Page 35 of Wolf Alliance

Erik nodded but wouldn’t have taken the chance that the villain wouldn’t have gotten the upper hand with his brother. Erik howled to let Logan know where he was and to gather there.

Men on horseback began riding into the area, then wolves loped through the woods and joined them, until everyone was gathered, including Logan. “All of our men are accounted for. Two of their men got away, but it doesna hurt for them to return to Freigard and tell him how many men he lost over the confrontation. We’ll give them a proper burial in the bog,” Logan said.

Erik would have rather they all had been killed and Freigard could wonder what had happened to them. But Erik hadn’t wanted his men to chase after them and possibly be ambushed. He helped them drag the nine dead men to the bog half a mile away. Once they had finished the task, he headed home with the others.

When they reached the inner bailey, he saw Accalia and his boys holding bows, looking tuckered out, the targets filled with arrows. They were watching for them, and as soon as they saw him and the others return, they joined more of his people who hurried out to greet them after battling the brigands.

To his surprise, Johnne and Hendrie quickly threw their arms around his furry neck. Thorfinn looked unsure whether he should or not. Accalia motioned to him to hug his da. Once he had, she smiled at Erik, tears in her eyes, and he nuzzled her leg with his nose.

She reached down and petted him and then hugged him.

He howled, and she laughed, and he realized just how much he loved hearing her laughter.

Beathag ran out and looked like she wanted to hug him, which would be too bizarre to consider. Before she could, Erik raced off to dress in his chamber. Once he was done, he found his sons and Accalia drinking ale and he joined them.

“I was glad to see everyone returned unharmed. What about those whom you fought?” she asked.

“Dead, though two escaped. They will ride back to Freigard and tell him about their defeat.” Erik said to the boys, “You have done well.” He was proud of them for practicing archery, and he knew it was all because of Accalia. Though Rob and Fenton were there teaching them the fundamentals.

“The lass shot several areas into the center of the target,” Rob said.

“Aye,” Fenton said. “I would have her at my back any day.”

She smiled at them. “Your teaching skills are excellent.”

Erik hadn’t had the patience to teach the boys before. Maybe he could work with them now when he had time. But he was glad that Accalia could use a bow so well.

“What do you intend to do now?” he asked Accalia because she always had a plan of action.

She glanced at the boys. “You can play.”

“Aye!” Thorfinn said, shouting at Johnne. “You’re it.”

And off the three boys ran, playing tag.

“Thank you for taking the time to work with the boys on their archery skills. It seems they are no’ anxious about what happened earlier.”

“They were concerned about your return,” Accalia said, “but for the most part, we kept them busy so they wouldn’t worry too much.”

He took her hand and kissed it, his gaze meeting hers. And then he placed his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her before he changed his mind. She kissed him back, showing she was glad he had returned to the keep safely.

Rob and Fenton had made themselves scarce.

“I need to work on the wall before we break to eat the meal.” He wanted to ensure she was well-occupied and not feeling isolated. He never thought he would worry about such a thing with a woman he was interested in courting.

“I planned to help the women making my dresses with the task.”

Which made him feel guilty he hadn’t allowed her to pack some of her things to bring with them from her home. Then they heard riders approaching the outer gates and he and Accalia watched to see who was coming.

His men quickly assembled to observe the situation in case there was trouble.

Erik was shocked to see Ragnoff arrive with two of his cousins, Gorm and Ivar. They had been three of their brother Leifson’s staunchest supporters, despite Erik saving Ragnoff from drowning when their boat sank off the coast back home. Why would they come here?

Ragnoff rode up to Erik and dismounted, his cousins doing the same.

“What brings you here?” Erik asked. He knew Leifson didn’t want him and his brothers to return home. Maybe he had died.

Ragnoff looked gruff as he always did. “You need to return home. Leifson isna of sane mind.”

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