Chapter 2

My sister was crying so hard she could barely breathe. I took her to the infirmary.

She said her wolf, Sera, had retreated deep into her mind and wouldn't answer her. The mating mark on her neck wouldn't stop burning, either.

The healer gave her an herbal tea to soothe her wolf and insisted that someone stay with her that night.

I sent Adrian the healer's instructions.

He replied: I'll come back to our room and stay with her once Clara's settled.

I showed my sister his message. She loosened her grip on my hand.

“Let's wait in my room.”

I went back with her and reached to unzip her gown. Suddenly, she said, “He always used to do that for me.”

My hand stilled.

Once she'd changed into pajamas, I lay down beside her.

Every time footsteps sounded outside, she lifted her head.

But when morning came, the only person at the door was a servant bringing breakfast.

My sister put down her spoon after only a few bites.

“Lia, do you think Clara still isn't settled?”

I didn't know what to say.

Adrian arrived just before he was due to leave for the visit.

He sat on the edge of the bed and felt her forehead.

“Are you still feeling unwell?”

My sister's eyes filled at once.

She took his hand, then instinctively smoothed his rolled-up cuff.

I was about to leave them alone when he asked, “Is there anything I should know before I see the families today?”

Her hand stopped on his sleeve.

“Is that why you came?”

“I came to check on you too.”

He took out his phone, ready to make notes.

My sister was quiet for a moment. Then she told him what he needed to know anyway.

Which mother had just lost her pup, so he shouldn't press her about how she was doing. Which child was frightened of uniforms, so the warriors accompanying him should wear civilian clothes.

He wrote it all down, visibly relaxing as he went.

“I'm glad you've come around. Clara will remember how you've helped her.”

“I'm trying to spare those families more pain.” My sister withdrew her hand. “I'm not admitting I did anything wrong.”

He frowned, but before he could answer, Clara appeared to hurry him along.

“Adrian, the car's waiting.”

Adrian sent her the notes he'd just taken.

“You'll be meeting the families in Evelyn's place today. Remember all of this. Don't get anything wrong.”

Only then did my sister realize that he'd not only barred her from going, but given her role to Clara.

“Evelyn, we'll talk when I get back this afternoon.”

Adrian put his phone away and stood.

My sister stopped him.

“You made me wait last night too.”

He paused in the doorway and murmured an apology.

But when Clara urged him to come, he left anyway.

That afternoon, my sister saw the official photos from the visit posted by the Moon Chambers.

Clara stood with her arm linked through Adrian's, in the playroom my sister had helped establish for the pups.

The caption said Clara would continue working alongside Adrian to support warriors' families.

My sister set down her phone and picked up the speech on her desk.

She'd been preparing it for the hearing on the succession to the Alpha King the following week.

Adrian had asked her to tell them what he was like as a husband.

She'd written two pages, every word in his praise.

She picked up a pen and crossed out one sentence: He always listens to me.

Then she closed the half-finished plans for the following month.

This time, she didn't ask when her husband was coming back.