Page 3 of Luna Cursed

"I'll do it," Tor said with no hesitation. The thought of losing her was unacceptable. He couldn't stop the clawing in his chest at the thought of letting her die.

"Torsten, you do this, and it will be the beginning of a true bond. She will share some of your strength and power. Shehuntsour kind."

"Only the ones who deserve it, Gudrun. She's just better at it than everyone else." The power inside of him that made him an alpha stirred to life. "Don't make me force you."

Gudrun growled low. "Don't you fucking dare. I'll do it, but the consequences will be onyourhead. If you bond with her, you will make her Ulfheðnar, and she will be bound to return at the next full moon in case she turns. You will not leave her side until she either turns or she doesn't. Understand?"

"Yes, Völva. I swear it." Tor glanced down at Ciara's face. "Though she's not going to like it."

Alruna placed a hand on his arm. "But she will live to be angry, Tor. That's what matters. Gudrun? Can we draw the infection out?"

"We can try. Tor, sit your ass down. You are going to need your strength for what happens next."

Tor sat at the table and dared do something he would never do while Ciara was awake. He took her small, calloused hand in his own and held it. She had split knuckles and bruises on her forearms from a recent fight. Tor swallowed down his anger at not reaching Varg when he had been on the battlefield. If he had focused on getting him, none of this would be happening.

The women moved around him, crushing herbs and gods knew what with a pestle into a small mortar. They got rid of Ciara's ruined shirt and the bandages Tor had put over the fang wounds. She would wear Varg's marks on her skin forever. His wolf bristled inside of him, making Gudrun whimper.

"Stop it, Torsten. I'm working as fast as I can," she snapped, smearing the mixture over Ciara's wounds. She placed a small dish in front of him and poured a sweet-smelling oil into it. A small knife appeared beside it. "I need blood, freely offered."

Tor took the knife and opened his palm. The burning sting of pain was worth it if Ciara was well enough to fight him again. He dripped the blood into the oil until Gudrun declared it was enough and tossed him a cloth to stop the bleeding.

Chanting an ancient healing song, Gudrun used the blood and oil to paint runes along Tor's arm, down to the hand that still held Ciara's. She continued the marks up Ciara's arm and to her heart. Tor's skin rippled as the magic struck him. He gritted his teeth, burning pain racing through him and setting the runes alight.

Please, gods of my ancestors, make this work.

The burning increased, and he felt the second the bond with Ciara was made. A piece of him left him and attached itself to her. The burning eased, and he swayed, suddenly dizzy and exhausted.

"Easy, Tor. Breathe through it," Alruna said, her hands resting on his shoulders to steady him.

Gudrun's chant eased off, and she opened her eyes. They all looked down at Ciara. Her skin was flush again, the sweating had stopped, and she breathed deeply.

"I didn't think that was going to work," the Völva said and let out a surprised laugh. She poured them all small cups of black liquor. Tor downed his and felt better. "I hope she's worth all the trouble this will cause."

"Nobody gives a shit what I do, and this is my business. If they have a problem with it, they know where to find me," Tor grunted.

Gudrun sipped her drink thoughtfully. "You say that now. Keep her on Ulfheðnar lands until her wounds are healed. I can't help if I'm not close. She's one of the clan now."

"The bond really worked?" Alruna asked.

Gudrun laughed. "Oh, it worked. Probably too well. Take her home, Tor. Don't forget that she can leave once her wounds are closed, but she has to return for the full moon. That's two weeks away."

"Thank you, Gudrun. I won't ever forget this," Tor said, getting to his feet. He picked Ciara up and cradled her close.

"I won't ever let you. Bring her by again when she's up. I want to see what the fuss is all about."

Tor nodded but didn't make any promises. He had no doubt that when Ciara woke, she would be angry enough that the gods would feel it.

Alruna opened a portal to Tor's cabin. It was between the wolf and elves settlement, next to the lake and surrounded by forest. He didn't like being around the wolves too much but needed to be close to Arne. It was the best compromise he could come up with.

"You did a good thing tonight, Tor," Alruna said, opening the front door with the key he kept hidden under a plant pot.

"She's not going to see it that way," he replied. He placed Ciara down on his bed. "Thank you for coming when I called."

"Of course, Torsten. You are my family," Alruna said, placing her hands on his cheeks. "You are the best man to help a woman in such need. Try and get some rest. I'll tell Arne and Layla what has happened. Message us when Ciara's awake so Layla can visit her."

"She's going to fight me about it. Layla might be needed sooner."

Alruna smiled. "I'm sure you can handle it." She placed a kiss on his cheek before disappearing.

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