Page 173 of The Ashpaw: Part One

Panic clawed through him as Darion tore free from the melee and sprinted for Fern’s room.

The halls seemed endless, and every second stretched into agony as his worst fears appeared in his mind.

Fern cornered, screaming… mounted by bloody animals, dragged away by filthy hands…

His son torn from her belly…

No.

No no no—

He reached her corridor and froze.

There was no one, not even her loyal guard, and her door was closed.

He stepped up quickly, his ragged breath echoing in the still air. He checked the handle.

Locked.

“Fern?”

No answer.

She might have still been sleeping. He pulled the chain that held her key out from under his shirt, shaking hands turning it through the lock.

The door opened on squeaking hinges, her fireplace dark.

His wolf pressed forward again, and his eyes quickly adjusted to the low light.

Her nest was still on the floor, but…

It was empty, a blanket dragged towards the door.

“Fern?” he called again.

Her original nest, still destroyed, was also empty.

Her bathing room—empty.

His heartbeat stopped.

“Fern?”

Still nothing.

He took a deep breath. Her scent was thick, but underneath the floral perfume was a fresh thread of fear.

He stumbled back to her nest, falling to his knees. His hand brushed against a pillow, and he picked it up, bringing it to his face.

Her scent overwhelmed him.

He pushed it in further, his chest cracking open as he screamed.

His omega was gone.

Chapter 43

Eidan