Page 19 of Tamed for Her Pleasure

His smile takes on a longing air, and his gaze turns distant. “For certain. She was a stroppy little thing stomping about her father’s home, banging a bowl of stew down with enough force that it nearly ended up in my lap. Her father was putting out his stall with a mind to me mating her. I was a widower for a year and had no desire for another mate.” His distant look returns to me. “It took me by surprise how much I wanted her, how I was ready to change everything for her… even putting up with my younger brother because I knew he would want her too.”

“I am not fucking sharing Penelope,” I say, with unintended heat.

Jack chuckles. “Well, sharing is not for every man. Fen and I were always close, and it seemed natural to do so. But that is the way of the clans. A man or woman always knows what is right for them... Also, you have a lot of fucking brothers.”

“Aye, and I love them well, but happen I would still put a thumping on them if they glance at Penelope with interest.”

“An alpha, particularly one of the barbarian ilk, is a determined beast when he latches onto his one,” Jack says with a grin. “I wish you well, Alfred. The alliance will not hurt the clans, although I saw the calculation in the king’s eyes when he saw the horde we assembled might be his to call. I do not envy you navigating life in such a city, but I also trust you to keepthe bastard in line and to bridge the gap between our cultures. We are not warriors for hire when he has a squabble with a neighboring kingdom. If we are to support him should the need arise, he must treat us as equals. The princess is the heir to all that. Her place is there, and yours with her. Espen has always been a good second. He will step up to the role of clan king.”

“We best begin our journey back.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “We have the farthest to go… and it will take longer now we have a cart full of fine produce to take with us.”

The decision is made. I will leave my clan in the capable hands of my brother, Espen. I have every faith in him. Not only him, but he has the support of my other brothers, and there are five of us in total. A bird has been sent to the borders where two of my brothers serve in the war against the Blighten—time for them to return home and support the clan.

“We will need to make haste on the dress fitting,” the king’s advisor announces in his sharp voice that is already grating on my nerves. “Along with her betrothed.” His snooty nose lifts in the air as he turns my way. “We will likely need to source extra material. We assuredly do not have any that will work for his great girth.”

“Mate,” I push through gritted teeth. “And what do you mean by girth? Are you implying I am fat?”

“Mate, husband, it matters not the terms one uses,” Louie says, waving his hand.

It matters to me. No way are they going to parade me down an aisle.

“We do need to progress with the fitting,” his advisor continues. “I will arrange it for later this afternoon.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen,” I say gruffly. “I need to get back to the clan.”

That pulls everyone up.

“Clan?” the king asks.

Penelope, who has been worryingly quiet, narrows her eyes on me in a way that makes my palm itch to spank her deserving ass.

“I need to put my affairs in order. I’m a clan king. I cannot simply abandon my post. An announcement must be made. I must formally pass responsibility to my brother.”

“You are not going without me,” Penelope says, lips tightening.

“I do not think that is advisable, daughter,” Louie says. “What if you were snowed in there?”

“What if he gets snowed in there with all those barbarian lasses? I have heard how they are. Trying to get their hands on his” —I arch one brow wondering where this is going— “girth.”

“It is not my fucking girth lasses fight over,” I mutter, wondering who the fuck she has been talking to in the short time I was busy.

“I am going,” Penelope says, folding her arms. She does not stomp her foot, but she might as well.

“Fine,” her father says, glaring at me as though he is likewise worried I’m about to rescind my offer to wed… mate his daughter.

I suppose he will lose considerable face if he comes away from this with nothing to show, and I knock up a barbarian lass while putting my affairs in order.

“But you will need to take a dozen guards with you and return before nightfall lest this snow sets in.”

“I am not used to taking orders,” I say, eyes narrowing on the king. He may preside over many times the number of people I do, but I’m not fucking one of them.

“Neither am I,” Louie says. “And I would prefer you not to leave for your clan at all.”

I can admit he has a point, and I would be wise to meet him in the middle.

“I shall allow the guards so long as they don’t have a mind to start trouble in my clan.”

Chapter Eight

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