by Lee Savino
“I had to fight for it. Still do, at times,” Maddox added.
“But you cannot fight. Even if we did allow you to challenge for dominance, you could not defeat the weakest warrior, Sabine. That puts you at the bottom of the pack. This chain protects you, claims you as ours.”
“It makes me feel like a slave.” My cheeks burned, with anger and embarrassment, and something more. Chained and collared, with the end of the leash in Ragnvald hand, I felt like a war prize, fought over and desired. My treacherous body responded to this as it had the rough fucking five minutes ago. The grin on Maddox’s face told me the warriors could scent my true feelings.
“Slave or consort, what’s the difference?” Maddox said. “You come and go by our leave. You eat what we give you. You share our bed.”
I glared at him.“I will not be doing that anymore.”
He laughed. “Very well. We won’t force you.” He brushed the back of his hand against my cheek before stepping away. “We’ll let you beg for it.”
“You are ours,” Ragnvald said, and I couldn’t deny the desire that built in me at his firm claim. “Ours to treasure. Ours to possess. And you will obey.”
“I don’t want to do this,” I whispered.
With a sigh, Ragnvald wrapped the links around his hand, shortening the lead and drawing me closer. But when he spoke his voice was gentle. “This chain protects you. We will not visit the pack without you wearing it. One day you will be able to go without it. When the beast is trained, and we live as men and women do. But for now...it is too dangerous. We keep the pack rules. For everyone’s safety.”
My stomach roiled at the thought of being presented to the pack like chattel. But I would do it, if not for my warriors, then for Muriel and Fleur. I took a deep breath. “I’ll wear it. Just, please, when we see my sisters…”
“We will not make you wear it in front of them. We keep them separate from the pack, and will remove it when it is only us and the women.”
“But you will wear the torc. Always,” Maddox insisted.
I fingered the delicate links. “Very well.”
With a small smile of approval, Ragnvald walked forward. I let him lead me, almost brushing his side with my eyes on the ground. It was easier to keep my gaze downcast while following his lead.
“That’s it, Sabine. Stay close to me,” Ragnvald sounded very pleased, almost proud.
We trekked through the forest, and I forgot my shame. The day was so nice, I lifted my eyes to the birds flying, the golden light filtering through the canopy. The further we trekked, the more I smelled a heady scent, wild and unfamiliar. I heard a roaring in the distance and finally asked what it was.
“The sea,” Maddox said. He kept a close guard on our rear as we broke from the trees. Ragnvald stopped and I almost forgot myself and moved beyond him. The tight leash brought me up short. Cheeks burning again, I took my place at Ragnvald’s side, a step behind. The tall leader looked very serious.
“Remember, Sabine, do not look any of the pack in the eyes. That is a challenge to a wolf, and will not end well for you, or any wolf that dared follow through.”
I clenched my jaw.
“If you can’t look down, look at Ragnvald or me,” Maddox whispered. “Anywhere else, and you will be punished.” His tone of voice was serious, but a twinkle in his eye told me he’d enjoy punishing me.
Lip curled, I bared my teeth at him like a wolf. He laughed.
“Keep that courage, little witch.”
“Come,” Ragnvald said, and his sober tone settled us. We walked through a field, navigating around great boulders. The grass was scrub turf and when I risked a peek at the horizon I saw only sky beyond a green rise, as if the land fell away.
“The cliffs overlook the sea,” Maddox said. “Men rarely come here so we made it our home. The sight and sound of the ocean can be soothing.”
“I’ve never seen it,” I whispered back.
“Someday I will take you sailing.” Maddox smiled at me. It made his face so charming, my heart thumped even though I was nervous.
“You’ve been on a boat?” I said, before I remembered his story.
“Of course. How do you think I got here? Quiet now.” Two men stepped out from behind one of the boulders, looking as ragged as Maddox and Ragnvald had when we first met. I quickly dropped my eyes. I hated playing the part of a submissive captive, but when Maddox caught my hand and squeezed it, I felt better.
