Chapter 5

"Are you seriously sure you want to go to Frostfang?"

Ronan's voice sounded like it hurt to ask.

I sat across from him and gave a tiny nod.

After leaving Dana's cabin that night, I locked myself in my own place for two whole days.

I didn't go outside. Barely touched food.

Ronan dragged a hand down his face and sank back in his chair.

"Frostfang's way out in the snowy mountains," he said quietly. "If you're really doing this, you need to leave tonight. Pack whatever matters."

I forced a weak smile. "Nothing here matters enough to take."

***

On the night before the Drawing Rite, every unmated she-wolf in the territory was wide awake.

Nobody wanted to get picked by the northern wolves.

By sunset, the rumor that I'd gone to Ronan about the Rite had already ripped through the pack.

So, of course, they came for me.

Orion was the first to storm into my room, rage all over his face.

"Elara! What the hell did you say to the Alpha this time?"

Nikolai came in right behind him.

His eyes swept over my room—my half-packed bag, the mess on the floor, the dead fireplace.

Cassian came last. He didn't say anything. He just stood in the doorway, watching me with those unreadable eyes.

A month ago, if they'd come at me like this, I would've lost it.

I would've cried for Ronan to defend me. I would've demanded they take it back.

Now, I was just tired.

I ignored them and shoved a box under the bed.

All the little gifts they'd given me over the years.

I wasn't taking any of them.

"Say something!" Orion snapped. "Without your Alpha brother protecting you, what can you even do? If you pulled some shady crap to get Dana sent to Frostfang, I swear I'll—"

"You'll what?" I finally looked up. "Kill me?"

The room went cold.

Orion froze.

Nikolai's brows knitted together. He stepped closer, his voice dropping soft.

"Elara, don't do this. Just tell us what you said to the Alpha, okay?"

I stared at him.

If I explained, would they even listen?

If I told them the truth, would any of them ask me to stay?

The answer hit fast.

No.

Something deep inside me went dead quiet.

Then I smiled.

"Yeah. You're right. I wanted Dana gone."

All three of them went stiff.

I gripped my sleeve so hard my fingers hurt.

"I'm jealous of her. I hate her because she stole you from me." My voice stayed scary calm. "So I begged my brother to send her to Frostfang."

"Elara—" Nikolai started.

I cut him off. "I told him as long as Dana stayed in our territory, I'd make sure this pack never had a second of peace."

Orion's face went dark. "Like hell you will."

"I will." My throat burned.

"Ronan always gives me what I want, remember?" I let out a quiet laugh. "That's how it's always been. All I had to do was cry and go full spoiled Alpha's sister."

Cassian finally spoke. "Alpha wouldn't send her to the snowy mountains just because you threw a tantrum."

I stared at him for a long moment.

Then I dragged the gift box out from under the bed and slammed it onto the floor.

Their gifts broke apart and scattered everywhere.

They all flinched.

My chest hurt so bad it felt like it might crack open.

"Either way, you'll find out tomorrow morning."

The three wolves finally left, faces dark, and slammed the door behind them.

I didn't move until their footsteps were completely gone.

Then I grabbed my bag.

Ronan was already waiting outside by the car.

The second he saw me, his eyes turned red.

He didn't say a word. He just draped a heavy fur cloak over my shoulders and pushed a packed satchel into my hands.

"Medicine. Food. Clothes." His voice came out rough. "The snowy mountains are savage. Take care of yourself."

I nodded hard, then climbed into the passenger seat.

I looked back one last time at the territory under the gray night—

the training grounds, the forest trail, and the river I'd never cross again.

The car door shut.

I smiled at Ronan.

"I will."