Page 48 of Thor's Unexpected Mate

“I’m not–”

“Yes, you are,” Baldr interrupted. “You’ve wanted to start a war since Dad died. If it were up to you, the entire Skoll pack would be dead and half our pack along with them. Thor is the only one that has stopped that carnage from happening. You’re too emotional.”

“Do neither of you care about the pain and injustice Tyr has inflicted upon us?”

“Of course we do,” Baldr said. “I want him dead just as bad as you do. Believe me. But I can’t sacrifice good wolves to feed my own need for vengeance. If we retaliate against Tyr, you know his son and his pack will rise up against us and take more lives.”

“Whatever,” Loki scoffed, crossing his arms again. “But that doesn’t excuse Thor taking a human mate!”

“I’ve decided it’s not up for negotiation,” I replied, clenching my teeth. “There is no reason that Flynn and I can’t be together. We can’t produce pups, so you can’t argue that it’ll weaken the bloodline. Not only that, but he’s sworn himself to secrecy.”

“I don’t trust him…”

“Then I’ll bond with him,” I replied. “Today if you want me to. With the connection forged between us, it’ll be impossible for him to lie to me. Will that make you happy?”

Loki was silent.

I let out a long side. “Look Loki, I know you’re not happy with me. You haven’t been since Dad died. I know his death hit you the hardest. But no matter how much Baldr and I try to be there for you, you just push us away. We’re all trying to get through this and there’s no reason you should have to grieve alone.” I reached out, putting a hand on his shoulder. “This world is changing. We’re not just a bunch of wolves living in the woods anymore. We have to get along with the humans and there may even come a day when we have to join them as equals if we want to keep surviving. We can’t stay secluded forever.”

I gave him a moment to think.

“Please brother. I want you on my side. We need to lead this pack together, all three of us.”

Silence.

“Thor,” he sighed, reaching up and pushing my hand away. “I cannot stand by you in this decision.”

I opened my mouth to reply, but he held up his hand to silence me.

“You are my brother and I love you, but I can’t stand by and watch you destroy our pack just for your own happiness. I will keep your secret, if only because your life would be in danger if this were to get out. But when the day comes that you announce your new mate to the pack, that’s the day I will leave.”

“Loki… You can’t be serious–”

“Yes, I am,” he snapped, pushing himself up out of the chair. “I will not be part of this. So, when you finally make up your mind about what you want out of this life, just remember that you’ll have to make a choice. It’s either your human mate or your brother. What’s more important to you? Blood or sex?”

He didn’t let me get another word out as he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Well,” Baldr sighed. “That went about as well as I expected.”

I let out a long sigh. “What am I going to do about him?”

“I don’t know. But I don’t think that was an empty threat.” Baldr paused, giving me a good long look. “You know how he is. If he’s given you an ultimatum, he’ll follow through on it if only to prove you wrong for thinking otherwise.”

I flopped into a chair beside him. “Do you think I should give up Flynn?” I asked, keeping my voice low.

Baldr leaned forward, his elbow on the edge of the chair. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy because the war with the Skoll clan will be waiting for you either way. And, while I don’t think you’re doomed for the grave anytime soon, I’d rather see you get the happiness you can while you’re still able.”

“That’s… bleak.”

“Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow,” Baldr said honestly. “That much is certain. Even with my visions, I can’t see what’s going to happen from moment to moment. A vision might be correct one day and the next it’s worthless. The future is always changing.”

I glanced back at the closed door where I could hear Flynn’s voice emanating from. “I really do like him,” I said. “I feel like bonding with him is jumping the gun, but I have a feeling it’s going to happen either way. But is he ready for such a thing and all that entails? Is he ready to deal with the pack’s prejudice? And he’s so young…”

“He’s of age, even by our terms. Give him the choice and respect his wishes. That’s all you can do for anyone, human or otherwise.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Baldr patted me on the shoulder and stood up. “You missed the meeting last night,” he said. There was no accusation in his voice, but he was still scolding me. “Our pack is going to lose faith in you if you do that again. So, make sure it doesn’t happen, okay?”

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