her father's voice from the study. She stopped halfway up the stair

been overdue for

eatly trimmed beard and a habit of tapping two fingers against his palm whenever he wa

d more

" Adrian was silent. Lena shif

Hale asked. "Until the

ce that followed lasted longer this time.

f this remains unpaid, y

your name, your family's reputation.

a slow breath.

d another way

Hale paused. "Yo

nd the basket. Adrian answere

e is well regarded and there are fami

dropped. "You

rable m

ow opening of the door.

rrangement could cover a cons

now her." Adrian said.

a moment, then contin

can c

a." Lena lowered her eyes. Th

floor. "You have very little time t

derst

asket and continued upstairs without looking back. She entered

was treated differently. But she had never understood that there was a

He refused Elara before she even heard the o

itchen cutting vegetables when she

nted to

d from the stu

air tied neatly behind her, and her chin was raised in the way

is about?"

r. "Our finances ha

diffi

elp." Elara's expression c

ested in you." She under

ened. "You haven't

't nee

la

e your debt." Adrian stared at

nute then continued, "You would have securit

have thos

uld hav

se." Adrian rubbed his forehead. "If this become

hand

you to help

tting. Adrian's voice hardened. "You

am not turning my back on anyone.

responsi

chen went silent, Ad

ade the debt. Don't mak

ened. "You think t

because you believe you

not what

ward the hallway. Adrian called her n

allowed to choo

en Adrian said quietly, "

ned around the knife. Elara looked back at Adrian.

t somewhere in her throat. "D

a soluti

mall shrug. "She has no rank. No wolf.

oesn't

a lowered her eyes. Adrian's voice c

mply looked at him. "You wa

stairs. Adrian remained in the hallway, and Lena waited

the vege

e knife resting beneath her hand. She picked it up and co

look towar