Elara's POV
He looks up from the paper, his expression sarcastically surprised.
“What did you expect? A tearful goodbye?”
Heat flashes through me.
“I expected... some acknowledgment that I’ve served this pack faithfully for years. That I’ve risked my life gathering herbs nobody else would dare collect.”
“Served?” He laughs humorlessly. “You’ve been a drain on pack resources since the day you were born. The herbs you collect barely cover the cost of keeping you alive.”
“That’s not true—”
“Isn’t it?” He leans forward, his tone turning vicious. “How much do we spend on your pathetic little cottage? On the minimal food allowance? On tolerating your existence when any sensible alpha would have put you out of your misery years ago?”
I swallow, my careful composure cracking.
“I’ve go
