Chapter 3

Mrs Hart called almost immediately.

“You've changed your mind? You'd already looked over the new lease.”

“My plans have changed.”

“What about the Alpha? He said he'd move in with you for a while after the bonding ceremony.”

I looked at the spare boots by the door, the jackets in my wardrobe, the books Adrian had left on my shelves. He had never officially lived here. Somehow half my space had become his anyway.

“There won't be a bonding ceremony,” I told her.

She was quiet for a moment. “Well. I'll find another tenant. You take care of yourself, Rowan.”

I began sorting my belongings.

Adrian's clothes went into one crate. Caleb's forgotten training gloves and Jace's game console went into another. I kept what was mine.

In the afternoon, Mia sent me a photograph of a bright bedroom in the Alpha residence.

The bed was covered with the grey quilt I'd chosen with Adrian. Beside it stood the oak lamp I'd given him when we started planning a life together.

You have such lovely taste, Rowan, her message read. Adrian says the roof of my little cabin is leaking. He's letting me stay here until it's fixed. I hope that's all right.

I stared at the photograph.

I called Adrian.

There was hammering in the background and Jace laughing about a crooked shelf.

“Rowan? Make it quick. We're putting furniture together.”

“Why is Mia living in the Alpha residence?”

“Her roof leaks. The owner won't repair it before the next storm. What was I supposed to do—leave her outside?”

“You told me those rooms were for us after the bonding.”

He made a frustrated sound. “She's staying temporarily. Don't talk as though the ceremony has already happened. I'm helping someone who needs it.”

Jace called from the other side of the room, loud enough for me to hear. “Tell her nobody's stealing her crown.”

“Jace,” Adrian warned, though there was little force behind it.

Caleb spoke more quietly. “Rowan, you have a perfectly good cottage. Mia doesn't have anywhere safe right now. Surely you see the difference.”

“How long is she staying?” I asked.

“Until the roof's fixed.”

“A week? A month?”

“Why do you need an exact date?” Adrian said. “Nothing is happening between us. If you can't trust me to offer shelter, how do you expect to be my Luna?”

I remembered choosing the quilt. I remembered Adrian talking about placing two lamps beside our bed, one so he could read council reports and the other so I could finish my novels.

I also remembered how easily he had given that room to somebody else.

“Then I won't be your Luna,” I said.

For two seconds he didn't speak. Then he gave a disbelieving laugh.

“Not this again. Yesterday it was dinner. Today you're cancelling the bonding? Rowan, I know you're upset, but don't say things you'll regret.”

“I've thought about it.”

“When you've calmed down, call me. I can't deal with this while I'm working.”

He ended the call.

For years I'd been the one to mend every fracture. When Adrian forgot an anniversary, I told myself he was busy.When Caleb shared something I'd told him in confidence because Mia “needed to understand,” I let it go.

When Jace skipped my birthday gathering to take Mia to a music festival, I made them supper for when they returned.

My phone lit up again. This time the sender was Headmistress Evelyn Frost of Frosthaven Academy.

Rowan, the last place in our leadership and healing program is still yours if you want it. The confirmation deadline is approaching. Please let me know whether you'll be joining us.

Six months earlier, I had earned that place on my own merits. The programme offered advanced healing training and a leadership post at Frosthaven's border clinic. It was an opportunity I'd spent years working towards.

I'd said no because Adrian wanted me beside him for the ceremony.

Now I wrote back: I accept. Please send the travel arrangements.

Her reply arrived almost at once.

Wonderful. Report to Frosthaven on the eighth. We'll be expecting you.

I checked the coach schedule. There was a departure tomorrow afternoon.

I bought a seat on the mountain coach and took our framed photographs off the shelves.

The pack chat pinged. Mia had posted a picture from the watchtower cookout. She stood beside Adrian, with Caleb and Jace on his other side.

Northern border open again. A night worth celebrating.

A comment appeared beneath it.

Is Mia moving into the Alpha residence?

Someone replied: Looks like Ashbrook's getting a different Luna.

Then another: I thought Rowan was the one he was supposed to bond with.

Adrian's name appeared below the comments. He had tagged me.

We've all had enough of this. Come over tomorrow and we'll talk it through.

Then another message followed.

Actually, we'll come to your place. We need to talk.

He hadn't answered a single question about Mia.