LOGINThe kid's eyes light up with instant mischief. His fingers snap a quick photo of our two backs from behind the stone wall.After mulling the trick over inside his head, his screen makes a big collage of all the photos his hand had taken that day—our lodge dinner, family group shots, scenic mountain views, and now, this candid shot of my male body and Lucien.Super satisfied with his work, his thumb hits the "post" button and sends the file straight out to his pack feed.This was the largest hot thermal spring in the entire resort area, with the absolute best view of Frostveil Peak by far. From this exact spot, your eyes could watch brilliant holiday flares arc across the dark night sky and, in the far distance, see the majestic, wild outline of the neutral mountains.My wolf quickly senses something is a bit off.My boots had arrived at the pool area in basic swim gear, but right now, if my hands took off this thick wool robe, it would feel a bit inappropriate with another alpha male
LARDON VEXLEY POV"Grandma, your mind has it all wrong, my wolf tongue nearly chokes on my sweet berry drink. "Lucien Mordane is just Draven’s warrior friend from the old pack hunts."Ilyra Moonveil's old face freezes up real solid for a quick second by the wood table."Well, that will not do for your life then," Ilyra barks back, shaking her head. "Not appropriate for a proud male omega. Let our paws keep looking for a better alpha male."Zephan Vexley lets out a super exasperated breath, using his wooden fork to drop a big piece of roast deer meat straight onto his mother's plate. "Ilyra, Lardon just got his male divorce from the Calder Dominion. There is absolutely zero rush for his heart to find another blanket."Zephan had already discussed this whole mess with her in the old cabin. His gay heart had been fully supportive of my fast choice to leave Draven—there was just zero point staying inside a broken mate bond that only wears your male spirit down to the bone.Ilyra shoots hi
For three long winters, my life had devoted its whole heart to Draven's family, honing my baking skills until my sweet pastries rivaled any top chef in the territory. Maelis loved my treats, and every holiday moon eve, her mouth had insisted my hands make enough batches for the whole pack council.Back then, my wolf had foolishly believed that if my body worked hard enough, if I gave enough of my own flesh and energy to their name, my spirit would finally earn their true approval.Right now...Maelis's bad moods, her likes and dislikes—they no longer mattered to my chest.Not even Draven Calder did.None of their pack business was my concern anymore.Maelis was caught completely off guard by my flat refusal. She falls totally silent on the other end, turning my short words over inside her brain, searching for some deeper hidden meaning behind my voice.She knew my mild temperament real well—always patient with her demands, always considerate of the alpha line. Whenever her mouth asked
LARDON VEXLEY POV"Lardon Vexley is a completely different wolf now, Tavros," Lucien Mordane says into his screen, his gay eyes watching my face real closely inside the lifting cage.Lucien had always looked at my male body through bad lenses because of the pack history. But right now, his eyes find themselves studying my expression all over again.My male face is as calm as the mountain frost, completely devoid of any old feelings for his friends. The polite warmth my hands once showed their warrior circle is totally gone, replaced by a deep chill that keeps every single beast at arm's length."My boots are staying right with my grandmother tonight," I answer Lucien real simply, not bothering to explain my family plans any further to his ears.Lucien looks a little bit surprised by my quick words, but his brain can tell my mouth has absolutely zero intention of chatting by the iron door.As for the real reason behind my cold attitude toward his pack...His mind understood the truth.
As soon as my boots and Ilyra arrived with our bags, the lodge staff hurried right over to help our hands with the luggage.For many winters now, Ilyra had spent most holiday phases sitting inside the medicine cabin with Zephan. This year, with our small line together at last, her old face glows with a quiet, deep joy. "The mountain air here is wonderful, isn't it? Spending the holiday moon with so many happy packs—it is a real nice change of pace for my old bones."I smile real softly at her face as my hands push Zephan's rolling chair across the floor. "As long as your heart is happy, Gran. You and Uncle Zephan's grand suite is right next to my private room."Zephan glances over at my clothes, his gay eyes blinking. "Aren't the suites big enough for all our bodies to sleep together, Lardon? Why did your fingers book separate rooms for your wolf?"My lips curve into a gentle smile. "My screen might have to join some late project calls with Orion Greyclaw and the engineering team at S
LARDON VEXLEY POV"Your male scent should not stay on Draven’s clothes or inside his private space at all," Mireya Duskrell tells Selith Vayne real softly, her fingers smoothing her leather coat inside the front seat.Draven Calder does not say a single word to object to her high words.His gold eyes glance right up at the glass mirror.Through the rearview reflection, his beast catches a clear sight of my slender male body just reaching the public wood stop.My knees sway slightly in the snow, my spirit fighting a wave of sudden faintness—maybe my inner energy is super low from the bitter medicine, forcing my fingers to steady my weight against the side of a big wooden pack board.My wolf looks real unwell today.Draven’s face stays completely cold and indifferent to my pain, but still, his mouth speaks to the front seat. "Pull the truck over."Mireya and Selith look up real fast.Selith is the first one to spot my bad situation by the trees. She guesses exactly what Draven’s brain i
LARDON VEXLEY POV"Your wolf is quite a puzzle, isn't he, Lardon?" Orion Greyclaw whispers, and his gay voice is full of light teasing as his eyes track Draven Calder entering the grand hall.He nods toward my leather notebook. "My chest loves how your brain ignores his heavy boots. Your spirit sta
LARDON VEXLEY POV"Get your fingers away from that weapon, Lardon!" Mireya Duskrell yells, and her high voice sounds super mean and loud in the big war room. "Do you think this Wraithfang Recon Unit is a basic forest toy? Your paws cannot just touch our top warrior gear without a special pass from
LARDON VEXLEY POV"I am not late for the ritual, am I, male mate?"My tongue stops moving right in the middle of my words.I spin my boots around fast, my eyes going wide because my brain thinks my ears are playing a giant trick on me in the quiet cabin.Zephan and Grandfather Ilyra look over towar
Lardon Vexley POV"As my wolf expected, your simple head shakes from side to side because your claws are totally beaten," Ronzek Hale barks, walking straight over to my corner with a giant, mean smirk on his jaw. "Of all the high royal lines to pick a biting match with, your thin chest chose to sna







