“No. She said my nickname should be…” I hesitate to say it. “Frigid bitch.”
That has Ash literally on her knees, tears rolling down her face.
“Oh my! Oh my! I can’t get my breath. Frigid bitch! That is something that Anise would say. Oh my! Oh, it hurts to laugh!” This is my cue to make my escape.
Preparing to leave, I have everything sorted in only a few minutes. The trip to the border shouldn’t be dangerous, but the rogues have been known to venture deep into other pack lands. I just need to keep away from Alpha Lyle as much as possible. I don’t want to accidentally cause the mating bond to become active, as it were.
Chapter 15
LYLE
It was suggested by Flick and Blossom that I take a romantic route to woo Fenya. Flowers, gestures, picnics and the like. No matter how hard I try, I cannot visualize her accepting a bouquet of Blossom’s best blooms, or sitting on a blanket in a sunlit clearing enjoying a basket of Flick’s fanciful favorites. It just doesn’t work for me.
Judging a warrior contest or taking part in a competition herself, yes. Those things I see clearly.
Astra cannot help you with this. She doesn’t know how to sway Fenya other than with threats and promises of abandonment. She even told her that she wished she could turn part wolf and bite her human half! I think we have all felt that way at one time or another.Hunter chuckles, which is a deep and gruff sound.
‘I refuse to believe that you have ever wanted to seriously bite me.’
Oh, believe it. As much as you humans like to think you're always right, forty-nine percent of the time we wolves just let you think that. The other fifty percent you are right because we led you to that conclusion.
‘Your math is not correct.’
I grudgingly gave you that one percent for arriving at the correct solution on your own merit. Don’t make me change my mind.Hunter's tone has darkened.
‘I am convinced that Falan will order Fenya to stay at Spirit Walker pack if she hasn’t decided to herself.’
We agree. That could be very counter-productive. We are sure Fenya will dig her heels in even further if that happens.
I roll my eyes. ‘What’s with this ‘we’? Don’t tell me you’re developing schizophrenia now.’
WE are Astra and me, of course. We have accepted each other as mates in our minds, but we cannot bond fully until the pair of you get your act together. We have agreed on a large family. My parents were both from large families. You know that I was a twin at birth. It was unfortunate my brother was too small to survive.
‘I see. WE are having a large family, are WE?’ I grumble but with a hint of amusement.
Astra’s lines run to twins. It is not too much to expect that we will have at least one set of twins. It would pay not to discuss this with Fenya at this current moment in time.
‘Well, at least that’s one thing we can agree on.’
I told you we wolves lead you humans to the correct conclusions. Proof if it were needed.
‘You should get some rest. We journey home tomorrow.’ I swear I hear Hunter laugh as he settles down to get some sleep.
Parting from Gabe and Tati was a mixed blessing. It’s always sad to leave them, but thankfully Tati never got the chance to confront Fenya. Gabe has a hand in that, if I don’t miss my guess.
Falan has stayed nearby for the return trip with Fenya in close proximity, and I’m sure that is intentional, too. I may be forced to say something soon as I don’t want all these good intentions to push her away.
Traveling through the Wolfsfoot Pack lands, we have taken a different route to the border. Arric’s knowledge of what we’re all doing should now just be a shadow of its former levels. This should give us a window of opportunity to get our houses in order and be more proactive instead of reactive.
I haven’t discussed the idea that Bronze had with anyone as yet. The fewer involved in that the better, is how I see it. Falan, to his credit, hasn’t mentioned it.
Reaching the border to Spirit Walker Pack, we cross over and then have a meal break. There is a great temptation for me to travel further and delay parting with my mate, but I need to get back to the packhouse and relieve Earl.
Falan is conflicted in his thoughts as to Fenya and I. I can see it every time he looks at one of us. Sensing that he is going to order Fenya to remain at Spirit Walker under some pretense or other, I jump in first. “Alpha Falan, may I speak with Fenya alone, please?”
“Of course you may. For as long as you need.” Falan starts to rise, but I wave him down.
“Fenya, would you take a walk with me?” I stand and wait for her response.
