Chapter 2 WEIGHT OF DEBT

Lena was carrying a basket of folded clothes upstairs when she heard her father's voice from the study. She stopped halfway up the stairs, the study door was partly open, and a man's voice came from inside.

"Your account has been overdue for too long, Adrian."

Lena recognized it immediately: Mr. Hale, the moneylender, a short, heavy man with a neatly trimmed beard and a habit of tapping two fingers against his palm whenever he was waiting for an answer. "I know what I owe," Adrian said. "Then you know why I'm here."

"I need more time."

"You've already had more time." Adrian was silent. Lena shifted the basket against her hip.

"How much longer?" Mr. Hale asked. "Until the next payment comes in."

"You don't have one coming in." The silence that followed lasted longer this time. Lena had never heard her father so quiet.

Mr. Hale spoke again. "If this remains unpaid, your standing will suffer."

"I know." Adrian said. "Your position, your name, your family's reputation. None of it is separate from the debt."

Adrian let out a slow breath. "I said I know."

"Then you need another way to settle it."

"What way?" Mr. Hale paused. "You have daughters."

Lena's fingers tightened around the basket. Adrian answered without hesitation. "Elara."

Mr. Hale made a thoughtful sound. "She is well regarded and there are families who would be interested in her."

Adrian's voice dropped. "You mean marriage."

"A favorable marriage."

Lena stared at the narrow opening of the door. Adrian did not answer.

Mr. Hale continued. "A good arrangement could cover a considerable part of what you owe."

"Elara won't agree. I know her." Adrian said. "You haven't asked her."

Adrian went silent for a moment, then continued "But she has plans."

"Plans can change."

"No." Adrian added, "Not Elara." Lena lowered her eyes. The basket suddenly felt heavier.

Mr. Hale's chair scraped against the floor. "You have very little time to decide what you're willing to do."

"I understand."

"I hope you do." The door opened, and Lena quickly lifted the basket and continued upstairs without looking back. She entered her room and set the clothes on the bed, standing there a moment.

She had always known her father was strict. She had always known Elara was treated differently. But she had never understood that there was a problem large enough to make Adrian consider marriage as a way out of it.

She sat down, the thought staying with her. He refused Elara before she even heard the offer. She did not need to ask what that meant.

The next morning, Lena was in the kitchen cutting vegetables when she heard Elara's voice in the hallway.

"You wanted to see me?"

Adrian answered from the study. "Come in."

Elara stepped inside but left the door open. She had her long hair tied neatly behind her, and her chin was raised in the way Lena had seen whenever Elara was certain she would get her way.

"What is this about?" Elara asked.

Adrian looked at her. "Our finances have become difficult."

"How difficult?"

"Enough that I need your help." Elara's expression changed. "What kind of help?"

"There is a family interested in you." She understood immediately. "No."

Adrian's face tightened. "You haven't heard the proposal."

"I don't need to."

"Elara."

"I won't marry someone to settle your debt." Adrian stared at her. "It would be a good match."

"For me or you?" Adrian went silent for a minute then continued, "You would have security, a respected name, and a comfortable life."

"I already have those things."

"You could have more."

"I don't want them from a marriage I didn't choose." Adrian rubbed his forehead. "If this becomes public, it will affect everyone in this house."

"Then handle it."

"I'm asking you to help me handle it."

"And I'm saying no." Lena stopped cutting. Adrian's voice hardened. "You would turn your back on your family?"

Elara gave him a steady look. "I am not turning my back on anyone. I'm refusing to marry a stranger."

"You have responsibilities."

"So do you." The kitchen went silent, Adrian staring at her.

Elara continued, "You made the debt. Don't make my future the payment."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "You think this is easy for me?"

"I think you're asking me because you believe you have more to lose than me."

"That's not what I said."

"You didn't have to." Elara turned toward the hallway. Adrian called her name. She stopped. "You're my daughter."

"And I'm still allowed to choose my own life."

She took another step. Then Adrian said quietly, "why won't help the family"

Elara glanced toward the kitchen. Lena's hand remained around the knife. Elara looked back at Adrian. "I'm not your only daughter, why don't you ask Lena."

Lena went still, breath caught somewhere in her throat. "Don't" Adrian's face hardened.

"You need a solution, right?"

"Not her." Adrian said. Elara gave a small shrug. "She has no rank. No wolf. You always say she has no future here."

"That doesn't mean..."

"It means she has less to lose." Lena lowered her eyes. Adrian's voice cut through the room. "Enough, Elara."

Elara did not argue. She simply looked at him. "You wanted my answer. You have it."

She walked away, her footsteps disappearing toward the stairs. Adrian remained in the hallway, and Lena waited. He looked at her for a moment, then toward the study.

"Finish the vegetables."

He walked away. Lena looked down at the cutting board, the knife resting beneath her hand. She picked it up and continued with her work. Behind her, the study door closed.

She did not look toward it again.