Page 65 of The Ashpaw: Part One

I know.

Chapter 17

Fern

“… Fern? Are you listening?”

She snapped out of her spiraling thoughts, looking up at Eidan. He seemed tired.

“You’re so anxious you’re making my wolf whine,” he said, almost like he didn’t understand why she might have been upset.

“He almost cut off my hand!” she shouted, immediately flinching and waiting for his correction.

But Eidan’s touch did not sting or hurt. It was a hand on her shoulder, slowly pulling her into his chest, which rumbled against her cheek.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Then he sighed. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him. The coming full moon and the courtship with Kyntha has him overreacting to every perceived threat towards her. Like she needs his protection.”

He chuckled, then whispered conspiratorially in her ear. “He doesn’t even see that she could eat him alive if she wanted.”

She would have laughed in return, if not for the horror and danger in the truth of it all.

“I’m trying to stay out of her way,” she admitted quietly. “But she sees me as a threat. And I don’t know why.”

The unspoken truth of the evening now a fact between them.

That while Mauricia may have set her up, it was Kyntha’s plan she’d followed.

“Fern… you truly don’t notice it, do you?”

She frowned.

“The way people watch you. Hover near you, or find excuses to linger.” His mouth tightened. “Darion notices, and Kyntha notices that he notices. That’s enough.”

“But,” Fern replied, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “I don’t want any of it.”

Speak for yourself.

Not now, Fern snapped back.

The Alpha wants us. I don’t understand why that’s a bad thing.

He. Tried. To. Cut. Off. Our. Hand.

Her wolf chuffed in annoyance.

“What can I do?” Fern asked.

Eidan ran his hand down her hair, thinking for a moment. “I’ll resume my work of convincing my brother to elevate you back to the clan. Then you just need a wolfkin to petition you as quickly as possible. Once you’re out of the castle, you should be safe.”

She sniffed, burying her face into his chest, not wanting to argue about how wrong he was.

Darion was never going to let a wolfkin petition for her. This was obvious now. He wanted to keep her as the Ashpaw forever, here and in his sights. That way, when she finally did make a big enough mistake, he could finally execute her.

But Eidan was right about one thing.

She would be safer out of the castle.

“Thank you, Eidan. I—I think I can walk back on my own, now.”