Samantha hadn’t moved for minutes after the words left Freya’s mouth. The air between them hung heavy, the weight of what she’d just heard pressing down on them both. When she finally found her voice, it came out small and unsure.

“Freya,” she said slowly, almost afraid to ask. “What are you going to do? The mating ceremony—it’s in two nights. What happens now?”

Freya wiped the back of her hand across her face, though the tears had already dried into pale streaks. Her eyes ...