Wolf made a point of stopping and speaking with various people, seeing they had what they needed, though he had no doubt they did. It wasn’t that he never heard a complaint, the tribe had its share, but being prepared for a snowstorm wasn’t one of them. Snow was something they dealt with often in their homeland.
He wasn’t far from the longhouse when he spotted his wife with her head bent and her eyes cast to the ground as if searching for something. He headed her way wondering what she may have lost. She suddenly bent quickly, whipping something up out of the snow that had coated the ground.
Her cloak.
All this time she had gone without it and he hadn’t taken note of it. He’d been too angry over the escape, too annoyed that she had taken matters into her own hands, and too intent on talking with Sten, to see that his wife had lacked protection from the cold, something that plagued her too often.
He whipped off his fur cloak as he drew near her, snatched her damp wool cloak from her hands, and hurried his warm cloak around her. “There are several fur cloaks in the longhouse. You will wear one of them from now on.”
“Is that an order?” Raven asked, shuddering as she drew the warm fur around her.
He framed his words carefully. “It’s a wise choice.”
Raven smiled. “Wise response.”
Her smile brought his own. “I am a wise man.”
Raven laughed. “I could argue that.” She held her hand up when he went to respond. “But I won’t, since I appreciate the warmth of your cloak.”
And the scent of you on it.
She pursed her lips to make sure those words didn’t slip out, growing uncomfortable with the unexpected thought. Or did she? She had grown accustomed to his alluring scent. It wrapped around her like his arms, bringing comfort and strangely a sense of safety. The thought troubled her, it feeling like a sense of surrender. She couldn’t surrender, not ever. She had to stay strong, always strong or she wouldn’t survive.
Wolf grew concerned when her brow seemed to crease with worry. “Something wrong, Raven?”
She brushed it off with an excuse. “The day grows long and I grow hungry.”
She lied, that was obvious, but why? What didn’t she trust telling him?
Trust.
That stood between them, divided them, and he knew what he had to do to change that. But did he dare take a chance? Or did it matter? She was his wife and Brother Noble was right. If she did carry another man’s child, the bairn would need a father.
“Sir,” Gorm called out as he hurried toward Wolf. “A man stalks the area. The sentinels spotted him and Iver found his tracks and says he hides them well.”
“Gather the men, we search,” Wolf ordered and turned to his wife as Gorm rushed off. “You are to remain in the longhouse.”
She said nothing, her intent blue eyes focused on him.
“I mean it, wife. You will seek the safety of the longhouse while I see to this,” Wolf commanded.
“You know of this because I sent Iver to see if he could find anything,” she argued. “From what I’ve learned of Brynjar, he leaves a mission to more than one man.”
“The reason I spread sentinels out wider.”
“We both had the same thought,” Raven said. “Brynjar didn’t rely on Sten’s group to carry out the mission. He sent someone to follow and make sure of it.”
“And there may be others that follow, Brynjar is not one to accept defeat.” Wolf gave a nod to the longhouse. “Now go and wait for me where you will be safe.”
“I will not sit idly by while you hunt the man intent on seeing me dead,” she retaliated. “My men and I—”
“Your men are welcome to join me. You will remain here,” Wolf said, the strength of his voice sounding like a decree.
Raven went to argue, having no intentions of being left behind, but her husband grabbed hold of her arm and yanked her against him, his brow coming to rest on hers.
“There is much to be settled between us, wife, and I will not have you taken from me before I see that done.”
His warm breath fanned her face like a gentle kiss and she closed her eyes for a moment, lingering in its gentle caress. And while she should have been surprised when his lips touched hers, she wasn’t. She enjoyed his kisses as much as she didn’t want to admit it. There was something about his kiss, a closeness of sorts she had never experienced. She didn’t quite understand it, since when her men had talked about their experiences with women they had never mentioned it. So, it had left her puzzled.
When he brought the kiss to a gentle end, a sudden tug to her heart had her asking, “What of you? I don’t wish to lose you.” Her remark was strange to her own ears and she thought to clarify it, but found no words that could explain it.
“I’m the Beast. I need no one to protect me,” he whispered.
His mouth had remained close to hers and the faint whisper of his words once again caressed her lips. “We all need someone.”
Her words hit him hard, thinking she referred to the man she loved and he shoved her away. “You will obey me on this and stay here.”
His sudden anger startled her and sparked her own ire. “Until you are truly my husband, you have no say in what I do.” She went to turn when she spotted a dark figure in the snow, slinking past one of the cottages. Her eyes went wide and she took off after him.
Wolf didn’t hesitate, he followed.
The heavily falling snow made it difficult to see, but Raven had braved such weather before so it didn’t frighten her. She was no fool and it wasn’t long after that she realized the man she followed was leading her away from the village. That could prove fatal in this snowstorm, especially with the cat and mouse game he was playing with her. She had to consider he was leading her into a trap, not that she held much credence with that. Her thought was that Sten’s group had one man in it who reported back to another of Brynjar’s men who had probably waited along the way. When the man failed to meet, the warrior came to find out why and if he failed to report to the next man, then another warrior would follow after him. Brynjar had no intentions of giving up.
