Page 35 of The Alpha's Fallen Spell
“How? How is it different, Erik?” Griffin advances toward me. “What is it? Do you believe the same nonsense the noble families are spouting? Do you think she’s lesser than you because she’s not a pure-blooded shifter?”
His question makes me snarl. “That is not the reason!”
“Then what excuse could you possibly have?” my brother snaps.
“She needs my attention, my time!” I burst out. “I cannot give her what she needs, not the way she needs it, in order to heal. We are at war with the Silver Ring Organization. How can you expect me, as the commander of the army, to divide myself between our enemy and my mate?!”
Griffin stares at me. “So, your solution is to abandon her?”
“I’m not abandoning her.” I feel ashamed. “She’s here. She’s in the palace. She’s protected.”
“And what if she decides to leave?” Griffin’s voice softens, disappointment replacing anger. “She has no one in this world. No place to call home. She has no purpose to make her want to live. One day, she’s going to tire of all the books in the library. One day, she’s going to want a different kind of freedom.”
My head jerks up. “Leave? Where will she go? She’s not out of danger yet.”
“She’s not our prisoner, either,” Griffin reminds me, his voice harsh. “She may be weak right now, Erik, but even a broken bird heals its wings and decides to fly away. What are you going to do once this war with the Silver Ring is over? Do you think she’llbe waiting for you? Are you going to take somebody else as your mate?”
I have no defense to offer, no answer to give him.
“The nobles are looking for any excuse to move against her,” Griffin continues. “As a recognized mate of the commander, of the king’s brother, she would have standing. Protection.” He shakes his head. “You’ve left her vulnerable at the worst possible time.”
Guilt claws at my insides. “I didn’t know about the nobles’ concerns when I made my decision.”
“Would it have changed anything if you had known?”
I want to say yes, but honesty compels me to remain silent.
Griffin sighs, suddenly looking tired. “I need to meet with the council to address these concerns before they fester any further. We’ll continue our discussion about border security another time.”
As he moves to leave, I find my voice again. “Maya knows, doesn’t she? About my rejection of the bond.”
Griffin pauses at the door. “I don’t know.” He looks back at me, his expression unreadable. “But given how angry she’s been with you lately, she probably does.”
The door closes behind him, leaving me alone with thoughts I’ve been avoiding these past three weeks.
My wolf is restless, angry in a way I’ve never experienced before. The creature inside me knows what I’ve denied us both: the completion that comes only with accepting the mate the Goddess chose specifically for us.
I sink into a chair, head in my hands. The noble families’ sudden interest in Fiona’s status isn’t a coincidence. They sense weakness—a shifter with no clan, no family, no mate to stand for her. In pushing her away to protect my focus, my duty, I’ve left her exposed to political machinations I should have anticipated.
What have I done?
The training yard offers no solace today. My movements are mechanical, lacking the concentration and precision my soldiers expect from me. After an hour of unfocused drills, I dismiss them early, ignoring their confused glances.
Elina approaches me as the others begin to disperse, concern etched on her features. “You seem distracted today.”
“Just tired,” I lie, sheathing my practice sword.
“Is it about the artificial shifter?” she asks, her voice dropping. “Everyone’s talking about the council meeting. About Griffin defending her presence here.”
My head snaps up. “Her name is Fiona.”
Elina steps back, surprised by my sharp tone. “I know that. I just meant—”
“I know what you meant,” I cut her off. “And I’d appreciate it if you referred to Fiona by name, not by what was done to her against her will.”
A flash of annoyance crosses Elina’s face before it smooths into a neutral expression. “Of course. I’m sorry.” She hesitates, then adds, “Some of us are just concerned. About you. About the kingdom.”
“Concerned? Why?” I ask tightly.
