"Does the eldest daughter of Blackthorn still think they're the Blackthorns of old? Bonding into the Vargr bloodline was already above her station!"
"I only wanted to get close to the Alpha Commander through the Blackthorn pack. Otherwise, who'd bother warming up to a bloodline this faded?"
"Who does Seraphina Blackthorn think she is? All she has is a reputation as the finest Omega scholar in the capital. Other she-wolves would kill to be mated to the Alpha Commander, and she's been sitting on that courtship for years. Now she severs it in public? Who is she trying to impress?"
"The Alpha Commander earned his glory young. A territory grant is right around the corner. The Blackthorns are going to regret this until their guts turn green!"
...
I listened to all of it. My heart was still as dead water.
Briar's little face flushed scarlet with rage. "They look down on you, Sister. They look down on our whole family..."
I patted her head. "Briar, what other people think doesn't matter. What matters is that our family stays together, safe and sound."
Briar sniffled.
Then her eyes lit up.
"Father!"