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.

A silent figure at formal gatherings. 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 severed head 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. He carried that difference without apology. Not frail. Not diminished.

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

He did not hurry. There was no need. The room changed around his silence. Karl closed the door behind him.

“Garrick.” His voice was low and controlled, roughened by disuse rather than weakness.

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 fresh severing wound throbbed beneath Lorelai’s ribs, and her knees threatened to fail.

“Sit.” Caelan’s hand curled at his side. Lorelai sat because she needed the support, not because Karl had ordered it. His eyes flickered once.

Garrick came directly to the point. “Lorelai has rejected Caelan. She requested permission to reside in Greyhaven.” Karl gave no visible reaction.

“I agreed,” Garrick continued, “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 the vampires tear your settlement apart after removing the only man holding it together. Because I watched the smoke.

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

Caelan stepped toward her. “No one is forcing you.” Karl looked at him. No command passed between them, yet Caelan stopped.

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

“It is the only one I can give you.”

“For now,” he said. “Tell me what you lose if you leave Ashborne Keep.” Lorelai glanced at Garrick. Karl did not.

“This is not a test for him,” he said. “It is a test for you.” She drew a careful breath.

My rooms. My allowance. The safety of being known here.

“Continue.”

Moonridge protection. A future everyone else already planned for me.

Caelan’s face twisted. “You are family.” Karl’s attention remained on Lorelai. The pattern of Karl’s questions clicked into place.

The rank they promised me, and the right to pretend it was mine.

Karl did not soften. “And what do you expect to gain"”

“Distance.”

“That is not material.”

“Safety.”

“Not guaranteed.”

Lorelai held his gaze. “Work.”

One of his brows lifted.

“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 give you rank because you married me. Some will resent you. Some will think Garrick sent you to watch us. If stores run low, you eat after the people doing the work that keeps them alive.

“I do not want them to.”

There will be no servants, no ceremony, and no place to hide from an honest day's work.

“I can dress myself.”

I can manage that.

“I can heat it.”

Good. Then tell me what I must learn before I become a burden.

Caelan stared at him. “You live like animals.” Karl finally looked at his nephew.

“We live within what we have.” The quiet answer cut deeper than anger. He returned his attention to Lorelai.

“Greyhaven will not obey you automatically. Some will resent you. Others will believe Garrick sent you to watch us. If stores run low, your plate will not be filled before theirs.”

“I understand.”

No, Karl said. You understand words spoken inside a warm keep. Greyhaven will make you earn every answer.

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

A fresh wave of rejection pain stole her breath. Caelan moved before she could stop him. Karl rose beside Lorelai, forcing Caelan to reach past him.

His hand hovered near her waist, ready to steady her or stop Caelan. The heat of it 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. Then his hand closed into a fist at his side.

“You cannot marry her,” he said. “She is my mate.”

“I rejected you,” Lorelai answered. “You are in pain. The bond is confused.”

“The bond is not the one speaking.”

Caelan looked toward Garrick. “End this.”

Garrick’s face had become unreadable. “The condition was mine. The decision is hers.” Lorelai stood. Karl shifted back enough to let her rise without brushing against him. She faced Garrick first.

“I accept the condition.” Caelan’s breath broke. Then she turned to Karl.

“I will marry you and go to Greyhaven.” Karl studied her for so long that the ache in her chest began to feel secondary.

“No,” he said. Lorelai’s stomach dropped. Karl continued before Garrick could speak.

“Not until the condition changes.”

“If you marry me, you retain your property. Anything you earn remains yours. You may leave Greyhaven when you choose.”

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

“It will not be imprisonment either.” Karl looked at Lorelai.

“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 again, 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.”