LOGINLARDON VEXLEY POV"Lardon, look at your phone screen," Lucien Mordane mutters real softly, his gay voice breaking the pool silence.My eyes flicker right down to his glowing glass.Another familiar pack profile picture appears right below Tavros’s mean texts.It is Mireya Duskrell.My male face does not show a single drop of surprise. So, their warrior circle actually kept a private group chat, just for their own bodies...Of course they did. Mireya was always the center of attention in the Calder Dominion, the pretty wolf everyone gravitated toward during the full moon hunts.All those three winters my shirt had been legally bound to Draven Calder, my mind had never known that "plus-ones" could be included inside their inner circle—at least, not openly for my wolf to see.Not that it mattered to my chest anymore.Still, stumbling upon their little digital group right now felt oddly like some embarrassing secret about my lonely wolf had been aired out for their casual amusement. My li
The 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"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
Lardon Vexley POV"The high Warwick bloodline and the Whitaker alphas—now that is a terrifying power alliance across the northern peaks," Thalia Runehart says, his young snout twitching as we look at the giant stone crests on the pillars.I lift my eyebrows in mild surprise, my mind calculating the
Lardon Vexley POV"My claws are clamping Thalia’s hand because our boots are here representing Orion Greyclaw's name," I tell Ronzek Hale, my voice staying as smooth and flat as frozen river ice.Ronzek pulls his nose back, his wolf scent full of heavy doubt. "Since when did Orion Greyclaw get so s
Lardon Vexley POV"Are your old eyes satisfied now, Luna?" Draven Calder says, pulling his thick wrist back with a fast, cold shake before giving our grandmother a flat look.The heavy bands of worry on the old woman's face loosen up a bit, but her hand still waves at a kitchen servant, who trots o







