Given to the Berserkers: A menage shifter romance (Berserker Saga Book 4)

by Lee Savino

  “Muriel, for the last time, go inside,” Fergus ground out.

  “No, I won’t leave you.” I hovered at his back. Wulfgar, please come. I prayed.

  “How is it lying with the Enforcer? Has he broken you yet?”

  “Don’t answer,” Fergus ordered. “Ye cannot speak directly to him unless Wulfgar is here.”

  “Do you know what Wulfgar did to the last woman who lay with him?” Siebold and the other three fanned out, circling now, trying to find an in. “Shall I tell you, Muriel? Are you brave enough to hear the truth about your intended mate?”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Fergus said, and my fingers tightened on his arm.

  “ You're paired with a wolf who kills his lovers. The last time Wulfgar lay with a woman, he lost control of his beast and snapped her neck. You should beg me to appeal to the Alphas. If you’re lucky, they will listen, and give you to me.”

  “I’d rather die than be with you, Siebold,” I snapped back, ignoring Fergus’ warning. “Wulfgar is ten times the warrior that you are.”

  Siebold snarled.

  Fergus snarled back.

  “Enough!” with a roar and rush of power that blew my hair back, Wulfgar strode into the clearing. Ignoring the interlopers, he caught my eye and jerked his head towards our dwelling. “Into the hut, Muriel. Now.”

  I raised my skirts and ran. Fergus followed, stopping halfway between the cabin and the enemy warriors. Slipping inside, I kept the door open a crack.

  Siebold and his cronies now circled Wulfgar. The giant warrior stayed planted in one spot. With a yawn, he stretched, his neck cracking as if with the Change. “Come to challenge me again? The beating in front of the entire pack wasn’t enough to suit you?”

  Fur sprouted along Siebold’s arms as his beast gained control, but his face remained a man’s. “I caught your mate sneaking around without you. She was dallying with the runt. If you can’t even bring her to heel. Why should you be her mate?”

  “My mate spends time with who I allow,” Wulfgar answered. He looked perfectly at ease, hands at his sides, body poised on the balls of his feet.

  “You let him near her? If you share her with the runt, perhaps you will share her with the rest of the pack.”

  Before Siebold stopped talking, he darted forward. Wulfgar growled, a low chilling sound that unraveled my spine.

  Siebold halted.

  Wulfgar pointed to him. “You will say away from here. Upon the pain of death. The Alphas will allow me to kill you for trespassing on my territory and threatening my mate.”

  “This isn’t over,” he spat. Signalling his silent cronies, he stalked off.

  Just like that it was over.

  I pulled back from the door, wiping my sweaty palms on my dress.

  Fergus came into the hut first, and advanced on me, golden eyes burning.

  “I told ye to go inside. Why did ye not do as I say?”

  “They would’ve hurt you. I could not let that happen.”

  With a mighty kick, he sent the water bucket crashing into the wall. I jumped. “It is not your duty to keep me from fighting Siebold. I am supposed to be the one to protect ye.”

  “But you’re not strong enough,” I said. “Siebold is bigger and he hates you. He wants to kill you. Don’t you see? I can’t let that happen.”

  Fergus’ face turned red. I bit my tongue, wishing I could take my words back.

  The door almost came off its hinges as Wulfgar pulled it open and walked in, gold eyes wild. He pointed at me. “Next time Fergus commands you inside, you go, immediately. Understand?”

  “A good strapping will make her obey,” Fergus grunted.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Punish me. Spank me, even strap me. I only wanted to see you safe.”

  “So now ye are going to fight my battles for me?” Fergus asked.

  I turned to Wulfgar. “Siebold accused me of dallying with Fergus behind your back. I had to do something.”

  “You should’ve obeyed,” Wulfgar said quietly. He remained near the door, his body edged with tension. “Fergus can handle Siebold. You cannot.”

  “Why was Siebold going to tell the pack I was unfaithful to you? Don’t they know you and Fergus share a brother bond?” A guilty look and the truth came to me. “They don’t, do they. The pack doesn’t know you two are bonded. That’s why no one warned me that I would end up with two mates.” I turned to Wulfgar. “They knew you’d win. Wulfgar the great warrior, the Enforcer. None could stand against you. No one knew I’d end up with two mates instead of one.”

