After a fitful night, Liv awoke determined to get herself together and do her damn job. She was not going to let anyone, or anything, distract her today. Grabbing her daypack, her phone and extra notebooks, she headed off into the woods to try to find more of the wolves she was tasked to find. As she hiked, she thought about the last few days. Liv prided herself on her professionalism and her attention to detail. Never before had she gotten as far off track as she had since the beginning of this assignment. She needed to simply hunker down, do her job, and avoid going to town as much as possible. Fewer…distractions that way.When she stopped on a ridge to rest, she found two sets of tracks heading West. Looking more closely, she was sure they were wolf tracks. And large ones. Could they be from the two males who she had seen last night? She had thought they went East but could have always changed direction. She took out her camera, and a ruler to document her findings and added the co
The pack had been worried when Finn and Gunnar had returned last night to report they had been unable to find Asta. They had picked up her trail once around the human woman's campsite, but lost it a few miles after that. They also hadn't been able to find the Blackfoot pack. There was evidence they were in the area, but they'd been unable to pinpoint their exact location. Brodi was in a state wondering if he had given Killian too much trust. He'd never forgive himself if the pack he'd agreed to give refuge to had taken his baby sister. With all she liked to devil him and exert her independence, Asta had never not come home all night. Brodi and Finn had been going over maps trying to figure out where to look next when Liv's call had come in. Finn's eyes widened at the panic that came over Brodi's face as he listened to the woman's voice over the phone. A few seconds later, Brodi was running out the door. He yelled for Finn over his shoulder. "Finn, it's Asta! Hurry!" With the shoutin
Liv's hand reached up to massage her temple. Had she drunk too much? She didn't remember going out. She groaned as she tried to rub away the pounding in her head. Her nostrils flared as she caught something that smelled wonderful. Wait. She recognized that scent."She's waking up!" Liv heard a deep, rumbling voice announce. Her eyes popped open. At first, all she could focus on was the high-beamed ceiling above her. Where was she? Then a face came into her field of vision. Brodi. She tried to hop up but a large hand on her shoulder kept her lying on the bed. The warmth of his hand on her shoulder started to spread throughout her body and she relaxed. "Don't try to get up, yet." Brodi's hand left her shoulder and caressed the side of her face. "You've fallen and hit your head.""Hit my head?" Liv searched her memory trying to remember what happened while she attempted not to rub her cheek against his palm like a kitten. Brodi sat back in the chair where he had been keeping vigil ove
They were so caught up in each other, neither Brodi nor Liv noticed Kelda leave them. When Liv dug her fingers into Brodi's white ruff, she felt her anxiety and fear melt completely away. She didn't understand it but she wanted more of it all the same. Compelled to do so, she bent down and kissed the side of the wolf's enormous head and lay her head on top of his. She could feel his hot breath on the space between her neck and shoulder and the sensation set off a wash of longing through her body. A long shuddering sigh blew over Brodi's ear and had him closing his eyes against the desire to change and take her right here on this bed whether she wanted him or not. His heart had hope that she did based on her current reaction to him. The closer they were to each other, the stronger the bond felt. At this point, he'd already tear anyone apart that even looked at her sideways. He couldn't imagine what it would be like once the bond was completed. Was Liv feeling this thing between them a
The door creaked open and Liv sat up to watch Brodi come through the door balancing a tray in his big hands. A crystal decanter holding brown liquid, two glasses, and a plate of cheese and a variety of meats was placed in front of her on the bed like an offering to a goddess. He motioned to the decanter, "May I pour you a glass?""Yes, please." Liv took the glass of amber liquid Brodi poured for her and knocked it back. She sputtered and choked as the whisky ran down her throat.Brodi patted her back and tried to suppress a grin. "Go slow with that, min lille ylgr. It's made for sipping, not gulping."I'm okay." Liv coughed and wiped at her watering eyes. "Sipping is probably a good idea."Liv could feel her face heating but wasn't sure whether it was from the whisky or embarrassment. Probably both. "I'm fine," she croaked. Despite the burning in her throat, Liv started to enjoy the warmth spreading in her chest and flowing down into her belly. She brought the glass to her lips agai
Liv massaged her throbbing temples. What kind of freaking rabbit hole had she fallen into? Shifters? Time travel? Cursed by gods? Her mind reeled at all the revelations. What else could there possibly be?She sighed heavily before she met Brodi's eyes again and asked the question out loud. "What else can there possibly be?""Only one more thing." Brodi abandoned the chair and started pacing again, desperately trying to figure out how to tell her the last of it. He and Kelda really should have had a discussion about what they should tell her while she was still unconscious. Liv watched him pace until she couldn't take the waiting anymore. "Brodi! What is it? Get it over with already."His pacing stopped at her words and turned to face her once more. "It is about the fated mate part."Liv's brows scrunched together when he didn't continue. "And what is that exactly?"Brodi drew in a deep breath for strength and sat back down. "A fated mate is the only true mate a shifter will ever have
