Page 63 of Taming of a Wolf

Kieran is plotting something, I know it. He’s a human. All they do is scheme and betray us. They despise our kind. At any minute while they are distracted with the hunt, he’ll put his fangs in their necks. He’s probably got a whole clan of hunters just waiting for an opportune time to strike.

Heart racing, I watch and wait to be proven right.

The hunt begins. The wolves split up and circle the herd, forcing the reindeer to form their own inner circle to protect the most vulnerable of the herd. A chase ensues. Wulfric leads the charge when an opening appears in the herd’s defenses. The pack rushes in, nipping at hooves, dodging the swipe of antlers,yelping as they get trampled, although their healing kicks in to repair any damage.

After some time, the pack brings down a sickly male with broken antlers. Wulfric shifts to his human form. “We are victorious, brothers and sisters!” he cries, and the pack howls their delight.

Kieran shifts and runs, leaping into Wulfric’s arms. I tense. This is it. He’ll produce a dagger made of silver and stab my brother. I know it!

But… it doesn’t happen. Instead, Wulfric captures Kieran’s lips in a kiss. When they break apart, Kieran is smiling at him in a way that sends a pang of yearning through me. His smile, the light in his eyes… it reminds me of Jamie. It’s the way he looks at me.

I always thought my fool brother Wulfric was being bewitched by Kieran. But it seems as if the feeling ismutual.They care for each other the way a mated pair does. But how can this be? I thought Kieran was only using my brother to survive the pack’s mistrust of humans. Somehow, he ended up falling for Wulfric.

Stunned, I can only watch as the pack trusses the reindeer to a horse and begins the trip back to the village. My stomach churns, and my paws feel unsteady. No. No, I refuse to accept that I was wrong all this time about Kieran. Revenge has been the sole thing that has kept me going. If I let go of that, then what purpose will I have?

The village. I must get there. I must see that it is still standing.

Keeping low, I follow the pack as they leave the tundra, which gives way to a road covered in hoof prints, wagon wheel tracks, and paw prints. I stay within the trees and always downwind. Most of the pack has shifted to human form, including Gunnar, Wulfric, and Kieran.

I don’t see Lyall among them. Where has he run off to?

“That was an impressive kill, Kieran,” Gunnar is saying.

Kieran grimaces. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be down with hunting cute animals. It’s kinda gross.”

“Even so, you make a fine wolf, little rabbit.” Wulfric drapes an arm around Kieran’s shoulders and steers him close.

Gunnar grunts. “Aye, suppose you do.” His voice has a strange, growly quality to it.

Kieran arches a brow at him. “Are you okay, Gunnar?”

Gunnar coughs, but even that sounds more like a bark. “I’m fine.”

Damn it. I know exactly what is happening. My fool brother has refused to find his fated mate, and the berserker is trying to come out. Gunnar had his chosen mate, a wolf named Leif. After his death, Gunnar has had no interest in pursuing someone new. I know I mocked him a time or two for his devotion. Leif was only a chosen mate. Now that I’ve found Jamie, I can’t imagine ever moving on if I lost him, even if he hadn’t been the one fated for me.

Guilt churns in my stomach.

The thatched rooftops and stone chimney stacks come into view, and my heart flips. We’re almost home. Gods, how I have missed the village. I quicken my pace as much as I can while staying downwind of the pack. When the village of Ulfheim appears, a lump rises in my throat. There’s the butcher’s hut, the smells of fresh meat wafting out the door. The bakery doors burst open, and the baker’s wife runs out to greet the pack, a basket of fresh rolls in her arms. The horses whicker from the stables, the scent of manure and fresh hay carrying on the breeze. Children shriek as they run through the muddy roads, throwing snowballs at each other.

“Alpha-Mate!” a little girl shouts, running up to Kieran. I recognize her as the daughter of a farmer.

Kieran kneels down to hug her. “Hey, kiddo. How’s your archery?”

“Kieran,” a boy shouts. “Can you teach me to play the lyre? You’re the best in the whole village!”

“Enough, children,” Wulfric gently scolds. “Your Alpha-Mate is a very busy man.”

They all love Kieran. Somehow, this human has become a trusted, beloved member of the community. The village is whole, thriving, and happy. The sight fills me with sweet relief, and yet… something isn’t sitting right with me.

“Welcome home, lads!” A whine of yearning escapes me as Helga rushes out the door of Wulfric and Kieran’s home. She gives them hugs, then kisses Gunnar’s cheek.

Gods. I wish I could go and greet her. I can’t even remember the last time she kissed my cheek or looked at me with anything other than disappointment and frustration.

“Where’s Lyall run off to?” she asks.

There’s a twinge of something in my chest. Jealousy.

“Probably off chasing his own tail,” Gunnar grumbles.

---