Chapter 27
I sat at my mates’ parents’ house. We had cleared out of the Borg’s house after they packed a few essentials. They agreed to stay with the Asketill’s until we knew for sure that the vision was stopped, or we ended. We’d been discussing our next steps for a little while.
“I still think this is an opportunity to lay a trap.” Ulf said as he paced behind his wife.
Erik had said Ulf was the beta of their pack, Bo was the alpha, Skarde was the gamma and Harald was the delta. I could see it now, after spending time with my own. Bo and Frode held themselves the same way. Power seemed to ooze out of them.
Ulf and Erik had a similar commanding presence, but it wasn’t as strong. They both were hot headed and had a temper though. They also seemed to be the one who planned their strategy and handled training.
Skarde and Sten were both studious and quiet. Observing and listening, only speaking when they had to. Meanwhile, Rune and Harald were the outgoing and friendly member of the pack. It was easy to see who took after whom in the family.
We had settled in the dining room. Brodil sat at the head of the table with her mates around her, while Frig, Joakin’s mother, had sat to one side and me the other. Any concern I’d had over ill feelings after storming out of the house the last time I’d met with my mates’ parents had died down when a warm, kind hand enclosed mine as I told about my vision.
My gaze had snapped to Brodil, her kind eyes were filled with love and concern, something that I wasn’t accustomed to seeing from others when they looked at me. She still hadn’t released me as our mates gathered around and talked about what to do next.
“I agree, we don’t know who is coming, but they are taking a stand coming onto the territory. I think that we need to make our own. If it’s hunters, then they have broken the peace treaty and there should be hell to be paid.” Erik had posted next to me, leaning against the table.
His body was so close I could feel the heat from his hip along my arm. While Erik was hot headed and very protective, he liked to be close and affection. Something that had surprised me about the attack first, ask questions beta.
Kris, Frig’s beta, nodded and looked to their alpha, Rudolf. He shrugged and stayed quiet. My eyes landed back on Frig. She’d taken hearing of her mates’ death in silence. She hadn’t paled or shown any signs that made me concern, but maybe that in itself was concerning.
“Fine. We lay a trap. Any suggestions?” Bo asked, leaning on the table.
“Come dear, let’s get some tea and settle in the living room while the men make their battle plans.” Brodil said with a tight smile.
Frig and I stood and moved to follow Brodil. Frode’s hand captured mine as I passed by and he pulled me into him.
“Are you alright?” He asked quietly.
I nodded and pressed into him for a moment. His warmth and presence calmed me and my wolf. I was exhausted, and I realized it was most likely the toll from the vision. After my other ones I’d been able to sleep.
“We’ll plan, and then we’ll take you home so you can sleep. You’re making me tired just looking at you.” He said with a grin as he pressed a kiss to my head.
I nodded and took just another small moment to soak in his calming presence, before I moved to the living room with the other women. They were already seated, and the tea kettle was on a small cookstove in the corner. Brodil smiled and patted the cushion of the couch next to her. I took a seat and smiled at her.
“Brodil was just telling me that you were raised in the city by humans. Finding your mates must have been a shock.” Frig said with a kind smile.
“It was, and it’s been nonstop excitement since then.” I smiled back.
“So, I’ve heard. Our territory is blessed to have a Seer, but to have someone with magic as old as yours is more than a double blessing. I must thank you. It seems you’ve saved my family twice now.” Frig smiled and took my hand that rested on the arm of the couch near her.
“You save my sons’ mate, and now my own mates. You are truly a blessing. I know it takes a toll on you, but you’re strong. I can sense it. The goddess chose well with you.” She stood as the kettle started to whistle.
I watched her move, gathering the tea tray and the kettle. She was at home here as much as Brodil was. These two women were just as good as friends as their sons were. I couldn’t help the hurt that flared in my chest as I realized I’d never had a friend like that.
We made small talk for a while longer as the men finished their plans. The women were nice and didn’t pry into my history too much, something I was grateful for. The two had taken turns telling stories of their sons and the trouble they had gotten into as they grew up. We were laughing when Frode stepped into the room already dressed to leave. I looked to him, and he smiled when he saw us all laughing.
“We’re finished. May I steal Astrid back?” he asked, stepping further into the room.
“Only if you promise to bring her back soon. You’ve been hogging my daughter-in-law, Frode Asketill.” His mother scolded in a joking manner.
“Yes ma’am.” He grinned back at her.
“Take your mate. She’s exhausted. Let her get some rest. Someone will be staying with her?” Brodil’s tone changed to concern as she asked about my safety.
“Of course. She’ll be on standby in case we need someone fast while we wait for the healer.” Frode soothed his mother’s concern and my own in one answer.
I smiled at him as I stood and made my way across the room to him.
“Thank you for the lovely afternoon, even though it didn’t start that way. I enjoyed talking with you both.” I smiled back at the two women who now sat together on the couch.
“Anytime, dear.” Brodil smiled.
Frode took my hand and moved us to the door. Rune was already standing by the door, holding my jacket. We left and headed back to the cabin. Despite knowing we had a plan, and the Borgs were safe, I found I still had a pit in my stomach. I tried my best to reassure myself it was fine, and the men had made a solid plan. Everyone was safe. But it I couldn’t ease the feeling that things weren’t going to go as planned.