Chapter 8

8

E rik had not intended to watch Accalia fish with his sons. He had too much work to do, but when she had shifted, he had to see her. She was a beautiful gray wolf with black markings on her face and blond cheeks, throat, and belly that made her stand out. Any wolf would be proud to call her his own.

He certainly hadn’t expected her to fish as a wolf, and he was curious how well she could do. To his surprise, she shifted and talked to his boys. The next thing he knew, his boys stripped off their clothes and shifted. Hadn’t he told his sons they couldn’t?

He realized the lass was usurping his power over the boys with a skill no one else had. She very much had a will and mind of her own. He figured they were bound to clash over it. He hoped the boys would be okay while they swam in the loch and fished. That was his main concern.

None of the boys were catching anything though as she continued to catch fish but stopped periodically to watch them. He was glad Logan had taken the boys out and other boats were on the water in case the lass or his lads got into trouble.

Och, he couldn’t stand remaining on shore with the other men. His brother Finlay joined him. “What are they doing? Fishing as wolves? That’s a new idea.”

Erik motioned to another man and said to Finlay, “Come on. We’re taking another boat out.”

Finlay smiled. “Aye.”

They soon reached Accalia’s boat and Logan smiled at Erik. The boys and Accalia were under the water still and didn’t know he had arrived.

Erik said to Logan, “I told the lads they were no’ allowed to shift.”

“Aye, but the lass overrode your ruling. The boys are having fun and she’s bonding with them. Is that no’ what you wanted?” Logan asked.

“Aye.” He hated to admit it. “Have the lads caught anything?”

“Nay. They dive, come up for air, catch their breaths, and dive again.”

Thorfinn came up, saw his da, his eyes growing big, and he dove down again as if he could hide from being in trouble with his da.

Erik sighed and saw Hendrie break the water, who panicked to see his da. “’Tis all right to shift if the lass allows it, this time.” Erik started to strip off his clothes as the other two boys came up for air this time.

Accalia surfaced with another brown trout. Her eyes were huge when she saw Erik naked on the boat nearby before he shifted and leaped into the water.

Finlay laughed. “You are undoing his chiefdom little by little.”

Logan took the fish from her, but she didn’t dive this time. The boys looked tired, and Erik thought it was time for them to return to the boat. He assumed Accalia could fish longer, but the boys were still young.

Then Thorfinn came up with his first fish, smaller than anything she had gotten, but he could barely lift it, and she took it from him and offered it to Logan. He shifted and said, “Did you see it? Did you see it?” He was shivering and quickly turned back into his wolf.

Erik joined them, carried Thorfinn by the ruff, and lifted him a little to the boat. Taking his cue, Logan pulled the young wolf aboard.

Then Hendrie came up without a fish, but Erik hauled him to Logan to help him get the lad into the boat. Johnne rose to the surface last, no fish either, and Erik assisted him to Logan. The boys remained in their wolf forms, shaking excess water from their coats all over Logan.

Erik didn’t believe Accalia could have lifted the boys to Logan, but he was amazed that she had caught ten good-sized fish.

Treading the water, he shifted and said to Logan, “Take the boys back to the keep. They need to shift, dress, and warm up. We’ll go back in the other boat.”

Accalia swam away from Erik and headed closer to the other boat. He thought she might be planning to get out too, but she dove under and brought up another fish.

He had never thought about fishing as a wolf in the loch using boats to store their catch. Fishing in rivers and creeks was a common mission, but not as a wolf in a loch after diving off a boat. He was amazed at how well she was doing. Then he saw two of the men in the other boats strip and shift and dive overboard. She had started a new way of fishing for the clan. They would have fish for their next meal.

He caught several of his own and saw her paddling near the boat. He was afraid she was getting tired and needed help to get into the boat.

He offered up the last fish he had caught to Finlay and shifted. “Are you ready to go in, lass?”

She nodded.

“Let’s get the lady into the boat,” Erik said.

Finlay helped her climb aboard and she sat in the boat watching Erik. Feeling competitive, he wanted to catch more fish than the lass had. But he wanted to return her to the keep so she could warm up.

He could stay with the men in the other fishing boats but preferred returning to shore with Accalia. She was a bundle of contradictions and astonished him at every turn. But she had livened his life up by leaps and bounds.

He climbed aboard the boat, and she studied his dripping wet, naked body before he began pulling on his shirt, and then his kilt and belt. “Homeward,” he said.

Finlay began rowing.

“The lass caught more fish than you, aye?” Finlay said, rubbing it in.

