Chapter Three: The Guest House

The guest house sat at the edge of the main compound, far enough from the central hall to offer privacy but close enough that I felt watched. Kael had insisted on carrying my single bag himself, despite Luna's protests that he had Alpha duties to attend to.

"This is temporary," he said, pushing open the door to reveal a space bigger than anywhere I had lived in years. A real bed, a kitchen, windows that actually closed. "Until we figure out more permanent arrangements."

"Permanent?" The word stuck in my throat. Nothing about this could be permanent.

"You are my mate, Ren." He set my bag down gently, then turned to face me. "That means forever, in case you were unclear on the concept."

Forever. As if I had that luxury. As if Marcus would not uncover the truth and demand my execution within days.

"Your father hates me," I said, moving to the window to avoid his gaze. Outside, wolves moved through the compound, all of them radiating the casual confidence of people who belonged somewhere. "He will make this impossible."

"My father hates anything he cannot control." Kael's reflection appeared in the glass behind me, close but not touching. "He will adjust."

"Will he?" I turned to face him. "He asked to see my shoulder, Kael. Why would he do that?"

Something flickered in his expression. Uncertainty, maybe. "I do not know. But whatever he suspects, I will not let him hurt you."

"You cannot promise that." The truth tasted bitter. "You barely know me."

"Then let me know you." He stepped closer, and my traitorous body swayed toward him. "Tell me something real. Something that matters."

Everything that mattered was carved into my shoulder and buried in mass graves. "I am afraid," I whispered. "All the time. Of being found, of being hurt, of caring about anything enough that losing it would destroy me."

"And now?" His hand came up slowly, cupping my face with a gentleness that made my chest ache. "Are you afraid of this?"

"Terrified," I admitted.

"Good." His thumb traced my cheekbone. "That makes two of us."

A sharp knock shattered the moment. Kael's hand dropped as the door swung open without invitation.

A older woman strode in, her face a map of wrinkles and sharp intelligence. She carried a carved staff that smelled of sage and something darker.

"Vera," Kael said, tension creeping into his shoulders. "I did not send for you."

"No, your father did." The herbalist's eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my wolf cower. "He wants me to examine the girl. Make sure she is healthy, suitable for the heir."

"Absolutely not," Kael growled. "Ren is not livestock to be inspected."

"It is tradition," Vera said mildly, but her gaze never left my face. "Or are you planning to break every protocol your father established?"

The air thickened with tension. Kael's dominance pressed against the space, making my instincts scream to submit, to bare my throat. But Vera stood unmoved, ancient and unafraid.

"Fine," I said before the situation could escalate. "Examine me. I have nothing to hide."

The lie burned on my tongue. Kael's eyes snapped to mine, questioning, but I kept my expression neutral.

"Kael, give us privacy," Vera commanded.

"I will be right outside," he said, the promise carrying weight. The door closed behind him with a soft click.

Vera circled me slowly, her staff tapping against the wooden floor. "Sit."

I sat on the bed, hands clenched in my lap. She moved closer, and I smelled wolfsbane and silver on her clothes. The scent made my scar burn.

"You have been using wolfsbane," Vera said quietly. "To mask your scent."

My heart stopped. "I do not know what you mean."

"Do not lie to an old woman who has seen more deception than you have lived years." She grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes. "I can smell it on you. The question is why."

"I wanted to be left alone," I said through clenched teeth. "Wolfsbane keeps unwanted attention away."

"It also burns away pack bonds. Pack history. Pack identity." Her grip tightened. "What are you running from, child?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

"Everything about you concerns me now that you have bonded with the heir." She released my chin and stepped back. "Show me your shoulder."

The blood drained from my face. "No."

"That was not a request."

"I said no." I stood, backing toward the wall. "You have no right to—"

"I have every right. Marcus is convinced you are hiding something dangerous. If I do not confirm you are safe, he will have you thrown out of the territory tonight. Or worse." Vera's expression softened slightly. "Let me help you, girl. Show me what you are hiding, and perhaps we can find a way through this."

"There is nothing to show," I lied desperately.

"Then you will not mind proving it."

We stared at each other, locked in a battle of wills I could not win. If I refused, Marcus would grow more suspicious. If I showed her, everything would end tonight.

"Please," I whispered. "Do not make me do this."

Something like pity crossed Vera's face. "I am sorry, child. But I must know."

She moved faster than I expected, gnarled fingers catching my sleeve and yanking it up before I could react. The fabric tore, exposing my shoulder and the crescent-shaped scar burned into my skin.

Vera's gasp filled the room like a death knell.

"No," she breathed, stumbling backward. "It cannot be. The Grayfang mark. You are—"

"Dead," I finished, my voice hollow. "We are all supposed to be dead."

"Does he know?" Vera's eyes darted toward the door where Kael waited. "Does the boy know what you are?"

"No one knows." I pulled my sleeve down with shaking hands. "And no one can know."

"Marcus will recognize that mark the moment he sees it." Vera's face had gone pale. "I treated the wounds from that battle. I saw the Grayfang Alpha fall. That mark was burned into his shoulder just like yours."

"Then you understand why I hid it." Desperation clawed at my throat. "Please. I never wanted revenge. I just wanted to disappear."

"And instead you bonded with the son of the man who killed your parents." Vera sank onto the nearest chair, suddenly looking every year of her age. "The moon has a cruel sense of humor."

"Will you tell Marcus?"

Vera was silent for a long moment, her eyes distant. "He already suspects. That is why he demanded to see your shoulder. He must have glimpsed the mark earlier."

"So I am already dead." The words came out flat. "Good to know."

"Not yet." Vera stood, leaning heavily on her staff. "Marcus asked me to confirm his suspicions. I could lie. Tell him the mark means nothing."

Hope flared, painful and dangerous. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I am old enough to regret the wars I enabled." Her eyes held decades of guilt. "And because that boy out there loves you already. I can see it in the way he looks at you. Perhaps the moon is offering us a chance to break the cycle instead of repeating it."

"Or perhaps she is setting up the cruelest punishment imaginable," I said bitterly.

"Perhaps." Vera moved toward the door, then paused. "But you should know, child. Dante Thornwood was seen near our borders two days ago. Your brother is coming for you. And when he arrives, all the lies in the world will not save any of us."

She left, and I stood frozen in the empty room, my world collapsing around me.

Dante was here. Ma

rcus was suspicious. Vera knew the truth.

The countdown to catastrophe had just accelerated, and I had no idea how to stop it.