Chapter 63

Thatnight, in front of the camp's roaring bonfire, Ulfarr and Louisa laid Killik out between them, and put on a show.

Louisahadn't expected a rut to have ceremonial aspects, but Killik and Ulfarr had both followed its traditions with surprising care. Ulfarr had first formally asked Sune and his former pack to stand guard out in the forest, and once they'd fanned out into the trees, the rest of the clan circled the clearing to bear witness. WithSimon, Maria, and Drafli all among them, and Ulfarr had then bowed low toward them, and asked their blessing.

Thankfully, they'd all given it — Simon had even praised Ulfarr's choice in a mate — and then Ulfarr had called Killik forward. And when Killik had slipped out of the trees, Louisa had gasped aloud at the sight of him, with his tall, scrubbed-clean body, the long, shining fall of his black hair, and — the clothes. The ever-present trousers had vanished, replaced only by a leather loincloth, and there was a large silvery fur tied around his shoulders, making him look surprisingly bulky, powerful, dangerous.

Ulfarrhad startled at the sight too, and he'd looked almost shy as he'd taken Killik's hand, and kissed it. And then he'd asked Louisa to come forward, too, and join him in holding this rut upon Killik, and claiming him as his lifelong bonded mate.

Louisahad willingly complied, striding forward to meet them, dressed in only her own loincloth, too. And at Ulfarr's sign, she'd carefully taken off Killik's fur, smiling at his flushed face, his bright glinting eyes. And then she'd knelt, and spread the fur out onto the packed earth before the fire, while Ulfarr drew Killik close, pressed a soft, reverent kiss to his mouth, and…

Heattacked. TacklingKillik bodily down to the fur, pinning him onto his back, kicking his legs wide apart. And with a fierce, jolting thrust, Ulfarr buried himself deep inside, his hips powerfully plunging, his hand clamped tightly to Killik's straining neck.

Fora breath, Louisa only stood and stared, her mouth dry, the shock sparking through her chest — but Ulfarr's face was already buried in Killik's throat, inhaling, making sure he was safe. And when Ulfarr sharply signed toward Louisa — tend him for me — she rapidly nodded, and dropped down beside them. Her gaze sweeping over Killik, his stunned face, his flushed ears, the wild light in his eyes…

"Look at you, pup," she breathed into Killik's ear, as she stretched long against him, and caressed her hand against his gasping, trembling chest. "You're so good, aren't you? So handsome. So brave, when you're opened up wide, and taking your big wolf's strong ploughing."

Killik'seyes glimmered, flicking hungry to Ulfarr's face, and Louisa shifted closer beside him on the fur, slipping her hand further down to stroke at his half-hard cock. "So gorgeous, love," she murmured. "And you'll be even more stunning when you're full of your wolf's strong Skai seed, won't you?"

Killikjerked a nod, brief but urgent, his wide eyes still fixed to Ulfarr's driving body above him. While his mouth opened and closed, as if he wanted to speak, but couldn't — and Louisa kissed his cheek, stroked up and down his hardening shaft. "Can you sign it, sweetheart?" she murmured. "Tell our wolf your truth?"

Killikgasped and shuddered, his body wrenching beneath every slam of Ulfarr's hips, but then he raised his hand and signed, shaky but clear. Yes, Wolf. Fuck me. Rut me. Harder.

Ulfarr'sgrowl was almost a roar, and after another sharp inhale against Killik's neck, he obeyed. Clamping his hand tighter around Killik's throat, shoving him down into the fur, his thrusts powerful enough to chatter Killik's teeth. ButKillik kept signing it, kept begging for more, while Louisa kept caressing him, praising him. Feeling how he quivered and responded to her touch, his cock now rigid and leaking beneath her stroking fingers, his eyes fluttering, his back arching up —

Hecried out as he came, spilling all over Louisa's fingers, spraying across his bare sweaty chest, his neck, even his chin. And at the sight of it, Ulfarr gave one last, ramming thrust, his groan ragged and deep — and then he poured out, too. His entire body shuddering, his head tilted back, the howl tearing out of his throat.

Butinstead of waiting, or stopping, Ulfarr yanked out of Killik again, and then grasped for his waist. FlippingKillik forward onto his hands and knees, so he was now facing Ulfarr's softened, dripping cock. And after another sharp inhale against Killik's head, Ulfarr caught a large handful of his loose hair, and dragged Killik's sweaty face forward. "Make me hard again, pup," he hissed, "and suck me down your throat."

