The water had cooled by the time Theron stepped out of the wooden tub. He wiped the excess moisture from his arms and chest with a linen cloth, then wrapped a robe around his body. He had just tied the robe when three knocks sounded at the chamber door.

His wolf caught a familiar scent. "Come in." He said.

The door opened. Korrin walked in without hesitation. She wore a silk dress the color of dark wine. The fabric was thin, and the neckline cut low, stopping just above the midpoint of her breasts. The curve of her cleavage was visible in full. The material pressed against her skin, outlining the shape of her chest. She carried a pitcher of wine in one hand and two metal goblets hooked between the fingers of the other.

"Good to see you again, Theron." A small smile sat on her red painted lips as she stepped further into the room.

Theron said nothing.

"I came as soon as Veylor told me you wanted to see me," she said.

Theron frowned slightly. He walked to the round wooden table where a stack of scrolls lay close to the window.

"I requested your presence in my study, not my chambers." He said, still not smiling.

Korrin scoffed as if the distinction meant nothing. She crossed the room without waiting for an invitation and lowered herself into the cushioned chair near the table. She set the pitcher and goblet on it. Then she crossed one leg over the other. The slit in her dress opened along her thigh, revealing skin from her knee up to where the fabric bunched at her hip.

Korrin leaned back and looked at him. "We should have a drink while we talk," she said.

Theron shook his head as he picked up a scroll from the table. The parchment was thick and sealed with red wax pressed with the king’s insignia. "That won’t be necessary."

"Why not?" Korrin stood up, lifting one of the goblets and pouring wine into it. "At least take a drink. It won’t kill you." She held the goblet toward it.

"No," Theron declined.

"Come on, Theron. We should at least be able to have a drink as friends. Right?" she asked, her tone sharpening slightly. Since that’s the label you forced on me."

Theron looked at the goblet. Then at her face. "I’ve had so much to drink with my men at the gathering from earlier," he said. "To welcome me back."

Korrin’s smile faded, and her jaw tightened. She glared at him for a moment, then set the goblet down on the table harder than needed. The wine splashed over the rim and pooled on the wood.

"Then we won’t be having any discussion," she said.

Korrin turned and started toward the door.

"Korrin," Theron called out.

She paused.

"I apologize."

Korrin sighed. She shifted the fabric around her neckline, lowered it to her chest to reveal more skin, before turning back to face him.

Theron exhaled through his nose. He picked up the spilled goblet and raised it to his lips. The wine touched his lips, but he did not drink from it. He lowered the goblet on the table.

"That wasn’t so hard." Korrin smiled, walking back to the table.

She picked up the second goblet and filled it. Then she walked toward him slowly. When she got close enough that her chest was within arm’s reach, she stopped. Her finger extended and touched the fabric of his robe over his sternum. She pressed lightly.

"Stop," Theron said, stepping back.

The distance between them became five steps. He raised the scroll in his hand and held it in front of her face.

"The king has asked a favor of me. I am to visit allies who would support us if war arises."

Korrin tilted her head. "And how is that my concern?"

"Your brother’s name is on this list," Theron replied.

Korrin laughed. The sound was short and sharp. She walked back to the cushioned chair and sat down. This time, she did not cross her legs. She spread them slightly and let the dress fall open at the thighs.

"So that’s why you requested my presence." She snorted. "You only want to use me to get my brother to support the king."

"Don’t see it that way," Theron said.

"How else should I see it?" She asked, taking a drink. "You didn’t call for me out of concern. You called because you need something. I should have known."

"This is not about us, Korrin." He sat on the edge of the table. "War is coming. The Wanderers are not just forsaken wolves. They have plans. Bigger plans. I wish I could tell you more about it. And if they succeed, it won’t just affect us. It will affect the whole realm."

"What plans can those cursed souls have?"

"They want to plunge this world into darkness."

Korrin took another sip. The wine left a faint red stain on her lower lip. She licked it seductively. "I don’t care about any plan," she said, leaning back.

Theron set the scroll down. He studied her. Her expression was serious. He stood and moved to where she sat. He lowered himself onto the space beside her.

