Daphne's POV
I unclenched my fists and shook out my fingers, feeling the sharp tingles as circulation returned.
"You should stop pushing my buttons."
"I'm just calling things the way I see them." His head cocked to one side, examining me like I was some curious artifact under glass. "Please don't tell me you're expecting romance in this deal."
"Absolutely not." The response came out like a blade. "I know exactly what I'm getting. I'm reclaiming what was stolen from me. My Luna position, my place in a powerful bloodline. Love doesn't even make the list."
"Then we're finished here."
He pivoted to leave. Actually leave. As if I were invisible. As if this entire exchange meant nothing to him.
"Did you retrieve it?"
His spine went stiff. He froze mid-step.
"Retrieve what?"
"The gift my grandmother offered this pack. The whole reason Azure of the Valley signed off on this arrangement."
Benedict's orders still echoed in my mind. I had work to do.
