Vessa's words sounded like they were spoken in my defense, but every syllable was a blade wrapped in silk.

Fenris's war-bonded brothers spat in my direction.

"Even if the Alpha Prince were looking for a mate, he'd choose a she-wolf from a pureblood bloodline. Not some desperate leftover throwing herself at any wolf who'll have her."

"Luna? Sure, and I'm the Alpha King's son-in-law. Anyone can run their mouth."

"Hold on, you have to give her credit. Briar really went all out trying to mate with Fenris. Look at those ceremonial furs. That's top-grade work from The Treasure Pavilion. Worth at least this much."

One of Fenris's war brothers pointed at the furs I wore and held up his fingers.

Every pair of eyes in the courtyard locked onto me.

Vessa's gaze burned with envy.

Fenris caught the look and let out a derisive scoff.

"The Treasure Pavilion? That's nothing. When I mate with Vessa, I'll commission the finest artisan in the Central Territory to craft ceremonial furs unlike anything the packs have ever seen."

Vessa threw herself into his arms. "Fenris, you're so good to me."

My vision blurred. I remembered the year I turned fifteen, when Fenris had made that same promise: that I would wear the most beautiful ceremonial furs and be the most beautiful bride in the entire Central Territory.

Now he was giving all of it to someone else.

Before I could pick myself up off the ground, his next words slammed me back down.

"Briar, haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? Take those furs off. Now."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. "What did you just say?"

Fenris looked down at me from above. "You're standing at the gates of my den in ceremonial furs. Anyone passing by would think I'm the one taking a second mate today."

"Take them off. Before wolves get the wrong idea."

If this road hadn't been the only route to the Ironveil Packhouse, I would never have passed his gates at all.

What I never imagined was that even if there was no love left between us, we had grown up together. And still, he chose to humiliate me like this.

I didn't move.

Fenris waved his hand, impatience carved into every line of his face. "If you won't do it yourself, I'll have someone do it for you."

Two pack warriors started toward me, their eyes crawling over my body with undisguised hunger. The blood drained from my face.

"Fenris, you can't do this."