Chapter 24

Mates aren’t mentioned with Seidras. Sten’s last sentence kept circling my mind. Frode had stiffened under my palm, but otherwise no one had moved or said anything.

“Like they don’t have mates? Is that what you mean?” I asked breaking the heavy silence.

“That’s what I thought at first. So, I did some more digging, and I talked with the Seer and with Dad. Dad agreed that maybe we would be the first pairing with a Seidra, but as we did more research and pulled the Seer into the fold it was revealed that there some instances that mates weren’t found. Whether that means they were given or just never discovered we are unsure. It seems unlikely they wouldn’t be found.” Sten started rambling.

“Sten, as much I love listening to your ramblings on research, what did you find?” Erik snapped from beside me.

I turned and scowled at him, but he ignored me. Sten nodded and swallowed heavily. I realized his rambling was his way of prolonging breaking the news to us.

“Some Seidras had mates, but after mating their magic changed, as all magic does. It makes them strong, and targets. Most all their mates were killed protecting the Seidras. This is in part what made their magic so rare. Pups are rarely created outside of matings.” Sten said, his gaze never leaving Frode.

“That doesn’t change how I feel.” Erik’s tone carried his anger.

He pushed himself to his feet and began to pace.

“Does it for the rest of you?” Erik asked without stopping.

“I’m not saying it will change anything.” Sten stood and stepped toward Erik.

“Then what are you saying? Cherish what little time we have before we get killed off?” Erik snarled as he faced Sten.

“No. Would you rather I kept this information to myself? Would you prefer that we live in ignorance instead being able to step up our protection of Astrid? Rather being able to prepare for the increased danger after we mate?” Sten squared off with Erik.

Erik’s chest was heaving as he fought to control his anger. I had seen glimpses of his anger, but never like this. He looked as though he wanted to swing at his brother. He wasn’t truly angry with Sten, but at the situation. I stood, planning on getting between them.

Frode’s hand on my arm stopped me. He gave a gentle shake of his head, his gesture telling me to let them be. My eyes move back to Erik and Sten who are standing toe to toe.

“Shit.” Erik exclaims as he turns from Sten.

Frode pulls me into his lap and leans my torso against his.

“They haven’t come to blows since they were pups. But every once a while the hot-headed beta has trouble with the slow and methodical delta. They just need a few moments, and they work it out.” He mumbles in my ear; he pulls my earlobe into his mouth for a moment before whispering in my ear again. “Remember we’re wolves on our basic level, sometimes we fight and get physical. Sometimes we need that to settle our differences or let off some steam, but we’re also brothers, pack, we won’t really hurt each other.”

“I agree with Erik, this doesn’t change how I feel about mating.” Rune says, finally breaking his silence since the conversation began.

“But what if it changes for me?” I asked before realizing I’d even been thinking it.

Four sets of eyes landed on me, and I felt tiny in their gazes. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter. I’d already opened my mouth; I might as well finish my thought.

“I only get powerful enough that I become a beacon for trouble if we mate. What if we don’t mate?” I asked, my eyes moving over each of my mates, but not meeting any of their gazes.

“You don’t want us?” Rune asked, his voice soft, but giving away how my question had hurt him.

“That’s not what I’m saying. We talked about mating the other day.” I said, recalling the conversation we’d had.

We could move forward physically with our relationship, even go as far as having sex with one another, without mating. The bite was the key to completing the mating process. They’d mentioned that without mating my heat cycle would grow closer together and more painful. It was my wolf’s way of trying to get us to mate now that we’d found our mates.

“There are a few problems with that idea, little one. The biggest being your heat. Just because we don’t feel the heat the same as you, it does call to us. Also, it’s very hard for us to watch you suffer, especially knowing that we can do something to stop it.” Frode said, his arms wrapping tightly around me.

“There’s also the fact that mating with each other has many perks, outside of the increased pleasure and fun that comes with it.” Erik said, wiggling his eyebrows.

He’d clearly cooled off.

“Ok, what are they?” I asked, keeping my tone curious.

“It’s easier to sense when you’re in danger or upset. We heal faster once we’re mated, especially when we’re around each other. Our magic grows stronger, as well as our bodies. Mating basically enhances all our power. Not to mention the opening of the mind link.” Rune joined into the conversation more as he leaned on his elbows on his knees.

I thought about the points Rune had made. Were all those perks worth the increased danger we’d face? I wasn’t completely convinced yet.

“I know it’s not often heard of, but what about a partial claiming?” Erik asked, running his hand through his hair.

“I’m not sure how it would affect her magic. The increased power comes from joining our magic together. If we mark her it would keep her heat at bay and increase our power. But it could also increase hers, just not enough. If that’s the case, we might as well just fully claim each other.” Frode said with a shrug.

“Is my heat the biggest issue for you?” I asked.

All three of the men nodded.

“Is there like a wolf version of birth control? An herb or something that can delay or stop it from coming on?” I asked.

“There is but I don’t want to chance it. It’s dangerous.” Frode said, his arms tightening around me, as if they could protect me from my thoughts.

“We won’t let you risk yourself.” Erik added.

“Is there something that can ease the heat?” I pushed the topic, despite my mates being concerns.

“Yes, but as time goes on it become less effective. We won’t let you suffer.” Rune reiterated Frode’s earlier words.

“But it’s my choice, right?” I needed to hear them say it.

“Of course, it. We wouldn’t force you.” Frode said, his tone disapproving of this conversation all together.

I nodded and thought over everything. I wanted nothing more than to claim these men as mine. The more time I spent with them the stronger the urge became. Being in better contact with my wolf had made me want the bond more. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure why I voiced my thoughts on not mating.

Medical school had always made us play devil’s advocate, and apparently it had become second nature at some point. I wasn’t against mating, but I was against putting my mates at risk. I sat back and leaned into Frode’s warmth.

“Are you really against mating?” He asked in my ear softly.

“No, but I don’t want you at risk.” I replied, turning so I could face him.

His brown eyes looked darker than normal. His face held his usual stress that disappeared when he slept. My finger traced his pinched eyebrows.

“We’re always at risk, little one. And even if we didn’t mate, we wouldn’t hesitate to protect you.” He said as his eyes moved over my face.

“I know. It’s good to know the risks increase so we can prepare for them, but I’m not saying no to mating with you.” I admitted, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

His face turned so fast that my lips didn’t meet his cheek, but instead were pressed to his lips.

“Well, what do you say about practicing for the big event then?” He teased, lightening the mood in the room.

“I think that sounds like a good stress reliever.” I smiled at him.

He stood up, without setting me down and grinned at his brothers as he moved across the living room. They followed quickly behind us and before I knew it I was bouncing on the bed from being dumped on it. I looked up and saw four hungry sets of eyes looking at me like I was their last dinner.