Page 29 of The Ashpaw: Part One

And then a sound, high-pitched and airy, barely more than an exhale, surged from the back of her throat. A whine, needy and desperate. A sound she’d never made before.

And that was alarming, too.

His pupils dilated, and then his expression softened, only a fraction. “Calm, she-wolf. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

A resonance, rumbling and soothing, grew from the alpha, and Fern recognized it from when he’d carried her from the human lands. Her eyes closed, and her body swayed towards his, like she expected his embrace.

“You are a very hard man to read, you know,” she replied, and he chuckled.

When she opened her eyes again, his lips twitched.

“Is that so?”

The fire crackled softly, and he reached out, wiping a stray strand of hair away from her cheek.

“I merely wanted to let you know that I’ve received multiple petitions for you. You’ve made quite an impression on the wolfkin.”

Her wolf preened. Of course I have.

“But I will not consider them.”

Fern paused. For a moment, she was disappointed, and then confused. Perhaps Hyde was right that he meant to petition her himself.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted that or not.

“Wait… what do you mean? Why?”

Darion looked at her, tongue playing with the tip of his pointed canine, and then he said, “You are too new. They are reacting to you as men, but have yet to meet you as wolves. I will wait until after you have a few shifts under your belt before I will consider their requests.”

That… was good. She hoped it was good. In fact, it was probably great. It didn’t seem there was any getting out of such an arrangement, even if it horrified her. But if the wolfkin who had petitioned her were told to wait, that would at least weed out the ones who weren’t serious. Who perhaps only wanted her because she was new, as Vedia had suggested, leaving the ones who were more gentle and patient.

Like Jules.

But he somehow mistook her relief for dismay. “I wouldn’t worry too much about the wait. You’ll be birthing pups for the clan before you know it.”

Fern could not stop the snort and roll of her eyes, as though that was what concerned her.

And then Darion’s tone turned dark. “Did I say something amusing?”

Oh… oh no, she’d forgotten to school her features. Her lips quivered, and she tried to think of a way to explain her reaction. “N-no, Alpha, sir, I just… I am honored to birth children, I mean pups, for the clan and—”

He bared his teeth in a snarl that had her shrinking into herself and looking away. Anywhere but his face. “I can taste your lies, she-wolf.”

Fern whined again, but this only served to enrage him further. He took the empty pitcher from her, then grabbed her arm and spun her around, pushing her towards the wall. She only just caught herself when he pressed himself against her, hissing in her ear.

“Do you think so little of what is being offered to you? There are Solvekh who would beg for the chance you so casually mock.”

Tears stung her eyes, fear clawing at her tongue. “I-I’m sorry, Alpha. Forgive me, I—”

“Do not waste words on toothless apologies. No, you will find no absolution there.”

He took one slow step backward, letting her go.

“Hands behind your back.”

The moment she complied, her whole body shaking, he spoke again.

“You will remain there until I dismiss you. If you turn around, speak, or move from that position, we begin again.”