Chapter 32

W ulfric shifted into Growler form and prowled the Feral Forest, making a wide circle around his camp's perimeters. He found a few youths meeting at the old abandoned ruins but didn't have the heart to confront them. He avoided them, his heart hurting too much.

She's walked away. Admittedly, she'd said from the beginning that she was going to, but he'd hoped the past few days together had shown her what could've been. When he finally went back to camp, it was well past midnight, and he tumbled into bed in a fitful sleep.

At dawn, he was back outside, checking the perimeter guards, talking to a few of the Growlers about mundane things. When it was time for breakfast, he went back to his tent to wash and change. The alphas were still here, and he had a job to do as the head alpha. Just because his mate had left didn't mean he could mope about feeling sorry for himself.

He shook his head, trying to dispel the melancholy. He'd been through this before, in a past life when he was human. He'd live. It wouldn't be good for a while, but he'd live. As long as she didn't get herself killed, he'd be alright.

He strode through the side door of the longhouse and to his normal seat at the head of the raised table. Two alphas sat on either side of him. He grunted, and Nightstalkers leaned closer.

"Are you alright, brother?" Of all the alphas, he was closest to Nightstalkers. He'd been a mentor all those years ago, and Wulfric vaguely remembered the haunted look in the Growler's eyes when they'd first met. It had been after the death of his own Luna, and somehow—miraculously—the Growler had survived. It was why no one dared challenge him as alpha. If he was strong enough to survive losing a mate, he could survive anything.

Wulfric's chest was tight, and his throat closed. He swallowed hard, reaching for the warm spiced tea someone brought him. "I will be. She's gone ahead to her brother's to prepare for the treaty. I'll join her in a few days, once we've agreed to it and the terms."

Nightstalker frowned and leaned back. "So sure of yourself."

Wulfric shrugged. "Can you deny that it's what's best for all of us? This is the only way we'll survive a possible ice age, the only way we might be able to prevent it, the only way…"

Nightstalker's alpha raised a bushy brown eyebrow. "The only way you'll get your mate to stay by your side?"

Wulfric met his gaze and didn't back down. Finally Nightstalker sighed and rubbed his chin. "Look, I get it, I really do. But you have to convince both the turned and the natural born that this will work. You can't just approach it as though it's what's best for your mate, even though it is."

Wulfric's lips pursed, and Battlefangs wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. "We've had reports of monsters prowling Busparia at night. Any creature—man or beast—who roams after dark is dead by morning. The creature you killed—"

"Only thanks to Scarlet's help," Wulfric interrupted.

Battlefangs nodded. "It's the same type that we've heard reports on. The threat of an ice age is a very real one, and I and my tribe will stand behind you on the treaty."

Wulfric's brows rose in surprise. He'd not expected the first to agree to be the Battlefangs clan. They were normally the attack first, ask questions later type of people.

Nightstalker's alpha slid a rolled parchment over to him. "After you and your Luna disappeared yesterday, the rest of us talked with a few of your clansmen and Elders. We drafted this working document that outlines all that we agree to thus far. It's ready for your review. Perhaps after breakfast, we can discuss it further."

Wulfric's throat clogged, and he took it as he leaned back in his thick, wooden chair. He squinted and a Growler handed him a pair of glasses. He looked up, brows raised as Todd took his plate. "Alpha," he said solemnly. Behind it, the man held all the support of the tribe. Wulfric looked across the crowded room. There were murmurs, but even the old guard dissenters appeared to be quiet this morning.

He put on the glasses and read. He paused and looked up as Todd placed a pen and inkwell on the table in front of him. When Todd walked away, Nightstalkers leaned over and said quietly, "If you're looking to replace your beta, I recommend that one. He is very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of this tribe."

Wulfric nodded and turned back to the document. He annotated, scratching out this and writing in that. When he was finished, the room was emptying of the last of the cleaning staff and the other alphas were seated at the high table next to him and the Elders.

