His scent hit me before his words did. Woodsmoke and hot iron and crushed juniper, and beneath it all something like scorched earth. My wolf stirred, a low involuntary pull in my ribs that I had spent two lifetimes mistaking for love.
I held still. I did not let it move me.
"Not going to congratulate me on my victory?"
He watched me, expectation written across his face.
Every she-wolf in the crowd turned to stare at me, green with envy.
Once, I would have basked in those looks.
Savored the certainty that I was the only one in Fenris Vargr's heart.
Until I saw with my own eyes what he did for Ravenna Vargr.
Then I understood. All that devotion he'd shown me was nothing but a screen to hide the feelings he could never let the world see.
My voice came out flat. "The line of wolves waiting to congratulate you stretches from one end of this territory to the other, Alpha Commander. You won't miss me."
His brow furrowed. "Three years apart, Seraphina, and this is what you have to say to me?"
I let my gaze drift across his face, calm as still water. "Oh, one more thing. When you find the time, send our scent-bond courtship contract back to the Blackthorn household."
Fenris froze.