Page 91 of The Ashpaw: Part One

“I will leave the choice to you.”

Fern’s heart raced. Just like that, a mate—a husband, as she understood it—was to be chosen for her without anyone asking what she wanted.

She didn’t object to either Eidan or Reinn, but the process wasn’t exactly ideal.

Eidan sensed her growing discomfort, and wrapped an arm around her, whispering in her ear. “It would be an honor to be your mated alpha, Fern—”

And then Darion opened his mouth, his decision made.

“No.”

The room did not speak for a moment, expressions turning to confusion as they all looked at each other to confirm what they thought they heard.

“Did you have someone else in mind?” Karn asked.

“I mean no, I will not renounce my bond.”

Alastair sighed. “Darion—”

“I found the omega, and she will remain mine.”

Chapter 22

Fern

Eidan’s composure was hanging on by a thread as he stepped between her and Darion.

“You cannot be serious.”

Darion glared at his brother, crossing his arms. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Eidan…” his father sighed.

He whipped around to face Alastair, the head alpha’s eyes filled with compunction as he continued. “It’s within his right to claim her.”

Reinn came closer to Darion. “You already have my cousin, and she seems to keep you busy enough. Do you really think you can adequately care for an omega? You’d be half an alpha to her if not less, when she likely needs more than one.”

Her cheeks reddened, remembering what Tegen had long ago told her about women sometimes being shared by multiple wolfkin in order to stave off fighting.

Fern couldn’t deny that waking up between both Eidan and Reinn had felt more natural than perverse. She’d felt adored, cared for…

And more than anything, they’d made her feel safe.

And the gods knew how much she needed that right now, broken as she was. She grabbed onto Eidan’s arm, knowing she could. Knowing he’d not only let her, but wanted her to.

His hand patted hers, confirming this.

When Darion didn’t reply, Reinn continued. “You could not name the pull you felt towards her, and that’s understandable. The rest of the alphas here missed it, too. Only you twisted that confusion onto her as though she had done it on purpose.”

He let Darion sit in that truth for a moment, and then said, “Don’t take her due to guilt. You know that’s not what’s best for either of you.”

There was a moment where it looked like he might change his mind, and Fern’s grip on Eidan tightened, her body not knowing which way to lean.

It was so frustrating to be desired by someone who she knew had hurt her. The wanting so irrational, no matter how simple her wolf made it sound.

He claimed us.

As though that was enough.