All this time, I’d been wrong when I believed Soren had played a role in Leif’s and Bjorn’s murders. His father acted alone.
All these years, my rage was misplaced. I thrust all the blame for the attack onto Soren. So long as I had someone to blame, I didn’t have to blame myself.
I can no longer hide behind a shield of Soren’s guilt.
It is no one’s fault but my own that my family was killed that day. I was too weak to protect them. They’re gone because of me.
One by one, my family testifies in support of Soren’s innocence, until the time comes for me to speak. “Innocent,” I say.
Soren’s name is cleared, and he and Lyall share an embrace, the scent of their tears making my own eyes sting.
I want nothing more than to get out of this damn place. To shift and run until I’ve left all my guilt and loathing behind.
“Gunnar and Arlo and Alpha Wulfric, please stay. There are matters we need to discuss,” Harding says.
Arlo? He’s here?
My heart gives a jolt when Arlo walks past my seat and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Come on, stud. Let’s do this.”
Do what, exactly?
I follow him to the front of the room and drop down into my seat, chewing my lip. No doubt there will be some kind of punishment for my actions. But what does the Council want with Arlo?
Councilwoman Harding says, “Gunnar Erikson, you are here because you have been charged with endangerment of humans, unauthorized time travel, and exposure of the paranormal world. Do you understand?”
I want to sink into the floor from shame, but I refuse to display such cowardice. I look her in the eyes. “I do, Councilwoman. I accept any punishment you deem necessary, but please do not punish my family for my foolish actions.”
“It is not punishment we want, Mr. Erikson. We want assurance that you will get your berserker under control before this happens again. You must take a mate, chosen or fated, within the next thirty days. If after that allotted time you are still a risk to yourself and others, we will have no choice but to strip you of your wolf. If you resist, then we will have no choice but to put you down. Is that understood?”
A bitter chill runs down my spine. I vowed over Leif’s body that I would never take another mate, nor love another as I loved him. I will never break my oath to him, but nor can I put my family and friends at risk.
Beside me, Wulfric nudges my shoulder. “Do as she says, brother. You must.”
The pain in his eyes only makes my guilt worse. It’s bad enough I’ve hurt Lyall. I’ll only hurt my family once more if I losemyself to my berserker. Haven’t I done enough harm? I must try, for their sake if not for my own.
I try to swallow, but my throat is painfully dry. “I… I understand.”
“Good,” Harding says. “Arlo.”
I tense at the witch’s name.
“Yes, Councilwoman?” Arlo’s voice is as chipper as usual.
“Your arrival at the scene calmed Gunnar enough for us to contain him. Only a wolf’s fated mate has such an effect on a berserker wolf.”
He was there? I don’t remember that. I throw a questioning look at Arlo, but he just rubs the back of his neck and looks away.
“Is Gunnar your fated mate?”
Arlo is quiet for a long moment. “Yes. Though I haven’t a clue why the gods decided my perfect match was a grumpy git.”
The contempt in his voice makes me bristle.
“Gunnar, do you confirm this?”
“Aye,” I say with such derision that it surprises even me.
“Then in thirty days’ time, you must report back to the Council as claimed mates.”
