The wind blew my hair as I climbed the mountain trail. When the summit came in view, I stopped to catch my breath. Since birthing the twins, my body had become lush and heavy, and less used to exertion. That will change when Euan and Jacob start walking.

I clutched my robe close and grit my teeth against the wind. At this height, it was louder and more terrible, filled with howls and mocking laughter. Another of the Corpse King’s spells, meant to inspire despair.

I hastened my steps, reaching out with my mind for my mate, shuddering at the empty silence where Samuel should be.

The head Alpha was so strong. Too strong. His willingness to bear the burden of the whole pack was his greatest weakness. He sat on the highest pinnacle, great body still as if carved from stone, the wind tore at his blond hair.

For a moment I feared Samuel was trapped in a prison of his own mind, but he raised his head as I approached.

Brenna?

My knees almost buckled when his voice touched my mind. It had been so long. Teeth chattering against the vicious cold, I answered. It’s almost time to meet with the witch.

With a great sigh, Samuel stretched from his pose.

Our sons?

They are well. I placed a hand on his leg. He was freezing. Muriel and Fergus are here to watch the babes. Come down the mountain. You must eat, and rest.

I must be ready to find the missing.

He’s being stubborn, I linked to Daegan.

Hang on, lass. I sent help.

“Alpha,” Ragnvald’s voice rang up the path before he appeared. “I will take your place.”

Thank you, I mouthed to my sister’s mate. He inclined his regal head, and settled himself on a rock, brow furrowied in concentration.

Samuel moved slowly as an old man. I wrapped my arms around his waist, as if seeking shelter against the wind. His arm slid around my shoulders.

You should not have come.

I could not stay away. I pressed myself to his side. So joined, we walked down the path. I missed my mate.

It’s too cold for you to be about in just a robe. You must take better care of yourself.

You can punish me later.

Silence met my words, and I felt a touch of despair.

Don’t give up on him, Brenna, Daegan encouraged. He’s been too long listening to the Corpse King.

We must remind him of what is good, I agreed. But I didn’t relax until Samuel and I entered the hallway, out of the reaches of the wind.

Here, I led him to our shared chamber. Come and rest.

Very well. Samuel sank into a chair slowly. But only for a little while. There’s much work to be done.

I fetched him mead, but before I could leave to find food, Daegan entered with two plates.

“Meat,” Daegan set the plates near Samuel. “And carrots.” His nose wrinkled in disgust, he headed to where I stood adding wood to the brazier. He caught my hands and chafed them. “Brenna, ye shouldnae leave without an extra wrap.”

I didn’t know was so cold. Too cold for late summer.

Daegan sniffed. “Ye may take a chill.”

“You should not have sent her,” Samuel rasped between sips of mead.

“Ye think I can stop her?” Daegan winked at me. “She worried and fretted, not even I could comfort her. As soon as Muriel and Fergus took the boys she was off like a shot.”

“Where are my sons?”

Close, I answered, carrying the plate to him. Eat, and I will bring them to you.

Samuel took the food and grabbed my wrist. “No. Stay here. Stay warm.”

“I’ll get the boys,” Daegan said, disappearing into the hall.

I settled myself at my mate’s feet, leaning against his powerful leg. Samuel’s face looked leaner, haggard from fighting, but he was still strong in body. It was not the strength of his body that earned him a place as Alpha, but the strength of his mind. Only Daegan and I knew how fragile he was. He would bear the entire pack’s burdens until he shattered.

You take too many risks, I said.

Is it your place to question your Alpha?

I met his gaze. Yes.

His eyes smiled at me over the cup.

You need to share your burdens.

The Corpse King’s spells attack the mind. I leaned against Samuel as he explained slowly. He sent me many visions. Horrible things. I did not want to carry them back here. He gestured to the warm room, the dais piled high with pelts, my nursing couch and the two wooden cradles. Sabine and Muriel wove both my boys blankets of dyed wool, one a fair blue, the other a rich red.

But this is what reminds you of what is real, and what is worth fighting for.

Shouts and cries heralded our sons. I rose but stayed at Samuel’s side. His hand caught mine and squeezed. His expression was pained, his breath came faster as images flitted over his mind. Empty cradles, a shredded red blanket. The visions of what would happen if the Corpse King were to overtake the mountain.

Quickly I seated myself beside Samuel and slung an arm around him. Come back to us, I begged, holding him until he blinked at me. This is real.

Daegan set Jacob down in the door and bounced Euan on his hip. The blond babe crawled to Samuel and I, babbling the whole way.

I lifted him with a grunt—already, he was a heavy boy—and sat him on Samuel’s lap. Already the cloud in Samuel’s mind was lifting.

Your son. I stepped away, blinking back tears as Samuel ran a rough hand over his Jacob’s head.

Jacob kept up his monologue, meeting his father’s gaze fearlessly and tugging on the pelt on Samuel’s shoulders. Tension leaked out of the big Alpha’s face.

“He looks so big,” Samuel rasped in an unused voice.

“It’s been days.” Daegan murmured, playing with Euan on the floor. “They grow quickly. You cannot keep away too long.”

“It is necessary.”

“It is necessary for the pack to fight, Samuel. Us. Not just you.”

He wants to stand, I interjected before my mates start fighting. Samuel offered his fingers for Jacob to grasp in his pudgy fists. The babe came to his feet, crowing.

He’s so strong, Samuel admired.

“He is,” Daegan said, ignoring my warning look. “But he also knows there’s no shame in asking for help.”

Samuel grunted.

Maddox poked his head in. “Sabine is ready to call the witch. It’s time.”