Chapter 23

23

T rying to keep tears at bay and with her heart in her throat, Accalia smelled Freigard’s scent and announced that Freigard and Dunbar’s men, whom she would know anywhere, had all been here. But there was no one there at all. No bodies, nothing. She assumed Freigard’s men had taken their party hostage. She had to keep her head and not fall apart now.

One of her da’s men yelled from someplace off in the distance, “I found bodies!”

Her heart sank and she prayed it was none of their people’s bodies and that the boys, lasses, and other men in their party were all right. They all rode that way, but she smelled the scents of their people heading in the direction she had taken the others in pursuit of the hidden passageway at her castle.

When they arrived at the bog, she saw maybe fifteen men who were dead—all Freigard’s men she assumed, because they weren’t any of theirs. But they still hadn’t located Dunbar’s men or Freigard.

“I believe our people smelled our scent trail that leads to the secret passageway,” she said, praying it was so, her heart beating hard, and she started riding in that direction.

Everyone switched direction and followed her, Erik and Alasdair closing the gap and joining her.

“I smell them—Davina, Isobel, Bessetta, the boys, your brothers, and the rest of our men. They are riding horses this way.” Accalia hoped they had made it to the castle safely.

Riding the horses took them to the castle much quicker, and they saw Finlay, Rory, and the rest of them on foot now, their horses tied to trees nearby while they searched for the hidden entrance into the castle. Hearing them approaching horseback, the others turned to look, some drawing swords. They cheered to see Alasdair, Erik, and Accalia arrive with reinforcements.

Alasdair leaped from his saddle and hugged Isobel and his sister as soon as he was close. Likewise, Erik was out of his saddle and pulling Accalia from hers before she could dismount, the two of them running to grab the boys.

Tears of joy were shed all around. Accalia managed to pull away from the boys only long enough to give Bessetta, Isobel, and Davina hugs.

“We smelled that Dunbar’s and Freigard’s men fought with you,” Accalia said, wiping tears of relief from her eyes.

“Aye,” Isobel said. “Twenty men suddenly rode toward our camp. We were prepared if Freigard was chased from Hillshire Castle and ran into our camp. Rory, Finlay, and the others fought the brigands. The others didna stand a chance against our combined forces of your da’s men, ours, and yours.”

“We saw no sign of Freigard or Dunbar’s four men in the bog where you left the other dead men,” Accalia said.

“They must have gotten away,” Isobel said.

Bessetta patted Isobel on the shoulder. “Despite her carrying twins, she was shooting arrows at the lot of them and managed to take down five of Freigard’s men. I was ready with my sword but never managed to do anything. The boys wore their wolf coats, and I made them stay low the whole time.”

“We were no’ scared,” Thorfinn said, as they rode around to the castle’s main entrance, no longer needing to use the secret entrance.

“We sure were,” Johnne said.

“Aye,” Hendrie agreed.

Accalia smiled. “I was scared. You are smart to fear danger. It helps you to succeed against all odds.”

“I was too,” her aunt said.

“But she was a wolf and biting the bad men,” Johnne said, sounding proud of her.

Accalia smiled at her aunt. “She makes an excellent wolf warrior.”

When they reached the gates, the guards opened them. Stable hands took care of the horses, and everyone went inside the castle, smelling the venison and honeyed mead, but no music was playing. Those eating were in a somber mood until they arrived and then cheers went up all over the great hall.

They were welcomed with much fanfare, musicians began playing the lyre, cithara, and tympanum and sang songs of heroism and romance.

Food and ale were passed around with Erik vowing, “We will help to hunt some wild boar for our next meal.”

Which would be on the morrow as late as it was.

“Aye, that will be welcome,” Baldur said.

“I wish to welcome Erik Norwulf into our family, and to congratulate him and Accalia for mating and marrying. We’ll have another wedding ceremony here after the meal. And,” Baldur said to Erik, “we’ll sign that alliance. I also welcome Alasdair, his mate, Isobel, and their pack members, who are already our allies. I offer a special greeting to Erik’s sons, whom I intend to spoil as my grandsons.”

The boys smiled.

“We have both your packs to thank for coming to our aid in our time of crisis, and we’re beholden to you,” Baldur said. “What of Freigard, though?”

“He has escaped, we fear,” Erik said, “though once he is dead, someone will take his place. Mayhap someone who would wish an alliance with all of us and no’ to fight us. We can only hope.”

