"Unless my senses have failed me entirely, that little treasure was purchased with MY packmate's tribute funds!"
Her hackles rose, a low growl building in her chest.
"Remove it and return it to her. Now."
She lunged forward. The Omega shrieked in terror, but Rogan seized Aria's wrist and flung her aside. She crashed into a carved wooden table, sending bone platters and drinking horns scattering across the stone floor. Then his roar echoed through the den:
"Selene!"
"Is THIS the conduct befitting your bloodline?!"
The Omega cowered against Rogan's broad chest, tears streaming down her delicate features like morning dew on pale petals—the very image of wounded innocence.
"Rogan and I share a true bond!" she whimpered.
"He ceased feeling anything for you long ago!"
"Selene! He doesn't want you!"
Aria was still sprawled on the ground, but that didn't silence her snarls: "I'll tear you both apart—you oath-breaking traitor and your pathetic heat-bait!"
She scrambled to her paws, ready to launch herself at them again. But suddenly... I felt nothing. No fury. No desperation. Just a hollow calm settling over me like fresh snowfall.