“Aye. We have a new way to fish, thanks to the lass.” Erik was beginning to believe she was invaluable. Not just a pretty woman who would give him an alliance if he mated her. Most importantly, she was winning his sons over and showing them affection that his deceased mate had never shown them.

Once they beached the boat on the shore, Accalia jumped out of it and raced up the hill to the castle. Erik climbed out of the boat, mounted his horse, and galloped after her. When they arrived at the inner bailey, Erik dismounted and headed into the keep after Accalia.

She raced through the keep to the stairs and up to her guest chamber, though she hadn’t used it last night. He wanted her in his bedchamber tonight. He never expected to feel this way about the lass, but he couldn’t get the vision of her out of his mind—both as a woman and as a wolf.

Wolves didn’t court for months or years. Once they recognized the attraction between them, the connection they had that went deeper than any human’s because of their heightened senses, he knew she was the one for him. Not only because of that, but because of how she treated his sons and the staff.

He reached her guest room and knocked. She didn’t answer. He opened the door, believing she wasn’t there, but he had to be sure before he looked for her elsewhere. He wanted her to know he wanted her in his bed tonight. When he opened the door, she was standing there naked and she screamed.

He stared at her naked beauty for a moment, her beautiful breasts, her rosy perked nipples ripe for kissing, the thatch of blond curly hair hiding her feminine treasures, her long golden hair, wet and curling in tangles over her shoulders. Then he smiled.

“Apologies, my lady.” But his words didn’t sound much like an apology to his ears. He couldn’t help himself. Accalia intrigued him like no lass ever had. He shut the door and stood on the other side, anticipating her departure from her quarters. He needed to address their living arrangements and inform her of his expectations.

He waited and waited. What in the world was she doing in there? Patience wasn’t his strong suit. He knocked on the door again. When she didn’t answer, he felt annoyed. This time, he didn’t throw the door open. What if she belatedly came to the door and he hit her with it?

He slowly opened the door and found her dressed in a shift, sleeping under the covers. She was glorious whether she was awake or asleep. Fishing as a wolf must have worn her out. For the longest time, he watched her sleep, already wanting her in his bed in the worst way.

Then he closed the door quietly and headed to the boys’ chamber to see if they were dressed. He wanted them to know that Thorfinn would be sleeping with his brothers in their chamber and Accalia would be sleeping elsewhere this eve.

He opened the door to their chamber and found all three boys sound asleep on their beds. He couldn’t believe it. The she-wolf, well, and he, had worn the lads out. Smiling, he shook his head. He had never seen his boys in this light before Accalia had arrived. It was a welcome change in their behavior. He closed the door and headed back downstairs where he met up with Logan and Finlay.

“So is the lass sleeping with you tonight?” Finlay asked.

“Or is Thorfinn going to?” Logan said.

“The lass is. Thorfinn will sleep with his brothers.”

“Where are they all?” Finlay asked.

“Sleeping.”

His brothers laughed. Erik smiled.

“Cook said that everyone brought in enough fish for the whole clan to eat at the meal,” Finlay said. “Everyone is talking about how they want to fish as wolves now. ‘Tis so much faster than fishing with poles.”

“I know. I dinna know how none of us ever thought of it before.”

“The lass is canny,” Logan said.

“That she is. Let’s work on the wall until it’s time to eat.” Erik headed outside.

Accalia woke and figured it was time to eat. She couldn’t believe Erik had barged into her chamber. She’d heard the knock at her door, but she’d been naked and brushing her hair. She hadn’t had time to throw on some clothes before he opened the door. She wasn’t used to being naked in front of other wolves. Back home, she usually removed her clothes in her chamber and then would shift and run.

She dressed, walked to the lads’ room where they had napped, and ensured they were ready for the meal. When she opened the door and peeked inside, she found the boys still asleep. She walked into the chamber and said, “Are you ready to eat?”

Sleepy eyes opened and the boys looked over at her and groaned.

“Come on. They willna hold the meal for us. We dinna want them to eat all our fish.”

That stirred the boys, and they hurried to get up and go with her.

“Did you enjoy fishing as wolves?” she asked.

“Aye,” Thorfinn said, “though my fish wasn’t as big as yours.”

“You made a fine catch,” Accalia said.

“Aye, but we didna expect Da to join us,” Hendrie said, Johnne agreeing.

“He saw how much fun we were having and had to join in.” She had been glad he had joined them in the fun activity and hadn’t given any of them any grief over it. It wasn’t just a way to connect with the boys, it was a food-gathering mission, and the boys needed to learn to catch fish that way too.

“You dinna believe he was angry with us for disobeying him and listening to you, do you?” Thorfinn asked.

