" I mean , " he said , shrugging , " apologizing for my parents trying to expel you feels like a decent reason . " I crossed my arms . " You have that look . " " What look ? You don't know my looks ? " " Oh , I so do . It's one that says you're holding back questions . Get it out already - I'm getting cold . " His lips pressed together , teeth catching the corner as he turned to fully face me . " Alright , " he said at last . " I want your name . " I blinked . " Do you have amnesia ? " " No. Your real name . " The space between us pulled taut like a wire . He went on , slower now . " Back there , after the exam . I realized I don't actually know who you are . Maybe you've been hiding something . Or maybe I'm wrong . But you don't act like someone wolfless . You're trained . Too strong . Too sharp . You've been playing a role . Did you really think no one would notice ? That no one would ask ? You're clearly one of us . " " One of who , exactly ? " I asked , already knowing the answer . He didn't say it , but I could feel the word pressing behind his teeth . Noble . I looked at him for a long time . He stared back , searching , hoping , so damn sure I'd hand him something he could use . " You want a reason , " I said quietly . " A reason to love me . Permission from society . " His jaw tensed . " That's not- " " You want me to give you a name I don't have . One that makes this easier to choose . One that makes me easier . " He flinched . And I hated that it stung . I looked away , toward the tree line . The stars blinked overhead , clouds thinning just enough to let the wind slip through the branches and catch the edges of my shirt . " My name , " I said at last , " hasn't changed . It's Liora Belrose . " He closed his eyes . His shoulders dropped . 1/4 Chapter 37 +15 BONUS Just like that , the hope left his face . And I didn't feel better . We stood there , not speaking . The wind filled the silence , tugging at my braid , wrapping its fingers through the trees . " You really thought I was one of them , " I said . Not accusing . Just ... tired . " I hoped . " " Sorry to disappoint you , " I murmured . " But I'm just me . " He looked at me again , gaze unreadable . " Yeah , " he said softly . " That's kind of the problem . " Callum When she said her name - Liora Belrose - I didn't bother hiding my disappointment . I think part of me had been holding out hope . That she couldn't be wolfless . That she was someone . Someone with a name that mattered . Not because I wanted her to be something she wasn't . But it would make this , these feelings , easier . Something I could take back to my parents and say , See ? She's not just some wolfless girl with a sharp tongue . Just one name . One recognizable surname . That's all I needed . But she saw right through me . " You want me to give you a name I don't have , " she said . " One that makes this easier to choose . One that makes me easier . " I flinched . She caught it . Of course she did . She always does . Our walk back was awkward at best , but at least I could say I tried . Eventually , the silence started to grate , but she didn't seem interested in breaking it . So I did . " I have to marry a princess , " I said , voice low . "Not by choice . My parents decided . The pack needs the alliance . " She looked at me like she understood ... but like that didn't excuse anything . 2/4 Chapter 37 +15 BONUS " Sure . Given your status , that makes sense , " she said . " But do you want to ? " " No. " Another stretch of quiet . " You still insulted the bond , " she added , calm as ever . " Even if you didn't mean to . " I rubbed the back of my neck . " I know . " That was the problem with Liora , she made it hard to pretend . With others , I knew how to act . With her ? I was always two steps behind . " I didn't come here expecting ... whatever this is , " I admitted . She glanced over . " Flattery , clearly . " I huffed a laugh . " Right , this has all been very romantic . " " You're terrible at it . " " I come from a long line of emotionally stunted men . It's hereditary . " She smirked . Just barely . But I caught it . As we neared her dorm , our pace slowed . Maybe on purpose . I found myself watching her again- shoulders straight , chin high . Defiant even in her steps . " I don't get it , " I muttered . " Why you came with me . Why you're not more ... furious ? " " Oh , I am , " she said . " But being angry all the time is exhausting . " That , somehow , hit harder than if she'd yelled . " I don't think I hate you , though , " she added after a beat . " Uh . Thanks ? " " Don't make it weird . " " It's already weird . " " Fair . " When we reached the dorms , she didn't say goodbye . Neither did I. She just looked at me one last time , like she was memorizing something . Then , without warning , she ran up the wall , and with a vault , disappeared through her window . I stood there for a while , hands in my pockets , that familiar tug pulling in my chest . 3/4 Chapter 37 Maybe it was the bond . Or maybe ... I just didn't want the night to end . +15 BONUS Chapter 38