Killikgroaned and nodded, and instantly sucked Ulfarr's slack bulge into his mouth, while Ulfarr buried his fingers deeper into Killik's hair. HoldingKillik in place like this, kneeling low before him, and it belatedly occurred to Louisa that he was showing Killik off, too. Showing off where he'd opened Killik wide, where the hot seed was already escaping from inside him, streaking down his thighs.

Anddespite Killik's fervent efforts on Ulfarr's groin, the sounds wet and sloppy and slurping, Louisa could see him still trembling, the flush now bright red on his ears and cheeks. Wanting this, no question — especially with Ulfarr regularly scenting for it like this — but perhaps also not used to being the one exposed, on his knees, on display…

AndLouisa wasn't doing this, she wasn't, stroking her way down Killik's shivering back, trailing kisses against his sweaty skin. Until she was kissing at his opened, leaking crease, letting her tongue slip between, lower, lower. Until she could taste that spurt of Ulfarr's sweet seed, dribbling hot onto her lips…

Killik'sshudders were more like quakes now, his body wrenching between Louisa's mouth, and Ulfarr's groin. Or rather, Ulfarr's slick, fully hard cock, now gliding swift and strong between his sucking lips, sinking deep into his throat. Hard enough that those were tears, streaking down Killik's cheeks, but his shaky hand was still signing, saying, Yes, harder, more. Give it to me, feed me, flood me full of you…

Ulfarrhowled again as he poured out, bearing down into Killik's throat. Holding himself there for a long, sustained moment before yanking out again, his softened bulge bobbing before Killik's eyes, as a long string of shiny saliva dangled down toward the fur.

"Good, pup," Ulfarr said, rough, after another deep inhale against Killik's mussed hair. "But you have not yet thanked me."

Killik'seyes fluttered, his moan thick in his throat, but he nodded, and leaned forward to gently kiss at the tip of Ulfarr's slack, dripping cock. "Thank you, Wolf," he said, hoarse. "For granting me leave to suck you, and drink your strong Skai seed."

Ulfarrgrunted and nodded, his hand caressing Killik's flushed face, patting his cheek. And then he guided Killik down onto his back on the fur, and gently nudged Louisa on top. "A reward, pup," he murmured, as he settled down beside Killik, and nipped at his ear. "Our woman's sweet womb upon you."

Killikshivered and gratefully nodded, his eyes hazy and hungry on Louisa's face — and they moaned together as she settled his hard cock against her, and sank down upon it. Feeling the fierce carving strength of him, even now, and grinding slow and deep, watching his lashes flutter, his breaths deepening — and then, once his eyes looked focused again, she rode him faster, harder. Taking him swift and strong, just the way he liked most, even if it flooded heat to her own cheeks, her heart pounding, her bare breasts jiggling. ButKillik liked that, he was watching that, only snapping his dazed eyes away when Ulfarr kissed him, their tongues tangling, teeth scraping, leaving red streaks in their wake.

Killikshouted as he arched up, emptying deep into Louisa in pulse after shuddering pulse — but then Ulfarr shot a narrow, wicked look toward her, and then back toward Killik's mouth. And then his big hands reached for her, drawing her upwards, so she was —

StraddlingKillik'sface.

"Drink deep, pup," Ulfarr ordered, as he guided Louisa down harder onto Killik's hot, trembling mouth. "Swallow all the good Skai seed I give you."

Killikgroaned and nodded, plunging his tongue up into Louisa's pulsing heat, his throat rapidly gulping, swallowing. While she shouted and shook over him, the shock and the pleasure wrenching her from the inside out — and only then did she catch one of the watching orcs' eyes. Because gods, they were all still watching this, watching her pour Killik's seed back into his desperately sucking mouth, while Ulfarr shifted back down between Killik's sprawled thighs, spread them wide, and rammed himself deep.

Itsounded slick and sloppy this time, shuddering Killik's tongue, choking in his throat — and at that, Louisa eased off him, searched his wild, hazy eyes. And then she kissed him, again and again, tasting herself all over him, before kissing down his seed-streaked belly, and swallowing his leaking cock deep into her throat.

Heshouted and writhed and kicked, but Ulfarr held him still, as his other hand sank into Louisa's hair. Guiding her up and down, fast and hard, milking Killik, coaxing him closer and closer — but when Killik began arching, begging, Ulfarr pulled Louisa off, holding Killik's cock straight up, so they could all see it spraying, firing high into the air, and then splattering down all over his belly, his chest, Louisa's face.

Thesight of it made Ulfarr groan, and he yanked himself out of Killik — and with a sharp pump of his hand, he was spraying out, too. CoveringKillik's already-spattered chest with him, coating him in thick, heavy ropes of white.

