Page 88 of Heart of the Wolf
Anyone with eyes knew they were in love.
Even if Leif fought it, he couldn’t deny it any longer.
He was not ready to give up his little wolf. But that choice was no longer his. Freyja had guided their feet; not even a Konungr could stop the will of the gods.
“You need to talk to him,” Brielle sighed, begrudgingly slipping off Leif’s lap and smoothing her dress.
“If I didn’t want to kill the boy before,” Leif said, adjusting his straining cock as he rose, “I do now.”
“Úlfr,” Brielle hissed in warning.
“I won’t,” Leif huffed, opening the door. “Maybe,” he mumbled.
A head of full, thick chestnut hair bowed, braids spilling over his shoulders. “Konungr.Dróttning,” he said when Brielle offered him a warm smile.
Leif grunted by way of greeting, ushering the impressively composed young man inside. Crossing his forearms over his chest, Leif leveled a penetrating glare at Erik.
To his credit, the young warrior held his ground, keeping his chin aloft.
“Konungr. I wanted to apologize for what you saw today,” he started before Leif cut him off.
“Are you apologizing for touching my daughter, or that I found you?” Leif snapped.
A lump bobbed in his throat as sweat ran off his brow. “Only that you found us. Úlfr, please,” he insisted, the confidence in his tone cracking. “I love Astra.” Leif growled but let him continue. “She is all the stars, all of mine. I want to spend my life loving her, protecting her. I wish to marry Astra, with your blessing, Konungr.”
Brielle was beside Leif in three steps, threading her arm through his. A small hand rubbed over his heart, smoothing the panicked beats that fluttered beneath his ribs. Standing on her tiptoes, Brielle kissed the underside of his jaw, hiseyes closing before opening again. The icy shards of the wolf melted, leaving Leif’s swirling stormy gray in its place.
A rough hand covered hers, Leif cracking a smile when he found her tender warmth. His gaze connected with hers, smiling at the reassuring stare blinking back at him.
After a long pause, Leif spoke.
“It is her choice who she binds herself to,” Leif said in a deep, low voice. “If Astra wishes to marry you.” Erik stared at Leif, unblinking. “Then I will not stop it.”
Erik inhaled a sharp breath, a broad grin appearing on his otherwise impassive face. “Thank you, Úlfr,” he said, bowing his head as he made to flee from the home.
“Erik,” Leif said, making the man freeze. “When you undoubtedly run to my daughter’s house from here, tell her I wish to speak to her. Now,” he added.
“Yes, Úlfr,” Erik said, disappearing into the setting sun.
It wouldn’t take long for their daughter to arrive. Much like the stars she was named for, she shone brightly. The pad of Brielle’s thumb bounced along the old scar above Leif’s heart. While waiting for Astra, she pressed quiet kisses to his chest while he stroked the length of her spine. A few minutes later, the door groaned as Astra opened it.
Their daughter had grown into a beautiful woman who exuded grace and confidence, all the best parts of both of them. Two braids framed her porcelain face, a line of freckles skating along the bridge of her nose, dusting eachcheek. Long waves of lustrous silver curls cascaded down her back.
“Father. Mother,” she said, smiling at their joined hands on Leif’s chest. “Erik said you wish to speak to me.”
Leif patted Brielle’s hand before releasing it and moving closer to Astra. Just as he did every time, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest in a crushing embrace before kissing the top of her head. Astra returned the hug, circling his waist with her arms. After a few moments, Leif stepped back, keeping his hands lightly clasped around her shoulders.
“Do you love him, my little wolf?”
“Yes, Father. I feel his heart beat in mine. It’s like how you’ve always described with you and Momma. We are made for each other. It is Freyja’s will.”
A lumbering sigh shook Leif’s tall frame as he ignored the wide grin spreading on Brielle’s lips.
“Erik asked for my permission to marry you.” Astra lit up, twinkling like the stars and moon. “I told him he could if you wished it.”
“I do,” she squealed, jumping into Leif’s chest and throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank you. I love you.”
“And I love you, my little wolf. All I have ever wanted is for you to be happy.”
