Page 30 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

“I hope you get fleas. Bye!”

Chapter 11

Runa

The next morning, I wake up hoping Ash lost control over his fire and burned Sven to…well, ash. It would’ve been a terrible accident, but if there had been witnesses, Ash could have gotten away with it since he’s missing a Regulator and at least one dose of his meds.

Sören has to take his daily, so I assume the same applies to Ash. While Ash hasn’t reached the point where his control over the fire could slip, nobody other than him could even come close to knowing what it feels like to carry fire inside you.

I imagine what would happen if his temper fueled the flame. Ash isn’t exactly even-tempered, yet he’s not a loose cannon either.

Yesterday, I might’ve pushed his buttons a little, though. In the morning, he threatened to discipline me, and at night, he said he’d make me nest in the corner of his bedroom. That’s a vision I can’t get out of my head. An omega nests when she wants an alpha male to visit with her during the full moon. She does that so that she’ll feel safe in her nest while he ravages her body. In the best possible way, of course.

I can’t say I’ve ever been ravaged. Males have serviced me when I’m in heat. That’s all they’re allowed to do. Ash Fireborn probably isn’t a service male. That one looks like he’d make me service him. The very thought of it makes me want to melt. Which is precisely why I stop thinking about it.

I rise out of my warm, cozy bed and check the weather. Wind lifts the snow from the mountains, revealing the frozen river that flows into our sea. A few pack mates on guard near the far gates appear miserable while camping by the fire. Past the gates, a pack of wolves is coming in, seeking shelter before we gather indoors to ride out the storm.

I wonder if some of the Fireborn pack have left already. Judging by the way the storm is moving, they have only a small window of time to travel safely.

I dress in my warmest clothing, with fur boots and a thick fur coat, then head downstairs to pick up the basket of food for the Fireborns. Nobody is around, so I guess they’ve already left to do their chores. I proceed to the bridge.

The wind is brutal this morning. It’s one of those winds that feels like the skin of your whole face will peel away. Ice formed over the bridge. We’re used to winter conditions, but one can never be too careful. From the supply closet we keep here for our guards, I attach metal cleats to the bottom of my boots.

“Incoming!” I shout over the whistling wind, then walk across as quickly as possible without falling. The gust of wind nearly knocks me over the edge, but the guard on the other side meets me halfway and pulls me indoors.

“Thanks,” I tell him as I remove my cleats. “Who’s housekeeping here today?”

“You’re the first to arrive. But why are you on chores?”

“I lost a bet.”

He chuckles. “Sucks.”

“Mmhm. Take care.” I bid him goodbye and make my way to the Fireborn tower. In the kitchen, I run into Blade, who’s staring at the coffee machine like he’s willing it to work.

“I got it,” I say, then drop the basket on the counter.

“Good morning,” he says.

“Morning. How did you sleep?”

“Excellent. You?”

“Same.”

“Have you seen Ash over on your side of the keep?”

When he says the keep, he means our castle. I fix each of us a cup of coffee. “No. Why?”

“He left last night and hasn’t been back.”

“Oh.” I sip my coffee. Strong, bold roast. Needs more sugar, though. I add a spoonful.

“I thought he might be with your sister,” Blade says.

“I doubt that.”

A frown forms on Blade’s face.