Page 63 of Heart of the Wolf
“Forgive me, oh noble kitty,” she mumbled, and Leif snorted, not looking up from his project.
A plate of meats and nuts sat next to her, still untouched. Her clothes hung loose around her frame, not fitting as snug as they once had. While one hand scratched Runa’s ear, the other brought a single nut to her lips, taking a bite and praying it wouldn’t make a reappearance. Even when he stayed silent, the weight of Leif’s gaze boring into her was unmistakable.
Despite her insistence that everything was fine, he was still on edge. His wolf paced beneath the surface, agitated. Icy blue mixed with steel gray, sometimes making it hard to tell who was in control.
Leif or his wolf.
“The full moon is bright tonight. Odin is pleased,” he murmured.
Air punched from her lungs as her heart plummeted into her stomach. Runa mewled, pawing at Brielle’s legs as she gasped.
With the reminder of the full moon, she was no longer able to deny the obvious.
Wood clattered to the floor, Leif’s shadow engulfing her. He kneeled beside her, hands resting on her thighs.
“What’s wrong?”
She had to tell him. His wolf had already put it together, even if Leif hadn’t yet.
“I haven’t bled in two moons,” she said, nervous to meet his gaze.
Every time he took her since their wedding, he murmured filthy words about making her round with his child. However, now that she said it aloud, her belly swam with butterflies, making the rolling feeling worse.
In one smooth motion, Leif lifted her in his arms, sending Runa hissing under a nearby bench. Before she could say anything, his lips captured hers in a deep, adoring kiss. One that made her core flutter and all thoughts fizzle out until only blissful quiet remained.
He positioned her on the bed, hovering over her with their mouths still fused. Hints of sweet fruit slid along her tongue. A warm, callused hand brushed her stomach, fingers splaying over the invisible bump. She sighed into his kiss, relaxing for the first time in weeks. Only after her face was flushed and her lips bitten did Leif pull away, peppering a trail of kisses along her jaw and between her breasts, pausing at her navel.
“Beautiful. Perfect, kona. Look at what we’ve made. I am so proud of you. I will protect you both. Keep you safe.”
“I know you will,” she said, running a thumb over his lips.
***
Over the next six months, Leif hovered. Both the man and the wolf stood guard over her. The more her belly swelled, the more protective he grew, snarling at anyone he deemed a threat.
The ice and snow thawed, melting into the rippling streams, leaving the earth sodden and muddy in its wake. Spring birds chirped from their boughs, plucking worms from the leaves.
Brielle padded by the fire outside their home, chopping vegetables and venison for a stew while she waited for Leif to return from his hunt.
Not relying on others to provide their food was a point of pride for him, Konungr or not.
Every night, Leif brought home the rabbits she craved. He would settle in by the fire, munching on the fruits and nuts Brielle gathered, curling her into his chest while he stroked her hair. Their stores of fruit were running low. But with spring approaching, she planned on collecting more, assuming Astrid or Liv helped her.
Bending over proved difficult with her protruding belly.
In a few weeks, after the baby came, it would be easier.
With more effort than she liked, Brielle carefully lowered herself onto a log by the fire pit, cooking their supper.
As the vegetables softened under the heat, a shadow eclipsed the sun, hidden by her broad-shouldered Dane.Leif beamed at her, pride swelling in his chest at the very pregnant sight of her.
And very much his.
Her cheeks flamed with the heat of his gaze. Brielle never got used to its intensity.
She wobbled and rocked, trying to stand, huffing in frustration. Admitting defeat, she threw her hands in the air, narrowing her eyes at Leif. He chuckled, gently closing his callused fingers around her wrists, helping her up.
“Thank you,” she sighed, resting her hands on her hips and arching to try to relieve some of the pressure on her lower back.