He blinked as Todd ushered the rest of the cleaning crew out the door. On impulse, he called, "Todd, a moment, please."

The Growler stiffened, then shut the door behind the last and turned on his heel. He strode around the firepit to the raised table, stepping up to it. Wulfric met the man's gaze. "Todd of the Ironpaws tribe, your service the past few days has not gone unnoticed, but neither has your service over the past few years. You are a credit to our people. Will you accept the role of beta of the Ironpaws and sit in on this meeting?"

Todd blinked swiftly, and his gray and black chest puffed up. He opened and closed his mouth in surprise, but just cleared his throat and nodded. Fist to heart, he bowed shallowly and rounded the table to stand at Wulfric's back.

Wulfric turned to the other alphas, and they debated line by line of the document. Todd fetched new parchment, and together they drafted an agreed upon version. When all alphas and Elders signed, Wulfric rolled the document to Todd. "Have copies made as soon as possible so the other alphas can take the decree and treaty proposal to their tribes."

Todd bowed and left. Silentclaws leaned back in his chair and scowled. "Nothing in that treaty mentions your Luna, Ironpaws. What are you going to do about her?"

Wulfric growled, the hair on the back of his neck rising. "I'm going to do what I promised. I'll take the treaty to the dragons and talk to her."

Silentclaws stroked his beard. "And if she doesn't want to talk?"

Wulfric shrugged, his mouth tilting in the first smile of the day. "I have ways of persuading her."

The men chuckled, but it seemed to be what the old alpha wanted to hear. He harrumphed and nodded in approval. Nightstalkers clapped him on the shoulder as he stood. "I wish you luck, my friend. May the gods find favor with your soul."

One by one, the alphas stood and stretched. They all needed a run after the hours discussing politics. He stood to follow them, but his stomach twisted. Something was wrong.

He frowned as he stepped out the side door, the Elders following him. He analyzed the situation and searched his soul. It wasn't the tribe or the leaders' visit that was the problem.

His heart screamed that something was wrong with Scarlet. Sweat broke out on his back, and his stomach quivered. He felt like he was going to be sick. Elva sniffed beside him and frowned.

Elva patted his back. "It's the mate bond. You can feel her distress. You have to find her."

"She doesn't want me," he gritted through clenched teeth.

"Then save her and leave again. But if you let something happen to her, you'll never forgive yourself. And by the gods, you might not survive either."

Damn it, she was right. He nodded once, and she raised her voice. "Alphas, the Elders of Ironpaws thank you for this major accomplishment. However, I propose that our alpha go to the dragon's camp today to secure the treaty and information. Aye? We can send messengers with questions as needed."

The alphas glanced at each other, and Nightstalker slowly smiled, the pain in his eyes clear as he nodded. "You have our full support, head alpha. You will do our people proud, we have no doubt."

Wulfric straightened his spine as they continued to their guest tents, his head swimming. Elva followed him, giving advice and mothering him as he stepped into his tent and stuffed a pack with extra clothes and a waterskin. Then he shoved his boots inside too, grabbed Scarlet's cloak and daggers and her pack, and walked out the tent barefoot.

The alphas stood naked around the communal fire. They nodded, and Battlefangs moved from side to side. "We'll shift and run with you for a while north. Then we'll return here before going back to our homes and advising of the changes."

Now that he'd decided to find her, his body was humming with energy. He hefted the two bags onto his back and jogged to the edge of camp. When he was out of sight, he shoved his clothes off and into the pack, shifted, and picked both up with his teeth.

Then he sprinted through the woods, following his nose and his heart to his mate, the alphas following him part way and howling encouragement in his ears.

It was well after dark when he arrived at the cottage. He'd almost made camp along the road, but when he'd seen her tattered clothes, he'd taken off faster than before.

He pushed open the door with his shoulder and growled. A layer of snow covered Scarlet's frozen body just inside the doorway to the cottage. He shifted, kneeling and rolling her onto her back.

