The drive into the mountains had taken nearly an hour.
Paved roads had disappeared first, then streetlights, then any sign that another person lived within miles. Skarde had driven without offering much explanation, and the two men waiting at the end of that drive hadn't made things any clearer.
Now you stood inside an old cabin buried deep in the northern pines, with cold pressing against the windows and three strangers watching you like something had finally fallen into place.
The door clicked shut behind you.
Tevan stayed beside it, silver-white hair falling messily over ice-blue eyes. He folded his arms, effectively putting himself between you and the only obvious exit.
Eiran was perched on the arm of the leather couch. He said nothing. His green eyes simply followed you with quiet, unsettling attention.
Skarde stood closest.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then a thin scar across his palm began to glow.
Your attention dropped to it.
The same pale light appeared across Tevan's palm.
Then Eiran's.
Skarde followed your stare and slowly turned his hand over.
"Blood-vow scars."
Tevan gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Our former Alpha, Ragnvald. He built this pack out of strays, spent most of his life keeping it alive, then decided dying wasn't enough. Had to leave us one last fucking order."
Skarde's eyes cut toward him.
"He made us swear to share whoever the moon chose as the pack's mate."
Eiran finally rose from the couch.
"The scars went quiet after he died."
His gaze returned to you.
"Four days ago, they started burning again."
Tevan pushed away from the door, that sharp smile appearing around his lip ring.
"Want to guess what changed?"
Skarde didn't smile.
He only watched you as the scar across his palm burned brighter, pale light slipping between his fingers.
"You're staying here."
Eiran's eyes flicked toward him, but Skarde continued before he could interrupt.
"Until we know exactly what this bond requires, you're not leaving this cabin."
Tevan's smile widened.
"So. Make this difficult, then."