Page 139 of The Widow and the Orcs

Ulfarr’sbody had spasmed again, his breath exhaling harsh, because yes, she’d known he’d wanted that, too.He’dwanted that right, that power, and maybe even that leverage.Notonly over her, but over whatever orcs he allowed to touch her.AndLouisahad known that he would already have a mental list, a breakdown ofSkaihe’d wanted to court, or bring closer to him and the camp — and that the rut would offer a powerful incentive.Abond.

Andmaybe that had been wrong, or drawing too much on the darker ways of theSkai, and of the old packs — but at some point,Louisahad found that she hadn’t much cared.Overthe past year,Ulfarrhad gradually become the clan’s most respected resource and advocate forSkaihistory and traditions, and if anyone should plan and lead a rut in the oldSkaiways, it should be him.Itshould be theWolfof theSkai.

Afterthat night,Louisahad often heardUlfarrandKillikdiscussing options, but she’d tried to ignore it, and to trust that they would make the best choices for them, and for her.Andthen she’d even written the letters of invitation, as she always did, withKillikreading over her shoulder.

Andnow — now, it was the night.AndLouisasought to breathe in deep from the earth as she strode back to the camp, moving swiftly and silently along the path — until she happened upon an unsuspecting pheasant.Soshe made a quick, clean kill with her knife, and then dressed it on a nearby rock before carrying it back into the camp.

Thomasroundly thanked her for the meat, and then let her know a new letter had come in for her from the lawyer.SoLouisagratefully took the distraction, and headed down into the common-room.Whereshe poured her full focus into evaluating this latest update againstRosa’sextensive notes, and then writing out a detailed response.Doingher damnedest to make her case, and reclaimRikard’sland for her son.

Ithad turned into a complicated legal battle over the past year, afterRikard’sdeath in bed from his so-called sudden illness.Adistant cousin ofRikard’son his maternal side had materialized to claim the land and the title, but his claim was far weaker thanLouisaandSune’s— partly due to the fact that one of the realm’s northern lords,LordNashofAlbajar, had recently used adoption to cut out his own firstborn son from inheriting his own entailed property.Meaningthat there was a well-established legal precedent in place, and one that the realm’s rulingCouncilwasn’t eager to revoke.

Andwhile the matter wasn’t yet settled, it was settled enough that the orcs had been hunting onRikard’sland for months now, and tending its herds and valuable crops.Andthereby bringing in enough coin thatLouisahad finally paid the last ofLordScall’smortgages, and gained her property for her own.Forever.

Andtogether with her kin and her friends — and especiallyRosa—Louisawas confident they would gain the rest of it, too.Theywould keep working together to face this, and to build the biggest, safest, most prosperousSkaicamp in all the realm.

Butfirst, she had to get through tonight.Therut.

“Finished?” came a husky voice from behind her, along with a telltale nip at her neck — andLouisasmiled atKillikover her shoulder, and handed up her letter for him to review.Andthough he read it without comment, she could see in his smug little smile that he approved, and he even signed atRagniand his new mate across the room to come fetch it, and deliver it at once.

“Iscent fresh blood upon you,”Killikmurmured afterwards, with another nip at her neck. “Pheasant?”

Louisanodded, tilting her head away to welcome more of his kiss, more of that sweet scrape of his teeth. “Good,” he said. “Nowcome.Wolfwished me to tend you and ready you for tonight.”

Hehad?Louisa’sbrows shot up, but she didn’t argue asKillikled her toward one of the common-room’s multiple tunnels, the one heading east.Theone where they’d carved out a second room of their own, not far from the common-room, so they had a private place for meetings or lovemaking as needed.Andnow their room had a steaming washtub in the middle of it, along with a full bottle of oil, a large basket of fruit and dried meat, and several fresh towels and furs.

Itwas surelyUlfarr’sdoing, butKillikwould have implemented it all, andLouisakissed him and thanked him before lowering herself into the hot water.Andinstead ofKillikleaving, as he usually would have — he was never one to lounge around relaxing — he settled behind her, and stroked his claws through her hair.Asif he really did want to ready her, and prepare her for this.

Itwas a lovely, shimmering feeling, especially when he began washing her all over, and then carefully dried her off, too.Andnext he spread her out on the bed, and rubbed oil all over her heated body, his capable hands smoothing steady and firm.UntilLouisafelt languid and drowsy and decadent with it, butKillikkept going, bending down to kiss softly at her neck, her ear.

