On the day of the Bonding Rite, Kael ordered three times the usual guard posted on the pack's east side.
He did not say it aloud, but everyone understood.
Today was Sophia's most important day. No mishap would be tolerated.
Especially any mishap coming from me.
My recent stillness had been far too out of character.
Kael did not believe I would simply stand by and watch him bind himself to another.
Before heading to the Bonding Rite grounds, he swept his eyes across the crowd without thinking.
He did not see me.
In that moment, a wave of relief passed through him, but it was quickly followed by a strange, hollow feeling he could not name.
He pushed the feeling down.
It was only nerves before the rite. Nothing more.
Once the Bonding Rite began, he gave Sophia his full attention.
