Page 127 of The Ashpaw: Part One

“You and the musician were lovely to watch,” Eidan replied. “I was sure most of the wolfkin couldn’t tell if they wanted to be you or be with you.”

“Or between you,” Reinn said with a wink.

Fern almost choked on her porridge, giving Reinn a reprimanding look. “You can’t say such things while I’m eating!”

“Oh?” he asked, his innocent tone belied by his sly grin. “So when can I say such things?”

She laughed, and this time she did see Darion staring at her, the coldness in his eyes sucking the mirth out of hers, and she quieted quickly.

“Omega,” he barked, a command that stiffened her spine straight. “You will sit next to your alpha.”

Reinn sighed. “Oh dear, it seems he doesn’t like it when poor little Fern actually has fun.”

“Reinn…” Eidan said, half in warning and half in exasperation. “She’s his Naravekh.”

The silver-haired alpha snorted, speaking into his cup just before taking a sip. “Does she count as a Naravekh if he never brings her to his bed?”

Fern’s skin burned with embarrassment. How did they even know whether they’d consummated or not? She picked up her bowl, ignoring the heat burning her hands as she shuffled towards the empty seat where Kyntha should have been.

Darion leaned over, and Fern’s body tensed, unsure of what to expect.

A kiss on the cheek was not it.

“Good morning,” he said quietly.

She barely whispered her response.

Kyntha yawned exaggeratedly. “Oh, excuse me! I hardly caught a wink. Darion’s appetite is so voracious, you see.”

Fern didn’t know how to reply, and Darion ignored her, eating while balancing Kyntha on his lap as Kyntha shifted closer to Fern

“I would ask if you slept well, sister, but the dark circles under your eyes are proof enough.” She tsked to herself. “Was something wrong with your bed?”

Nest, her wolf growled. Then she looked at Fern, snapping her teeth. Rip out her throat.

She ate another spoonful of her porridge. “I slept fine, thank you.”

“Hmm,” she intoned, tapping her chin. “If you say so.”

Fern continued to eat in silence, stifling a giggle when Reinn caught her eye from down the table, making a silly face.

“Your presence is required this afternoon,” Darion finally said.

“It is?”

He grunted, moving Kyntha on his leg as one might with a child they didn’t necessarily want to be holding.

“The Ironcoats are arriving today, and the families will meet to discuss the remaining rituals before the mating ceremony.”

Fern paused, the spoonful of porridge she’d just taken slipping off her spoon and landing back in her bowl. “And I’m… family?”

“That’s what I said!” Kyntha laughed. Then she turned to Darion. “See? She doesn’t think she should be there, either. I’m sure she’d be much more comfortable in her—”

“Kyntha,” Darion warned with a growl. “She will be there, as proof of the Sabletail Clan’s blessing and as my Naravekh. And we won’t have this discussion again.”

Summarily chastised, Kyntha turned away, and Darion continued.

“You will remain by my side and only speak when spoken to. Do you understand?”