“After decimating their number of warriors, they may no’ have a choice,” Alasdair said.

After the meal, it was time to perform another simple wedding ceremony. But everyone washed up first.

This time, Accalia wore the blue gown her people had made for her and had been left behind when Erik stole her away to Whitehaven. Niamh was all aflutter, so excited for her to marry Erik.

“I’m so happy for you,” Niamh said, and Accalia and she hugged.

“I’m so glad you were safe.”

“You too after all the fighting you were involved in. I know you’ve had training, but I never thought of you being pushed into actually fighting grown men, soldiers. But I want to ask if you’ll take me with you when you return to Whitehaven,” Niamh said.

Accalia smiled. “Oh, aye, I would love for you to. I planned to ask you later about it, when we had more time to talk.”

“Aye! Thank you!” Niamh hugged Accalia.

Then Niamh, Isobel, Bessetta, and Davina wore their best gowns and they helped Accalia to dress in her gown. Davina gave her a gold pendant that her mate had given her years earlier.

“’Oh, ‘Tis beautiful, Auntie.”

“I wanted you to have it on your wedding day.” Her aunt pulled the pendant over her head.

“How frightened were the boys when all the fighting occurred at the camp?” Accalia asked. Though they had appeared happy during the meal, she worried they wouldn’t forget the traumatic experience soon.

“Very. I will stay with them this eve,” Bessetta said. “But that may no’ be enough.”

“I bit two of them, but then they got away,” Davina said.

“I’m glad that you injured them,” Accalia said.

Accalia would have loved to be with her husband in her bedchamber alone after all that had happened, but she wanted to ensure the boys felt safe and secure at all costs.

“They were scared but did what we told them to do to keep them safe,” Isobel said.

“Isobel was amazing. When we return home, I’ll be working on my archery skills again,” Bessetta said.

“Aye, me too.” Then Accalia sighed, but she was more than perturbed about it. “I canna believe that Freigard and Dunbar’s men got away.”

“I saw Freigard once,” Isobel said. “But then I had another target and I didna see him after that.”

“I saw men fighting. I didna know Freigard or his men. I didna know all of Baldur’s men, certainly no’ which ones owed allegiance to his brother, Dunbar.” Bessetta arranged a crown of flowers on Accalia’s head and smiled, changing the subject. “Are you ready to marry your husband again?”

“Aye, I sure am.”

“I’m sorry I missed out on that one,” Niamh said.

“I wished you had been there too. Certainly safe from Freigard and his takeover.” Accalia hoped Niamh would feel settled with a whole new pack and wouldn’t get homesick.

Then they left Accalia’s bedchamber and went downstairs to the great hall where everyone was gathered.

Erik waited for his wife to be brought to him, and he vowed that he would keep her forever as his wife. She said she would do the same thing as far as taking him for her husband from now until the end.

Then he kissed her in front of the three gathered packs. Everyone was cheering. They held their hands out to the boys, who ran to join them, and they all hugged each other as a family.

More dancing and celebration followed. Accalia wanted to sit with Erik and relax after all that happened in the last couple of days. She wanted to make sure the boys were all right. They appeared to be, dancing with some of Baldur’s pack members, included in all the fun. They needed that.

“About the alliance with your da, I signed the agreement with him while you were bathing and changing into your beautiful gown. Even though he knows I would be there for him if he needs me, he wanted to have the agreement in writing as soon as possible.”

“Aye.”

“What do you think about the boys this evening?”

She smiled at Erik, glad he was concerned about them like she was. “I was looking forward to us sleeping together alone, but if the boys are scared after what they went through, I’m fine with them staying with us.”

“I thought we could see if they would be all right with staying with others to make them feel safe,” Erik said.

“Aye. I’m all for that also. Whatever works to set them at ease.”

“I agree.”

She realized when they left here to return to Whitehaven, her real home now, she would be alone with the boys in a tent, Bessetta and Isobel going home with Alasdair and the others of their pack. She would miss them.

She saw her da join them in dancing. She was proud of him for dealing with his brother the way he had. Their people were satisfied with how things had turned out—except that Freigard, some of his men, and some of Dunbar’s friends had escaped.

