Page 108 of The Ashpaw: Part One

She heard someone yell—Darion, she thought.

Next was Reinn.

And then Norden.

There was a bit more back and forth, and finally Karn opened the door, beckoning them both in. “One at a time, then.”

Kyntha stood immediately and rushed inside, straight into Darion’s arms. He embraced her, running a hand down her head and shushing her softly.

Fern stood alone, her arms wrapped around herself as she tried to keep the ripped dress from slipping down.

Reinn’s eyes darted between them, and then he scoffed, standing and taking off his own tunic. His second offering. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered, heading towards Fern to help her put it on when Darion growled low.

“She’s not your omega.”

“Well, she needs to be someone’s, because once again, you’re currently too busy to do the job!” he countered. Then he lowered his voice to a whisper and addressed Fern. “Are you alright?”

Fern gave a small shrug, still too stunned to do much more than that. “Is there a healer who could help clean the scratches?”

“Of course, I’ll send him to your room as soon as this is over.”

“Kyntha,” Alastair started. “Explain to this Council right now what came over you.”

Kyntha stopped her sobbing, hiccuping, and sniffling, her face red and splotchy. “S-she’s done this all on purpose, I know it! She’s been trying to replace me since the moment he brought her here. Look! She’s even wearing my dress!”

Fern’s jaw dropped, and she looked down at the skirt below the hem of the tunic. She’d spent most of her time since arriving at Sabletail Castle trying her hardest not to look at Kyntha, so she couldn’t exactly recall if she’d ever seen this on her.

Then she looked back up. “I didn’t know, it was given to me before dinner. I have no other clothes.”

Registering her words as truth, the alphas then looked to Darion for further explanation.

For the first time, there was something akin to shame written on his cheeks.

“Son,” Alastair started. “She’s been in your care for over a day. How does she not yet have any of her own clothes?”

“I… had other matters to attend to today, as you well know. I did not have the time…”

“Oh, please.” Reinn rolled his eyes. “At this point, a chair would make a better mate for Fern, because at least you can count on it to do its job without needing to be reminded that it’s for sitting.”

Darion snarled, his hands curling into fists and looking like he might lunge towards the Ironcoat alpha. “We are still trying to adjust to this new dynamic. I am not perfect, but I assure you that once things are settled, Kyntha and Fern will both be comfortable, happy, and safe.”

“Your omega stands before you bleeding, and you soothe the one who attacked her. I hardly think Fern can consider anything about this situation is comfortable, happy, or safe…”

“Darion,” Alastair said, standing and holding out his hands to stop any further discussion. “If you cannot even lead your own pack, how can you be expected to lead a clan of thousands?”

Darion said nothing, but Fern could see the chagrin in his eyes, and she only hoped he would not direct it towards her.

Then Alastair ran his hand down his face and sighed. “Tonight was an embarrassment. I am giving you one more chance to show me you can adequately care for both, or Fern will be removed from your care. Am I clear?”

Darion’s jaw was set tight, and he looked between Kyntha and Fern, then nodded. “Clear. Come, you two. We need to discuss how things are going to work from now on.”

Chapter 25

Fern

She followed the two of them, her gaze fixed on the floor, as they headed towards Darion’s room.

Once inside, with the door closed, he seated Kyntha in a chair, then moved towards Fern.