“If he is angry with anyone, it will be me for saying you could shift. Have you caught fish in the river before?” she asked.

“It runs too fast, Da said,” Johnne said.

“Is there a creek that doesn’t flow as fast where we can fish?” She figured maybe catching fish in the loch was too hard for the boys, despite that Thorfinn had caught one. But if they weren’t used to grabbing fish in their wolf jaws, she could teach them to in shallower tidal pools and slower-running creeks.

“Aye, but we would have to have a guard force.”

“Tomorrow, if the weather is good, we’ll do that,” she said.

“If Da allows it,” Thorfinn reminded her. “Are…are you going to sleep in our room again?”

“Your da wants me to sleep elsewhere. I need to talk to him about it.” She didn’t want to say he wanted her to stay with him. She didn’t want the boys to believe she was replacing their mother, and she had no idea if she would mate Erik or not. It was best not to confuse them.

“He willna allow you to stay with us,” Thorfinn said, matter-of-factly.

“We’ll see.” Then they walked into the great hall where everyone was beginning to gather.

Erik wasn’t there yet. She walked the boys to their table.

Beathag joined them and said, “You’ll be leaving soon.”

“Oh?” Accalia arched a brow.

The boys looked at Accalia as if she truly was leaving.

Beathag smiled at her wickedly and then turned and flounced off, taking her place at another table.

“You’re no’ leaving, are you?” Johnne asked, tears forming in his eyes.

Irritated by the woman’s comments because Beathag had upset Johnne, Accalia hugged him. “Nay. I dinna know why she would say that.” But she was going to set her straight.

“She wants da,” Thorfinn said.

He was too young to know such things, Accalia thought. “What do you mean?” She wanted to get clarification before she jumped to conclusions.

“She was storming around the castle before you got here,” Thorfinn said. “She said Da was bringing some strange woman here to marry him.”

“Strange?”

“Aye,” Hendrie said. “When we saw you, we didna think you were strange.”

“Nay, but we didna believe you would threaten to throw us in the dungeon either,” Thorfinn said.

She smiled. “Well, you are clean and none the worse for wear.” But then she wondered if the boys liked Beathag and would be disappointed that their da might mate Accalia instead. “You are fond of Beathag then?”

“She doesna pay any attention to us. No’ like you do,” Johnne said.

“She doesna threaten to throw us in the dungeon,” Thorfinn said.

“That’s because she doesna care anything about us,” Hendrie said, scowling at Thorfinn.

Accalia looked at Thorfinn.

He shrugged. “Aye.”

Logan approached Accalia and said, “You’re wanted at the high table.”

Frowning, the boys looked disappointed, even Thorfinn. She gave them each a hug. The boys smiled at her when she did. “Good. I will tell his lordship what we want to do on the morrow.”

Their faces brightened at the idea. Their nannies joined them at their table and Logan escorted her to sit beside Erik’s chair. Then Erik stalked into the great hall, his gaze going to his lads first, and then to Accalia at the head table. He smiled.

“You confound Erik, you know,” Logan said, smiling down at her. “He doesna know what to make of you.”

“’Tis best to keep him guessing, aye?” She smiled brightly at Logan. She wondered if his mate had confounded him or used her feminine wiles on him.

Logan laughed.

Erik joined her and they took their seats. Then the mugs were filled with honeyed mead, and the bread and fish soup served. “You are having a profound effect on my people. And on me.”

“Good or no’?” She sipped her mead.

“We dinna want you to leave.”

“I…I believe I’m making progress with your sons.” She stole a piece of bread from his plate and began eating it. She swore all conversation stopped dead. She hadn’t been observing his people, but now she suspected they were watching the two of them and their interactions.

“And me?”

Her cheeks heated. She wasn’t used to a man showing her interest. Her da had never allowed it, though she’d flirted with young boys when she was younger, but a fully grown man? No.

For Erik to kiss her was such an incredible experience, and for her to kiss him back and feel her body reacting to his, she hadn’t expected it, but she wanted more of it.

“I believe we have made some progress,” she said, then changed the subject to one she was more comfortable discussing. “I think the boys are a little young for fishing in the loch as wolves. However, how will they ever learn if no’ given the opportunity? And Thorfinn did catch a fish. Do you know how proud he felt of his accomplishment? He was even prouder when he saw you observe him at it.”

“I witnessed that. I originally prohibited them from swimming in the loch as wolves while attempting to catch fish because I was concerned for their safety; I thought they might become exhausted and drown. However, after observing how much fun they were having and how determined they were to succeed, I realized my initial order had been incorrect. As you said, they need opportunities to grow and hone their abilities. I agree that practicing fishing as wolves in a creek would be more suitable for them at their age.”