“Rest, my sweet mate,” his voice murmured, very far away. “Foryou shall need it, ach?”

Anddespite the flare of alarm at that thought,Louisasomehow did sleep, sprawled relaxed and boneless on the fur.Andwhen she awoke again, it was to the feel ofKillikpatting her cheek, the scent of him strong in the air.

“Ready, woman?” he asked, his eyes glittering on hers. “Yourwolf and his chosen band are ready for you.”

Louisa’sheart thudded, but she nodded, and allowedKillikto draw her to her feet.Andwhen he passed over her loincloth, she pulled it on, and then stood still as he swung a glossy grey fur over her shoulders.Tyingit, and then spreading out her loose hair over it, and standing back to look, his eyes sweeping up and down.

“Good,” he murmured, with a gentle pat to her cheek. “Youlook just as aSkaimate should.Nowbreathe, and come, and stand before your kin.”

Breathe.Come.SoLouisaclaspedKillik’shand, and then drew down deep breaths as he led her down the tunnel again.Notto their main open common-room, but to the new one they’d dug, far deeper beneath the earth.Thisone much darker and cozier, with nooks and crannies cut into the walls, and fur-covered benches and platforms scattered throughout, many with conveniently placed drainage grates beneath.Andlined along the walls, there were a variety of chains and shackles, andrassjas, and even dull knives and daggers.Allmeant not for harm, but for pleasure.

Theroom was called adýflissa, and was in fact based on a similarKa-esh room atOrcMountain— and whenLouisahad first takenKillikthere, and suggested they build adýflissaat the camp, he hadn’t even pretended to argue.Andthen he’d willingly sat through allRosa’slectures about safety, and agreed to her recommendation around only allowing entry after reading her extensive informative publication, and swearing a vow to adhere to its rules.

Butonce it had been done, thedýflissahad given them a whole new place to play together, and it had had the surprising side effect of bringing multiple curiousKa-esh to come visit, too.Adevelopment that had done wonders for inter-clan relations, because any irritation aSkaimight have felt toward a pretty, chattering, scholarlyKa-esh was rapidly forgotten, once said prettyKa-esh was gagged and bound and squealing beneath his daggers and his cock.

Buttonight —Louisa’ssteps faltered at the door — tonight, there were onlySkaiin thedýflissa.Andin the dim torchlight, she could scarcely even make out their faces — but it felt like there were dozens of them, all waiting and prowling and hungry, watching for their prey.Almostlike… a pack.

ButLouisaknewUlfarr’sold pack would be standing guard outside — they’d even passed a few on the way here — and that many of theSkaiwould have come to bear witness, rather than participate.Butit still sent a strange, shuddering thrill up her back, especially once she recognized some of their faces.Rurik, the healer.Argarr, the smith.Tarr, from the eastern camp.Airik, from the south.

Andthere at the front of the room, clad only in a loincloth, wasSimon, with a heavily pregnantMariaon his lap.AndMariaeven smiled and waved towardLouisaat the door, andLouisamanaged a smile back, despite the thunder now pounding through her chest, her ears.Shewas doing this, facing this.Shewanted this.Andshe wanted —

Him.Herhuge, hulking, dangerous wolf, standing in the middle of the room.Wearinga fur and a loincloth too, with his silver-streaked hair falling over his shoulders, his claws extended sharp from his fingertips.Looking, for a breath, like a true wolf, a predator, capable of causing great pain and grief and darkness.

Buteven so, the sight of him settledLouisa’sshoulders, drew her breath in deep.Shewanted him.Shetrusted him.Hewouldn’t hurt her, no matter what.Hewouldn’t.

Soshe held her head high, held her eyes on his dear familiar face, as she strode across the room toward him, withKilliksilently prowling beside her.Andwhen she reached her wolf, she waited as he gently took her hand, and brought it to his mouth.Kissingit, so soft, before turning her around, and raising her hand high into the air.

“Onesummer past, my faithful mateKillikhunted this woman for us,”Ulfarrsaid, his voice deep and carrying. “Heknew her to be a shrewd, strong, steady woman, and hoped she would grant us pleasure, and peace.”

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