The celebration continued late into the night, but then everyone said their goodnights. The boys were asleep at one of the tables. Isobel and Alasdair would stay in Dunbar’s chamber. Baldur’s nephew would be with him, freeing up his chamber for the boys and Bessetta.

“I’ll make sure they’re fine,” Bessetta said, hugging Accalia. “But if I dinna manage?—”

“We might have late-night guests,” Accalia finished for her.

“Aye.”

Davina said, “Bessetta, if you need me to help with my grandnephews, let me know.”

“Aye,” Bessetta said.

“Thanks, Auntie,” Accalia said.

Erik smiled. “If they need us, we’ll handle it. But keep them for a while.”

Bessetta blushed and chuckled. “Aye.”

“Night,” Isobel and Alasdair said.

“Night, see you in the morning,” Erik said.

They ascended the stairs to the bedchamber.

Erik and Accalia watched as Logan, Finlay, and Rory each carried one of the lads up to the bedchamber, Bessetta following them, and then went inside with them.

“Mayhap they’ll sleep,” Erik said.

Accalia took his hand and walked with him to her bedchamber. “We can hope for the best.”

“Aye.”

They reached her bedchamber, and she was glad no one had used it while she’d been away. She still couldn’t believe her uncle had been in on the despicable act of treason.

When Erik shut her chamber door, he joined her by the bed, leaned over, and kissed the top of her head.

“You are so beautiful.”

“You are so braw.”

And then he began removing her weapons first and she did the same with him. Their wolfish scents calling to each other, they clawed at each other’s clothes, yanking off her gown, their socks, boots, his long shirt, and her léine.

They soon were naked, and he lifted her onto the bed, hugging her warmly. “I love you, lass.”

“I love you, you big old white wolf,” she said, kissing him.

She had never envisioned making love to her mate in her bed, his muscles naked, powerful, and sexy. Reclining in her bed with a virulent male when she’d slept in this very same bed since childhood felt naughty. But Erik was her mate, and this was how it was supposed to be, sharing her bed and the intimacy as mated wolves.

His gentle yet insistent touches, his whispered words of love and desire, and his lips moving against hers in a feathery touch matched her own as she told him how much she loved him and treasured the way he was so tender.

As they lay intertwined in each other's arms, kissing and licking each other’s lips, she couldn't help but feel relieved they were here and safe—for the moment. And she could be with the man she adored like this.

She traced her fingers lightly over his bare chest, taking in every curve and muscle. He amused her by flexing his muscles under her fingertips. His blue eyes filled with adoration as he gazed at her, and she couldn't help but smile. Warmth spread through her body, both from the physical pleasure of kissing and touching him and the emotional connection she had with her mate. She felt superb.

The moonlight filtered through the arrow slat of a window, casting a sliver of light across their naked bodies.

Then their kisses grew more urgent, pressuring each other for more. They rubbed their naked bodies against each other, his staff full and eager to penetrate her tight sheath.

He caressed her breasts, making her nipples extend and the sensation was gloriously sensitive to his touch. She moaned, glad the stone walls were so thick that no one would hear them making love. He nipped at her neck, nuzzling her with his lips, then moved lower to latch his sensuous mouth onto one of her nipples and sucked. She nearly fell apart at the exquisite sensation.

He slid his hand down to her dewy curls and began stroking her gently between her legs at first, but as she writhed to his touch, the feeling rising in her like a wave about to crest, he pressed harder, faster. She felt the crest coming and then the pleasure hit hard, and she cried out with joy.

He quickly moved over her, readied himself, and drove his staff between her legs as if he couldn’t last if he didn’t right then. He thrust deep inside her and she wrapped her legs around him, accepting the length and volume of him, enjoying the ultimate, physical connection between them.

He continued to rock into her, kissing her cheeks, and her jaw, as she kissed his, loving his whiskery face. He was so virile; she couldn’t have been prouder to be his mate.

Then he slowed down, eased almost out of her, and dove in again. He began to hurry the process, and she felt his muscles tense right before he sent her falling over the edge of the waterfall and he groaned with release, filling her with his seed.

For a moment, they lay in silence, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking, still clinging to one another. She loved this just as much.

Then he rolled onto his back and pulled her with him. Kissing the top of her head, he held her in his arms. She felt the warmth of his body against hers and smelled his musky scent, male and wolfish, a constant reminder of their beautiful relationship.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said.

