Page 152 of The Ashpaw: Part One

“Alpha,” he called urgently. “There’s been a development with the omega.”

Darion’s stomach tightened.

He had not wanted to punish either of the she-wolves, but knowing the omega may have engaged in such deception was sickening. A betrayal after everything he’d given her.

Wiping his brow with the bottom of his tunic, he shoved the training blade hard into the ground, hopping over the rail in one smooth jump.

The guard began to follow him, but Darion dismissed him with a flick of his hand, needing to see this out alone.

The omega had sunk her claws into his father, his uncles, and brother. They would argue for leniency, as they always did, which only encouraged her to continue this petulant behavior.

No.

It undermined his bond with his future mate, and undermined his authority over the clan.

She would learn her lesson today.

The castle was quiet as he walked through the halls he’d mapped out since he’d been old enough to crawl, not even needing to think as his feet led him to the correct door.

And if his feet hadn’t been able to, his nose certainly would have.

He could already smell her, her scent having transformed into something that immediately set him on edge. Made his mouth water, his teeth ache, and his cock harden.

His wolf growled from the shadows in his mind.

Breed. Bite. Claim, he demanded.

Darion ignored him. His wolf had been spouting nothing but nonsense ever since he’d bound the omega to the pack, and he couldn’t let the beast dictate the actions of the man.

Her guard stood in front of her door, his face taut with concentration.

“Move,” he commanded.

The guard did so at once, and Darion took the key out of his pocket, letting himself in.

He’d been so angry, he had not adequately prepared himself for the temptation that might await him when he entered.

What scent had lingered in the hall was but a drop compared to the ocean he found himself in now, backing up against the wall for support as he drowned in her delicious perfume.

Then his eyes focused on the writhing, panting, naked she-wolf in front of him.

Her nest still in disarray, she had taken the few extra materials from his previously misplaced generosity and laid them on the floor. She was on top of them—eyes closed, back arched and teeth clenched in pain.

What are you waiting for? his wolf barked. Our omega is ready. Take her. Breed her!

Enough!

“Please,” she begged, her voice breathy. “Please, Alpha, I need you…”

Even the sound of her voice was enticing, and he palmed his cock, trying to keep hold of his mind before he fell into temptation.

He thought of Kyntha. His sweet Kyntha, who’d been right all along. She was waiting for him, and he would bring his lust to her, where it belonged.

“You contemptible excuse for a she-wolf,” he hissed. He knew if he got much closer, his instinct might take over, so he stayed as far away as he could.

“Wha—”

“Did you really think you could fool me? Trick me into leaving the side of my true mate, my love, right before the mating ceremony?”