Page 182 of The Ashpaw: Part One

“Definitely perfect,” Reinn said, holding her closely.

His cock and knot softened after a few minutes, and he slid out of her with much reluctance.

“I could be inside you all night if you’d let me,” he said. “But I think your other alpha might have something to say about that.”

“I will in a moment,” he said, laying down on his bedroll. He beckoned Fern to his side, and she eagerly joined him. He kissed her hairline and sighed. “But I will wait until you’re ready for me.”

Fern was satisfied for now, the heat definitely, finally, almost over.

She wasn’t sure exactly how she knew, considering this was her first one, but the cramps were further and further apart now. The restlessness had been replaced by a sense of calm and satisfaction she hadn’t felt since the whole ordeal started.

It could, she supposed, be because of the alphas tending her now versus Darion, whose very presence kept her from ever feeling truly at ease.

“If… If I don’t need you… like before,” she started, her fingers slowly skating across his chest. “Would you still…”

“Fern,” he replied softly. “This isn’t about your heat to me. I have desired you from the start, and would gladly take whatever you have to give to me. Even if you never wanted me in your bed again, as long as you allowed me to walk by your side, I would die a happy wolf.”

Fern burst into tears, and he shushed her. “Don’t cry, please. I mean every word.”

Reinn came to her other side, his hand on her hips, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“You are—”

He stopped mid-sentence and sat up straight. Alert.

“Someone’s coming.”

Reinn moved at once, pulling on his breeches.

“Cover her, Eidan.”

Eidan wrapped the cloak around her, about to rise when Reinn held his hand out to steady him.

“They’re here.”

Fern’s heart raced, and she clung to Eidan as her gaze locked on the surrounding woods.

She didn’t hear anything aside from the breeze, see anything aside from shadows.

But then she smelled it.

Blood.

Was it Darion? Had he found them already?

Oh gods… if he had punished her as the Ashpaw for running away by forcing her to sleep on the roof, how would he punish her now?

Just as her mind began to spiral, a wolfkin, his face stained in red stripes, slipped into the moonlight.

And then another.

And then several more.

“Bloodmoons…” Eidan growled.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?”

One of the wolfkin broke from the group, approaching with an easy gait.