Page 11 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

In human territories, cross-species mating is frowned upon, and hospitals won’t deliver half-wolf babies. This is because of the high death rate of both mothers and infants. As a hybrid, the baby can sense hostility and will instinctively protect itself by shifting into a wolf. Humans can’t treat wolves or keep them with other babies, and it’s a liability for them, so they refuse to admit mothers in labor to the hospital.

Not to mention, human territories aren’t friendly to wolves.

Same goes for us, though. Unless the human is a Regulator or has some other official designation, they’ve got no business among shifter kind.

Especially out here in the high mountain peaks of Stormcrest pack. We keep to ourselves. The humans in the walled-off cities can keep to themselves too. If you ask me, these Regulators they send out here are more trouble than they’re worth. Surely they can drop off the potions Sören drinks via one of their drones.

On her way out of the shower, Maren whistles absentmindedly. Abruptly, she stops and sniffs the air. She can’t see me yet and clearly can’t smell me because she growls low in her throat. The smell of sex is so potent that she can’t identify my scent.

Gah! She’s lucky our parents drank all night with her fiancé, and none of them thought to come and check on her.

“What would you have done if the fire wolf wanted to get laid tonight, hm?”

She parts the bed curtain and smiles, looking flushed from the shower and the shag.

Maren leans in and sniffs, licking her teeth. “Sven smells divine.”

For the sake of dramatics, I gag. While everyone has a unique scent, male wolves generally smell like an evergreen forest, which we associate with mating and fertility. They say omegas smell like vanilla, which attracts males.

Maren dries her long platinum-blonde hair with a towel while I stare at her pointedly, hoping my killer gaze will shoot some sense into her head.

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

“Maren Stormcrest”—I start with her full name so she knows I mean business—“you are cheating on the most unhinged werewolf in the world. When he finds out, he’ll have Sven’s head, your head, my head, our brother’s head, along with our parents’ heads, all stacked on a big pole so he can fry them like a kebab.”

Maren folds her towel over the back of the vanity chair. “That’s a disturbing image.”

I growl. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Don’t be dramatic. I can’t cheat on a man I don’t have a relationship with.” Maren picks out her pajamas. It’s the pink fluffy set she wears before her heat, which might happen near the full moon. She better not have had sex with Sven while in heat. Even if he pulled out, it’s dangerous. An omega female is very fertile and could get pregnant easily.

At least she hasn’t nested for the male. I hop off the bed. “Don’t you dare roll in this bed before I change the sheets.” I pull them off while Maren pouts.

Once done, I wash up and change into pajamas as well. While I do that, Maren puts on new sheets. We get under fresh covers that smell like soft cotton detergent. Our noses are sensitive, and we wash in gentle, unscented detergents.

I yawn. “I’m sleeping until dinnertime.”

A glow in Maren’s eyes tells me she’s happy and wants to chat. “He’s a great lover.”

Fuck. Me. “The novelty of banging a human can now wear off, and you can break up with him.”

Maren sighs dreamily. “We’re just getting started.”

I have a feeling I won’t sleep well tonight. I need to scold her, but if I do that, she won’t tell me any details about Sven, and I should stay awake long enough to hear them. Maren’s up to no good.

I sit up cross-legged, and she gives me her back and a brush from the nightstand. I run my fingers through her long, thick hair before brushing it.

Grooming is part of our nature. It’s a bonding ritual between wolves who care for each other. I love my sister dearly.

“How are you just getting started when you should end it with him since your fiancé is taking you to his territory in a few nights?”

“Sven said he loves me, and he’ll come with me.”

I pause. “To Fireborn territory?”

“Yeah.”

“That is madness. Not to mention dangerous. You’re risking your life.”