Why though?
Was this man here to see her dead? Or was this another matter entirely? Was he here to get the woman whose parents refused Brynjar’s offer of marriage? Her questions needed answers, which meant the man had to be taken alive. Not an easy task if he was there to kill her, but she was certain her husband hadn’t hesitated in following her. And no doubt Gorm would dispatch warriors as well.
It was time she took command of the situation. She waited until she was sure he caught a good glimpse of her then she turned away from him and headed back to the village, not the least worried he wouldn’t follow.
The heavy snow made the task more difficult. Visibility grew worse and made it almost impossible to see anything. She was relieved when she caught the outline of a cottage and followed it. She kept her eyes peeled as best as possible and her ears alert, surmising that it wouldn’t be long before he attacked if she was truly the target.
She caught a dark blur out of the corner of her eye race her way and turned knife in hand, but the man never got a chance to reach her. She scrunched her eyes trying to make out what was happening only a short distance from her. Her heart caught in her throat when she heard the distinct growl and saw the blur of fur sail through the air.
A wolf?
It took a few moments to see clearly enough and realize it wasn’t a wolf, though in a way it was… it was her husband, the Beast. Though the heavily swirling snow prevented a clear view, she was able to see enough to know why he was called the Beast. He fought like one, relentless, unforgiving, determined to conquer. His prey didn’t stand a chance.
Her husband’s warriors appeared as if they had materialized from the snow and formed a circle around their leader. Her men joined her, standing at her side.
Fyn was the first to speak. “His name fits him.”
Iver added his own thought. “He tears at his prey like a
beast.”
They were right. It was as if he unleashed a wild animal and she hated to admit that watching him sent a bit of fear rumbling through her.
When the fight ended, the man appeared as if he’d been torn apart, though there was enough life left in him to speak. At least her husband had been wise enough to let him live long enough to question.
The man lay on the ground and struggled to speak. “You’ll not stop him.”
Wolf’s breathing was ragged, his anger still strong, and his hands fisted at his sides, fighting the urge to finish the man. “I will,” he affirmed as if pledging a vow.
“Not before he has his way,” the man said and managed to grin. His movement was so rapid no one caught it before it was too late. The man grabbed the knife that his fingertips faintly touched and slid it across his throat. His blood quickly spilled out along with his life.
Wolf stared at the man, an angry growl rumbling from him, then he looked to Gorm. “See that he’s tossed in the woods for the animals to feast on.”
A chill ran through Raven when he turned his eyes on her. She suddenly felt like the wolf’s prey, his dark eyes looking as if they waited to stalk her every move. He raised his arm and pointed. “The longhouse now!”
She wasn’t about to be dictated to and went to protest.
Wolf was ready for her. He raced at her so fast that it had her men jumping out of his way. He scooped her up, dropped her over his shoulder, and headed to the longhouse.
Fyn went to follow and George stopped him. “It’s time they worked this out between them.”
Fyn nodded. “You’re right.”
Brod agreed with a nod. “No more can be done with this snowstorm bearing down on us. Time for the heat of a roaring fire, tankards of ale, and plenty of food.”
“Snow doesn’t stop a Northman,” Gorm said, coming up behind them.
“Join us in food and drink and tell us Northmen tales,” Brod offered with a grin.
“Join me in the keep where there is heat, food, and drink a plenty,” Gorm invited and looked to Fyn. “Lord Wolf has already instructed that Greta, Tait, and Eria seek shelter there while this snow rages. It’s also an easier place to keep them safe.”
“I’ll go escort them there,” Fyn said.
“I’ll help,” George offered and the two hurried off.
“Women can turn a man’s head to mush,” Iver complained shaking his head.
Brod and Gorm laughed and the three men headed to the keep.
Wolf deposited his wife in the common room near the fire pit and slapped his hand over her mouth before she could speak. “Listen well, wife. If you ever chase after danger again, I will throttle you senseless.” He pressed his hand firmer to her mouth when her eyes widened as if she was about to argue and he was well aware of what that argument would be. “I know you can take care of yourself, but you no longer have to. You have me now. I will see you kept safe.”
Her blue eyes betrayed the battle she fought with herself and he knew what stopped her.
Trust.
She didn’t trust him.
Wolf’s hand fell away, giving her a chance to speak.
Raven shook her head. “Until trust exists between us, I trust myself and my men to keep me safe.”
It rankled Wolf that she put such trust in her men but had not an ounce for him even after he had made sure to protect her from this attack.
Raven raised her hand when he went to respond. “I don’t want false promises or empty words. Trust—true trust—I learned comes from deep within. A place where someone would never think to betray.”
“You had such a trust with the man you loved?” Wolf asked, knowing her response would annoy him.
“I did, though we both earned it just as I earned my men’s trust and theirs mine. I have hidden nothing about myself from you. You see and hear for yourself who I am. You either accept my word as truth or you leave us to forever doubt each other.”