Louisacould only touch it, shiver down to kiss it, to lick her way up Killik's slick heaving chest, to find his trembling mouth. "So beautiful, love," she gasped. "So hungry, so strong, so perfect."

Heclutched back toward her, as if almost desperate for her, for the praise, even as he signed at Ulfarr again, Don't stop, don't stop, please. But now Ulfarr was bending down too, again breathing in deep against Killik's neck — and then turning him onto his side, and settling down behind. So he could keep going, yes, sinking back inside Killik, making Killik writhe and jolt upon him — but softer this time, gentler. Enough that Killik and Louisa could find each other again too, Killik's jabbing length just holding inside her, pressing there, as if drawing up strength from this, from her.

SoLouisa kept caressing him, praising him, stroking his face and his body and his hair. Not caring how messy or sticky it was, because he was hers, he was theirs, theirs, theirs — and Ulfarr was gasping again, his sharp teeth seeking against Killik's sweaty straining neck. And when he bit down, Killik bucked and moaned, wrenching himself hard and desperate into Louisa as he surged out again — and this time, Louisa's own relief finally crashed and charged, thundering through her, breaking her apart beneath its furious flying ecstasy.

Whenthe world flickered back in again, Louisa found Killik still curled up tight against her, his eyes closed, his swollen mouth softly sucking at her breast. And for a breath, she could only blink down at him, stroking his sweaty, messy hair, as her heart skipped, and her swallow caught in her throat. "So good, love," she whispered, hoarse. "Such a good, brave pup, aren't you? So strong, and so stunning. So sweet."

Thatsound from Killik might have been a whimper, his mouth sucking a little harder, and now Ulfarr was caressing Killik too, kissing softly up his reddened, still-dripping neck. "Ach," he murmured. "You have so greatly honoured me, pup. I thank you, for granting me such power, and such fealty. Such… kindness."

Louisafervently nodded, kissing at Killik's hair, because yes, yes, this had again been kindness, too. Killik publicly prostrating himself, exposing himself, for Ulfarr's gain. When he surely could have asked for it the other way around, and put Ulfarr on his knees instead — and Louisa knew Ulfarr would have done it, if Killik had asked.

Butthis way — this way, Killik had given Ulfarr yet another gift, another sign of his loyalty, and his love. He'd offered this, and in it, he'd upheld Ulfarr, and shown him as strong and virile and commanding — and perhaps caring, too. He'd shown Ulfarr as a worthy, powerful Skai, deserving of forgiveness. Deserving to be fully part of the clan again.

Andwhen Ulfarr slowly, regretfully pulled away from Killik, and heaved up to his feet, Louisa could almost feel that power hovering around him, flickering in his eyes. Even radiating through his big, bared, sweaty body, his bulky muscles and silver-streaked hair, his soft, scarred, still-dripping cock at his groin. He was the Wolf of the Skai, and he was standing exposed and vulnerable before his kin, and seeking their regard. Their favour. Their… forgiveness.

AndLouisa could see the Skai glancing at each other, and most of all glancing toward… Simon. Simon, who had murmured something to Maria beside him, and then stepped forward, his fist over his heart. "I see your gain, Skai," he called out, his words ringing heavy through the trees around him. "You have my blessing."

Ulfarr'sshoulders heavily sagged, and he bowed his head toward Simon, his fist also clenched tightly over his heart. But before he could look up again, another Skai spoke it, and then another. And then all of them, their voices rising into the firelit darkness.I see your gain. I see your gain.

AndLouisa could see how strongly Ulfarr felt it, how each voice seemed to draw him straighter and taller, his fist thumping against his heart. And then he tilted his head back to the sky, squeezing his eyes shut, his mouth moving in a silent, fervent prayer, as water streaked down his cheeks.

Louisafelt her own hand skittering to her thundering heart, and beside her, Killik had shoved himself up to his knees, his fingers trembling as they closed tight, too. As if all of them were caught in a hushed, reverent prayer, begging Skai-kesh for forgiveness, for comfort, for strength. For a path to amends. For peace.

Theprayer only ended when Simon stepped forward, and strode across the clearing toward them. His expression hard, inscrutable, and Louisa could feel Killik stiffening beside her, his breath stopped in his chest. As if Simon might… he might…

GraspUlfarr's hand in his, and raise it to the sky.

"Three summers past, our brother Ulfarr raised his strength against us, and brought fear, strife, and harm to our clan," Simon said, steady and clear. "But since then, he has borne his punishment without protest, and sought to serve his kin, and earn our trust, and regain his place amongst us."

