Chapter 24

24

T he boys soon snuggled with Accalia, maybe because they were cold and scared of the storm. Thunder hit right overhead, and Accalia jumped despite trying to be a calming influence on the boys. The rain hammered the tent as if trying to pound its way inside. She hoped it would stay outside.

Accalia glanced at Niamh, but she was sound asleep. Accalia swore she could sleep through a castle siege.

Accalia must have fallen asleep and began dreaming of running as a wolf with Erik, then returning to their chamber and making love, until the storm was too much. The wind whipped the tent about, disturbing her sleep, though the boys were sleeping cuddled up to her, so she didn’t want to wake them. Then something sounded like it was ripping through the tent.

Ripping? The wind had torn the tent? She opened her eyes to see a sword slicing through the tent—not the wind ripping it apart like she had thought—and rainwater dripping in through the opening. Her heart beat like crazy as she heard fighting in the camp, both close by and farther away.

Swords slashed at swords. Steel struck steel. And Erik growled like an angry wolf as he tore into someone next to the tent, the bodies thudding against it, shaking it.

Trying to keep the panic from her voice, she said to the boys, “Remove your clothes and shift. We’re under attack.”

Stirring a wee bit, the boys barely moved.

Accalia shook them. “There’s a battle in camp. Shift into your wolves and keep low. Niamh, wake!”

“Och, nay!” Niamh yanked off her woolen cloak.

The boys opened their eyes and looked at Accalia, seemingly not understanding her, but then they heard the fighting. They hurried to remove their clothes and shifted while she finished undressing and turned into her wolf. Whoever had sliced his sword through the tent had stopped, the sword withdrawn. She suspected Erik had taken the enemy down.

“Wolves, aye,” Niamh said, quickly removing her clothing and shifting.

The boys stayed with her until the tent collapsed. Accalia, Niamh, and the boys struggled to get out from under it. Accalia shifted and found the opening. Jerking it open, she helped the boys and Niamh out of the tent, shifted again, and left the tent. She was scared to death for the boys and Niamh.

Now she, Niamh, and the boys were out in the pouring rain. Lightning still flashed across the sky and in streaks striking the ground off in the distance. Thunder sounded moments afterward. The boys jumped a little. A wolf’s chewed-up body lay next to the tent.

Accalia glanced around at the men in combat—heads, arms, and legs bloodied, their swords slicing at each other, sweat pouring down their faces. Every man fought as viciously as he could to be the victor. As a wolf, Erik grabbed a warrior’s leg with his hefty bite and pulled the man off his horse. He tore into him before he could cut him with his sword, Eric’s fur coat already wearing blood. She prayed it wasn’t his blood, but one of the rogues he’d been fighting.

Then she saw Freigard battling Erik’s brother Finlay, trying to cut him in two. Finlay was bleeding from a head wound. She had to reach him and help him against the devil himself. Erik still fought the man he had pulled from his horse and tore into his throat with his wicked wolf’s teeth.

Once the man fell to the ground dead, Erik tried to reach Freigard, but other men kept rushing in to fight him. The only way to stop these men from coming after Accalia, threatening the boys, Erik, and his kin, was to eliminate Freigard.

She knew that he wasn’t going to give up in his pursuit to have her or kill her. And she had to do everything she could to help Erik and his men in the fight to stop the villains.

She meant to stay with the boys. She meant to protect them with all the strength she had. And to protect her good friend Niamh.

Freigard attacked Finlay and he fell back, unable to fight Freigard off. She feared the monster would kill Erik’s brother.

Erik couldn’t reach him with all the men fighting in front of him. As a determined, growly wolf, Accalia leaped past several fighting men, dodging swords, and targeted Freigard.

She realized she had left the boys alone with Niamh. But her action was wolf instinctive. Everyone else was so busy, they didn’t see her dashing around the attacking men. Freigard was concentrating on Finlay and likewise didn’t see her approach.

Then Finlay stumbled. She soon reached Freigard and leaped at him, slamming her large wolf paws against his chest, and knocking him off his feet. The boys suddenly were there, growling and trying to bite Freigard. She feared for the boys’ safety. Niamh was there with them, snapping her vicious teeth at another of Freigard’s men as he tried to cut Accalia.

Freigard tried to regain his footing, and the boys bit his legs. They grabbed hold and yanked his legs, growling viciously as if they were playing tug-of-war. Accalia went for Freigard’s left arm, his right still yielding his sword. She couldn’t reach his sword arm because Finlay had been targeting him on that side and had fallen, so he was in her way.

Niamh was still growling and biting a soldier behind Accalia, and she wanted to help her but had to concentrate on Freigard.

