Chapter 15

The murmuring of voices pulled me from the darkness. I blinked my eyes to focus them, it was dark outside. Pain rushed through me as I tried to push myself up, I hissed at the sensation.

“Kitten, lay back down. We are just moving a few things around, then we’ll be back on the road. Don’t move.” Erik said, his warm hand on my shoulder as he helped me lay back down.

I felt him move away and I took in my surroundings. I was in the back of an SUV with its seat’s laid down. A blanket was beneath me and over me. The back door opened, and I felt the harsh temperature drop blow over my skin. The coolness was gone as soon as it came, as the door shut again.

Confusion filled me. Where was my shirt? I shifted, trying to get a better look around me.

Memories started filling in. Beth at the bed and breakfast. Driving toward home and having a vision. My back being wounded.

The door opened again and brought the cold with it. Frode sat beside me and closed the door.

“The healer sent some herbs and a salve for you. We’ve already applied the salve and cleaned you up, but you’ll need to be seen when we get home. The healer will be waiting. Drink this, little one. It’ll help you sleep and take some of the pain.” He said, reaching to adjust the blanket.

He helped me into a sitting position and handed me the cup. It was cold to the touch. I sniffed it and wrinkled my nose. I recognized some of the herbs from teas I drink, chamomile, rose hip, but there were other scents I didn’t recognize.

“It tastes as bad as it smells, but it does the job.” He said with a grin.

I didn’t think twice, and chugged it quickly, hoping I wouldn’t taste as much. Honestly, I was too tired and sore to really care. Frode helped me lay back down and ensured I was covered with the blanket before climbing out of the SUV.

I heard the doors open and shut and then we were moving again. Rune’s scent filled my nose, and his warm touch found my hand. The movement lulling me back to sleep while Rune held my hand under the blanket.

The next time I woke the sun was shining and I was back in the bed in master bedroom of the cabin. My back was sore and stiff, but it wasn’t as severe as it had been the night before. I resisted stretching in fear of aggravating the tears but had to move as my bladder was screaming in its need to be emptied. I was just coming back out of the bathroom when I spotted Erik sitting on the side of the bed.

“Good morning, kitten. It’s good to see you up and moving.” He said standing.

“Don’t get too excited, I don’t think I’ll be upright for too long.” I confess, the tiredness already tugging at my body.

“I didn’t think so, but let’s get you something to eat. A change of scenery will do you well. Maybe we attempt a shower later, or at least a sponge bath.” He said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes at him but let him take me downstairs. Once he’d settled me on the couch my other mates settled in around me. I took a moment and studied each of them. They looked tired and pale. I hoped it wasn’t because of me.

“Don’t worry, it’ll get better. We do have a few things we wanted to talk with you about though.” Frode said from the chair across the room.

I nodded but stayed quiet. He was always the one to get straight to the point.

“How are you feeling, little one?” He asked.

“Tired, sore, stiff. Confused.” I added, not able to pick out memories from dreams.

“Well, let me fill in you in on the past day.” He said.

“Day?” I interrupted him, more confused.

“Yes, you fell asleep in the car and slept through getting home and yesterday. Which isn’t surprising and was partly caused by the herbs the healer used.” Frode explained, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Alright.” I said, not sure what to say.

“Beth has also been asleep, and she’s healing. She’s under our protection and will stay here with us until she’s back on her feet. I hate to ask about the vision you had in the car, but do you know what was following us?” Frode asked leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

“No, I just felt fear and terror that seemed to surround it.” I said, my shoulders shuddered at the memory.

I winced at the quick pulling on my skin.

“The marks look like claw marks, but they are spread wide. Normal shifter would be closer together and would have healed mostly by now. There’s magic that’s a part of yours, which is why it’s taking longer to heal, but we’ve never seen it before. My parents are asking another pack’s Seer and trying to get more information. We’ve alerted the territory and have taking precautions to keep everyone safe.” Frode pushed on.