Ulfarr'schest was heaving, his eyes still squeezed shut, and Simon gave his hand a firm shake in the air. "He has taught our sons our ways," Simon continued. "He has built this camp to guard and house his kin. He has stood against men who seek to harm us. He has called and hosted this SkaiSummit, to bring our clan together, and build our bond with this town. And tonight, he has gained the hand of Killik, one of our swiftest, most faithful scouts, and" — Simon's eyes flicked to Louisa — "he has gained the fealty of this good Skai woman, also. A woman who has sworn to share her good lands with us, and grant us her help and wisdom and her strength."

Oh. Louisa's stomach flipped, her hand groping for Killik's, squeezing it tight. And he squeezed back, his body still held utterly still, his eyes frozen on Simon's face.

"Thus, tonight, I wish to honour Ulfarr, and his faithfulness," Simon called, louder now. "I wish to call an end to his punishment, and return him fully amongst us. I wish to call him the leader of this camp. And should he wish for it" — a brief, knowing smile, pulling at Simon's mouth — "I wish to again call him the Wolf of the Skai."

Oh, gods. Louisa felt Killik swaying beside her, his hand spasming, trembling, against his chest. WhileUlfarr — Ulfarr stared at Simon, his eyes wide and disbelieving, as more water streaked down his cheeks. And with a sudden jerk of movement, they were caught in a tight embrace, Simon's big hand clapping against Ulfarr's back. While around them, the watching Skai broke into a round of stomps and cheers, with more than a few wolf-howls amongst them.

"I have missed you, brother," Louisa could just make out Simon telling Ulfarr, over the hollering voices, as he drew back again. "It shall be good to have your strength by our side again."

Ulfarrwas still weeping, shaking his head, but he was smiling, too. "You are a better orc than I, brother," he said, his voice choked. "For now that I have also known the truth of having my woman stolen away" — his warm wet eyes flicked down toward Louisa — "I ken I could not find a way to forgive this."

Louisagave a wobbly-feeling smile back toward him, even as she cast a worried glance at Simon — but he was nodding over toward the trees, toward where Maria was looking a little weepy, too. "Ach, but like you, I have a strong, wise Skai woman," Simon said firmly. "One who is glad to be tested, and willing to face her fears, and her truth. One who is quick to seek amends and forgiveness, and to offer these in return."

Itfelt so familiar, so… right, just like that softness on Ulfarr's face, the gratitude in his eyes. The way he bowed low toward Maria, and signed, Thank you, sister. You honour me.

Mariawaved it away, but her smile had gone even warmer, flicking brief but knowing toward Louisa's face. And on another day, when Louisa wasn't still mostly naked, and covered with sticky slickness, she might have rushed over, and hugged her — but instead she signed her fervent thanks toward Maria too, her hand over her heart. And then, You've been so generous. I'd love to stay in touch.

Mariagrinned and nodded back, and signed her agreement. And then her gaze flicked back to Simon, and she signed something else, swift and surprisingly obscene. Now come here, you big gorgeous Enforcer, and fuck me full of your strong Skai seed.

Atthis, Simon gave a deep, satisfied grunt, and instantly strode off toward her, tugging at the front of his tented trousers. WhileLouisa huffed a short, shaky laugh, glancing toward Killik beside her — but wait, he was still swaying on his knees, his eyes stunned and glassy, his face sweaty and pale.

"Wolf," Louisa said, low, darting his eyes toward her — and at her meaningful nod toward Killik, Ulfarr flinched, and then lurched down to his knees beside him.

"Ach, pup," he breathed, the alarm flaring bright in his eyes. "Are you ill? In pain? DidI hurt you, is aught amiss with you —"

Hisvoice was rising, his hands skittering against Killik's face, tilting it up toward him. WhileKillik gave a twitchy smile, a roll of his eyes that felt more halfhearted than usual. "Naught is amiss, Wolf," he said, his voice a rasp. "It has only been — a long day. I scarce slept last eve, and then we had this Summit to hold, and Sune to comfort, and our woman to save, and this fool man to kill, and these plots to untangle, and this lawyer's office to break into. And now —"

Hesnapped his mouth shut, wincing, and then shoved himself up to his feet, slightly staggering as he drew in breath. "And now you have gained Simon's forgiveness," he said, with obvious effort, "and regained your place amongst us. I am — so glad for you, Wolf. And so proud. And so honoured to call you my — my —"

Hisbreath shuddered, his sharp tooth biting his lip — and before him, Ulfarr gulped a soft little sob, and lurched forward. SweepingKillik entirely up off his feet, and cradling him tightly in his arms. "My mate," Ulfarr croaked, burying his face in Killik's hair. "My fierce, faithful mate, who always, always gives so much, and asks for naught in return. Now come home, pup, and let us care for you."

