Page 44 of Cursed Wolf

Crius scans the grounds for anyone sneaking up on us.

“Return in two days,” the guard states. “Dušan will be available then.”

“Fuck that,” I snap, a snarl in my throat. “What do you expect us to do? Park outside your walls while undead roam around?”

“You can’t stay here. You’ll draw the undead’s attention. Fuck off and return in two days.” He shouts, lifting his rifle.

I swear to hell, I’m going to break his face when I get the chance.

“Meira,” Jae suddenly calls out. “I’m Jae, Meira’s sister. I’m certain you will get your ass kicked by Dušan if you deny his fated mate’s sister into the compound.”

I glance at Jae, her chin high, her shoulders squared. Looks like I’m not the only one great at spinning lies. The little girl’s a firestorm, and clearly, I made a mistake not utilizing her knowledge from her time with this pack.

“Hurry up,” Jae reminds them. “Or you will find yourself with an Omega out here about to go into labor. Then every damn undead will hear her screaming. Take us to Meira.”

“Jae, you would make a wicked warrior,” Crius whispers.

Behind us, I catch sight of our carriage driver, not moving from the seat as he watches this unfold. He’ll have to wait around until we’re ready to head back. Though after hearing the guard talk about the undead being drawn to the commotion, I note the frantic way he’s scanning the woods behind him.

“Stay there,” the guard yells at us, then turns and climbs down a ladder on the other side of the wall before vanishing.

Turning to the team, we gather. Kaira hugs Jae while Crius holds Narah from behind, taking some of her weight off her feet.

“Quick thinking, Jae,” I say, reaching over and ruffling her light brown hair, which dances across her shoulders.

She pushes my hand away. “Hey, don’t make me look weak.”

I laugh softly to avoid being overheard, then lean over and kiss Narah’s cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“A bit sore all over, but I’m okay. Just hate that we’re out in the open.”

“How about I carry you back to the carriage and get you off your feet?” Crius asks, but she shakes her head.

As Jae and Kaira chat quietly, I don’t know how much time passes, but it feels like hours.

Finally, the crunch of grass sounds behind us, and I turn just as half a dozen guards appear from around the corner of the compound wall, with a young woman in charge. Deep chestnut brown hair flutters over her shoulders with her approach. She’s dressed in black jeans, boots, and a folk-style white shirt with red embroidery around the v-neckline. The woman is beautiful with flawless skin, though nothing compared to my Narah. My heart thunders just thinking of her.

Five foot two or three, this woman is tiny, looking even more so next to the beefy guards surrounding her. I recognize the two Alphas by her side. Lucien stares at us as if he’s playing out in his mind everything he’ll do to us if we touch his girl. He’s in a checkered button-up shirt, dusty jeans, and cowboy boots. Brown hair sits messily around his face as if he’d just been running. The second beefhead looks like a mountain, and I remember him well—Bardhyl.

Like us, this Alpha comes from Denmark and has Viking heritage. Long, blond hair is tucked behind his ears, his shoulders are broad, and bright green eyes scan the intruders in his home. His shirt sits lopsided around his neck, and I note he’s barefoot, telling me he rushed to see us.

Kaira makes a small squeaking sound, her eyes bulging at Bardhyl, but I can’t tell if it’s intimidation or loving what she sees. Too bad because if I remember correctly, these Alphas, including Dušan, are Meira’s fated mates.

“Meira,” Jae calls out and is suddenly running away from us and toward her.

Meira rushes from her men toward Jae, and they come together in a tight embrace. They laugh, then pull apart, holding each other’s hands and smiling. Jae points at her sisters, catching Meira up on what’s going on and who’s who.

I see the heartfelt emotions between them on their faces. Whatever these two have gone through, it was life-changing.

With Crius embracing Narah, we all approach the team, with Lucien and Bardhyl stepping into our path. Their gazes roam over us, and by their tight expressions, they recognize us.

“Where’s your Alpha, Ragnar?” Bardhyl’s gravelly voice demands.

“A day’s travel is behind us. We faced difficult circumstances and had to leave earlier.”

As if understanding, his attention sweeps past me and lands on a very pregnant Narah.

“Hi,” she says shyly, waving at the guys.

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