Dawn broke over the Hawthorne den, decked out in festive lanterns and banners. The sky was barely light when Theodore pushed open my gate.
He stood there in a crimson ceremonial robe, gold-stitched kirin gleaming in the morning sun, making him look every bit the stunning wolf he was. But his eyes carried a cold, unyielding edge.
"Today's my binding day with Sophia," he said, voice like ice. "You're not to leave this yard."
I was folding my last piece of clothing, my fingers pausing at his words. I looked up, my face blank. "Don't worry, Theodore. I'll never bother you or Sophia again."
His jaw tightened, something uneasy flickering in his eyes. My words were too final, too sharp. He opened his mouth, maybe to ask what I meant, but a matchmaker's voice cut through from outside. "Theodor
