Chapter 10

“Kitten, wake up.” Erik’s voice sounded distant but panicked.

I groaned as I tried to wake up, but my sleep was clinging heavily to me.

“Astrid, wake up.” Erik said, as I felt him shake my shoulder.

My vision was blurry as I opened my eyes. I blinked and rubbed at them to clear it. Opening my eyes again, I saw the early signs of dawn through the window. Frode and Rune shot up into a sitting position and looked to me.

“Goddess, is that what all of your visions have been like, little one?” Frode asked, his large hand cupping my cheek.

I nodded and sat up. Rune moved a pillow to the headboard so I could lean against it. I knew I wasn’t going back to sleep this morning.

“No wonder you were so upset. I don’t recognize where we were, do you?” He asked me and Rune.

“No.” Rune said, running his hands down over his face, trying to wipe away the last remnants of the vision he’d been forced to see.

“Little one?” He asked, turning his attention solely to me.

“Unity.” I said.

“You’ve been there before?” Sten asked, his voice thick with sleep.

“No. I don’t know why I said that.” I said, staring out the window.

“Magic, angel, magic.” Rune said with a grin.

I looked to him and gave him a half smile.

“Well, that’s about a five-hour drive south. If we get up and dressed and leave now we’ll be there before lunch.” Frode said looking at his phone.

“I’m not going back to sleep.” I said, shifting to escape the tangle of limbs and blankets.

“Me either.” Rune supplied.

“Then that settles it.” Frode said, getting out of bed.

We all got dressed silently. Frode finished first and mentioned that he was going to start coffee and a quick breakfast. I finished shortly after him and moved down the stairs, my stomach growling at the smell of bacon and eggs.

“Here, you can take the first plate. I’m sure you’re starving after last night.” He said, not meeting my eye.

My thoughts returned to last night. Frode forced the change until I was too weak to do it anymore. Mixed emotions rolled through me. Anger was the first one I recognized. Anger at him for making me do that without my consent. Sadness and regret followed about harming Erik. Embarrassment at my lack of control was mixed in there to.

“What are you thinking, kitten.” Erik said as he plopped in a chair beside me.

“Nothing.” I said shrugging.

“Don’t do that.” He growled.

“Do what?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“Don’t brush off whatever you’re feeling. You forget that we can feel when you’re strongly upset even without mating fully.” Erik said, using his foot to turn my chair to face him slightly.

I shoved a piece of bacon in my mouth and grabbed my coffee. I couldn’t talk if I was too busy eating.

“That’s alright, princess, you’ll be stuck with us for five hours. We’ll have nothing but time to discuss whatever it that’s upsetting you. So, you don’t have to shove your mouthful to avoid us. Talking is inevitable.” Sten said with a grin as he set his plate down and sat in his chair.

My face heated at being caught. I slowed my chewing and swallowed the large bite of food in my mouth. Taking a drink of my coffee to wash it down, I kept my gaze on my plate.

We finished our breakfast in silence. Rune gathered the dishes to wash, and I moved to help him as I finished another cup of coffee. He grinned when I grabbed a towel to dry them. He grinned and bumped my hip with his.

“I missed you.” He said, softly.

“I missed you too.” I said, smiling at the plate I was drying.

“Are you sure you weren’t too busy sulking?” He said with a pout.

I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t let Frode see you do that. He hates it.” Rune said with a chuckle.

“Well, it’s a good thing he’s not here, huh?” I said with a grin.

“You know I can hear you right?” Frode asked loudly from the table.

“Did you hear something, angel?” Rune asked, making me chuckle.

In the short time we’d been together I’d noticed that Rune had the ability to make me smile and laugh even when I was at my lowest. He was the only one I hadn’t seen irritated or angry. He was likable and the class clown of the brothers-when he wasn’t doing his job that is. It was like he flipped a switch when he needed to work.

We finished the dishes and Rune left to put his jacket and boots on. I had just closed the cupboard door after putting the last plate away when I felt a warm body press against my back.

“Did you roll your eyes earlier, little one?” Frode asked his breath warm on my ear.

“I would never.” I teased, still feeling upbeat after my exchange with Rune.

“You better not, that’s a quick way to find yourself over my knee with a sore bottom.” Frode said, as he pressed a kiss to my neck.

“You wouldn’t.” I said, turning in his arms.

“Try me and find out.” He grinned.

He pressed a quick kiss to my lips.

“I missed you too by the way.” He said, kissing me deeper. “We have to go.”

I nodded as he pulled away. I looked to the door and saw that the others were waiting all dressed to go. Sten and Erik each had a duffle bag over the chests. Moving toward them they handed my jacket and I slid on my boots, and we walked to the warmed car.

Frode drove as usual, while Sten sat in the passenger seat. That left me in the back seat with Rune and Erik. We’d barely moved out of the driveway when Erik turned to face me.

“So what had you all grumpy at the table?” he asked.

“Nothing.” I said, my mood turning sour again.

“Astrid.” Frode warned.

“I was just thinking about last night and the last week. A lot to still process.” I said, my voice quiet.

“So, process it with us.” Erik said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, looking at him.

“I mean that I want us to be open and honest with each other. That’s how mating works. When something bothers you or your upset you bring it to us. We’re here to help solve the issue or just be a shoulder to cry on. Just as we will with you. There are no secrets or lies between us.” Erik said, taking my hand.

“Okay. I guess I’m just still feeling horrible about hurting you. I shifted without meaning to, and it cause harm. I swore as a doctor I’d do no harm, yet you were left with cuts across your chest. Then instead of owning what happened and trying to make it better I just shut down. I’m feeling sad, angry, and guilty about it all. I’m also angry that Frode made me shift against my will.” I said, staring at my hands that were in my lap.

“Well, we aren’t angry with you. We understand, and although it’s a frustrating situation, you shouldn’t be angry. Frode told you last night that control is learned. You just have to learn it.” Erik said, his voice soft.

I nodded, trying to see it that way instead of how it was in my mind. They had a point.

“As far as being angry with me. If I hadn’t made you shift, would you still be in bed?” He asked.

I shrugged, even though we all knew I would be.

“You would be. You weren’t caring for yourself, and when you shut down like that it affects us all. We’re all connected and when one is down the others are impacted. I’m not going to let you sulk when you have no reason too. If you ever feel like that, come to us and talk. Don’t just pull into yourself and shut down. You’re my mate and I’m not going to allow to harm yourself or the rest of us. If one the guys had done that, I’d do the same way. I’d rather have you angry than a zombie.” Frode said from the driver’s seat.

“I understand.” I said quietly.

Erik’s hand had come to rest on my thigh at some point, and Rune’s was draped behind me. Their body warmth and closeness had a comforting affect. Between being tired from yesterday still and the early wake up and being so comfortable while in the car I found my eyelids getting heavy.

“Sleep, kitten, we have a long drive.” Erik said, leaning over to kiss my head.

I nodded and closed my eyes; it didn’t take long for my drift off. This time instead of dreaming of blood and gore, I dreamt happily of my mates.