Suddenly, Erik was there. Accalia didn’t know how he could have navigated through all the battling men except that he had the greatest incentive in the world—save his sons, his brother, and his mate from the devil wolf.

She had never seen Erik so viciously tear into anything or anyone. But his resolve was welcome as he went first for Freigard’s sword arm, crushing the bones. Freigard cried out in agony. And then Erik grabbed Freigard’s throat, bit down, and ended his life. Freigard wouldn’t ever go after Accalia or his sons again. He wouldn’t threaten Erik or any of his kin any further.

Immediately, Accalia turned to help Niamh, and they tore at the prone man’s neck, ending him.

She saw Finlay on his feet again and he struck down one of Dunbar’s men. She witnessed another of Dunbar’s men dead nearby. Then the last men under Freigard’s command began breaking off from the fight and scattering, trying to get away as fast as they could. They realized their leader had fallen and this was no longer their fight.

Erik’s men began to pursue them, but Erik howled to tell them they were done. They needed to regroup, to ensure their people were taken care of if anyone had suffered injuries, and she suspected Erik would want a shelter set back up for her and the boys to stay in until morning.

In the aftermath of the violence, she surveyed the carnage and injuries suffered by her fellow pack members and those of Freigard’s men. The boys huddled up to her and she licked their faces. Niamh joined them and they all licked and nuzzled her. Erik was standing next to them in protective mode.

As Accalia scanned the faces of her pack, she could see the fear and pain etched on their features. She knew she needed to be strong for them, providing comfort and reassurance amid chaos and loss. She wanted to help Erik and bandage the injured but comfort the boys too. With more gentle nudges and comforting licks, she reassured the boys that they were safe now, that Freigard was dead and wouldn't hurt anyone anymore.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in her pack, in their resilience and strength. They had faced and overcome so much, and she knew they would continue to do so in the face of any obstacles that came their way.

And she was so glad her friend Niamh had come out of the whole fight without being injured. She knew Niamh could playfight as a wolf, she’d played with her often over the years, but she proved she had what it took to be a warrior wolf in a real fight.

She didn’t think they would have any more trouble with Freigard’s people now that he was dead. Someone else would take over and she was certain they would think twice about causing Erik and her pack more difficulty.

Logan and a couple of other men patched up the tent she, Niamh, and the lads had been using while Erik saw the injured men, including his brother Finlay.

“I know you want to help us with the wounded men,” Logan told Accalia, “but Erik wants you at Niamh to stay with the boys.”

Inside the tent, Accalia and Niamh shifted and dressed, hugging the boys still wearing their wolf coats. They were all wet. “You can wear your wolf coats to stay warm,” Accalia said to the boys. “Are you all right?”

They nodded and once she lay down, they hurried to snuggle against her, helping to warm her, though they were a little damp. So was the tent and her clothes now. Niamh joined them.

Erik entered the tent, shifted, and Accalia hurried to stand to hug her returning hero. They kissed and hugged, and then he hugged his boys in their wolf coats. “Thanks for saving my brother. And to you, Niamh, for protecting Accalia and the boys’ backs.”

“We were all there for each other, the way it should be,” Niamh said.

“Exactly. I knew you were having a difficult time reaching Freigard, Erik.” Accalia hoped he wasn’t mad at her for leaving the boys to fight Freigard, which led them into the fight.

“I was. You gave me time to reach Freigard.” Erik motioned to the bed of furs they’d made so that Accalia would lay there on the other side of their sons while Niamh was on the opposite side. Accalia lay back down.

Then Erik climbed under the fur covers with Accalia to her surprise.

“Will his men regroup and attack us again?” She didn’t believe they would have any reason to do so. Freigard had been obsessed with having her and eliminating Erik.

“They’re leaderless now. Someone will take over their pack, but unless they want revenge, I doubt they’ll fight us any further.” He kissed her cold cheek, his mouth warm on her skin as he pulled her into his arms.

“What about our injured? Your brother Finlay?”

“Minor sword wounds, but they’ll heal because we’re wolves. Eight were injured, and they’ve been taken care of. Finlay will be fine. He’ll show off his wound to the lasses to prove his prowess in battle.”

Accalia managed a small smile. “And Freigard’s men?”

“They’re all dead, except for the ones who fled.” He pulled her tighter against himself as if he had to reassure himself that she was fine.

She raised her brows and kissed him. “You are no’ going to guard us?”

“Aye, I am. Right from here.”

The boys woofed, appearing to be pleased that they were all together. She was glad for it too. She smiled, relieved, as she watched the boys turn around a few times, scratching the bedding, and then settling down for the night. They had finally found a haven from the storm raging for hours. The wind had died down and the rain had slowed to a gentle shower, the pitter-patter against the tent’s roof lulling them into a peaceful slumber.