Brodi trailed a few steps behind her as she made her way to the glass sliders on the deck. Asta was already waiting in the truck for her, motor running. "I'm sorry to have dumped all of this on you at one time, mille…uh, Liv. But I hope you will think about all I've said." Brodi held Kelda's book out towards her. "Kelda would like you to have this. It is very old, a history of our people. We hope it will help."Liv didn't move for several breaths, but finally stepped forward and took the book from Brodi's outstretched hand, careful not to touch him. The book itself tingled in her fingers and she almost dropped it in surprise. The book clutched tightly to her chest, she stepped back."We are here…I am here for whatever you need," Brodi told her, holding his arms out to his sides. Liv bit her lip as she regarded him – like some kind of Viking warrior presenting himself to her as tribute. Her insides quivered, but she refused to submit to this insane pull she felt for him. It's not rea
Brodi sat on the ridge above the compound. He couldn't quite see the human camp from here, but he could see a thin plume of smoke coming from that direction. He liked to imagine Liv sitting there, enjoying the fire. His patrols had extended their circuit to include Liv's camp and the outcropping where Asta had fallen into the poacher's trap. So far, everything had been quiet, but it didn't make Brodi any less anxious. He'd promised he'd stay away but in the last 48 hours he had practically worn a hole in the rug in his bedroom from all the pacing he had done. He'd run through the woods for miles hoping to exhaust himself, only coming home when the dawn was breaking, but still, he couldn't relax. Even with updates every four hours from his patrol, his chest still ached, and his wolf was constantly fighting him to go and claim their mate. Brodi knew his family was avoiding him as much as possible as his temper was at its breaking point. They knew why he was acting this way, but they co
The clearing glowed with the twinkling fairy lights that adorned every tree, and the torches that had been lit along the path to illuminate the participants' way. Brand stood in front of the Yggdrasil feeling like his throat was being constricted by a stiff collar rather than a soft tunic. He wore a bearskin over one shoulder to symbolize strength and protection. He was also glad of its warmth as the first snows had started to fall just in the last week. He huffed as Brodi clapped him on the shoulder. "Nervous yet?" he asked with a smile, adjusting the leather hauberk that held his broadsword across his back and the belt at his waist where the sheath for his ceremonial dagger rested. "No, just cold," Brand lied through gritted teeth. His brother just laughed at him. "Don't worry, Brother. It will all be over soon, then we can get to the feasting," Brodi told him jovially.Brand frowned at him. "Easy for you to say," he muttered."Really, Brother. I know you missed our ceremony, but
Brand's brother turned to him, seeking guidance, just as Brand became aware of the stickiness on his hand. He at first ignored it. He had been in too many bloody brawls in his lifetime for blood to bother him overmuch. But when his mate gasped and tensed in his arms, a wave of dread washed over him. He realized that the stickiness was not merely the expected aftermath of the fight but something far more sinister. His elskede, his alt, Ulfhild, was wounded."Min elskede! Where are you hurt?" he demanded, his hands roaming frantically over her body.Ulfhild slapped at him ineffectually. "It is nothing, min ulv, only a scratch. Go with your brother. There is no time to spare."Brand ignored her and instead shouted to Astrid who had been standing on the edge of the crowd, clearly overwhelmed by her ordeal and its brutal end. Broken out of her reverie, Astrid came forward quickly and fell into healer mode. "Lie her down. Let me look," she instructed, ignoring her daughter's continued prote
In the meadow, the winds seemed to take on a malevolent life of their own, their force intensifying with each passing moment. They twisted and spiraled, whipping through the grass and causing mini-tornadoes to erupt from the churned ground. The very earth under his feet seemed to groan in protest, and the acrid scent of freshly turned dirt mingled with the sharp tang of ozone, assaulting Brodi's senses as he ducked his head against the maelstrom and continued to silently advance.Above, the heavens were entirely shrouded by roiling, malignant clouds that seemed to devour any trace of starlight or moonshine. Leif and Astrid appeared to him only in the stark, searing flashes of the lightning overhead. The thunder that followed was a deafening roar, so powerful that it resonated deep within his chest, but still he stalked toward his prey. Squinting against the flying debris, he finally saw his brothers and the warriors in position against the backdrop of the ancient tree, whose gnarled b
