Page 10 of The Ashpaw: Part One

“I—”

“So lovely,” he whispered. “Come with us.”

Fern opened her mouth, but then a different scent wafted on the air, and they all froze.

This was wolfkin, but… so strong. Not in its intensity, but at its core. It simply smelled like strength. Like power.

Her knees buckled, and the man behind her caught her with his left arm, the right crossing his chest with his fist landing above his heart. The others followed suit, and they bowed their heads in unison. “Alpha Darion, we are at your command.”

The alpha approached slowly, her whole body attuned to him without thought. He was several inches taller than the ones surrounding her, wider in the chest and thicker in the arms and legs. His hair was chestnut brown, long and braided in the back, while a thick, short beard covered his wide jaw.

His eyes, a dark blue that appeared almost black in the night, looked down a nose that had probably been broken once or twice, the effect both appealing and intimidating.

“Show me your finger,” he said, his voice a command she couldn’t keep herself from obeying.

Her hand rose, shaking, knowing exactly which finger he was referring to.

Because, deep down, she knew without a doubt that this was the wolfkin who had bitten her so many years ago.

Not a pup anymore.

And neither was she a little girl.

His hands were warm, the skin rough, but the touch surprisingly gentle as he lifted the finger in question, running his thumb over the small scar.

He chuffed softly, raising it to his lips.

“I bind you to Clan Sabletail.”

And then he bit down again, and her mouth opened in a silent scream, her back bowing. Liquid fire flowed through her veins, alighting her senses and whiting out her vision as she felt him inside her, a living brand she could never escape.

A yoke on her very soul.

It took several minutes for her to return to herself, blinking with unseeing eyes until the world came back into focus. She was cradled in his arms like a child as he walked.

“W-where are you taking me?” she whispered, her throat raw as though she’d been yelling. Perhaps she had been.

He didn’t reply at first, the betas behind him marching with closed mouths and serious expressions on their faces.

“Home.”

Chapter 4

Fern

She drifted in and out of consciousness as he carried her, the binding draining her so thoroughly it felt as though it had consumed not just her freedom, but her strength as well.

Daylight broke, but still he walked, apparently no worse off from the ordeal.

“What will happen to me?” she asked, her voice light and rasping.

A muscle in the alpha’s jaw feathered, as though her worry annoyed him. “Why haven’t you shifted?” he asked instead.

The question felt like a reprimand, and she immediately recoiled, the new bond making her want to appease him. Her alpha.

“I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “I was afraid.”

He looked down at her for a moment, like her words alone were enough for him to judge her honesty. Then he nodded once, his head rising. “I suppose so. I marked you when we were children. I should have finished it years ago.”