Chapter 4

This necklace was what Kael gave me when he confessed on his coming-of-age ceremony.

He was so nervous then that he was drenched in sweat, his words stumbling.

When he handed me the box, he said: "I don't have the qualifications to enter the Far North hunting grounds yet, but I want to give you this ice field first. I promise you, soon I'll take you to see the real thing."

I saw myself reflected in his eyes, shining like the entire Far North's stars.

I rubbed the ice field stone that had oxidized somewhat, feeling a cold sensation against my fingertips.

At the very bottom of the drawer was a photograph.

A photo of the four of us together.

In it, Rhea and Rain smiled carelessly, Kael had his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned against him.

Four people in their prime.

I remembered that day after the coming-of-age ceremony when we sat on the academy wall.

Rain had sighed: "After the four of us take power, we'll make the four great packs better and better!"

But I frowned, murmuring quietly: "I don't like weddings that are too lively. If I had to choose where to hold the ceremony, I'd still prefer the Far North snow. Snow falling from the sky, wolf howls as the best background music."

Kael had pinched my cheek then, smiling indulgently: "Alright, we'll do what you want. In the future, the four of us will go to the Far North for our weddings together. You and me as one pair, Rain and Rhea as another, how about it?"

"It's a deal!"

"We swear by the Moon Goddess!"

Four little fingers hooked together, making that vow.

It seemed laughable now. To preserve that sense of sacredness, I'd fantasized about the Far North countless times but never once actually gone.

I stubbornly hoped that the first time I set foot on the snowfield, it would be with him.

Wearing a white wedding dress, stepping into the second half of my life.

But now he casually said the Far North was full of people and nothing special.

The sound of a key turning pulled me back to reality.

I stuffed the necklace and photo back in the drawer and had just sat back on the sofa when Kael walked in.

He still carried Lila's sickly sweet cedar scent. While changing his shoes, he said:

"Did you pick out Lila's cold-weather gear? She's small, so it needs to be fitted at the waist. Don't buy anything too heavy."

After a pause, he added a perfunctory explanation:

"Taking her to process the paperwork today took a bit longer. She's my student. I have to be responsible for her. Don't overthink it."

His explanation was perfectly reasonable, leaving no room for criticism.

I nodded calmly: "Mm, I know."

He relaxed with satisfaction and poured himself a glass of water, sitting beside me.

I rubbed the wolf tail necklace and spoke calmly:

"Today I had dinner with Rhea and Rain. They've finalized all the details for their Far North wedding."

I paused, looking into his eyes, asking softly: "What about ours? When are you planning to arrange it?"

The moment the words left my mouth, Kael's expression darkened instantly.

He shot to his feet, his voice full of barely suppressed fury: "Elara! Will you ever give it a rest?!"

"I've been busy all day and I'm exhausted, and the first thing you do is pressure me about marriage? Can't you be more mature? Can't you stop being so childish?"

I looked at his furious face, my fingers gripping the hem of my shirt, my voice very soft:

"I just don't want to break our promise. Back then the four of us agreed—"

Kael impatiently cut me off. "I think I've spoiled you too much. You're becoming more and more inconsiderate! I'm busy preparing Lila for her defense, busy with Council matters. Where would I find time for wedding stuff?"

"If you absolutely must keep that so-called promise, go get married by yourself. I'm not dealing with this."