THE OATH OF OBEDIENCE
Freya
It’s been raining since morning. It clings to the glass of the Queen’s Wing like tears that refuse to dry.
Tomorrow, we leave Silvercrest for the Blood Moon Conclave. And two days after, I attempt the Silver Severance.
It feels unreal. And the last four weeks have stretched like years filled with too many revelations, lies, betrayals, and pain. The only comfort in this chaos has been my children and Rowan.
I sit by the hearth, brushing Ivy’s hair while Finn builds a tower of carved wolves by the fire. Rowan stands near the window, scratching the raven’s head that sits perched on his arm.
The calm that settles is broken by a knock.
Tamsin enters, bowing. “Alpha Kade,” that’s all she says.
I set the brush aside.So, he finally decides to show his face. I’ve half a mind to tell Tamsin I don’t want to see him. But I do want to hear what he has to say. Since Izel’s disappearance,the pack has fallen into shambles. It wasn’t just Rowan and me who heard Izel’s confession. The word spread quickly, and pack members connected the dots. They once praised Kade for his effortless victories, but now they see the ugly truth, and the disgusting work he had Izel do to achieve them.
They refuse to obey or answer, or even bow to him. Once revered and strong, he’s now powerless in his own house. Maybe he is also too guilty to ask Rowan and his rogues to leave.
“Take them with you,” I tell Tamsin softly.
Finn looks up, mouth opening to protest, but the look on my face stills him. Ivy hugs my waist, sensing more than she understands. Rowan helps gather their cloaks.
“You should go with them,” I tell him.
He nods. “As you command, High Luna Freya.”
My lips curve into a smile. “I can handle Kade.”
“I know you can,” he answers easily.
He leads the children out, and Tamsin follows. I listen to their footsteps fade before Kade’s heavy but slow steps bring him in.
He stands in the doorway, rain dripping from his hair, eyes rimmed with sleeplessness. He looks older, smaller somehow. He steps closer, his boots leaving faint wet marks on the marble. “I don’t know where to begin,” he says.
“You begin,” I say, “where it went wrong.”
He swallows. “Everywhere, then.”
I don’t move, but my throat works.
“I should have protected you,” he says quietly. “From Izel. From myself. I kept thinking I was doing what an Alpha should do—control, command, lead—but all I did was destroy. I let her into my head, into my bed, into everything I built.” His voice breaks. “I don’t ask for forgiveness. Only… understanding.”
“I don’t have any to give. Neither forgiveness nor understanding.”
He looks up at that, searching my face for something he can’t find. “You won’t even try?”
“No,” I say simply. “Because every time I tried, you made me pay for it. You killed the woman who trusted you, Kade. What’s left now is only the Luna—and she owes you nothing.”
His breath shakes. “Freya, don’t do this.”
“I’m not doing anything,” I answer. “You did.”
He moves closer and holds my hand, letting the bond flow through. It overwhelms me momentarily, reminding me of the good things he did that no longer matter.I can’t wait to be rid of this feeling. Of his control over me.“Don’t go through with the Severance,” he says. “If you cut the bond, I’ll lose the pack.”
“You’ve already lost them.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll lose Emris completely. I’ll be lost. I’ll be a rogue.”
