Without another word, he shifted into his wolf form and bolted into the night.
I kept my face calm, even as Nyra growled low in my mind.
After he left, I dialed my aunt, Lyra, to say goodbye. My parents had left the pack territory ten years ago to lead another pack, leaving me in Lyra’s care.
Nicho and I had grown close as young wolves, especially since he lived next door. When Lyra got mated and moved to her mate’s pack, I chose to stay behind. What was supposed to be a temporary arrangement with Nicho stretched into eight years.
When Aunt Lyra picked up, her voice was warm but surprised. “Married? To Nicho? It’s about time! Eight years is long enough for any wolf to claim his mate.”
I hesitated before correcting her. “No, Aunt Lyra. It’s an arranged bonding. I don’t even know who he is.”
The silence on the other end was deafening before she finally spoke. “Have you thought this through? Nicho cares for you. Maybe he just needs a little nudge to make things official. I could talk to him.”