Page 22 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

Sven Olsen walks in with Blade’s Regulator. They’re wearing white robes with black collars, which is human mourning attire. We quiet down when they join us at the dinner table.

My sister’s face lights up almost instantly. God, she’s not even trying to hide her affection for Sven. My mother pours another glass of wine. My dad glares at the men, who are late for dinner, but he’s not the kind of alpha who will wait for anyone. Dinner was scheduled at nine, and it’s not his problem that they couldn’t make it on time.

Sven sits next to me and apologizes for his lateness, citing the long report they’ve had to write about Peter’s death. He mentions a video call with the Peacebroker.

“Not a problem,” my father’s deep voice booms from the other side of the table. “You know the rules. We don’t wait for anyone.”

Sven apologizes again and pours a drink before picking out his food. When I look up, I catch Ash leaning around the urn to look at me.

I jerk my chin up. What are you looking at?

“Runa,” Sven says between bites. “The Peacebroker had a few questions for you. If I could come by after dinner, I could file the report tonight and get Peter on his way to his family.”

“I’ve given you a full report,” Ash interjects before I can answer.

Sven wipes his mouth. “I have to take her statement.”

“Did you take the statement of the women who found Peter?”

“I have, yes.”

“That’s enough, then, wouldn’t you say?”

“The Peacebroker asked for Runa’s statement.”

“Which she must give you after dinner. In private?” Ash asks.

“Well…” Sven fidgets with his napkin. “Yes, that is how statements of this sort are collected.”

“I’ll do it,” I say.

“I said it wasn’t necessary,” Ash barks.

“It’s not a big deal. I want to help.”

“You’re not helping.” Ash’s tone could cut glass, and everyone falls silent.

“Actually,” Sven says, “I need her statement, or the report is incomplete.”

“Says who?”

“The Peacebroker.”

I tilt my body to the right so I can see Ash grinding his teeth.

“The Council wants to speak with you,” Sven says, his voice wobbling a bit. Ash is agitated. He’s scary when that happens.

“I’ve got nothing to say,” Ash says. “Have them send Peter’s replacement. Tell them I want a family man. Wife, kids, a dog. My conditions for picking out a Regulator haven’t changed.”

Sören smiles. “Sven is not your secretary. Meet with the Peacebroker and tell him yourself.”

After a moment, Ash says, “The Peacebroker and I don’t have a good relationship. It’s in everyone’s best interest that he stays far away from me. I won’t speak with him unless the world is burning.” A pause. “Again.”

“If I may,” Blade’s Regulator says, his voice steady and calm. “The Council intends to send their best alchemist, who happens to be a single older gentleman I’ve known for many years, with a gentle temper and a wealth of knowledge in alchemy. He would match your energy.”

“If my conditions aren’t met, I’ll send him back no matter how good he is.”

“You can’t refuse a Regulator,” my father says. “The world depends on the humans who regulate your element.”