***

The third installment of Dagean, Brenna and Samuel’s story. Read part one in Sold to the Berserkers and part two in Mated to the Berserkers. This novella is a free gift to you.

Call me Samuel. That is my name, though my father did not give it to me. I was born in a land of fjords and forests, and sailed the dragon headed ships to pillage the Western Islands. Sigmund was my name, and I was a simpler being. I ate, slept, and waged war for the jarl who’s arm ring I wore. I was a man and warrior. My wants were simple and my needs were few.

Then, one day, my jarl met a witch.

*

The sun was high in the sky, the light searing my eyes. I groaned. My head throbbed, my mouth felt foul.

Every bone in my body ached.

I rolled to my side and squinted at my surroundings. I lay on the ground in front of a lodge, naked but for a loincloth. Not uncommon after a night of drinking. The village looked familiar–our leader, Bodolf, had brought us here on our way to the witch. We’d supped and swapped stories in the main lodge, and spent the night. In the morning, the villagers all wished us well. We’d left them on good terms, with promises to return.

I tried to remember when we had left the witch’s land and returned, but I could not. My memory, like my vision, blurred with the pain in my head. A harsh cawing brought my streaming eyes to the sky just in time to see a raven fly over the sun. Ravens–Odin’s messengers. They flocked to feast on the dead.

“Sigmund,” a hoarse voice called for me. A dark shape lumbered towards me, and I tensed, wishing I had a weapon to face the stranger. He came closer and I recognized Ragnvald, my leader Bodolf’s son.

“What has happened?” I asked. My voice sounded strange to my ears, harsh and unused,

“Death, Sigmund. The villagers–the men we drank with two nights ago- they are all dead.”

“What?” My sight slowly cleared. The village came into focus–the lodges we’d slept in now fire-blackened shells. I finally recognized the stench that filled my nostrils–the smell of blood and burning flesh…

*

I woke with the scene of the peaceful village’s destruction in my mind. It was not a dream, but a memory. When I gasped for breath, I half expected smoke from burning buildings to fill my lungs. Instead, a sweet scent wafted over me, washing me clean.

I turned my head towards the scent’s source–a lovely, sleeping woman. She lay between me and my warrior brother, the other half of my soul. Three nights had passed since the beast had tried to consume me. Now it remained at the surface, a part of me. The tainted part, but even the witch’s curse was no match for our mate’s power. Her purity shone as bright as the silver torc we’d placed around her neck, and balanced the scales. Over a hundred years of violence and madness, and she washed it clean in one night.

“Thinking again?” Daegan lay on his side facing me.

“I feel as though any moment I could wake, and this all would be a dream.”

“’Tis real.”

I brushed a strand of hair off Brenna’s cheek. “It’s more than we deserve.”

“Speak for yourself, ye godless Viking. Those monks gave ye more than your fair share of guilt.” Daegan’s grin fell away when I sighed.

“What’s troubling you? Speak to me, brother.”

“I remembered the night the witch cursed me.”

Daegan went still. He had been born to a witch and his inherited magic gave him a taint that made him a Berserker instead of merely a werewolf. In the barest detail, I’d told him of the long night of rituals that turned me and the jarl’s best warriors into monsters. When he pressed me for more, I told him I no longer remembered.

That was a lie. I remembered every second, every grueling flash of pain in my bones as the tainted magic took hold.

“I was so young. I was excited I would live forever.” I leaned my head back and let my face stretch into mocking smile. “I didn’t realize that forever is such a long time.”

“It’s not going to be as we feared. We have her now. We could breed, have children—”

“No,” I cut him off. “Not that. Never that.”

Coldness veiled my friend’s features. More than anything, Daegan wanted a family. Even if it were possible for a human to breed with us, I did not want to. Our children would be monsters, or may not even survive until birth. And Brenna would most likely die in childbirth.

“We cannot risk her,” I said in a gentler tone. “We do not yet understand what we are dealing with. What sort of magic lies between her and us.”

“You know what sort. Instead of violence there is love. In place of madness– peace.”

“Perhaps.”

Daegan grunted. We lay in silence for a while.

“Someday, Alpha, ye will have to accept forgiveness for what you’ve done.”

*

Daegan’s words sat with me as I bathed in the pool near our bedchamber, washing off the stain of my nightmare. Brenna came in when I was about to leave the water, but her secret smile made me stay and watch. Slowly she drew off her garments, each movement a tease to my eyes. My cock stood up like a standard when she finally stood naked but for the torc around her neck. She undid her braids and her glorious brown hair flowed in waves over her shoulders.

Once she stepped into the water, I wasted no time swimming to her and carrying her deeper into the pool where she could float with her arms around my neck. My hands roved up and down her body. I knew every curve, every hollow, and yet never tired of hearing her breath quicken when I caressed her soft skin. We moved in silence. Brenna could speak with the language of the hands but only in times of great passion, could she link with our minds. So I stroked her back, her narrow waist, her full and heavy breasts, waiting for the right moment to reach out to her on the new mental pathway.

You were not with me when I woke this morning, she spoke with her hands. 

I cupped the back of her neck, studying her face, unwilling to break the perfection of the moment with my voice.

“Too many thoughts in my head to sleep.” I didn’t want to tell her of my dream. My fingers skimmed the line of her neck, continuing down over her high, firm breasts, following an invisible line straight to her pussy. Once there, I paused, frowning at the rough fuzz on her lower lips.

“Come lass.” I hefted her into my arms. “Time to shave you.”

She sat on the rock, kicking her feet idly while I laid out the shaving things. Usually Daegan takes this delightful task, but I wanted to feel close to her, to feel her pulse rise and fall under my fingertips as I steadied her for the blade…

I hone the knife and bid her lay with her legs open her most sensitive parts bared to me.

When the fragile pink flower of her sex lay open and waiting, I tormented her with little touches until her hips twitched.

“Be still,” I ordered with a smile.

She took a deep breath and relaxed into her obedience to me. I shaved her with utmost care, going into an almost trance as I moved my knife along the tender mound of her sex. Something about the cold metal set against warm flesh, the way my beloved laid out on the rock like a sacrifice to the gods, her breasts rising and falling gently as she submitted to my will made my cock hard. I wasn’t the only one who noticed, either for when I moved to her side, her fingers brushed my thick, jutting member. I stilled, careful not to accidentally slice her skin. With a little smile, she milked my cock, using her thumb to smear the precum over the head. My muscles stiffened and my rod grew harder.

I took the blade away before a tremor of arousal made me cut her.

“Brenna, did I give you permission to touch me?”

The curve of her mouth widened even as she took her hand away. I lay my hand against her smooth cunny, then pinched one fleshy lip, my knuckle grazing her clit. Her hips jerked.

“Naughty one,” I said, and watched her pussy cream, “I told you to be still.”

I made it difficult for her, pressing my fingers into her slick folds, exploring the valley there. Her legs went rigid as she tried to hold still. Her nipples tightened into tantalizing peaks. I took my hand away, licked the cream from my thumb. Without warning, I swatted her right breast, watching it bounce. Brenna threw back her head, her hips bouncing and cunny fluttering, begging to be filled with more than air. A red mark rose on the otherwise flawless crescent of creamy skin.

Fascinated, I smacked the other breast, then quickly replaced my hand at her center, driving two fingers inside her before brushing her sweet spot with my thumb and sending her spiraling out of control.

She shook with her climax. I waited until she went limp to withdraw my fingers, setting off another wave of trembling. I licked my fingers while I waited for her convulsions to end.

“You want to touch me?”

She nodded but otherwise didn’t move. Her center glistened with her cum, but she lay spread eagled on the rock, pinned by my will.

“On your knees, then.” I tugged her hair when she moved too slowly, but then caught her elbow to help her kneel down before me.

I loomed over her much smaller form, watching her tremble in the aftermath of her climax.