I nodded, processing all the information that had just been laid out. My mind was still sleepy, and it was taking time to sort it all out.

“Precautions?” I asked, curious about what he meant.

“Curfew, recall of workers, check-ins and other stuff to makes sure we’re all safe.” Sten said from his seat next to me.

“How do we fight what we don’t know?” I asked.

“We prepare for everything.” Erik said. “But you’re not ready for fighting, so I’ll be staying with you, along with Sten.”

I couldn’t argue it. I was still healing and wasn’t trained yet. Nodding, to show that I understood I looked back Frode who looked anxious-a rarity for him.

“What is it?” I asked, not sure if my own anxiety was rising, or if I was feeding off his.

“I know that you’re still wrapping your head around having mates, and everything, but we need to talk about the mating ceremony.” Frode blurted.
“Ok.” I said slowly.

“There are advantages to being mated over not being mated, as I’m sure you can imagine. Quicker healing, mind-linking, sensing emotions and pain easier. It’ll be easier to protect you and keep you safe if we are mated.” Frode said, leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

“No.” I said without hesitation.

“No?” Frode echoed sitting back up quickly.

“No.” I repeated.

“Why not?” He asked.

“Because I don’t want our mating, the rest of our lives to start out of fear and protection. I want to mate because you want me, because you chose me.” I replied evenly.

“We do want you. Do you think we don’t?” Frode asked jumping to his feet. “Do you think it doesn’t drive us nuts every time we touch you. Every time we scent you, let alone scent your desire. Do you think there’s a chance of us walking away from this? Away from you?” He started pacing.

“I’m saying I don’t want to rush this because you’re being overprotective.” I shot back.

“Overprotective? Goddess, I think we are allowed to be overprotective after the last few days.” He said, spinning to face me while crossing his thick arms over his chest.

His pose made parts of me come alive that shouldn’t be awakened during an argument.

“There’s nothing you could have done.” I said, standing.

“Exactly. Our mate was severely wounded by something we don’t know, let alone knew existed. We watched the healer suture the tears in your skin, while you whimpered in pain. We could do nothing; we were powerless because we aren’t mated. We’ve watched you heal slowly, knowing if we’d mated you would be almost back to normal now. But that’s not why I want to mate you.

“It’s a bonus, but I want you because you complete me. I want you because you make me feel like nothing ever has. Goddess, I’ve waited for Rune to mature enough to find I could find mine. Now that I have you, I’ve almost lost you from a goddessdamned vision I can’t protect you from. I want to be yours for whatever time we have. I can’t speak for my brothers, but I’m pretty sure we’re all on the same page.” Frode said gesturing to the others who sat in the living area.

They nodded their agreement and I stood there in silence. I wasn’t sure how to respond to his declaration of emotion. I’d come to know that Frode wasn’t someone who shared emotions easily. I wasn’t sure yet if it was a personality trait or because he was the alpha.

I took a moment to reflect on my feelings and wants. I knew when we met that I wouldn’t be leaving them. This wasn’t how I invisioned my wedding, or I guess now mating, happening. It didn’t follow my plan. But nothing was happening according to my plan and honestly, it never had.

He was right I was adjusting, but I still knew I wanted these four men. My fur and soul craved them in an overwhelming way, but it was a delicious overwhelming way. I knew I couldn't say no, not really.

“I want to mate with you too, all of you. Fine, let’s have a mating.” I said, a grin growing on my face.

Frode stepped around the coffee table and pressed his lips to mine. I sensed my other mates stand and gather around me. I didn’t hold back. My back arched into his body, but I hissed as pain shot through it.

“As soon as you’re healed. We’ll mate.” He said quietly against my lips.

I nodded, but before I could pull back, he pressed another kiss to my lips. A knock at the door interrupted us. Sten growled but moved around the couch to the door. An unfamiliar scent trickled into the house.

“I want my mate. Your house smells like her.” I heard a deep voice growl say.

I looked to Frode who tensed in my arms. My mind moved to the only other female in the house. *Beth*.