Chapter 2

"Dot? Are you in there?" Lila's voice calls from outside the shed.

Dorothy quickly wipes her eyes. "Just working," she responds, her voice steadier than she feels.

Lila pushes open the door, takes one look at Dorothy's reddened eyes and the aggressive sketch on her lap, and crosses her arms. "What happened?" she demands, loyalty radiating from her like heat.

Meanwhile, Ethan feels the distress through their sibling bond ease slightly, though something still feels off. He rolls his shoulders, trying to shake the sensation as he continues his combat training. His wolf remains restless, pacing within him.

Back at the packhouse, Magnus struggles to focus on the conversation happening around him. His father and Dorothy's father continue discussing logistics, mentioning materials and timeline, but all Magnus can think about is the torn Valentine and the look on Dorothy's face as she fled.

"...don't you think, Magnus?" His father's question pulls him back to the present.

Magnus blinked, “Sorry, Father, I think I might be coming down with something or getting nervous about my own coming of age in three weeks. I just thought it would be at least three months before everyone started talking about Dorothy’s.”

Victor exchanges a glance with Ethan Sr., both men noting the uncomfortable shift in Magnus's demeanour.

"It's customary to begin preparations early for female wolves," Ethan Sr. explains, his voice carrying the patient tone he usually reserves for pack meetings. "Especially those with particular talents that need accommodation. I know it might seem a tad early to be thinking of those things with two years to get things moving, but I wanted to get the ball rolling for her as soon as possible."

“Ah, Beta mail for the Dares family, but there was one for a D. R. Dares. I’m not sure who to give that to, as we don’t have a DR Dares in the pack.”

“Thank you, I’ll take it. I’ll make sure it gets to who it belongs to.” Ethan Sr says knowing that was for his daughter, but his face stays neutral.

Magnus watches as his father and the Beta exchange a look he can't quite decipher. There's an undercurrent to their conversation he's missing, but his mind is too tangled with thoughts of Dorothy to focus properly.

"Two years is plenty of time," Victor says with a dismissive wave. "But proper planning prevents poor performance. That's something you'll need to remember when you take over, son."

Ethan Sr. tucks the mysterious envelope into his jacket pocket, his expression carefully neutral. Few in the pack know that Dorothy's full name is Dorothy Rochelle Dares; she's always been just "Dorothy" or "Dot" to most. The Beta wonders what kind of correspondence would use her initials rather than her name, but he keeps this curiosity to himself.

"I should get this to its rightful owner," he says, nodding respectfully to the Alpha before turning to Magnus. "And you look like you could use some rest, young man. The coming-of-age is taxing even before the ceremony begins."

Magnus nods mechanically, grateful for the excuse to escape the conversation. "Yes, sir. Thank you."

As the Beta walks away, Victor studies his son's face. "Is there something else troubling you, Magnus? You seem distracted today."

The weight of the torn Valentine in Magnus's pocket feels suddenly heavier. "Nothing I can't handle, Father."

‘I just hope she doesn’t go around telling people I was an ass before I get a chance to fix this.’

-Good luck with that idiot.- Timber huffs.

‘I know ok, I know I messed up, but we need to find a way to show her that I’m sorry and if she could at least forgive me.’

Before he knows it, he hears two female voices, Dorothy's and her friend Lila’s. His heart stops, and he moves behind a tree.

“So what do you think you're called you to his office for?” Lila says, beaming.

“Knowing father, it's to do with my coming of age, what else could it be, besides father isn’t going to be worried about a piece of mine getting damaged at the river. Not like me, so will you just drop it?”

“Well then, we both know you’ll do an even better one next time. Come on, I’m dying to see what your father wants you for.”

Magnus holds his breath as the girls pass by his hiding spot. His wolf growls with frustration, wanting to leap out and explain, but he forces himself to remain still. Dorothy's voice carries a brittle edge he's never heard before, the sound of someone trying desperately to appear unaffected.

"I still think you should tell someone," Lila insists, her arm protectively looped through Dorothy's. "What if he does something like that again to someone else?"

“What are you talking about?” Dorothy asked, “Who’s he? I just fell over near the river, and my drawing tore. I’ll just have to draw a new one. Another day, that’s it.”

Lila gives Dorothy a sceptical look, seeing through the lie immediately. Her dark curls bounce as she shakes her head in frustration. "Right. You expect me to believe that when your eyes are puffy and red? I've known you since we were five, Dot."

“Sure, whatever. I was upset as it was going to be a competition piece, and now it's gone. Will you just let it go? I’m thinking I might try somewhere in the mountains next time the light is better there in the morning.” Dorothy said.

Magnus listens to their conversation, his chest tightening at Dorothy's obvious lie. The knowledge that she's protecting him, even after what he did, only increases his shame. He watches as the two girls continue down the path toward the packhouse, Dorothy's shoulders hunched slightly forward as if carrying an invisible weight.

-She's lying to protect you,- Timber observes, his mental voice tinged with both surprise and respect. -Even though you hurt her.-

'I don't deserve that kindness,' Magnus thinks, his amber eyes darkening with self-reproach.

When the girls are safely out of sight, Magnus emerges from his hiding place and begins walking in the opposite direction. He needs time to think, to plan how he might make amends. The torn Valentine feels like a burning coal in his pocket.

In the Beta's office, Dorothy sits across from her father, her fingers nervously tapping against her thigh. Ethan Sr. studies his daughter's face, noting the redness around her eyes that she's tried to hide. His wolf stirs protectively within him.

"This came for you today," he says, sliding the envelope across the desk. "Addressed to D.R. Dares."