Chapter 7​

​ I knew Rin Lake was desperate to find dirt on me, to twist it into a reason for Kael to shorten his mourning period. She combed through the manor' vaults for days, only to discover a strange anomaly: a silver hairpin encrusted with a pulsating moonstone.​ “Kael,” she purred, slipping into his study, the pin clutched in her clawed hand. “This appeared out of nowhere. Do you recognize it?”​ His eyes flicked up. “It belonged to Elara. Keep it.”​ Rin froze. Before she could protest, Kael snatched the pin and shoved it into her hair, his grip tight enough to draw blood. “You've always wanted what' hers, haven't you? Now it' yours. Wear it.”​ Her scent soured with fear as she fled. Even Laura noticed the shift in Kael—his too - bright smiles, the way his wolf' eyes lingered on shadows, as if hunting a ghost.​ “Kael,” Laura ventured one dawn, “Rin and I wish to visit the Moonfire Temple. To... pray for the pack.”​ “Splendid,” he replied, too smoothly. “I'll join