Chapter 5

"Mom, Dad, I'm home." Her voice dripped with sweetness.

Marcus and Vivian transformed on the spot.

The two people who had barely looked at me moments ago were now beaming, warm and fawning.

Vivian hurried forward. "Melody's back! Are you tired? Hungry?"

Marcus's gaze landed on Kieran, and he straightened immediately. "Alpha Kieran, welcome to Ashford territory. It's an honor to have you."

I stood on the stairs and watched them orbit around Melody and Kieran like planets, performing for an audience.

Kieran's gaze swept the room and landed on me. He frowned, just slightly. "And this is?"

As if he had never seen me before.

Marcus blinked. "Oh — this is my other daughter. Seraphina."

Kieran gave a small nod and said nothing more. He didn't spare me another glance.

Melody smiled. "She's my younger sister. Since Kieran is here, you should stay for dinner, Seraphina."

Her smile was warm and gracious. The triumph in her eyes was completely naked.

At the long dinner table, Melody and Kieran sat on one side. I sat across from them, alone. The odd one out.

The Omega servant Margaret brought out roasted chicken and venison.

Kieran glanced at the plate in front of Melody and frowned slightly.

"You don't like venison." His voice was gentle with concern.

Melody gave him a sweet, slightly put-upon look. "You noticed. But Seraphina loves it, so we've always kept it on the menu."

Without a word, Kieran lifted the venison off her plate and set it aside, then moved the roasted chicken in front of her. It was a gesture so practiced it looked like habit.

Margaret poured white wine. Kieran glanced at it. "Switch to red. She prefers red."

Melody looked at him, her eyes full of warmth. "You remember everything."

I watched this unfold, gripping my knife and fork hard. My heart felt like it was being cut open with a dull blade, slowly.

Vivian smiled pleasantly. "How did you two meet?"

Melody lowered her eyes, a flush rising to her cheeks. "It was during a border patrol. I found Kieran lying in a pool of blood — he'd fallen into a wolfsbane trap. I got to him in time and treated him with moonlight herb."

She looked up at Kieran, her eyes full of devotion. "Otherwise, the outcome would have been unthinkable."

Kieran took her hand. "So I knew she was the one. She saved my life."

Melody's face went pink. She looked like the happiest she-wolf in the world.

I listened to this story and suddenly laughed out loud.

The sound cut through the quiet dining room. Everyone turned to look at me.

Marcus frowned. "Is something funny? Keep your voice down."

I set down my knife and fork and looked at Melody. "You're sure it was you who saved him? With moonlight herb?"

Melody's smile flickered. "Of course it was me. Who else?"

"Melody." I said it simply. "You couldn't tell moonlight herb from wolfsbane when we were children. Remember my pet rabbit? The one that died because you fed it the wrong plant."

"So when did you suddenly learn to identify wolfsbane poisoning symptoms?" I tilted my head. "Remarkable, isn't it."

The atmosphere at the table froze.

Melody's eyes went glassy. She bit her lip, the picture of hurt. "Seraphina, why would you say that? I'm not lying."

Vivian slapped the table and stood. "Seraphina! That's enough! Melody saved Alpha Kieran — that's a fact! What gives you the right to slander her out of jealousy?"

Marcus's face hardened. "Apologize. Right now. To your sister."

I leaned back in my chair and said nothing.

Melody dabbed at her eyes, then suddenly smiled. "It's all right. Don't blame Seraphina. She probably just hasn't found her own mate yet and is in a difficult mood."

She looked at me, her concern perfectly performed. "Have you chosen a mate yet, Seraphina? When's the marking ceremony?"

I looked at her act for a moment. Then I smiled — bright and wide and unguarded.

"Too many to choose from." My gaze swept past Kieran and settled back on Melody's face. "Not like you, taking three years to land one this ordinary. The Alphas pursuing me could fill every road from Ashford territory to the Northern Snowlands. Genuinely can't pick."

Marcus slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! Have you no manners?"

Vivian's chest heaved. "You shameless thing! How dare Ashford Pack have a daughter like you!"

Melody pressed a hand to her mouth, tears falling. "How can you say something like that?"

She turned to Kieran, helpless and injured.

Kieran set down his utensils and slowly wiped his mouth with his napkin. Then, unhurried, in front of everyone, he reached over and took Melody's hand where it rested on the table.

"Melody doesn't need to compete with anyone."

His voice was cold and certain.

"In my eyes, no she-wolf compares to her. She is the best."

Melody's tears broke into a radiant smile. She turned her hand over and held his tightly, happiness and triumph glowing on her face.

I watched their joined hands. My heart turned to dust — a pain so sharp I could barely keep my face intact.

But I raised my head. My smile was bright and careless.

"Then congratulations. I wish you every happiness."

Kieran's face darkened in an instant.