Caressing her cheek, I brushed a tear away. She pressed her face into the palm of my hand and sighed. I felt awe in how brave she was, when we were so much larger and stronger. She worked to follow our commands, gave herself to us with complete abandon and trust. I would honor that.

I set my cock on her lips. “Open, sweet one. Take just the head.”

For a while she did as I asked, holding the crown of my cock between her sweet lips. On my command, she took me deeper, bowing her head, then retreated. I let her do this several times before seating myself on the rock.

“Again,” I ordered. “Just the head.”

With a sigh she closed her lips over me, but this time flicked her tongue at the sensitive underside. My body went rigid, balls drawing up tight. Her eyes shone with excitement, with power.

“Brenna,” I warned, and she stopped lapping at me. Fisting a hand in her hair, I held her eyes, trying to decide what to do. Daegan preferred games and fun. I wished I could be gentle with her, but the beast was stronger in me than any other, and it craved her surrender.

At my side lay the shaving blade. Keeping one hand on her head, I lifted the knife with the other and hefted the weight.

She flinched when she saw it but my hand in her hair kept her from moving.

“Still, Brenna. Be very, very still.”

Her pulse fluttered wildly as I brought the knife closer. Slowly I pulled her off my cock and traced her collarbone with the blade. I didn’t touch her, just let her feel the barest whisper of the cold knife. Her eyes pleaded with me before they closed.

With wonder I realized her nipples had drawn tighter. I traced them then took the blade away.

“Now,” I said and she opened her eyes, raw fear shining in her eyes, and trust. I lay the cold metal against her cheek, taking it away just before she shivered. Keeping the knife in her line of sight, I ordered her to suck. “Please me.”

She worked her head up and down in a frantic rhythm. I let my head fall back, enjoying her feverish ministrations. The air filled with the heady scent of her arousal, even though she kept her eyes on the dagger.

Before I came, I pulled her off so she held the only the crown between her lips. “Look at me,” I said, and set the knife lightly against her throat. She didn’t move or breathe until I took it away again. The relief in her face sent me over the edge, and I came, cursing.

“Samuel. What are you doing?” Daegan’s concerned voice rang out.

I set the knife down and wrapped my hands on either side of our woman’s head. Her hands came to encircle my wrists as I kissed her. “You did well. You please me.”

Rising, I left Brenna on her knees and passed my startled warrior brother. “See to her.”

I paused in the hallway and listened to Daegan’s crooned comfort. He would hold her and dry her and let her cry a little. It should’ve been me coddling her, letting her know how much I loved her, tempering my sadism with gentleness. But I couldn’t bear to look at her after I’d frightened her for a thrill. I’d never hurt her, but for a moment she had forgotten that, and the beast within had drunk of her fear like the finest mead, and only wanted more.

Before we met Brenna, the beast would come over us and take control, wiping our memories with its rage and hunger. We’d wake up afterwards, head pounding, surrounded by slaughter. Brenna leashed the madness, but for the most intimate moments, when it seemed to goad on my twisted nature. I craved things I shouldn’t, and instead of the mindless rage that wiped out armies, I acted on my base desires with open eyes and inflicted them on the woman I loved.

I wasn’t sure which was worse.

*

“What was that?” Dagaen asked me in a low, annoyed voice. We’d decided to spend the rest of the day at the foot of the mountain, enjoying the cooling weather. Brenna foraged for herbs nearby. I kept my distance, but studied her when she wasn’t aware, checking for tear stains or signs of upset. She seemed serene as usual. With her green gown and beautiful hair in a plait down her back, she looked like a lord’s daughter, down to the silver around her neck that marked her as ours.

“Is she all right?” I too kept my voice down.

“A little unsteady at first but she says she’s fine. She’s strong, but the way you played with that knife…” He shook his head and I felt a pang of guilt at his frown.

“I need to ask forgiveness.”

“Was it the beast? Did you lose control?”

“No. It was me. The beast’s hunger is satisfied by her presence. But it craves her submission.”

“So it was a game.”

“I do not know what it was. I do not like this part of me. For so long, I blamed these sinister urges on the beast. What if the human part of me is just as tainted?”

Daegan blew out a breath. “Talk to her, brother. She is strong enough to bear our lust and all our baser desires. But after you’ve demanded her surrender, and won it, you need to hold her. She needs the reassurance of your touch.”

“I do not deserve to touch her,” I whispered.

My warrior brother’s fingers fiddled with the hilt of his dagger, as if if he’d rather fight than endure this conversation a minute longer. “What do you want, Samuel? We’ve found our mate. What are you still hoping for?”

“A new life. A new way to live.”

“I’m beginning to see what attracted ye to the monks,” my warrior brother muttered. “As soon as there’s peace, ye go to war within. You’re full of philosophy and penance.”

“I wanted a life of prayer and service, the peace that comes with it,” I said firmly. My time at the monastery had been sacred, though it came to an end when I realized the gentle scholars living there only tempted the Berserker rage.

“What better way to pray than between our woman’s legs? What better way to serve than to bring her meat and mead, and worship her with our cocks and tongues?”

Despite his impatience with my mood, Daegan was trying to make me feel better. I forced a smile. “A tempting idea.”

“But ye will not let us breed her. Ye are still living in the past, among your sins.” Dagean sighed. “Have ye thought about how we can prevent her from becoming with child?”

“We will know. She goes into heat,” I reminded him.

Daegan paced, stopping only to kick stones out of his way. “What more proof do we need that she is our true mate? Ye would have us ignore her in her time of need. ‘Tis unnatural.”

“We are unnatural,” I reminded him.

“Then why do we exist?” Daegan spread his hands.

“We are twisted, fallen.”

“What better way to redeem ourselves than with love?” I did not have an answer for that. Fortunately, a small group of warriors, led by Wulfgar, interrupted.

“Alpha,” they addressed me after nodding respectfully to Daegan. “We seek an audience.”

I checked the pack bonds for anger, restlessness or unease. There was an echo of annoyance, but not directed at me. We’d sustained an attack on our mountain home, and though we’d beaten the enemy back, the pack wanted to finish them off.

“Our scouts report the Red Pack has withdrawn to the eastern part of the island.”

“Close to the villages of men,” Daegan observed.

“Yes,” Wulfgar said. “We think they will try to make their home there, blend in with mankind, pledge fealty to the king.”

“Become Christians?” Daegan asked.

Wulfgar shrugged.

“They’re afraid of our retaliation, if they are running into the arms of the pope,” I said.

“The pope won’t save them,” one warrior scoffed. “The Christians are weak, and the Red Pack weaker still if they are trying to pass as men.”

“I have another theory,” said Fergus. The youngest of the pack, he waited for me to acknowledge him before speaking further. “The natural born wolves are dying out. They are hunted in wolf form. Their women are few and their children are fewer. If they live among men, they may be able to find human women who can bear them children.”

The young warrior sounded excited by this, and his spirits were echoed in the pack bonds. It seemed my warriors were ready to settle down with mates of their own.

“That is a good theory,” I said. “We know now there are women with magic, spae-wives, with enough magic to sustain a mating bond. Women like our mate, Brenna.”

Daegan raised a brow at me. This was the closest I’d come to admitting that Brenna might bear us a child.

“Whether or not that is the Red Pack’s plan, we still must decide what to do about them,” Wulfgar stated.

“What do you think, Daegan?” I called to him. “Should we hunt them down and make the pay for threatening our mate?”

“Having to hide themselves and converting to follow the pope is punishment enough,” Daegan said with no rancor in his voice. His old pack killed his mother, drove his father out, and tried to kill him. Then they’d tried to turn a rogue Berserker pack against us.

“What about Ragnvald’s pack?” Wulfgar named the rogue Berserkers. “What do we do about them?”

“You knew this Ragnvald when you fought together under Harald Fairhair. Do you remember him?” Daegan asked me.

