LYRA'S POV
(DAY ONE OF TRAINING)
The political bond with Darius sat in my chest like cold metal. Functional. Necessary. Completely lifeless compared to the warmth I felt when Maya touched me.
"You're distracted," Maya said, watching me review demonstration plans.
"I'm thinking about the bond. How it feels wrong even though it's right strategically." I set down the papers. "Does that make sense?"
"Perfect sense. You're mated to someone you don't love while in love with someone you can't mate." Maya moved behind my chair, hands on my shoulders. "That would distract anyone."
"The students can sense it. They know something's off between Darius and me."
"Then we use it. Show them that duty sometimes requires sacrifice. That protecting your pack means making hard choices." She squeezed gently. "They'll respect that. They're marked wolves who've all sacrificed something."
A knock interrupted us. Darius entered, looking as uncomfortable as I felt.