Gunnar stopped on the edge of the clearing where the giant Yggdrasil grew. He shifted, holding up a hand to forestall the warriors behind him. "He and Astrid are in the clearing," he whispered to the men.Birger squinted, trying to see them through the screen of skinny pines that blocked their view of the meadow. "Where? I can't see a thing through all these-" he stopped and hit his forehead with his palm. "Right. Wolf. You smell them."With a crooked smile on his face, Gunnar nodded to the man. "Yes. Their scent is very strong. The boy is fearful." He sniffed the air again. "And the woman is angry. More angry than fearful."Erik tipped his chin up in agreement. "That would be Astrid. She may not be a warrior like her daughter, but she is stronger than most men I know. She would never have gone with him if it had been only her own life that was threatened."Vidar's face showed his worry. Again, he was in the middle of a disaster. At least this time, it was a disaster not of his own ma
Liv rested her forehead against Brodi's chest, fear almost taking her breath. His arms tightened around her as she shook with silent tears. Brodi had brought her back to the house, forbidding her to continue with the hunt. Overwhelmed by concern for her baby, she'd teetered on the edge of hysteria, her emotions running wild. She had to calm down, especially considering the news she had discovered just this morning."Min elskling, you must try to remain calm. We will find him," Brodi had assured her, holding her close to his broad chest and rocking her in his arms like a child. Her sobs finally quieted, taking strength from within his strong embrace and the firm certainty of his voice. He flattened a large palm on her belly. "This child will have a big brother that is healthy and hale. I swear to you."Looking up into the blue eyes she loved so much, she could see his absolute conviction that what he was telling her was true. They knew every inch of their pack lands. Surely, they would
"Quit mumbling, witch!" Leif ordered as he continued to pull her along with the leather cord that bound her wrists. "I won't have you spelling me! Keep it up and I will stick a gag in your mouth. Do you understand.""Yes," Astrid said shortly. A bit of her usual calm composure returning to her after completing her frantic prayers. "I understand perfectly." She paused for effect. "But, young Leif, I do not think you understand your situation very well."Leif twisted his neck around to fix her with a venomous glare, his eyes blazing with an insanity that sent a shiver down her spine, but she maintained her dispassionate look. "What are you talking about, Witch? I'm the only one who understands exactly my situation. I've been stuck in this place for over a week, alone. How to get myself back to my proper time is all I've been thinking of.""What you have not thought through," Astrid continued calmly, "is what will happen to you once the Alpha finds you. Cubs are rare here, I understand."
Leif panted as he leaned against a tree to catch his breath. The child was heavier than he'd expected, and the air here was thin. Placing the baby at his feet, he looked around, trying to get his bearings. He estimated he'd run several miles from the women and the clearing already. Suddenly, howling rent the silence of the forest. The baby inexplicably smiled and clapped his chubby hands, but the fine hair on the back of Leif's neck and arms stood straight up in atavistic fear. Were the creatures close? Dusk was approaching but he didn't dare light a fire. Where could he hide with the krakki?The wolf song died out and the baby began to fuss. Leif glared down at him. This was going to be more complicated than he thought. If the baby started wailing, the sound would bring people and wild things alike. Was he even old enough for solid food? He should have grabbed that big bag with the silly looking animals all over it that was sitting next to him. He bet that housed some baby things. B
Ulfhild felt more like herself than she had since coming to this new place. Asta had beat her soundly at axe throwing, Ulfhild not having much practice at that particular skill, but she was sure she could compete in archery. Though she missed a lot of what they were saying, it was good to laugh with the women and experience the comradery. She'd always been set apart by the women in her village who would never have thought of throwing axes. Maybe this time wouldn't be so bad.Suddenly, she heard terror in Liv's voice. "Brand? Brand?" she called in a panic, searching frantically around the boulder.Ulfhild realized the baby was no longer on the blanket playing with his toys. Fear clutched at her heart. She thought he could not crawl or walk? With all the wolves around, there were no other large animals around for miles. She'd heard the men discussing the lack."He can't have gone far," Asta said soothingly, trying to calm her sister-in-law's panic. She started to search around the nearb
Liv had not been kidding when she had said they'd have to tromp through some woods. The training field was much farther from the area where they had their homes than she had expected. The distance and rough terrain didn't seem to bother the women. Baby Brand was strapped onto Liv's chest with some complicated looking knots of fabric that created a comfortable carrying sack for the large infant. It was obvious by her easy stride that carrying the boy this way was commonplace to her. On the way, Liv pointed out landmarks and told her things about the area. Asta tried to keep up with all the words, but Ulfhild felt she missed quite a few. It didn't matter. Simply being in nature and stretching her unused muscles was a relief to her. And they were going to train. Her heart leapt at the thought. This was exactly what she needed to dispel her melancholy and feel more like herself.Finally, they rounded a large boulder and came into a meadow that reminded Ulfhild of the meadow in her woods