“I do.” I couldn’t stop thinking about the boy in my dream. “He was young but I would guess he’s grown into a great warrior like his father.”

“They are the threat we should discuss,” Wulfgar said. “I’ll rule on it next full moon. Have the pack come to me one by one, and tell me their choice. But I will be the one to decide for the good of the pack. We’re not only thinking about warriors. If we settle down with families, we will need friends and allies.”

I felt a twang of discord from some of the lesser pack members, but Wulfgar inclined his head in agreement. “Fairly ruled, Alpha.” The giant warrior’s voice rumbled like thunder in his great chest. Even if they didn’t like it, the other pack members took their cues from him. They drifted off, but Wulfgar stayed. “They pack will come to agree,” he to me. “The long years of violence are coming to an end. You will usher us into a new era.”

We both fell silent, watching Brenna gather flowers. She’d roped Daegan into holding a basket for her. He caught us looking and shrugged with a sheepish grin.

“New era indeed,” I finally said. Daegan loped back to us.

“Brenna wants to venture further. There are herbs that grow only on the banks of a stream that are good for…um…women things.”

“Woman things?” I asked, and had the satisfaction of watching Daegan turn scarlet.

Wulfgar chuckled. “You two go be with your mate. When should we expect pups?”

Before I could say anything, Daegan answered, “As soon as the gods see fit. Or as soon as Samuel learns how to stick his cock in the right place,” he finished with a smirk.

“I’m beginning to see why your old pack tried to kill you,” I said with narrowed eyes.

Daegan guffawed and spread his arms in challenge. “Try me.”

“I’ll take my leave, Alpha,” Wulfgar said with a respectful nod. He hadn’t taken five steps before I launched myself off the rock, tackling Daegan. I caught the Highlander off guard, but he wasn’t surprised for long.

Grass, stone and bits of branches flew in the air as we tussled. I was bigger but Daegan was faster, and we were both matched equally with strength. We fought until we were at an impasse, arms around each other in a mockery of an embrace, legs pushing for further purchase, claws starting to lengthen and pierce through the leather jerkins we wore.

“Give…up,” Daegan ground out.

“You first,” I gasped. “Your Alpha commands it.”

“Never,” he said and let himself go limp for a second, enough that I overbalanced and started to fall on top of him. As soon as his back hit the ground, his legs kicked up and tossed me over his head. I landed some feet away and he was already facing me, ready to attack.

“Maybe it’s a good thing you will not breed, Samuel. Your sons would be weak, no good for fighting, just brooding like the pasty monks.”

“Shut up,” I snarled, scrabbling in the ground to get to my feet. I felt the beast respond, my spine start to snap higher, hunching my back and bringing me to all fours. My hands were already claws. I was on my way to turning into a monster, somewhere between man and wolf.

“Perhaps you prefer fucking the holy men over our woman–”

My roar echoed off the mountain. I rushed him, and he twitched out of the way, but not before my claws caught his arm.

We faced off again. I waited while Daegan examined his torn arm. He glared daggers back at me and I gave him a deadly smile.

“First blood to me. How’s that for a former monk?”

“One cut doesn’t make you a winner,” Daegan snapped. “But I’m glad you remembered your claws. I thought I was fighting a rabbit.”

This time my growl sounded low and deep. My vision turned red.

“That’s it, Viking. Remember who you are. A warrior, not a weakling.”

I lifted my claw, licked at the red stain. “The taste of your blood reminds me. If I am weak, what does that make you?”

“Keep talking. The pack will rejoice when I rip out your tongue.”

He wasn’t joking, anymore. Neither was I.

“Come take it then,” I growled.

Boys… Brenna’s voice purred in the shared mate bond.

We paused at the siren sound.

Our woman stood on the edge of the glade, a crown of flowers on her head. She’s stripped off her dress, presumably to bathe in the stream. The thick fall of fabric covered her front. Once she had our attention, she let the garment fall.

With a coy smile, she turned and ran.

Fight forgotten, Dagean and I raced after her. I beat him to the woodland path, my half man, half wolf form. I felt a wave of magic blossom behind me, then Daegan’s wolf nipped at my heels. I paused to fully turn into a great golden wolf. Daegan overtook me, and I chased his black wolf and my beloved all the way to the stream.

Careful, don’t let her hurt herself, Daegan cautioned me.

She let a branch snap into his face. I snorted at his surprised look of pain. Our woman could handle herself. I sped on, leaving Daegan behind as I followed Brenna’s scent along the winding path. My growls spurred her faster, for I only caught a tantalizing glimpse of her naked, wobbling bottom as it disappeared beyond some bushes. I burst through them, glancing left and right before noting the trail of broken ferns. Knowing she was caught, she’d hidden under the bright green fronds filling the glade. Snuffling like the monstrous beast I was, I raised my head to the sky, and sniffed.

Spoor and the muggy air couldn’t mask the scent.

I pounced. Her arms flew up and hit me in the face, but overcome with lust, I pinned her down and roared until she stilled. Frozen, she panted heavily as I ran a claw across her vulnerable skin.

Samuel, please—

Another roar sounded, and I looked back just in time to see Daegan leaping at me. He landed close enough to knock me off balance, and shoved me away from our beloved. My vision fully red, I snarled at him. For a moment there was nothing in the world but the dark haired warrior standing between me and my prey. It would be so easy to kill him, then lay Brenna down beside his lifeless body, and take and take and take—

Enough. Fight’s over.

“Stop it, ye stupid beastie,” Daegan yelled. Gathering Brenna into his arms, he angled her body to show me her bare leg, the blood trickling down her thigh.

I felt the beast flee in fear, leaving only the guilt-besotted man.

“Too rough,” Daegan turned Brenna to face him, cradling her as he spoke to me over her

shoulder. “You’re bigger than her, fool. You cannae lose control.”

“Brenna.” The sound came out a guttural growl and I tried again. “Brenna, forgive me.”

I’m fine. The branches scratched me.

“Let me see her–”

Daegan interposed his body between us. “Get away, Alpha. I thought better of ye.”

Stung, I growled at him. He set Brenna aside, and stepped towards me. He stood in man form, but the beast was in his eyes. “I brought on the beast so you would stop being a coward. Not so you could lose control and scare her.”

“I didn’t lose control,” I snapped. “I wanted to scare her.”

Shock registered in Daegan’s face a second before it hardened. “If that’s your wish then you need to find and hunt prey. Not our woman, our mate. Don’t come to her until you have yourself under control.”

My vision cleared and I saw what I had done. The ground ripped where my back claws had scored the earth. Brenna huddled naked, wide eyes serious. Dagean’s face suffused in rage, ready to fight.

“I–” My mouth snapped shut on my excuses, and I turned and left.

*

Daegan found me that night on the northernmost watch, at the pinnacle of the mountain. I stood like a statue, braving the cold. He stopped close to me but I didn’t acknowledge him.

“I offer my forgiveness for the things I said,” he muttered.

I studied his surly expression. “You don’t sound as if you want forgiveness.”

“She made me come speak to you.” His scowl deepened.

“She’s less than half your size. How did she make you?”

“She refused to eat unless I brought you back.”

I almost smiled at that. “She can be very persuasive.” With a shrug, I turned and let him precede me down the mountain path. “I never thought I’d meet a woman strong enough to stand up to us, but we have.”

“She’ll bear strong children,” Daegan said over his shoulder.

I stopped in my tracks.

“Daegan, I know you want a family. But I can’t…”

“It’s not her strength you worry about, is it? It’s yours.”

“I didn’t lose control.”

“No, you’ve spent so long with a death grip on your urges you don’t know what they are. You pretend to be civilized, but deep down the beast is waiting to break through.” He stepped closer with a finger out to make his point. “Not the beast of tainted magic.” He tapped my chest. “The man beneath. It’s time you let him out again.”

“I hurt her.”

He shrugged. “Do what I do. Only hurt her in the ways she likes.” It sounded so simple.

