Morwenna gazed at me with calm authority.
"Lyra has been blessed with such fortune."
A chill crept down my spine.
Three days ago, I had received a rare Moonblessing payout—one hundred resource shares after the pack tithe was taken. I had told only one person about this windfall: my mate, Kael Stormhart.
I never imagined he would reveal it to his mother, and that the matriarch would simply claim the right to decide its fate.
"I refuse."
I set down my eating utensils, my voice steady.
Morwenna's smile turned rigid.
"What did you say?"
"I said I refuse this rite."
I looked at every face around the feast table.
"Last year it was a reward. The year before, a reward. Why is it that when my turn comes, I'm the one giving everything away?"
"The rite changes each year."
Kael tugged at my sleeve beneath the table, whispering his plea.
"Mother's word is law."
"Why should her word be law?"
I shook off his grip.
"Why do others receive blessings when they win, while I must surrender everything? Is this how you treat an Omega of this pack?"
"Watch your tongue, pup!"
Draven Duskthorn, the matriarch's mate, slammed his fist against the table.
"You bring ill omens to the Moonbite Feast!"