The last time I departed, I'd already packed up most of my belongings. But now, Aurora had clearly taken advantage of my absence to dispose of whatever traces of my scent remained.
I walked slowly toward the Alpha's private bathing chamber.
On Fenris's side of the stone vanity sat a pair of matching grooming brushes—one carved from red cedar, one from blue spruce. His and hers.
I stood frozen, my enhanced senses picking up every detail in the room. Everywhere I looked, things came in pairs.
Matching drinking vessels. Matching fur-lined slippers. Matching embroidered cushions bearing intertwined wolf motifs.
Anyone walking in would think this was some scent-bonded pair's intimate sanctuary.
I suddenly remembered the first year of our secret mating, when I'd excitedly commissioned a set of paired ceremonial cups for us.
Fenris had barely glanced at them. "What's the purpose of such sentimental trinkets?"
I never asked for anything like that again.
I drew a deep breath, forced myself to look past all of it, and returned to my small chamber to pack up what little remained of my things.