“As you are for me.” She snuggled her head against his chest.

She was so glad they were together for the night in her private chamber, that they had celebrated their wedding with her people, and that they had vanquished Freigard. Though she worried that while he was still alive, he would be a threat.

Erik and Accalia spent a week celebrating their wedding at her da’s castle and then it was time to return home to Whitehaven. Accalia was sad to leave her da alone, but she knew his men would be loyal to him, and one of them would be his new advisor. Her da hugged her longer than he ever had, and when she looked up at him, she saw tears in his eyes.

She sighed. “I’m happy with Erik, you know.”

“Aye. All this week, I could see that you are both happy with one another.” Her da glanced at Erik as he readied everyone for their journey. “And you have fine young lads to raise as your own, though I hope you and Erik will have more bairns.”

“We want you to be your grandsons since they dinna have grandparents.”

“I’m happy to be that for them. Davina has played with the lads all week long. She will miss them too. Dinna be a stranger.”

“You either,” she scolded. “You, Davina, and my cousin are welcome to visit. We’ll all be glad for it.”

“Aye. We will.”

Then they said their final goodbyes, Erik promising Baldur he would take care of Accalia.

“Us too,” Thorfinn said, his head held high.

“Aye, us too,” Hendrie and Johnne both said.

“But who will protect you?” she asked.

“You and Da,” Thorfinn said, and they all smiled.

She said goodbye to her pack members that she’d grown up with, vowing to return, and then she, Erik, the boys, their clan members, her good friend Niamh, and Isobel and Alasdair and their clan members rode out together.

After a few hours on their journey, they came to a glen where they had to split up and go their separate ways.

They dismounted from their horses to hug each other goodbye. Bessetta and Isobel hugged the boys.

“But you’ll come back to see us?” Thorfinn asked.

“Aye. I want to watch you in sword fighting and using the bow,” Isobell said.

“Will you sleep with us?” Hendrie asked Bessetta.

Bessetta laughed. “Of course.”

“We’ll come see you when you have the babies,” Accalia said to Isobell, hugging her. “And, Bessetta, I look forward to seeing you again.”

“Aye, same here.” Bessetta embraced her warmly.

Alisdair and his brothers swung the boys around and set them on the ground. “Be good lads,” Alisdair said.

“We will. Our mother makes sure of it,” Thorfinn said, smiling at her.

Erik and his brothers hugged Alisdair and his brothers.

“Until we meet again and show who is the best at archery,” Erik said.

“And archery,” Alisdair said.

Then they remounted their horses, waved goodbye to each other, and headed on their way home.

Niamh rode up next to Accalia. “I’m so excited about going to Whitehaven.” She glanced over at Logan who was riding a distance from them, watching for trouble.

“You dinna choose to come with us because you are interested in a male wolf, are you?” Accalia was so amused.

Niamh blushed. “Of course, no’. I wanted to be with you. We’re practically sisters. And”—she brushed a loose curl of hair out of her eyes—“I may end up with a mate. Who knows?”

Accalia laughed. “You will.” She was looking forward to returning to her new home. She hadn’t realized how much having Erik and his sons in her life had impacted her. But Whitehaven was home for her now. The pack members were her family. And she was glad for that. Having Niamh join her made it even better.

The boys had the same difficulty as they had on the previous journey. They grew tired, especially after taking a break and eating, halfway through the day. Once they started riding again, they would grow sleepy, and some men would take them on their saddles, to ensure they didn’t fall from their mounts.

At gloaming, they stopped, set up their tents, and readied themselves for bed. The boys were exhausted. They settled down on their furs and soon fell asleep without a word.

Niamh slipped into the tent to sleep with them. Accalia was glad she still had female companionship on the journey.

Erik circled his arm around Accalia and pulled her close. They kissed each other deeply and hugged, the warmth of his body welcoming in the chilly night air. She wanted him to sleep in the tent with her, but he would keep an eye on the tent. She understood why. He felt he could guard them better while watching over their camp as they slept.

But even though they couldn't share a tent, just having him close by was enough for her. She loved feeling him wrapped around her at night, knowing he was always there to protect and care for her.

They didn’t believe Freigard was still intent on causing trouble for them this soon after his last defeat, not when he had lost so many men during the conflict at her da’s castle and again at the campsite. She thought Erik and their pack would be safe enough. They didn’t have Alasdair and his men now to help protect them, but they had thirty men of their own.