  I swiveled to face Fergus. “You befriended me. You seduced me from the start. Why did you not tell me of your bond?”

  “It had to be a secret.”

  “We should’ve told you, confided in you,” Wulfgar said. “Under normal circumstances, we could’ve wooed and courted you.”

  “But we could not,” Fergus said. “Please understand. I wanted to tell ye, but finding a way to be with ye was more important.

  “More important than telling me the truth?”

  His chin jutted out. “The games were our best chance, and keeping our bond hidden gives us an edge.”

  “It hurts you,” I said, bluntly. “You would be stronger if you were not keeping your bond a secret from the pack.”

  Wulfgar’s brow creased. “Perhaps. But we will keep it between us for now.”

  “What makes ye say that, Muriel?” Fergus asked.

  “I don’t know. Never mind,” I passed a hand over my face, wishing I could wipe the events of the day away as easily. “I wish I had known sooner. I could’ve chosen you.”

  “What?” my two warriors spoke together.

  “At the very end, the Alphas gave me a choice. I thought it would throw the pack into chaos. I did not take my chance. If I had known, I could’ve chosen the two of you, and Siebold might not be up to these tricks.”

  “We did what we thought best,” Wulfgar said in a low voice.

  “And I do my duty,” I tried, and failed, to keep bitterness from my tone. The cabin was suddenly too small for the three of us. I went to stand before the fire and stare into the flames.

  Never mind that they hadn’t trusted me. Never mind that my fate had rested in the hands of men I barely knew, and they wouldn’t let me help them, because they thought I couldn’t. Sabine and Brenna were lauded in the packs for their courage and strength. With each day that passed, it became more clear I was not fit to be a Berserker mate.

  “This is wrong,” I said bluntly. “You kept this from the pack, but you also kept it from me. Mates don’t keep secrets. Not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t. You can speak mind to mind, can’t you?”

  “I get thoughts, impressions of feelings,” Wulfgar said. “When he wishes, I hear his voice echo in my head. Not everything. But most things can be shared, yes.”

  “You need to trust me,” I said. “If you truly believe I have courage enough to be yours, then you will treat me as an equal. Protect me where I am weaker, but trust me and confide in me, as you ask me to trust you.”

  “You are right, Muriel.” Wulfgar’s soft tone told me his beast had receded. “You humble us, and we beg your forgiveness.”

  Wulfgar came to my side, and I angled my body so I face both my men. “Granted.”

  “We have waited so long for a mate, we are still learning what that means,” Fergus added.

  “I love you. I have loved few things in my life, because it was safer to be sheltered.” In my heart I prayed it would be enough. “I fear my love will not be enough. I must bond to you, or Siebold will challenge again for me.”

  “Who told you that?”

  I hesitated before admitting, “The witch.”

  “The witch?” Wulfgar pushed forward, growling, “I thought I smelled her and her ilk.” His hands searched me. Cupping my chin and angling my head, running down my arms and torso, he made sure there were no marks. “Did she come close? Did she touch you?”

&n
bsp; “Why would she appear? Does she mean harm?” Fergus asked Wulfgar, who grunted.

  I brushed Wulfgar’s concerned hands away. “No, she does not mean harm. I summoned her.”

  Silence and all the air left the room.

  “It was simple. Sabine taught me the spell. I was worried that I did not have any magic, but when I did the ritual, Yseult came.”

  I could barely meet my warrior’s aghast looks.

  “Why would ye do that?”

  “I wanted to know what I must do to bond with you.” I wrapped my arms around myself. My insides felt miserable. “I thought she could scry and tell me the outcome of our mating.”

  “Muriel,” Wulfgar gripped my shoulders again, carefully. “What did you trade her for this knowledge?”

  “A lock of my hair. It seemed a small price.”

  The giant heaved a sigh, and closed his eyes.

  “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have done it if I had not been afraid.”

  “Muriel,” Fergus shook his head. “Ye put yourself in danger. Went behind our backs—”

  “I must bond with you,” I cried. “I only have until the full moon. The runes say that Siebold will challenge you for me, Fergus. He can make a case that you didn’t win me, only Wulfgar did. He will fight you and he will kill you.”