“It is simple,” he said, reading my mind. “You better figure this out before we have pups.” He raised a hand against my automatic protest. “Samuel. You cannot stop the inevitable.”

“When she goes into heat, we will decide.”

*

The summer season ended, and I waited uneasily as a moon passed. The leaves fell and dried on the ground, and still, Brenna’s time of estrus did not come. Finally, I could wait no more.

“Brenna,” I asked, “when did you last have your menses?”

Her eyes widened.

A leaden feeling grew in the pit of my stomach. Daegan whooped and ran to her.

This cannot be, This cannot be! I turned at the sudden silence behind me, and realized I’d cried out aloud.

“What cannot be?” Daegan had his arms wrapped around Brenna. She looked happy yet nervous.

“This child…cannot come into the world. I will call the witch, and make sure of it.”

Brenna clutched her stomach.

“Over my dead body,” Daegan growled.

“The chance that she will die bearing the child is too great. We must end this–”

“It is not your choice.” Daegan turned Brenna to face him. “It’s yours.”

She took his hand and lay it on her stomach. This child is ours, and will live. We both will.

“It’s too dangerous,” I told her.

You don’t know that. We all are living a new life together.

“You don’t understand. We cannot lose you.” I turned away. “It would be better if we never met you.”

I would be dead, then. She came to my side. My stepfather would’ve killed me, eventually. I growled at the thought.

“Not even worms fear him, now,” Daegan said. “They feast on his carcass.”

Because of you, I live. Brenna leaned closer. I couldn’t help but draw in her heady scent. Once, Daegan told me you were to die.

“I should’ve died, long ago.”

She lay her hand on my cheek, forcing me to face her. Then why are you here?

I couldn’t argue with her earnest sincerity, or the joy shining in her eyes.

Have a little faith.

*

But I could not believe, not even as Brenna’s belly grew. The past ate at me; the future frightened me. Daegan quickly grew disgusted with my melancholy.

“You will not eat. You will not allow yourself to sleep. You are punishing yourself and it is harming us.”

“I am not fit to be a leader. Or a father.”

“Then leave,” Daegan snarled. “Bury yourself in your regrets and sleep for a thousand nights. When you wake you will only regret more when you realize the precious time you lost. By then, though, you’ll be weak enough for me to kill you.”

I bared my teeth at him and he returned the angry grimace for a second before it slid away.

“Forgive me, Alpha,” he said, sounding tired. He was right, my gloom weighed heavily on the pack bonds, and him most of all. “I do not mean it.”

“No, you’re right. It would be better if I left.” I walked away, clasping my warrior brother’s arm briefly as I passed. The contact helped me, but not enough.

In silence, I climbed to the summit of the mountain, barking at the wolf standing guard there to send him away. There I sat until the moon rose and hung in the sky. I hadn’t contemplated throwing myself from the peak in a long time. Even if the fall wounded me though, the beast wouldn’t even let me die.

On the first cold night of autumn, I scented Brenna before I heard her footsteps. She climbed on the flat rock where I’d kept watch in silence, alone. I growled before she could touch me, an automatic warning that she ignored. With a serene look on her face, she folded up gracefully and sat at my feet.

Stubborn woman. I could play that game. Minutes passed and I kept silent in my self-imposed prison. I did not deserve company.

After a few minutes, I realized she was shivering under the cloak.

With a sigh, I bent and gathered her up. She pressed her cold cheek against my collarbone.

“All right,” I said gruffly. “You win.”

I couldn’t be sure but I thought I felt her smile against my skin. Then she tucked her head under my chin, huddling against me as I carried her down the mountain.

She was small, so small and feather light in my arms. I moved swiftly but smoothly, making sure my footfalls landed lightly on the stone, so as not to break this precious bundle in my arms.

Daegan waited at the bottom of the trail, face a mask of worry that smoothed out when I came into sight.

“Take her,” I offered him my armful. Brenna clung to my neck harder, but Daegan shook his head.

“She’s all yours, Alpha.”

With a put upon sigh, I hugged our woman closer. “Set a guard on the northern watch, then. I had to leave my post to deal with this intruder.”

Daegan grinned. “I’ll do it. It looks like ye two have something to talk about.”

Brenna’s soft laugh echoed in the mate bond. I could’ve stayed up there with you.

“No, woman,” I growled. “It’s too cold.” I stomped the rest of the way to our chambers, and swung her down. The chill had nipped her cheeks, turning them red. I picked up a pelt from our bed and wrapped it around her before chafing her hands. She smiled like an angel as I glowered down at her.

“I should spank you for bothering me,” I said as I circled the room, adding wood to the braziers. I wouldn’t be satisfied Brenna was warm enough until I saw sweat on her brow.

Was I such a bother? She waited until I turned to face her and shrugged out of her overdress.

The slight shift she wore underneath left little to the imagination I grunted an answer, my eyes on her perfect breasts. They’d seemed to swell along with her belly.

She waited for me on the dais, her hands over her stomach. Speak, my love. What’s troubling you?

“You’re cold.” I frowned as I crossed to her, wrapping her up in the furs again. This time I kept my arms around her, making sure she stayed in them.

That’s not all you’re worried about. She turned her head and her scent wafted over me. 

Leave it, Brenna. Can we just stay like this, in peace?

For a moment, I thought she would acquiesce, but she wriggled herself to face me.

Tell me. Her brown eyes, liquid and earnest, tugged at my resolve.

“You shouldn’t leave the cave, Brenna. The chill, the rowdy warriors–tis not safe for a woman in your situation.”

An annoyed puff of air told me what she thought of my caution.

“Daegan thinks–”

Daegan worries like an old woman. The image of Daegan, hunched under a great pelt and shaking his finger in lecture, had me guffawing.

You are not worried about me. You fear something else. Brenna frowned as she searched my face for a clue. I swallowed my laugh and went still, wishing I could keep it from her. But I could not hide from the bond tethering our minds. You fear…yourself. Her hands came to cup my cheeks. Oh Samuel…

“Nay,” I denied her insight fruitlessly. Grabbing her cold hands, I brought them down and chafed them. She really did not tolerate the cold. Daegan was right to worry.

You blame yourself for everything. Every wrong, every misstep, everything the pack has done…

“That I have done.”

Samuel. There is a time for regret, for sorrow. And a time for forgiveness.

This time the dissenting sigh was mine.

You cannot carry this guilt forever. Cupping the back of my head, she pressed her forehead against mine. I will not allow it.

“You do not know what I have done.”

Tell me. I could not deny the determined tone of her voice.

“There was a village, one we visited before we went to the witch.” I explained in halting tones the night we spent drinking with the families. How my eyes followed the children, enjoying their playful squabbles and tumbling, until their fathers asked me whether I had sons of my own.

“We left on the morn, and traveled to the witch. There, we competed once again in games to show our strength, our vigor, our fortitude. The witch knew the magic would kill some of us. She did not want to waste the ceremony on the weak. We sat around the fire that fateful night, and shared a horn, waiting for the ritual to begin. Then we heard the howling of the wolves.

We raised our blades…the pack attacked us, but these were no ordinary wolves. Werewolves she’d found and brought from the snow covered north. Wild and free, and now enslaved and mad.

She’d tortured them. When we killed them, their bodies reverted to the men they’d once been. They were weak and sick from captivity, half insane. We put them down easily. But not before sustaining a few wounds ourselves…

Ragnvald, the youngest of us, was the first to change. He cried for his father. Bodolf lay bleeding beside the bonfire, body torn with the monster’s teeth.

I lay on my side, choking on my own blood. I remember thinking that Bodolf had brought us all this way to die. The witch shook her staff over us, and knelt to poke pieces of burnt flesh between our lips. I did not want to think about what she fed us. Every time she came close, I heard a buzzing as if the evil in her was a swarm of bees.