Come home. Killik blinked at that, looking just as bewildered as Louisa felt — but Ulfarr nudged Louisa over toward his kofi, and then he carried Killik toward it, too. Even keeping hold of Killik as he climbed up the ladder, and then he took him inside, and set him gently on the soft, fur-covered bed.

Killiksank down with a shaky, heavy exhale, while Ulfarr turned to light a lamp that Louisa didn't recall seeing before. And now, in the lamp's warm glow, she could see the cozy, familiar kofi, but with — new things. With more soft furs and pillows on the bed, and a small washstand in the corner, and two new wooden chests. And on the walls were new hooks, and — wait. Were those Killik's daggers? AndKillik's sword? AndKillik's clothes and boots? AndLouisa's clothes, too?

Killikblinked blearily around at it all, his eyes particularly squinting toward the daggers. "Left those with Sune," he said. "Told me he would guard them with his life, but…"

Ulfarrgave a low, husky laugh, and settled down onto the bed beside Killik, waving for Louisa to join them, too. "Sune and his packmates helped me ready our kofi for you," he murmured. "And now I shall guard your daggers, pup, just as I shall guard you. For you are my mate, Killik of ClanSkai. And henceforth, you shall stay here with me. With" — his eyes flicked toward Louisa — "with us."

With us. It fluttered warm and alive in Louisa's belly, and she smiled at Ulfarr as she nodded, and stroked her hand up Killik's sticky, sweaty chest. And then, after a glance toward the new washbasin, she went over to collect a cloth, and began carefully washing Killik, wiping the blood and seed away.

Ulfarrwas still kissing him, too, tending the fresh bite-marks on his neck, and then tipping Killik's lax body onto his side, and slipping slowly, purposefully downward behind him. His mouth caressing, licking, slurping, until Killik gave a telltale shudder, his reddened cock again helplessly straining against Louisa's thigh.

SoLouisa slipped down too, and then gently took that bobbing length into her mouth, stroking and soothing until Killik bucked and released, a low moan gasping from his throat. And once she'd swallowed it all, she carefully kissed up him again, while Ulfarr did the same behind him. Tending to him, adoring him together, until Killik finally let out a breathless little sigh, and then a faint, telltale snore.

Louisacouldn't recall ever seeing Killik fully asleep like this before, and she met Ulfarr's eyes, found him looking just as fond as she felt. "Ach, my fierce mate has borne much this day," Ulfarr murmured, as he pressed a kiss to Killik's sweaty temple. "Too much of it from me, I ken."

Hesounded truly regretful, even worried, his eyes glimmering on Killik's sleeping face. ButLouisa reached over to squeeze his shoulder, and shook her head. "He wanted it, Wolf," she said. "He wanted it so, so much. AndI know" — she gave him a gentle little shake — "he wanted it just like that. With you showing your entire clan how much you needed him. How you would do anything to have him, and make him yours."

Ulfarrswallowed, audible in his throat, and let out a low breath, his eyes heavy on Killik's face. "Ach, I wished to show this also," he replied, quiet. "He deserved this from me, after I failed him for so long."

Louisashook her head, but now it was Ulfarr clasping her arm, stroking up and down. "I did fail him," he said thickly. "And it was — you, Louisa, who showed us both such kindness, and helped us through this. And even you, today" — his eyes glimmered on her face — "who said you wished to wait, and think upon this, before becoming my mate. And thus, you granted Killik this rut from me tonight, only for his own."

Louisawould have waved it away, but Ulfarr's eyes were too steady, too searching. And finally she shrugged, twitched him a wry little smile. "I'll get my own," she said lightly. "WhenI'm ready."

Ulfarr'ssmile drew up, the warmth so strong, so tender in his eyes. "Ach, you shall," he murmured back. "You shall have all I can grant you. For you have granted so much to me, and to Killik, and to Sune. So much kindness, so many gifts, such great… hope. You have — saved us, Louisa."

Louisashook her head, but she couldn't seem to speak now, through the quiver in her throat. WhileUlfarr just kept smiling at her, and then leaned forward, and pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her mouth. "I love you, Louisa," he whispered. "And you shall be my mate. Our mate. And this shall be our home, together. Our family. Ach?"

AndLouisa could only smile, and nod, and choke out a shaky laughing sob, as the warmth unfurled and flared through her chest. Shimmering her full of life, and hope, and peace. She was safe. She was whole. She was Skai.

"Yes, sweetheart," she whispered back. "Ours."