Ragnvald spoke to the men in a low, guttural language before switching to a language I knew. I stayed alert waiting for him to lead me forward. When he did I kept my gaze down but watched from the corner of my eyes.
The pack had made camp in the center of a circle of large boulders. Men ranged around a large fire pit. They greeted Ragnvald with a fist on their chest and downcast eyes. Acknowledging each with a nod, the blond leader went forward to one central boulder and stepped up to a ledge to look out over the assembled warriors. Even with my gaze fixed on the ground, I felt the weight of their gaze.
“Kneel, Sabine,” Maddox murmured, and tossed a pelt on the ground for me.
Ragnvald sat and Maddox stood hovering at my right.
Under the scrutiny of all the warriors, I clutched Ragnvald’s leg. Images ran through my head--I could not look at the men, but in my mind’s eye I saw them--fighting, hunting, destroying. They went into battle wearing only wolf pelts and loincloths, and the enemy’s axes and blades barely marked their skin.
Maddox dipped his head to whisper in my ear. His voice grounded me, but it took a moment to understand what he was saying. “They can’t take their eyes off you. You are the most beautiful creature they’ve ever seen.”
The pace of my heart eased as Ragnvald addressed the assembled pack.
“Berserkers, I gathered you here to meet Sabine, the healer who saved me. Though she is the weakest in our pack, she holds a place of highest honor, and the debt we owe her can never be repaid. Because of her healing arts, when we meet with the mountain Berserker pack in a few days, we will be strong enough to face them as equals.”
At this, the warriors cheered, rattling their weapons and beating their shields in a terrifying din.
“Sabine, rise,” Ragnvald commanded, and Maddox helped me up when I did not move quickly enough. The warriors cheered louder as the two Alphas flanked me, one at either arm. Humbled and yet exalted, I no longer felt like a slave or a piece of meat, but an esteemed guest.
“Take Sabine to her sisters while I speak to the pack,” Ragnvald handed my leash to Maddox. I kept my eyes down but chin up as I passed the still shouting men.
“A good thing the pack accepts you, Sabine. You do not look docile in the least.”
I schooled my features to be blank. He suppressed a laugh. “No matter. Humility doesn’t become you.”
We were out of earshot, close to the trees.
“You will be lucky if I share your bed ever again, wolf,” I threatened.
He jerked the lead and I resisted before taking a step forward. He drew me inexorably closer, and I resisted as much as I could without it looking like I was disobeying..
“Impossible. I smell your heat from here. They all can.” His eyes were bright. “They long for you. As soon as our business is done, Ragnvald and I will take you back to the cave and take you over and over until you scream our names.” A tremor ran through me, weakening my legs, and Maddox slipped an arm around my waist and escorted me to the forest.
As soon as we were out of sight of the pack, the tattooed warrior dropped my leash. I surged onto my tiptoes, burying my hand in his hair as he claimed my mouth with savage longing. Wrapping a leg around his waist, I ground myself against him and he hefted me up in his arms, rubbing me until I shuddered with tiny shocks of pleasure. When he finally let me down, I sagged against him, panting. Maddox kept his hand in my hair, gripping it hard, tugging and releasing. I relaxed into his claim.
“Some packs pass their women around, and claim them during their heat a
t the main campfire for all the men to watch. Would that excite you or make you afraid?”
I whimpered, rocking against him.
“But we will never let you be claimed by another, Sabine,” he whispered fiercely. “I would go to the grave before I see another touch you.”
Someone cleared his throat behind us and Maddox and I sprang apart.
Ragnvald raised a brow at us, but came to unhook the chain.
“You did well,” Ragnvald said, pocketing the chain. I had a perverse vision of him leading me back to the cave where he and Maddox kept me crawling for the day, begging for their cocks. When I sighed, Ragnvald smiled as if he knew my thoughts.
“Your sisters are a short walk away,” he said to calm me.
Nodding, I ran shaky fingers through my hair to smooth it.
