A strange, sudden urge to give in to her, to actually bend her knee to this girl—no, a woman—rose inside Elara. She felt that if she just did that, everything might finally work out. But how could she? She could play act at submission to tease her, but she couldn't actually do it.
Instead, her eyes turned cold. Her scent spiked, threatening to break out in a violent storm, but she forced it back and spoke with a tense, low voice.
"Think about this logically, Lyra," she said. "What can a woman like you even do in this world? How would you raise a child alone? Forget needing an Alpha—how could you provide for a baby when you can't even take care of yourself?"
The amused glint was gone, replaced by a terrifying, sharp seriousness.
'Answer very carefully, my Lyra.'
Though Elara didn't expect her to beg, she thought Lyra would at least hesitate. But Lyra snapped back instantly.