I retched as the magic boiled through my body. Raping every thought, every beautiful memory. Replacing it with rage.

And then…”

And then? Brenna prompted.

“And then I woke in a village–the one we’d left the day before. The bodies were piled up outside the lodges. Every villager was dead. It was the witch’s plan, to cut us off from humanity. We severed the connection to good, honest fellowship with our own blades.

I stood there with the magic buzzing like a hive in my head and I knew I wasn’t human anymore.”

When I fell silent, Brenna did not push me to say more. Instead, she took my hand and placed in on her belly, so I could rub this reminder of new life.

Eventually, I heard Daegan enter our chambers. I raised my head. I wanted him to hear what I had to say.

“If there was any honor left in me, I would leave. Go into exile.”

“Alpha–” Daegan started to protest.

“You can lead the pack without me.”

“If you leave, you will die,” he reminded me. “No member of the pack can survive for long, alone. Exile is a death sentence.”

I shrugged. Despair was a heavy mantle around my shoulders.

Samuel, no. You cannot leave.

“I should’ve done so a long time ago. I would’ve, had the pack not needed my strength to fight the beast. As it is, I risked Brenna’s life.”

That was mine to risk. I chose to stay with you.

Brenna tried to twine her arms around my neck and hold me closer, but I extricated myself.

“I am sorry Brenna, but it’s for the best. I never want to hurt you. I could leave my sins behind and atone for them, if I believed I would not commit them again.”

You believe you will maul another village?

“No,” I rubbed my face. I was tired, so tired. What a foolish youth I’d been, to think that I’d like to live forever. “I would fight to protect you, but when I’m with you…”

“Ye enjoy hurting her,” Daegan said.

“I enjoy it,” I agreed.

You are powerful. Your violence is a part of you, and when we come together…

“I can leave nothing back from loving you. Not even my violence.”

You need to express that side of yourself. Love me, Samuel, with every part of you, so that I may love every part of you.

“Why? Why do you love me?”

She folded her hands and gave me enigmatic smile. You gave me my voice.

“You did not get that from me.”

You gave it when you decided I was worth listening to.

She cocked her head, thinking. I waited as long as I could for her judgement.

“I’m sorry, Brenna, but it’s safer–” I started, and stopped when she slapped me across the face. The sound rang out in the chamber.

I could only stare at her in shock.

“What are ye doing, lass?” Daegan asked in alarm. I motioned for him to stay where he was.

With a savage joy, Brenna slapped me again.

I raised a hand to my stinging cheek. “Have you lost your mind?”

No. Fight me. She lifted her hand.

I caught the offending arm, gently but firmly capturing her wrist. “Stop. Enough.”

She smacked me with her other hand, and I blinked in surprise. It hurt. The beast within me raised its head.

“Brenna, stop.” I caught her other wrist and held her away from me.

She struggled in my grip and snapped her teeth. Hurt me. Fight me. You won’t break me. You love me too much.

I gripped her wrists harder, forcing them down. “You are with child,” I said through gritted teeth.

There is no danger in a bit of play.

“I don’t trust the beast.”

I do.

In a sudden move, she twisted and freed herself. I was too surprised to go after her, until she darted her knee up. It glanced off my thigh, harmless, but too close to my sensitive member for my liking.

“Have you gone mad?” I growled, all my self-pity forgotten.

Come on, Alpha. She goaded. Are you weak? Samuel the scholar? Too wrapped up in his own philosophy to discipline his mate?

Across the room, Daegan laughed. My beast surged to dominance.

“You want discipline, Brenna?” I stood and grabbed her around the waist, hoisting her over my shoulder, careful of her belly but letting her head hang down with her hair brushing the floor.

“Samuel–” Daegan went from laughing to alarm.

“Shut up.”

I’m fine, Daegan, Brenna’s voice in the bond sounded breathy, expectant.

As I left the room, Brenna reached down and gave my bottom a pinch. I growled and swatted her upended rear, hard. “You’ll regret that, soon enough. I’ll teach you not to pick a fight with someone thrice your size.”

I heard her snort, and hastened out of the cave.

Every warrior turned to watch as I strode out to the fire pit.

“I need a witness.” My voice came as a growl. “I’m going to discipline my naughty mate.” I seated myself on a giant rock I used as a throne, and set Brenna down. No sooner did her feet touch the ground then she was over my lap, arse up and hands grabbing my leg to steady herself. I pried them away from my calf and held them in the small of her back. She teetered on my legs, but I steadied her. I would cut off my own arm before I’d let her fall.

“I’ll witness,” Wulfgar offered, along with half the pack. They watched eagerly as I pulled up her shift and bared her naked rear to my hungering gaze. Already my cock was swelling, provoked by her spitfire bravery and the beautiful sight of her bottom, high over my knees.

“Let no one say I’m weak when it comes to levying punishment to the deserving.”

You deserved those slaps. Brenna taunted from her precarious position over my knee. I was glad the pack could not hear her voice on our private bond. You were acting foolish, I had to do something.

“You’ll never challenge your Alpha again.” I warned and let my hand fall.

Within a minute, I’d beat her bottom to a nice pink. She struggled at first, kicking her legs until I weighted them with one of my own. Curses echoed down the bond, but my hand never wavered in delivering its punishment.

Not so feisty now, Brenna. Daegan stood at my side, smiling.

I gave her a slap between her legs, and chuckled at the squelching wetness.

Her honey oozes more with each slap. Daegan observed. I paused to check, and brought sticky fingers to my nose. One sniff and I was rock hard and ready to claim her in front of the entire pack.

I should spank you every day, and never let you cum. I followed up this statement with a volley of stinging swats. Instead of fighting it, her body draped loosely over my legs as she surrendered.

I checked her with two fingers in her cunny. My thumb wormed into her bottom hole and I held her like that, teasing and stimulating her most sensitive places.

Letting go of her wrists, I wrapped my hand around her neck and brought her head back.

“Had enough, lass?”

She raised her bottom, working it back against my hand.

“Samuel,” Daegan warned.

I glanced up, remembering our audience. For a moment, it had been Brenna and I alone in the world.

And I realized she was right. I’d never once lost control.

Told you… her taunt came to me.

I snarled with happiness. It seemed the punishment was not so quickly over.

“Oh, lass. You’re in for it now,” Daegan chuckled. I was too busy stripping off her shift.

Within seconds, she was naked and bared to the pack. Her hair fell about her face. I took a moment to check her breathing. Her eyes were glazed with lust. She pushed forward, trying to kiss me. I forced her back down over my lap.

“Not yet, sweetness. Not until you’ve learned your place.” I touched the pretty mottling on her backside, and felt joy as I never had before. Our woman was strong enough to take her punishment. Indeed, she asked for it.

She truly was born to be our mate.

Happy with this thought, I smacked her bottom cheeks until they bounced, and followed it up with sly touches to her cunny. She worked with my rhythm, lifting her bottom to the punishing palm, and grinding her mound against my leg.

“Naughty one, you’re enjoying this.” I took a fistful of her hair and tugged until she gasped.

Her honey flowed over my fingers.

“Try this Alpha.” Fergus stood to my right, bowing, with a long strip of leather hanging over his palm. I took the length of heavy leather, doubled over and tested it against my palm. The impact stung but did not draw blood.

Careful, Daegan warned.

You alright, lass? I paused to ask.

Yesss, she sighed. I want it. I want more.

Daegen knelt to my left, hands out to steady Brenna. He found a way to prop her up and swipe his thumbs over her breasts. Her begging filled the mate bond.

Whip me. Mark me as yours.

I shook my head in wonder, but did as she asked. The leather slapped at her haunches in time to her soft gasps. After a minute, the blush on her buttocks deepened to red. Trailing the strap between her legs, I rubbed it against her cunny and it came away dark with her juices.

We have an audience, Daegan reminded me once again.

