Page 25 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

I’m freaking out.

After leaving the dinner table, where my parents scolded me while the Fireborn Alpha sat there ever so pleased with himself, I pace my bedroom. When Maren walks through the door, I’ll yank her hair out for recommending her lover as the Regulator for her fiancé. Who happens to be the most dangerous alpha male to walk the earth.

At this rate, I’ll wear out the rug.

I check the time. Where the hell is she? I hope not with Sven! Or Ash, for that matter.

I plop onto the bed. “This is a shitshow.”

Maren enters, a big smile plastered on her face. She stretches out her arms and tackles me on the mattress. “Oh, my brilliant, brilliant sister.” She kisses my cheek. “What a performance you put on for them. They ate it up. All of it. Ash ordered Sven to make him a mixture to take with him during the purge, and Sven is working on it now. They’ll test it out, and if it works with Ash’s fire, Sven will come with me. I’ve no doubt it will work since Sven is their best alchemist, so we’re all set. Woohoo! This worked out better than I imagined, and I have you to thank for that.”

I stare at the ceiling. “Welcome.” I was going to yank her hair. I was going to confront her. But Maren is so happy and eager to go to the Fireborn territory now, that I rethink my violence. Maybe it’s for the best that I say nothing, because it won’t make any difference now since Ash has accepted Sven. He doesn’t appear to be a male who backs down from his decisions easily. If it makes sense to him, he’ll go for it.

Maren lifts up on her elbows and lies on her side. “Aren’t you happy for me?”

“I’m afraid for you.”

“We’ll be careful, like we were here.”

“But here, you’re in your pack. There, you’ll be in the Fireborn Alpha’s pack, in his territory, his everything, and you’re bringing your lover with you. Maren, can’t you see how dangerous that is?”

“I would rather die than leave Sven.”

“You just might die.”

“Then it will be for love.”

I swallow. “The Fireborn Alpha must have an heir.”

Maren nods. “Not until I’m ready. And that will take a while. In the meantime, Ash will find a lover.”

I want to throw up. “You seem to have it all figured out.”

“That’s because I do.”

“Have you considered leaving Sven here, giving Ash an heir as quickly as possible, then separating from him? He’ll get an heir and freedom. And so will you. Unless, of course, he falls in love with you.”

“He won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“You’ve spent five minutes with him. You do not even know if he likes you or not.”

Maren rolls to her back, and we both stare at the ceiling. “There’s no spark. When he looks at me, it’s like he’s looking at a spoon.” She intertwines our fingers. Her hand is warm like mine.

“Did Sven murder the Fireborn’s Regulator so he could take his place?” I ask.

Maren stiffens. “I don’t think so.”

That’s the most unconvincing denial ever. Maybe Sven did it, but he hasn’t told her. One thing is for sure: He is capable of murder.

“It is possible you are sleeping with a murderer?” I ask.

Maren snorts. “Let’s not judge a man for being human. You and I live in a castle surrounded by water and luxury, while men wage wars. They’re all murderers, Runa. All of them.”

“This is different.”