Once Fenris was pulled away to share ceremonial drinks with the Pack Captains, Aurora sidled up to me, her voice dripping with rehearsed innocence. Her scent carried notes of false sweetness. "Sister-by-bond... oh wait, I mean, Omega Ashvale. Fenris mentioned you two have an arranged mating—a contract bond. Is that true?"
I looked at this she-wolf—her own bond dissolved, yet still playing the wide-eyed innocent—and kept my expression neutral, my own scent carefully controlled. "Yes."
She visibly relaxed, a saccharine smile spreading across her delicate features. "Oh, that's such a relief. I was worried you actually had feelings for him."
The words hung in the air for a moment before she caught herself, waving her hands in exaggerated apology. "I didn't mean anything by that! It's just... I'm still not used to the idea of Fenris being someone's bonded mate."
She ducked her head, fingers twisting nervously at the hem of her ceremonial gown. The picture of a naive young she-wolf who didn't know any better.
But I caught the glint in her amber eyes. Sharp. Calculating. Gone in a flash.
I lifted my crystal goblet and took a slow sip.
The cold honeyed mead slid down my throat.