The Alpha He Rejected

Nell Ashford was never meant to run the pack. Her brother was. When he died, the council named her — the last Ashford, the wrong one, whatever they called her behind her back. At her confirmation, the goddess names her mate. It's Ewan Baird, the war-captain her brother orphaned eight years ago. He rejects her in front of the council, on the grounds of blood. She keeps him anyway. He's the best soldier she has, and her pack is broke, undefended, and one winter away from being swallowed by the Ridge. They spend a year doing the work neither of them wanted. Granaries. Borders. A militia. The bond doesn't fade. It pulls. When the Ridge finally comes, she holds the ford and he holds the pass, and afterwards there is nothing left to lie about. She doesn't forgive him. He doesn't ask. She promotes him — and then, with the office door shut, she does the other thing. An Alpha chooses. A Luna is chosen. Nell has always known the difference.