Page 171 of The Ashpaw: Part One

It was the she-wolf who had attacked his omega and stolen Kyntha’s earring to plant it in Fern’s pocket. The new Ashpaw.

Guilt he’d tried to avoid hit him anyway as he remembered the sound of Fern’s scream when he’d beaten the only wolfkin in his clan who had rightfully defended her honor, letting her attacker go free and unpunished. He’d even suggested Fern deserved to die, all because Kyntha had given a pretty speech that named her a dangerous tail-tease.

His memory then pulled him to the night he’d grabbed her wrist and taken a sword to remove her hand. He had almost mutilated her, because Kyntha had insisted her attendant was telling the truth.

Gods… it had even been Kyntha to suggest he name her the Ashpaw.

“She cannot shift, and if rumors are to be believed, she will not entertain a petition from the betas because she is waiting for someone better. An alpha! You must teach her a lesson, or she will use her wiles to tear your clan apart.”

Darion cut a piece of venison, stabbing it on the end of his knife and bringing it to his mouth.

“Tell me.”

Kyntha stiffened.

“How long did you suspect Fern may be an omega?”

He slid the piece of meat off with his teeth, raising his cup and smiling when a group of wolfkin walked past and toasted him.

“Well?

She flinched at his harsh tone. “Since I first met her,” she answered quietly.

Darion nodded, spearing a potato next. Every word against Fern had been a lie, whispered in his ear by a jealous she-wolf who wanted to see her rival tortured.

He could feel the bond between him and Kyntha now, and it was a dark, ugly, twisted thing.

He would never trust her again.

“I think some time alone in your room will do you some good. Starting tonight.”

Kyntha turned quickly, mouth open. “On our mating day? But—”

“You are tired,” Darion cut in. He couldn’t even look at her. “It is understandable. I will give you the space you need to recover. It’s for the best. Wouldn’t you agree?”

At the other end of the table, Eidan sat in silence, staring at his plate with his arms crossed over his chest. Reinn was beside him, whispering quickly, his expression tight.

Eidan closed his eyes and nodded, and Darion’s earlier annoyance toward his brother melted.

Once Fern’s heat was over, he would apologize to him.

Eidan had seen Fern for what she was this whole time, and had done his best to protect her. He was a true alpha, and should be rewarded as such for protecting the clan’s most precious asset.

After tonight, his father was stepping down, and Darion would take his place as Head Alpha of the Sabletail Clan, which meant Eidan, Darion now decided, should take over his position as leader of their armies. And once his own son was old enough to replace him, he’d let Eidan leave the castle for whichever estate he preferred with a mate of his choosing.

It was the least he could do to thank him for curbing his worst impulses. For keeping Fern safe until he was finally free from the quagmire of deception Kyntha had trapped him in.

“Well?” he said. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Kyntha’s hand suddenly clamped around his wrist hard enough to hurt. He looked at her in surprise, her face pale as she glanced up and towards the outer walls.

And then the windows exploded inward, glass shattering across the hall in a deafening crash as dark figures poured through the openings.

The doors burst open a heartbeat later, slamming hard enough against the walls to crack.

Bloodmoons.

Red paint streaked across their faces from brow to throat, their leather armor studded with iron teeth and bone charms. They brandished their weapons—axes, blades, and hooked spears, gleaming in the firelight as they closed in, the slaughter beginning before anyone had a chance to scream.