In one move, I had her up and cradled in my arms. Her head lolled against my chest, tear tracks down her cheeks and mouth wreathed with an ethereal smile.

“Punishment’s over.”

“Heard and witnessed,” Wulfgar murmured as I carried my love past the pack. The assembled warriors watched us go with greedy eyes.

Once inside our sleeping chamber, I set her down on the dais. “Hands and knees, little love.” I made her stay still for inspection. The leather had left no marks. My hands grasped her small waist, holding her still as I kissed and rubbed my bristled cheeks against her bottom. Her struggles only made me grip her harder. When I finally worked my mouth down between her legs, fastening on her glistening cunny, she stopped fighting. She planted her chest in the furs and pushed her bottom back into my mouth, greedy for more. I lapped and tongue fucked her sweet hole, reaching under to pluck her nipples. She shuddered with an orgasm and went limp, but I kept slurping her essence. I would wear her scent as I marked her with my own seed.

“My turn,” Daegan said. I backed away, licking my lips as he came forward and ran his hands over Brenna’s kneeling form. Her body arched into his caress.

“Arse in the air, just as I like it.” He gave the proud posterior a smack. “Nice and pink, too. Ye should give us an excuse to punish ye every day.”

“Don’t encourage her,” I said.

“I have a gift for ye, Brenna,” Daegan said with a wicked smile. He went to a trunk and lifted out a carven box, and two items.

“Get her to her knees.” He motioned as he returned, and I pulled her hair until she rose up.

“Arms behind your back, Brenna. Thrust your chest out,” he ordered.

I helped steady her from behind as she obeyed, holding her own forearms to keep her arms behind her back.

“Good lass.” He stroked her breasts, then bent his head and sucked each nipple to points. I slid my hand back between her legs to tease her folds while Daegan played with her hardened nipples.

“Do not cum,” I breathed in her ear. “If you do, I’ll have Daegan tie and flog you.”

I thought punishment was over… Even her voice in my mind sounded desperate.

“This is a different sort of punishment,” Daegan offered. “One that bends you to our will. Ye belong to us, forever.” He raised the jewels he’d taken from the carven box. The teardrops hung from a clever twist of metal. “We will have you wear these for our pleasure. Every inch of you is ours to claim and mark as we please.”

Brenna jerked as he pinched her nipples, but then arched her back further for him to adorn each one with the jewel. He threaded a tiny chain between them.

“No,” he said, rising off the dais with the chain in his hand. “We can lead you as we will.”

Brenna rose with him, moving with perfect grace to the edge of the bed. We both stayed close, helping her stand and walk across the room with Daegan leading her by the chain. She kept her arms locked behind her.

“She’s very well-behaved now,” I observed. “Perhaps we should spank her every morn.”

“She likes it too much.” Daegan said. Our tour of the room ended when he sat on the bed and helped her kneel in front of him. “Let’s try a new game.” He draped the chain over his jutting cock, forcing Brenna close to keep it from pulling at her nipples. His hand gripped her hair. “Suck me down, now. All the way, there’s a good lass.”

I waited until she’d built a good rhythm before kneeling behind her and reaching between her haunches. She paused with her mouth on Daegan’s cock as I fingered her gently.

“Concentrate, lass.” Dagean took the chain and tugged at it. Brenna forced her head down over him, sucking with renewed vigor.

“Do not come,” I ordered, moving my fingers to keep her on the edge. My thumb brushedher bottom hole. Her hips bucked.

“No, lass.” Daegan yanked the chain.

It was too late, she was too far gone. The pinch in her nipples only seemed to help her orgasm catch fire. It spread through her, making her cunt spasm helplessly over my fingers. Her mouth hung open, lax as she panted for breath. The sight of her in the throes of pleasure sent Daegan over the edge. He panted as he painted her face with his seed.

“Naughty one,” I wound her hair around my hand until she bowed backwards. My hand splayed over her throat to steady her. “You were not to cum.”

We flogged her lightly until our bond echoed with her pleading.

“Daegan, fuck her.” He lay back and pulled Brenna onto his already stiff cock. I whipped her bottom while Daegan stroked inside her.

“Stop smiling, Brenna. This is supposed to be punishment. You look like you’re enjoying it,”

I said, and painted her back with pink marks. The deerskin strands were the softest leather. When used with a heavy hand they could sting a little, but gentle strokes felt like a massage. After a good warm up, I laid on heavier strokes.

Brenna caught her breath and arched her back, a blissful look on her face.

“Hold off from cumming and attend to me,” Daegan ordered, cupping her breasts. “Up and down, there’s a good lass.” She bounced on him for a minute, then he caught my eye. I snapped the flogger at the same time he removed the nipple clamps. We watched the pain drive our woman over the edge. Her body convulsed so hard Daegan had to quickly grab her hips and ground her.

Tossing the flogger aside, I knelt behind her shuddering form. With a hand on her now red back, I pushed her forward into Daegan’s welcoming arms. She lay limp and unresisting as I probed her bottom hole, using a little jar of oil we kept near our bed to slick my fingers and cock.

“You’re our mate. We will claim you together so you know you belong to us, body, mind and soul.”

Daegan stroked her shoulders and arms as I added a second finger to stretch her. After the third finger, she roused a little in his arms, squirming.

“Hold still, lass,” he whispered in her ear.

“You’re doing so well,” I praised her. When I pulled my fingers out, her bottom hole fluttered, begging to be filled. “Arch your back, push your arse up.” When she obeyed, I set my cock at her dark entrance. “This will be tight.”

Slowly, ever so slowly, I slid inside her hot little channel. Her legs quivered but Daegan steadied her, playing with her nipples, soothing her with little whispers of encouragement. He drew his cock out for a moment until I’d seated myself fully inside our woman. When he finally did push back in, we both moaned aloud.

Now pressed between her two men, Brenna held still.

“How does it feel, little love?” I asked, running a hand down her whipped back so she shivered with delight.

It took a moment for her to answer.

Full. Fuller than ever before. Fuck me, please.

“Our pleasure, lass,” Daegan chuckled and started to slowly scythe in and out. The mental bond between us lay fully open. We shared every twinge of pleasure, every sigh, every gasp, every ache and every second of mind-numbing need. With our minds connected, we were truly one.

Yes. Yes. Brenna breathed as Daegan and I sped our movements. She rocked between us, assaulted from all sides with overwhelming sensation. With every thrust, her tight holes clenched around our cocks.

Yes, harder.

I obliged. Slick with oil and her thick cream, my cock now easily breached her stretched ring.

I pulled out only to slam back in. Deagan did the same. We repeated the move and her body clamped down so hard on our cocks, my thoughts flew from my head.

Again and my fingers gripped her hips so hard, I felt a flicker of pain in the bond. I loosened them with an apology.

No, Samuel, don’t stop.

I beat my hips into her backside so hard she rocked forward, but cradled her hips more gently. “Say my name again.”

Samuel.

“And mine,” Daegan said before he claimed her mouth.

Daegan, Brenna moaned in the bond. My men. Fuck me, please, take me hard.

We sped up, our bodies slapping sweat-soaked skin. Each thrust buried us deep inside our woman.

“I’m not…going to last….much longer…” Daegan panted.

Don’t stop…please…

“Grind down on him, Brenna. Take your pleasure as we take ours,” I commanded her, even as my gaze caught Daegan’s.

On my command, brother. I told him and he nodded slowly. I pulled almost all the way out, and nearly came at the sight of my thick rod swallowed in her tiny hole. Close…ready…

I slammed into her so hard her breath left in a woosh. At the same time, Daegan jerked his hips, knifing up inside her.

Now, I thundered. Daegan and I let loose, releasing into her body at the same time our pleasure flooded the bond. Brenna’s body bucked between us, her satisfied screams ringing out in our minds as the wave of our release caught hers and lifted her higher and higher. Her orgasm and ours rolled into one, and as we reached the pinnacle, Daegan and I sank our teeth into her shoulder, a shallow bite in the sacred place that would mark her as ours. Brenna’s head flew back as she accepted our cocks, our teeth, and our piercing pleasure. If her cry in the mating bond were heard aloud, it would shatter the stars.