She kissed his cheek. “I canna wait until we’re home again.”

“You sound like the lads.”

She poked him in the chest. “You know what I mean.”

He chuckled. “I do. I was thinking the very same thing.”

“You had better be.”

He slipped his hand up to her breast and caressed it through her gown. “Aye, believe me, I think of naught also.”

She tilted her chin up to kiss him and moaned when he got her all worked up. Thankfully, the wolves guarding the camp were not paying any attention to them. At least she hoped not.

Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her body against his. “You are ready for me, I can see.”

“Always.”

“A day and a half and we will be home.”

“And retire to bed midday.”

She smiled. “Everyone will have a chuckle over that.”

“They will understand.” He sighed. “Get your sleep. It willna be long before we are traveling again.”

“Aye, I will see you in the morn.”

Then they kissed again, and she retired to the tent. The boys were sound asleep. Niamh smiled at her and whispered, “You are so lucky.” She waved her arm at the sleeping boys. She was on one side of them, taking a protective position while Accalia lay down on the other side of the lads. “And of course the Great White Wolf Chief? He is better than I imagined.”

Accalia smiled. “He’s mine.”

Niamh laughed softly. “Aye. I’m more interested in a bachelor wolf, and you have a lot of them in the pack.”

“We do. You’ll find someone.” Accalia realized that Niamh wanted something that she had, and she would do everything to help her find the right mate.

As she drifted off to sleep, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the lads’ steady breathing. But in the middle of the night, she felt them snuggling up to her, waking her, and she smiled, hugging them, and keeping them warm.

She thought about Erik and again wished they were together in bed at home, enjoying each other as mated wolves—safe from any possible harm.

When Accalia and the boys hadn’t emerged from the tent by the time they were ready to break their fast, take down the camp, and start traveling again, Erik peeked into the tent to see them all snuggled together, fast asleep. He loved her. She was so good for his boys, and of course, so good for him.

“Time to rise and eat and get on our way,” he said, hating to disturb them. They looked so comfortable. But he knew that the sooner they got on their way, the sooner they would stop for the night again, and the last day would be a short day to travel. Unless they left too late in the morning.

“Och,” Accalia said, trying to unbury herself from the sleeping boys. “Up, we must get up.”

Niamh sighed. “This is the part I dinna think too much about.”

Accalia chuckled.

The boys groaned, rubbing their eyes, yawning, and stretching. Then they all rose and began getting dressed. Accalia and Niamh helped the boys dress, and then they all left the tent.

Several of the men were already eating and as soon as Niamh, Accalia, the boys, and Erik sat down to share bread and porridge, other men were taking the tents down and packing up the camp.

By the time they had eaten, they were ready to begin their journey again.

Until now, the days had been sunny and warm, but today the skies were gray and rainy. They wore their wool cloaks to protect themselves from the constant rain. The day of travel felt much longer. When they stopped for the night, Erik was glad to get Accalia, Niamh, and the boys inside the dry tent. He even joined them to eat while the rain poured down.

“I hope the weather will clear up tomorrow,” Accalia said.

“Me too. I dinna think I will ever feel dry again,” Niamh said. “I appreciate that we have the tent though.”

“We still traveled a full day despite it, and tomorrow we’ll have only half a day to ride,” Erik said.

“Good.”

Thorfinn shook his head. “I felt like I was swimming in the loch all day.”

“Me too,” Hendrie said, Johnne agreeing. “But no fish to catch.”

They all laughed.

“Well, on the morrow, we’ll be at the castle, where it will be nice and warm and dry,” Accalia said.

Erik kissed Accalia, removed his clothes, and then shifted into his wolf. He would guard as a wolf, the rain not bothering him since his outer guard hairs would keep his soft downy undercoat dry and warm.

Everyone was doing their best on the stormy night—lightning flashing all over, lighting up the forest, thunder crashing overhead, strong winds blowing through their camp—to ensure that Freigard and his men didn’t attack them. They could assault them at any time, but Erik figured if Freigard could gather enough men, what better time to attack, than when they were still traveling, half of the men sleeping, while the other half guarded on a wild, stormy night?

The storm was making it difficult to hear anyone approaching the camp and the winds and rain were wreaking havoc with smelling anyone’s scents. They were all on high alert.