"Why are you sounding so bitter?" he asked.

"Me?" Korrin pointed a finger at herself. "I’m not bitter."

"You are still mad at me for ending things with you."

She turned her head slightly, looking away from him. "Maybe you are right. And I also don’t like the fact that you’re going an extra mile for the heiress." She said.

"She’s my mate. I am obligated to help her and stick to her side."

Theron leaned back. He rested his head against the chair and looked at the ceiling. Korrin can be difficult. He had no idea how to persuade her. He had known her for ten years. Persuasion had never worked; only other currencies like sex and jewels had.

Korrin watched him for a moment. Then she set her goblet down. She shifted in her seat, then swung her leg over his lap. Before he could react, she straddled him. The dress rode up to her waist. The warmth of her thighs pressed against his robe.

Theron leaned up immediately. "What are you doing?" he demanded.

"I am doing what we’ve always done for a decade." Korrin. answered.

"It’s over," Theron said.

She placed her palms on his shoulders. Her hips shifted and settled against the member. "I didn’t agree to end things."

"Korrin, all of it is over now. I have a mate now."

Korrin leaned down; her face was close to his. Her breath smelled of wine.

"It doesn’t matter," she replied. "We can still do anything. I miss the sex. I miss your touch. I miss you, Theron. All of it. I will always be available for you whenever you come back from seeing your mate. Just like now." Her finger reached out to trace his lips.

Theron held her wrist. "It can’t work, Korrin. I don’t plan to cheat on my mate."

Korrin’s other free fingers ran from his shoulder to his arm. "I will help you. I can make sure my brother joins forces with you."

She began to move her hips slowly against him. The friction pressed on his cock through the robe.

Theron felt his member twitch, but he controlled it. "That’s not right," He said, his voice stayed level. He let go of her wrist.

"It works," She said quietly.

"I can’t give you what you want anymore. And it’s not like I can’t approach the Lord Commander of the Seven Kingdoms without your help. I need you to tell me what he likes. What he respects. What he values. What’s befitting to win his favor."

Korrin shifted her weight. She pressed him back against the chair, her grip tightening slightly on his shoulders. She pressed her hips down harder and ground against his cock.

"I won’t tell you unless you give me what I want." She nearly pressed her lips against his, but Theron turned his face away.

He grabbed her waist with both hands. His fingers dug into the fabric of her dress. Then he pushed her off in one motion. She lost balance and fell sideways onto the cushioned chair. The dress bunched around her waist, and her head hit the arm of the chair. She winced in pain.

"Get out, Korrin," he breathed out heavily.

Korrin stared at him, clearly shocked. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

"I want you out of my chamber right now."

"Theron—"

"Get out!" He yelled, cutting her off.

Theron stood up. He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her up from the chair.

Korrin jerked her arm free from his grip. "Fine. I’ll leave." She said, her voice tight. She started to walk away.

"Take the pitcher and the goblets with you," he added.

Korrin turned sharply. She bent down, picked up the pitcher, and gathered the two goblets, stacking one inside the other. The movement was quick and controlled, but her anger was clear.

Korrin walked to the door. Just as she reached it, she stopped and turned back to face him.

"I will tell you what to get for my brother, but provided you allow me to come with you on the journey. I need to see him. It’s been so long."

Theron hesitated. He looked at her for several seconds. He considered his response carefully. He thought about the possibility of her pulling such a stunt again. But he had to look on the brighter side. If the Lord Commander saw his own sister walking into his hall alongside himself and the king’s guards, that would signal trust. It would show a connection, something harder to ignore. Possibly a family approval? It would soften the negotiation before a single word was spoken.

The idea had value.

"Fine. You can come as long as you don’t pull the stunt you just did now." He said.

"Are you scared you would fall in the end?"

Theron groaned. "If—"

"Okay. We have a deal."

Theron nodded once as they held each other’s gaze. "Alright."

Korrin opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind her.

In the hallway, Korrin walked with the pitcher and goblets pressed against her chest. Her jaw was set. Her teeth were clenched. The anger in her chest settled deeper, steady and unresolved. It burned like heat through a metal rod.