Ragnvald held out his hand; I took it while Maddox claimed my other, and we walked on together. The trail led to a clearing beside a lovely little brook. A large, fine tent, tall and grand as a king’s, stood in the center of the small meadow. A bearskin rug lay on the ground at the entrance. As we approached, a beautiful brunette poked her head out.
“Sabine,” she said with a smile.
I stood transfixed. The woman looked so like Brenna, but shorter.
The smile faltered. “Sister, it’s me. Muriel.”
“Hello Sabine,” a weaker voice spoke, and Fleur followed her twin to greet me. She seemed taller and more willowy than I’d see her before.
“I know,” I let out a shaky laugh. “I...you look so grown up.”
“Only by a sennight. It has not been so long,” Muriel laughed and we rushed to hug each other.
Ragnvald and Maddox held back.
“Those are the pack Alphas,” I whispered to my sisters, but they did not seem afraid.
“We know. Maddox is the one who came to explain where you were, and why the Berserkers took us.” Muriel gave them a little wave. I noted that she kept her eyes lowered. Maddox must’ve warned her of the pack laws.
“We were frightened at first, but then grateful that they moved us,” Fleur added.
“Moved us?”
“Yes. They heard Father Brexton was going to rally the villagers against you. It wasn’t safe so they came for us.”
I gave Maddox a sharp glance but he only shrugged. He’d probably told the tale to keep my sisters from panicking, and I should feel grateful, but I did not.
Muriel smiled right at Ragnvald. “Glad you’re doing better, sir.”
“As am I, Muriel,” he acknowledged her with a graceful nod, and then turned to her twin. “Fleur, are you feeling better?”
“Has she been ill?” I asked Muriel, for we often nursed our youngest sibling through fevers and ague.
“The usual, but only for a little while,” Fleur spoke up. “You don’t need to talk about me like I’m a child. I can speak for myself.”
I opened my mouth and closed it.
“And anyway, I’m better now. We got the herbs we needed. We even helped one of the pack find some wild honey.”
“I thought you kept them away from the pack.” I spoke to Ragnvald and Maddox, keeping my eyes lowered, and tone one iota away from disrespect.
“For their safety we post regular guards, and several of the men have befriended them.” He held up a hand before I could issue a retort. “Your sisters are treated with the utmost respect.”
“Come, “ Muriel said soothingly. “See our living quarters.” She held open the flap for me.
“We will build up the fire,” Ragnvald said. “The pack is bringing meat for your dinner.”
“Come on, Sabine,” Muriel pulled me inside before I could protest.
The inside of the tent was richly appointed, with bearskin rugs lining the floor, and a few carved wooden chairs and braziers.
“So they treat you well?” I asked, still unhappy. I hated the thought of my sisters kept in the woods with only Berserkers for company.
“Of course,” Muriel said.
“The first few nights were hard…” Fleur started, and Muriel cleared her throat. “But since then we’ve been treated well.”
“Very well,” Muriel flushed a little, and I frowned.
“Do you understand who these men are?”
“Werewolves.” Muriel nodded. “And some aren’t in control of their beast. They’ve gotten better, though. You’ve helped them with that?”
“Yes.”
“They say the power runs in our family,” Fleur said from her seat.
“Can you tell us more about that?” Muriel asked.
“I--” I hesitated, not sure how much I could say.
“We know you’re a healer,” Muriel went on when I would not. “And we all have something that calls to these wolves. An affinity.” Her amused smile told me she’d seen me and the Alphas holding hands.
“What we want to know is how they found us.”
Facing these two, who seemed so much older than I last remembered, lifted a weight from my shoulders. I dropped into a carven chair as if my legs had given out. “Brenna is alive.”
Both my sisters went still, but not with shock. With expectation. In that moment I realized we’d all known Brenna’s disappearance didn’t mean her death. I hadn’t spoken to Muriel and Fleur of it because I thought them children. If they were strong enough to survive capture and imprisonment, they’d earned the right to know of the magic in their blood.