She shook and we held her tight as the waves subsided, claiming her mouth, nipping her shoulder where we’d marked her, caressing her.

Ours, we told her, again and again. You belong to us, and we to you.

My head and cock throbbed with the force of my orgasm. When my cock popped out of my beloved’s backside, I set off the tremors all over again. Lying on my side, I pulled my sleepy, sweaty woman into my arms and held her as sanity returned. Daegan rose briefly to fetch a cloth to clean her. He wiped her face and thighs, but left our seed oozing from her reddened cunny. I also rose and washed, and when I’d finished he lay down on her other side. Together we positioned her on her back between us.

“Ye did well, love,” Daegan said, and earned a sleepy smile.

I captured Brenna’s hand and laid it over my bare chest. “You are in my heart,” I spoke the words haltingly, they came from a deep place that my fear had ignored. “You are part of me. Both of you. But especially you, Brenna. And I am grateful.” I raised my eyes to hers. “I will need your gentleness, when our son is born.”

Daegan beamed at me. Brenna lifted her hand to my jaw, and her gentle touch banished my fears forever.

Thank you, she mouthed, tracing my lips with a finger. I caught the digit between my teeth, closing my eyes against the happy ache in my heart.

We settled closer, our bodies twining together in a perfect trinity.

Brenna took both our hands, one in each of hers, and whispered, Mine. She held them to her heart as her body eased into sleep.

Daegan followed, curling into her back, his burly arms holding her tight.

I waited until their breathing steadied, then brushed a hand over Brenna’s belly, and whispered a prayer for the son I believed was growing there. My lips found her forehead, and I added a plea for strength. Not for my beloved, who was courageous enough to carry a Berserker child. For me, that I would share her faith in my humanity. In this area, she would lead.

My fingers skated lower, searching for the wet sanctuary between her thighs. I slipped two fingers inside her. I’d sleep like that, possessing her, her hot mons pressed into my palm. She made me whole.

I’d lost my soul long ago, but Brenna and Daegan returned it to me. I’d never fear losing it again, as long as they held each piece. Closing my eyes, I joined them in our dreams.

***

Epilogue

There was a chill in the air the day I addressed the pack to cast judgement on our enemies. Daegan stood on my right, Brenna sat on my left, her hands over her softly rounded belly.

“After careful examination of opinions and the evidence, I rule that we will not attack Ragnvald’s pack.”

A few warriors grumbled, and Wulfgar silenced them with a growl.

“With all respect, Alpha,” one grizzled warrior spoke up, “What if they attack again?”

“The winter winds are already upon us. By spring time, Ragnvald’s pack might not exist, if they succumbed to madness and fight each other. We will wait, bide our time, and defend ourselves if needed.”

“It would be wise to send scouts in the spring,” Wulfgar said. “That way if any of our enemies still live in mindless suffering, we can grant them relief.”

I nodded. The thought of killing off any weakened survivors would quell any discontent in the surliest warriors.

“So agreed,” I started to say, when a desperate shout came from the back. Fergus tore up the mountain trail, half changed into a wolf, a panicked look on his face. I rose, and sent my power out along the pack bonds to help him Change back into a man. He wasted no time giving his news.

“My lord Alpha, forgive the interruption but I have been to your mate’s old village and her family–” He broke off to catch his breath. Brenna came to her feet, and Daegan and I exchanged worried glances. He moved close to her.

“What of Brenna’s family?”

“The sisters–the ones we send the meat to every moon–I went to leave the offering on their doorstep, but the door was open. The hut had been empty for some time. They’re gone.”

“They could’ve picked up and moved to another village,” Wulfgar said.

Fergus shook his head. “We found wolf prints, leading into the forest. I recognized the scent—Ragnvald’s pack.”

Brenna swayed. Daegan moved to wrap an arm around and steady her. Her legs buckled and he swung her up in his arms.

“I am sorry, Brenna,” Fergus said. “They’ve taken your sisters.”

***

The Berserker saga continues with Ragnvald, Maddox and Sabine’s story…

***

Excerpt from Taken by the Berserkers

The wolf stood in the center of the woodland path, lingering as if it waiting for me. At first I didn’t see the giant creature, mottled in shadow, with fur so black it looked almost blue. Once I did, I froze, clutching my baskets as if they could shield me. I could drop my wares and run, but if a predator of this size chased me, I was doomed.

After a good, hard glare in my direction, it slipped away, leaving me shaking with relief. If I was wise, I’d return to the market and ask one of the villagers to escort me through the dangerous woods. Any one of the strapping young farm boys would be happy to see me home–my long, honey blonde hair drew them like bees to nectar–but I preferred to make my way alone. My sisters and I lived at the end of the village, and I could be there before dark if no more wolves blocked my path.

A rustling in the brush told me there were more predators lurking, waiting for easy prey this close to dusk. I quickened my step and called to my sister Muriel as I drew close to our hut.

She met me on the stoop.

“Good market?”

I unslung my burden and handed her the empty baskets. “Enough to buy meat.”

“Oh, Sabine, you didn’t,” Muriel said. “We have plenty from this month’s offering.”

I grunted, bending to enter the hut. I hadn’t bought meat, even though I wanted to, because of the gift left on our doorstep, the gift we’d received each month since my sister Brenna had disappeared.

“How much do we have left?” I asked, waiting in the doorway until my eyes adjusted to the dank and smoke-filled space. Muriel moved by the fire, sorting the baskets and hanging up the bundles of leftover herbs.

“A whole hank. It was deer this time.” Some months the meat was boar, or a slew of rabbits.

It varied but it was always enough to fill our bellies for days, more if we salted and dried it. “I don’t know why you don’t like it.”

“I’m grateful for the gift.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. At one time, I believed the secret of Brenna’s disappearance was tied to the gift of the meat. I’d waited up all night once, to try and catch the giver. Eventually, I’d fallen asleep. Just before dawn, I woke to the sound of a snapping twig. There on the ground, so close my foot could touch it, was a great boar carcass. The hunter had left it as I slept. It took all three of us to drag the boar to the firepit, and we carved it and ate on it for weeks. I never waited up to catch the the hunter again.

Muriel’s voice shook me from my thoughts.“You don’t have to eat it, you know. Fleur and I will eat our fair share, and give the rest away.”

‘Fleur should not be eating meat at all if she’s still feeling ill. Just broth, and a little bit of oatcake.” Youngest by a few minutes, the smaller twin took sick often. This evening, she huddled in a pile of blankets that made our bed in the corner of the hut.

I put away the herbs as Muriel pestered me with questions. “Who was at market? Did the priest bother you?”

“Nothing happened out of the ordinary. I saw a black wolf on the path coming home.”

“An evil omen.”

I shrugged. “No animal is truly evil. And wolves are often harbingers of good.”

“Why didn’t you ask one of the men from the village to walk you home? You know you could have anyone of them.”

I gave her a sharp look. Muriel, the eldest twin, looked far too knowing for her sixteen years.

“The men of the village are fools.”

“Then how are you to marry one of them?”

“I won’t. I will never marry. Love is foolish, it weakens the mind.”

“What about us, then?” Fleur asked in a weak voice.

I forced a smile for my two sisters. “I will find you men to marry.” I made my voice low and strong, mesmerizing as I wove the tale. “Strong men who will build you a house from the giant trees in the deep forest. They will carve your bed from a living tree and every child you bear will live.”

“You don’t want one then? A man?”

I bit my tongue against my true thoughts. Men were fools, too much trouble to handle. Half the time they acted like children, the other half raging brutes. I’d watch my mother fall for one who beat her and tried to grope my sister, who bore it silently, protecting us until she disappeared. My stepfather had been mauled by a beast soon after Brenna went missing. I’d laughed when I found his body.

