'Now you're being responsible,' Bloodfang's voice came through, low and steady inside Voren's head.
The packhouse was close. Voren could already see the lights cutting through the grey curtain of rain, blurry and warm from this distance. His boots were soaked through, mud clinging to the sides, and every step felt heavier than the last.
'It's the right thing to do,' Voren answered back.
Bloodfang went quiet for half a second, like he was choosing his next words carefully. Then…'So let's claim her.'
Voren almost missed a step.
'You're out of your mind,' he shot back, not even trying to hide the irritation threading through his thoughts.
'Am I?'
'She's Ravyn's ex-wife.' Voren kept his eyes forward, jaw tight. 'We wait for our fated mate. That's how it works. The Alpha code doesn't bend for situations like this. Not even with a mate bond on the table.'
If he has to fight for the love of any woman, then it had to be his fated mate, nothing more, nothing less.
