Page 5 of Wolf Alliance

The blond-haired man inclined his head and left to get her something to eat while the rest of his men were eating some distance away—all watching for any signs of trouble.

The man Erik had sent to fetch their food returned with brown bread and cheese for Erik and her and she ate some of her bread. Then the man who had brought the food walked off to survey the land below them while they ate. She ate the food after having had very little to eat to break her fast this morn and drank the ale.

Erik continued to eat his food and tossed down some ale. “It’s time to go.” Then he rose and held his hand out to her, but she ignored it.

She knew she was stubborn, but she didn’t want him to believe she was some silly maid who couldn’t take care of herself. She rose to her feet and walked to her horse.

She saw him hesitate to help her mount her horse. To her frustration, she couldn’t climb onto the saddle because of her long gown. Without a word, Erik stalked over to her and hoisted her onto her saddle. Grateful, she took a deep breath.

Niamh was right. Accalia had a pure drive to succeed at anything she tried to accomplish. And she needed to think more positively while she was in their company. “Thanks be to thee.”

“Think naught of it.” He climbed onto his horse.

“Why did you agree to this arrangement?” she asked, as they began to ride off again, her mare jostling her with every step. She needed to know what he hoped she would provide for him, just as she had needs in a mate.

“The same as your da wished—an alliance, and to get you with child to expand his legacy and mine.”

It was the way of their wolfkind and clan chiefs in general. She’d considered having a child by the chief, but she hadn’t considered how tall he would be. Freigard was much shorter in stature and not half as muscled.

“And we couldna do this at my castle?” They were supposed to get to know each other’s worth during the weeklong visit.

He raised his brows at her, a small teasing light in his eyes.

Her cheeks burning with embarrassment, she scoffed. “I dinna mean getting me with child. Do no’ say it. You wished no interference.” She wondered what he thought she would have done to interfere. She would have tried to be on her best behavior under her da’s watchful eye as she had always longed to do what he approved of. Not that she hadn’t gotten herself into much mischief over the years. But she had attempted to please him.

“Our travel days dinna count toward the week we have to get to know each other. According to your da, we could handfast for a year, and if in that time we didna have any offspring?—”

“‘Tis no’ true unless we were?—”

“Human, aye. He was talking about humans. I dinna believe ‘tis a bad notion.”

“We are wolves,” she reminded Erik as if he had forgotten that.

“Aye.”

“We…we…” Well, goddess take him. “We dinna attempt to have children unless we are mated…for life.” This man was infuriating. She wasn’t about to hear anything more from him about making love without agreeing to be mated. “And if we dinna suit?”

“I will send word to have your da come for you.”

She scowled at Erik. “You know he is as much a chief as you are.”

“Aye, and he is glad for the arrangement.”

“Taking me to Ice Haven was not what he agreed upon.”

“Whitehaven.”

She feared she would accidentally call it that if she didn’t watch herself. Everyone in her pack called it Ice Haven, believing the northern men were made of ice and could fight any foe. Which would be a reason to be allied with Erik.

“Has your da followed us to take you back?” Erik asked.

“Nay,” she said, reluctant to admit it. She hadn’t wanted her da to have to fight on her behalf. But she wished he’d stood up to Erik to let him know he couldn’t have his way in all things concerning her.

“Then by leaving matters as they stood, he has agreed.”

“My da didna tell me you were a tyrant chief, either.”

He cast her a small smile, but then it faded. “’Tis better to be quiet in this area. Danger lurks nearby.”

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