“A Berserker tribe--not Ragnvald’s, another one--went to a witch and heard the prophecy of a woman who could tame the beast. They found Brenna by looking for a woman with a scar.”
Muriel nodded.
“Our stepfather sold her to them. Ragnvald and Maddox heard of her, and remembered a similar prophecy spoken to them. Maddox found me in the grove…” Here I blushed.
“And took you to heal them,” Muriel finished smoothly, and I inclined my head, grateful.
“What now?” Fleur asked.
“I have bargained for our freedom.”
“What about Brenna? Can we see her?”
“There is a meeting in a few days time. My Alphas--the Alphas of this pack--have promised that I may see her. I hold out in hope they will keep their word.”
“We will, Sabine,” Ragnvald said from the entryway. “We are in negotiations with Brenna’s pack to guarantee safe passage for both you and your elder sister. You two are of utmost importance to our packs.” He stooped to enter the tent. I clenched my hands in my lap at the rush of warmth I felt just at the sight of him. I had to remember he and Maddox were our captors, and one day I would free myself and my sisters from them.
Unless you don’t want to be free. Ignoring that traitorous part of me, I said, “Thank you, my lord. We are grateful for your care.”
With a slight smile that told me he knew why I clung to formality around my sisters, he addressed Muriel and Fleur. “Perhaps if this first meeting goes well, we will host Brenna here for a visit. Or escort you to her.”
My sisters thanked him politely as if he’d granted a boon, rather than decreed who might visit and when they could leave. Maddox called to us then, and we all adjourned outside to eat the venison he’d cooked over an open flame.
We sat and talked of mundane things--the weather, the herbs that grew by the stream. As the sun sank, I noted how Ragnvald looked more tired, the shadows under his eyes deepening. Maddox caught my eye and gave me a subtle nod before he began cleaning up around the fire.
“Walk with me to the stream,” I rose and invited my sisters. Arm in arm, we strolled a small distance from the two warriors.
“We are glad you came to visit, Sabine,” Muriel said.
“I wish you didn’t have to go back,” Fleur added.
A lump rose in my throat. I wondered if I could bargain for more time. My sisters seemed charmed by the warrior’s careful manners. Thin civility, considering they were the ones that caused our captivity.
“I do also, but I am still needed.”
“Oh we und
erstand,” Muriel waved a hand.
“You do?”
“Yes. You’re lovers, aren’t you?”
My mouth gaped.
“It’s all right,” Fleur continued. “We understand how you healed them. The sooner they are better, the sooner we can be a family again.”
“Though not in the village,” Muriel said. “Perhaps we can live in a hut closer to the Berserkers.”
Now I couldn’t breathe for shock.
Fleur leaned in conspiratorially. “Muriel has an interest in one of the wolves. A young red one. He’s not of this pack--he was sneaking around here and is actually a spy for Brenna’s pack...long story.”
I was reeling. “You...have an interest in one of these brutes?”
“They’re not brutes,” Muriel defended.
Fleur winked at me.
“Anyway, your men are very beautiful,” Muriel said after sticking her tongue out her twin. Not so grown up, then.
“They’re not my men…” I floundered.
“Then why do they look at you like you’re the goddess incarnate? And you aren’t unaffected either.”
“I’m not in love. I can’t be. They haven’t allowed me to choose,” I said.
“Perhaps you should ask Brenna.” My sisters were in accord. “She has been living with them longer. She may know.”
I started to protest again--my feelings for my Alphas, my sister’s own outrageous ideas about our future--when a structure caught my eye. Tall as my shoulder, long and wide as two men, the frame was made of thick branches lashed together.
“What is that?”
“They cage where they first kept us,” Fleur said even as Muriel hushed her.
“What?” I hissed.
“Sabine,” Maddox called. “You have walked long enough. It is time to return.”
“It’s all right, Sabine,” Muriel said, catching my stiff arm. “We were fine.”
“It was for our own safety. They let us out after they knew they could control themselves,” Fleur explained hurriedly.
