Serena tries to absorb Amanda’s revelation that Northwest Alphas are bound by a celibacy covenant. Amanda explains that the rule began as a way to keep Alphas focused on the pack rather than partners or children, but many packs abandoned it because feelings and biological mates cannot be regulated. The Northwest kept the covenant after earlier abuses elsewhere and after an earlier female Alpha’s attempt to revoke it helped trigger the huddles’ secession.

Amanda then connects the covenant to the Northwest’s defining tragedy. She explains that after an attack twenty-one years earlier, in which Humans were involved but Weres ultimately bore responsibility, fifteen-year-old Koen took control, ended the threat, and reunified the fractured huddles. The Assembly agreed to reunification only if the celibacy covenant was restored, and Koen accepted, which makes Serena reconsider his past rejection and understand that his distance may come from restraint rather than lack of desire.

After Saul and Jorma angle for breakfast, Serena cooks for them, Amanda, and the others, briefly enjoying the domestic success. Then Juno calls with DNA results showing that Serena’s mother’s family came from west of the Sawtooth Range, near the eastern edge of Northwest territory. The finding strengthens the possibility that Serena’s parents were connected to this region, so Serena asks Misery to investigate what happened in the Northwest twenty-one years ago instead of pressing Koen directly about the pack’s old trauma.

When Koen returns, Serena is caught trying to hide the yellow flannel she slept in. Koen reacts intensely to Serena’s scent, goes rigid, and orders Serena not to run or make him chase her; Serena obeys and quietly puts the shirt in the wash. Both avoid discussing the charged moment afterward, but Serena sees more clearly how much strain Koen is under and how deeply she is drawn to him.

Koen refuses breakfast and announces that they are going somewhere, reverting to his usual commanding manner. This time Serena does not let him control the interaction. Angry at his omissions and newly aware of what the covenant has cost him, Serena stops retreating and tells Koen they are staying in instead, adding that for what she has in mind, it is better if he does not get dressed.