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I can’t stop myself from looking down at my jeans and T-shirt. I’ve never been glamorous before, and I’m certainly not now.

"Oh, hi. I didn’t know you had company,” she says, staring directly at me.

“This is Yelena.” Austin’s voice is a low drawl that resonates in every corner of my being. It brings back a tsunami of memories that I’ve spent years trying to forget.

“Hi,” I croak.

“Hi, I’m Sylvie. Austin’s intended mate,” she says, brightly. I don’t miss the way she steps into him, resting her hand on his chest.

The large diamond catches the light, sending rainbows all over the room.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say quietly.

Sylvie’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she takes my extended hand. “Likewise.”

She turns her attention back to Austin, who still seems to be recovering from the shock of seeing me here. His silver eyes are filled with unreadable emotions.

Austin clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Are you…” he starts, then seems to change his mind about whatever he was going to ask. “How have you been?”

“Good,” I respond curtly. The tension in the room feels oppressive.

My eyes involuntarily flicker between Austin and Sylvie, studying them.

He hasn’t changed much. His hair is slightly longer now, curling around his ears. He’s put on some more muscle.

But he’s still Austin.Just no longermyAustin.

“I should get over to Callie’s before too long. I want to sit with her before the Farewell Rite.”

Luna Elizabeth rises and comes over to me, pulling me into a tight hug.

“She loved you, never forget that,” she whispers in my ear. Tears well in my eyes, and I sniffle and nod.

“Thank you, Luna,” I whisper.

I look up to see Sylvia glaring at me. There’s something about her that makes me deeply uncomfortable.

But, with any luck, I won’t have to interact with her much. I’m not here for drama, or Austin. I’m here for Callie. To honor her life and send her off.

“The house should be open. You can go right in,” Austin says. “I can walk you over there.”

There’s an unreadable emotion in his eyes. My wolf perks up, but I push her back and give him a watery smile instead. “Thank you, but I remember the way. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going. You enjoy your visit with your folks.”

He steps aside, and I hurry past him, brushing my elbow against his in my haste. The familiar jolt of intense attraction hitsme like lightning through my veins. I had hoped the physical reactions I have always experienced around him would have mellowed with time, but they feel stronger than ever. I exhale sharply and walk faster.

I don’t breathe easy again until I’m outside and halfway down the path to the Seer’s house.

Chapter Thirteen

Austin

The courtyard is busy with members of the pack setting up for the Farewell Rite. I scan the crowd, looking for Yelena.

My mother told me she stayed the night at Callie’s house last night and insisted on being part of the preparations. But I would have thought she’d have come out and joined the rest of the pack by now.

“You’d think she’d at least make an effort to dress up for the Farewell Rite. Showing up here looking like trash was achoice,” Sylvie sniffs, running her hand over the skirt of her dress.

I glance over at her and frown.