Chapter 2 — The Wolfless Uncle

The door opened before Lorelai could answer Garrick.

Karl Ashborne stepped into the council room.

In her first life, Lorelai had seen him only from a distance: the brother everyone believed had surrendered his place in the succession, the wolfless Ashborne who governed outcasts because no true pack would accept him.

The man who had died at Blackwater Ford.

Memory tried to replace the living Karl with the proof of his death delivered to Greyhaven. Lorelai forced herself to look at him as he was now.

Forty-nine, if the household records were correct. More than twice her age.

Not frail. Not diminished.

His body filled the doorway beneath a plain dark coat, broad enough that the guards behind him disappeared from view.

“Garrick.” His voice was low and controlled.

Garrick’s grip closed around the carved back of his chair. “You arrived quickly.”

“You sent a rider with the Ashborne seal.”

Karl’s gaze moved from Caelan to Lorelai, taking in her pallor and the distance between her and the mate she had rejected.

The severing wound throbbed beneath Lorelai’s ribs.

“Sit.”

She sat because she needed the support, not because he had ordered it. Something in Karl’s expression said he knew the difference.

Garrick came directly to the point. “Lorelai has rejected Caelan. She requested permission to reside in Greyhaven. I agreed, provided she marries you.”

Caelan made a sharp sound. “You cannot seriously consider this.”

Karl ignored him.

“Why Greyhaven?” he asked Lorelai.

Because you die in thirty-seven days. Because Greyhaven burns after losing you. Because I watched the smoke.

“I need somewhere Moonridge cannot force me back into the bond.”

Caelan stepped toward her. “No one is forcing you.”

Karl looked at him.

Caelan stopped.

Karl turned back to Lorelai. “That is not an answer.”

“It is the only one I can give you.”

“For now.”

“What are you giving up to get there?”

“My rooms. My allowance. Moonridge protection.” Lorelai glanced once at Caelan. “The rank everyone planned for me.”

Caelan’s face tightened. “You are family.”

Karl did not look away from her. “And you still choose Greyhaven?”

“Yes.”

A fresh wave of rejection pain tightened through Lorelai before she could hide it. Her hand caught the edge of the chair.

Caelan moved.

Karl was already beside her.

His hand hovered near Lorelai’s waist, close enough to steady her without touching. Heat reached her through the fabric. Her wolf pressed toward him with startled curiosity.

Karl’s eyes lowered briefly, as if he had felt the reaction too.

Then his hand closed into a fist at his side.

Caelan’s jaw tightened. “She is my mate.”

“I rejected you,” Lorelai said.

“The bond is confused.”

“The bond is not the one speaking.”

Karl remained beside her. “If you leave Ashborne Keep, what do you expect Greyhaven to give you?”

“Distance. Work.”

“Work doing what?”

“I can keep ledgers, organize supplies, review contracts, and identify shortages before they become emergencies.”

“Greyhaven already has people who do those things.”

“Then they can decide whether I am useful.”

Interest flickered across Karl’s face.

“Greyhaven will not obey you because you came from this house,” he said. “Some will resent you. Others will think Garrick sent you to watch us. If stores run low, your plate will not be filled before theirs.”

“I know.”

“No. You know what I am telling you inside a warm keep.”

Lorelai held his gaze. “Then I will learn the rest there.”

For the first time, Karl’s attention changed. Not softened. Sharpened.

“I may regret it,” she said. “I am still going.”

Garrick’s face remained unreadable. “The condition stands.”

Lorelai rose. Karl shifted back enough to give her room.

“I accept it.”

Caelan’s breath broke.

She turned to Karl. “I will marry you and go to Greyhaven.”

Karl studied her.

“No.”

Lorelai’s stomach dropped.

“Not under Garrick’s condition as it stands.”

Garrick straightened. “Explain.”

“If I marry her, the marriage will not replace one claim with another.” Karl looked at Lorelai, not his brother. “She keeps what is hers. She works if she chooses. If she wants to leave, she leaves.”

Garrick’s mouth tightened. “Marriage is not temporary convenience.”

“Neither is it imprisonment.”

Karl’s gaze stayed on Lorelai.

“We put the rest in writing before the ceremony. If you ask for an annulment, I will sign it.”

Caelan laughed bitterly. “How noble.”

Karl turned to him at last.

Whatever Caelan saw in his uncle’s face erased the laugh.

“She will have the right to leave me,” Karl said. “The same right she used to leave you.”

Lorelai’s wolf stirred again. Not with the violence of the severing wound.

With attention.

Karl extended one hand across the table. He did not demand hers.

Lorelai placed her palm in his.

His fingers closed once, firm and warm, then released her before the contact could become a claim.

“I accept the marriage,” he said.

Caelan stepped forward. “The bond will remain. You cannot erase what she is to me.”

Karl positioned himself beside Lorelai, his shoulder nearly touching hers. This time, he looked directly at his nephew.

“After the wedding, having once been her mate will give you no right to my wife.”