  “Are ye so sure? Ye do not think I even stand a chance in that fight?”

  “Fergus,” I held my hands out, a silent plea. “If you could have faced him, and won, why didn’t you in the Games?”

  I couldn’t have struck a harder blow with my fists. Fergus faced me, his expression wild. “Ye don’t think I’m good enough. Ye don’t believe I am worthy of being your mate.”

  Mouth gaping, I looked to Wulfgar for help.

  “No, Fergus, it is you who don’t think that you are strong enough to deserve Muriel,” the big warrior said softly.

  “Maybe I’m not. But I’d like to at least have the chance to prove myself.” Fergus cursed. “Secrets and lies and lack of trust. Is it any wonder why we cannot bond?”

  I wrung my hands. “Please, stop. I don’t— you’re twisting my words. It’s my fault we have not bonded.”

  “It’s not only on ye,” Fergus said. “Ye take too much on yourself, Muriel.”

  “It’s my duty.”

  “Duty,” he spat. “Perhaps the beast would have ye mate with us out of love, not duty.”

  “You shouldn’t have gone behind our backs, Muriel. We need you to trust us,” Wulfgar said.

  I looked from warrior to warrior. “Punish me, then. There is much I have to atone for.”

  “It is not so simple. Trust isnae so easily regained.” Fergus shook his head and walked away.

  I followed. “Please, don’t leave me. I was trying to be brave, to be good. I was trying to protect you!”

  He whirled on me to give a final parting shot, “Ye take my honor from me, Muriel. Ye should’ve left well enough alone.” As he left, he slammed the door.

  *

  Wulfgar brushed by me and crouched near the hearth to feed more logs to the blaze. He kept his back towards me, his broad shoulders tense as if waiting for a blow.

  When he rose, dusting off his hands, I ventured to ask, “Are you leaving me?”

  “No. You are not to be left alone again.”

  “You can trust me.”

  He didn’t answer, but grabbed a hunk of bread and a jug of mead, and started to leave. “Good night. If you need me, I’ll be on the porch.”

  “Please come to bed,” I begged. “Please, hold me.”

  “No, little one. I dare not.”

  “Is this because of what I’ve done?”

  “No.” He sounded defeated.

  “Is it because…you’re afraid you would hurt me?” No answer. “It’s true, then, what Siebold said? You killed the last woman to share your bed.”

  “This is not something I wish to discuss with you.”

  “Please,” I said, even as cold dread turned my stomach to stone. “Let there be no more secrets between us. “

  “Very well,” he sighed. “It’s true. I loved a woman, we lay together, and one morning I woke up beside her and she was dead. Siebold knows because he found us.”

  I gasped and covered my mouth. “Tell me it’s not true.”

  “I would that it weren’t.”

  “I worked so hard not to give you a cause to fear me, but perhaps this is what the beast wants. Your fear, and obedience.” His fingers traced my features and dropped to circle my throat.

  I held still, pulse pounding against his palm

  His grip loosened and dropped away. “No.” Turned away.

  “I hoped we would bond and the beast’s cravings would die away. But they still beat at me.”

  “Stay with me. I want to help.” I stretched out my arms.

  “You should not trust me. I do not trust myself.”

  “Please.”

  “No. Say nothing more, Muriel. I am done for the night. I am done.” He paused at the door and spoke over his shoulder. “Get some sleep. I’ll stand watch, outside.”

  The door creaked shut after him.

  I lay in bed, too stunned to cry. A week and I’d splintered my mates. Wulfgar and I hadn’t overcome our fears. And Fergus, my first love, couldn’t even look at me. What had I done?

  As dawn approached, I took a fur robe and lay before the dying fire, too tired to build it up. Today I would make the journey to the pack. Fergus and Wulfgar deserved happiness. I would release them. I would go to the Alphas and tell them to cast me aside, or give me to Siebold, for I would never be good enough to be a Berserker mate.

  Fergus found me in front of the charred logs, clutching a wolf pelt to my chest. He had dark shadows under his eyes, and looked as bad as I felt.

