Page 54 of Loki's Enemy Mate

“Who says I’m going anywhere?” He took a wider stance, as if preparing himself for impact. “Are you challenging me for leadership over this pack?”

I glared at him with all the venom I could muster. But in the end, I had to take a deep breath and force it down.

“No,” I replied at last. “I didn’t come here to challenge you. I didn’t even come here to ask you to be a better father.”

His lips curled back at my words, but he didn’t say anything else.

“I came here with mymate,” I continued, holding fast to Loki’s hand. “Because we have information that could help you win this war.”

Tyr scoffed, shaking his head. “What could youpossiblyknow that would help me?”

Loki stepped forward. “I have been to the witch of the woods,” he said, his voice more even and controlled than I could ever be. “And she told me that in order for us all to survive, I have to join you.”

“Witch of the woods? Are you kidding me? There’s no such thing! And you’re just lying to get into my pack so you can report back to your traitor of a brother!”

“I have left my pack and my family behind because, as much as I hate you, I hate humans even more.”

Tyr gave him a good hard look, but he didn’t say anything.

“And if you want me to prove I’ve been to the witch, I can. Because I know you’ve been to see her too.”

“I don’t dabble in magic.”

“Is that why you have a mage trapped in a magical dome inside pack territory?” Loki grinned. “Mistilteinn is his name I believe. And the witch told you where to find her.”

Tyr’s gaze zeroed in on me. “You told him about our secret?!”

But I knew this question would come, and I was prepared for it.

“I know his name and location, yes,” I replied, turning the suspicion back on him. “But who is this witch he’s talking about?”

“She’s the one that–”

The moment the words left his lips, Tyr snapped his mouth shut. Without meaning to, he’d revealed his hand. A deep sense of satisfaction filled my belly, and I saw Loki smile beside me. I, however, kept my face stoic and questioning. As far as Tyr knew, I was never told about the witch.

“If you need more proof,” Loki offered, taking another step forward. “Her methods of payment were a little…intimate. Not only that, she looked decades younger when we were done. Oh, and didn’t she tell you that your little plan would fail if an outsider found out about it? Seems to me like the only way I avoid being an outsider if for you to let mein.”

Tyr stared, his jaw working, but no words leaving his lips. Loki had him cornered and there was no way out.

“So, I'll make you an offer, Tyr,” he continued. “I’ll join your little band and help you unite the Skoll and Hati packs once more. On one condition.”

“What’s that?” Tyr barked.

Loki took a step back, lacing his fingers through mine once more. “I want you to give Heimdall and I your blessing. Allow him to maintain his place as pack heir and accept me as his future Luna. If you do that, I’ll not only help you defeat my brother, but I’ll make sure your wolves remain alive.” Loki turned back, looking at each one of them in turn. “Your numbers are small, and you can’t afford more loss. I see how hurt and exhausted you all are. Let me help and I’ll make sure all of you make it out alive.” He turned back to Tyr, a wide grin filling his face. “All you have to do is accept our bond.”

Tyr stared at us both, his eyes darting back and forth. Then, after a few seconds, he began to pace across the porch, growling under his breath. He was like a bull on a rampage but forced to contain it all within himself. I watched as his muscles flexed and his nostrils flared. More than once, he looked up at us, snorted, and kept on pacing.

It seemed to go on forever. Even the other members of the Skoll pack looked worried. More than one took the opportunity to give us both a good once over. Some of their expressions were shock, probably from seeing me alive and a sworn enemy of the pack standing in the middle of our village. Others were sizing up Loki, seemingly trying to determine if he was telling the truth or not. And there were some who stared at Tyr, waiting expectantly for him to make a decision before they passed judgement. Most of them, stoic women with small children clinging to their legs, had seen enough war and death to last a lifetime. They didn’t want their babies caught up in the oncoming massacre and too many of them had already lost their husbands.

My father was more than cornered. He was trapped in a snare with no way out. His only choice was to accept Loki’s help or look like the heartless leader I knew he could be. The lives of his pack didn’t matter to him. If he wanted me to find a mate and have pups, it was because he wanted more bodies to throw into the fires of war so that his dreams could be realized. He’d already proven he didn’t care about me, but to tell the entire pack that he loved war and death more than their lives… Well, that would be his downfall.

When he finally came to a stop and stared directly into my eyes, I could see that understanding at last. His only choice was the accept us and take Loki’s help. But that didn’t explain the slight grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. And it worried me.

“You’re right,” he said at last, holding his arms out wide in a gesture of peace. “I don’t want to spend any more blood than necessary to bring us into a better future. If you can guarantee my wolves will be safe, I’ll accept you not only as my son and his mate, but the future Alpha and Luna of this pack.”

Several of the pack members let out a sigh of relief. So many of them had been holding their breaths in anticipation.But now they could fill their lungs and hazard a small smile. Less death was always welcome to those hounded by war.

“However,” Tyr continued, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “You have to prove yourself.”

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