Page 8 of Thor's Unexpected Mate

I didn’t want to be Alpha either, but I had no choice. However, I didn’t say that out loud. My brothers and my entire pack needed me to be strong, especially when enemies marched so close to our borders.

“Thank you, Baldr,” I said at last. “I truly do owe you.”

“It’s fine, Thor. Just do me a favor, okay?” He took a long hard look at me. “Don’t let this get out of hand.”

“Right.”

Of course, I didn’t mention to him that it was his vision that drove me to even attempt to help this man in the first place. Somehow, I had a feeling that it wouldn't go over too well. And, Baldr had a strange tendency to deny interpretations of his visions. He took them quite literally most of the time.

“Come over here and put your hands on my shoulders,” he commanded, waving me over. “I need to use some of your energy for this. I don’t have enough by myself.”

“Take whatever you need, brother,” I replied, doing as I was told. “I heal quickly.”

“Just hold on. This is going to be uncomfortable.”

“It can’t be that bad–”

My words were cut off as Baldr began to chant. There was a flash and gold dust swirled in the air around us. At the same time, I felt my body stiffen, all my muscles drained of their energy in an instant. And yet, I was unable to move or pull away from him. Exhaustion crept over me like the shadow of death himself. For a moment I thought I would be bled dry, and my heart raced as I began to panic.

Then, just as fast as it had begun, the gold disappeared and Baldr slumped to the floor. I managed to stay on my own two feet, although just barely. Taking a few deep breaths, I finally looked up.

The stranger’s leg was no longer a grotesque sight. Now it was just a normal-looking leg with a small scar across the front. However, I could still see the bruising under his skin. I reached out, gently touching his leg. Another streak of elation swept through me, but I pushed it away. My fingers traced his shin, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The bone was back where it belonged, and he was no longer bleeding.

But what was I going to do about Baldr?

Gathering up my strength, I managed to drag Baldr over to a nearby chair and heft him up into it. Once there, I began to pat his face, trying to wake him up.

“Baldr? Baldr!”

I gave him a hard-ish smack, and he snorted back to life.

“What?!” He looked up at me, the confusion slowly melting from his expression. “Did it work? Is he okay now?”

“He’s fine,” I replied with a smile. “And your power is incredible. You’ve gotten so much stronger.” I cocked an eyebrow. “When did that happen?”

“No idea. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I guess I can.”

“Don’t let Loki know. You know how jealous he is of your magic.”

“Don’t worry, I never tell Loki anything without giving it a lot of consideration.” Baldr groaned as he pushed himself up from the chair. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go pass out in my room.”

“Baldr,” I said, grabbing his arm. “The Skoll Alpha didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“Tyr? No. He wouldn’t dare.”

“I don’t know what kind of witch your mother was,” I sighed, shaking my head. “But she must have been a terrifying woman to get that man to continue to keep a promise a decade after she died.”

There was a sad look in Baldr’s eyes. “She was very powerful.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned her.” I patted him on the shoulder again, knowing how painful that wound still was for him. “Go rest up. And thank you again.”

“Goodnight.”

Baldr left the Alpha suite, closing the door behind him. I heard the electric bolt click into place and I knew the strange human and I were all alone. Suddenly my heart rate sped up as his floral scent washed over me once more. Already the smell of human blood was fading. Well, except for what was still on my skin.

I walked over to the couch and knelt down beside him. Now that I had him in the light, I could look over all his beautiful features in more detail. He had a sharp cut jaw with red stubble poking out in places. His nose had a splash of freckles across it, giving him an almost boyish look. However, it was the ropey muscles, the high cut shorts, and those pink kissable lips that made him almost irresistible. I wanted to touch him so badly even though I knew I shouldn’t.

However, before I could stop myself, I realized I was leaning forward. In that moment, the wolf took over and our lips pressed together. The wave of attraction I felt when I touched him was nothing compared to the absolute torrent of emotion that threatened to consume me now. It came on so hard and fast that I tore my body away, practically throwing myself to the ground.

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