Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

W ulf leaned against a tree at the edge of the clearing, watching Kari as she huddled over a small notebook, diligently making notes. They had been traveling for several days now and she continued to surprise and delight him. The notebook was a case in point.

Egon always carried a small sketchbook, even though he never let anyone see his sketches. But his brother had seen Kari using a stick to make symbols in the dirt one evening as she repeated the words she was learning. The next evening his brother had shocked him by handing her his precious sketchbook, along with his pen and ink. She'd been so delighted that he was almost jealous, wishing he'd been able to draw that same smile.

The tips of Egon's ears had darkened at her praise, ducking his head shyly as she found the sketches.

"These are wonderful. Vundbar," she repeated in their language.

As far as Wulf knew it was the first time anyone other than he or Lothar had seen one of his brother's sketches. The fact that his brother had shared them with Kari had only proven how well she was fitting into their family. She seems determined to make the best of the situation, he thought happily as he watched her scribbling away, frowning in concentration. She'd taken to their language with a fervor that surprised him, her determination evident in every new word she mastered.

She finished making her notes, carefully cleaned the pen and capped the ink, then went to join Egon but the fire. Without a word, his brother handed her the bundle of greens he'd gathered. She accepted them with a nod, her fingers brushing against Egon's scarred hands without hesitation. She settled beside his brother, her nimble fingers sorting through the leaves with practiced ease.

Egon's lips twitched into a small smile, barely noticeable to anyone who didn't know him well, but Wulf caught it, and it filled him with happiness. The ease with which she interacted with his brothers pleased him immensely, especially with Egon, who rarely opened up to anyone.

She'd responded well to Lothar as well, quickly recognizing his sense of humor and managing to tease him back despite her limited language skills. Earlier that day, they'd stopped next to a shallow, fast moving stream to rest and Lothar had decided to try fishing. When his brother, knee-deep in the rushing water, flailed his arms dramatically as another fish slipped through his grasp, Kari's laughter rang out, clear and bright.

"Marta do better!" she teased in their language as she mimicked his movements, her accent still thick but her meaning clear.

His brother grinned and gave her a challenging look.

"I'd like to see you do better, little bride!"

She'd been about to take up the challenge when he stepped in.

"Absolutely not. The water is too fast and too cold."

When she frowned at him, he dipped his fingers in the stream and dribbled the water into her palm, raising a brow when she shivered.

"All right. You win," she muttered. "But I still think I could do better than that." She mimicked Loather's movements again and they all laughed.

But despite his satisfaction at how well she fit in with his brothers, frustration gnawed at him. Seeing her so comfortable with them stirred something primal within him. He shifted his weight, suddenly restless. He knew his brothers posed no threat, that their interactions with her were innocent. Still, he couldn't shake the growing desire to assert his claim, to remind everyone – including himself – that she was his mate.

Every evening brought the same sweet torture. She would curl up next to him in their shared bedroll, her soft curves pressing against his body and her sweet scent filling his senses. In her sleep, she'd often snuggle closer, seeking his warmth. As happy as he was that she turned to him, he spent almost every night in a state of frustrated arousal.

He tugged on one of his long braids as desire surged through him again. . I cannot rush her, he thought, despite the ache in his chest - and his cock. I want her to feel safe.

As darkness fell and they settled around the fire, he found himself watching her every move. When she glanced his way, her smile soft and trusting, his chest ached..

Later, as they prepared for bed, he steeled himself for another night of exquisite torment. She yawned and rose giving him a questioning glance. As usual they had camped near a small stream and he nodded, following her silently to the stream in what had become their nightly ritual.

The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the water as it rushed along the rocky bed and highlighted her pale skin as she took off the shoes he'd created for her and removed her socks. She bent over and dipped her fingers into he stream, the fabric of her borrowed shirt pulling tight against her luscious ass and he had clench his fingers in his palms to avoid reaching for her. She straightened up, shivering.

"Cold. As usual," she sighed, rolling her eyes but giving him a smile that made his chest tighten.

When she reached for the hem of her shirt, she gestured for him to turn around, and he obeyed, his body rigid with tension. As he faced away from her, the sound of rustling fabric filled his ears, tormenting him with images of what lay beneath. The moment she'd emerged from the lake, water streaming down over those delightful curves, was permanently embedded in his brain.

He clenched his fists again, trying to control the surge of desire that threatened to overwhelm him. He longed to turn around, to drink in the sight of her, but his honor held him in place.

The gentle splash of water behind him only intensified his torment. He imagined her pale skin glistening in the moonlight, droplets cascading down her body. He swallowed hard, his mouth dry and his cock straining painfully against the tight leather of his pants.

He closed his eyes, trying to focus on anything but the sounds of her bathing, but even with his eyes shut, he could sense her presence, feel the pull of their connection. The urge to claim her fully as his mate, warred with his determination to give her time and space.

She screamed and he spun around immediately, his warrior instincts taking over. Alll the color had drained from her face, her eyes locked onto a coiled snake, its fangs bared and ready to strike. he reached her in two long strides, pulling her behind him.

The snake hissed, baring its fangs, and he drew his knife in one fluid motion. He flipped the blade and let it fly, the metal flashing in the moonlight before slicing through the snake's neck, beheading it.

His chest heaved as he turned back to her, adrenaline still surging through his veins. He searched quickly for any sign of injury, sighing with relief when he realized her pale skin was unblemished.

Unblemished and bare, her skin glistening with water in the moonlight. The scent of her filled his nostrils, intoxicating and alluring, and his heart raced, no longer because of the threat but because of her closeness.

Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in quick gasps. The sight of her, vulnerable and shaken, stirred something primal within him. He couldn't bear to see her frightened and he automatically took a step closer, gently cupping her face. Her skin felt impossibly soft against his calloused palm.

"You're safe now," he said softly.

Their eyes met. The bond flared between them and everything else fell away. There was only Kari, her brown eyes filled with a mix of fear and something else - something that made his pulse quicken. Unable to resist any longer, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers.

She stiffened for a heartbeat, then gave a tiny sigh. Her lips softened, her mouth parting beneath his, and his world exploded into sensation. Her sweetness flooded his sense, her small tongue dancing shyly with his as he lost himself in the kiss, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her soft body pressed against his. This was right. This was how it should be with his mate, his other half. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, her stiff little nipples branding his chest as she wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him as the bond between them hummed with energy, stronger than ever.