She couldn’t believe he would agree with her but was glad. The ability to see someone else’s input and change his mind made for a better leader. “I must thank you for fighting the boys in practice swordsmanship.”

“I didna believe you would put me in that position.” He lifted a brow, a hint of a smile in his expression.

“Your lads loved you for it and so did your people. Did you see how many came out to watch you spar with them? You are good with the boys even if you shy away from showing them. Aye, you are the pack leader, but you are still their da and they need to learn from you what you expect from them.” She ate some of her soup. “The fish is delicious.”

He tapped his knife on his bowl. “You will sleep with me and no’ the lads. You are no’ their nanny.”

“I am bonding with them. Is that no’ what you wanted? Why should you care where I sleep anyway? We are no’ mated and until that happens, I willna share a bed with you.” Och, she didn’t mean to say until that happened as if it were a foregone conclusion.

She saw his eyes widen a bit. She could very well imagine where that would lead, and she would have to get to know him better before she made a drastic mistake that couldn’t be undone.

She tsked. “You shouldna have barged into my guest chamber.”

“I…apologized.”

“No’ sincerely enough. Your smirk told quite a different story.”

“How could I no’ have been both surprised to see you standing there naked, and filled with admiration of your beauty at the same time?”

She scoffed.

“When you sleep with me, we willna need pretenses.”

She continued to eat her soup. “If I were to sleep with you, what would your people believe? That we are mated. When we are no’. And it would unnecessarily confuse the lads to think that I might become their mother? No’ to replace theirs of course. Never to do that.”

Erik waved at Cook who hurried over to see to his needs. “I seemed to have lost my bread.”

Cook smiled at Accalia, and Accalia knew the woman had seen her steal it from Erik’s plate. If she hadn’t, the rumor had already circulated throughout the pack. It was amazing how interesting news could be shared so fast.

“Aye, my lord. Do you want some more?” Cook asked Accalia.

“Nay, but thanks. I’ve had two pieces already. My compliments to the baker, and you for preparing the fish soup.”

Cook glowed and hurried off to get Erik some more bread.

“Thank you for allowing the boys to fish as wolves for as long as they did,” Accalia said.

Cook brought Erik several more slices of bread, and then she hurried off.

“Do you want another piece of bread?” he asked Accalia.

She figured he wouldn’t be able to eat all of them and snatched another from his plate. He chuckled.

He drank some of his mead. “Why are you being so stubborn about staying with me?”

“I have told you why.”

“Any number of she-wolves would die for the chance to be in my bed.”

“Then you must no’ disappoint them.” She knew he was bluffing because none of the she-wolves who might want to be in his bed could have the potential of allying with another clan chief. She didn’t believe he would do that to his sons either. Though she believed Beathag might still cause trouble for her. Or at least try.

“I dinna want any of them in my bed. Only you.”

“But you assigned me a guest chamber.”

“Which you didna sleep in last eve. And things have changed between us.”

“Nothing has changed between us,” she said, though that was far from the truth. His kiss had opened a new level of intimacy between them, and he had been acting differently towards her since she had been doing so well with his sons. “I am still your guest. We'll leave it at that…for now.”

“Your da didna tell me how difficult you could be.”

She finished her soup. “He didna tell me how difficult you could be either. Besides, I do have other options.”

“Oh? Pray tell me what your other options are.” He took a bite of his bread, looking like he wasn’t worried about the prospect.

She curled a lock of hair that had come loose from her braided hair around her finger. “A Welsh prince.”

Erik barely bit back a smile, the rogue. He pointed his piece of bread at her. “Your da mentioned him to me if you brought him up but said the prince lived too far away to make a mutually agreeable alliance with him.”

She snatched Erik’s partially eaten bread from him and took a bite. She wanted to ask him about his mate, but she thought he was being honorable not to speak of her disparagingly probably because he had loved her and for the sake of their boys.

Then she changed the subject since that approach hadn’t been helpful. “Mayhap we can challenge the boys in archery. Or walk the horses, something to teach them skills they need to know as they get older.”

She had it in mind to teach them how to track people and animals while the boys wore their wolf coats. It was an important skill to learn, and she wondered if they had been taught it, or self-taught.

“Archery then, but you willna hand a bow off to me to teach them the skill tomorrow. They do know the rudiments, but none of them are very skillful at it. I will have my archers teach them.”

“They can instruct me too. I know how to use the bow, but I can always use further instruction.” She thought Erik didn’t look entirely happy with her.

She suspected it had more to do with her not sleeping with him than with them practicing archery on the morrow.