Prologue
Gunnar
Iceland, year 821
“Before the eyes of the gods, I declare you bonded for life.”
I can’t stop smiling when my older brother Lyall leans in and kisses Soren, the man he’s loved since childhood. Beside me, my husband Leif elbows me. “Reminds me of our wedding.”
I blush up to my ears. “I sure hope we didn’t dothat,” I say, motioning at the deep, passionate kiss Lyall and Soren are locked in. Is Lyall trying to suck Soren’s soul out through his mouth? “Save it for the bedchamber!” I call, grinning when they both break apart, blushing but laughing.
“Don’t be cruel!” Leif admonishes. Leaning down, he whispers to our infant son, “Your da is the spawn of Loki!”
Bjorn smiles, waving his little fists in delight when Leif kisses his ears.
Ah, but my heart feels as if it will burst when I look at them! It wasn’t long ago that Leif and I adopted him. With both his parents dead, he needed a family to care for him. I’d wanted to adopt him right away. Leif had worried we weren’t ready, butwhen he’d met the little lad, he’d had his heart stolen, as I had. I knew he would make a great father.
Beside me, Anders watches his twin and Soren lead the way to the longhouse where the feast will be held. “They’re a good match. Soren’s been working hard on that farm of his. He gave us some of his best sheep.”
“Aye, Lyall will be well looked after,” I agree. As will Soren. Mating the son of the Alpha has immeasurable benefits. “May they never go hungry or want for anything.”
Bjorn starts crying.
Leif says, “Hungry, little lamb? Let’s go and find Anna.” As if he recognized her name, Bjorn stops crying and brightens up. The lad loves his wet nurse.
Leif’s own stomach growls, and I jump to my feet, eager to provide for my mate. “Stay put, dear. I’ll get us some of the meat pies.”
Inside the longhouse, I’m pleased to see that our father spared no expense for my brother’s special day. Minstrels fill our childhood home with music. Our people dance and cheer, and the festivities spill out the doors and into the streets. Leif goes off to find Anna while I squeeze through the crowd to get to the food.
My shoulder knocks into someone. “Brother!” Lyall’s face is red from mirth as he wrests me into a back-breaking hug. “Have you ever seen such a feast as this? Even Wulfric’s having fun.”
Our youngest brother and future alpha has been working hard at my father’s side. I can’t imagine what it must be like to know that once our father is gone, Wulfric will be responsible for the pack’s future. It pleases me to see him smiling with our aunt Helga, flagons of mead in their hands.
Fortunately, Father won’t be called to Valhalla for many years to come. Wulfric has time to learn.
“It all looks delicious. Congratulations, Lyall. You and Soren are a perfect match. The Norns chose well when they brought you together.” Lyall sighs, long and wistful, as he looks across the room at Soren, who is offering his sweet to a little girl. “Aye, that they did. He’s everything I’ll ever want. I can’t wait to give a child like your sweet Bjorn a home with us.”
The minstrels play a bouncy tune as Soren waves his mate over for a dance.
I clap him on the back. “Go and have fun.”
Lyall dashes off and breaks into a dance with Soren, sweeping him close.
I take the food outside and find Leif sitting on a bench, patting Bjorn’s back. The little lad belches, and Leif winces. “Ugh. I think he spit up on my shirt.”
Setting the pies down on the bench, I retrieve a rag from my belt. I blot at the mess on Leif’s back, and once he’s as clean as he can get, I take our son and cradle him to my chest. “He makes fine artwork on your shirt.”
Leif snorts. “Aye, he’s very talented.” He hands me a pie, then takes one for himself. I sway Bjorn side to side with the music drifting out into the streets. Leif leans into my shoulder. “You know what I remember most about our wedding day?”
“What?”
He takes my hand in his, his smile soft and sweet. “How excited I was to spend the rest of my days with you. My mother was worried because fate had no hand in our union. She worried you would meet your fated mate and stray.”
It’s true that our mating is unconventional. Many ulfhednar choose to wait until they find the one fated for them by the Norns, but life is short and uncertain, and many die before they can meet their mate, or if they’re from an alpha bloodline, they go berserk and lose themselves to their wolves. I did not want to wait. I wanted a family, and I wanted someone to come home to.
I’ve heard that in human settlements, marrying someone of the same sex is forbidden. A human man must wed a human woman and carry on a strong bloodline. Among ulfhednar, chosen or fated mates are sacred, regardless of whether they are male or female. Besides, there are plenty of children in need of a loving family. Bloodlines are less important than ensuring vulnerable children are cared for.
I rest my cheek against his hair. “Never. Even if I were to meet them tomorrow, I would still choose you and our son. Always.”
