Page 24 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

“Maren’s idea solves a lot of bottlenecks for everyone here.” Sven looks at my sister, and she almost melts. “I swore an oath to serve the world in a Regulatory capacity. I will go wherever I’m needed. It seems to me the Fireborn Alpha needs my services most. I’m happy to audition. Perhaps during the purge?”

“You would accompany me on a purge?” Ash asks.

Sven nods. “I don’t live in denial of your power or autonomy. You will purge with or without my approval. I would rather work with you than against you.”

Oh please! The humble servant. I suppress an eye roll.

Ash runs a thumb over his bottom lip.

He’s considering this. Oh no. No. Maren and Sven, together and in the Fireborn territory, will absolutely get caught sneaking around. Ash will kill my sister, and if nobody else would go to war with him over that, I would have to. And then I’ll die because he can end me with a flick of his claw. A lick of his flame.

“Sven doesn’t meet the conditions,” I state. “He’s single.”

“I have a son,” Sven counters. “His mother is deceased, and he lives with my sister.”

I flip my braid over my shoulder. “No, that doesn’t meet the conditions.” Does it?

Ash tilts his head the way a wolf might. “Maren’s idea is solid.”

Shit. “What about your conditions?” Do I sound as desperate as I am? I’m pretty desperate.

“He has a child,” Ash explains. “And a sister he cares about. Stormcrest pack vouches for him. That’s enough for me.”

“But he’s single. As in not married. It’s not the same. You said wife, children, a dog.” My palms are sweating.

“What is your problem?” Maren bites out.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Are you kidding me?” I push back my seat. “Sven can’t go with Ash. He’s indispensable to Sören. Who are they going to send for Sören, huh? Some dimwit we’ll kill off in the wild just so we can get a Regulator who can handle living with wolves in freezing conditions.”

“Runa,” my mother warns. “Watch your tongue.”

“Why do you want Sven to stay so badly?” Ash asks.

“Because he is indispensable to my brother.”

“Bullshit. Do you like him?” Ash asks. Point blank. In front of everyone.

My dad jumps out of his seat. Sören joins him. They shout at Ash, defending my honor.

But wait. I shouldn’t be honest when Ash is telling me a lie that I can spin to justify my argument. Nothing else makes sense. He’s saved me with this, and all I have to do is not fight it since I already sound like I’m losing a lover if Sven leaves the pack.

But I can’t say I like Sven in front of my family. I also hate lying. Yet, I can’t have him travel with Maren to Ash’s pack. I can’t deny Ash’s accusation because I need him to think I like Sven. It is a good diversion from Maren so she can survive this ordeal before the couple travels. I decide silence, not honesty, is the best policy.

I lower my head, pretending to be defeated and embarrassed that Ash called me out like that.

My father’s jaw hangs open.

Sören curses.

Maren stares.

“That’s unacceptable,” my father finally says.

Ash smiles, showing all his teeth. “I wholeheartedly agree. Pack your shit, Sven. You’re not staying.”

Chapter 9

Runa