Her lips blue and her fingers white, her body didn't even shiver.

"Damn it, bunny, what did you do to yourself?" he growled, scooping her up and grabbing a blanket from the chair by the banked fire. He wound it around her and laid her down in front of it.

He quickly got a fire going, then went upstairs to grab more blankets. He piled them around her, tucking them in as he kicked himself for leaving her alone.

It'd been what she wanted, but it wasn't right.

"Fucking hells, bunny, we're meant to be together. Why can't you just accept me?" His voice grew softer as he curled his body around her, his chest aching. "Love me?"

He sniffed and prayed. "Goddess, please save her."

He laid there for what felt like hours, not sleeping but just feeling her thin heartbeat beneath the palm he kept on her chest.

Dawn approached and he added more wood to the fire, keeping it blazing hot. A moan rumbled softly, and he spun on his heels, leaning over her. Her eyes fluttered, and a line formed between her eyes as she frowned.

"You?" she croaked.

His chest grew tight, and he brushed her hair out of her face. "You're alive," he breathed in relief and blinked away tears.

She groaned and nodded, licking her lips. He jumped up and ran to the kitchen for a cup of water. When he came back, she was blinking rapidly and struggling to get out of her blanket cocoon.

"Hydrate first," he murmured as he sat her up and held the cup to her lips.

When she was done, he leaned back against one chair with her between his legs. Had it been a week ago that he'd sat right here, naked and weak from his fight, and fallen in love with her?

He kissed the side of her head where her antlers grew out of her skull, and she shivered in his arms. "Thank the gods," he said, holding her tight.

"Wulfric, I–"

"Sh, it's alright. Let's get you better. Don't talk," he said, his chest growing tight. If she talked, she might push him away again. He felt her grow limp in his arms, and he froze.

Then he felt her slow and even breath, and realized she'd just fallen asleep. He bit his lip and looked around. When she woke, she might be hungry. Slowly, he eased her back down and went to the kitchen.

Hours later, he'd made a good broth for her. With his memories restored, he remembered a few recipes from the human world. He brought the bowls over and sat on the floor next to her, sipping his own as he waited for her to wake.

He didn't have to wait long. Her nose twitched as the scent of the broth reached her. Then her eyes fluttered on her rosy cheeks, the color back as she'd warmed up. Her eyes did have golden flecks in them now. Mixed with the green, it was unusual and beautiful.

"There you are," he sighed, relaxing for the first time since leaving her in the woods. Her eyes were clear with no sign of fever.

He felt her forehead anyway and smiled. "No fever. How do you feel?"

She lifted on one elbow and finally displaced the blankets. She nodded, her eyes going to the steaming bowl. She picked it up in a shaking hand and downed it so fast, he blinked in surprise. Then he chuckled and offered her the rest of his own.

She took it eagerly but sipped more slowly as he got up to refill her own bowl. When he turned around, she was leaning against the chair, the blanket tucked under her armpits for modesty as she drank.

He handed her the fresh bowl, then sat in the chair opposite as she ate that too. When she'd slowed to barely a bite every minute, he asked, "Are you feeling better?"

He wouldn't rest until she was whole and hearty.

She sighed and sipped the broth before answering. He thought she wasn't going to answer at all, but then she looked up at him with those captivating eyes full of such sorrow and anger.

"I'm such an ass," she said.

His lips twitched but he knew better than to let her see, so he raked a hand down his face and grunted. He wasn't about to point out that he'd been talking about her clothes in the road and finding her naked, freezing self here. If she finally wanted to talk about them, he wasn't going to stop her.

Her chin fell to her chest and her shoulders slumped.

"I was running away from whatever this is between us because I'm scared. I'm scared of being hurt, of being abandoned like my parents did when they died. And being scared makes me mad."

She said it with such an attitude he couldn't stop the laugh that broke out. She looked up and glared at him.

"Well, it's true. When the queen cursed me, I was a scared little rabbit, running for my life. I swore I'd never be like that again."

