I stared at the mountain of offerings, lost in thought.
My mother took my silence for hesitation. "Seraphina dear, are you having second thoughts?"
"Fenris is clearly still devoted to you, and you haven't been selected yet. There's still time to fix things. Just say the word and we'll arrange a mating ceremony, do it properly..."
I knew my mother had always been fond of Fenris.
Growing up, anything she made for me, she made a second one for the Vargr den.
Winter pelts, summer shirts, nightclothes, boots and wrappings.
All sewn by her own hand, stitch by stitch.
She'd loved him like a second pup.
She never could have imagined that Fenris would prove so heartless, that he would bring ruin on every last member of our pack.
I wrapped my arms around her and said softly, "He has feelings for someone else."
She asked who.
I shook my head. "All you need to know, Mother, is that he is not the right wolf."
Worry creased her face. "But Fen... but Fenris has made it known that anyone who dares court you is making an enemy of the Vargr pack."
"If you aren't chosen this time, what will become of your future..."
My hands clenched, nails biting into my palms.