  I wanted to rise, to go to him, but would not be able to bear his rejection. Instead, I asked, “Where is Wulfgar?

  “I came to ask ye the same thing. I cannot reach him.”

  My head throbbed as if someone had struck it. My hand went to my temple, and Fergus mirrored my action. The pain intensified and I let out a cry, wincing.

  “Something is wrong. We must go to the Alphas.”

  “No, we cannot. Siebold waits there for us. He will challenge you for me.”

  “We have no choice. If Wulfgar and I are separated, I soon will be weakened.” He held out his hand, no quarter in his tone. “Come Muriel. Ye will obey me.”

  With a prayer to the goddess, I went along. The minute our hands touched, some of the pain eased in my chest. Though he didn’t speak, his fingers curled around mine, warming them, and I knew he felt the same. We walked in silence back to the mountain where the pack made their home.

  *

  The higher we climbed, the more Berserkers we saw. Most were in wolf form, stalking us slowly under the forest cover. Eventually we broke above the treeline and came into a clearing in front of a large cave. Samuel, the Highland Pack Alpha, sat in a seat carved out of the stone, overlooking a great bonfire. More wolves lounged there, in the shelter of the giant rocks thronging the wild, empty space.

  Two guards rose as we approached, and I ducked my head against their hot gold gaze as Fergus led me between them.

  “Here are the lovers.” Siebold stood up from his place at the fire.

  Samuel also rose from his throne. “Fergus, what is the meaning of this? Unhand Muriel.”

  “Muriel, come to me,” Daegan ordered, but I ignored him, and stepped closer to Fergus.

  “Do you see this infidelity?” Siebold called out “I was telling the truth. Where is Wulfgar? She was given to the victor of the Games. Why does she come with Fergus?”

  “Wulfgar and I share a bond,” Fergus’ voice rang out over the clearing,

  I squeezed his hand harder.

  A murmur ran around the pack, and from his throne like perch, Samuel leaned forward.

  “A brother bond? How can this be?”

  “As you know, I became a Berserker when Wu
lfgar rescued me. Since then the bond formed as we’ve saved each other’s life.”

  Siebold scoffed. “If this is true, then you’ve kept this secret from the pack a long time. We need to call Wulfgar here to confirm it. If you are bonded to him, then call him and he will come.”

  “Wulfgar has been attacked. Injured. We came to get aid for him.”

  “Lies. If Wulfgar is hurt, it is because you and the prize conspired together to kill him.”

  Fergus met Siebold’s gaze boldly. “So that’s your game. If ye wish to fight me for Muriel, just challenge me, Siebold, and I will beat ye. Ye need not sneak around like a rabbit, finding ways for the Alphas to force us into a match.”

  Siebold swung his axe up and started forward, stopped only by Daegan’s hand in his chest.

  “Wait,” Samuel ordered. “There will be no fights for dominance until I am satisfied. Fergus, is there proof of this brother bond?”

  “It’s true,” I blurted. “I can vouch for their bond. They share everything, including me.”

  “A Berserker would not share his woman with any other, not unless he had a brother bond,” Daegan confirmed.

  “She lies for him,” Siebold snarled. “She should be punished. Mates must be faithful to each other to keep order in the pack. Alpha, she must be whipped.”

  “Silence,” Samuel thundered. “Fergus, call on Wulfgar via your bond. If he comes, we know you speak truth. If not, Muriel will be punished, and your life may be forfeit.”

  All the wolves settled down, but for the two guards at our back. The clearing quieted until the wind moaning past the stones was the only sound.

  Sweat beaded on Fergus’ forehead. “Alpha, I have called Wulfgar. As I said, something is wrong. He is unconscious, and may be wounded.”

  “I’ve reached out to him, also,” Samuel said. “If he is injured, he can call on the power of the pack bonds to heal him faster.”

  “Alpha, if he was ambushed, his beast might have taken control,” Fergus said. “I tell ye this so his lack of control does not infect the pack.”

  “If you are mated to Muriel, why isn’t his beast under control?”

  Staring at the ground, I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

  Fergus answered, “We have not yet formed a mating bond with her.”