Page 85 of Wolf Alliance

Bessetta patted Isobel on the shoulder. “Despite her carrying twins, she was shooting arrows at the lot of them and managed to take down five of Freigard’s men. I was ready with my sword but never managed to do anything. The boys wore their wolf coats, and I made them stay low the whole time.”

“We were no’ scared,” Thorfinn said, as they rode around to the castle’s main entrance, no longer needing to use the secret entrance.

“We sure were,” Johnne said.

“Aye,” Hendrie agreed.

Accalia smiled. “I was scared. You are smart to fear danger. It helps you to succeed against all odds.”

“I was too,” her aunt said.

“But she was a wolf and biting the bad men,” Johnne said, sounding proud of her.

Accalia smiled at her aunt. “She makes an excellent wolf warrior.”

When they reached the gates, the guards opened them. Stable hands took care of the horses, and everyone went inside the castle, smelling the venison and honeyed mead, but no music was playing. Those eating were in a somber mood until they arrived and then cheers went up all over the great hall.

They were welcomed with much fanfare, musicians began playing the lyre, cithara, and tympanum and sang songs of heroism and romance.

Food and ale were passed around with Erik vowing, “We will help to hunt some wild boar for our next meal.”

Which would be on the morrow as late as it was.

“Aye, that will be welcome,” Baldur said.

“I wish to welcome Erik Norwulf into our family, and to congratulate him and Accalia for mating and marrying. We’ll have another wedding ceremony here after the meal. And,” Baldur said to Erik, “we’ll sign that alliance. I also welcome Alasdair, his mate, Isobel, and their pack members, who are already our allies. I offer a special greeting to Erik’s sons, whom I intend to spoil as my grandsons.”

The boys smiled.

“We have both your packs to thank for coming to our aid in our time of crisis, and we’re beholden to you,” Baldur said. “What of Freigard, though?”

“He has escaped, we fear,” Erik said, “though once he is dead, someone will take his place. Mayhap someone who would wish an alliance with all of us and no’ to fight us. We can only hope.”

“After decimating their number of warriors, they may no’ have a choice,” Alasdair said.

After the meal, it was time to perform another simple wedding ceremony. But everyone washed up first.

This time, Accalia wore the blue gown her people had made for her and had been left behind when Erik stole her away to Whitehaven. Niamh was all aflutter, so excited for her to marry Erik.

“I’m so happy for you,” Niamh said, and Accalia and she hugged.

“I’m so glad you were safe.”

“You too after all the fighting you were involved in. I know you’ve had training, but I never thought of you being pushed into actually fighting grown men, soldiers. But I want to ask if you’ll take me with you when you return to Whitehaven,” Niamh said.

Accalia smiled. “Oh, aye, I would love for you to. I planned to ask you later about it, when we had more time to talk.”

“Aye! Thank you!” Niamh hugged Accalia.

Then Niamh, Isobel, Bessetta, and Davina wore their best gowns and they helped Accalia to dress in her gown. Davina gave her a gold pendant that her mate had given her years earlier.

“’Oh, ‘Tis beautiful, Auntie.”

“I wanted you to have it on your wedding day.” Her aunt pulled the pendant over her head.

“How frightened were the boys when all the fighting occurred at the camp?” Accalia asked. Though they had appeared happy during the meal, she worried they wouldn’t forget the traumatic experience soon.

“Very. I will stay with them this eve,” Bessetta said. “But that may no’ be enough.”

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