The bloodline must continue. Your sire held this seat before you. Your—

I know what my sire did. His voice cut through, thin with impatience. He’s dead. I’m not.

You are the heir. The clan looks to you.

The clan can look somewhere else.

Denying your duties dishonors the First Flame’s lineage. You have rejected every suitable omega brought before you. The nesting season begins within weeks.

Then I reject them again.

Enough. If you will not choose willingly, the council will arrange a courtship.

Fine. You want me to choose? I’ll choose. I’ll take the most irritating omega in this entire clan.

You cannot—

Them.