I was not about to hand her any certainties ahead of time.
But she seemed thoroughly satisfied with my vague answer. A smile spread across her face—almost triumphant—as if Fenris were already within her grasp, as if she could already feel his claiming bite on her throat.
On the journey back to the estate, Aurora slept soundly in the back of the carriage, her breathing soft and even.
Fenris glanced at me through the reflection in the window glass, his voice low and apologetic. "Sweetheart, next time I'll definitely announce our bond to the pack."
I just smiled softly. "It's fine. We have an arranged bond. I understand."
Something flickered in his golden eyes when he saw how calm I was. A thread of unease he could not quite name, his wolf stirring beneath his skin.
"A week at most," he added quickly. "I'll have everything sorted out with the Pack Council."
"We're here." I cut him off, turning to look out the window. The carriage had already stopped before the gates of the Alpha's Keep.
One day became one week. One week became one moon cycle. One moon cycle became one full turning of seasons.
His promises meant nothing to me anymore.