Swiftcurrent Creek anything's better than letting her realize she can do better than me

They spoke of the children—Silvertongue emerged, unabashed and beautiful. Eshe’s words cloyingly pulled at his mind—and he blinked, looking back to Arric as the man threatened to send Mae after him should he not return. The thought elicited a bark of a laugh from the Alpha, despite the coolness that emanated from Silvertongue now—her question one of demand rather than casual conversation.

“Good call… Mae wouldn’t let me die just out of spite,” he murmured, the darkness of that thought drifting between them. And then, a glance to Silvertongue was given as he straightened under her inspecting eyes. “Akashingo.” His tones softer—knowing the word a trigger for her.