Page 75 of Wolf’s Fated Bride

“Say what you will, brother. I studied civics and politics so I could one day marry whichever alpha the people picked for me. I understand our history and the bed we made when we opposed the Fireborns.”

“It was the only way to stop Ash from burning down the world.”

“Then, my brother, perhaps you should ask yourself what he’ll do now if we don’t let him take the omega he wants.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Guys, his actions speak for themselves. He wants you. The question you should be asking yourself is, do you want him back? And if not, if he was only a service male for you, we should consider the possibility that Ash will want us to honor the treaty with Runa.”

Sören starts to pace. “Which isn’t acceptable. You two are not interchangeable. We agreed on Maren, and humans won’t accept any changes. They’ll consider it a challenge. The treaty can’t be altered without severe consequences.”

“Oh no,” I say. “What did I do?” Tears cloud my vision.

Maren puts a hand on my shoulder. “You just got some alpha dick. That’s all you did. Nothing wrong with that.”

Maren’s heart pounds in her chest. She’s scared, but if someone comes for me the way our brother is doing now, my big sister will stand in my corner.

Sören sits on the other side of me and puts his head in his hands.

“I’m sorry,” I say, then rub his back, trying to comfort him.

“I’m sorry too, Sören,” Maren adds, and just when I think she might spill about Sven, I pinch her. I think our dear brother has had enough of our boy issues.

“We should tell Dad about this before the humans get here,” Sören says.

“I’ll console our mother,” I offer.

“I’ll smile and pretend everything is fine,” Maren says.

Sören rises and removes his rings and his bracelets. “I’ll kill Ash Fireborn.”

“What?!” my sister and I screech in unison.

Chapter 31

Runa

Chasing our brother through the hallways reminds me of my childhood. Sören would take our things, then run so we’d chase after him. Maren and I sprint after Sören, who’s flying through the halls like he’s an air elemental and not water. We’re arrows compared to his bulleting sprint.

“Stop him,” Maren shouts, but the Stormcrest guards are of no help. The moment they see him running, the guards fling open the castle gates, and Sören bursts out into the storm. The wind staggers him, but only momentarily. Sören leaps onto the bridge and pulls the lift lever.

“Hurry up, Runa!” Maren shouts over her shoulder. “He lifted the bridge.”

Girl, I’m running as fast as I can. Short of shifting into a wolf, I can’t go any faster. Maren jumps over the gap and makes it to the other side.

I’d better make it, or I’ll die the weakest wolf who has ever wolfed. If I die, I won’t care anymore, but now I give a shit, so I bend my knees and leap, extending my body as much as I can to gain distance.

Right before my face hits the underside of the bridge, because of course I can’t make this leap, a hand grabs my wrist and hauls me up and over the bridge. We slide down and hit the ground.

Instead of running, Maren stops, eyes wide. “What the hell kind of jump was that?”

“I didn’t make it.”

“You almost died!”

“But you got me, so I’m fine. Can we talk about this later?” I sprint past her.

The storm pounds at us. I slip and slide on my ass and catch up to my brother, who turns around before entering the tower where the Fireborns are staying. Sören sees us and curses.