As Accalia lay there, listening to the soothing sounds of nature, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the company of the boys and her mate and that even her best friend was with them. The boys’ tails wagged, and they kicked their feet in sleep.

Now she didn’t need to dream about Erik because he tucked her in his arms for the rest of the night, but she still couldn’t wait to reach the safety of the castle, surrounded by thick walls that would protect them all.

Erik couldn’t believe his mate and boys had joined the battle to take down Freigard. He’d nearly died to see it when they had. And then Niamh was out fighting, putting self at risk. He couldn’t fault Accalia for going after him, knowing she was trying to protect Finlay and eliminate the threat to Erik and the boys. But he was surprised that his lads had run to help her.

He was glad Niamh had the wolf-fighting skills to protect Accalia. She was a welcome member of the pack.

When they woke the next morning, the rain had stopped, and they hurried to dress and break their fast. Then they mounted their horses after that and rode off in the direction of Whitehaven Castle. He smiled at Accalia. “You are a true leader when it comes to battle.”

Accalia smiled at him. “Now, if you told Isobel that, I could see that.”

“Everyone is talking about it. They’re glad you’re also their pack leader. Finlay, Logan, and me, most of all.”

“Thank you. I know I should have stayed with the boys.” She sounded like she felt guilty about leaving them behind during the battle. She glanced over her shoulder at the boys, riding behind them on their horses. “When I saw you trying to reach Freigard who was fighting Finlay and getting the best of him, I reacted instinctively as a wolf.”

“You did what was right. Getting rid of Freigard ended the battle completely. It was an important learning experience for the boys. They proved their courage to fight for family—you and Finlay. I was proud of them. They were so small that no one noticed them running after you while everyone was fighting.”

She sighed, appearing relieved he was proud of her.

“They were safer no matter where they were if they stuck by you. If they’d stayed by the collapsed tent, they could have been killed as easily. You, Niamh, and the boys did the right thing,” he continued.

“Thank you for saying so. I felt bad about it when I tore off to fight Freigard. I was so worried when the boys began tearing into him. He looked shocked to see a pack of wolves, three of them were pups, fighting him. But that meant I had to ensure he didn’t hurt the boys.”

Thorfinn spoke, “Our mother needed our help and like she said it was instinctive to attack our enemy, we felt the same about going to her aid and Uncle Finlay’s.”

“And we learned from Great Aunt Davina all about biting the bad guys to distract them,” Johnne said.

Erik glanced over his shoulder and smiled at his lads. “I am proud of you.”

They smiled back at him. He was glad that they had gone to Accalia’s aid. He was sure they had made a difference in taking Freigard down by biting him with their sharp little teeth and distracting him.

He was also relieved it wasn’t raining on the return to Whitehaven. They had sunny skies, a few clouds, and a light breeze, perfect for the ride home. The boys were holding up, though because of the fight in the middle of the night, he figured they would start drifting off to sleep. But they only had half a day to ride so they could make it to the castle without falling asleep on their horses.

Still, when they were getting close to the castle, the boys drifted off to sleep on their saddles. Finlay, Logan, and Erik each took a boy onto their horses for that last little bit of the journey.

Then they reached the castle. Everyone came out to greet them, including the wolfhounds that licked everyone, especially the boys. Even Beathag was there, but she was unsmiling. If she’d had any hope of mating Erik, it was gone.

Everyone welcomed Niamh, and quite a few of Erik’s bachelor wolves eyed her with intrigue. Though some of his men that accompanied them had been also, talking low, smiling at her, hoping to catch her eye. Erik wouldn’t be surprised if she found her mate among them.

Those who had traveled with Erik were telling those who had remained behind about the battles they’d been involved in. The wounded were carried into the barracks and their healer cared for the injured men.

Cook hurried to have the meal prepared for the returning pack members. Then everyone, including the wounded, came to sit in the great hall to eat.

Everyone was still talking about their wild and dangerous adventures.

Accalia leaned over to speak with Erik and said, “So where are your escape tunnels?”

Erik smiled at her. “I need to show you where they are if we ever need to get you and the boys out of the castle. Their nannies know where they are, but I need to take you and the boys through them to ensure you know how to get to them and out. And how to get inside—since you were instrumental in taking us secretly into your da’s castle, giving us a fighting chance to take down Freigard’s men.”

She smiled, kissed him, and then stole his bread.

He chuckled. “I love you.”

“I so love you. And when we retire for the night—no rain, no fighting?—”

“No lads in our bed…”

She smiled. “Aye, we’ll prove to each other how much we love each other.”

“Certes, always.”