Wolf turned away from her, his mind in turmoil. Surrender was not something he ever considered. He had fought every battle, every engagement large or small, to the end and had emerged mostly victorious. He had retreated a couple of times to regroup and when he’d reengaged, victory proved easy.
This engagement was different. There’d be no retreat. Once he entered battle, her word would prove true or false, which meant either certain victory or defeat for him. Unless he didn’t think of it as a battle to win or lose. He’d actually come to favor his wife. She challenged him in words and action, and he couldn’t deny he was attracted to her. She invaded his thoughts endlessly and dreams as well. He loved having her in his arms at night, wrapped snug around him. And she aroused him far too easily, a sign he had tried to ignore that he was eager to make love to her.
Love.
That word had surfaced far too often in his head of late when it came to his wife. Could he truly feel more for her than he would admit? Was he failing to trust what his heart was trying to tell him? How would he ever know if he didn’t give it a chance? How would she ever trust him if he didn’t believe her word?
Wolf whipped off his cloak, tossed it aside, went to his wife, and scooped her up in his arms. “It’s time we settle this. It’s time we seal our vows and I make you my wife.”
Chapter 16
Raven wasn’t sure what to do when her husband set her on her feet in their bedchamber. She had wanted this—his trust. But the hundreds of butterflies fluttering in her stomach had her thinking twice about it. She may have learned about coupling from listening to her men but it was from a man’s perspective. She had no idea how it was for a woman. That she was about to find out both thrilled and frightened her.
There was one thing she wanted to know before anything happened between them. “So you chose to see if I tell the truth.”
Wolf’s hands halted, having already partially disrobed, and his eyes found hers. “I know you told me the truth, that’s why I do this.”
He shocked her speechless but not for long. “Suddenly you believe me?”
“I believe you, I trust you, and I care for you.” His response was unexpected and unintended, but it felt right.
Only a few words of what he’d said stuck in her mind and she had to be sure she had heard him correctly. “You care for me?”
“I do,” he said, feeling comfortable with admitting it. “You can be troublesome at times, stubborn as well, and definitely foolish, but you have courage, strength, and you are loyal to those you care for, and you will stop at nothing to keep them safe. I know you will protect our bairns as fiercely as a wolf protects her cubs, and I hope someday you will come to care for me as well.”
Words failed her. She never expected to hear such kind and caring words from him. She thought they would forever be at odds, never even become friends, never truly care for each other. It touched her heart to think that they could actually have if not a loving marriage then at least a caring one.
She had a chance here not only to make the most of her situation as the old man used to advise her to do, but to make a better life for herself. One where she would have a husband who cared for her and one day maybe, just maybe dare she think, they could find love with each other.
Raven spoke what she felt. “I thought I would hate you forever, but I don’t. You are different than I thought you’d be. Of course, I was right about you being overbearing and that you dictate to me far too much, but you’re not the barbarian I expected.” She turned a teasing smile on him. “You’re a good leader, fair with your people, and a warrior of exceptional skill. I believed I would have to tolerate you in more ways than one. I was pleasantly surprised to see that your features are more than tolerable as are your manners. While I don’t need you to keep me safe, I have no doubt, when necessary, you will keep me safe. And surprisingly and completely unexpected, I’ve come to care—somewhat—for you.”
Wolf smiled at her confession. “You care for me.”
“Somewhat,” she corrected, his teasing s
mile driving the butterflies in her stomach wild.
“It’s a start,” he said and was glad for it.
“Aye, it is,” she agreed, and like him, she was pleased they had found some common ground.
Wolf quickly finished disrobing and when he looked to his wife, he was surprised she still wore her shirt as she did each night in bed.
He would remove it for her, but he sensed it was better she did so herself. “You’ll need to take that off.”
Her worry had her words rushing from her mouth. “I have scars.”
Wolf stretched his hand out to her. “It matters not to me. Come and let me see them.”
Raven hesitated. The old man was the only one who had ever seen her partially naked since he had tended her wounds. She had never stood naked in front of anyone and while Wolf was her husband and had the right to see her unclothed, she found herself hesitant to do so.
He saw the uncertainty in her eyes and he thought to go to her, but he knew it was better for them both if she came to him freely. He knew of only one way to accomplish that.
“You are no coward, wife.”
Raven’s chin shot up and she walked over to him and took tight hold of his hand as if needing his strength, his reassurance.
“No scars can mar your beauty, Raven,” he said and brought his mouth to hers in a gentle kiss. He was quick to add, “I speak the truth so don’t challenge me on it.”
She smiled since she had been about to do just that. “You know me too well.”
“And we are about to know each other more intimately,” he said, his hands going to her shirt to slide it up along her body. He kept his eyes on hers, her shirt reaching her waist. “Raise your hands, wife.” He thought she might protest, but she didn’t. He hurried her shirt over her head and tossed it aside, something he had ached to do shortly after they had begun sharing a bed, but had refused to admit to himself.
A sudden chill raced a shiver through Raven.
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