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HEARTBREAK AND ADORATION

SYLVAN

Walking away from Magdalena’s hut, from Aura, felt more unnatural than walking away from Sublune Creek. Each step toward the home I’d always known, toward the pack I had a responsibility and loyalty to, felt daunting. I’d bathed multiple times and oiled my curls with a fragranced tonic to quell her scent, and as I walked through the woodland, I rehearsed what I would tell the pack.

I’d barely stepped through the invisible barrier when a snarl had me spinning toward the source, claws extracted. A pair of gold eyes glowed in the setting sun, sable fur blowing in the wind.

Caleb. Of course. I held my ground, teeth bared, and in a blink, Caleb transformed into human form. He was just a little shorter than me, his burly frame pumped as he glared. “It’s about time you returned to the pack you abandoned,” he growled.

“I didn’t abandon anyone,” I said. “I told you I was in Aethermore trying to get answers. To prevent deaths like Antoine’s from happening again. If anything, I was honoring my brother.”

He spat at my feet. “You dishonor him with every breath you take. He would’ve never left for⁠—”

“You’re right,” I interrupted. I started to walk toward the house. “He would’ve never left to find out more about our history and how to stop it from repeating again. Or how to stop Lobofebris from running rampant through our packs.”

Caleb was hot on my heels, his rage trailing me. “You’re so full of yourself. You think you’re better than every alpha that came before you.”

I didn’t dignify his statement with a response. I continued to the house, and a slight man stepped out before we even got to the door. “Sylvan!” Evander called out. “You’re back!” His steps faltered as he approached me, his nostrils widening. His chin lifted very slightly, confusion and alarm filtering into his system.

The momentary excitement at my return was snuffed out by … I couldn’t quite tell. Disappointment? Anger? Concern? It was certain he’d caught something in my scent even through all the washes and fragrances. He had a keener sense of smell than the rest of the pack. His eyes narrowed on me, a stubborn tic in his jaw.

“Were you successful in your search?” he asked, voice cold.

“Yes. Still more work to be done, but for now, I’m here. I have no intention to leave again unless I absolutely must.”

Caleb was a bundle of moody energy beside me, and Evander was giving me a look that said you better put him at ease, especially as another wolf ran into the vicinity and shifted into human form. Caleb’s twin, Zachary. Others roamed about as usual, keeping a respectful distance.

“My allegiance lies with the Zilveren pack first and foremost. My work outside of Sublune Creek was to make a better future for us. We’ll even have preventatives against Lobofebris.”

Caleb’s twin looked genuinely impressed. “How?” he asked.

“I had the chance to work with an alchemist who has been developing a cure for some time. I will discuss more later, but for now, if you don’t mind …”

Evander stepped aside for me to enter the house, but he turned immediately to follow me inside. His hushed voice chased me as I hurried through the familiar space. Something about being back here didn’t feel quite as homey as I’d expected it to feel. “Why the fuck do you have the scent of another lycan on you?”

My head whipped over my shoulder to look at Evander, but I kept walking. “That’s none of your business.”

“I am your second hand, your chosen brother. It is my business. Your safety and your loyalty are my business.”

“You don’t have to worry about my loyalty,” I said. “I know my place.”

“Do you?”

I pushed the door open to step into my room, and of course Evander was still on my heels. “I’m not one to lecture you on where you shove your prick, but I know you, and you’re not one to sow your wild oats easily. Who is she?” He searched my eyes as if he could pull the truth from my mind.

I turned away from him, heading toward my dresser to find fresh clothing.

“Sylvan,” he said, firmly. “Who is she, and why does it seem like she means a hells of a lot more to you than a quick fuck?”

I rounded on him with a harsh snarl on my lips, and he flinched back. I immediately stepped back, cursing myself. It hadn’t even been an insult on Evander’s part. My reaction was extreme, and the defensiveness was a clear confirmation of his suspicion. I saw it in the way the uncertainty melted from his face, only to be replaced with disappointment.

“Brother,” he groaned. “What shit did you step in now? Who is she?”

I kept my mouth shut. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over. I’m here now.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “To stay?”

“Yes, to stay. Now give me some breathing room to settle in. Debrief me later.”