Page 14 of Luna Cursed

"More than ready."

Outside, Arne was standing near his SUV and watching the trees and lake. He was standing guard.

"Anything?" Tor asked, keeping his voice low so the women wouldn't hear them.

"If there's anyone out there, they are too far out for me to detect. You okay?" Arne replied. He could always tell when Tor was upset.

"I will be as soon as Ciara is out of here. I don't trust Petra not to stir up a mob. Maybe keep Layla in Alfheimstod and don't venture too far near wolf lands while I'm gone. I don't want any of this to blow back on her."

Arne's smile was vicious. "They wouldn't dare."

"You never know with Petra. Her whole family is crazy, and they are proud, which is worse. They might also try and cause trouble with your mother and the council," Tor replied.

"They can try. She'll take care of it. You just focus on getting Varg and sorting out whatever is between you and Ciara."

Tor snorted. "There's nothing between us except this bond I foolishly put on her."

"You're sticking with that? Really?" Arne said with a shake of his head.

"No point in imagining anything else," Tor replied, tossing his bag into the car. Ciara and Layla joined them, and they drove to Alruna's without Tor spotting any other wolves.

Alruna greeted them with a smile and looked Ciara over. "It's nice to see you healed and looking so well. Tor, doesn't she look well?"

"Compared to two days ago? Yeah," he said, trying not to blush. Ciara looked like fucking dinner in that purple top.

"Thank you for your help," Ciara replied politely.

"You're family now, darling. It was my pleasure. Now, Mardøll, is it?" Alruna opened a portal that showed Bayn and Freya already waiting for them. "Please keep me updated on your hunt for Varg. If you need backup, the elves are at your disposal."

"Thanks, Auntie." Tor dropped a kiss on her cheek before stepping through the portal. He watched Ciara hug Layla goodbye before following him through. It closed with a snap of bright light.

"You look good for a dead woman," Freya said to Ciara. "You are in so much trouble, missy!"

Ciara groaned. "So everyone keeps telling me."

Bayn raised a brow at Tor. "How is everything?"

"About as good as it can be. Can I get you to watch over Ciara while I go and grab some things from my apartment?" Tor asked. "We want to start hunting tomorrow, and she won't stay with me. Not when she can be here."

Bayn nodded. "Sure thing. I know what it's like with a new bond."

"It's not a mating bond," Tor grumbled. It only made Bayn smile. "Just watch her so she doesn't run off again. She still hasn't told me where she was when she spotted Varg as if I'd leave her behind and go without her."

"Give Freya ten minutes, and I'm sure she'll know," Bayn said with a grin. "How is Ciara feeling about being bonded to you? Just so I don't step my foot into it accidentally."

"Not impressed but not as furious as I thought." Tor fidgeted a little. "She wants it gone."

"Ooff. I'm sorry."

Tor tried to shrug it off and pretend he didn't care. "To be expected. It was only meant to be a temporary thing to save her life anyway. Watch her. I'll be back later. I need…I need to breathe a bit."

Bayn nodded. "Take your time. I promise she's not going anywhere."

"Thanks," Tor replied and headed out into the cool night air. He felt the bond give a strange tug in his chest like it was trying to warn him he was getting too far away from Ciara. He gritted his teeth and struggled past it.

It was going to be a good thing when the bond was removed, Tor tried to tell himself. He would go back to pretending Ciara didn't exist, and he wouldn't ever have to worry about her being just another woman that left him.

8

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