sometimes bow to greater necessities.”
“And what necessity demands that you humiliate me before the entire pack?” More tears followed the first, though she made no move to wipe them away. “What necessity requires that your mother and sister treat me like dirt beneath their boots while you stand by and do nothing?”
“I told them to stop,” I snapped, the memory of their cruelty toward her igniting a flare of anger I quickly suppressed.
“Only because they were making a scene,” Slyra countered. “Not because you cared how their words cut me.”
I turned away, unable to face the truth reflecting in her eyes. “This conversation isn’t productive.”
“Of course not,” she said bitterly. “Productivity is sharing your mate with another woman without complaint, isn’t it? Being the perfect, silent Luna who accepts whatever scraps of attention you deign to throw her way.”
“Enough!” The word came out harsher than I intended, rippling with Alpha command.
Slyra flinched, then lifted her chin in defiance. “You can command the wolf, Rovan, but the woman won’t be silenced so easily.”
I moved toward the door, needing to escape before I said something I couldn’t take back. “We’ll discuss this when you’re calmer.”
“When will it happen?” Her question stopped me with my hand on the doorknob.
“When will what happen?”
“The mating ceremony,” she clarified, her voice suddenly steady despite the tears still shining on her cheeks. “When will you bind yourself to Lady Elene?”
I hesitated, knowing my answer would only cause her more pain. “Tomorrow night. Under the waxing moon.”
“Tomorrow?” The word was barely a whisper.
“The council insisted,” I replied, though it was only partly true. I had pushed for speed as well, wanting to solidify the alliance before the next full moon. Before I could lose my nerve.
Slyra was silent for so long I thought she might not respond. When she finally spoke, her voice held something that sent a chill down my spine despite the warmth of the room.
“Wait and see what happens tomorrow, then.”
I turned, searching her face for the meaning behind her words. “Is that a threat, Slyra?”
She met my gaze steadily, all traces of tears gone. “Take it however you wish, Alpha.”
I found myself retreating, unsettled by the calm determination that had replaced her earlier anguish.
“Tomorrow will be… challenging for us all,” I said finally, pulling the door open.
I didn’t wait for her response. I couldn’t bear to see the pain I’d caused reflected in her eyes any longer. As I strode down the hallway, putting distance between us, her words echoed in my mind.
Wait and see what happens tomorrow, then.