There was a pause in the air as she faltered and looked down at the broth. "But here I am, running scared again."

Wulfric shifted on the chair. "Are you scared of me? Of my tribe?" he asked, his voice soft, reminding him of when he'd been human.

She shook her head slowly. "Not when I first arrived, no. When I was in the Growlers camp, I felt...safe. It wasn't like what I expected. I haven't had a home in a very long time, but when I was in camp, and everyone was surrounding me, even with Brody and his people threatening me, I felt at home. I–I think I can make a home there, but I shifted into the rabbit and the deer again. I'm not just a Growler, and if they can't accept me—"

He leaned forward on the chair, his eyes flashing. "They'll accept you. The alphas have already told me as much. You just surprised us all, and they needed a little bit to get used to the idea of you."

Her chin quivered, and the pressure on Wulfric's chest eased as he sank to the floor on his knees. He cupped her cheeks as she sat the bowl on the ground. When he stared into her eyes, he saw the regret.

"But I'm not going to sit idly by the fire and pop out babies," she glared.

He smiled and kissed the edges of her mouth softly. "I've wanted you from the first, and I'll accept whatever you can give me."

She pulled back, her gaze wary as she watched him. "Are you sure? I'm not an easy woman to live with. Plus, I'm a freak of nature, still double cursed, and–"

He kissed her to silence, probing her mouth open and dueling with her tongue. It was a kiss that promised hope and a future. It spoke of possibilities, and most of all trust, acceptance, and love.

When the kiss broke, he sat on the floor with her sideways on his lap. Her gold rimmed green eyes stared up at him, her lush lips swollen from his kiss.

"You're not a freak," he murmured. "You're my beautiful mate."

She arched a brow and snorted, trying to sit up. "Yeah, right. Where are my clothes?"

He tightened his arms on her, holding her in place. "Scarlet, I'm serious. When I look at you, I see the deep magic of the forest in your eyes."

She stilled in his arms and looked at him with those big doe eyes. He smiled as he realized she liked this kind of flowery language. Now that he knew, he'd use it to explain, to wrap her closer around him so she'd never want to leave again.

"Don't flatter me like your camp followers," she glared.

His grin widened, and he resettled her to straddle him on the floor. Blankets draped around them. It was an inferno, but his hands roamed her body anyway.She gasped and pressed herself closer.

"There are no others like you. You're the only one I can think about, the only one I want to spend every moment of every day with. Don't you get it?"

He tweaked her nipples, and she arched, rubbing her clit on his ever-growing cock.

"I can pick your fiery hair out of a crowd. I know those antlers will protect you and those ears make you an excellent listener. I love your heart and how you care, even when you're mad about it. You're independent, and I don't have to worry about you in a fight because you can take care of yourself."

She frowned, "And you like that?"

He chuckled and nodded. "Hells yes, I like that. I'm obsessed with you, Scarlet, my fierce little bunny. So never call yourself a freak again, alright?"

Her eyes flashed, and she lifted slowly, then sank down on his cock. He groaned as she rubbed her breasts on his chest and whispered, "Or what? Will you spank me if I do?"

He thrust into her, and she clenched. Her fingers grabbed his shoulders as she came up onto her knees and sank back down.

He gripped her hips and thrust, setting a bruising tempo. She battled with him here too, and it made his spine tingle. They fought for dominance, he from beneath and she from the high ground.

The back and forth, the ebb and flow of it drove him mad with desire. His hands moved from her hips to her breasts and clit.

He twisted, strummed, and stroked her into a frenzy, causing her to lose her rhythm. Then he took over, thrusting his hips so hard his ass left the ground.

Too soon, she exploded around him, crying out with a shout. Eyes glowing and heavy lidded, her sheath quaking around him, he burst inside, filling her with liquid fire. He pumped, growling as her claws sank into his chest.

When she finally slumped onto his chest with a shaky sigh, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled the blankets up over them. He held her tight and thanked the gods she was alright.