“One man? I would never be satisfied. Perhaps two, if they were as brilliant as they were beautiful.”

“Two men? At the same time?” Fleur wrinkled her nose.

“Why not?” I teased. “I can send them out together, to hunt and grunt and burp. I’ll make them ask to be let back in my home.”

Fleur laughed, but Muriel stayed quiet. When I puttered around the fire, she cornered me and spoke in a low voice.

“Full moon tonight. Are you going to the grove?”

“Perhaps.”

My sister sucked in a breath. “Be careful.”

Instead of answering, I stooped and checked the unwanted meat. It came to our door fresh from the kill, bloody, as if ripped from the animal’s body. Muriel roasted it with rosemary and other spices, and the smell made my mouth water. Scowling, I sliced some off for my supper.

At first I’d refused to eat the meat, as if rejecting the gift would bring my sister back. My mother had called me a fool.

“Your sister Brenna is dead,” she had told me. “You have two younger sisters to care for. Any food is welcome.”

I waited until my mother lay on her deathbed to tell her what I knew in my heart– somewhere, somehow, Brenna lived. I didn’t know how I knew, but I did.

My mother simply nodded. “Fey. Like your grandmother. She had a magic of the earth. It told her things; she knew they were true but could not explain why.” My mother had clutched my hand with her wasted one. “Be careful, Sabine. Your grandmother’s knowledge didn’t save her when they burned her on a pyre.”

“Sabine, did you hear me?” Muriel asked, bending her head close to mine so Fleur could not hear. “There’s a dangerous beast about. It may be the wolf you saw. Father Benton woke one night for vespers and found all his goats slaughtered.”

Last time Father Benton had spoken to me, he accused me of dallying with the devil. “How awful. The poor goats.”

Muriel frowned at me. Dark haired with grey eyes, she was growing into a beauty, but she had just as much wit, when her sweetness didn’t stop her from using it. I kept her home as much as I could to keep the village men from noticing her. Some men were worse than wolves.

“I’ll be careful, Muriel. You know as well as I, I need to go.”

Tight-lipped, Muriel studied me for a moment before nodding. She understood.

I waited until she and Fleur had fallen asleep before slipping out of the hut in search of solitude.

Once a month, the heat came upon me. A curse from the goddess, my mother called it, though she didn’t seem to suffer from it as intensely as I did. In my youth I would give into the lust and find a man to sate the ache between my legs, but in the past few months I’d gone away alone, into the forest away from the village. The desire in me wasn’t satisfied by a simple roll in the hay, it hungered for a man’s strong arms, a tryst in a wild, secret place.

The moon rose and found me waist deep in the forest pool, wiping water on my fevered skin. I hummed a little as I swam.

I’d just left the pool and pulled on my gunna when I looked across the stream into the golden eyes of the wolf. My skirts tumbled into the water.

Foolish girl. I could hear my mother saying. Out so late, alone.

Slowly, I took a step back. The wolf stayed where it was. Another step, and another, and it seemed the beast would let me go. Muttering prayers to the goddess, I crept back the way I came.

I made it to the edge of the grove when I felt a wind at my back, a powerful pulse that sent shivers up my spine. Not daring to turn and look, I picked up my skirts and ran.

The lights of the hut danced in front of me, and I had almost burst from the forest onto the main path when strong arms dragged me back into the woods.

I fought, and a hand slapped over my mouth and nose. My attacker pulled me backwards as I writhed and kicked. One hand held back my choked screams, while his other arm wrapped around my waist. My legs thrashed the air as he lifted me and carried me back into the forest.

No, no, came my muffled shrieks as the trees crowded my vision. A few more steps and I lost the sight of my family’s hut. The light from the candle in the window disappeared in the gloom.

My struggles were no match for arms like iron bands locked around me. I kicked back at him as hard as I could, hoping to do some damage. The hand collaring my neck squeezed in warning.

“Sabine,” the deep voice growled my name, and I went still with shock. “Be still.”

“Please,” I tried to beg, and when I couldn’t get the word out, my arms and legs flailed in panic. The hand at my throat tightened, cutting off my scream. After few more kicks, the world receded and all went dark.

*

I woke sore, my body aching. My eyes still closed, I started to call to Muriel to check the chickens for eggs, and my throat screamed for water. Head pounding, I reached for the herbs I kept near our bed for Fleur’s sickness. Nothing.

I opened my eyes. Instead of the hut, I lay on the ground in the wide mouth of a cave, wrapped in a great fur robe. The morning air felt cool on my face. Had I lain outside all night?

Last night’s terror came flooding back. The deep voice growling my name, the hand around my throat. My nightmare was real.

Fear shot through me and I came to my feet, lunging for the forest. My escape was cut short when my leg pulled out from under me. I looked back and saw the chain around my ankle.

“No,” I breathed, fingers wrenching at the heavy shackle. “No, no, no.”

My attacker must have brought me to this cave in the wilderness and chained me as his prisoner. A wolf would gnaw off its foot to be free. I couldn’t bring myself to do more than sit trembling on the ground. I did not wait for long. My captor emerged from the woods, padding silently on bare feet. I rose, gripping the robe around me.

In the morning light his face was just as fearsome as last night, rawboned and cruel, sharp as a blade, rugged with stubble. He wore leather breeches but his feet and chest were bare. Twining over every inch of him–his arms, his hands, even his feet–were bluish tattoos, the markings of an ancient tribe far from Alba.

My heart pounded painfully as he walked closer, but he only carried his armful of firewood past me to a large fire pit surrounded by stones. When he rose, dusting his hands, his gaze met mine like a punch. My hands clenched into fists, but I refused to look away.

At last he reached down, picked up a bucket and brought it to me, setting it a few feet away– where I could reach it despite the chain.

“You must be thirsty,” he rasped. “Drink.”

I waited until he stepped back before forcing myself to walk forward and do as he’d ordered.

The water tasted fresh. No poison, though if my captor wanted to kill me, he wouldn’t have to resort to that. He stood like a warrior at the edge of battle, face blank and muscled body tensed as if ready to fight. The strength in his corded arms had dragged me forcibly from my doorstep. When I  swallowed, I still felt his grip bruising my throat.

“Who are you?” I choked out. “Why am I here?”

“I’m Maddox of Ériu.” He named the island west of my native Alba. “And you’re here because I brought you.” Turning away, he busied himself lighting a fire.

I drank another dipperful of water. My reflection looked frightened, so I schooled my features and drank slowly, glancing about for any way to escape.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Maddox said without looking up. “The woods are filled with fearsome monsters. Or so the villagers believe.” He angled his head and flashed me a grin. His canines looked rather sharp. “I may have spread the rumor, to keep everyone away.”

I stood, needing the courage my height would give me. “if you don’t want visitors, why am I here?”

Maddox stood and walked towards me with measured steps. My head tipped back as he loomed over me.

“You’re not just a visitor.” He stopped an arm’s length away. A head taller, and broader by half, he could easily overpower me. And he had. Instead of cowering, I tensed and gritted my teeth so I would stand my ground. If he wanted me here, he could deal with my defiance. If not, then I would die.

“What am I then?”

“A friend.” His gaze fell to my chest, and I pulled the robe tighter so it covered the swell of my breast. Facing this tall, tattooed warrior with feral eyes, everything in me quivered.

He reached for me. I flinched, but let him brush a few golden hairs from my cheek. His face softened as his finger teased my hair.

“Friend?” I scoffed. “Do you chain up all your friends?”

His head canted to the side as he considered my question. Up close he smelled of smoke, the wild wood, and man.

Unable to keep still any longer, I stepped away. The clink of my chain seemed to rouse him. He dropped his hand and walked towards the forest, tossing his answer over his shoulder.

“Yes.”

*

Click to read Taken by the Berserkers