Wren
I finally look almost normal in Mama's old blue dress.
I had to let out the seams last month so it would still fit, but standing in front of the cracked mirror in my room, I let myself believe tonight might actually go well.
Just for a second.
"Wren."
My father knocks once before opening the door. He always does that.
His eyes move over my dress, then my hair, pinned the way Mama used to wear hers. Something crosses his face, but it's gone before I can figure out what it is.
"You look like her."
"Is that good or bad?"
"It's just true."
He doesn't smile.
He hasn't smiled at me in longer than I can remember. Not since the debts started piling up. Not since half of Ashwood started looking at our family differently.
"We should go," he says. "Garrick doesn't like waiting."
Nobody likes waiting on a Calloway anymore.
Five years ago, my father was a respected trader. He had a good name and a full storehouse. Now he's the man parents use as an example when they warn their pups about pride and bad investments.
And I'm his daughter.
For years, everyone assumed I would carry that shame with me.
Then Cormac chose me.
Two years ago, he chose me in front of the whole pack.
I still remember that day.
Everyone had been waiting to hear which girl he would choose. There were prettier girls there. Wealthier girls too.
Then he said my name.
The whole pack gasped.
For the first time in years, I felt like maybe my father's mistakes didn't have to define me.
Cormac had chosen me.
Tonight was supposed to make it official.
The walk to the ceremony grounds takes about fifteen minutes. We pass the market stalls closing for the night and wolves heading toward the ceremony.
Some people look at me.
Most look away.
A few still remember my mother.
Old Nessa waves from her stall.
"You look lovely tonight, Wren."
I smile at her. "Thank you."
She doesn't care who is watching. She doesn't lower her voice or pretend she didn't see me.
I hold onto that small kindness as we continue walking.
By the time we reach the ceremony grounds, almost the whole pack is there.
Torches line the clearing. Wolves stand in groups, talking and laughing as they wait.
I can feel them watching me.
I keep my chin up.
Papa taught me that much before everything changed.
Never let them see you flinch first.
The ceremony begins.
And then I see Cormac.
He's walking toward me.
My heart jumps.
For one foolish second, I think everything is going to be fine.
Then he stops.
Five steps away from me.
He doesn't come closer.
"Cormac."
My voice comes out quieter than I expect.
Alpha Garrick looks between us.
"The pack is waiting."
Cormac rubs the back of his neck.
Then he looks at me.
"I can't."
Three words.
That's all it takes.
I stare at him.
"You can't?"
"Daphne came back."
I don't understand.
"What?"
"She came back last week."
He looks away from me.
"I didn't ask her to. I didn't even know she was still..."
He stops.
I almost laugh.
"Still what? Alive? Available?"
His jaw tightens.
"Better than me?" I ask.
Someone in the crowd laughs.
It's a short sound, but I hear it.
So does everyone around me.
Then Daphne steps out from beside the Alpha's council.
She's wearing blue silk.
The dress probably costs more than everything my family owns.
She looks at Cormac.
The way I used to.
"I'm sorry," Cormac says.
But he's looking at her.
Not me.
Then he finally looks at me.
"Wren. I'm sorry."
I want to ask him if he practiced those words.
If he stood in front of a mirror and decided that was all I deserved after two years.
But I don't.
There's no point.
"The bond will fade on its own," Alpha Garrick says.
His voice is calm, almost bored.
"Since it was never consummated, no formal severance is needed. Cormac and Daphne may proceed."
Proceed.
Like I am something standing in the way.
I look toward my father.
He's near the front.
"Papa."
He doesn't come to me.
He looks at the ground.
That hurts more than Cormac rejecting me.
Cormac was never mine to keep.
My father was supposed to be.
"Elias."
Alpha Garrick's voice turns colder.
"Your daughter's mate has withdrawn. You understand what that means for the debt arrangement."
My stomach drops.
Debt arrangement?
I look at my father.
He still doesn't look at me.
"I understand, Alpha."
"I'll handle it."
"See that you do. Ashwood doesn't carry weight it can't collect on."
I stare at him.
"What debt?"
My voice is louder this time.
People stop whispering.
Nobody answers.
"What debt, Papa?"
He finally looks at me.
And that's when I see it.
Fear.
Real fear.
"Not here."
"Papa—"
"Take her to the east house," Alpha Garrick orders.
Two enforcers step forward.
"Until arrangements can be made."
My stomach twists.
The east house.
I know that place.
Mama told me about it years ago.
Ashwood used to keep debtors there before things changed. She never liked talking about it. Whenever she mentioned the place, she always told me to stay away from it.
Now they're taking me there.
"What arrangements?"
I look from Alpha Garrick to my father.
Nobody answers.
The enforcers keep walking toward me.
I look around the crowd.
Two hundred wolves.
Not one of them steps forward.
Not one says anything.
They just watch.
I look at Cormac one last time.
He's already turned toward Daphne.
He's gone.
Then I look at my father.
His face is pale.
He looks at me for only a second before his lips move.
One word.
Run.
I almost don't believe what I saw.
Then the enforcers get closer.
I don't wait.
I turn and run.